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Biomedical subjects

A Simonetti D'Arca

Publications and source records attributed to A Simonetti D'Arca.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

The effect of milk and sucrose consumption on caries in 6-to-11-year-old Italian schoolchildren.

The effect of milk on dental caries was studied on a sample of 6-to-11-year-old Italian schoolchildren. The daily amount of milk consumed and the frequency of consumption of sucrose-containing foods were obtained by a 24-hour dietary diary. In the subsequent oral examination, the level of visible plaque and the number of decayed, extracted and filled teeth (both primary and permanent) of the children were recorded. 439 children (217 boys) who did not use fluoride prophylaxis and with poor oral hygiene were selected from among 890 children. They were divided into three groups according to the frequency of sucrose consumption. The data were statistically analysed using multiple logistic regression. The children consumed a daily average of 209 +/- 133 ml of milk and there were no differences among the three groups in this respect. As expected, the dental health of the children with low sucrose frequency was significantly better than that of the children with high sucrose frequency. The regression on the whole sample showed a weak, significant, negative association between milk consumption and caries (p < 0.05). In the group of high sucrose-consuming children a negative, highly significant association was found (p < 0.001), while in the two groups of low and moderate sucrose-consuming children no association was found. These data suggest that, in the present sample of children who did not use fluoride and with poor oral hygiene, milk has a caries preventive effect only on those subjects with a high daily sucrose-consuming frequency.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1997

Effect of orthodontic therapy with fixed and removable appliances on oral microbiota: a six-month longitudinal study.

The present study evaluated microbiological and clinical changes occurring during the first six months of orthodontic therapy with fixed and removable appliances and the consequent risk for gingivitis and periodontal disease. This study was justified by the disagreement among different authors: only some of them reported gingivitis development and changes in dental plaque composition during orthodontic therapy with fixed appliances, others did not. Thirty, 7-to-15-year-old children, fifteen with fixed and fifteen with removable appliances, previously motivated to oral hygiene, completed the study. They were clinically examined by a dentist at baseline and at the end of the study. Three supra and subgingival microflora samples were collected from the first molars, when the appliances were inserted (T0), 6-8 weeks later (T1) and 6-7 months later (T2). Microflora was examined using dark-field and light microscopes and cultural methods. An indicator of healthy status (percentage of Gram positive cocci in total bacterial count) and some risk indicators for gingivitis (bacterial count evaluated with light microscope, percentage of Gram negative rods) and for periodontitis (motile rod and spirochete percentages, presumptive Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans and Porphyromonas gingivalis prevalence) were investigated. Patients with fixed appliances were clinically healthy at T2; yet they showed significantly increased counts, motile rods, subgingival spirochetes and a decrease of Gram positive cocci. At T2, patients with removable appliances were clinically healthy and the only significant microbiological changes were supragingival motile rods and subgingival spirochetes. These data suggest that in the oral hygiene motivated patients of the present study, gingivitis and periodontitis do not occur, during the first six months of treatment: the significant modification of oral microbiota, shown by subjects with fixed appliances, however, suggests that the risk for gingivitis in the following months of therapy is still high and the risk for periodontitis cannot be excluded.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

[Use of a microwave device for dental instrument sterilization: possibilities and limitations].

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was the evaluation of the effectiveness as sterilizer of a modified version of a microwave device, which was previously tested by the same authors and found unsatisfactory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dental mirrors were contaminated by 10(4)-10(9) microorganisms of Stapbylococcus aureus and spores of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus stearothermophilus. The inocula used were both wet and dry. The duration of the treatment was 4 minutes. Three series of tests were made: 1) microwaves and "adjuvant" solution (as suggested by the producer of the device); 2) microwaves only (in place of the "adjuvant" solution, a Na Cl 0.9% was used); 3) "adjuvant" solution only (into an oven at 25 degrees C). RESULTS: In the 1st and 3rd series of tests all the microorganisms and the spores were killed. In the 2nd series of tests a bactericidal effect against some, not all, microorganisms of the S. aureus species and against spores of B. subtilis and B. stearothermophilus was found. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that the device tested has a sterilizing activity, which, however, is not due to the activity of microwaves only; but to the combined activity of microwaves, "adjuvant" solution and temperature (since inside the device, at the end of the treatment the temperature on the mirrors was 94 degrees C).

