scholarly journals Dental amalgam risks in dental staff: systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 319 ◽  
pp. 01001
Author(s):  
Abdelkarim Manyani ◽  
Hanane Chaou ◽  
Naima Rhalem ◽  
Abdelmajid Soulaymani ◽  
Rachida Soulaymani Bencheikh
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Dental Staff ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Harmful Effects

Mercury is an essential constituent of dental amalgams, several studies have shown that dental personnel who work with dental amalgams are chronically exposed to mercury vapors. The World Health Organization considers that inhaling mercury vapors can have harmful effects on the nervous, immune, pulmonary and renal systems. The objective of this review was to collect and analyze data relating to the exposure of dental personnel to mercury and the possible harmful effects on human health. All biomonitoring studies published between 2002 and 2019 measuring mercury in hair, blood, urine and nails were included. Dentists reported higher levels of mercury in their biomarkers compared to control groups. These levels reflected occupational exposures to chronic low levels of elemental mercury in dental amalgam fillings. Some studies have shown a high prevalence of neurological symptoms and memory deficit in dental staff compared to controls. Studies based on genes involved in mercury metabolism have shown associations between sources of mercury exposure and single nucleotide polymorphisms in these genes. It is important that preventive measures are strengthened to reduce exposure to mercury and that a biomonitoring program for dental professionals exposed to mercury vapors is implemented.

Documented Clinical Side-Effects to Dental Amalgam

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.F. Ziff
Keyword(s):  
Health Effects ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
The Body ◽  
Host Susceptibility ◽  
World Health ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Adverse Health ◽  
Rate Of Absorption ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings

Since all dental restorative materials are foreign substances, their potential for producing adverse health effects is determined by their relative toxicity and bioavailability, as well as by host susceptibility. Adverse health effects to dental restoratives may be local in the oral cavity or systemic, depending on the ability of released components to enter the body and, if so, on their rate of absorption. The medical scientific community is now in general agreement that patients with dental amalgam fillings are chronically exposed to mercury, that the average daily absorption of mercury from dental amalgam is from 3 to 17 micrograms per day, and that the amalgam mercury absorption averages 1.25-6.5 times the average mercury absorption from dietary sources (World Health Organization, 1991). The health significance of this chronic mercury exposure is now being investigated by several medical research groups.

IL-10-592 A/C Gene Polymorphism and Cytokine Levels are Associated with Susceptibility to Drug Resistance in Tuberculosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 103-112
Author(s):  
Atefeh SADEGHI SHERMEH ◽  
Majid KHOSHMIRSAFA ◽  
Ali-Akbar DELBANDI ◽  
Payam TABARSI ◽  
Esmaeil MORTAZ ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serum Levels ◽  
World Health ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Genotype Frequencies ◽  
Cytokine Levels ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Function

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) and especially resistant forms of it have a substantial economic burden on the community health system for diagnosis and treatment each year. Thus, investigation of this field is a priority for the world health organization (WHO). Cytokines play important roles in the relationship between the immune system and tuberculosis. Genetic variations especially single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) impact cytokine levels and function against TB. Material and Methods: In this research SNPs in IFN-γ (+874 T/A) and IL-10 (-592 A/C) genes, and the effects of these SNPs on cytokine levels in a total of 87 tuberculosis patients and 100 healthy controls (HCs) were studied. TB patients divided into two groups: 1) 67 drug-sensitive (DS-TB) and 2) 20 drug-resistant (DR-TB) according to drug sensitivity test using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). For the genotyping of two SNPs, the PCR-based method was used and IFN-γ and IL-10 levels were measured by ELISA in pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and control group. Results: In -592A/C SNP, only two genotypes (AA, AC) were observed and both genotypes showed statistically significant differences between DR-TB and HCs (p=0.011). IL-10 serum levels in PTB patients were higher than HCs (p=0.02). The serum levels of IFN-γ were significantly higher in DS-TB patients than that of the other two groups (p<0.001); however, no significant differences were observed for allele and genotype frequencies in IFN-γ +874. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the SNP at -592 position of IL-10 gene may be associated with the susceptibility to DR-TB. However, further investigation is necessary. Keywords: Polymorphism, IFN-γ, IL-10, tuberculosis, drug-resistant tuberculosis

scholarly journals Avaliação das Variantes Genéticas dos Genes AMELX e ENAM na Cárie Dentária em Adolescentes

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (5-esp.) ◽  
pp. 650-654
Author(s):  
Gabriela Paschoalini Romagni ◽  
Paula Marino Costa ◽  
Sandra Mara Maciel ◽  
Maria Paula Jacobucci ◽  
Regina Célia Poli-Frederico
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Component ◽  
World Health ◽  
Caries Experience ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Polymerase Chain ◽  
Health Organization

