Search

ObjectivesTo compare prevalence and severity of diaper dermatitis (DD) in infants and toddlers (babies) across three countries (China, USA, and Germany), including diapered skin measures and caregiver practices.MethodsA cross-sectional study of 1791 babies (~600 from each country) was recruited at each clinical site. Based on regional toilet-training habits, exclusively diaper-wearing infants were recruited between ages 2-8 months in China and 2-18 months in the USA and Germany. DD was measured, as well as skin pH, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and relative humidity (RH) in the diapered region. Caregiver habits were collected via a questionnaire and included information on hygienic practices.ResultsDiaper dermatitis was highest in the perianal area, followed by the intertriginous, genital, and buttock regions. In general, DD was significantly lower in babies in China, highest in Germany, and intermediate in the USA. This rank ordering of DD by geography was also observed in baby age 2-8 months. The lower DD observed in China was associated with lower skin pH and TEWL on diapered skin and decreased RH in the diaper. Chinese caregivers had the highest rate of prophylactic topical product usage, the most robust cleaning of the diapered area, lack of cleansing after urine-only diaper changes, and Chinese infants spent the least time in an overnight diaper.ConclusionsThese data suggest caregiver behaviors including prophylactic use of topical products, thorough cleaning after stooling and reduced time in an overnight diaper are associated with less DD, lower superficial skin pH, and enhanced skin barrier.

Purpose: A randomized, double blind clinical trial was conducted to evaluate initial color improvement and post-treatment color retention following vital bleaching with a strip-based tooth whitening system. Materials and Methods: After balancing for baseline color, 57 healthy adults were randomized to either whitening strips with a 5.3% hydrogen peroxide bleaching gel (Crest Whitestrips) or placebo strips without hydrogen peroxide. Maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth were treated twice daily for 30 minutes each over a 2-week period, and efficacy was measured objectively by comparing digital images of teeth collected at baseline, end-of-treatment (Week 2) and 6 months after treatment (Month 6). Results: The whitening strip group experienced a highly significant (P< 0.0001) reduction in yellow of -2,0 Δb* units versus baseline and -1.95 Δb* units versus placebo, with similar results noted for the other color parameters in the study. Most of the initial color change remained at 6 months post-treatment, with the whitening strip group continuing to demonstrate highly significant (P< 0.0001) improvements in tooth color relative to baseline and placebo. Age was found to significantly contribute to initial color improvement, with younger subjects experiencing a greater initial reduction in yellowness compared to older participants, but not to post-treatment color retention. The whitening strips were well tolerated, with minor tooth sensitivity and oral irritation representing the most common findings during treatment. There were no persistent or new treatment-related adverse events during the 6-month monitoring period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Primary brain tumors are among the most deadly of all cancers, with a 1-year survival rate of 52%. Certain elements, such as nickel, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, and beryllium, are established carcinogens in other organs. Silicon and titanium are suspected carcinogens and other elements are known to promote or inhibit the rate of tumor growth. Knowledge about the carcinogenicity of these elements inthe brain is limited. In this study, we investigated the potential role of these elements as risk factors for human brain tumors. Methods: In a case-control study, we assessed brain biopsies from 12 patients with various types of primary brain tumors and in tumor-free brain tissue from 6 autopsy cases. We used energy-dispersive X-ray analysis(EDX) to determine if there were significant differences in the concentration of the study elements in tumors and in control brains. Results: In a bivariate analysis, a statistically significant associationwas observed between the presence of brain tumors and the concentrations of silicon (p = 0.01), magnesium (p = 0.01), and calcium (p = 0.03). Zinc was also associated with a borderline significance (p = 0.05). No association was observed for nickel (p = 0.74). Although the magnitude of the observed association was estimated using multiple logistic regression analyses, the relative risk estimates were imprecisebecause of insufficient sample size. Further research using a largersample size is needed to elucidate the role of these elements in human brain carcinogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the effects of high-concentration hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents on the microleakage of composite restorations., Methods: In 60 extracted human molars, Class V restorations were prepared with Scotchbond 1/Filtek Z250 composite. Teeth were randomly divided into four groups: (1) no bleaching; (2) bleaching with 14% hydrogen peroxide gel from Crest Whitestrips; (3) bleaching with 20% carbamide peroxide gel from Opalescence PF 20; and (4) bleaching with 38% hydrogen peroxide gel Opalescence Xtra Boost. Bleaching procedures were carried out at 37 degrees C for 21 days/42 hours (2); seven days/42 hours (3); one day/45 minutes (4). Varnish was applied on the apical portion of the teeth only, excluding the restoration, prior to immersion in a 0.1% rhodamin-B-isothiocyanate solution for 24 hours at 37 degrees C. After rinsing, specimens were embedded in methacrylate blocks, and sectioned with a water-cooled microtome with three restoration cuts positioned centrally parallel to the long axis of the tooth. Microleakage was evaluated at the occlusal margins of the Class V restorations using a stereo microscope, separate for dentin and enamel margins., Results: Over 90% of enamel margins exhibited no microleakage following cycling. Bleaching agents had almost no effect on numerical averages. Eighty-eight percent of the dentin margins were free of microleakage for the non-treated control group. Bleaching treatments collectively had slight numerical reductions to around 80%. The statistical evaluation (Kruskal-Wallis-test) showed no significant difference in microleakage between groups for enamel or dentin., Conclusion: Bleaching with the materials tested had no influence on microleakage of Filtek Z250 composite bonded with Scotchbond 1.

