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Aim: To examine whether functional gene polymorphisms of toll‐like receptor (TLR)1, TLR2, and TLR6 are related to the salivary concentrations of human beta‐defensins (hBDs)‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and human neutrophilic peptide (HNP)‐1. Materials and Methods: Polymorphisms of TLR1 (rs5743618), TLR2 (rs5743708), and TLR6 (rs5743810) were genotyped by PCR‐based pyrosequencing from the salivary samples of 230 adults. Salivary hBD‐1, ‐2, ‐3, and HNP‐1 concentrations were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. General and periodontal health examinations, including panoramic radiography, were available for all participants. Results: The genotype frequencies for wild types and variant types were as follows: 66.5% and 33.5% for TLR1, 95.5% and 4.5% for TLR2, and 25.1% and 74.9% for TLR6, respectively. The TLR2 heterozygote variant group exhibited higher salivary hBD‐2 concentrations than the TLR2 wild‐type group (p =.038). On the contrary, elevated hBD‐2 concentrations were detected in the TLR6 wild‐type group compared with the TLR6 heterozygote and homozygote variant group (p =.028). The associations between TLR6 genotypes and salivary hBD‐2 concentrations remained significant after adjusting them for periodontal status, age, and smoking. Conclusion: hBD‐2 concentrations in saliva are related to TLR2 and TLR6 polymorphisms, but only the TLR6 genotype seems to exhibit an independent association with the salivary hBD‐2 concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is scant research on the clinical utility of differentiating International Classification of Diseases (ICD) 10 diagnoses F50.0 anorexia nervosa (typical AN) and F50.1 atypical anorexia. We reviewed systematically records of 47 adolescents who fulfilled criteria for ICD-10 F50.0 ( n = 34) or F50.1 ( n = 13), assessing the impact of diagnostic subtype, comorbidity, background factors and treatment choices on recovery. Atypical AN patients were significantly older ( p = 0.03), heavier (minimum body mass index 16.7 vs 15.1 kg/m2, p = 0.003) and less prone to comorbidities (38% vs 71%, p = 0.04) and had shorter, less intensive and less costly treatments than typical AN patients. The diagnosis of typical versus atypical AN was the sole significant predictor of treatment success: recovery from atypical AN was 4.3 times (95% confidence interval [1.1, 17.5]) as likely as recovery from typical AN. Overall, our findings indicate that a broader definition of AN may dilute the prognostic value of the diagnosis, and therefore, ICD-11 should retain its distinction between typical and atypical AN. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although suggested as an important contributor to the development and maintenance of eating disorders, temperament has not previously been studied adopting a meta-analytical approach. We therefore pooled data (N = 14 studies; N = 3315 cases, N = 3395 controls) on Cloninger's temperament traits (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence and persistence) in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Persistence was significantly higher than in the controls in all eating disorders except for BED the highest levels being observed in AN. Correspondingly, the highest effect sizes for harm avoidance were seen in AN. Novelty seeking was significantly elevated relative to the controls only in BN. Harm avoidance was significantly lower, and reward dependence was significantly higher in individuals who had recovered from AN than in those who remained ill. Future studies with a longitudinal design are needed to explore the temporal relationships between eating disorders and temperament traits. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The hTAS2R38 taste receptor genotype is related to bitter taste perception and thus may affect food preferences. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the hTAS2R38 genotype and the food consumption and nutrient intakes of Finnish children aged 2-6 years. Methods Dietary intake was assessed with 7-day food records, and DNA samples were collected by cheek swabs for genotyping. Food intake data between the three most common genotypes were compared ( n = 345). Results The proportion of the AVI/ AVI genotype was 36.7%; PAV/ AVI was 42.4%; and PAV/ PAV was 14.9%. Boys with the PAV/ PAV genotype consumed a mean (SD) weight of sugar and candy of 27 (13) g day−1, which was significantly more compared to the other two genotypes [ AVI/ AVI 19 (12) g day−1 and PAV/ AVI 18 (12) g day−1; both P < 0.01]. These boys also consumed significantly more meat (g day−1) compared to AVI/ AVI boys ( P < 0.05). PAV/ PAV girls tended to consume more grains (g MJ−1) compared to AVI/ AVI girls ( P = 0.07). Vegetable and fruit consumption and nutrient intake did not differ significantly between genotypes. Based on principal component analysis carried out with total food consumption data, PAV/ PAV boys were different from both AVI/ AVI and PAV/ AVI boys. Conclusions The hTAS2R38 genotype may have distinct associations with food consumption in boys and girls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though some empirical and anecdotal accounts can be located in