Association between periodontal inflamed surface area and systemic inflammatory biomarkers among pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients.

Background: Several studies have shown an association between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and periodontitis. However, only few studies have quantified the burden of periodontal inflammation in pre-dialysis CKD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the association between periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) and systemic inflammatory biomarkers among pre-dialysis CKD patients. Materials and Methods: 120 pre-dialysis CKD participants were recruited into this study. 60 participants constituted Group A (those with periodontitis) while 60 participants constituted Group B (those without periodontitis). Full periodontal examination was carried out in the participants for the estimation of PISA. Blood samples also collected to determine levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in all participants. Independent t-test was used to compare means of PISA, hsCRP and IL-6 levels in the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine association between PISA and (hsCRP and IL-6). Results: The mean value of hsCRP was significantly higher in Group A compared to Group B (3.41 mg/L vs. 2.18 mg/L). PISA moderately correlated with hsCRP (r = 0.4, P < 0.01) in both groups. hsCRP also moderately correlated with IL-6 (r = 0.6, P < 0.001) in both groups. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there was an association between PISA and hsCRP. Increased hsCRP level in Group A revealed the inflammatory burden imposed by periodontitis.

Ability of matrix metalloproteinase-8 biosensor, IFMA, and ELISA immunoassays to differentiate between periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of an MMP-8 biosensor assay in differentiating periodontal health from gingivitis and periodontitis and compare it with an established time-resolved immunofluorescence assay (IFMA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). BACKGROUND: Currently available antibody-based assays display a wide variability in their ability to accurately measure matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels in saliva. METHODS: Salivary MMP-8 levels were analyzed in 189 systemically healthy participants using an antibody-based biosensor prototype that operates using a surface acoustic wave technology and compared with IFMA and ELISA antibody assays. Participants were categorized into 3 groups: periodontal health (59), gingivitis (63), and periodontitis (67). A sub-population of participants (n = 20) with periodontitis received periodontal treatment and were monitored for 6 months. RESULTS: All the assays demonstrated significantly higher salivary MMP-8 concentrations in participants with periodontitis versus gingivitis, periodontitis versus health, and gingivitis versus health (all p < .05). The biosensor data demonstrated significant correlations with IFMA (r = .354, p < .001) and ELISA (r = .681, p < .001). Significant reductions in salivary MMP-8 concentrations were detected by the biosensor (p = .030) and IFMA (p = .002) in participants with periodontitis 6 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment. IFMA had the best sensitivity (89.2%) for detecting periodontitis and gingivitis versus health and 96.6% for detecting periodontitis versus health and gingivitis. The biosensor had an AUC value of 0.81 and diagnostic accuracy of 74.2% for differentiating periodontitis and gingivitis from health; an AUC value of 0.86 and diagnostic accuracy of 82.8% for periodontitis versus health and gingivitis. CONCLUSIONS: The biosensor, IFMA, and ELISA assays differentiated between periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis based on salivary MMP-8 levels. Only the biosensor and, particularly, IFMA identified an effect of periodontal treatment in the participants with periodontitis. Our findings support the potential utility of salivary oral fluid aMMP-8-based point-of-care technology in the future of periodontal diagnostics.

Active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) point-of-care test (POCT) in the COVID-19 pandemic.

INTRODUCTION: Active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP)-8 utilized in point-of-care testing (POCT) is regarded as a potential biomarker for periodontal and peri-implant diseases. Various host and microbial factors eventually influence the expression, degranulation, levels and activation of aMMP-8. The type of oral fluids (saliva, mouthrinse, gingival crevicular, and peri-implant sulcular fluids [GCF/PISF], respectively) affect the analysis. AREAS COVERED: With this background, we aimed to review here the recent studies on practical, inexpensive, noninvasive and quantitative mouthrinse and GCF/PISF chair-side POCT lateral flow aMMP-8 immunoassays (PerioSafe and ImplantSafe/ORALyzer) and how they help to detect, predict, monitor the course, treatment and prevention of periodontitis and peri-implantitis. The correlations of aMMP-8 POCT to other independent and catalytic activity assays of MMP-8 are also addressed. EXPERT OPINION: The mouthrinse aMMP-8 POCT can also detect prediabetes/diabetes and tissue destructive oral side-effects due to the head and neck cancers' radiotherapy. Chlorhexidine and doxycycline can inhibit collagenolytic human neutrophil and GCF aMMP-8. Furthermore, by a set of case-series we demonstrate the potential of mouthrinse aMMP-8 POCT to real-time/online detect periodontitis as a potential risk disease for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The clinical interdisciplinary utilization of aMMP-8 POCT requires additional oral, medical, and interdisciplinary studies.

