Probing Attachment Research Articles

Development of a novel strategy to reduce diagnostic errors in real-time polymerase chain reaction using probe-based techniques

Real-time PCR assays are valuable tools for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of infectious diseases by identifying the nucleic acid sequences of pathogens. Here, we aimed to develop a recombinant plasmid-based standard for validating the sensitivity of different molecular diagnostic methods adopting the Jonstrup assay (J assay). Chimeric plasmid DNA (cpDNA) harboring various pathogen genes and the target site of the J assay was constructed. Our findings revealed that the J assay could detect a single copy of the target gene similar to digital droplet PCR. The detection sensitivity of each established real-time PCR method for various disease diagnoses was evaluated using the cpDNA. Although most methods showed high sensitivity, similar to that of the J assay, the VHS Garver and SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic methods exhibited detection sensitivities tenfold lower than that of the J assay. To ensure accuracy of results and avoid genetic contamination from positive controls, we introduced an additional probe attachment site emitting distinct fluorescent signals within the cpDNA. Target genes and exogenous sequences within the plasmid DNA were simultaneously detected in a single assay using this unique method. Our approach will help improve the sensitivity of diagnostic methods and develop novel diagnostic methods based on molecular techniques.

Periodontal health in a large cohort of Ugandans living with HIV: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe impact of periodontitis on large populations of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource-constrained settings remains largely un-investigated. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive description of the periodontal health status among a sizable cohort of Ugandans living with HIV.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with 4,449 participants who were over 18-years old with data captured on their reported age, gender, tobacco use, length of time on HAART and alcohol use. Periodontal health was assessed using the WHO periodontal probe and the modified CPI data entry form. Descriptive statistics were reported using frequencies for the affected number of sextants in the surveyed participants. This was followed by additional regression analysis using the R statistical computing environment, with the periodontal health outcomes (bleeding on probing, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss) individually as the dependent, recorded as binary outcomes. A multilevel model was run with clinical attachment loss as the dependant variable controlling for all the other factors. The 95% confidence intervals were used to report the level of significance for each test.ResultsThere were 3,103/4,449 (69.7%) female participants. The mean age was 44.3 years (SD 10.1 years) with a range of 18 to 89 years. About 66% of the participants had bleeding on probing at one or more of the examined sites/tooth surfaces. The odds for bleeding on probing were significantly higher for female participants (adjusted Odds ratio: 1.49, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86), and higher in individuals who reported tobacco use (adjusted odds ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.41). Slightly under half of our participants (48.2%) had moderate to severe clinical attachment loss.ConclusionsThis study found that among Ugandans living with HIV, periodontal disease is a significant public health concern. The majority of study participants had bleeding on probing and almost half of them recording moderate to severe clinical attachment loss, worsened by age and time on HAART. This highlights the need for comprehensive oral health care and targeted interventions for this population.

Evaluation of Salivary Glucose and Salivary Cortisol in Association with Periodontitis in People with Type II Diabetes: A Case-control Study.

The relationship between type II diabetes mellitus (DM) and periodontal disease (PD) has been discussed in recent years and may vary according to the patient's location, sex, age and family history. In view of this possible association between periodontitis and DM, this study aimed to evaluate salivary glucose and salivary cortisol levels with periodontitis (staging and degree) in people with type II diabetes compared to non-diabetic individuals. This was a case-control study, with 60 participants divided into two groups: DM2- people with type II diabetes (n=30) and NDM- non-diabetic individuals (n=30). For both, a clinical form and periogram were filled out, and blood samples (glycemia, glycated hemoglobin, and cortisol) and saliva (glucose and cortisol) were collected. The diagnosis of periodontitis was 100% in the DM2 group and 80% in the NDM group. As for staging and degree, in the DM2 group, 70% of the participants were in stage IV and 86.67% were in grade C, while in the NDM group, 58.3% of the participants were in stage I and 70.8% were in grade A. Significant differences were observed for the following variables: bleeding to probing and clinical attachment level. The laboratory data presented significant results regarding serum glucose, salivary glucose, and glycated hemoglobin. Regarding the influence of salivary glucose and cortisol on periodontal status (staging and degree), these had higher means in the DM2 group when compared to the NDM group. An association of salivary glucose and cortisol levels with the periodontal condition presented by type II diabetic individuals compared to non-diabetic individuals is suggested.

