Ms Counts Research Articles

Effect of dissolving xylitol chewable tablets versus xylitol chewing gum on bacterial count and salivary pH in geriatric bedridden patients: A randomized clinical trial

Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness of using dissolving xylitol chewable tablets versus xylitol chewing gum in geriatric bedridden patients in decreasing bacterial count in both saliva and interdental plaque as well as in increasing salivary pH. Materials and Methods: Overall, 98 patients were included in this randomized clinical trial and they were divided into two groups (n = 49). Group 1 (intervention group) received xylitol chewable tablets (Listerine Ready Tabs), and group 2 (Control group) received xylitol chewing gum (Trident Original). The primary outcome was salivary mutans streptococci count, and secondary outcomes were interdental plaque mutans streptococci count (both were assessed through plate culturing on MSBA media) and salivary pH (measured by a pH meter). All outcomes were assessed at baseline, after 5 min, and after 15 days. Friedmann test was used to show the effect of follow-up periods followed by a multiple comparison with Dunn Bonferroni correction. Mann-Whitney test was used to compare between tested groups for all examined variables. Result: Regarding MS count in both saliva and interdental plaque, there was a statistically significant difference between both groups at baseline and after 5 min; however, after 15 days, there was no statistically significant difference between both groups. Regarding salivary pH, there was no statistically significant difference at baseline and after 5 min between both groups; however, after 15 days, there was a statistically significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: Both xylitol dissolving chewable tablet and xylitol chewing gum have potent antibacterial effects and enhanced salivary pH in geriatric bedridden patients.

Caries Risk Assessment and Detection of Streptococcus Mutans Count in Plaque and Saliva Using Mutans-Sanguis Agar

Assessment of the caries risk of individual patients is a critical component in determining an appropriate management strategy.
 A total of 160 samples were taken from the outpatients of dental clinics in Surendera Dental College, Sriganganagar, Rajasthan. The age group of the participants ranged from 16-60 years.
 We have used the ADA caries risk assessment form among our study samples to ascertain their caries risk and compared it with their Streptococcus mutans levels in saliva and plaque using mutans-sanguis agar. The colonies were counted after 18 hours of incubation at 37oC. The S.mutans colonies were greyish-yellow in colour and those of S.sanguis were colourless. The colonies were counted with a digital colony counter.
 The tabulated data were subjected to statistical analysis using ANOVA and t-test with SPSS.
 The findings of the present study indicated the Streptococcus mutans counts among high risk and moderate risk group were statistically insignificant when compared to low risk and control group even though the mean value showed an increase. We observed that the CFU yield was higher in unstimulated saliva than the plaque samples in contrast to reported literature.
 Moreover, Dental caries risk assessment should become a routine component in dental practice. Estimation of the caries risk will help to establish the periodicity and intensity of caries management protocol.
 Our data suggest that the MS count in oral microflora are influenced by age and various other factors such as diet, time and host response. As dental caries is multifactorial disease further clinical studies are needed to identify the actual pathogenesis.

Fair Weather Neutron Bursts From Photonuclear Reactions by Extensive Air Shower Core Interactions in the Ground and Implications for Terrestrial Gamma‐ray Flash Signatures

AbstractWe report on anomalously long duration (2 ms) count rate bursts following the impact of cosmic ray showers near a 7.62 cm x⊘7.62 cm LaBr3 scintillation detector at the High Altitude Water Cherenkov array in Mexico, previously described by Stenkin et al. (2001), and termed “neutron bursts.” The largest burst produced 198 counts within 2 ms in our LaBr3 detector. We simulate the neutron burst albedo flux (that is, secondary emissions from an extensive air shower core impacting the ground), and show that (1) the characteristic spectra and count rates are well explained by neutron absorption in the ground and (2) any cosmic ray secondary that produces neutrons, either through hadron inelastic collisions, or photoneutron production by gamma‐rays, produces the same characteristic spectra. This implies that other natural phenomena that produce downward beams of gamma‐rays, like Terrestrial gamma ray flashes, should produce a similar “neutron burst” signature from the photoneutron reactions occurring in the soil.