Analysis of matrix metalloproteinases, especially MMP-8, in gingival creviclular fluid, mouthrinse and saliva for monitoring periodontal diseases.

Matrix metalloproteinase-8 is a promising candidate biomarker for oral fluid (gingival crevicular fluid, peri-implant sulcular fluid and saliva) and mouthrinse chair-side/point-of-care diagnostics to predict, diagnose and determine the progressive phases of episodic periodontitis and peri-implantitis, as well as to monitor the treatments and medications. Matrix metalloproteinase-8 can be used alone or together with interleukin-1beta and Porphyromonas gingivalis to calculate cumulative risk score at the subject level as a successful diagnostic tool, especially in large-scale public health surveys, in which a thorough periodontal examination is not feasible.

Aggressive periodontitis in a Nigerian teaching hospital.

AIM: These case series were aimed at highlighting late presentations of aggressive periodontitis (AP) in a teaching hospital as well as proffering possible reasons for such presentations which would serve as part of the solution to prevent such presentations in the future. BACKGROUND: Aggressive periodontitis is a severe form of destructive periodontitis traditionally believed to present around puberty. However, many cases seen in a teaching hospital presented much later for yet-to-be explained reasons. CASE DESCRIPTION: Seven patients referred to the specialist periodontal clinic of a Nigerian teaching hospital presented with clinical features consistent with AP. Most of the patients were over twenty and some over thirty years of age. CONCLUSION: Aggressive periodontitis patients seen in our center were often outside the traditional age brackets. The range of treatment options available to the patients were under-utilized due to serious financial constraints. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Aggressive periodontitis comes with serious psychological challenges and severe morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and effective management hold the key to success It is important to investigate why many of the cases seen in our center presented that late. Could be due to ignorance and poverty or could be due to failure of dentists recognize these cases and consequent misdiagnosis? Further studies are needed to answer these questions.

Another reason for impeccable oral hygiene: oral hygiene-sperm count link.

OBJECTIVES: 1. To investigate the relationship between periodontitis and infertility. 2. To evaluate the importance of oral hygiene to general health. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-six men requiring seminal fluid analysis as part of an on-going investigation for infertility in their spouses were serially recruited into the study. Basic dental and periodontal examination were performed. Each participant was also screened for periodontitis using a lateral flow immunoassay kit which detected levels of active membrane metalloproteinase-8. RESULTS were read-off as a color change. Due to some incomplete entries, only 76 participants were involved in the final data analysis. RESULTS: There were 55 subjects with subnormal counts (of which ten were found to be azoospermic, 41 oligospermic) and 25 normospermic controls. A positive association was found between periodontitis and subnormal sperm count in only one age group but statistically significant association was found between poor oral hygiene and subnormal sperm count across all age groups. CONCLUSION: For the first time, there appears to be a significant association between poor oral and subnormal sperm count. There also appears to an association between chronic periodontitis and subnormal sperm count. These relationships warrant further investigation. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: There appears to be a link between poor oral hygiene and low sperm count.

Emerging trends in dental specialty choice in Nigeria.

Asymmetry in the distribution of dental specialists in Nigeria has the potential to negatively affect dental education at all levels. There is a dearth in Nigerian studies on the trends of influencing factors on the choice of dental specialty in Nigeria. Past efforts have not resulted in policy change thus necessitating the current study. One hundred and twelve (51 male, 61 female) Nigerian dental graduates aged 23-55 years with a mean age of 35.21 ± 8.21 years completed self-administered questionnaires to assess the impact of 16 influencing factors on their choice of dental specialty. The graduation period of respondents, which ranged between 0 and 30 years was recorded into three decades and cross-tabulated against 16 influencing factors to assess their relative impact on specialty choice. Diagnostic challenge, predictable work hours and patient type appeared to have maintained a consistent popularity while affluence and income, although less popular influences three decades ago are becoming increasingly relevant while length of programme, prestige and level of crowding exerted less influence on choice of specialty than other factors. The potential influence of incentives such as career counselling and grants for overseas training to encourage enrollment in less popular programmes was assessed based on recommendations from previous studies. However, these measures appeared to be unpopular among Nigerian dental graduates. Diagnostic challenges and predictable work hours remain popular as influencing factors on choice of dental specialty among Nigerian dental graduates. Affluence and income, although previously unpopular are now gaining popularity among Nigerian dental graduates.

