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G Menghini

Publications and source records attributed to G Menghini.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

An estimation of Toxocara canis prevalence in dogs, environmental egg contamination and risk of human infection in the Marche region of Italy.

The human risk of infection with larvae of Toxocara canis was estimated in people from the Marche region of Italy. This region includes both urban and rural areas and its inhabitants frequently keep dogs for company, hunting, as guardians or shepherds. T. canis infection was diagnosed in 33.6% out of 295 dogs examined. Nearly half of the dogs (48.4%) living in rural areas were found T. canis positive, compared to about one-quarter of the dogs (26.2%) from urban areas. Analysis by provenance and role revealed the highest infection rate in rural hunting dogs (64.7%) and the lowest in urban companion dogs (22.1%). According to questionnaire data, the peridomestic environment, i.e. gardens and dog pens, is the most important defecation site in both rural and urban areas. Since over 40% of the dogs who defecate in dog pens are infected and 24% of urban and 47% of rural dogs who leave their droppings in the house surroundings harbour the parasite, it is clear that these environments may constitute sites of zoonotic risk. Our analysis of soil samples from 60 farms confirmed the high contamination level, revealing positive soil samples in more than half of the farms. Substantial egg contamination was also found in urban areas, as 3/6 parks examined were Toxocara spp. positive. Finally, our serological findings indicate that human infection actually occurs in the area: 7 out of 428 adults examined (1.6%) had very high levels of antibodies to T. canis antigen, suggesting a previous contact with the Larva migrans of the nematode.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

[Effect of mouthwashing with tea tree oil on plaque and inflammation].

The tea tree oil (melaleuca alternifolia) has antiseptic, fungicide and bactericide effects. The efficiency against oral bacteria was also evident. Xylitol is known for counterattacking the cariogenic effect caused by the streptococcus mutans. Less plaque was developed during the time of the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

An outline of graphical Markov models in dentistry.

BACKGROUND: In the usual multiple regression model there is one response variable and one block of several explanatory variables. In contrast, in reality there may be a block of several possibly interacting response variables one would like to explain. In addition, the explanatory variables may split into a sequence of several blocks, each block containing several interacting variables. The variables in the second block are explained by those in the first block; the variables in the third block by those in the first and the second block etc. OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: During recent years methods have been developed allowing analysis of problems where the data set has the above complex structure. The models involved are called graphical models or graphical Markov models. The main result of an analysis is a picture, a conditional independence graph with precise statistical meaning, consisting of circles representing variables and lines or arrows representing significant conditional associations. The absence of a line between two circles signifies that the corresponding two variables are independent conditional on the presence of other variables in the model. EXAMPLE: An example from epidemiology is presented in order to demonstrate application and use of the models. The data set in the example has a complex structure consisting of successive blocks: the variable in the first block is year of investigation; the variables in the second block are age and gender; the variables in the third block are indices of calculus, gingivitis and mutans streptococci and the final response variables in the fourth block are different indices of caries. Since the statistical methods may not be easily accessible to dentists, this article presents them in an introductory form. CONCLUSION: Graphical models may be of great value to dentists in allowing analysis and visualisation of complex structured multivariate data sets consisting of a sequence of blocks of interacting variables and, in particular, several possibly interacting responses in the final block.

Child↗
PubMed1998

Association of salivary mutans streptococci with discoloured pits and fissures.

Experimental studies have demonstrated that mutans streptococci play a major role in caries etiology. Several previous epidemiologic studies found a positive association of salivary mutans streptococci with caries prevalence. The present epidemiologic study aimed at detecting a possible association of salivary mutans streptococci with brown discoloured pits and fissures, supposing that discolouration indicates caries. In the Canton of Zurich 1035 schoolchildren, aged 6.5-12.5, were examined with regard to caries prevalence and presence of discolourations in pits and fissures. A commercially available, semi-quantitative test was used to estimate the salivary level of mutans streptococci in each child. The salivary level (low/high) of mutans streptococci was significantly associated with the presence of slightly brown discoloured (C1), clearly brown discoloured (C2) and cavitated (C3) pits and fissures. The odds ratios were 1.5 (P<0.01) for C1, 2.5 (P<0.001) for C2 and 5.0 (P<0.001) for C3 pits and fissures. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that brown discolouration indicates caries. Furthermore, the findings suggest that this type of discolouration at elementary school age indicates increased caries activity.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1997

The use of generalised additive models (GAM) in dentistry.