The IntelliClean System from Sonicare and Crest combines a rechargeable sonic power toothbrush and a novel liquid toothpaste into one integrated system, providing the opportunity to re-dose with toothpaste during the brushing cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate cleaning effects from in-mouth re-dosing with toothpaste during the brushing cycle vs conventional bolus dosing. This was a randomized, examiner-blind, six-period, crossover clinical study. Eighteen adult subjects used an experimental integrated system employing either a re-dosing regimen (2 doses at the start of brushing with 1 additional in-mouth dose during the last 30 seconds of brushing [2+1]) or a conventional regimen (2 doses at the start of brushing only [2+0]). Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was sampled at the final brushing quadrant from a preselected site in the gingival sulcus using filter strips at baseline and at 4, 15, and 120 minutes postbrushing. Mean change from baseline in the concentrations of total facultative anaerobes (TFAs) and gram-negative anaerobes (GNAs) in the GCF at 120 minutes posttreatment were modeled separately using general linear mixed models. Area under the curve of surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate [SDS]) in GCF over 2 hours postbrushing was calculated and modeled using an analysis of variance model. All hypotheses were tested 2-sided at the 5% significance level. Relative to the conventional regimen, the re-dosing (2+1) regimen produced a significantly greater reduction in log10 (TFA colony-forming units [CFU]/microL GCF) after brushing, 0.99+/-0.12 vs 0.65+/-0.12 (mean change +/- standard error), and a significantly greater reduction in log10 (GNA CFU/microL GCF) after brushing, 0.75 +/-0.14 vs 0.45 +/- 0.14. The re-dosing regimen led to significantly more SDS in GCF relative to the conventional regimen over the 2-hour time period. Re-dosing of liquid toothpaste during the brushing cycle with the IntelliClean System leads to a significantly increased cleaning effect, as defined by a reduced bacterial count in GCF, and significantly higher levels of surfactant in the GCF up to 2 hours after the brushing event.

Professionally dispensed, at-home tooth whitening began with 10% carbamide peroxide gels applied to the dentition with custom-made trays. In the 1990s, higher-concentration carbamide peroxide gels were introduced to achieve faster results. Today, 15% and 20% carbamide peroxide gels are commonly used. Recently, a new vital tooth-whitening technique that uses a flexible strip rather than a tray to apply a 5.3% hydrogen peroxide whitening gel was introduced. The new strip-based product was shown to provide whitening equivalent to a 10% carbamide peroxide tray with half the wear time. In addition, the strip eliminated the need to custom fabricate trays for each patient. This article provides an overview of a professionally distributed strip-based whitening system and reviews some of the clinical data which supports the efficacy of the product. This new whitening system includes 42 mandibular and 42 maxillary strips at a higher concentration of 6.5% hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the system also includes a novel dual-action whitening dentifrice to prevent future staining postbleaching and an extrasoft toothbrush. Clinically, the professionally distributed strip-based whitening system provided 96% more efficacy than a popular carbamide plus hydrogen peroxide (equivalent to 10% carbamide peroxide) tray system and 52% more whitening than the 5.3% hydrogen peroxide strip system.