Active matrix metalloproteinase-8: A potential biomarker of oral systemic link.

OBJECTIVES: This mini review aims to address some possible gaps in periodontal diagnosis in clinical studies particularly involving the oral-systemic connection with a view to minimize such gaps, and thus improve patient treatment experiences and outcomes. METHODS: The conventional assessment of periodontitis has traditionally been by clinical and radiographic oral parameters. We reviewed numerous studies published mainly within the past decade, to affirm the oral-systemic link, the contribution of periodontitis to the inflammatory burden in various systemic diseases and conditions, and the potential role of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8). RESULTS: While it is established that periodontal pathogens in dental plaque biofilm are the primary initiating agents in periodontitis, it has become clear from the appraisal of recent studies that the host inflammation, including biomarkers such as aMMP-8 play a major role, being the driving underlying pathological mechanism in both periodontitis and systemic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The apparent limitations of conventional diagnostic tools have led researchers to seek alternative methods of evaluation such as the quantification of biomarkers including aMMP-8, which can be a bridge between oral/periodontal and systemic diseases; aMMP-8 can form a mouth-body connection.

aMMP-8 Oral Fluid PoC Test in Relation to Oral and Systemic Diseases.

The manuscript uses the previously published literature and highlights the benefits of active-matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP)-8 chairside/point-of-care (PoC) diagnostic tools as adjunctive measures in oral and systemic diseases. Previous studies suggest that as a biomarker, aMMP-8 is more precise than total MMP-8, MMP-9, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-13, MMP-7, MMP-1, calprotectin, myeloperoxidase (MPO), human neutrophil elastase (HNE), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and bleeding of probing (BOP). Therefore, aMMP-8 could be implemented as the needed key biomarker for the new disease classification for both periodontitis and peri-implantitis. With a sensitivity to the tune of 75-85% and specificity in the range of 80-90%, lateral flow aMMP-8 PoC testing is comparable to catalytic protease activity assays for aMMP-8. The test can be further applied to estimate the glycemic status of an individual, to ascertain whether a person is at risk for COVID-19, in managing the oral side effects of radiotherapy carried in head and neck cancers, and in selected cases pertaining to reproductive health. In the future, aMMP-8 could find application as a potential systemic biomarker in diseases affecting the cardiovascular system, cancers, bacteremia, sepsis, diabetes, obesity, meningitis, as well as pancreatitis. The aMMP-8 PoCT is the first practical test in the emerging new dental clinical field, that is, oral clinical chemistry representing oral medicine, clinical chemistry, peri-implantology, and periodontology.

Regulation of matrix metalloproteinases-8, -9 and endogenous tissue inhibitor-1 in oral biofluids during pregnancy and postpartum.

OBJECTIVE: During pregnancy, mothers undergoe considerable physiological changes affecting the whole body including periodontal tissues. Susceptibility to gingival inflammation during pregnancy could be mediated by modulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate salivary and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of MMPs and TIMPs during the second and third trimester of pregnancy and postpartum. DESIGN: Saliva and GCF samples were collected from 96 pregnant women (PW) before and after giving birth. The sixty matched non-pregnant women (N-PW) were recruited as a control group and full-mouth periodontal examination was performed. The levels of MMP-8, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were determined by immunofluorometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: The PW group exhibited significantly higher levels of MMP-8 and MMP-9 in their saliva than the N-PW group while corresponding salivary TIMP-1 levels were significantly lower in NPW compared to the postpartum stage. This resulted in significantly higher MMP-8/TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1ratio in the saliva from PW before and after birth than in that from N-PW. MMP-8, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 levels were higher in GCF from PW and postpartum than in that from N-PW. CONCLUSIONS: MMP-8 and MMP-9 levels in saliva and GCF reflect inflammatory burden during pregnancy. They could be used for monitoring the inflammatory state of gingival tissues during pregnancy.

Assessment of dental waste management in a Nigerian tertiary hospital.

This study assessed the practice of disposing of waste from the eight dental clinics of Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. All the cleaners (14) in the hospitals were surveyed through questionnaire. Information obtained from the cleaners included socio-economic characteristics (biodata), personal protection, facilities available for them to work with and job satisfaction. Two soil samples were obtained from the open dump site (0.15 and 0.30 m depth) and two water samples were also collected (at 0.00 and 50.00 m) within the vicinity of the dump site. Both the soil and water samples were taken to the central science laboratory for chemical analyses. Ten (71.4%) of the 14 cleaners were not satisfied with their job. The laboratory findings suggested a very high content of lead, chromium, mercury, cadmium and manganese in both soil and water samples in comparison with the Nigerian Federal Environmental Protection Agency standards. The study concludes that the use of tooth-coloured restorative materials and digital X-ray facility to serve as alternatives to the generation of these wastes is recommended and that farming activities should not be allowed in the area until an audit of the soil and water have been performed.