BACKGROUND: Ordinary multiple regression and logistic multiple regression are widely applied statistical methods which allow a researcher to 'explain' or 'predict' a response variable from a set of explanatory variables or predictors. In these models it is usually assumed that quantitative predictors such as age enter linearly into the model. OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: During recent years these methods have been further developed to allow more flexibility in the way explanatory variables 'act' on a response variable. The methods are called 'generalised additive models' (GAM). The rigid linear terms characterising the association between response and predictors are replaced in an optimal way by flexible curved functions of the predictors (the 'profiles'). Plotting the 'profiles' allows the researcher to visualise easily the shape by which predictors 'act' over the whole range of values. The method facilitates detection of particular shapes such as 'bumps', 'U-shapes', 'J-shapes, 'threshold values' etc. Information about the shape of the association is not revealed by traditional methods. The shapes of the profiles may be checked by performing a Monte Carlo simulation ('bootstrapping'). CASE STUDY: After the presentation of the GAM a relevant case study is presented in order to demonstrate application and use of the method. The dependence of caries in primary teeth on a set of explanatory variables is investigated. Since GAMs may not be easily accessible to dentists, this article presents them in an introductory condensed form. It was thought that a nonmathematical summary and a worked example might encourage readers to consider the methods described. CONCLUSION: GAMs may be of great value to dentists in allowing visualisation of the shape by which predictors 'act' and obtaining a better understanding of the complex relationships between predictors and response.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1995

Urinary fluoride excretion in children with low fluoride intake or consuming fluoridated salt.

The purpose of this study was to compare urinary fluoride excretion with fluoride ingestion in children who had either a low fluoride intake or received supplemental fluoride through salt or water. The urinary samples were collected in two ways. In procedure A, urine was collected in the morning, at noon and during the afternoon. This covered a continuous period of approximately 7 h from the beginning to the end of the school day. In procedure B, morning, afternoon and night samples were collected. The morning and afternoon samples were obtained under supervision at school. Procedure B was more useful than procedure A for monitoring salt fluoridation projects. Children with a history of low fluoride intake excreted a mean of 10 micrograms F/h during the night and the morning, but 13-16 micrograms F/h after the main meal. Children in a water-fluoridated town or in comprehensive salt fluoridation programs excreted between 19 and 33 micrograms F/h. However, after the intake of meals prepared with fluoridated salt (250 ppm F) the mean excretion of fluoride ranged between 31 and 49 micrograms F/h. The levels of excretion corresponded with the levels of fluoride intake and meal patterns in the various groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The dental health of permanently resident schoolchildren in 16 Zurich rural communities in 1992].

Between 1964 and 1992, caries prevalence (DMFT) of permanently resident school children in 16 communities in the Canton of Zurich decreased by 85 to 87%. In the ten- to fourteen-year-olds, the reduction amounted to 25-29% in the period of 1988 to 1992. In 1992, the fourteen-year-olds had only 1.90 DMFT and 2.49 DFS, the average DS being 0.28. The 21% children with the highest caries experience showed only 9 DFS on average. Such a low caries activity does not favour positive cost-benefit results for individual intensive prevention. From 1964 to 1984 caries prevalence in primary teeth of 7-year-old children decreased to the level of 1.81 dmft; the further reduction to 1.55 dmft in 1992 was not significant. Few primary molars were lost prematurely. According to a saliva-test, 59% of the children aged 10 to 12 with high concentrations of mutans streptococci were free of caries; by comparison, 80% of the children with the lowest mutans-test value, were free of caries. In spite of the easy availability and the multiple usages of fluorides (dentifrices with either 250 or 1000-1500 ppm F, domestic salt, gels with 12,500 ppm F and rinsing solutions with 230 ppm F since 1986-88), only 16% of the children showed signs of dental fluorosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

[The dental status of schoolchildren from abroad in Canton Zurich 1992 to 1994].

Between 1992 and 1994 DMF-experience was determined in several hundred schoolchildren from the City of Zurich and 16 small communities distributed over the whole Canton. Immigrants were distinguished from permanently resident children with respect to their length of residence. Children who had arrived after the age of 5 or 6 (kindergarten-age) showed higher caries prevalence; e.g., at the age of 12, 2.00 (16 communities) and 3.14 (City of Zurich) as compared to 1.13 and 1.24 DMFT. Children in special classes for learning German, who had arrived from former Yugoslavia the year before, had 3.64 DMFT at the age of 12. All the children, whether Swiss nationals or non-citizens, who were integrated into the school dental service of the City, had satisfactory treatment levels. In contrast, recent immigrants from former Yugoslavia had about half of their diseased teeth unfilled and often badly destroyed. Therefore, fortnightly tooth-brushings were introduced as a first measure to lower caries activity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

The effect of two toothpastes on plaque and gingival inflamation.

