Effect of periodontal disease on oxidative stress markers in patients with atherosclerosis.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of periodontal inflammation on oxidative stress in patients with atherosclerosis by considering serum and saliva total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study, there were 4 groups, with 20 individuals in each group. These groups consisted of individuals who had periodontitis with atherosclerosis (group A-P), were periodontally healthy with atherosclerosis (group A-C), were systemically healthy with periodontitis (group P), and were systemically and periodontally healthy (group C). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded. PISA values were calculated. Atherosclerosis severity was determined by the Gensini score. The ratio of TAS/TOS resulting in the OSI levels of the serum and saliva samples was examined biochemically. RESULTS: Group A-P serum TAS and group C saliva OSI values were lower than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Group A-P serum TOS and OSI values were higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.05). Groups A-C and P serum TOS and OSI values were higher than those of group C (p < 0.05). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, group A-P and PISA values were independently associated with serum TOS and OSI values (p < 0.05). Group A-P, group P, and PISA values were independently associated with saliva OSI values (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Periodontitis and atherosclerosis may have systemic oxidative stress-increasing effects. The coexistence of periodontitis and atherosclerosis increases oxidative stress beyond that seen in either condition alone. Periodontitis can be associated with increased systemic TOS and OSI values in patients with atherosclerosis. STATEMENT OF CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Oxidative status is affected more severely when periodontitis and atherosclerosis coexist rather than when either exists alone. Periodontitis can cause increasing effect on serum TOS and OSI and decreasing effect on TAS in patients with atherosclerosis. The increase in oxidative stress markers with the presence of periodontal disease in patients with atherosclerosis emphasizes that controlling periodontal diseases, a treatable disease, may contribute to the prognosis of atherosclerosis.

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of cytokine, chemokine, and growth factors in patients with periodontitis or gingivitis and periodontally healthy subjects: a cross-sectional multiplex study.

INTRODUCTION: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an important resource for detecting inflammatory biomarkers related to periodontal disease. The purpose of this research was to identify the possible relation between cytokine levels and periodontal status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GCF samples collected from 25 periodontally healthy individuals, 24 with gingivitis, and 24 with periodontitis were analyzed using the MAGPIX system with a Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-plex kit. Gingival index (GI), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured from each tooth to determine each patient's periodontal status. RESULTS: All clinical parameters showed statistically significant differences between groups. While interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, macrophage chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with periodontitis compared to periodontally healthy subjects, IL-15 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in periodontally healthy individuals compared to periodontitis (p < 0.05). Also, IL-1ß and IP-10 showed positive correlations with PPD, CAL, GI and bleeding on probing (BOP). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-15, MCP-1, VEGF and IP-10 could be related to periodontal disease and health and can be used as an adjunct to clinical examination in future research design. Scanning cytokines in GCF with a multiplex immunoassay technique is consequential, especially because many cytokine types are found in one sample.

The effect of photobiomodulation therapy on nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized controlled, single-blind, split-mouth clinical trial.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is a method currently used in the treatment of hard and soft tissue injuries due to its accelerating and enhancing effects on healing. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the possible additional benefits of applying PBMT with nonsurgical periodontal treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients with chronic periodontitis (CP). Twenty-two type 2 DM patients with CP were enrolled in this clinical split-mouth study. Probing pocket depth (PPD), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured by intracaliber clinician (H.G.) at baseline and at 1 m, 3 m, and 6 m after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and at 1 week and 1 m, 3 m, and 6 m after treatment. According to split-mouth design, one randomly selected quadrant was treated with PBMT + nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) and the other quadrant was treated only non-surgical periodontal treatment. PBMT was applied the test quadrant on NSPT day and first, third, and seventh day after treatment at an energy density of 7.64 J/cm2. Repeated measures analysis of variance test was used for the intragroup comparison and a "paired t test" in the intergroup comparison of the clinical and laboratory findings. Comparing the test and control quadrant after treatment, the test quadrant showed significant decrease in PPD at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months; in GI at 3 months and 6 months; in CAL at month 6; in GCF at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months; and in IL-1ß data at 3 months in comparison to the control quadrant. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference in PI data at all times. Within the limitation of this study, adjunct use of PBMT on NSPT in patient with DM may positively affect the clinical and biochemical parameters.