Nigeria's street children, epitome of oral health disparity and inequality.

INTRODUCTION: it has been close to four years since the authors highlighted the total neglect of the oral health of street children in the Journal of Public Health Policy. Since then, the authorities appear to have simply turned the blind eye making this follow-up imperative. This follow-up report specifically examines the resultant oral health disparity between Nigeria's street children and Private, fee-paying secondary school students in Northern Nigeria. METHODS: we conducted a cross-sectional comparative survey of randomly selected 12-14 years old street children (children of Quranic informal educational institutions) in Northern Nigeria while fee paying, private secondary school children served as controls. A simple close-ended questionnaire translated into Hausa language was used to assess oral health knowledge and the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index used to categorize oral hygiene status of the participants. RESULTS: the mean age (SD) of the participating street children was 12.7 (0.86) while that of the private secondary school students (PSSS) was 13.05 (0.96). The majority (89%) of parents of street children compared with that (7%) of parents of students of private secondary schools had no western education. Only 6% of street children compared with 90% of PSSS cleaned their teeth for the right reasons. Only 5% of street children compared with 90% of private secondary school students used a fluoride-containing toothpaste. Though both groups of children have poor knowledge (street children 3%, private secondary school students 16%) on the use of dental floss, the mean oral hygiene score (SD) for street children was 4.42 (0.85) compared with 1.90 (0.09) for private secondary school students. There were striking differences in knowledge and practice with only 4% of street children compared with 69% of PSSS with knowledge about fluoride and its use (p < 0.0005). Also, 2% of street children compared with 40% of PSSS were aware of the benefits of regular dental visits. Sixty five (65%) of street children used finger and water only for tooth cleaning, none of the secondary school students practiced this (p = 0.0005). CONCLUSION: there is disparity in oral health practice between Nigeria's street children and private secondary school children. This disparity may be attributed to lack of western education and socio-economic status.

Periodontal disease and targeted prevention using aMMP-8 point-of-care oral fluid analytics in the COVID-19 era.

Periodontal disease is a chronic multifactorial infectious and inflammatory disease associated with several chronic systemic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease and so on. These same systemic diseases have been associated with severe COVID-19 infections. Several recent studies have suggested hypotheses for the potential association between periodontal disease and severe COVID-19. Periodontal disease is also one of the most prevalent diseases globally. All this supports the importance of good oral health, also in the COVID-19 era. Thus, new strategies and approaches to identify patients at risk of periodontal disease could be beneficial to enhance secondary prevention, especially if targeted to COVID-19 risk groups. Diagnostic biomarkers for periodontal disease have been researched extensively. Potential biomarkers in oral fluid with currently available rapid non-invasive point-of-care technology, such as aMMP-8, could help to extend screening and identification of patients at risk for periodontal disease also to situations and places where professional dental expertise and equipment are limited or unavailable. i.e., nursing and care homes, and rural and distant places. The oral fluid point-of-care technologies could also be useful in the hands of medical professionals (diabetes, CVD, etc.) to identify patients at risk for undiagnosed periodontal disease and to refer them to a dentist for examination and evaluation. Finally, if there is a causality between periodontal disease and severe COVID-19 infections, these point-of-care oral fluid biomarker technologies could possibly also help in the assessment of the risk of deterioration and complications.

Active MMP-8 (aMMP-8) as a Grading and Staging Biomarker in the Periodontitis Classification.

The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of incorporating active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) as a biomarker into the new periodontitis classification system (stage/grade) presented in 2018. This study included 150 Greek adults aged 25-78, of whom 74 were men and 76 women. Participants were tested with an aMMP-8 point-of-care mouthrinse test, after which a full-mouth clinical examination was performed to assess their periodontal and oral health. The aMMP-8 levels in mouthrinse were significantly lower among healthy patients compared with patients in more severe periodontitis stages and grades (Kruskal-Wallis test and Dunn-Bonferroni test for pairwise post-hoc comparisons; p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). Furthermore, aMMP-8 levels were less correlated with plaque levels than bleeding on probing (BOP) (Spearman's rho = 0.269, p < 0.001; Spearman's rho = 0.586, p < 0.001); respectively). Thus, aMMP-8 was more robust to the confounding effects of oral hygiene than traditional periodontal parameter bleeding on probing. The aMMP-8 point-of-care mouthrinse test can be utilized as an adjunctive and preventive diagnostic tool to identify periodontal disease, classified by stage and grade, and ongoing periodontal breakdown chairside in clinical practice in only 5 min. Overall, integrating aMMP-8 into the new periodontitis classification system seems beneficial.

