DALLAS /PRNewswire/ -- Eleven top scientists from around the globe presented the latest findings on the powerful compounds found in oats in a scientific session titled, Physicochemical Properties and Biological Functionality of Oats, at the 247th Annual Conference of the American Chemical Society in Dallas, TX. Scientists described research on the diverse health benefits of oats and emphasized the growing evidence that the type of phenolic compound avenanthramide (AVE) – found only in oats – may possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-itch and anti-cancer properties. The culmination of the studies suggests that oat AVEs may play an important role in protecting the heart.

Eating whole grains is consistently associated with a reduced risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease. Most of the benefits have been attributed to the relatively high fiber, vitamin, mineral and phytochemical content of whole grains. Notably, the soluble fiber beta-glucan found in oats has been recognized for its ability to lower both total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

"While the data to support the importance of oat beta-glucan remains, these studies reveal that the heart health benefit of eating oats may go beyond fiber," explains the session's presiding co-officer, Dr. Shengmin Sang of the Center for Excellence in Post-Harvest Technologies at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. "As the scientific investigators dig deeper, we have discovered that the bioactive compounds found in oats – AVEs – may provide additional cardio-protective benefits."

Oat AVEs and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

New research shows that oat AVEs may be partly responsible for the positive association between oats and heart health. Oliver Chen, Ph.D., of the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, presented mechanistic data that demonstrated that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of AVEs likely contribute to the atheroprotection of oats.

Similarly, Mohsen Meydani, Ph.D., from the Vascular Biology Laboratory at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University, provided evidence that oat AVEs suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines associated with fatty streak formation in the arteries. In addition, oat AVEs appear to repress the process associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

"On behalf of the Quaker Oats Center of Excellence, we are inspired by the investigations in oats agriculture, processing and health research presented at the American Chemical Society's Scientific Sessions," comments YiFang Chu, Ph.D., PepsiCo R&D Nutrition. "Along with all of the oats fans out there, we value the significant contribution of scientific collaboration to help expand the thinking behind oats."

Also on the program were scientists from Tufts University; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; PepsiCo Inc. R&D; the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health in Zurich, Switzerland; the University of Minnesota; and Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, LA. Their presentations reviewed their findings on the influence of the processing of oats on the glycemic response and bioactive composition, measuring the functionality of oat beta-glucan, the antioxidant potential of oat beta-glucan, the benefits of eating whole grains on chronic disease, and how oats may improve glucose control and lipid metabolism. This high-level scientific session revealed the far-reaching impact this simple grain plays in health promotion and disease prevention.

The Institute for Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry will host a seminar to benefit Operation Smile. Titled “Immediate Provisional Restoration,” the seminar will be held May 3, 2104, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the IIRD / BIOMET 3i facility in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Dr. Stephen Chu will be the instructor. Six CE credits are available. Net proceeds from the seminar will be donated by BIOMET 3i to Operation Smile. Individual registration after March 31 is $349; group registration (three or more attendees registering at one time) is $299 per person.

Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org) has provided more than 3.5 million healthcare evaluations and conducted over 200,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities, as well as patients suffering from burns.

To register for the program, call the Institute for Implant & Reconstructive Dentistry at 1-800-717-4143.

As soon as an infant cuts his or her first tooth, proper dental hygiene is a must. Babies who are put to bed with their bottles and toddlers who tote around sippy cups full of sugary juice all day are at risk of developing a condition called early childhood caries. This bacterial infection, often passed to young children from a caregiver with untreated dental disease, causes aggressive and painful tooth decay. Treatment can require surgery.

Hyun (Michel) Koo, a professor in the Department of Orthodontics in the School of Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, has spent his career looking for new treatments for dental caries, which are commonly known as cavities. He has identified promising treatments in compounds derived from cranberries and a material produced by honeybees to protect their hive.

In his latest study, which will be published in the May print issue of Infection and Immunity, he worked with colleagues to better understand what makes early childhood caries so intractable in the mouths of preschoolers.

