Comparative study of the dental health of 4-year-old children in north-eastern France between 2001 and 2018

PURPOSE

To analyse the evolution of the oral health of 4-year-old children in nursery school between 2001 and 2018 as well as the early predictor and associated risk factors, in different school areas.

METHODS

We compared (1) the prevalence of ECC (4 ≥ dmft ≥ 1) and S-ECC (dmft ≥ 5) of 4-year-old children and (2) data obtained by a structured questionnaire completed by their parents from two studies performed in 2001 and 2018. Data were analysed using the Chi2 test and odds ratio (OR).

RESULTS

A total of 322 children and of 425 children randomly selected among Moselle's public nursery schools in north-eastern France were, respectively, included in the study in 2001 and 2018. The prevalence of ECC was respectively 40.70% and 21.65% in 2001 and 2018 (p < 0.001; OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.78-3.47). We also observed a decrease of S-ECC prevalence (10.56% in 2001 vs 5.90% in 2018, p < 0.05, OR = 1.89; 95% CI = 1.07-3.38). The intake of cariogenic food (sweet drink, biscuits, candies, milk, baby bottle) decreased but the knowledge of parents concerning cariogenic food did not improve. The proportion of parents helping their child has not changed in 17 years (82.33% vs 86.52%, p > 0.1) but tooth brushing was initiated earlier in 2018 than in 2001 (p < 0.01). Prescription of systemic fluoride decreased (39.14% vs 3.62%; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The identification of the food consumption habits and the knowledge of parents concerning oral health should enable strengthening of preventive measures and the initiation of an oral health education programme for children and their family.

A workflow for the detection of antibiotic residues, measurement of water chemistry and preservation of hospital sink drain samples for metagenomic sequencing

BACKGROUND

Hospital sinks are environmental reservoirs that harbour healthcare-associated (HCA) pathogens. Selective pressures in sink environments, such as antibiotic residues, nutrient waste and hardness ions, may promote antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) exchange between bacteria. However, cheap and accurate sampling methods to characterize these factors are lacking.

AIMS

To validate a workflow to detect antibiotic residues and evaluate water chemistry using dipsticks. Secondarily, to validate boric acid to preserve the taxonomic and ARG ('resistome') composition of sink trap samples for metagenomic sequencing.

METHODS

Antibiotic residue dipsticks were validated against serial dilutions of ampicillin, doxycycline, sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin, and water chemistry dipsticks against serial dilutions of chemical calibration standards. Sink trap aspirates were used for a 'real-world' pilot evaluation of dipsticks. To assess boric acid as a preservative of microbial diversity, the impact of incubation with and without boric acid at ∼22 °C on metagenomic sequencing outputs was evaluated at Day 2 and Day 5 compared with baseline (Day 0).

FINDINGS

The limits of detection for each antibiotic were: 3 μg/L (ampicillin), 10 μg/L (doxycycline), 20 μg/L (sulfamethoxazole) and 8 μg/L (ciprofloxacin). The best performing water chemistry dipstick correctly characterized 34/40 (85%) standards in a concentration-dependent manner. One trap sample tested positive for the presence of tetracyclines and sulphonamides. Taxonomic and resistome composition were largely maintained after storage with boric acid at ∼22 °C for up to five days.

CONCLUSIONS

Dipsticks can be used to detect antibiotic residues and characterize water chemistry in sink trap samples. Boric acid was an effective preservative of trap sample composition, representing a low-cost alternative to cold-chain transport.

Effect of Placental Growth Factor on Trophoblast-Endothelial Cell Interactions In Vitro

Placental growth factor (PlGF) is an important angiogenic factor which has an emerging role in the clinical management of suspected preeclampsia. The role of PlGF in normal placental development is not completely understood and it is uncertain whether PlGF influences trophoblast and endothelial cell interactions central to uterine spiral artery remodelling, especially in variable oxygen conditions. A two-cell model of endovascular invasion was used. Tissue culture plates were coated with Matrigel™, on which fluorescent-labelled uterine microvascular endothelial cells (1 × 10⁵/well) and HTR8/SVNeo cells were co-cultured (1 × 10⁵/well) for 20 h. Co-cultures were treated with recombinant human PlGF (rhPlGF) (10 or 100 ng/mL) and incubated at either 21% O₂ or 2% O₂. Images were captured by fluorescence microscopy and analysed using ImageJ (n = 7). Data was analysed using SPSSv24. Treatment with rhPlGF did not improve integration in co-cultures irrespective of oxygen conditions but increased proliferation in 2% O₂ of both trophoblast and endothelial cells. Expression of angiogenic factors VEGF, sFLT-1, PlGF and CXCL12 in both co-cultures and in isolated trophoblast cells was not altered by rhPlGF treatment. Expression of TLR-3 mRNA in co-cultures was increased by rhPlGF 100 ng/mL at 21% O₂ (p = 0.03). PlGF contributes to trophoblast and endothelial cell proliferation in the setting of physiological hypoxia but does not influence trophoblast and endothelial cell interactions in an in vitro model of spiral artery remodelling. Upregulation of TLR-3 expression in co-cultures may indicate a role for PlGF in the placental inflammatory response.