aMMP-8 Point-of-Care/Chairside Oral Fluid Technology as a Rapid, Non-Invasive Tool for Periodontitis and Peri-Implantitis Screening in a Medical Care Setting.

This communication article addresses currently available rapid non-invasive methods to screen and detect periodontitis and dental peri-implantitis. In this regard, oral fluid biomarkers have been researched extensively but self-reported oral health (SROH)-questionnaires have also been developed. Both alternatives may offer a quick and easy way to screen and detect diseased patients. Active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP-8) is one of the most validated biomarkers for screening and detecting periodontal breakdown related to periodontitis and peri-implantitis and monitoring their treatment effects revealing successful, less- and non-successful treatment results. Currently available aMMP-8 lateral-flow technologies allow this kind of analysis, as demonstrated here, to be conducted quantitatively online and real-time as point-of-care/chairside testing in dental and even medical care settings. In this study, an aMMP-8 peri-implant sulcular fluid point-of-care-test diagnosed peri-implantitis and healthy implants far more accurately than bleeding-on-probing or the other biomarkers, such as polymorphonuclear (PMN)/neutrophil elastase, myeloperoxidase and MMP-9. Although, SROH-questionnaires allow screening in similar settings but they lack the information about the current disease activity of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, which is of essential value in periodontal diagnostics and treatment monitoring. Thus, both methods can be considered as adjunct methods for periodontitis and peri-implant diagnostics, but the value of oral fluid biomarkers analysis does not seem to be substitutable.

On the diagnostic discrimination ability of mouthrinse and salivary aMMP-8 point-of-care testing regarding periodontal health and disease.

This study investigated the diagnostic utility of mouthrinse and saliva in aMMP-8 measurements to analyze patients' risk for active periodontal tissue destruction and progression of periodontal disease among 47 adolescents. Results show that measurements from mouthrinse produce better discrimination and should be used instead of saliva measurements.

Smokers' melanosis in a Nigerian population: a preliminary study.

AIM: Terms relating to pigmentation of the oral mucosa include physiologic (racial) pigmentation, oral pigmented nevi, oral melanotic maculae, melanoma, and smokers' melanosis. The literature is replete with studies about oral mucosal pigmentation which is thought to result from melanin incontinence. The documented etiological factors are both local and systemic and include hormones, drugs, smoking, and idiopathic causes. This study investigated the prevalence of melanosis among Nigerian smokers and controls who were non-smokers. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 1270 sites were examined in 253 subjects consisting of 60 smokers and 193 non-smokers. They were all systemically healthy adults drawn from 12 factories located in different urban and rural settings in the state of Lagos in Nigeria. Five oral mucosal sites were examined per subject. A single examiner performed all examinations and recorded all findings. Pigmentation was scored either as "present" or "absent." Subjects' smoking status, degree, and duration of smoking were ascertained and recorded using an examiner-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: There were five pigmented sites (0.52%) among non-smokers and 18 (6%) among smokers. The buccal mucosa was the most frequently pigmented site found in smokers while the lingual mucosa was the most common site found for non-smokers. The prevalence of pigmented sites increased directly among smokers with the duration of smoking (years); degree of smoking (cigarettes smoked per day); and smoking pack-years (degree of smoking divided by 20 and multiplied by duration of smoking, where 20 is the average number of cigarettes in a pack of cigarettes). SPSS version 11.0 was used for data entry and analysis. Frequency distributions were generated for all categorical variables for descriptive aspects of the analysis. Means were determined for quantitative variables such as age and number of cigarettes smoked. For homogenous variances, the student's t test was used for quantitative variables between smokers and non-smokers, while for non-homogenous variances the Mann-Whitney test was adopted. Chi-square statistic was used for comparisons between smokers and non-smokers. In tables with low expected frequencies, Fisher's exact test was adopted. Statistical tests yielding p-values = or <0.5 were considered significant. CONCLUSIONS: Smokers in this study had a significantly higher prevalence of pigmented oral mucosal sites (melanosis) than non-smokers. The number of pigmented sites increased with the degree and duration of smoking. The buccal mucosa was the most frequently pigmented site found among the smokers in this study.