the extant literature, it remains the case that little is known about how secluded/restrained ( S/ R) patients perceive their overall treatment. The purpose of this study was to explore patients' perceptions of their hospital treatment measured after S/ R. The data were collected with a Secluded and Restrained Patients' Perceptions of their Treatment ( S/ R- PPT) questionnaire from S/ R patients aged 18-65 years. Ninety completed questionnaires were analysed. Patients perceived that they received enough attention from staff, and they were able to voice their opinions, but their opinions were not taken into account. Patients denied the necessity and beneficence of S/ R. Women and older patients were more critical than men and younger patients regarding the use of restrictions. There were also statistically-significant differences in responses among patients at different hospitals. It is concluded that patients' opinions need more attention in treatment decisions. To achieve this, psychiatric treatment needs genuine dialogue between patients and staff, and individual care should have alternatives and no routine decisions. Therefore, the treatment culture must improve towards involving patients in treatment planning, and giving them a say when S/ R is considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The aim was to evaluate whether contracted private practitioners assess required treatment more extensive, demanding and economically more rewarding than mainly salaried public sector dentists and to estimate the cost consequences of using these alternative providers. Methods All dental services included in comprehensive treatments funded by the city of Turku and provided to adult patients during the year 2009 were recorded. Patients were distributed randomly without any determination of treatment needs before appointing them to different dentists. Treatment courses for 7432 patients in public clinics included 63 906 procedures and for 2932 patients assigned to treatment by contracted private practitioners included 21 194 procedures. Public sector dentists were mainly salaried with production incentives, and private practitioners worked purely on a fee-for-service basis. The cost estimates were based on the distributions of competence classifications recorded by the providers, which also formed the basis for reimbursement. Results For each studied treatment category with more than one competence classification, private contractors were less likely than their public sector counterparts to give an assessment of simple or less demanding: 8% versus 29% of examinations, 46% versus 69% of periodontal treatments, 63% versus 85% of extractions, 31% versus 46% of fillings, 18% versus 35% of root canals. The excess cost to society varied from 7.0% for root canal treatments to 21.3% for extractions, causing on average 14.4% higher cost level from use of private practitioners compared with public sector dentists. Conclusions Private practitioners systematically classified the treatment procedures they provided as more demanding, and therefore more economically rewarding, than their public sector counterparts. The findings indicate that the costs of publicly funded dental care may be increased by the use of private dental contractors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bernabé E, Watt RG, Sheiham A, Suominen AL, Vehkalahti MM, Nordblad A, Uutela A, Kivimäki M, Tsakos G. Childhood socioeconomic position, adult sense of coherence and tooth retention. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2012; 40: 46-52. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S Abstract - Objective: To explore the role of sense of coherence (SOC) as a mediator in the relationship between childhood socioeconomic position (SEP) and tooth retention in adulthood. Methods: Data from 5401 dentate adults aged 30 and over who participated in the nationally representative Finnish Health 2000 Survey were analysed. Participants provided information on demographic characteristics (sex and age), childhood SEP (parental education), adulthood SEP (years of education and household income), the SOC scale and oral health-related behaviours (dental attendance, toothbrushing frequency, sugar intake frequency and daily smoking). They also had a clinical oral health examination. Structural equation modelling was used to test a model including adulthood SEP, SOC and oral health-related behaviours as mediators of the relationship between childhood SEP and tooth retention. Multigroup comparison was also conducted to test the hypothesized model within each sex and age group (<45 years, 45-59 years and 60+ years). Results: The relationship between childhood SEP and tooth retention in adulthood was to a large extent mediated by adulthood SEP and to a much lesser extent by SOC. There was only a weak association between childhood SEP and adult SOC, but favourable oral health-related behaviours appeared to link a strong SOC with greater tooth retention. The model was invariant across sexes and age groups. Conclusions: SOC is associated with tooth retention through oral health-related behaviours, but contributes little to the relationship between childhood SEP and tooth retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim