Healthy Periodontium Research Articles

Association between Aggregatibacter actinomy-cetemcomitans bacterial load and NLRP3 inflam-masome activation in periodontitis patients with Diabetes

Abstract: Background: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is one of the most common periodontal pathogen that has a direct effect on periodontium. Diabetes and periodontitis considered as chronic diseases with a bidirectional relationship between them. Evidence has shown that the Node Like Receptor Pyrine-3 inflammasome, is crucial for both illnesses. Aim of study: This investigation was conducted to observe the association between bacterial load of A. actinomyctecomtans and serum level of NLRP3 inflammasome in periodontitis patient with and without type 2 DM and control group. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 85 participants, whose ages ranged from (23-55) years. Split into three groups; the control group, which had a clinically and systemically healthy periodontium, and the two groups with periodontitis, one of which also had type 2 DM. Samples of the four most profound periodontal pockets were sampled for subgingival plaque, and from the gingival sulcus in the control group. The real-time (PCR) was utilized in this experiment. to quantify A. actinomyctecomtans DNA was isolated from samples of dental plaque. All subjects' serum was collected, and the concentration of NLRP3 was measured using an ELISA technique. Results: The results showed that the bacterial count was higher in two groups of patient than the control group, but there were no-significant differences. On the other hand, there was a significant correlation between the bacterial count and periodontal parameters in periodontitis with type 2 DM group, while in periodontitis group there was positive correlation with clinical attachment loss and bleeding on probing. A significant positive correlation also noticed between NLRP3 inflammasome and periodontal parameters in periodontitis patient with type2 DM. Regarding the group of periodontitis patients without systemic disease there was no significance correlation between inflammasome and clinical parameters. Finally, there is a non-significant correlation of A. actinomyctecomtans with inflammasome. Conclusions: A. actinomyctecomtans detection rate was strongly higher in patient groups compared to healthy subjects but statically non-significant. Moreover, the lack of correlation between A. actinomyctecomtans and the NLRP3 inflammasome indicates that NLRP3 activation is associated with inflammatory processes that are induced by a number of external factors, other than bacteria.

Assessment of Salivary Interleukin-1β Levels in Patients with Gingivitis and Periodontitis

Introduction: The study aimed to analyze the level of salivary Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in subjects with healthy periodontium and patients with gingivitis and periodontitis stage I-III. Methods: A total of 90 individuals participated in the research, separated into five groups, clinically healthy (n = 10), gingivitis (n = 20), stage I periodintitis (n = 20), stage II periodontitis (n = 20), and stage III periodontitis (n = 20). Level of salivary IL-1β was assessed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result: A statically significant difference (P < 0.001) found amongst study groups, further multiple group comparison revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) when comparing the experimental groups with control and when comparing gingivitis with stage II and III groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this cross-sectional study, IL-1β can be considered as a potential salivary biomarkers to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy periodontium.

Microbial profiling of peri-implantitis compared to the periodontal microbiota in health and disease using 16S rRNA sequencing.

The objective of this study was to analyze the microbial profile of individuals with peri-implantitis (PI) compared to those of periodontally healthy (PH) subjects and periodontitis (PT) subjects using Illumina sequencing. Buccal, supragingival, and subgingival plaque samples were collected from 109 subjects (PH: 30, PT: 49, and PI: 30). The V3-V4 region of 16S rRNA was sequenced and analyzed to profile the plaque microbiota. Microbial community diversity in the PI group was higher than in the other groups, and the 3 groups showed significantly separated clusters in the buccal samples. The PI group showed different patterns of relative abundance from those in the PH and PT groups depending on the sampling site at both genus and phylum levels. In all samples, some bacterial species presented considerably higher relative abundances in the PI group than in the PH and PT groups, including Anaerotignum lactatifermentans, Bacteroides vulgatus, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Olsenella uli, Parasutterella excrementihominis, Prevotella buccae, Pseudoramibacter alactolyticus, Treponema parvum, and Slackia exigua. Network analysis identified that several well-known periodontal pathogens and newly recognized bacteria were closely correlated with each other. The composition of the microbiota was considerably different in PI subjects compared to PH and PT subjects, and these results could shed light on the mechanisms involved in the development of PI.