Mutans Streptococci Count and Salivary Histatin 5 Level in Relation to Early Childhood Caries

Background: ECC is one of the most common chronic infectious diseases of preschool-aged children (3).Mutans Streptococci (MS) is the cheif microorganism that causes ECC Saliva is a significant factor in thedevelopment of teeth decay. Saliva have many innate defense molecules that take part in the protection oforal tissues by either direct antimicrobial effect or interference with microbial colonization. These moleculesinclude antimicrobial peptides AMPs among the main natural antimicrobial proteins of saliva . Salivaryhistatine-5 (HST-5) is one of the protective factors in saliva that possess anti-bacterial properties againstseveral types of oral bacter. This study aimed to measure the viable count of mutans streptococci and salivaryhistatin 5 level in relation to early childhood caries.Materials and Method: Sixty three children with ages of 4-5 years old were enrolled in this study. Theywere divided into two groups; 33 children with severe type of ECC) ategory as the study group and 30 cariesfree child) as the control group. Unstimulated saliva sample were collected for ms count on mitis bacitracinagar and for evaluation of salivary Histatin 5 level.Results: Statistical analysis revealed that M.S. count was higher significantly in study group compared tothan control group and salivary histatin 5 was significantly higher than the control group.

Quantitative interactions between Candida albicans and the mutans streptococci in patients with Down Syndrome.

Background Oral microorganisms produce damage through the transfer to bloodstream, colonizing other tissues or direct damage in the oral cavity. Aim to study the quantitative interactions between C. albicans and the mutans streptococci and ms serotypes in the saliva of the oral cavity of patients with Down syndrome (DS). Material and Methods Included 120 patients of both genders, 60 patients with Down syndrome (DS) and 60 patients as a control group (CG). Samples of saliva were taken, and bacteria and fungi were grown on TYCSB and Saboureaud agar. Microbiological, serological and quantitative analyses were performed to determine the kind of isolated of microorganisms corresponding to the ms c, e, f and k for species S. mutans and d and g for S. sobrinus and C. albicans. Electronic scanning microscopy was employed to visualize and confirm the colonies under study. Statistics analysis included t-test proofs for matched data test, Scheffé and ANOVA. Results Forming units (CFU) per mL of saliva of C. albicans a significant difference was observed among DS>CG groups. A correlation of the C. albicans quantity and the ms count was found by age intervals however, tendencies were different in SD and CG. Also, the CFU of C. albicans was different among the serotypes of ms (c, e, f, k <d, g, h, <notyped). Conclusions These results show a significant non-random association between these two commensal microorganisms in different patient groups. Key words:Down Syndrome, Candida albicans, microorganism interactions, mutans streptococci and oral cavity.

Sealing Proximal Non- and Micro-Cavitated Carious Lesions Using a One-Session Separator Technique: A 2-Year Randomised Clinical Study

The presence of initial caries accounts for the majority of approximal carious lesions in many countries. The aim of this clustered, split-mouth, randomised, controlled clinical trial was to use a metal separator to widen the approximal space in a one-visit session before sealing and to evaluate patient acceptance, together with the efficacy of the proximal sealing in arresting incipient carious lesions after 2 years. A total of 48 patients with a mean age of 41.9 years were selected. They had at least one pair of proximal initial carious lesions, including the distal surface of the canines to the mesial surface of the third molars (bite-wing score D1–D3). The patient’s caries risk at baseline was analyzed using a Cariogram. All surfaces were examined for mutans streptococci (ms) counts. The separator technique made it possible to diagnose whether or not a microcavity was present. After 2 years, 212 surfaces in 45 subjects were examined using the same as baseline standardized digital follow-up radiographs. Two analyses were performed, one sensitive, where a progression or a regression was assessed if one of the examiners made one of those diagnoses, and one conservative, where unchanged. For both analyses, the sealed test surfaces showed a significantly higher regression (67 and 29%) compared to the control group (13 and 2%) p < 0.0001. It did not appear that the baseline variables, such as the caries risk, surface diagnoses, or ms counts, influenced the caries outcome. In the test group, there was no difference in caries progression if there was a microcavity or not. The separation treatment was well accepted by the patients. The method of separation for diagnosis and sealing treatment in a single session appears to be a clinically applicable method for the control of proximal carious lesions.