Dental Instruments↗
PubMed1994

[3 different methods for evaluating Streptococcus mutans in the saliva].

Three different methods for detection and count of Streptococcus mutans in saliva have been compared with a microbiological method in order to estimate their efficacy and practicality. The study has been carried out on fifty children of six-eleven years old. The first method (stamp method) derives from that of Kohler and Bratthall, improved on the sampling, without saliva stimulation and, hence, more rapid. Furthermore, using a tongue depressor with a shovel-like extremity, we can either restrict the area where the grown colonies must be counted, avoiding any mistake, and stamp the spatula in the centre of the plate, not in the border, as the original method described, pressing it with the same force in every part, so that almost all the saliva collected can be plated on the Streptococcus mutans selective medium. As stated by this method, a tongue depressor is pressed first on the subject's tongue, then on a plate containing the medium. After incubation, the Streptococcus mutans colonies are counted on the plate's area limited by the stamp of the extremity of the spatula. According to Emilson we can also discriminate Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus colonies. The second method is a "strip mutans test" (Dentocult): saliva is stimulated making the subject chew a piece of paraffin and then it is collected passing a plastic spatula for ten times on the child's tongue. The spatula is introduced into a tube containing a liquid medium selective for Streptococcus mutans and then incubated.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1985

[Effect of previous anti-rabies treatment with Fermi type vaccine on the antibody response to one dose of HDCV].

We report the effect of previous anti-rabies treatments following a single HDCV challenge. The aim is to obtain guidelines for the re-vaccination of patients previously already immunised. 37 adults at risk for rabies, vaccinated 5-10 years before using a Fermi vaccine, were challenged with a single HDCV dose. 29 adults, previously not immunised were used as a control. Neutralizing antibodies' titres (indirect fluorescent antibody microtest) were monitored on day 0 (HDCV challenge) and 15. The best group produced an optimal response to the antigenic challenge: all subjects reached responses higher than the serum-conversion limit (0.5 U.I./ml), and 43.2% of patients had titres higher than 8 I.U./ml. Neither the number of previous injections of antirabies vaccine (5, 15, 20), nor the years between the first and the second vaccination were related to the antibody response. In the control group the serum-conversion limit was obtained in 31% of patients, and only 13.8% of them produced titres higher than 0.5 U.I./ml. Our data support a short vaccination schedule for patients at risk, who had an history of vaccination. In agreement with nerve-tissue vaccines, specific World Health Organisation Committee (1984), and in our researches of Fermi type, we suggest that in patients having an history of vaccination (documented by antibody titres), a single HDCV dose, monitoring the antibody response, is sufficient to control a new, not dangerous infection (site and type of the wound, animal, local epidemiology). Patients without a laboratory documentation of the previous antibody titres, or patients with a dangerous infection, should be challenged with three HDCV doses on day 0, 3, 7.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1980

[Persistence of antibody levels for 5, 10 or more years after tetanus vaccination and immunological response to a "booster" immunization].

By means of the indirect haemagglutination test the rate of antitetanic antibodies in male individuals (532 subjects), vaccinated from 5 or more years has been estimated. According to the time elapsed from the last administration of the vaccine three groups have been formed: vaccinated from 5 to 10 years (353 subjects), from 11 to 15 years (133 subjects), from over 15 years (46 subjects). According to the previous vaccine history, the group, being considered, resulted as being composed of: 86% vaccinated with 3 doses, 13% vaccinated with 2 doses, while the vaccinated rate with 1 dose (8 men) appeared practically negligible. 79.0% of this population resulted as being completely protected (limit 0.1 I.U./ml) and 94.2% resulted as being protected at the minimum limit (0.01 I.U./ml) The number of those protected diminished as the time elapsed from the vaccination increased. Considering the limit 0.1 I.U./ml, there are values of 87.9% for the group 5-10 years, 80.1% for the group 11-15 years and 76.0% for the one of those over 15 years. Considering the limit 0.01 I.U./ml the above-mentioned values result respectively equivalent to 95.3%; 94.1%; 87.0%. The administration of the booster has determined effective increases of the antibody rates; after one month from the inoculation the number of the non protected (less than 0.01 I.U./ml) appears completely nonexistent and the number of those protected at the minimum limit results contained in 1.2%. In conclusion we suggest the extension of the interval for the booster from 4 to 8-10 years as well as we suggest a review of the legislation which provides complete vaccination for all those who undertake a wide range of agricultural or industrial works prescinding completely, at the time of their engagement, from the state of immunity of the subjects to be treated.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Health-related behaviour and HCV prevalence among elderly and younger adults in an isolated community close to Rome (Italy)].