Association of rs142548867 (EEFSEC) and periodontitis Grade C in a young Brazilian population.

Periodontitis Stage III-IV, Grade C (PerioC) is a severe form of Periodontitis. The individual genetic background has been shown to be an important etiopathogenic factor for the development of this disease in young, systemically healthy, and non-smokers patients. Recently, after exome sequencing of families with a history of the disease, PerioC was associated with three single nucleotide variations (SNVs) - rs142548867 (EEFSEC), rs574301770 (ZNF136), and rs72821893 (KRT25) - which were classified as deleterious or possibly harmful by prediction algorithms. Seeking to validate these findings in a cohort evaluation, this study aims to characterize the allele and genotypic frequency of the SNVs rs142548867, rs574301770, and rs72821893 in the Brazilian population with PerioC and who were periodontally healthy (PH). Thus, epithelial oral cells from 200 PerioC and 196 PH patients were harvested at three distinct centers at the Brazilian Southern region, their DNA were extracted, and the SNVs rs142548867, rs574301770, rs72821893 were genotyped using 5'-nuclease allelic discrimination assay. Differences in allele and genotype frequencies were analyzed using Fisher's Exact Test. Only the SNV rs142548867 (C > T) was associated with PerioC. The CT genotype was detected more frequently in patients with PerioC when compared with PH subjects (6% and 0.5% respectively), being significantly associated with PerioC (odds ratio 11.76, p=0.02). rs142548867 represents a potential risk for the occurrence of this disease in the Brazilian population.

Levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and markers of oxidative stress in mixed saliva of Bukhara oil refinery workers

The study evaluated the biochemical effects of chronic exposure to the oil refining industry on the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation processes in the saliva of hazardous production workers. The workers of the main specialties of the Bukhara oil refinery were examined. The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines both in the workers of the hazardous shops of the oil refinery and in the employees of the plant management were determined by the amount of destruction of the epithelial attachment of the gums, determined by the value of the CPI index. At the same time, with an increase in the severity of periodontal lesions, the concentrations of pro-inflammatory mediators significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). in those examined with healthy periodontium (CPΙ -0), the concentration of TNF-α in the mixed saliva of workers in hazardous production exceeds that of employees of the plant management by 83.85% (P ≤ 0.01); in those examined with low values of the СPΙ index (1–2), this excess was 41.23% (P ≤ 0.01) and in severe lesions (СP Ι – 3–4) – 72.23% (P ≤ 0.01). In general, the concentration of TNF-α in the mixed saliva of workers at the enterprise exceeded that of employees of the plant management by 61.20% (P ≤ 0.01); the corresponding excess levels of IL-6 were 85.00%; 80.00%; 72.33% and 65.91% Thus, the production hazards of the oil refinery are a systemic risk factor for the development of periodontitis.

Levels of nitric oxide in smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis before and after nonsurgical periodontal treatment.

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of nitric oxide (NO) in both serum and saliva of smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis before and after scaling and root planing, as well as to compare the same (NO levels) with the severity of periodontitis. Sixty people took part in the study and were divided into three groups. The control group (Group I) involved 20 patients who were nonsmokers with healthy periodontium. The other two groups included 20 patients each, where Group II was nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis and Group III was smokers with chronic periodontitis. In addition, NO generation was quantified indirectly in this study using the Griess reaction to determine the nitrite level in serum and saliva. The mean value of salivary and serum NO was higher in Group III than in Group II, and NO decreased considerably (P < 0.01) in both Groups II and III after treatment compared to before treatment. Serum and salivary NO levels can be used as a good predictor of the inflammatory condition of the periodontium in smokers.