The effect of low-level laser therapy on non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized controlled, single-blind, split-mouth clinical trial.

The purpose of this split-mouth, single-blind, controlled clinical study was to evaluate the impact of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Twenty-five systemically healthy and non-smoking adults with chronic periodontitis who had at least two bilateral premolar teeth with probing pocket depth (PPD) of 7 ≥ x ≥ 5 mm were included in the study. In the periodontal examination of these patients, PPD, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at the baseline, first, third, and sixth months after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken at the baseline, first week, and first month after treatment. The collected GCF samples were analyzed using the MAGPIX™ system with a Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Cytokine 27-plex kit. After non-surgical periodontal treatment, LLLT with an energy density of 7.64 J/cm2 was performed four times: immediately after scaling and root planning (SRP) and on the first, third, and seventh day after treatment. In the first month, PPD levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the SRP + LLLT group than in the SRP group. At the third and sixth months, CAL, PPD, and GI were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the SRP + LLLT group than in the SRP group. Differences in GCF cytokines levels among the group were not statistically significant. Within the limitations of this study, it is indicated that LLLT as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment has a positive impact on clinical parameters.

Evaluation of genotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of boron by the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) on Drosophila.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, different concentrations of boron have been evaluated for genotoxic and antigenotoxic properties by using the somatic mutation and recombination test (SMART) on Drosophila melanogaster. STUDY DESIGN: The treatment concentrations were chosen to a pretest. Third-instar larvae trans-heterozygous for two genetic markers, multiple wing hair (mwh) and flare (flr3), were treated at different concentrations (0.1, 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg/mL) of boron. In addition to investigating antigenotoxic effects, the same boron concentrations were co-administered with 0.1 mM Ethyl Methane Sulfonate (EMS). Distilled water was used as a negative control; 0.1 mM of EMS was used as a positive control. For the chronic feeding study, small plastic vials were prepared with 1.5 g of dry Drosophila Instant Medium and 5 mL of the respective test solution. Hundreds of trans-heterozygous larvae were embedded into this medium. Feeding ended with pupation of the surviving larvae. After metamorphosis, all surviving flies were collected and stored in a 70% ethanol solution. Preparation and microscopic analyses of wing were made after the treatment. Then the observed mutations were classified according to size and type of mutation per wing. RESULTS: Results indicated that there is no significant genotoxic effect with all of the boron concentrations. In addition, the antigenotoxic activities of boron against EMS were tested. Results indicated that all boron concentrations (0.1, 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/mL) were able to abolish the genotoxic effects induced by the EMS. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that the observed effects can be linked to the antioxidant properties of boron. Moreover, these in vivo results will contribute to the antigenotoxicity database of boron.

[A case of gingival myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica]. / Wohlfahrtia magnifica'dan kaynaklanan gingival miyaz olgusu.

Myiasis is an infestation of living or dead tissue of humans and animals by diptera larvae. Gingival myiasis is a rare pathology and is mainly associated with poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, senility, suppurative lesions, mouth breathing, mental retardation and hemiplegia. Myiasis is most common during summer since the fly population increases during this season. Mostly it occurs in farmers and people who live in tropical climates. Gingival myiasis in humans in Turkey is limited to only a few cases. According to our literature research, this is the first case of gingival myiasis produced by larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica in a Turkish adult. According to our best knowledge, it is also the first gingival myiasis case that one of the causative larva had grown to the adult stage in Turkey. A 43 years old male patient who perceived the presence of live maggots in his mouth was referred to our clinic. Clinical findings of gingival myiasis were observed. The patient had no history of systemic disease but oral hygiene was poor. Clinical and radiographic examination indicated that he had chronic periodontitis. Before the dental treatment seven larvae and during the scalling five larvae were elevated from the gingival sulcus. The body of the larvae composed of 12 segments and they were 8-10 mm in length. One of the larvae which was sent to the microbiology laboratory were placed into sheep liver to resume life and the other larvae were placed into 70% alcohol solution. After 9-10 days, the larva which was placed in the liver became pupa. Approximately 15 days later, the pupa became an adult fly. The larvae were identified as the second stage larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Treatment consisted of removal of the maggots from the gingival sulcus, followed by scaling and oral hygiene instruction. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was applied and the patient was followed-up for 3 months. After non-surgical periodontal treatment, patient didn't accept the flap operation. The most important point for the prevention of gingival myiasis is to establish a good oral hygiene, together with the elimination of environmental factors which support the proliferation of the flies.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the systemic administration of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) would prevent excessive tissue destruction in ligature-induced periodontitis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used in the current study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each: (1) non-ligated treatment (NL) group, (2) ligature-only (LO) group, (3) ligature plus GB28 (28 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group and (4) ligature plus GB56 (56 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group. RESULTS: Measurement of alveolar bone loss in the mandibular molar tooth revealed significantly lower bone loss values in the LO group compared to groups NL, GB28 and GB56 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results are the first data which suggests that host response in periodontitis can be modified by EGb administration. EGb minimized progression of periodontal disease.

