Soluble CD40 ligand: a novel biomarker in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease.

OBJECTIVES: Periodontitis involves a complex interplay of micro-organisms and host immune response via numerous mediator molecules playing strategic roles in its pathogenesis. Soluble CD40L (sCD40L) is one such co-stimulatory molecule which is essential for T-helper cell activation and is a well-known risk indicator of cardiovascular diseases. The levels of this marker in crevicular fluid of patients of chronic periodontitis have been explored in the present study for the first time along with an analysis of its association with levels in serum in otherwise systemically healthy patients. METHODOLOGY: Sixty patients 20 healthy and 40 of chronic periodontitis (18 moderate and 22 severe) participated in the study. Patients of the diseased group underwent non-surgical periodontal therapy. Clinical evaluation and collection of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples was done at baseline, and 6 weeks after phase I periodontal therapy. sCD40L levels were quantified in the fluids using ELISA. RESULTS: Levels of sCD40L in GCF were significantly higher in the diseased group (p ≤ 0.001) and strongly correlated not only with increasing severity of disease but also with levels in serum. In post-treatment, the levels decreased significantly in both the biological fluids (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study brings to light the role of sCD40L as a novel marker in mediating periodontal destruction and disease progression. Evaluation of local treatment outcomes seems promising in minimizing these effects. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Positive association of its local levels with those in serum further implicates the possibility of widespread systemic effects of this infection.

Substance use and misuse among college students: Results of an online survey from three neighboring cities of North India.

We estimated prevalence and severity of substance use in college students from three cities in North India and explored demographic correlates of substance use. This was a cross-sectional online survey. We used Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). We contacted respondents through social groups. We performed analyses from the original sample, bootstrapped samples, and random subsamples. A total of 229 (58.3%) respondents reported any lifetime substance use. A third of substance-using respondents were female. Alcohol (54.7%), tobacco (40.2%), and cannabis (15%) use were most commonly reported. Prevalence estimates did not differ between original and subsample analyses. A significant proportion of respondents (alcohol 29.7% and amphetamines 66.7%) were at moderate risk level. Male gender, family history of substance use, and commerce stream correlated with substance use. There were positive correlations between tobacco and alcohol and licit and illicit substance use. The study highlights the need for a comprehensive college substance misuse prevention policy.

A cross-sectional study to assess the pre-marital sexual practices among Panjab University students, Chandigarh, India.

Background: In India, premarital partnerships whether involving sex or not are widely unacceptable. Various studies in India have reported heightened premarital sexual activities among youngsters. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the involvement of youth in premarital sexual practices studying at Panjab University. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at Panjab University situated in Chandigarh, India between February and August 2020. Purposive sampling was used to recruit students. Data was collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured, self-administered questionnaire. The nature of the data was quantitative and was analyzed through SPSS version 20. Results: A total of 211 (female/male: 51.7%/48.3%, mean age: 22.5 years) respondents were enrolled. Prevalence of premarital sex was 68.7% with an average age of sexual debut 18.5 years. 62.1% of respondents were practicing unprotected sex. 91% of respondents were involved in vaginal sex, 61.4% in oral sex, 29% in online sex, and 19.3% in anal sex. 66.8% of respondents were involved in the habit of masturbation. In students having a positive premarital sexual background, 78.2% of respondents had sexting, 38.8% had friends with benefits, 33.9% had one-night stands, 4.8% had a threesome and 2.3% had gay sex. Out of all the respondents involved in premarital sexual practices, 86.9% were satisfied with sexual life. Conclusion: There is a need to empower the younger population involved in risky sexual behavior by accelerating their sexual and reproductive rights education to propagate safe sexual behavior in premarital sexual practices.