The aim of this study has been to investigate the differences in the health-related behaviour by means of a questionnaire in a sample of elderly (>54 years, 1st generation) and younger adults (<54 years, 2nd generation, all of them sons/daughters of HCV positive subjects), given the high difference in HCV positive prevalence among the two groups (19.4% vs. 2.1%). Most (53.4% vs. 0.0%) of the 1st generation subjects used glass syringes while all the 2nd generation subjects used disposable syringes. Among the elderly, the frequency of hospitalisation (70% vs. 50%), transfusions (11.8% vs. 2.9%) and dental therapy by false dentists (52% vs. 0%) were higher. These results show that the use of non recyclable syringes is the main responsible for the drastic reduction of HCV circulation in the present community, and the consequent decrease in the risk for infection in younger subjects. Moreover, dental therapy was not related to an increased risk for infection, providing that the treatment has been made by a "true" dentist. Finally, the intrafamiliar transmission was not supported by the present data.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Current and future prospects concerning the prevention of dental caries].

Caries is a disease which on the basis of numerous epidemiological data it should be possible to control. The preventive interventions which have proved to have the greatest effect on the diffusion of this disease are essentially: fluoroprophylaxis, oral hygiene, food hygiene and periodic dental examination. The common denominator, which has the greatest effect on success, is a good level of health education of the populations affected by the programme, with specific reference to the teeth. The importance of the diet as a possible element predisposing to caries is an ascertained fact by now, and in fact it is well known that the greatest cariogenic effect is achieved after eating foods containing large quantities of fermentable sugars at irregular intervals throughout the day, especially in the form of products of high density and viscosity. The proposal to replace sugar with substitutive sweeteners such as: xilitol, sorbitol, licasin, talin, palatinit and, more recently, aspartame does not completely solve the problem; and apart from this the clearcut reduction of caries achieved in different European and non-European countries does not appear to be directly connected with a drop in sugar consumption, while more and more importance is ascribed to individual food choices. Oral hygiene procedures aim not only at the cleaning of teeth but also, to some extent, controlling the bacterial plaque. For this reason these are sometimes included among anticaries interventions; however opinions differ in this regard, with a clear prevalence of negative views. The question changes radically if we combine with mechanical procedures alone the use of fluoride-based toothpastes, which are recognised, in combination with other interventions, as playing a fundamental role in the rapid decline of caries in industralised countries. Toothpaste is considered as an excellent vehicle for the topical application of fluoride since it comes into contact with the teeth is slight concentrations only (of about 20 p.p.m.) but at high frequency, the latter constituting a decisive factor for the success of prevention. Furthermore, especially in the case of small children, it acts not only topically but also at systemic level, since in fact part of the toothpaste is swallowed, with consequent passing of the fluoride into the circulation. Undoubtedly the most valid anticaries prophylaxis is fluoroprophylaxis which may be achieved following different methods. Fluoration of water is the most widespread form of administration of fluoride systemically and also the most appropriate since it supplies small but continuous doses of fluoride.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nutritional hygiene in the prevention of dental decay: thoughts about weight gain in children in elementary schools].