Effect of periodontitis on oxidative stress parameters in patients with rheumatic heart valve disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of periodontitis on oxidative stress parameters by investigating serum and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) values in patients with rheumatic heart valve disease (RHVD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population comprised 76 patients, who were divided into four groups: chronic periodontitis with RVHD (RV-CP), periodontally healthy with RVHD (RV-C), systemically healthy with chronic periodontitis (CP), and systemically and periodontally healthy (C). Demographic, periodontal, and echocardiographic parameters were measured. Serum and GCF oxidative stress parameters were evaluated based on the OSI. RESULTS: Similar serum oxidative stress parameters were found in all study groups (P ≥ 0.05). The GCF TAOC values of the C group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P = 0.001). The GCF OSI values of the C group were significantly lower than those of the other groups (P = 0.001). The GCF TOS and OSI values of the RV-CP group were significantly higher than those of the CP and C groups (P = 0.001). The GCF TOS value of the RV-C group was significantly higher than those of the CP and C groups (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Altered local oxidative stress profile was associated with the presence of periodontitis. Rheumatic heart valve disease may increase oxidative stress in individuals with chronic periodontitis.

Association between TNF-alpha, TGF-beta1, IL-10, IL-6 and IFN-gamma gene polymorphisms and generalized aggressive periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate links among cytokine genetic variants and generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis and 85 healthy controls without periodontitis were included in the study. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were recorded as clinical parameters. Polymorphisms of IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, TGF-ss1 and TNF-alpha gene were analysed using the polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer method (PCR-SSP). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed for IL-6, IL-10, IFN-gamma, and TGF-ss1 cytokine polymorphisms, from the genotype distribution and allele frequency, between GAgP and healthy control groups. In contrast, significant differences were observed in the TNF-alpha gene polymorphism between GAgP and healthy control groups (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that TNF-alpha (-308) may be associated with the development of generalized aggressive periodontitis. These results should be replicated in a larger and more diverse population of patients diagnosed with generalized aggressive periodontitis to determine of these findings are generalizable.

Adjunct Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Treatment of Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis: A Case Report.

Necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (NUG) is a microbial disease of the gingiva in the context of an impaired host response. This form of gingivitis is relatively rare. NUG is an infection characterized by gingival necrosis presenting as "punched-out" papillae, spontaneous bleeding, pain, oral malodor, and pseudomembrane formation. The primary predisposing factors are bacterial plaque and an inadequate diet, but smoking and psychological stress may also affect the disease severity. NUG is associated with a characteristic bacterial flora, which includes fusiform bacteria, spirochetes, and Prevotella intermedia. Conventional treatment includes control of both the bacterial plaque and the secondary factors, as well as topical or systemic treatment biostimulative effect on wound healing, pain control, and inflammatory processes. Patients with NUG were treated using adjunct use of a diode laser (980 nm) for the control of pain and to accelerate the wound healing at day 2. 3. 5. 9, energy density was 9 J/cm2 . After treatment, the patients' quality of life improved faster than with conventional treatment. These results suggest that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is an effective treatment for the reduction of pain levels and healing times. As a result, our case report shows that LLTT has a positive effect in relieving the symptoms of NUG.

Water pipe (Shisha, Hookah, Arghile) Smoking and Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Effects on CYP1A2 and CYP2A6 Phenotypes as Measured by Caffeine Urine Test.