Oral health knowledge and practice of 12 to 14-year-old Almajaris in Nigeria: A problem of definition and a call to action.

We studied oral health knowledge and practices of 12 to 14-year-old Almajiri boys in northern Nigeria because we found few studies on their health, and none on their oral health. We present our study after explaining the desperate life circumstances and context of Nigeria's approximately 10 million Almajiri youth. Our results, when compared with those of previously studied populations (those most similar in terms of environment, age range, and oral health characteristics) show that the Almajiris fare poorly. Although the international community has paid some attention to the Nigerian Almajiri children's educational needs, there has been little support for health, and none for oral health. We argue that the World Health Organization could better assist Nigeria and these children by assuring that the Almajiris are not excluded from programs targeting children classified as 'street children', and make specific recommendations.

Pilot Study on Oral Health Status as Assessed by an Active Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 Chairside Mouthrinse Test in Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 is a major destructive collagenase involved in periodontitis and can be regarded as a periodontitis biomarker. A neutrophil collagenase 2 (active MMP-8 [aMMP-8]) oral fluid immunoassay has recently been demonstrated to be a periodontitis risk indicator among adults. The aim of this study is to investigate whether a point-of-care mouthrinse test based on an aMMP-8 immunoassay could identify patients with oral inflammatory burden (periodontitis and caries) among adolescents with early pathologic findings. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out at the Kotka Health Center, Finland. First, the aMMP-8 chairside mouthrinse test was performed on enrolled individuals (adolescents aged 15 to 17 years, n = 47), and the results were read based on a color change within 5 minutes. Then, full-mouth clinical parameters of oral health were assessed, including periodontal, oral mucosal, and caries status. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the test for bleeding on probing were 71.8% and 77.5%, respectively (P = 0.05); for ≥1 site with probing depth (PD) ≥4 mm, 48.3% and 100% (P <0.001); for ≥2 sites with PD ≥4 mm, 63.6% and 100% (P <0.001); and for >2 sites with PD ≥4 mm, 76.5% and 96.7% (P <0.01). Regarding periodontitis (≥1 site with PD ≥4 mm), hardly any false-positive results were identified. The sensitivity of the immunoassay for ≥1 caries lesions was 76.5%, and the specificity was 96.7% (P <0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In 5 minutes, the aMMP-8 chairside test showed promising results, recognizing oral inflammatory burden in adolescents with early initial signs of periodontitis. Caries lesions could also be detected, but less efficiently.

Determinants of journal choice among Nigerian medics.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the well-known maxim "publish or perish" among academicians, productivity remains low in Nigeria. There are barriers to academic writing which must be identified and addressed. Even after addressing those barriers, authors are faced with another dilemma-where to publish. It was the concern of the authors to evaluate perceived barriers to academic writing and the determinants of journal choice among Nigerian academics. They also attempted to evaluate the determinants of journal choice and perceived barriers to academic writing among Nigerian academicians. Respondents were academicians used in the context of this study to mean anyone involved in academic writing. Such persons must have written and published at least one paper in a peer-reviewed journal in the preceding year to be included in the survey. An online-based self-administered questionnaire. METHODS: An online structured and self-administered questionnaire-based cross sectional survey of Nigerian medical academicians was conducted over a period of one year using a Google-powered questionnaire. The questionnaire assessed the determinants of journal choice, perceived barriers to publications, number of publications in the preceding year as a measure of academic productivity and the highest publication fee authors were willing to pay. RESULTS: Of the over 500 email request sent, a total of 200 academicians responded (response rate of 40%). The male and female distribution was 120 and 80 respectively. The highest number of respondents were lecturer 1 and senior lecturers (or junior faculty) (69.5%) however the senior faculty had the higher number of publications in the preceding year. Indexing (35.5%) was the most important determinant of journal choice whilst ease of submission (2.1%) was the least. Unfriendly environment (46%) was the most perceived barrier to publication. Though, majority (88.5%) of the respondents were willing to pay up $300 as publication fees, twice as many junior faculty members (28%) were willing to pay more than $300 as publication fee when compared with professors (12.5%). About 140 of the respondents (70%) were doctors/dentists. CONCLUSION: In this study, the major determinant of journal choice among Nigerian medics is journal indexing and unfriendly environment appears to be the major perceived barrier to publication. Encouraging a friendly and conducive environment in the universities will impact positively in academic productivity amongst Nigerian faulty members.