Evaluation of the Salivary Levels of Interleukin-17 and Galectin-3 in Patients with Periodontitis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus are both considered as a chronic disease that affect many people and have an interrelationship in their pathogenesis. Objective: The aim is to evaluate the salivary levels of interleukin-17 (IL-17) and galectin-3 in patients with periodontitis and type-2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: The samples were gathered from 13 healthy (control group) and 75 patients split into 3 groups, 25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy periodontium (T2DM group), 25 patients with generalized periodontitis (P group), and 25 patients with generalized periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (P-T2DM group). Clinical periodontal parameters were documented. The concentration of IL-17 and galectin-3 in salivary samples was estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Result: The concentration of IL-17 in the T2DM group (388.612 ± 120.111 pg/mL), the P group (443.887 ± 69.188 pg/mL), and the P-T2DM group (532.769 ± 137.673 pg/mL) showed higher values than the control group (292.079 ± 62.356 pg/mL) with a significant difference at (P &lt; 0.05). Also, the P-T2DM group showed higher values than the P group and the T2DM group with a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). The concentration of galectin-3 in the T2DM group (2.409 ± 0.147 ng/mL), the P group (2.699 ± 0.386 ng/mL), and the P-T2DM group (2.568 ± 0.285 ng/mL) showed higher values than the control group (1.888 ± 0.356 ng/mL) with a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). The P group showed a higher value than the T2DM group with a significant difference (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Salivary IL-17 and galectin-3 levels might be used as a biomarker for periodontitis.

Oral Health Status of Outpatients with Schizophrenia in Ankara, Türkiye: A Descriptive Study.

To evaluate the oral health status and denture treatment needs of a group of outpatients with schizophrenia. One hundred and eighty-eight patients diagnosed with schizophrenia were evaluated. Socio-demographic characteristics, eating habits, alcohol consumption, smoking status, oral hygiene attitudes, medical status, medications and the data related to dental visit were obtained via structured questionnaire of 45 questions. Medication information were confirmed from hospital records. The DMFT score (the Total of decayed, missing and filled teeth), denture status, Community Periodontal Index of Treatment (CPITN) and attachment loss were recorded in accordance with the criteria defined by the WHO. The mean DMFT score was 11.1±8.6. Total number of teeth decreased, while the number of decayed teeth and DMFT scores increased with age (p<0.001). There was no relationship between the anticholinergic effects of antipsychotics and the teeth count, number of decayed, filled and missing teeth, and the DMFT scores. The CPITN assessment revealed that 71.6% of the patients had healthy periodontium, 7.4% exhibited gingival bleeding upon probing, and 21% had dental calculus. Psychotropic medication and tooth brushing habits were associated with CPITN scores. Male sex was associated with higher frequency of denture need (p<0.001), while no association was observed with the education level and antipsychotic use (p>0.001). Physicians and dentists have to work in coordination to maintain good oral health of patients with schizophrenia. Patients should be encouraged for regular dental check-ups and dentist should take utmost care of the oral hygiene maintenance.

Effect of Non surgical Periodontal Therapy on Gingival Parameters of Diabetic and Non Diabetic Periodontitis Patients: A Prospective Clinical Study