Public policies to stop or reduce cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke and associated diseases have yielded successful results over the past decade. Yet, the growing worldwide popularity of another form of tobacco consumption, water pipe smoking, has received relatively less attention. To the best of our knowledge, no study to date has evaluated the effects of water pipe smoking on cytochrome P450 (CYP450) activities and drug interaction potential in humans, whereas only limited information is available on the impact of secondhand smoke on drug metabolism. In a sample of 99 healthy volunteers (28 water pipe smokers, 30 secondhand tobacco smoke exposed persons, and 41 controls), we systematically compared CYP1A2 and CYP2A6 enzyme activities in vivo using caffeine urine test. The median self-reported duration of water pipe smoking was 7.5 h/week and 3 years of exposure in total. The secondhand smoke group had a median of 14 h of self-reported weekly exposure to tobacco smoke indoor where a minimum of five cigarettes were smoked/hour for a total of 3.5 years (median). Analysis of variance did not find a significant difference in CYP1A2 and CYP2A6 activities among the three study groups (p > 0.05). Nor was there a significant association between the extent of water pipe or secondhand smoke exposure and the CYP1A2 and CYP2A6 activities (p > 0.05). Further analysis in a subsample with smoke exposure more than the median values also did not reveal a significant difference from the controls. Although we do not rule out an appreciable possible impact of water pipe smoke and secondhand smoke on in vivo activities of these two drug metabolism pathways, variability in smoke constituents from different tobacco consumption methods (e.g., water pipe) might affect drug metabolism in ways that might differ from that of cigarette smoke. Further studies in larger prospective samples are recommended to evaluate water pipe and secondhand tobacco smoke effects on CYP450 function, particularly at higher smoke exposure conditions.

Relationship between periodontal destruction and gene mutations in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Recent studies have shown that genetic factors involved in the host responses might determine the disease severity for both familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and periodontitis. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of FMF with periodontitis and to search for the potential association between periodontitis and MEFV gene missense variations in patients with FMF. The study consisted of 97 FMF patients and 34 healthy volunteers. FMF patients were classified according to the kind of MEFV gene mutation: (1) patients with homozygous M694V gene mutation, (2) patients with heterozygous M694V gene mutation, and (3) patients with MEFV gene different mutations. Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured in all participants. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed a highly significant association between homozygous M694V gene mutation and periodontitis in FMF patients (p < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders (smoking, body weight, age, and gender), FMF patients with homozygous M694V gene mutation were 3.51 (1.08-11.45) times more likely to present periodontitis than the other FMF patients. These results indicate that the presence of homozygous M694V gene mutation seems to increase the risk for periodontitis in FMF patients.

Effect of Chronic Periodontitis on Oxidative Status in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis (PS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and chronic periodontitis (CP) are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and have remarkable pathologic similarities. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of periodontal inflammation on oxidative stress in patients with PS and PsA by evaluating serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, levels of lipid hydroperoxides, and the activities of paraoxonase, arylesterase, and ceruloplasmin. Also measured were the levels of prolidase and total sulfhydryl groups. METHODS: A total of 120 participants were divided into six groups of 20 participants: 1) PS with CP (PS-CP); 2) PS-periodontally healthy (PS-C); 3) PsA with CP (PsA-CP); 4) PsA-periodontally healthy (PsA-C); 5) systemically healthy with CP (CP); and 6) both systemically and periodontally healthy (C). Demographic, periodontal, and serum oxidative parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Oxidative stress index values of PS-C, PS-CP, PsA-C, and PsA-CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of C and CP groups, and there were no differences between any of the PS (PS-C and PS-CP), and PsA (PsA-C and PsA-CP) groups. Total antioxidant status levels of the C group were higher by 27% compared with those of the PS-C and the PsA-CP groups (P <0.05). Total oxidant status levels of both PsA-C and PsA-CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of the C (P <0.05) and CP (P <0.05, P <0.001 respectively) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of CP on systemic oxidative levels in patients with PS and PsA or systemically healthy individuals seems limited. PS and PsA did not show any additional detrimental effect on clinical parameters in patients with CP.

Flow-cytometric analysis of T-lymphocyte subsets after different treatment methods in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis.