Correlation between salivary mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and the severity of early childhood caries

Background/PurposeMutans streptococci (MS) and lactobacilli (LB) are associated with dental caries, but the acquisition of these organisms in young children with early childhood caries (ECC) and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) has only been partly described. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the salivary MS and LB levels of preschool children with ECC and S-ECC, and the correlation of MS, LB levels with caries severity. Materials and methodsThe study population was comprised of children from 3 to 6 years of age who visited the Pediatric Dental clinic of TCVGH. Oral examinations were performed, and whole unstimulated salivary samples were collected for buffer capacity, MS and LB counts by using commercially available diagnostic kits (CRT bacteria kit). The participants were divided into mild (dmft < 6), moderate (dmft:6–9) and severe caries (dmft > 9) groups; the salivary microbiological tests and buffer capacity were compared. ResultsA total of 72 children with a mean age of 4.5 years participated in this study. The salivary test showed that the higher the salivary MS level the more severe the caries status in children (P = 0.001). There was also a tendency toward a higher salivary LB level in children with more severe caries, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.088). There was no significant correlation between buffer capacity and caries status. ConclusionThe salivary MS level in preschool children was significantly correlated with the severity of early childhood caries.

Children's untreated decay is positively associated with past caries experience and with current salivary loads of mutans Streptococci; negatively with self-reported maternal iron supplements during pregnancy: a multifactorial analysis.

This study explored the association of children's salivary characteristics, past caries experience, birth weight, and reported maternal prenatal vitamin and mineral supplementation with the dental untreated decay of the child. This cross-sectional study, a sub-study of Griffith University Environments for Healthy Living birth cohort study, was conducted on 174 mother-child dyads. Mother's prenatal usage of vitamin and mineral supplements; child's birthweight; salivary pH, buffering capacity, and levels of salivary MS and LB were explored as risk indicators. Dental caries experience was assessed using International Caries Detection and Assessment System criteria. Path analysis was conducted to evaluate the association of risk indicators with children's current and past dental caries experience. Children's past caries experience (β = 0.332, p = 0.018), and salivary MS counts (β = 0.215, p = 0.032) were positively associated with untreated decay at time of examination. With a trend towards significance, children whose mothers had reported taking iron supplements during pregnancy experienced lower levels of past caries (β = -0.137, p = 0.068) and untreated dental caries (β = -0.046, p = 0.051). This study confirms that a child's levels of untreated decay is positively associated with their past caries, and that it correlates with current levels of salivary MS. Children of mothers who reported to have taken iron supplements during pregnancy experienced less caries throughout their lives. These observations confirm the importance to offspring of monitoring maternal health throughout pregnancy and of early monitoring of children's oral health in preventing future dental disease.

Effects of Wi-Fi (2.45 GHz) and Lactic Acid Bacteria on Oral Pathogens and Caries Development in Rats.

To evaluate the effects of Wi-Fi and lactic acid bacteria on salivary mutans streptococci and caries formation. Wistar rats and their offspring were equally divided into two main groups and seven subgroups. Experimental groups were exposed to Wi-Fi during pregnancy and lactation. Subgroups were divided according the administration of the beneficial bacteria L. plantarum 167.P6.5 and L. rhamnosus M17-10.2. In the 8-week experimental period after weaning at 21 days, Mutans streptococci counts and the number of carious lesions were determined. The MS count ratios at the end of 8 weeks were statistically significantly lower than those at the end of 4 weeks in all groups given L. rhamnosus (p < 0.05). A strong correlation was found between the total MS count and sulcal caries scores (r = 0.507). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups exposed to Wi-Fi and other groups in terms of microorganism count and caries scores (p < 0.05). These results suggest that lactic acid bacteria, especially those originating from an oral source, may be of benefit as probiotics for the prevention of oral pathogens and dental caries. Perinatal and lactational exposure to Wi-Fi does not predispose to caries development in rats.

Serum levels of selected chemokines in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Chemokines promote leukocyte traffic into the site of inflammation. Serum levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1), interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were evaluated in 48 treated women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and mild-to-moderate disease severity. The results were compared between the whole SLE group and the control (29 women). The relationships between chemokines, their concentrations, and peripheral blood leukocyte count and between the chemokines and individual leukocyte populations (polymorphonuclear leukocytes-PMNs, lymphocytes-Ls, monocytes-Ms, eosinophils) counts were determined. The relationships between the analyzed chemokines were also determined in the control. SLE subjects had significantly higher MCP-1, SDF-1, IP-10, and lower IL-8 concentrations compared to the control. Moderate, positive correlations between MCP-1/SDF-1, SDF-1/IP-10 and a negative correlation between MCP-1/IL8 were observed in the patient group. Moderate, negative correlations were found between SDF-1/total leukocyte count, SDF-1/absolute number of PMNs as well as between IP-10/total leukocyte count, IP-10/absolute PMNs, Ls, and Ms counts in peripheral blood of SLE group. We suggest that the obtained results and correlations observed between the examined parameters might be used to monitor SLE course and progression. However, further randomized clinical studies should be carried out on in untreated and treated patients with SLE.