Effectiveness of Oral Care in Implant Denture Restoration in Chronic Periodontitis

Objective: To explore the effect of observation of oral care in implant denture restoration of chronic periodontitis. Methods: 80 patients with chronic periodontitis implant denture restoration admitted from March 2022 to March 2023 in the hospital were selected. They were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 40 cases in each group. Both groups of patients received routine treatment and care. The patients in the control group used routine oral care methods to carry out oral care, the patients in the observation group carried out oral care on the basis of the control group, observation and analysis of the patients’ mastery of oral knowledge, as well as the depth of the probing and the level of clinical attachment. Results: The oral knowledge mastery of the observation group was 72.31 ± 6.98 after the nursing intervention, which was significantly higher than the score of 86.12 ± 7.36 of the patients in the control group who used conventional oral care, and the difference was statistically significant at P < 0.05; the depth of probing and the clinical attachment level of the observation group were 2.43 ± 0.58 and 4.31 ± 0.86 respectively, which were significantly better than those of the control group. The depth of probing and clinical attachment level scores of the observation group were 2.99 ± 0.54 and 5.36 ± 1.02 respectively, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: The combination of conventional treatment and oral care can effectively improve the treatment effect of implant denture prosthesis for chronic periodontitis. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological counseling of the patients in the specific clinical application to ensure that the patients can actively cooperate with the clinical treatment.

Periodontal health in a large cohort of Ugandansliving with HIV: A cross-sectional study.

The impact of periodontitis on large populations of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in resource-constrained settings remains largely un-investigated. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by providing a comprehensive description of the periodontal health status among a sizable cohort of Ugandans living with HIV. This was a cross-sectional study with 4,449 participants who were over 18-years old and captured their reported age, gender, tobacco use, length of time on HAART and alcohol use. Periodontal health was assessed using the WHO periodontal probe and the modified CPI data entry form. Descriptive statistics were reported using frequencies for the affected number of sextants in the surveyed participants. This was followed by additional regression analysis using the R statistical computing environment, with the periodontal health outcomes (bleeding on probing, pocket depth and clinical attachment loss) individually as the dependant, recoded as binary outcomes. A multilevel model was run with clinical attachment loss as the dependant variable controlling for all the other factors. The 95% confidence intervals were used to report the level of significance for each test. There were 3,103/4,449 (69.7%) female participants. The mean age was 44.3 years (SD 10.1 years) with a range of 18 to 89 years. About 66% of the participants had bleeding on probing at one or more of the examined sites/tooth surfaces. The odds for bleeding on probing were significantly higher for female participants (adjusted Odds ratio: 1.49, 95% CI 1.19 to 1.86), and higher in individuals who reported tobacco use (adjusted odds ratio 1.62, 95% CI 1.09 to 2.41). Slightly under half of our participants (48.2%) had moderate to severe clinical attachment loss. This study found that among Ugandans living with HIV, periodontal disease is a significant public health concern. The majority (66%) had bleeding on probing, with a sizeable number (48.2%) of participants recording moderate to severe clinical attachment loss, worsened by age and time on HAART. This highlight the need for comprehensive oral health care and targeted interventions for this population.