AIM: To determine any change in T-lymphocyte subsets after applying different treatment methods in smokers and non-smokers with chronic periodontitis. PARTICIPANTS: 50 adults with chronic periodontitis. METHOD: The subjects were divided into smokers and non-smokers. Biopsy samples were taken from the gingival pocket wall tissues at sites with chronic periodontitis before treatment, after initial treatment, after curettage and after flap operation and tested for CD4+, CD8+ lymphocyte and CD4/ CD8 ratio values. Gingival pocket depth, gingival index (GI-Löe-Silness) and plaque index (PI-Silness-Löe) scores were also recorded. Analysis aimed at determining the relation between the clinical measurements and the laboratory results. RESULTS: Flow cytometry findings in both groups showed that CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte values before treatment were under the normal value while the CD4+/CD8+ ratio was within normal distribution interval. The lymphocyte values observed in the smokers were found to be lower than those in the non-smokers. After treatment the difference between the lymphocyte values in smokers and non-smokers was found to be statistically significant. However, the difference between the CD4/CD8 rate obtained in smokers and non-smokers was not found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The lymphocyte values observed in smokers were found to be lower than those in non-smokers after applying different treatment methods and the local immune response was poor in the smokers.

Clinical and biochemical effects of 810 nm diode laser as an adjunct to periodontal therapy: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the clinical and biochemical efficacy of an 810 nm diode laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP). BACKGROUND DATA: Lasers can achieve excellent tissue ablation with strong bactericidal and detoxification effects. The use of lasers is one of the most promising new technical modalities for nonsurgical periodontal treatment. However, the most effective wavelength and parameters for their use are still under investigation. METHODS: This study was designed as a single-blinded, randomized-controlled, split-mouth clinical trial. Twenty-one patients (12 females and 9 males between 26 and 55 years of age), diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis, were included in the study. After initial periodontal therapy, which consisted of oral hygiene instructions and scaling, patients underwent two different treatment modalities. Test and control sites were chosen with coin toss randomization. At the test site, patients received SRP and laser treatment; at the contralateral control site, they received SRP treatment alone. RESULTS: Both treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in all clinical and biochemical parameters. Sites irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser using the "hot tip" (∼ 760 °C) technique showed enhanced healing in all the registered periodontal variables and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels, compared with SRP alone. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode lasers as an adjunct to SRP produced significant improvements in clinical parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) IL-1ß levels in the 6 month study period.

Translating biotechnology to knowledge-based innovation, peace, and development? Deploy a Science Peace Corps--an open letter to world leaders.

Scholarship knows no geographical boundaries. This science diplomacy and biotechnology journalism article introduces an original concept and policy petition to innovate the global translational science, a Science Peace Corps. Service at the new Corps could entail volunteer work for a minimum of 6 weeks, and up to a maximum of 2 years, for translational research in any region of the world to build capacity manifestly for development and peace, instead of the narrow bench-to-bedside model of life science translation. Topics for translational research are envisioned to include all fields of life sciences and medicine, as long as they are linked to potential or concrete endpoints in development, foreign policy, conflict management, post-crisis capacity building, and/or peace scholarship domains. As a new instrument in the global science and technology governance toolbox, a Science Peace Corps could work effectively, for example, towards elucidating the emerging concept of "one health"--encompassing human, environmental, plant, microbial, ecosystem, and planet health--thus serving as an innovative crosscutting pillar of 21(st) century integrative biology. An interdisciplinary program of this caliber for development would link 21(st) century life sciences to foreign policy and peace, in ways that can benefit many nations despite their ideological differences. We note that a Science Peace Corps is timely. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations released the Fifth Assessment Report on March 31, 2014. Worrisomely, the report underscores that no person or nation will remain untouched by the climate change, highlighting the shared pressing life sciences challenges for global society. To this end, we recall that President John F. Kennedy advocated for volunteer work that has enduring, transgenerational, and global impacts. This culminated in establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961. Earlier, President Abraham Lincoln aptly observed, "nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." We therefore petition President Barack Obama, other world leaders, and international development agencies in positions of power around the globe, to consider deploying a Science Peace Corps to cultivate the essential (and presently missing) ties among life sciences, foreign policy, development, and peace agendas. A Science Peace Corps requires support by a credible and independent intergovernmental organization or development agency for funding, and arbitration in the course of volunteer work when the global versus local (glocal) value-based priorities and human rights intersect in synergy or conflict. In all, Science Peace Corps is an invitation to a new pathway for competence in 21(st) century science that is locally productive and globally competitive. It can open up scientific institutions to broader considerations and broader inputs, and thus cultivate vital translational science in a world sorely in need of solidarity and sustainable responses to the challenges of 21(st) century science and society.