High-density lipoprotein ( HDL) cholesterol is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in protection against cardiovascular diseases. We investigated whether a protective association also exists between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation in type 1 diabetic subjects ( T1DM). Methods Plaque and periodontal inflammation (bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm) were examined in 80 subjects with T1DM. The serum levels of glycosylated haemoglobin ( HbA1c, %) and HDL (mmol/l) were determined. Adjusted associations between inflammation and serum HDL were analysed using linear regression analysis. To study the linearity of the association, the subjects were categorized into HDL tertiles ( I-III). Results A statistically significant negative association was observed between serum HDL level and the extent of bleeding and PD ≥ 4 mm. Subjects in HDL tertiles II and III (high HDL) presented significantly fewer inflamed sites when compared with the subjects in tertile I (low HDL), whereas no significant difference in the number of inflamed sites was observed between tertiles II and III. Conclusions Based on the finding of a negative association between serum HDL and periodontal inflammation, HDL may be considered a marker of susceptibility to periodontal inflammation. A longitudinal study is needed to verify possible causal relationship between serum HDL and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether an association exists between daily smoking and infrequent toothbrushing habits among adolescents. Materials and Methods: Nationally representative samples of 14-, 16- and 18-year-old Finns (N = 5643) took part in the survey. A 12-page structured questionnaire was posted to the adolescents, asking them to complete it and return it in an enclosed prepaid envelope. The χ²-test and a logistic regression model were used for analyses. Results: At the age of 14 years, 8.5% reported smoking daily, at 16 years 25.0% and at 18 years 33.2%. Only 28.3-54.7% of the adolescents reported brushing their teeth more than once a day. Among 14-year-olds, 6.5% of the adolescents reported both smoking daily and brushing less than twice a day. The respective figures were 17.7% for the 16-year-olds and 21.6% for the 18-year-olds. Among the 14-year-olds, the strongest association with smoking daily and brushing less than twice a day was found with low school performance (OR = 8.2), and among 16- and 18-year-olds school career (studying at a vocational school, OR = 3.4). Conclusion: Daily smoking and infrequent toothbrushing are strongly associated in adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heervä E, Peltonen S, Pirttiniemi P, Happonen R-P, Visnapuu V, Peltonen J. Short mandible, maxilla and cranial base are common in patients with neurofibromatosis 1. Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 121-127. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal-dominant neuro-cutaneous-skeletal syndrome. Neurofibromatosis type 1 is one of the Rasopathies, and at the cellular level NF1 results in a hyperactive Ras pathway. In the current investigation, our aim was to study lateral skull X-rays (cephalograms) to assess NF1-related craniofacial morphology. A total of 85 Finnish patients with NF1, including four patients with plexiform neurofibroma of the 5th cranial nerve, and their age- and gender-matched controls, were enrolled in the study. The results showed that patients with NF1 typically had a short mandible, maxilla, and cranial base compared with healthy controls, irrespective of age, but the results were statistically significant only in adults. The length of the mandible, the maxilla and the cranial base correlated with the height of patients under 19 yr of age, but this correlation was absent in adult patients. Thus, a tall adult patient with NF1 may have short jaws and a short cranial base. In conclusion, the NF1 gene apparently influences the growth of craniofacial bones, thus contributing to the craniofacial morphology in NF1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pohjola V, Mattila AK, Joukamaa M, Lahti S. Anxiety and depressive disorders and dental fear among adults in Finland. Eur J Oral Sci 2011; 119: 55-60. © 2011 Eur J Oral Sci We studied the association between dental fear and anxiety or depressive disorders, as well as the comorbidity of dental fear with anxiety and depressive disorders, controlling for socio-demographic characteristics, dental attendance, and dental health. Nationally representative data on Finnish adults, ≥ 30 yr of age ( n = 5,953), were gathered through interviews and clinical examination. Dental fear was measured using the question: 'How afraid are you of visiting a dentist?' Anxiety and/or depressive disorders were assessed using a standardized structured psychiatric interview according to criteria presented in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th edition) (DSM-IV).Those with depressive disorders, generalized anxiety disorder or social phobia more commonly reported high dental fear than did those without these disorders. When age, gender, education, dental attendance, and the number of decayed, missing, and restored teeth were considered, those with generalized anxiety