Label-free fluorescent biosensor based on AuNPs etching releasing signal for miRNA-155 detection

Quantitative microRNA (miRNA) detection is crucial for early breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis. However, quick and stable fluorescence sensing for miRNA identification is still challenging. This work developed a novel label-free detection method based on AuNPs etching for quantitatively detecting miRNA-155. A layer of AuNPs was grown on the surface of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) loaded with Rhodamine 6G (R6G) using seed-mediated growth, followed by probe attachment. In the presence of miRNA-155, the MSN@R6G@AuNP surface loses the protection of the attached probe, rendering AuNPs susceptible to etching by hydrochloric acid. This results in a significant fluorescent signal being released in the free space. The encapsulation with AuNPs effectively reduces signal leakage, while the rapid etching process shortens detection time. This strategy enables sensitive and fast detection with a detection range of 100 fM to 100 nM, a detection limit of 2.18 fM, and a detection time of 30 min. The recovery rate in normal human serum ranges from 99.02 % to 106.34 %. This work presents a simple biosensing strategy with significant potential for application in tumor diagnosis.

Periodontal inflammation as a potential driver of HIV low level viremia.

HIV can be successfully suppressed to undetectable levels by antiretroviral therapy (ART) in most people with HIV (PWH). However, a small proportion continues to have persistent low-level viremia (LLV) during ART. A presumed source of LLV is production or replication from viral reservoirs, which are maintained in the presence of ART. It is unknown whether the oral cavity can be considered an HIV reservoir. As periodontal inflammation is a common problem in PWH, we hypothesize that periodontal inflammation in the oral cavity activates (latently) infected cells and thus might be associated with LLV. We included 11 individuals with HIV LLV, and compared HIV-RNA levels in saliva and plasma at baseline and at week 24 after switch of ART. We compared the LLV-group at baseline with 11 age-matched controls with suppressed viremia. To investigate the severity of periodontitis we used Periodontal Inflamed Surface Areas (PISA) by measuring probing depth, gingival recession, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment level. Severity of periodontitis was classified according to the CDC-AAP case definition. Additional insights in periodontal inflammation were obtained by comparing immune activation markers and the presence of periodontal pathogens. In four individuals of the LLV group, residual levels of HIV-RNA were detected in saliva at baseline (N = 1) or at week 24 (N = 2) or both (N = 1). Of the four individuals with LLV, three had residual levels of HIV-RNA in saliva. All 22 individuals had moderate to severe periodontitis. PISA was not significantly different between cases with LLV and controls. Similarly, periodontal pathogens were frequently observed in both groups. Total activated HLA-DR+CD38+ CD4+ cells and CD8+ cells were significantly higher in the LLV group than in the control group (p = <0.01). No immune markers were associated with LLV. In conclusion, periodontal inflammation is an unlikely driver of HIV LLV compared to HIV suppressed individuals.

Effect of impacted mandibular third molar extraction on periodontal microbiota and clinical parameters of adjacent teeth: A randomized clinical trial

It is urgently necessary to clarify the effect of extraction of impacted mandibular third molar (IMTM) on the periodontal tissue of adjacent second molars (ASMs). In this study, the ASM periodontal condition and pathogenic microbes were assessed before IMTM extraction and at 1, 4, 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, our study revealed that IMTM extractions adversely affected distal － periodontal probing depth (dPPD), attachment loss (dAL), plaque index (dPLI) and bleeding on probing (dBOP) within 8 weeks, but these indices gradually normalize after 12 weeks. The subgingival pathogens near the ASMs distal surface, Porphyromonas and Pseudomonas, were significantly increased postoperatively. Moreover, relevance of ASMs clinical indices and subgingival microbes after IMTM extractions was found. In contrast to the situation in chronic periodontitis, the effects of IMTM extraction on dPPD, dAL, dPLI and dBOP of ASMs were mainly correlated with Pseudomonas. Additionally, while the IMTM extractions have adverse distal periodontal indices of ASMs within 8 weeks and increase subgingival pathogens, the modified triangular flap (MTF) had fewer distal periodontal indices and less Pseudomonas. Compared to the traditional envelope flap and triangular flap, the MTF benefits the periodontal health, which could be considered as the priority option for IMTM extractions.

