Pathways between verbal bullying and oral conditions among school children

PURPOSE

To investigate the direct and indirect pathways between verbal bullying and adverse oral conditions among school-aged children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 8- to 10-year-old children, enrolled in public schools in Southern Brazil. Verbal bullying was collected by self-reports. Independent variables included sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, household income, and caregivers' educational level) and oral conditions (anterior open bite, anterior teeth crowding, upper anterior diastema, large overjet, untreated dental caries, and PUFA index). The pathways between verbal bullying and the independent variables were analysed through structural equation modelling.

RESULTS

1369 children were included. The prevalence of verbal bullying was 26.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.9-28.6%). Verbal bullying was directly influenced by large overjet (standard coefficient [SC] 0.13, P < 0.01), untreated dental caries (SC 0.63, P = 0.01) and PUFA index (SC 0.75, P = 0.02). Sex (SC - 0.005, P = .04) and age (SC - 0.006, P < 0.01) indirectly influenced verbal bullying via untreated dental caries.

CONCLUSIONS

Verbal bullying was directly influenced by large overjet, untreated dental caries and PUFA index. Sex and age indirectly impacted verbal bullying through untreated dental caries.

Investigations into hydrogen sulfide-induced suppression of neuronal activity in vivo and calcium dysregulation in vitro

Acute exposure to high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) leads to sudden death and, if survived, lingering neurological disorders. Clinical signs include seizures, loss of consciousness, and dyspnea. The proximate mechanisms underlying H2S-induced acute toxicity and death have not been clearly elucidated. We investigated electrocerebral, cardiac and respiratory activity during H2S exposure using electroencephalogram (EEG), electrocardiogram (EKG) and plethysmography. H2S suppressed electrocerebral activity and disrupted breathing. Cardiac activity was comparatively less affected. To test whether Ca2+ dysregulation contributes to H2S-induced EEG suppression, we developed an in vitro real-time rapid throughput assay measuring patterns of spontaneous synchronized Ca2+ oscillations in cultured primary cortical neuronal networks loaded with the indicator Fluo-4 using the fluorescent imaging plate reader (FLIPR-Tetra®). Sulfide >5 ppm dysregulated synchronous calcium oscillation (SCO) patterns in a dose-dependent manner. Inhibitors of NMDA and AMPA receptors magnified H2S-induced SCO suppression. Inhibitors of L-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels and transient receptor potential channels prevented H2S-induced SCO suppression. Inhibitors of T-type voltage gated Ca2+ channels, ryanodine receptors, and sodium channels had no measurable influence on H2S-induced SCO suppression. Exposures to > 5 ppm sulfide also suppressed neuronal electrical activity in primary cortical neurons measured by multi-electrode array (MEA), an effect alleviated by pretreatment with the nonselective transient receptor potential channel inhibitor, 2-APB. 2-APB also reduced primary cortical neuronal cell death from sulfide exposure. These results improve our understanding of the role of different Ca2+ channels in acute H2S-induced neurotoxicity and identify transient receptor potential channel modulators as novel structures with potential therapeutic benefits.

Behavioral and Neuronal Effects of Inhaled Bromine Gas: Oxidative Brain Stem Damage

The risk of accidental bromine (Br2) exposure to the public has increased due to its enhanced industrial use. Inhaled Br2 damages the lungs and the heart; however, adverse effects on the brain are unknown. In this study, we examined the neurological effects of inhaled Br2 in Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were exposed to Br2 (600 ppm for 45 min) and transferred to room air and cage behavior, and levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in plasma were examined at various time intervals. Bromine exposure resulted in abnormal cage behavior such as head hitting, biting and aggression, hypervigilance, and hyperactivity. An increase in plasma GFAP and brain 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) content also was observed in the exposed animals. Acute and delayed sympathetic nervous system activation was also evaluated by assessing the expression of catecholamine biosynthesizing enzymes, tryptophan hydroxylase (TrpH1 and TrpH2), and tyrosine hydroxylase (TyrH), along with an assessment of catecholamines and their metabolites. TyrH was found to be increased in a time-dependent manner. TrpH1 and TrpH2 were significantly decreased upon Br2 exposure in the brainstem. The neurotransmitter content evaluation indicated an increase in 5-HT and dopamine at early timepoints after exposure; however, other metabolites were not significantly altered. Taken together, our results predict brain damage and autonomic dysfunction upon Br2 exposure.

Ambient hydrogen sulfide exposure increases the severity of influenza A virus infection in swine

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is common in concentrated pig feed operations from the decomposition of manure. Ambient H₂S is a respiratory tract irritant and an environmental stressor for caretakers and pigs. Influenza A virus (IAV), a zoonotic pathogen, has caused prior pandemics. The effects of H₂S or IAV alone on the respiratory system have been investigated, but their interaction has not. We hypothesized that exposure to environmentally-relevant H₂S concentrations increases the pathogenicity of IAV infection in swine. Thirty-five, three-week old pigs of mixed sex were exposed to breathing air or H₂S via inhalation 6 hours daily for 12 days. After 7 days, pigs were inoculated with H3N2 IAV (or a placebo). Results showed that ambient H₂S increased the severity of respiratory distress and lung pathology. H₂S also suppressed IL-IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 cytokine response in BALF and increased viral loads and nasal shedding.

Changes in energy and motor activity: core symptoms of bipolar mania and depression?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate how well symptom rating scales differentiate bipolar disorder (BD) episode types.

METHODS

One hundred and six patients with BD were followed for 13 years. At each visit, the following clinical scales were administered: Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) and Clinical Global Impressions scale for use in bipolar illness (CGI-BP). To perform a comparison between the affective states of BP, three time points in each patient's follow-up period were chosen for evaluation: the most severe manic episode, the most severe depressive episode, and the euthymic period with least symptoms. Canonical discriminant analyses (CDA) were performed to identify which symptoms best discriminated episodes.

RESULTS

CDA revealed HAM-D was worse than YMRS and CGI-BP to discriminate mood states. The items evaluating increased motor activity in YMRS (2, increased motor activity/energy) and HAM-D (9, agitation) were the best to distinguish mania, depression, and euthymia. In contrast, HAM-D item 8 (retardation) and the HAM-D and YMRS items related to mood symptoms were less important and precise.

CONCLUSION

Higher levels of energy or activity should be considered a core symptom of mania. However, our results do not confirm the association between a decrease in energy or activity and depression. HAM-D probably does not assess motor activity adequately.

Using a fading procedure to increase fluid consumption in a child with feeding problems

Stimulus fading was combined with differential reinforcement and extinction to increase intake of a calorie-dense fluid by a 6-year-old child with feeding problems. The fading procedure consisted of adding Carnation Instant Breakfast and then milk to water (a fluid the child would drink).