Researchers generally believed that the bacterium Streptococcus mutans was responsible for the disease, but Koo and others noticed that the fungus Candida albicans was also present in the tooth plaque of children with the condition. The discovery piqued Koo’s interest, because although C. albicans sticks to the cheek and tongue, it was not believed to adhere well to teeth.

Koo and colleagues soon discovered that S. mutans produces a molecule that allows C. albicans to produce a very sticky substance in the presence of sugar.

“The combination of the two organisms led to a greatly enhanced production of the glue-like polymer,” Koo says, “drastically boosting the ability of the bacterium and the fungus to colonize the teeth.”

The gooey plaque formed by the microorganisms has pockets of high acidity, which causes cavities to form in the teeth. When rats were infected by S. mutans and C. albicans together, they had twice as many cavities, which were of much greater severity.

With this enhanced understanding of the cause of early childhood caries, the researchers hope to find ways to intercede and prevent the partnership between fungus and bacteria from leading to tooth decay.

“Our data will certainly open the way to test agents to prevent this disease,” says Koo, “and, even more intriguing, the possibility of preventing children from acquiring this infection.”

Source: University of Pennsylvania

(dailyRx News) – Some studies have shown Crohn’s disease patients to have more cavities and other dental problems. Are these problems related to the disease, dental hygiene or other risk factors?

A recent scientific study looked at the dental problems in Crohn’s patients and investigated what might put these patients at greater risk for these problems.

The research team found that Crohn’s disease patients who had bowel surgery had more tooth decay, missing teeth, and surface fillings than people without Crohn’s. These dental problems were associated with the presence of bad bacteria in the patient’s mouths and more frequent consumption of sugary drinks.

This research was carried out by a team led by Annsofi Johannsen and Sara Szymanska from the Department of Dental Medicine at the Karolinska Institutet in Huddinge, Sweden.

This study included 150 patients aged 18 to 77 with Crohn’s disease. A total of 71 of the patients had had resection surgery—surgery to cut out diseased sections of the intestine and in which the remaining sections of the intestines were rejoined.

This study also included 75 people aged 18 to 74 without Crohn’s disease (controls).

The study participants answered questions about their oral hygiene, dental health, and their medical history. They were also surveyed about their eating habits and consumption of sugary drinks.

All patients and controls had a dental examination and dental x-rays. Bacteria in their saliva was measured as well. Two kinds of bacteria, called Lactobacilliand Streptococcus mutans, can accumulate on teeth and cause a film called plaque that can lead to the formation of cavities.

Among Crohn’s disease patients, men had more decayed teeth, with an average of 2.5, than women, who had an average of 1.5 decayed teeth.

Dental plaque was also more common in men than women. About 56% of men had plaque, compared with 42% of women.

Crohn’s disease patients reported drinking more sugary drinks than the control group. A total of 26% of the controls reported drinking sweetened drinks, compared with 43% of the patients without resection surgery and 61 percent of patients who had resection surgery.

All patients with Crohn’s disease had higher levels of Lactobacilliin their saliva and more dental plaque than people in the control group. Crohn’s patients in the resected group had higher amounts of Streptococcus mutansin their saliva than the control group.

Scores assigned by the researchers for decay, missing teeth and filled tooth surfaces were significantly higher in Crohn’s patients who had resection surgery than in the control group.

“The present study shows that patients with Crohn’s Disease who had undergone resective surgery had a higher [decay missing filled] score, and higher salivary counts of Lactobacilliand Streptococcus mutans compared to the control group,” the authors wrote.

They advised, “In the clinical practice these patients must be informed about the consequences of altered dietary habits and the importance of the prevention. Further research should focus on developing individual preventive programmes tailored to their needs.”

This research was published in the March issue of PLOS ONE.

Funding for the research was provided by the Swedish Association of People with Stomach and Bowel Diseases, Swedish Patent Revenue Research Fund, Swedish Society of Gastroenterology and Sophiahemmet Research Funds.