Immediate orthodontic treatment after regeneration of periodontal intrabony defects: A long-term retrospective study

Background/purposeOrthodontic movement is often necessary for periodontally compromised patients to enhance esthetics, function, and long-term occlusal stability. However, the impact of orthodontic treatment immediately following the regeneration of intrabony defects on periodontal healing remains a topic of debate. The objective of this long-term case series study was to test the hypothesis that orthodontic treatment performed immediately after regenerative procedures for periodontal intrabony defects did not adversely affect periodontal healing. Materials and methodsThis case series study involved nine periodontally compromised subjects with a total of 17 intra-bony defects. Orthodontic brackets were applied immediately before surgery. Flaps were raised, and diseased roots were debrided. All intra-bony defects were filled with alloplastic bone grafts and covered with resorbable membranes, except for one defect treated with Emdogain. All patients initiated orthodontic treatment immediately after periodontal regenerative surgery. Clinical parameters, including probing depth, attachment level, and bone fill, were assessed at baseline and during final maintenance therapy. ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 12.8 years. None of the 17 surgically regenerated teeth were lost. The mean reduction in probing depth was 3.94 mm (95% confidence level, 3.19–4.68; P < 0.001), with a mean clinical attachment gain of 3.47 mm (95% confidence level, 2.90–4.03; P < 0.001). The mean radiographic bone fill was 4.89 mm (P < 0.001). ConclusionBased on the findings of this long-term case study, it can be concluded that immediate orthodontic treatment does not adversely affect the maturation process of periodontal regeneration outcomes and can be maintained for more than ten years.

Diagnostic value of aMMP-8 and azurocidin in peri-implant sulcular fluid as biomarkers of peri-implant health or disease.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of testing for active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) by a quantitative point-of-care (PoC), chairside lateral flow immunotest and azurocidin, in the peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF), as biomarkers for the presence or absence of peri-implant diseases. Current research indicates that proinflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes may be of value to diagnose and predict peri-implant disease initiation and progression, but more data are needed. Eighty patients with implants were recruited. PISF samples were collected and quantitatively analyzed for aMMP-8 (chairside) and azurocidin with ELISA. Radiographic assessments and clinical indices (probing depth, probing attachment level, bleeding on probing, and plaque) were recorded after sampling. Kruskal-Wallis test and pairwise post hoc Dunn-Bonferroni test were used to relate aMMP-8 levels and azurocidin levels to clinical parameters. The diagnostic ability of aMMP-8 (ng/mL) and azurocidin was analyzed by receiver operator curve analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated and the Spearman's rho, and the coefficient of determination (R2) were used to calculate the correlations between aMMP-8, azurocidin, and periodontal parameters. Statistically significant differences were observed for aMMP-8 levels but not for azurocidin between healthy implants, implants with mucositis, and those with peri-implantitis (13.65 ± 7.18, 32.33 ± 21.20, and 73.07 ± 43.93 ng/mL, respectively), (Kruskall-Wallis test p < .05). The aMMP-8 test with a threshold of 20 ng/mL has a sensitivity of 71.7% and a specificity of 77.8% to identify peri-implantitis and healthy implants, respectively. AUC was found to be 0.814, and the accuracy of the method reaches 73.8%. Above a cutoff value of 33.7 ng/mL of aMMP-8, the accuracy of the test to detect peri-implantitisreaches 77.5% in relation to 62.5% of BoP from the same site. Taken collectively, present data indicate that the aMMP-8 PoC lateral flow immunotest can be a beneficial, adjunctive diagnostic quantitative tool for real-time screening for peri-implant diseases.