Introduction: Non Surgical Periodontal Therapy (NSPT) has been an effective treatment for suppression of gingival inflammation and improvement of periodontal health in patients. Periodontitis and diabetes have an inter-relationship with each other. Surgical intervention is not always advisable for periodontitis with patients with diabetes. Hence, assessing the response of non surgical periodontal treatment in diabetic patients can lead to better and non invasive treatment options. Aim: To evaluate the effect of NSPT by observing changes in Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), and volume of Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) in diabetic and systemically healthy periodontitis patients. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective clinical study conducted in the Department of Periodontology, Rural Dental College, Loni, Maharashtra from January 2021 until June 2022. Total of 90 patients were assessed and were divided into three groups. Group A (n=30) included the patients with healthy periodontium and without any systemic disease. Group B (n=30) included the patients with controlled diabetes, with CAL in ranges of 3-4 mm (stage II periodontitis). Group C (n=30) included the patients who are systemically healthy, with CAL in ranges of 3-4 mm (Stage II periodontitis). Clinical parameters including GI, PI, Periodontal Probing Depth (PPD), CAL and volume of GCF were evaluated at baseline. NSPT was performed and parameters were evaluated after three months and then compared with baseline. Statistical analysis was done by descriptive statistics as mean, SD, percentage etc. Results: Total of 90 patients were included, among which 44 were male patients and 46 were females, within the age range of 18- 60 years. Patients were grouped 30 each in all three groups A, B and C with mean age 39.60±7.89, 45.70±10.02 and 43.90±9.64 respectively. The sites of group B showed statistically significant improvement in PPD at three months (1.80±0.76) compared to group C. Sites of group B also showed significant improvement in GI (1.46±0.45). There was no significant difference in the improvements of PI, Volume of GCF and CAL between group B and C at three months. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated marked improvements in the clinical parameters and their outcomes when the systemically healthy periodontitis patients and diabetic patients are treated with NSPT.

The condition of periodontal tissues and selected microorganisms presence around implants and natural teeth

Abstract Introduction Periodontitis is a disease of the tissues surrounding the tooth, leading to tooth loss. Missing teeth are often restored with fixed prostheses supported by implants. The aim of this study was to analyze subgingival microbiota in periodontal pockets and around implants, as well as to assess the correlation of periodontal parameters and risk factors for periodontitis with the presence of selected bacteria. Materials and Methods The study included 33 patients of both sexes, aged 39 to 79 years, having their own dentition and intraosseous implants with healthy periodontium or reversible gingivitis. The patients underwent periodontal examination and bacteriological analysis with the use of a PET RT-PCR kit (MIP Pharma, Germany). Results Less plaque was observed on implant surfaces than around natural teeth (28.7% vs. 39.8%). On the other hand, significantly deeper pockets (2.9 vs. 2.3 mm), and a slightly higher gingival bleeding index (27.9 vs. 22.6%) were noted around implants. Conclusions There were no significant differences in the overall presence and number of studied pathogens between the natural teeth and implants. In the case of natural teeth, the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia and Prevotella intermedia showed correlation with clinical status: the amount of plaque (Td, Tf), bleeding (Td, Tf, Pi) and probing depth (Pg, Td, Tf, Pi). Such relationships were not observed in the case of implants. Bacteria from periodontal pockets also demonstrated more correlation with the general condition compared to bacteria residing in tissues around implants.

PREVALENCE OF GINGIVITIS IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS (ASD).

The aim: To evaluate and compare the prevalence of gingivitis according to the PMA index in children aged 5 to 6 years in preschool with ASD and without disorders (Kyiv, Ukraine). Materials and methods: Oral assessment was conduct on 69 children with ASD and 23 children without ASD aged 5 to 6 years. To determine the periodontal status it was used the papillary-marginal-alveolar index - PMA (according to Schour, Massler, in the modification of Parma). Results: Children with ASD (18.84%) were 3.7 times less likely to have a clinically healthy periodontium than children without disorders (69.57%). The average PMA index among the main group was 6.8 times higher (15.31 ± 1.49%) than in the control group (2.25. ± 0.73%), but this difference was not statistically confirmed (p> 0.05). The most common pathology of periodontal tissues was chronic catarrhal gingivitis. 49.28% of children in main group with ASD had mild catarrhal gingivitis, while just 30.47% of children in control group without ASD had this pathology. Catarrhal moderate gingivitis was diagnosed in 31.88% of children from main group, symptoms of moderate gingivitis were not detected in the control group without disorders. Conclusions: ASD children 5-6 years old may have major risk of developing such periodontal lesions as mild and moderate gingivitis. Further investigations need to be done to clarify prevalence of other oral pathologies in ASD individuals to understand the effect of the disorder on oral health.