Effect of nano-crystalline silver membrane on early wound healing after periodontal surgery: A comparative randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal dressings are used for wound protection and patient comfort. Nano-silver particles have the ability to promote wound healing through anti-inflammatory properties. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate early wound healing parameters following periodontal surgery using nano-crystalline silver membrane as periodontal dressing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-two systemically healthy patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis indicated for periodontal flap surgery were enrolled for the present study. Post surgery, the patients were randomly allocated to either a nano-crystalline silver dressing (Acticoat™) group (test group) or only the noneugenol dressing group (control group). Plaque index (PI) and wound healing index were recorded at the 7th- and 14th-day postsurgery. The microbiological analysis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were evaluated at baseline and 7th-day postsurgery. RESULTS: The healing index was significantly higher in the test group as compared to the control group at days 7 and 14 (P < 0.001; P < 0.001). The colony-forming units/ml count of bacteria were significantly reduced postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.019). VEGF levels increased significantly 7th-day postsurgery in the test group (P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the PI on the 7th-day postsurgery between the two groups (P = 0.173). CONCLUSION: The results of the study revealed that silver can be used as a potent periodontal dressing ingredient that can decrease the microbial colonization beneath the pack and promote faster healing postsurgery due to its antimicrobial activity.

Psoriasis and Periodontitis: Exploring an association or lack thereof.

OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-communicable skin disease with no clear etiology or cure. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition which is now known to significantly influence various systemic diseases as an established risk factor. This study aimed at comparatively evaluating the periodontal status of Psoriatic patients vis. a vis. that of age and gender matched systemically healthy volunteers. An attempt was also made to explore a possible association, if any, amongst the two diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty two residents of Chandigarh, suffering from Psoriasis and attending the Psoriasis Clinic of Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh were recruited over a period of 10 months (Case group) and their periodontal status was compared with forty two age and gender matched systemically healthy volunteers (Control group) randomly selected from the Out Patient Department of Periodontics, Dr. Harvansh Singh Judge Institute of Dental Sciences & Hospital, Panjab University, India. Their serum IL-33 levels were evaluated and compared in an attempt to identify an underlying common pathological pathway. RESULTS: The periodontal status was comparable in the two groups in terms of the debris index (p = 0.932), calculus index (p = 0.088), plaque index (p = 0.097), and mean clinical attachment loss (p = 0.401). A higher bleeding points index was recorded amongst healthy individuals as compared to the Psoriasis group, the difference being statistically significant (p = 0.001). The mean number of teeth were more in the Psoriasis group as compared to the healthy group (p=0.034). IL 33 levels were also not significantly different (p = 0.491). CONCLUSION: Contrary to currently available evidence in literature, the study did not find a statistically significant association between Psoriasis and Inflammatory Periodontal Disease.

Diabetes and periodontitis.

The main aim of this review is to update the reader with practical knowledge concerning the relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases. Exclusive data is available on the association between these two chronic diseases till date. Articles published on this relationship often provide the knowledge of definitions of diabetes mellitus and periodontal diseases, prevalence, extent, severity of periodontal disease, complications of diabetes along with the possible underlying mechanisms. The authors reviewed human epidemiological studies, cross-sectional observations and longitudinal cohort, case control that evaluated variables exclusively over the past 30 years and the predominant findings from the "certain" articles are summarized in this review. This review clarifies certain queries such as 1) Do periodontal diseases have an effect on the metabolic control of diabetes? 2) Does diabetes act as a risk factor of periodontitis? 3) What are the possible underlying mechanisms relating the connection between these two chronic diseases? 4) What is the effect of periodontal intervention on metabolic control of diabetes? After a thorough survey of literature, it was observed that diabetes acts as a risk factor in development of periodontitis as periodontitis is significantly aggravated in patients suffering from diabetes having long term hyperglycemia. Different mechanisms underlying the association between the accelerated periodontal disease and diabetes are emerging but still more work is required. Major efforts are required to elucidate the impact of periodontal diseases on diabetes. At the same time, patients are needed to be made aware of regular periodontal maintenance schedule and oral hygiene.