BANGOR, Maine – March 27, 2014 – Cigna and Penobscot Community Health Care, Maine’s largest and most comprehensive community health center, have launched an initiative to help improve the oral health of those patients that have certain chronic medical conditions such as heart disease or diabetes. Research has demonstrated a link between oral health and overall health, and there is evidence that good oral health may contribute to reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetic complications. 

Cigna will help Penobscot identify patients who might benefit the most from proactive educational outreach and enhanced preventive oral health services. Treating an individual’s condition with an integrated dental and medical approach can help decrease the likelihood of health complications which, in turn, can enhance the patient’s quality of life while reducing costs. “When we use all the tools and resources at our disposal, like the kind of information and data that Cigna can provide in this initiative, it allows us to provide more effective and impactful coordination of medical and dental services. We are excited to be working with Cigna on this quality of care initiative because we believe it will make a real difference in the health and well-being of our patients with chronic illnesses,” said Dr. Noah Nesin, chief quality officer at Penobscot Community Health Care.

“Oral health education is a critical component to the success of this initiative. The work we are doing with Penobscot Community Health Care to help patients with certain chronic conditions understand how the right oral health care, along with regular medical treatments, can improve their overall health is expected to drive better health outcomes, better service experiences and better savings,” said Miles Hall, D.D.S., chief clinical dental director for Cigna. 

A value-based compensation model is incorporated into this initiative. Cigna will increase Penobscot Community Health Care’s dental fee schedule for successfully meeting targeted measurements with regard to its educational outreach, increase in customer use of preventive services and increase in customer satisfaction.

In addition to participating in Cigna's extensive Dental PPO network, Penobscot Community Health Care participates in Cigna’s collaborative accountable care initiative for physician practices. These programs focus on expanding patient access to health care, improving care coordination, and achieving improved health, affordability and patient experience. Collaborative accountable care is Cigna's approach to accomplishing the same population health goals as accountable care organizations, or ACOs, with a strong focus on high-risk individuals, including people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes or heart disease.

Scott Benjamin, DDS, was honored last month with the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics Volunteer Award for 2014. Dr. Benjamin, who serves as Technology Section Editor for Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, is a member of the ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics and chairman of Working Group 12.1 on Digital Imaging. He earned the award for major contributions to the informatics standards program and to interoperability standards for many years.

As part of its 13thAnnual Awards presented earlier this month, ASMEP-ETI, a French Organization for medium-sized companies, awarded Mr. Olivier Schiller, owner of Septodont, the Award for “Endurance and Transmission.” The Award represents the hard work of the global Septodont Group and the Schiller family who have lead the company to become a global leader, without losing its character of open dialogue and attachment to human values.

Septodont is a French-owned company that manufactures dental products. They are the world leader in quality dental anesthetics and developer of innovative restorative material products for the dental practice and the patient. The company has been family owned since it was founded in 1932. Currently, Septodont employs over 1,200 people, has six manufacturing plants in France, North America and India, and has an international distribution network in over 150 countries. The North American presence includes production plants in Colorado and Cambridge, and a Sales and Marketing office in Pennsylvania. Septodont strives to be recognized as the organization that sets the standard for quality, performance and innovation in dental products and customer service.

Founded in 2001, the purpose of the ASMEP-ETI Awards is to promote and highlight the image, values and importance of French private businesses and medium-sized companies. The awards were founded on essential criteria such as innovation capacity, contribution to competitiveness and use of territory, international approach and openness, irreproachable quality management, the approach to transmit and measures taken to guarantee endurance and long-term growth of the company, and responsible management.

ASMEP-ETI is the French Organization of medium-sized companies, positioned between small companies and major groups. ASMEP represents over 600 members, most of which are family-owned and represent over one quarter of the employed workforce in France. 