Laser-Assisted Minimally Invasive Nonsurgical Therapy in Treating Severely Periodontally Compromised Teeth: A Case Series.

Minimally invasive nonsurgical treatment (MINST) aims to remove an etiology with minimal damage to the healthy periodontium and provide the ideal healing environment. This case series introduces the novel protocol of laser-assisted MINST (LAMINST), combining minimally invasive surgery with a dental laser. A total of 25 patients (32 teeth) with advanced periodontal disease were enrolled and received periodontal treatment by following the LAMINST protocol. Probing depth (PD), recession, clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque presence, and site mobility were evaluated preoperatively and at 6 months. Based on the periodontal evaluations, all cases were diagnosed as stage III grade C periodontitis. Six months after LAMINST, the average PD reduction was 4.44 mm and CAL improved by 4.38 mm. Baseline mobility scores of 1 (6 teeth), 2 (9 teeth), and 3 (3 teeth) decreased to 1 (5 teeth) or 0 (13 teeth). The initial prognoses of 5 (hopeless; 15 teeth), 4 (questionable; 13 teeth), and 3 (poor; 4 teeth), improved to 4 (5 teeth), 3 (12 teeth), 2 (fair; 13 teeth), and 1 (good; 2 teeth). The number of BOP sites reduced from 179 to 12, and the number of plaque sites reduced from 173 to 9. All clinical parameters were improved after LAMINST. The application of LAMINST may overcome the traditional limitations of nonsurgical treatment, such as poor accessibility.

Serum IL-1 Β Levels İn Preeclamptics And Non-Preeclamptics Affected With Or Without Periodontitis

Literature supported the association of bio-inflammatory cytokines in multifactorial pathologies such as preeclampsia and periodontitis. Objectives: To compare serum IL-1β in non-preeclamptic and preeclamptic pregnancies affected with/without periodontitis. Methods: Longitudinal cohort study was conducted on 73 pregnant women of Narowal (Pakistan) aged between 18-34 years, after seeking their consent. Wherein 33 subjects were periodontally healthy (6 preeclamptics, 27 non-preeclamptics) while 40 subjects were with periodontitis (6 preeclamptics, 34 non-preeclamptics). Serum samples were collected in antepartum and postpartum periods of the same subjects. Periodontium was examined by CPITN index, preeclampsia via blood pressure records. IL-1β was estimated through ELISA. Results: Raised IL-1β(pg/L) were observed in postpartum than antepartum i.e. 76% in non-preeclamptics with periodontitis(p=0.099), 89% in periodontally healthy non-preeclamptics(p=0.082), 313% in preeclamptics with periodontitis(p=0.242), and 34% in preeclamptics with healthy periodontium(p=0.351). Likewise, elevated IL-1β levels were found in non-preeclamptics than preeclamptics in antepartum and postpartum i.e. 327% in antepartum of periodontitis-affected non-preeclamptics(p=0.251), 0.43% in antepartum of periodontally healthy normotensives(p=0.983), 82% in postpartum of periodontitis affected non-preeclamptics(p=0.382), and 41% in postpartum of periodontally healthy non-preeclamptics(p=0.611). Similarly, high IL-1β levels were estimated in antepartum: 23% in non-preeclamptics with periodontitis than periodontally healthy non-preeclamptics(p=0.553) and 248% in periodontally healthy preeclamptics than periodontitis-affected preeclamptics(p=0.011). Also, increased IL-1β levels were noticed in postpartum: 15% in normotensives with periodontitis than periodontally healthy non-preeclamptics(p=0.694) and 12% in periodontally healthy preeclamptics than periodontitis-affected preeclamptics(p=0.853). Conclusion: Pregnancy suppressed IL-1β in preeclamptic and non-preeclamptics, while periodontitis without preeclampsia raised IL-1β in pregnancy and post-pregnancy phases.