A doença cárie é considerada, atualmente, como biofilme sacarose dependente, entretanto, estudos recentes apontam que fatores genéticos também podem influenciar seu desenvolvimento. Variantes nos gene amelogenina (AMELX) e enamelina (ENAM), responsáveis pela formação do esmalte, têm sido propostas como potencialmente envolvidos na doença. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar se a ocorrência de cárie dentária em adolescentes está relacionado às variantes nos genes AMELX e ENAM. Para a avaliação da prevalência de cárie foi utilizado o índice de dentes cariados, perdidos e obturados (CPO-D), segundo critérios da Organização Mundial de Saúde. As amostras de DNA foram extraídas das células da mucosa oral. Para a análise dos polimorfismos de nucleotídeo único (SNPs) dos genes AMELX (rs17878486) e ENAM (rs7671281) foi utilizada  a técnica de amplificação de fragmentos de DNA pela reação em cadeia da polimerase foi realizada (PCR) em tempo real pelo sistema TaqMan (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, EUA). Para a análise estatística, foi utilizado o teste exato de Fisher e qui-quadrado com nível de significância de 5%. Apenas os fatores socioeconômicos influenciaram a experiência de cárie. Concluiu-se que o componente genético, na população deste estudo, não influenciou o desenvolvimento da cárie.   Palavras-chave: Polimorfismo genético. Adolescentes. Esmalte.   Abstract Caries disease is currently considered a sucrose-dependent biofilm, however recent studies indicate that a genetic component can also influence its development. Variants in the amelogenin (AMELX) and enamelin (ENAM) genes, responsible for the enamel formation, have been proposed as potentially involved in the disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the occurrence of dental caries in adolescents is related to variants in the AMELX and ENAM genes. To assess the caries prevalence, the index of decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT) were used, according to World Health Organization criteria. DNA samples were extracted from oral mucosa cells. For the analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the AMELX (rs17878486) and ENAM (rs7671281) genes, the amplifying DNA fragments technique  by the polymerase chain reaction was performed (PCR) in real time by the TaqMan system (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, USA). For the statistical analysis, Fisher's exact test and chi-square were used with a 5% significance level. Only socioeconomic factors influenced the caries experience. It was concluded that the genetic component in the population of this study, did not influence the development of caries.   Keywords: Genetic polymorphism. Adolescents. Enamel.

Effect of occupational exposure to elemental mercury in the amalgam on thymulin hormone production among dental staff

2009 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 159-167 ◽  
Author(s):  
SA Farahat ◽  
LA Rashed ◽  
NH Zawilla ◽  
SM Farouk
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Blood Level ◽  
Body Burden ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Thymus Gland ◽  
Hygiene Measures ◽  
Dental Staff

Occupational exposure of dental staff to elemental mercury vapor released from dental amalgam is an issue of concern because of the possible immunological and neurological adverse outcomes. Recently, studies have reported that inorganic mercury induces immunosuppression by decreasing the production of thymus gland hormone (thymulin). This study aimed at investigating mercury body burden in dental staff and the relation of this burden to the potential impact of mercury on thymus gland hormone level (thymulin). Besides, the work aimed at verifying mercury effect on nitric oxide synthetase as a possible mechanism of its immunotoxicity. The study population consisted of a group of dental staff ( n = 39) [21 dentists and 18 nurses] and a matched control group ( n = 42). Each individual was subjected to detailed occupational and medical history taking and to estimation of urinary mercury (U-Hg) and blood mercury (B-Hg) as indicators of mercury body burden and exposure, respectively. Measurement of total thymulin hormone blood level, and plasma level of nitrite and nitrate (indicators of nitric oxide) was also done. The study showed a significantly increased U-Hg and B-Hg levels in the dental staff compared to their controls. This elevation of mercury body burden was associated with significant reduction in thymulin hormone blood level and nitric oxide parameters. These results were more evident in the group of nurses compared to the dentists. In conclusion, our results show that dentists and dental nurses have significant exposure to mercury vapor and point to the negative impact of mercury on thymus gland functions and confirm the implication that the nitric oxide pathway is a possible mechanism for this impact. Moreover, the study raises attention to the importance of hygiene measures in reduction of exposure to mercury vapor released from dental amalgam.

scholarly journals Genetic Variation in Cytokine-Related Genes and Migraine Susceptibility