Periodontal disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Rheumatological diseases and periodontal disease are both characterized by dysregulation of the host inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between periodontitis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Fifty-one adults with PsA (27 men and 24 women; mean age 41.73 ± 11.27 years) and 50 age- and gender-balanced systemically healthy control subjects participated in the study. Participants' periodontal status as determined by probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index was evaluated. The CAL levels of the PsA group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05) There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of periodontitis, probing pocket depth, plaque index, or gingival index between the two groups. The results of the present study show that periodontitis severity as determined by CAL was higher in the PsA group; therefore, periodontal evaluation must be considered when PsA is diagnosed.

Effect of chronic periodontitis on oxidative status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP) are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and have remarkable similar pathologies. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of periodontal status on oxidative stress in patients with RA by evaluating serum oxidative parameters and prolidase levels. METHODS: For this cross-sectional comparative study, the following four groups were composed of 20 individuals each (80 individuals total): 1) RA with CP (RA-CP group); 2) RA but periodontally healthy (RA-C group); 3) systemically healthy with CP (CP group); and 4) systemically and periodontally healthy (C group). Demographic, periodontal, rheumatological, and serum oxidative parameters as determined by serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index (OSI), lipid hydroperoxide levels, paraoxonase, arylesterase, and ceruloplasmin activity, prolidase level, and total sulfhydryl groups were evaluated. RESULTS: The OSI values of the RA-CP group were statistically significantly higher than those of the C group (P <0.05). The prolidase levels of the RA-C, RA-CP groups and the CP group were statistically higher than those of the C group (P = 0.001, P = 0.007, and P = 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Although CP and RA each increase oxidative stress, in a small sample size these effects are only significant when both CP and RA are combined relative to neither exposure. In addition, increased prolidase levels in patients with RA and CP may be related to increased oxidative tissue damage.

Host modulation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with TNF blockers significantly decreases biochemical parameters in periodontitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of host modulation therapy on periodontal and biochemical parameters. Sixteen rheumatoid arthritis patients newly scheduled for anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy were screened for 30 days. Periodontal parameters (clinical attachment level, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and gingival index) as well as salivary and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels of the patients were evaluated at baseline and on the 30th day of therapy. GCF volume, IL-1ß and IL-8 levels (p = 0.007, p = 0.017 and p = 0.009, respectively) of the periodontitis patients significantly decreased. Although there was a decrease in all these parameters in healthy patients, it was below statistical significance. Salivary IL-8 and MCP-1 levels significantly decreased in periodontitis patients (p = 0.028 and p = 0.013, respectively), but IL-1ß levels remained unchanged. These results suggest that TNF blockers may significantly modify host response in terms of biochemical parameters of the periodontium and may mask significant associations such as those reported between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Effects of boric acid on experimental periodontitis and alveolar bone loss in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the histopathologic and morphometric effects of systemic boric acid in a rat periodontitis model. DESIGN: Twenty-four Wistar rats were divided into three groups of eight animals each: non-ligated (NL), ligature only (LO), and ligature and treated with boric acid (BA) (3mg/kg per day for 11 days). A 4/0 silk suture was placed in a subgingival position around the mandibular first molars; after 11 days the rats were sacrificed, and changes in alveolar bone levels were measured clinically and tissues were histopathologically examined to assess the differences amongst the study groups. RESULTS: The ratio of presence of inflammatory cell infiltration (ICI) and osteoclast number in the LO group was significantly higher than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). The ratio of presence of osteoblastic activity in the LO group was significantly lower than that of the NL and BA groups (p<0.05). Alveolar bone loss was also significantly higher in the LO group compared to the BA and NL groups (p<005). CONCLUSIONS: This study has demonstrated that systemic administration of boric acid reduced periodontal inflammation and alveolar bone loss in periodontal disease in rats.