Systemic correction of osteoporosis of the alveolar processes of the jaw in complex treatment of patients with generalized periodontitis

Generalized periodontitis is accompanied by progressive bone atrophy of the alveolar process of the jaws. The first signs of osteoporosis appear in the alveolar process already in the early stages. Complex treatment of generalized periodontitis includes, first of all, an etiopathogenetic approach. The object of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of biotherapeutic correction of osteoporosis of the alveolar processes of the jaws in the complex treatment of patients with generalized periodontitis adding melatonin and vitamin D. The study involved 121 patients aged from 26-40 years with generalized periodontitis of initial-I and I stages with a chronic course, and 45 apparently healthy volunteers from the control group. All patients gave voluntary informed consent to participate in the study. Groups of patients were randomized approximately by same age and gender. Before onset of treatment and 6 months after the complex treatment the level of vitamin D and melatonin level was measured and examined for osteoporosis using a cone-beam computed tomography. In order to give a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the state of mineralization of the spongy and compact bone tissue of the alveolar processes of the jaws histographic analysis of computed tomography was used. 55 patients in addition to traditional local treatment were added vitamin D intake of 4000 IU/d with meals and melatonin intake of 1.5 mg at bedtime for 1 month. It was stated, that level of melatonin in saliva is inversely proportional to the level of vitamin D in the blood serum in patients with generalized periodontitis and patients from the group with clinically healthy periodontium. Using melatonin and vitamin D in the complex of treatment of patients with generalized periodontitis leads to an increase X-ray density of bone tissue of the alveolar processes of the jaws, which allows to achieve restoration of bone density of alveolar processes and longer stabilization of dystrophic – inflammatory process in the periodontium. To strengthen the bone tissue of the alveolar processes of the jaws in patients with generalized periodontitis, it is advisable to use melatonin and vitamin D in a complex treatment.

Chemerin as a Biomarker for Periodontitis in Systemically Healthy and Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the salivary levels of chemerin in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus.&#x0D; Materials and methods: A total of 88 subjects were divided into four groups; 13 systemically healthy individuals having a healthy periodontium (control group), 25 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy periodontium (T2DM group), 25 patients with generalized periodontitis (P group), 25 patients with generalized periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus (P-T2DM group). The clinical periodontal parameters including plaque index (PLI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were determined. Unstimulated saliva was gathered, and the concentration of chemerin was estimated utilizing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.&#x0D; Results: The results showed that the mean concentrations of chemerin were highest in the P-T2DM group with a mean (of 1.598±0.1499 ng/ml) followed by the P group (1.445±0.1021 ng/ml), T2DM group (1.368±0.096 ng/ml), and control group (1.229±0.152 ng/ml), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference among groups at (p&lt;0.05). For the correlation of chemerin with clinical periodontal parameters, chemerin correlated with PPD in the P group at p= 0.014, and chemerin correlated with clinical periodontal parameters PLI, BOP, and PPD in the P-T2DM group at (p=0.006, p&lt; 0.000, p=0.035), respectively.&#x0D; Conclusion: Periodontitis and type 2 diabetes mellitus caused an increase in salivary chemerin concentration, which might be used as a marker for both diabetes and periodontitis.

Gingival tissue samples from periodontitis patients demonstrate epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype.