Associations between salivary bacteria and reported sugar intake and their relationship with body mass index in women and their adolescent children

To study associations between reported sugar intake and salivary bacteria (mutans streptococci, MS and lactobacilli, LB), and sugar intake in relation to body mass index (BMI), in women and adolescents. Cross-sectional study. Habitual dietary intake was reported in a questionnaire and whole saliva samples were collected and cultivated. Stockholm, Sweden. Four hundred and fourteen mothers and their 16-year-old children (57% girls). Reported total sugar intake was significantly associated with LB in mothers (P = 0.001), but not in daughters and sons (P = 0.03 for mother-son interaction). When excluding lactose, the associations with LB and MS were significant in daughters (P = 0.032 and 0.005, respectively). High BMI and sugar intake from milk were independently associated with MS counts in mothers in a multiple regression model (R2 = 0.053). In daughters, sugar from beverages, candies/chocolates and fruits were all independently associated with MS counts (R2 = 0.074), whereas in sons, only mothers' MS counts were associated (R2 = 0.084). High BMI, low intake from cooked meals and high intake of candies/chocolates were all independently associated with LB in mothers (R2 = 0.076), while, except for candies/chocolates in daughters, no significant associations were found in children. BMI was significantly associated with bacteria counts in both mothers and children, whereas reported sugar intake was not. The associations between reported sugar intake and bacteria were generally weak. In mothers and daughters, some significant associations were found, but not in sons. Bacteria counts, but not reported sugar intake, were positively associated with BMI.

A Gamma‐Ray Burst Database of BATSE Spectral Lag and Internal Luminosity Function Values

We present a database of spectral lags and internal luminosity function (ILF) measurements for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) in the BATSE catalog. Measurements were made using 64 ms count rate data and are defined for various combinations of the four broadband BATSE energy channels. We discuss the processes used for measuring lags and ILF characteristics. We discuss the statistical and systematic uncertainties in measuring these attributes, as well as the role of temporal resolution in measuring lags and/or ILFs—these are particularly noticeable for GRBs belonging to the Short class. Correlative and clustering properties of the lag and ILF are examined, including the ability of these attributes to predict GRB time history morphologies. We conclude that the ILF and lag have great potential for studying GRB physics when used with other burst attributes.

Antimicrobial Effectiveness of a Highly Concentrated Chlorhexidine Varnish Treatment in Teenagers with Fixed Orthodontic Appliances

To evaluate the recolonization pattern of Mutans streptococci (ms) on densely colonized teeth with fixed orthodontic appliances after treatment with a highly concentrated (36%) chlorhexidine varnish. Healthy subjects (n = 19) with fixed orthodontic appliances and high bacterial ms counts in saliva were recruited. In order to establish a baseline registration, plaque adjacent to brackets was sampled and cultivated on Dentocult strips. Following professional tooth cleaning, chlorhexidine varnish was applied on all teeth for 8 minutes. The degree of recolonization with ms was assessed 2 weeks after varnish application in plaque around the brackets. For statistical analysis, the data were subjected to a repeated measures design. After 2 weeks, ms counts were reduced as compared to baseline values. However, the reduction only weakly met statistical significance (P = .049). The application of a highly concentrated chlorhexidine varnish in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances does not result in a distinct reduction of ms numbers 2 weeks after treatment.

Relative Spectral Lag: a New Redshift Indicator of Gamma-ray Bursts

Using 64 ms count data for long gamma-ray bursts ($T_{90}>$2.6s), we analyze the quantity, relative spectral lag (RSL), which is defined as $\tau_{31}/FWHM_{(1)}$, where $\tau_{31}$ is the spectral lag between energy bands 1 and 3, and $FWHM_{(1)}$ denotes full width at half maximum of the pulse in energy channel 1. To get insights into features of the RSLs, we investigate in detail all the correlations between them and other parameters with a sub-sample including nine long bursts. The general cross-correlation technique is adopted to measure the lags between two different energy bands. We can derive the below conclusions. Firstly, the distribution of RSLs is normal and oncentrates on around the value of 0.1. Secondly, the RSLs are weakly correlated with $FWHM$, asymmetry, peak flux ($F_{p}$), peak energy ($E_{p}$) and spectral indexes ($\alpha$ and $\beta$), while they are uncorrelated with $\tau_{31}$, hardness-ratio ($HR_{31}$) and peak time ($t_m$). The final but important discovery is that redshift ($z$) and peak luminosity ($L_{p}$) are strongly correlated with the RSLs which can be measured easily and directly. We find that the RSL is a good redshift and peak luminosity estimator.