Enabling extracorporeal ultrasound imaging with the da Vinci robot for transoral robotic surgery: a feasibility study.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is a challenging procedure due to its small workspace and complex anatomy. Ultrasound (US) image guidance has the potential to improve surgical outcomes, but an appropriate method for US probe manipulation has not been defined. This study evaluates using an additional robotic (4th) arm on the da Vinci Surgical System to perform extracorporeal US scanning for image guidance in TORS. A stereoscopic imaging system and da Vinci-compatible US probe attachment were developed to enable control of the extracorporeal US probe from the surgeon console. The prototype was compared to freehand US by nine operators in three tasks on a healthy volunteer: (1) identification of the common carotid artery, (2) carotid artery scanning, and (3) identification of the submandibular gland. Operator workload and user experience were evaluated using a questionnaire. The robotic US tasks took longer than freehand US tasks (2.09x longer; ) and had higher operator workload (2.12x higher; ). However, operator-rated performance was closer (avg robotic/avg freehand=0.66; ), and scanning performance measured by MRI-US average Hausdorff distance provided no statistically significant difference. Extracorporeal US scanning for intraoperative US image guidance is a convenient approach for providing the surgeon direct control over the US image plane during TORS, with little modification to the existing operating room workflow. Although more time-consuming and higher operator workload, several methods have been identified to address these limitations.

Multi-nutrients and periodontal disease - a new adjunct to improving treatment outcomes? A randomised placebo-control clinical trial.

This study by Laky et al. is a single-centre, double-blinded randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial, examining the effects of micronutrient supplementation in combination with non-surgical hygiene phase therapy (nsHPT)for Stage III and IV periodontal disease. The study was carried out at the Medical University of Vienna (Austria), School of Dentistry. The patients enrolled in the study were randomised to receive a commercially available multi-nutrient supplement (containing: vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, selenium, alpha-lipoic-acid, cranberry extract, grapeseed extract, and coenzyme Q10) or a cellulose placebo to take for 2 months, alongside a course of non-surgical hygiene phase therapy. At baseline, the patients had a periodontal index screening (PSI) performed. Patients scoring >3 and meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the trial. Oral hygiene instruction and patient education was performed, followed by 1 or more sessions of nsHPT depending on the clinical assessment of each patient, and a full periodontal probing depth (PPD) chart was recorded. The patients were then randomised to receive either the multi-nutrient supplement or the placebo to take twice daily for 8 weeks. Following this 8-week period the PPD as well as bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival recession (GR) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were measured. The randomisation was carried out by a study-independent member of staff at the centre using a computer programme. A total of 149 patients were assessed for eligibility for this trial. Out of these patients, 83 were deemed to be unsuitable for the trial as they failed to meet the inclusion criteria, and 24 declined to participate. A total of 42 patients were then randomised to each arm of the study. The inclusion criteria included patients with Stage III and IV periodontal disease. Patients were deemed eligible if they met the following criteria: presence of 18 or more scorable teeth (excluding 3rd molars); >4 teeth with PPD of >6 mm; CAL > 5 mm, and no previous periodontal treatment in the past. Percentage bone loss at the most severe site, smoking status, and presence of diabetes and diabetic control were all taken into consideration. Patients were deemed ineligible for the trial if they were pregnant or under 18 years old. Exclusion criteria also included: recent periodontal abscess; a past or current co-morbidity which may confound the results of the study or endanger patients partaking in the study (i.e. malignancy, rheumatoid arthritis, and other severe systemic conditions); and obesity. PPD was used as the primary variable in this study. Other measured outcomes such as GR, CAL, BOP and other measurements taken, such as papillary bleeding index (PBI) and papillary inflamed surface area (PISA), were considered as secondary outcome variables. A variety of tests were used in order to assess the collected data. The Kolmogorov‒Smirnov test and Levene test were used for the equality of variances, and ICC and 95% CI were used when comparing periodontal chartings for PPD (in mm). Chi-square or Fisher tests were used for categorical data between intervention and placebo. The baseline and reevaluation data was compared using the McNemar test. All data was analysed using statistical software. Significant data is indicated by a p value < 0.05. The number of patients included for analysis was reduced to n = 20 for the intervention group and n = 19 for the placebo group. Patients were lost due to a variety of reasons including need for antibiotics and lost to follow-up. The authors concluded that in each arm of the trial, periodontal and hygiene parameters improved overall. The results show that the intervention group had a significantly higher reduction in PPD; however, following data analysis, these findings were found to be statistically insignificant. The authors conclude that the addition of a multi-nutrient supplement, alongside nsHPT for patients undergoing treatment for Stage III and IV periodontal disease, showed a reduction in PPD and BOP when compared with a placebo and nsHPT.