disorder were more likely to have high dental fear than were participants with neither anxiety nor depressive disorders. The comorbidity of depressive and anxiety disorders also remained statistically significantly associated with dental fear; those with both depressive and anxiety disorders were more likely to have high dental fear than were those without these disorders. Our findings support the suggestion that some individuals may have a personality that is vulnerable to dental fear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral Diseases (2010) , 115-122 To determine whether oral rinse matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 levels, measured by three different methods, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1) levels and elastase activity differentiate subjects with different periodontal condition; and second, to find out if MMP-8 levels were comparable among the methods used. MMP-8 levels were analysed with an immunofluorometric method (IFMA), dentoELISA and commercial ELISA. Also TIMP-1 levels and elastase activity were measured. For statistical analysis 214 study subjects were categorized into four groups, specified by the presence and number of moderate (4-5 mm) and deep (≥6 mm) periodontal pockets, and bleeding on probing percentage. MMP-8 levels especially measured by dentoELISA and adjusted to the number of teeth per subject differentiated the study group with strong periodontal inflammatory burden from groups with lower levels. This was also verified with receiver operating characteristic ROC) analysis. Elastase activity associated with higher IFMA and dentoELISA MMP-8 levels. IFMA MMP-8/TIMP and dentoELISA MMP-8/TIMP-1 tended to be higher with the increasing level of periodontal inflammatory burden. TIMP-1 levels decreased with increasing age. Oral rinse MMP-8 together with TIMP-1 analysis may have potential in complementary periodontal diagnostics. dentoELISA can be applied in quantitative oral rinse chair side biomarker diagnostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between body weight and periodontal infection in a longitudinal setting. Material and methods: This study was based on a subpopulation of the Health 2000 Survey that included dentate, non-diabetic subjects aged 30-59 years, who had never smoked and who had participated in the Follow-Up Study on Finnish Adults' Oral Health approximately 4 years later (n=396). The number of new teeth with deepened (4 mm deep or deeper) periodontal pockets in the follow-up examination was used as the outcome variable. Body weight was measured using body mass index, categorized into three categories: <25.0 (normal weight), 25.0-29.9 (overweight) and 30.0 or more (obesity). Incidence rate ratios were estimated using Poisson's regression models. Results: Body weight was weakly, but not statistically significantly, associated with the number of new teeth with deepened periodontal pockets among subjects who were periodontally healthy in the baseline examinations, whereas only a minuscule association was found among subjects who had periodontal infection at baseline. Conclusions: The results of this follow-up study do not provide evidence that overweight and obesity can be considered significant risk factors in the pathogenesis of periodontal infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the annual and seasonal mean temperatures in Finland for 162 years. It mentions the use of weather observation data and kriging, a stochastic spatial interpolation method, to determine the mean temperature records. It discusses two calculation errors such as uneven distribution of stations in space and time, and homogeneity adjustments. It says that the increase in the annual mean temperature was statistically significant during the previous 100, 50 and 30 years.

Aim: To assess the relationship between sense of coherence (SOC) and oral health, and the role of oral health-related behaviours in this relationship. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 5401 dentate adults who participated in the nationally representative Health 2000 Survey in Finland. The survey gathered information on SOC, demographic characteristics, education, income, preexisting diabetes, daily smoking, dental attendance, toothbrushing frequency and sugar intake frequency. Oral health was assessed through clinical outcomes, such as number of teeth, number of decayed teeth and extent of periodontal pockets and perceived oral health. Results: A strong SOC was related to having more teeth, fewer decayed teeth, lower extent of periodontal pockets and good perceived oral health after adjustment for confounders, such as demographic and socioeconomic factors (all p⩽0.003). These associations were attenuated but remained significant after further adjustment for potential mediators (oral health-related behaviours), except for the association of SOC with the extent of periodontal pockets, which was fully accounted for by pre-existing diabetes, oral health-related behaviours and dental plaque (p = 0.549). Conclusion: SOC is positively associated with various aspects of adult oral health, in part because of the better oral health-related behaviours among people with a strong SOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]