Efficacy of differently concentrated chlorhexidine varnishes in decreasing Mutans streptococci and lactobacilli counts

The objective of the present prospective trial was to compare the efficacy of differently concentrated chlorhexidine varnishes (EC40 ® = 40% chlorhexidine and Cervitec ® = 1% chlorhexidine + 0.1% thymol) on levels of Mutans streptococci ( ms), lactobacilli ( lb) and plaque formation in interproximal plaque and saliva. Twenty-four volunteers with a high level of ms in saliva were randomized into two groups and treated with the experimental varnishes. Varnish applications were performed in accordance with literature. Over a period of 2 weeks Cervitec ® was applied three times and EC40 ® once or twice, depending on ms counts after first application. Four and 12 weeks after final varnish application ms in plaque and saliva were evaluated. Furthermore, lactobacilli ( lb) counts in saliva and the effect on plaque formation were recorded. Both varnishes revealed a reduction of ms in interproximal plaque and saliva after 4 and 12 weeks. The highly concentrated varnish revealed a significantly stronger reduction of ms in plaque and saliva compared with the lowly-concentrated varnish. No effect could be demonstrated on lb counts and plaque formation. The results indicate that the chlorhexidine varnishes tested may reduce ms in both interproximal plaque and saliva. However, the application of the highly concentrated varnish EC40 ® results in a higher decrease of ms in plaque sites and saliva.

Caries Prediction by Multiple Salivary Mutans Streptococcal Counts in Caries–Free Children with Different Levels of Fluoride Exposure, Oral Hygiene and Sucrose Intake

The aims of this study were to assess whether multiple salivary mutans streptococcal (ms) counts have a higher predictive power than a single one, and whether the predictive power of the test is different at different levels of fluoride exposure, oral hygiene and sucrose consumption. Three salivary ms tests were performed at 3–month intervals (positive test: salivary ms ≥5×10⁵ cfu/ ml) on a sample of 304, initially caries–free, 6– to 7–year–olds. Plaque index was also assessed and the parents filled out a questionnaire concerning sucrose–containing eating events and fluoride exposure. Sensitivity, specificity and Youden's index (J) were used to compare the predictive power. Thirty–six percent of the children developed caries during the 2–year follow–up. The highest J value for a single ms test (the second) was 0.24 (sensitivity 29.1%, specificity 95.4%). The multiple ms test with the highest J value (0.29) was obtained by the dichotomies 0 vs. 1–3 positive tests (sensitivity 50.0%, specificity 79.9%) and 0–1 vs. 2–3 positive tests (sensitivity 31.8%, specificity 97.4%). The predictive power of the multiple test was passable for children with low fluoride exposure and high plaque index (sensitivity 57.4%, specificity 93.7%, J 0.51), while it was low for the other groups. Sucrose exposure did not significantly affect the predictive power of the ms test.sion.

Decreased cardiac parasympathetic activity in chronic heart failure and its relation to left ventricular function.

Activation of the sympathetic nervous system has been extensively studied in patients with chronic heart failure, but the parasympathetic nervous system has received relatively little attention. The objective in this study was to investigate cardiac parasympathetic activity in chronic heart failure and to explore its relation to left ventricular function. Heart rate variability was measured from 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiograms by counting the number of times each RR interval exceeded the preceding RR interval by more than 50 ms (counts). This method provided a sensitive index of cardiac parasympathetic activity. Mean (range) of counts were: waking 48 (1-275)/h, sleeping 62 (0-360)/h, and total 1310 (31-7278)/24 h. These were lower than expected, and in 26 (60%) of the 43 patients counts fell below the lower 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for RR counts in normal subjects. A significant correlation between total 24 hour RR counts and left ventricular ejection fraction was present (r = 0.49, p less than 0.05). These results indicate that most patients with chronic heart failure have reduced heart rate variability and therefore reduced cardiac parasympathetic activity. The degree of parasympathetic dysfunction is related to the severity of left ventricular dysfunction. This may be relevant to the high incidence of ventricular arrhythmias and poor prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.