Clinical Effectiveness of Salvia officinalis in Periodontitis: A Split-Mouth Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition that destroys the tissues supporting the teeth. Conventional nonsurgical treatments, such as mechanical scaling and root surface debridement (RSD), often require adjunct therapies to enhance outcomes due to their limited efficacy in completely eradicating pathogenic microorganisms. Given the adverse effects of standard adjunctive therapies, including antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, Salvia officinalis (sage) presents a promising herbal alternative due to its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. This study aims to assess the local application of Salvia officinalis gel as an adjunctive to scaling and RSD to manage periodontitis. Methods We conducted a randomized, controlled split-mouth clinical trial involving 14 systemically healthy periodontitis patients. We included patients with at least 20 natural teeth, a probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥5 mm, and attachment loss ≥4 mm at a minimum of five sites. Primary outcomes measured were bleeding on probing (BOP), PPD, and relative attachment level (RAL). The Salvia officinalis gel was applied to designated test sites post-RSD, while control sites received no adjunctive treatment. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline and a one-month follow-up visit. Results The cohort consisted of 10 men and four women, with a mean age of 37.1 ± 5.46 years. At the follow-up visit, the test group demonstrated a significant reduction in mean BOP (P = 0.0004), whereas the control group showed no significant change (P ≥ 0.05). Both groups experienced significant decreases in mean PPD and RAL from baseline to follow-up, with the test group showing greater improvements. Conclusions Salvia officinalis gel, used as an adjunct to scaling and RSD, significantly improves clinical periodontal parameters in patients with periodontitis. Its anti-inflammatory properties likely underpin the observed benefits, offering an effective and safe alternative to traditional chemical pharmaceuticals. Further research is needed to explore the long-term effects and mechanisms underlying the therapeutic benefits of Salvia officinalis in periodontal treatment.

A data-driven approach to optimize the design configuration of multi-sleeve cone penetrometer probe attachments

This study uses a data-driven approach to address the complexities associated with research focused multi-sleeve Cone Penetration Test (CPT) devices, particularly focusing on the multi-friction attachment (MFA) and multi-piezo-friction attachment (MPFA) CPT devices. Hindered by time-consuming assembly and susceptibility to sensor stream losses due to extensive electronic components, these advanced devices demand optimization to transform from research devices to practice-suitable devices. This study aims at optimizing the design of the multi-sleeve CPT devices using machine learning, with soil type classification performance as the primary metric for device configuration effectiveness. The research scope centers not on using machine learning for soil classification but on refining the design of multi-sleeve CPT devices. A two-phase data-driven approach is adopted, testing various feature combinations across eight machine learning models. The first phase involves identifying the most suitable model for the dataset, followed by a refinement of features to balance sensor number minimization and soil classification accuracy. The result is a proposed configuration for a multi-sleeve CPT device, simplifying the original design while maintaining robustness, thereby enhancing cost-efficiency and operational effectiveness in geotechnical practice. This work sheds light on how the integration of machine learning can guide the design optimization of geotechnical instruments.

Exploring Maternally Expressed Gene 3 as a Diagnostic Biomarker in Chronic Periodontitis

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of maternally expressed gene 3 in chronic periodontitis. Although previous research has linked long non-coding RNA for maternally expressed gene 3 to periodontitis, its role in chronic periodontitis remains unclear. Eighty chronic periodontitis patients and 80 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Maternally expressed gene 3 levels in the gingival crevicular fluid were quantified through Quantitative Real-Time Reverse Transcription polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, serum proinflammatory cytokines were detected using Enzymelinked Immunosorbent Assay. Statistical analyses, including the χ2 test and Pearson correlation, were used to evaluate the relationship between maternally expressed gene 3 levels and periodontitis clinical characteristics. Results indicated a significant decline in maternally expressed gene 3 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to controls. Furthermore, maternally expressed gene 3 was associated with probing pocket depth, attachment loss, plaque index, and bleeding index. Elevated levels of proinflammatory cytokines, negatively correlated with maternally expressed gene 3 abundance, were also observed in patients. These findings suggest that maternally expressed gene 3 downregulation is a characteristic feature of chronic periodontitis, serving as a valuable diagnostic marker. This study contributes to understanding the molecular mechanisms of chronic periodontitis and opens avenues for novel diagnostic modalities.