To determine the expression of key epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in gingival tissue samples collected from patients with periodontitis. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition is a process responsible for shifting epithelial-phenotype to mesenchymal-phenotype leading to loss of epithelial-barrier function. Thus, EMT could be involved as a pathogenic mechanism in periodontitis as both conditions share common promoters and signalling pathways. Gingival tissue samples were collected from patients with periodontitis (case) and healthy periodontium (control). Periodontal parameters including bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment loss were recorded. Paraffinized tissue samples were processed and immunohistochemically stained to determine the expression of key EMT markers which included E-cadherin, β-catenin, Snail1 and vimentin. The majority of cases (n= 65, 72.2%) were diagnosed with periodontitis stage 3 or 4, grade b or c vs 25 (27.8%) subjects with intact healthy periodontium. Discontinuity of epithelium was detected in up to 80.9% of periodontitis cases associated with reduced number of epithelial layers as compared to controls. Immunohistochemical expression of epithelial markers (E-cadherin and β-catenin) was significantly downregulated in periodontitis patients as compared with controls. Periodontitis cases exhibited significant upregulation of Snail1 expression. Furthermore, cytoplasmic vimentin (66.2%) and nuclear β-catenin (27.7%) were solely expressed in periodontally diseased tissues compared with control. Epithelial markers, E-cadherin and β-catenin, were significantly negatively correlated with increasing PPD, while vimentin showed positive correlation with this parameter. There were marked downregulation of epithelial molecules and upregulation of mesenchymal markers in gingival tissues derived from periodontitis patients, suggesting expression of the EMT phenotype in the pathological epithelial lining of periodontal pockets.

Do arginine metabolites have a role in periodontitis due to smoking? A new perspective.

Cigarette consumption is common around the world and besides its negative effects on health, and its effects on periodontitis draw attention. Arginine metabolites are involved in the pathogenesis of several systemic inflammatory diseases' including cardiovascular diseases. Our aim was to determine periodontitis and healthy individuals' arginine metabolites and IL-6 levels in saliva and serum and to evaluate those according to smoking status. The study consisted of four groups: healthy individuals (control [C]; n=20), smokers with healthy periodontium (S-C; n=20), nonsmokers with Stage-III Grade-B generalized periodontitis (P; n=20) and smokers with Stage-III Grade-C generalized periodontitis (S-P; n=18). Periodontal parameters were measured. Analysis of methylated arginine metabolites was performed by LC-MS/MS, and IL-6 levels were determined by ELISA kits. In nonsmokers, salivary concentrations of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and symmetrical dimethylarginine (SDMA) were higher in the periodontitis than control (p < 0.001, p=0.010). Smokers with periodontitis exhibited higher ADMA (p=0.033, p < 0.001) and arginine (p=0.030, p=0.001) saliva concentrations than smoking and nonsmoking controls. Our results demonstrated that salivary concentrations of ADMA and SDMA were associated with periodontitis. Smoking increased ADMA, SDMA and NG -monomethyl L-arginine (L-NMMA) levels in serum only in periodontitis patients.

CORRELATION BETWEEN PERIODONTAL HEALTH INDICES AND PECULIARITIES OF CIRCADIAN RHYTHM IN BUCCAL EPITHELIAL CELLS

There is a complex system of biological rhythms arranging the coordinationion of physiological functions and the environmental rhythms. The leading place it taken by the circadian rhythm, a 24-hour cycle that is a part of the body's internal clock. Circadian regulation of normal physiological and metabolic processes is carried out by the fluctuations in the expression of genes (clock-controlled genes (CCGs)) and the proteins they encode, which differ in each individual organ or tissue. The circadian rhythm of gene expression was detected in the basal cells of the oral epithelium, in the cells of ameloblasts and odontoblasts, cells of the dental pulp, cells of the periodontal ligament, osteoblasts and osteoclasts of the alveolar bone. However, so far little is known about the dependence of clock controlled gene expression on chronotype in buccal epithelial cells.&#x0D; The purpose of the study is to determine the expression level of the clock controlled genes Per1, Cry1, Bmal1 and Clock in the buccal epithelial cells of healthy people with different chronotype.&#x0D; Materials and methods. In order to achieve the goal we surveyed 14 people (7 men (50%) and 7 women (50%) aged from 36 to 45 years with a healthy periodontium without any somatic pathology or with compensated one. All participants signed an informed consent forms. The chronotype of the participants was determined by the Horn-Ostberg test modified by S.I. Stepanova and determined the mRNA expression of Clock, Bmal1, Per1 and Cry1 in buccal epithelium samples at 7:00 am and 7:00 pm in one day in the autumn-winter period.&#x0D; Results. The Per1 is better expressed early in the morning than in the evening, regardless of the chronotype (р1&lt;0.05). The level of Clock expression is higher in the evening in both groups (р1&lt;0.05). The difference between the indicators of the evening expression of the Clock in the two groups is statistically significant (р2&lt;0.05). Bmal1 expression is higher in the evening, regardless of chronotype (р1&lt;0.05). The Cry1 shows the same evening predominance among participants of both chronotypes, but it is not statistically significant.&#x0D; Conclusion. The study has revealed the correlation between chronotype and the evening expression of the Clock that is higher in people with the evening chronotype. Belonging to the morning or evening chronotype did not reveal any effect on the expression level of Per1, Bmal1 and Cry1.