Hereafter the results of an investigation carried out in two elementary schools, centred on a health education programme divided into oral hygiene and nutritional hygiene interventions, having the aim above all of assessing the effectiveness of otherwise of such interventions for purposes of checking up on dental caries. Parallel to this main aim we also wished to verify the validity of a working hypothesis which, departing from a strictly odontological aspect, also aimed at pointing out the influence or otherwise of such food education interventions on a more harmonious growth in weight of the children concerned in the programme. This was because most of the principles underlying food education interventions in the strictly auxological field coincide with the basic principles of interventions aimed at the prevention of caries. The programme was prolonged for three school years in two elementary school of Rome coming under the same Local Health Service. This note concerns the second point on the programme, namely study of the body growth pattern. The results may be summarised as follows: At the beginning of the experiment the control group showed a maximum concentration of children in the "normal weight" class (38.9%) and a progressive decrease towards the extreme classes. Whereas in the experimental sample the spread was less regular, with a smaller percentage of children in the "normal weight" (22.9%) a maximum concentration in the "slightly overweight" class (30%) and a distribution of pupils progressively decreasing towards the extremes, but with a slight preponderance towards the Overweights. At the end of the experiment the control group showed a clear reduction in the "normal weight" class (from 38.9% to 30.6%) and at the same time an increase in all the adjacent classes (with the "slightly overweights" rising from 19,45% to 22,21%, and the "seriously overweights" from 9,72% to 13,9%, the "slightly underweights" from 18,06% to 23,62% to 23,62%; while a fall in the "very seriously underweights" was recorded (from 5,56% to 2.78%), with the "seriously overweights" remaining practically unchanged). Whereas in the experimental group we found a better redistribution by classes, with the greatest concentration of pupils in the "normal weight" class (from 22.86% to 41.43%), the only significant increase (p less than 0.01), and considerable falls in the "slightly overweight" class (from 30.0% to 21.44%) and in the "slightly underweight" class (from 20.0% to 12.86%); while the "seriously overweights" continued to gather a large percentage of children (from 18.58% to 20.00%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Body Weight↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiologic approaches, in school health education programs with particular attention to dentistry].

At the request of the Cultural Union of the Upper Aniene Valley, the social-health workers dealing with school medicine of the Teaching District of Affile (Rome) have tried to define the programming lines for a health education intervention in the elementary schools of the district. The basic requisites of the intervention were pinpointed as: effectiveness, in terms of improvement of health conditions; short-term results; cognitive-transformative methodology having a spiral progression (cognitive, decision-making, implementative and of verification). The departure point of the intervention was the cognitive study on the social-health situation of the school population based on an analysis of the individual data contained in the medical files compiled by the school doctor, standardised and filled out with the pupils' social and family data. Out of 257 children, 212 were examined, namely 82.4% of the school population. The first social-anamnestic data on pupils' families was in respect of parents' level of education, giving the following results: 65% with elementary schooling only, 11% semi-illiterate and 10.5% diploma- or degree-holders. In respect of parents' working activities, on the other hand, a clear difference emerged: compared with 50.4% of worker or artisan fathers and about 33.3% engaged in the tertiary sector, almost all the mothers were still home-based (90.9% housewives). Another interesting fact emerged from the cards, namely that only 69% of the boys and girls have undergone the full cycle of antidiphtheria-antitetanus vaccinations, and only 80% of antipolio vaccinations. As regards pupils pathological anamnesis, cases of hospitalisation were for the following causes: 5.7% fractures and/or burns, followed by intestinal infections (4.5%). Whereas, as regards current pathology the high incidence of a cariogenic pathology emerged, with such high values as to indicate, in the field of prevention and health education, oral hygiene as the priority intervention to be undertaken in respect of the pupils included in the teaching district. The stages of the planned intervention were fixed as follows: -campaign to make teachers and families, considered as the primary educators, aware of this health problem; -meetings with pupils for the purpose of informing them in a simple way of the problem of caries and of discussing together behaviours liable to ensure greater dental hygiene; -involvement of the school and local administrative authorities for the implementation of any measures aimed at favouring the improvement of the behavioural and eating habits of the boys and girls (access for all to school canteens, free dental examinations, etc.).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Child↗