2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1079-1086 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shani Stuart ◽  
Bridget H. Maher ◽  
Heidi Sutherland ◽  
Miles Benton ◽  
Astrid Rodriguez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Cluster ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Sterile Inflammation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Risk Haplotype ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Tnf Gene ◽  
Lymphotoxin Α

Migraine is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as being one of the top 20 most debilitating diseases. According to the neurovascular hypothesis, neuroinflammation may promote the activation and sensitisation of meningeal nociceptors, inducing the persistent throbbing headache characterized in migraine. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene cluster, made up of TNFα, lymphotoxin α (LTA), and lymphotoxin β (LTB), has been implicated to influence the intensity and duration of local inflammation. It is thought that sterile inflammation mediated by LTA, LTB, and TNFα contributes to threshold brain excitability, propagation of neuronal hyperexcitability and thus initiation and maintenance of a migraine attack. Previous studies have investigated variants within the TNF gene cluster region in relation to migraine susceptibility, with largely conflicting results. The aim of this study was to expand on previous research and utilize a large case-control cohort and range of variants within the TNF gene cluster to investigate the role of the TNF gene cluster in migraine. Nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected for investigation as follows: rs1800683, rs2229094, rs2009658, rs2071590, rs2239704, rs909253, rs1800630, rs1800629, and rs3093664. No significant association with migraine susceptibility was found for any of the SNPs tested, with further testing according to migraine subtype and gender also showing no association for disease risk. Haplotype analysis showed that none of the tested haplotypes were significantly associated with migraine.

scholarly journals Climate change and primary health care intervention framework

2009 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rae Walker ◽  
South East Healthy Communities Partnership
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Primary Health Care ◽  
World Health ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Health Care Intervention ◽  
Climate Change Effects ◽  
Primary Health ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Harmful Effects

Climate change has been described as the issue of our times. The World Health Organization argues that it will result in both beneficial and harmful effects for human populations and that the harms are likely to outweigh the benefits. Climate scientists can sketch an outline of the probable changes by country, and even region within a country. The effect of climate change on communities is much harder to predict. However, it can be argued with some confidence that the effects will be unequally distributed across communities and that the ways in which communities respond will make a substantial difference to their wellbeing. This paper uses the predictions for climate change in Victoria, Australia, as the background to a discussion of primary health care principles and how they might translate into coping, adaptation and mitigation activities within the primary health care sector. The major primary health care agencies are linked to one another through Primary Care Partnership structures and processes, which provide a foundation for sector-wide responses to climate change. The concept of a storyline, a brief scenario capturing the logic of changes and potential responses, is used to link evidence of climate change effects on communities and individuals to potential responses by primary health care agencies.

scholarly journals Rethinking the Dental Amalgam Dilemma: An Integrated Toxicological Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (6) ◽  
pp. 1036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hector Jirau-Colón ◽  
Leonardo González-Parrilla ◽  
Jorge Martinez-Jiménez ◽  
Waldemar Adam ◽  
Braulio Jiménez-Velez
Keyword(s):  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Toxic Pollutant ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Amalgam Fillings

Mercury (Hg) has been identified as one of the most toxic nonradioactive materials known to man. Although mercury is a naturally occurring element, anthropogenic mercury is now a major worldwide concern and is an international priority toxic pollutant. It also comprises one of the primary constituents of dental amalgam fillings. Even though dental mercury amalgams have been used for almost two centuries, its safety has never been tested or proven in the United States by any regulatory agency. There has been an ongoing debate regarding the safety of its use since 1845, and many studies conclude that its use exposes patients to troublesome toxicity. In this review, we present in an objective way the danger of dental amalgam to human health based on current knowledge. This dilemma is addressed in terms of an integrated toxicological approach by focusing on four mayor issues to show how these interrelate to create the whole picture: (1) the irrefutable constant release of mercury vapor from dental amalgams which is responsible for individual chronic exposure, (2) the evidence of organic mercury formation from dental amalgam in the oral cavity, (3) the effect of mercury exposure on gene regulation in human cells which supports the intrinsic genetic susceptibility to toxicant and, finally, (4) the availability of recent epidemiological data supporting the link of dental amalgams to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson.