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 24 — Scientists at Forsyth, along with a colleague from Northwestern University, have discovered that the protein, Transgultaminase 2 (TG2), is a key component in the process of gum disease. TG2 is widely distributed inside and outside of human cells. The scientists found that blocking some associations of TG2 prevents the bacteria Porphyromonas gingivalis (PG) from adhering to cells. This insight may one day help lead to novel therapies to prevent gum disease caused by PG.

Periodontal, or gum, disease is one of the most common infectious diseases. In its more severe forms, such as periodontitis, it causes loss of the bone that supports the teeth. Approximately 65 million adults in the United States are affected by some form of the disease. PG is the major causative agent of periodontitis, and it may also be involved in the development of systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The findings in this study indicate that TG2 is a key mediator in Porphyromonas gingivalis infection. In this research, the scientific team examined the critical role that TG2 plays in enabling Porphyromonas gingivalis to adhere to cells. Using confocal microscopes, clusters of TG2 were found where the bacterium was binding to cells. When the team silenced the expression of TG2, Porphyromonas gingivalis was diminished.

This study, which was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences on March 24, 2014, was led by Dr. Heike Boisvert, Assistant Member of the Staff, Department of Microbiology at Forsyth. The work was done in collaboration with Dr. Laszlo Lorand from Northwestern University Feinberg Medical School and Dr. Margaret Duncan, Senior Member of Staff at The Forsyth Institute.

"Once established, Porphyromonas gingivalis is very hard to get rid of" said Boisvert. "The bacterium changes conditions in the surrounding environment to ensure perfect growth; unfortunately, those changes, if untreated, can result in a loss of supportive tissue for our teeth. Also, as has been recently reported, manipulations of host proteins by PG may be involved in the development of systemic diseases such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. The more we know about the relationship of PG with us, the host, the better we can work on how to prevent disease and disease progression." In the next phase of research, Boisvert will be examining TG2-knockout mice to test their susceptibility to Porphyromonas gingivalis infection and periodontal disease.

David Vassos, DDS of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, will be honored for his achievements as an implant dentist at the American Academy of Implant Dentistry’s Western District meeting in San Francisco on April 11, 2014. The Academy is celebrating Dr. Vassos’ long and distinguished career in implant dentistry, which includes being a founding member of the Canadian Society of Oral Implantology.

Dr. Vassos received his DDS from the University of Alberta in 1963. Dr. Vassos has practiced Implant Dentistry for 46 years, having decided to commit his career to placing and restoring implants in 1968. He achieved the status of Fellow of the AAID in 1985 and was elected an Honored Fellow by the Academy in 1993. Dr. Vassos became a Diplomate with the American Board of Oral Implantology/Implant Dentistry in 1990. He has a long history of leadership in the Academy, having given lectures at multiple AAID meetings and having served on the Admission and Credentials Board, as well as the Membership and Ethics committees.

A new study indicates that a commonly used mood-stabilizing drug may help prevent head and neck cancer. The study is published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

Valproic acid (VPA) is currently prescribed as an anti-seizure medication and mood stabilizer, but it is also being studied as an anticancer agent because it inhibits histone acetyl transferases, which help control gene expression by changing DNA structure.

Johann Christoph Brandes MD, PhD, of the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Emory University in Atlanta, led a team that assessed the anticancer effects of VPA in a study of 439,628 veterans, of whom 26,911 were taking the medication for bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, migraines, and seizures.

Veterans who took VPA for at least one year had a 34 percent lower risk of developing head and neck cancer compared with those who did not take the medication. Higher doses and longer duration of VPA use seemed to provide additional benefits. No significant differences were observed for lung, bladder, colon, and prostate cancer incidences.

"A 34% risk reduction for the development of head and neck cancer with VPA use could result in the prevention of up to approximately 16,000 new cases and 3,000 to 4,000 annual deaths in the US alone," said Dr. Brandes. "Head and neck cancer is an important global health crisis, and low cost and low toxicity prevention strategies like VPA use have a high potential impact on pain, suffering, costs, and mortality associated with this disease."

Source: EurekaAlert!