Highly sensitive detection of Salmonella typhimurium via gold and magnetic nanoparticle-mediated sandwich hybridization coupled with ICP-MS.

Foodborne pathogens including Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium) are responsible for over 600 million global incidences of illness annually, posing a significant threat to public health. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), coupled with element labeling strategies, has emerged as a promising platform for multivariate and accurate pathogen detection. However, achieving high specificity and sensitivity remains a critical challenge. Herein, we synthesize clustered magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and popcorn-shaped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to conjugate capture and report DNA probes for S. typhimurium, respectively. These engineered nanoparticles facilitate the identification of S. typhimurium DNA through a sandwich hybridization technique. ICP-MS quantification of Au within the sandwich-structure complexes allows for precise S. typhimurium detection. The unique morphology of the AuNPs and MNPs increases the available sites for probe attachment, enhancing the efficiency of S. typhimurium DNA capture, broadening the detection range to 101-1010 copies mL-1, and achieving a low detection limit of 1 copy mL-1, and the overall assay time is 70 min. The high specificity of this method is verified by anti-interference assays against ten other pathogens. The recovery was 96.8-102.8% for detecting S. typhimurium DNA in biological samples. As these specially designed nanoparticles may facilitate the attachment of various proteins and nucleic acid probes, they may become an effective platform for detecting multiple pathogens.

Investigating the potential clinical impact of periodontitis on the progression of Alzheimer's disease: a prospective cohort study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of periodontitis and current occlusal relationship on the progression rate of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ninety Alzheimer's patients, who were divided into three groups as Stage I (n=42), Stage II (n=29), and Stage III (n=19), based on the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, were included in the study. Cognitive status of the patients was evaluated with Standardized Mini-Mental Test (SMMT) at baseline and repeated 6 months later. Clinical periodontal examinations were recorded and occlusal relationship status was classified according to the Eichner Index. Of 90 Alzheimer's patients, 65 were toothed individuals with periodontitis and 25 were edentulous individuals without active periodontal disease. Stage II and Stage III toothed Alzheimer's patients had higher percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP%) and clinical attachment level (CAL) values than Stage I patients (p<0.05). Stage III Alzheimer's patients had significantly higher probing pocket depth (PPD) values than Stage I individuals (p<0.05). ΔSMMT values showed positive correlation with BOP% (r=0.308, p=0.013) and PPD (r=0.275, p=0.027). Among the evaluated parameters, being in the AD Stage II-Stage III, having periodontitis and age variable had significant effects on ΔSMMT levels (p<0.05). Within the limits of our study, it can be concluded that periodontitis may increase the severity and also accelerate the progression rate of AD. These results are precious to show the necessity of proper oral hygiene activities and regular dental visits in patients with toothed AD. This study was registered and approved by clinical trials (NCT05807100).

Diode laser targeting red-complex bacteria in periodontitis: a systematic review.