In this study on 60 adult subjects, the effective of Parodontax, a dentifrice containing herbal ingredients and sodium bicarbonate abrasive, was compared to a non-marketed new toothpaste containing herbal ingredients and calcium hydrogen phosphate as the abrasive. Plaque, gingivitis and gingival bleeding parameters were scored. The periodontal probe bleeding index of Ainamo and Bay was modified to score slight and moderate bleeding. In this first four-week period all subjects used the new toothpaste. After this period the new toothpaste produced a significant decrease (p<0.01) in gingivitis and bleeding on probing, but no effect on plaque was observed. During the second period of eight weeks the subjects were randomly divided into two groups, one using Parodontax and the other group continuing with the new toothpaste. The study design was a double-blind procedure. At the end of the 12-week study period the plaque index showed no changes in both groups. The gingivitis and bleeding indices decreased significantly (p<0.001) by 40% in both groups compared to the baseline examination.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Caries prevalence in Switzerland.

The first Swiss studies of DMFT counts were undertaken in the late 1950s and showed values of 7.7-11.3 for children of 12 years of age and 12.6-18.6 for children of 15 years of age. Although these studies did not use current statistical sampling methods, and so are not directly comparable, the results of the most recent surveys do present a startling contrast. In 1992, DMFT figures had fallen to an average of 1.12 and 2.22 DMFT in 12- and 15-year-olds respectively. Reasons for these sharp declines are discussed, as are the available figures for adults over the same period of time. Predictions are made for DMFT levels for the year 2008 and their likely impact on dental services.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[The caries occurrence in schoolchildren of the city of Zurich in 1970-1993. A view of prevention in new immigrants].

Surveys of dental caries prevalence were carried out from 1970-1993 in schoolchildren of the city of Zurich. DMFT experience declined by 68 to 80%, while the average dmft decreased by 48-53% (ages 7 to 9). From 1988 to 1993, the average DMFT decreased further in the age group of 12- and 14-year-olds; in the ages 7 to 10, however, neither the DMFT nor the dmft showed a decline. In children who had of late immigrated, DMF levels were 2 to 3 times higher than in the children holding Swiss citizenship.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

[Fluoride gels--local application with a tray or a toothbrush?].

Fluoride gels have been used since the 1960s. Most gels are recommended for use in mouth-trays. An alternative is the application on a toothbrush. The present study compared the fluoride concentration in surface enamel and its acid resistance following the application in a tray or on a toothbrush in vitro. In a first experiment 80 halves of molar crowns were used. In group A 20 were coated with fluoride gel. In group B 20 were brushed with gel. 20 each served as water control. The surface fluoride concentration and acid resistance of all samples were assessed using an acid etch technique. In a second experiment 30 halves of molar crowns were used. 10 were mounted in a plaster socket mimicking a dental arch for which a customized miniplast-tray was made. This tray was loaded with 1 g of gel and applied for 3 min on 3 consecutive days. 10 samples were brushed for 3 min on 3 days using 1 g of gel and 10 served as water control. Enamel that had been fluoridated with gel on a toothbrush showed a superior acid resistance. The fluoride concentration in the outer 20 to 25 microns of enamel was higher after gel application on a toothbrush than after tray application.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1992

[The late results with a fixed denture in less well-off adults. A retrospective study].

In this retrospective study 141 patients were re-examined after having been treated with at least two crowns or one fixed bridge each at the Cantonal Public Dental Clinic of Zurich (Volkszahnklinik) between 1974 and 1984. After an average "wearing time" of more than 9 years, 88% of the crowns and 92% of the bridges were still in function. 4 patients had already lost all their reconstructions incorporated in the "Volkszahnklinik" and were not examined clinically. 115 (84%) of the remaining 137 patients were satisfied with their reconstructions. The mean papillary bleeding index (PBI) was significantly higher on crowned teeth compared to the untreated teeth. The mean probing depth of the crowned premolars and incisors was also significantly higher compared to that of the natural teeth. The results of the study show that the success rate of fixed reconstructions fitted at the Cantonal Public Dental Clinic of Zurich are within the ranges reported by other similar institutions.

Adult↗