Genetic markers of type 2 diabetes in Russian population

2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 10-11
Author(s):  
Ksenia A. Vakhromeeva ◽  
Ludmila A. Suplotova ◽  
Valery V. Nosikov
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Genome Wide Association Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Fto Gene ◽  
Mc4r Gene ◽  
Large Sets ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Slc2a2 Gene

Introduction. Genetic susceptibility to Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) with a complex mode of inheritance is explained by the presence of multiple gene, each conferring a small moderate contribution the overall risk, as well as by alternative combinations of genes. Due to the success of Genome-Wide Association Study there has been rapid increase in the availability of genetic data for T2D. This allows the collection of large sets of genetic polymorphic loci, which could be key in the understanding of the genetic basis of T2D.The aim of this study was to determine alleles and allelic combinations that are associated with T2D phenotype.Methods. We assessed the associations of 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) linked with T2D different pathway components and carbohydrate metabolism abnormalities in 96 Russian patients and 96 normoglycemic controls using Illumina Golden Gate Genotyping Assay (low density DNA chip with 96 SNPs). T2D was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria, 1999. Data were analyzed with the free online statistical program named “Calculator for confidence intervals of odds ratio” (www.gen-exp.ru/calculator_or.php) and APSampler software (https://code.google.com/p/apsampler) for multi-locus association analysis.Results. On the first stage of the study we detected ten SNPs that can be independently contributing to T2D risk in the Russian cohort, they are rs8050136 (p=0,05) and rs11642841 (p=0,04) in FTO gene, rs2943641 (p=0,02) and rs2943634 (p=0,03) in IRS1 gene, rs571312 in MC4R gene, rs1470579 (p=0,04) in IGF2BP2 gene, rs163184(p=0,03) in KCNQ1 gene, rs11924032 (p=0,04) in SLC2A2 gene, rs11634397 (p=0,03) in ZFAND6 gene, rs7172432(p=0,04) in C2CD4A gene. On the second stage we found a biallelic combination of A allele rs8050136 in FTO gene and A allele rs7172432 in C2CD4R gene that was associated with T2D risk. Remarkable, the combined effect (association) of rs8050136 and rs7172432 was stronger (OR=1,97; p=0.006) than that of each SNP alone.Conclusion. The biallelic combination of A allele rs8050136 in FTO gene and A allele rs7172432 in C2CD4R gene can be used as a genetic marker of T2D.

Side-Effects: Mercury Contribution to Body Burden From Dental Amalgam

1992 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 110-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.W. Reinhardt
Keyword(s):  
Body Burden ◽  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Human Tissues ◽  
Target Organs ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
Dental Amalgams ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Relationship

The purpose of this paper is to examine and report on studies that relate mercury levels in human tissues to the presence of dental amalgams, giving special attention to autopsy studies. Until recently, there have been few published studies examining the relationship between dental amalgams and tissue mercury levels. Improved and highly sensitive tissue analysis techniques have made it possible to measure elements in the concentration range of parts per billion. The fact that mercury can be absorbed and reach toxic levels in human tissues makes any and all exposure to that element of scientific interest. Dental amalgams have long been believed to be of little significance as contributors to the overall body burden of mercury, because the elemental form of mercury is rapidly consumed in the setting reaction of the restoration. Studies showing measurable elemental mercury vapor release from dental amalgams have raised renewed concern about amalgam safety. Mercury vapor absorption occurs through the lungs, with about 80% of the inhaled vapor being absorbed by the lungs and rapidly entering the bloodstream. Following distribution by blood circulation, mercury can enter and remain in certain tissues for longer periods of time, since the half-life of excretion is prolonged. Two of the primary target organs of concern are the central nervous system and kidneys.

The Science and Politics of Dental Amalgam

1998 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hellen Gelband
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Mercury ◽  
Mercury Vapor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dental Amalgam ◽  
Mercury Exposure ◽  
Test Case ◽  
Filling Material ◽  
Science And Politics ◽  
Dental Amalgam Fillings ◽  
Amalgam Fillings

AbstractDental amalgam—a mixture of elemental mercury and a silver-dominated metal alloy—has been the most widely used dental filling material for well over a century. Alternative materials exist but are not well suited for some important applications, and all are more expensive than amalgam. The toxic effects of occupational mercury exposure have long been known, but it was not until about 1980 that serious consideration was given to the possibility that mercury vapor escaping from amalgam fillings might be affecting health, specifically producing subtle effects on the central nervous system. Such effects have been reported among dentists and other dental personnel, whose exposures are well below industrial levels but above those from fillings alone. No large studies have been completed that examine the effects of mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings. In the face of inadequate evidence on the possible risks of dental amalgam, countries have reacted disparately. Sweden is phasing out amalgam entirely, possibly by the end of 1997. Germany has produced guidelines for limiting its use, other countries have signaled their intention to reduce it, and others—the United States and Canada—have studied the matter but taken no action. Policy differences within Europe have made dental amalgam a test case for the European Community's new medical device regulations. Relatively little epidemiologic research has been initiated to try to answer the question of dental amalgam's possible health effects. An international effort to define and carry out a research agenda to guide public policy is called for.

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