Transcatheter closure of persistent arterial ducts with different types of coils

BACKGROUND

Different types of coils have been designed for transcatheter closure of persistent arterial ducts. We compared the efficacy and safety of three types of coils: Gianturco coils (Cook), Cook detachable coils (Cook), and Duct Occlud devices (pfm).

METHODS

Sixty-three patients underwent coil occlusion of arterial ducts between April 1995 and July 2000. The mean age and weight were 4.8+/-3.4 years and 16.5+/-7.6 kg, respectively. The results and complications of ductal occlusion among the three types of coils were compared. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to assess reduction in the prevalence of residual shunt with time, and multiple regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of complete occlusion.

RESULTS

Coil occlusion of persistent arterial ducts that measured 2. 2 +/- 0.8 mm was feasible in 90% (57/63) of patients. Gianturco coils were used in 29, Duct Occlud devices in 16, and Cook detachable coils in 12 patients. The prevalence of residual shunt at 24 hours, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months was 42%, 20%, 18%, and 14%, respectively. The reduction in prevalence of residual shunt with time tended to be greater when Gianturco coils were used (P =. 067). Logistic regression identified the use of Gianturco coils to be a significant predictor of complete ductal occlusion on follow-up (P =.04). Pull-through of coils occurred in 4.8% (3/63) and coil embolization in 6.3% (4/63). There was no association between the type of coil and the risk of embolization (P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Transcatheter occlusion of small persistent arterial ducts with coils is safe and effective. There is no advantage of detachable coils (Cook detachable coils and Duct Occlud devices) over nondetachable Gianturco coils in reducing the risk of embolization. Our findings are in favor of the inexpensive, but more effective, Gianturco coils for occluding small arterial ducts of 3 mm or less.

A novel downstream positive regulatory element mediating transcription of the human high mobility group (HMG) I-C gene

The high mobility group (HMG) I proteins are small, non-histone chromosomal proteins that promote gene activation during development and within rapidly dividing cells. They do so by facilitating enhanceosome formation on inducible genes, via both protein/DNA and protein/protein interactions. The HMG I-C gene is tightly regulated, normally being expressed exclusively during embryonic development. However, HMG I-C expression is also observed frequently in a number of tumor types, and this expression has been shown to contribute to the malignant transformation process. With the aim of dissecting pathways that lead to aberrant expression of HMG I-C in tumor cells, we have analyzed HMG I-C gene regulation in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. One of the two HMG I-C transcripts detected in this cell line originates from a novel downstream initiation site at nucleotide -161 relative to the first methionine. Transcription from the downstream initiation site is mediated by a PRE located between nt -222 and -217. We show here that the Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors interact with the PRE and transactivate the HMG I-C promoter in a cooperative fashion. This study provides the first characterization of this downstream HMG I-C promoter.

A novel downstream positive regulatory element mediating transcription of the human high mobility group (HMG) I-C gene

The high mobility group (HMG) I proteins are small, non-histone chromosomal proteins that promote gene activation during development and within rapidly dividing cells. They do so by facilitating enhanceosome formation on inducible genes, via both protein/DNA and protein/protein interactions. The HMG I-C gene is tightly regulated, normally being expressed exclusively during embryonic development. However, HMG I-C expression is also observed frequently in a number of tumor types, and this expression has been shown to contribute to the malignant transformation process. With the aim of dissecting pathways that lead to aberrant expression of HMG I-C in tumor cells, we have analyzed HMG I-C gene regulation in the human hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5. One of the two HMG I-C transcripts detected in this cell line originates from a novel downstream initiation site at nucleotide -161 relative to the first methionine. Transcription from the downstream initiation site is mediated by a PRE located between nt -222 and -217. We show here that the Sp1 and Sp3 transcription factors interact with the PRE and transactivate the HMG I-C promoter in a cooperative fashion. This study provides the first characterization of this downstream HMG I-C promoter.

Cis-element dependence and occupancy of the human invariant chain promoter in CIITA-dependent and -independent transcription

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated invariant chain (Ii) associates with the class II alpha/beta heterodimer during its biosynthesis, inhibiting association of endogenous peptides with the peptide-binding cleft. It is therefore not surprising that there are significant similarities in regulatory mechanisms controlling the expression of the structural class II MHC and Ii genes. One important similarity is that both classes of genes can be expressed via CIITA-dependent or -independent mechanisms. In this report, we have dissected CIITA-dependent and -independent transcription of the Ii gene using an isogenic B-LCL cell pair (Jijoye and clone-13) which do or do not express the class II MHC transactivator (CIITA), respectively. Experiments using mutant or deletion constructs of the Ii gene promoter indicate that while both the X-box and li-kappaB1 elements are critical for CIITA-dependent transcription in B lymphocytes, the Ii-kappaBI element is of greater importance for CIITA-independent Ii gene transcription, with the X-box playing a secondary role. Despite these clear differences in cis-element dependence of CIITA-dependent and -independent Ii transcription, there are only subtle differences in the occupancy of these elements in vivo as assessed by genomic footprinting. These differences are restricted to occupancy of the X-box and Y-box, with which the RF-X and NF-Y complexes interact in Ii-positive cells. This difference in the occupancy of the X-box and Y-box in this cell pair indicates that while protein/protein interactions between CIITA and promoter-bound factors stabilize promoter occupancy, these interactions are not absolutely required for occupancy and transcription of the invariant chain gene.