This systematic review examines the effectiveness of diode laser irradiation in reducing the levels of red complex bacteria as well as periodontal parameters of pocket depth and clinical attachment level. We conducted electronic searches across databases such as Scopus, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases in July 2022. Randomized controlled trials that evaluated the reduction of red-complex bacteria in patients with periodontitis using diode lasers were included. The primary focus was the reduction in the microbial count of red complex bacteria, whereas probing depth and attachment level were considered secondary outcomes. Articles in languages other than English were excluded. Study quality was assessed based on the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and the ROB2 tool. After searching the databases, eight independent studies were included, with a sample size of 210 subjects. The average age group of the study population was 30-60 years, and there was a lack of consensus on the antimicrobial effect of diode lasers. Out of the eight studies, four studies reported no significant difference in the levels of red complex bacteria before and after laser application. Three studies reported significantly lower levels of red complex bacteria in the intergroup comparison. One study reported that laser had no significant effect on intergroup bacterial levels. The combination of diode laser irradiation with scaling reduced the count of red complex bacteria and improved the clinical parameters, although not significantly. Based on the limited evidence available, the adjunctive use of diode laser for scaling and root planning may provide some additional benefit in terms of reduction of red complex bacterial count and clinical parameters. Further well-designed trials and the use of objective measures are necessary before outlining universal guidelines for best practice. The adjunctive use of diode laser in non-surgical periodontal therapy may provide a reduction in the red complex microbial count and improvement in clinical parameters, decreasing the need for periodontal surgery.

Potential Chair-side Test for Gingival Inflammation Screening of Patients With and Without Comorbidities

Objectives: To evaluate a diagnostic kit prototype for salivary total protein (TP), as a complementary clinical examination, for the diagnosis and monitoring of gingival inflammation during periodontal treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients (n=57) were divided into six groups: systemically and Periodontally Healthy (H), Systemically Healthy with Periodontal Disease (PD), Periodontal Health and Diabetes (D), Periodontal Disease and Diabetes (PDD), Periodontal Health and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Periodontal Disease and Rheumatoid Arthritis (PDRA). Collection of non-stimulated saliva, oral hygiene instructions and basic periodontal treatment were performed. Clinical parameters, gingival index (GI), visible plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), bleeding on probing (BOP) and clinical attachment level (CAL), were evaluated at days 0 and 45. Results: Most groups showed clinical improvements with significant changes in H, PD and PDRA for PI, PD and PDRA for PPD and PD for BOP (p&lt;0.05). Total protein reduction was significant only in the PD group (p&lt;0.05). Correlations analysis between salivary TP with BOP or with GI, showed that the salivary test can detect the GI variation (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The salivary test has the potential to customize the therapeutic approach, as a complementary clinical examination, serving as a visual indicator for the patient to perceive the clinical signs of their evolution throughout the treatment, and to validate the improvement of the clinical parameters in a practical and accessible quantitative way. Clinical Relevance: The use of saliva for disease monitoring has been consolidated as a versatile diagnostic tool, the results demonstrated its usage to monitor gingival inflammation, a potential visual test to present to patients, and a much less invasive method than the conventional Gingival Index.

Clinical and histologic evaluation of heterotopic mucosa transpositioning at teeth and dental implants.

To investigate the healing after heterotopic mucosa transpositioning at dental implants and teeth. One hemimandible per dog (n = 4) was allocated to receive 3 implants (test), whereby 3 premolars on the contralateral side served as controls. After osseointegration, a Z-plasty was performed on the buccal aspect of the test and control sites to heterotopically move the zone of keratinized tissue (KT) into a region with non-keratinized tissue (nKT) and vice versa. Clinical measurements were performed before (T0) and at 12 weeks following heterotopic transposition (T1). Thereafter, specimens were processed for histological analysis. Clinical measurements revealed that at T1, a band of KT was reestablished at teeth (mean: 2.944 ± 1.866 mm), whereas at implants, the transpositioned nKT resulted in a mucosa without any signs of keratinization (mean: 0 mm; p < .0001). At implant sites, the probing attachment level loss was more pronounced compared to tooth sites (-1.667 ± 1.195 mm and -1.028 ± 0.878 mm, respectively; p = .0076). Histologically, the transpositioned nKT, was accompanied by the formation of KT at the tooth but not at implant sites. The supracrestal soft tissues were statistically significantly higher at tooth compared to implant sites (2.978 ± 0.483 mm and 2.497 ± 0.455 mm, p = .0083). The transpositioned KT remained mostly unaltered in its morphological characteristics. The findings of this study indicate that: (a) transpositioned KT may retain its morphological characteristics; and (b) transpositioned nKM was accompanied by the formation of KT at the tooth but not at implant sites.