Developing Automated Computer Algorithms to Phenotype Periodontal Disease Diagnoses in Electronic Dental Records.

Our objective was to phenotype periodontal disease (PD) diagnoses from three different sections (diagnosis codes, clinical notes, and periodontal charting) of the electronic dental records (EDR) by developing two automated computer algorithms. We conducted a retrospective study using EDR data of patients (n = 27,138) who received care at Temple University Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry from January 1, 2017 to August 31, 2021. We determined the completeness of patient demographics, periodontal charting, and PD diagnoses information in the EDR. Next, we developed two automated computer algorithms to automatically diagnose patients' PD statuses from clinical notes and periodontal charting data. Last, we phenotyped PD diagnoses using automated computer algorithms and reported the improved completeness of diagnosis. The completeness of PD diagnosis from the EDR was as follows: periodontal diagnosis codes 36% (n = 9,834), diagnoses in clinical notes 18% (n = 4,867), and charting information 80% (n = 21,710). After phenotyping, the completeness of PD diagnoses improved to 100%. Eleven percent of patients had healthy periodontium, 43% were with gingivitis, 3% with stage I, 36% with stage II, and 7% with stage III/IV periodontitis. We successfully developed, tested, and deployed two automated algorithms on big EDR datasets to improve the completeness of PD diagnoses. After phenotyping, EDR provided 100% completeness of PD diagnoses of 27,138 unique patients for research purposes. This approach is recommended for use in other large databases for the evaluation of their EDR data quality and for phenotyping PD diagnoses and other relevant variables.

Effect of polycaprolactone nanofibers loaded with oxytetracycline hydrochloride and zinc oxide as an adjunct to SRP on GCF lipocalin-2 levels in periodontitis patients: A clinical and laboratory study.

Background. The aim of this study was the clinical and laboratory evaluation of using polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers loaded with oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC) and zinc oxide (ZnO) as an adjunct to mechanical therapy in managing stage II grade A periodontitis patients concerning GCF lipocalin2- levels. Methods. Fifty stage II grade A periodontitis patients (27 women and 23 men, with an age range of 30‒60) were enrolled in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to five equal groups and treated with scaling and root planing (SRP), followed by local application of PCL nanofibers: group I: SRP + PCL loaded with OTC and ZnO, group II: SRP + PCL loaded with OTC, group III: SRP + PCL loaded with ZnO, group IV: SRP + unloaded PCL, and group V: SRP alone. Additionally, 10 healthy subjects with healthy periodontium (group VI) (age- and gender-matched) served as the negative control. Nanofibers were applied in the selected pockets of periodontitis patients in groups I to IV once weekly for two months. All the participants were examined clinically by assessing periodontal indices (gingival index, plaque index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level), and biochemically by assessing GCF lipocalin-2 levels. Results. Compared to controls, periodontitis groups (I, II, III, IV, and V) showed significant elevation of both clinical parameters and GCF lipocalin2- levels at baseline. In addition, these parameters improved significantly after treatment, which was more pronounced in groups I, II-, and III) compared to groups IV and V. However, it did not reach normal values. Conclusion. In association with SRP, PCL nanofibers loaded with OTC and ZnO had beneficial therapeutic effects at both clinical and laboratory levels.