Acute sporadic non-A, non-B, non-C, non-D, non-D, non-E hepatitis

Patients presenting with clinical and laboratory features consistent with a diagnosis of acute non-A, non-B hepatitis were evaluated for evidence of hepatitis C or hepatitis E infection and for evidence of severe or prolonged disease. Antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) was detected in 75 of 108 (69%) patients, antibody to hepatitis E virus (anti-HEV) in three patients (3%), and neither antibody in 31 (29%) patients. One patient had both anti-HCV and anti-HEV. HCV RNA was not detected in sera from any of 20 patients with seronegative (non-ABCDE) hepatitis, but in all 10 patients with anti-HCV who were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Compared with patients with acute hepatitis C, those with non-ABCDE hepatitis had a lower incidence of parenteral risk factors (6% vs. 70%; P < .001), higher peak serum bilirubin levels (45% vs. 5% with peak levels > 15 mg/dL; P < .001), more prolonged jaundice (25% vs. 0% with peak bilirubin >5 weeks after onset; P < .01), more severe prothrombin time abnormalities (26% vs. 0% with >3 second prolongation; P < .001), more severe hypoalbuminemia (39% vs. 9% with albumin <3 g/dL; P < .01), and more frequent major clinical complications (13% vs. 0% with encephalopathy; P < .01; 10% vs. 0% with death or transplant; P = .024). Patients with acute non-ABCDE hepatitis were less likely to develop chronic hepatitis than those with acute hepatitis C (23% vs. 68%; P < .05). Thus, patients with acute non-ABCDE hepatitis are epidemiologically distinct from those with acute hepatitis C and have a significantly more severe acute illness.

IgM antibody response in acute hepatitis C viral infection

IgM antibody against hepatitis C virus (IgM anti-HCV) was measured in serial samples from 15 transfusion recipients in whom posttransfusion chronic non-A, non-B hepatitis (NANBH) developed and three plasmapheresis donors during acute HCV infection using recombinant proteins derived from three immunodominant regions: core, NS-3, and NS-4 (c100). IgM anti-HCV core was detected in 13 of 15 posttransfusion patients. Nine of these patients had transient, acute-phase IgM anti-HCV core detected coincidentally or earlier than active IgG anti-HCV core response. The average duration of IgM anti-HCV core reactivity was 8.1 +/- 3.7 weeks. One patient lacking an IgM anti-HCV core response had detectable IgM anti-HCV NS-3 during the acute phase. Passive transfer of IgM anti-HCV was not observed in these posttransfusion cases, in contrast to the high frequency observed for IgG anti-HCV. Late IgM anti-HCV was detectable against core, c100, and NS-3 in three, two, and one posttransfusion patients, respectively. These data indicate that IgM anti-HCV core is a useful acute-phase marker in HCV infection.

Partitioning and extraction of glucose regulates cerebral glucose utilization in newborn dogs

We investigated the amount of fasting steady-state systemic glucose production utilized by the neonatal canine cerebral cortex. The relationship of systemic glucose production and cerebral glucose utilization were analyzed as functions of cerebral blood flow, cerebral oxygen uptake, and indirect measures of alternate fuel utilization. Fasting arterial blood glucose was 3.36 mM and glucose production was 49.6 mumol/kg/min. Average cerebral blood flow was 0.83 ml/g/min, and cerebral glucose uptake was 0.60 +/- 0.15 mumol/g/min. 36.6% of systemic glucose production was utilized by the cerebral cortex. There were no correlations between systemic glucose production, cerebral blood flow, or cerebral glucose uptake with blood glucose concentration. Furthermore, total cerebral glucose uptake was static across a wide range of glucose levels. Nonetheless, the percent of glucose production used by the brain was an inverse function of systemic glucose production (r = -0.71, p less than 0.001). The cerebral extraction of glucose (27.6 +/- 4.1%) decreased as a function of increasing blood glucose levels (r = -0.51, p less than 0.05), while brain uptake index correlated with increasing systemic glucose production (r = 0.61, p less than 0.02). We can conclude that the canine neonatal cerebral cortex may utilize only 37% of systemic glucose production. At low rates of glucose turnover, a larger proportion of systemic glucose production is allotted to the brain. Mechanisms that may regulate total cerebral glucose influx may be glucose permeability, or the increased extraction of glucose at lower blood glucose levels.