The effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in the preservation of periodontium after radiation therapy: An experimental animal study.

Background: Radiation therapy produces reactive oxygen species, which have been linked to various degenerative conditions in periodontal attachment. This study aimed to assess the beneficial effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the periodontium of albino rats exposed to fractionated gamma radiation. Materials and methods: This experimental study involved 24 adult male albino rats divided into three groups: Group M received M. oleifera leaf extract (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 14 days; Group R received 20 Gy fractionated gamma irradiation; and Group MR received the same M. oleifera regimen as Group M and then fractionated gamma irradiation dose as Group R. On the first and seventh days post-radiation, bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament samples were histologically and histomorphometrically examined. Results: The periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum showed structural damage in Group R. A relative persistence of normal periodontal tissue structures was seen in Group MR, showing less disruption of the periodontal ligament and greater trabecular bone thickness than Group R. The histomorphometric analysis showed that the mean periodontal ligament width was highest in Group R7 (245.20 µm) and lowest in Group M7 (54.55 µm). In addition, the mean cementum width was highest in Group R1 (88.99 µm) and lowest in Group M1R1 (17.87 µm) and differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract showed the potential to reduce the adverse effects of radiation, control inflammation, and support tissue healing in a rat model.

IL-39 and IL-35 gingival crevicular fluid levels in diabetic patients with generalized periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: This research was performed to investigate if there is a role for IL-39 in immunopathogenesis of both systemically healthy and diabetic periodontitis patients. Additionally, to explore if we can consider IL-39 and IL-35 as biomarkers for periodontitis activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 38 periodontitis patients and 19 control volunteers were included in our study. The periodontitis patients were divided equally into (Group I), 19 patients with stage III grade C periodontitis with diabetes mellitus and (Group II), 19 patients with stage III grade B periodontitis and systemically healthy. Gingival crevicular fluid levels of each interleukin were measured pre- and postoperatively for all periodontitis patients as well as control subjects using ELISA. RESULTS: Our study results showed that the highest level for IL-39 was in diabetic periodontitis patients that decreased significantly postoperatively. However, the highest level for IL-35 was revealed in control group while the lowest value was registered in diabetic periodontitis patients and statistically increased after periodontal treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of our research, both investigated biomarkers may have a potent role in pathogenesis of periodontitis. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We could consider both interleukins as accurate diagnostic markers for periodontitis patients, regardless of diabetes mellitus association, as well as promising markers that can aid in the prevention and treatment of periodontitis patients worldwide.

"Salivary LINC00657 and miRNA-106a as diagnostic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma, an observational diagnostic study".

BACKGROUND: Early detection and diagnosis of malignant tumors is critical for improving the survival rate and treatment outcomes of oral cancer. Thus, the current prospective investigation was designed to verify the role, sensitivity, and specificity of salivary LINC00657 and miRNA-106a as diagnostic markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients as compared to oral lichen planus (as an example of oral potentially malignant disorders) and normal individuals, and to show LINC00657 relation to miR-106a. METHODS: A total of 36 participants were included, subdivided into 3 groups: Group I: 12 patients diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Group II: 12 patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus (OLP). Group III: 12 systemically free individuals with no oral mucosal lesions. Unstimulated salivary samples were collected from all participants to evaluate level of LINC00657 and miR-106a in different groups using quantitative real-time PCR. RESULTS: OSCC showed the highest LINC00657 and lowest miR-106a fold change among included groups. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the two biomarkers for detecting OSCC revealed that LINC00657 had higher diagnostic accuracy (DA) (83.3%) compared to miR-106a (80.4%). As for detecting OLP, ROC analysis showed that miR-106a had higher (DA) (61%) compared to LINC00657 (52.5%). To discriminate OSCC from OLP, the diagnostic accuracy of both markers is the same (75%). Moreover, differentiating OSCC grades II and III, ROC analysis showed that miR-106a had lower (DA) (60%) compared to LINC00657 (DA) (83.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Salivary LINC00657 and miR-106a could be promising diagnostic markers for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Salivary LINC00657 may differentiate oral squamous cell carcinoma from oral potentially malignant disorders with considerable diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, low levels of salivary miR-106a could have the potential to indicate malignancy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered on clinicaltrial.gov with NCT05821179 (first trial registration in 26/3/2023), date of registration: 19/4/2023.

Raw goat's milk fermented Anbaris from Lebanon: insights into the microbial dynamics and chemical changes occurring during artisanal production, with a focus on yeasts.

Anbaris is a raw goat milk product naturally fermented in terracotta jars. The aim of this research paper was to follow the dynamics underlying an artisanal production to understand the concomitant evolution of the microbial populations in relation to the chemical changes occurring within the product, make sure of the sanitary conditions prevailing during the production and uncover for the first time its culturable yeast populations. Throughout the fermentation process, Anbaris was endowed with high acidity and included high microbial populations counts of LAB and yeasts that were rapidly installed within the product and maintained as regular new milk additions were made, contributing to lipolytic and proteolytic activities. Salt content varied according to the arbitrary salt additions made during the process but was high in the end product while protein and fat contents varied inversely to moisture. Frequent additions of Enterobacteriaceae and Coliforms contaminated milk samples seemingly fueled a contamination of the product during its manufacturing and in the final fresh Anbaris. Seven species of culturable yeasts, Pichia kudriavzevii, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Debaryomyces hansenii, Candida parapsilosis and Kazachstania exigua were found during the production. The first two dominated the process in terms of frequency of occurrence and abundance at the different stages and might be signature species of the product. The same lineage of K. marxianus isolates was maintained throughout the fermentation and sample specific patterns were observed. Strains of this species exhibited low diversity within our product, and more globally in the Lebanese dairy products we studied.

Effect of periodontal surgery on osteoprotegerin levels in gingival crevicular fluid, saliva, and gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to investigate the OPG profiles in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), saliva, and gingival tissues of chronic periodontitis (CP) patients in response to open flap debridement (OFD). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 subjects divided into 2 groups: 20 CP patients and 10 periodontally healthy subjects. Plaque index, gingival index, pocket depth, and clinical attachment level measurements were recorded for all subjects. GCF, salivary, and gingival samples were collected from all 30 subjects at baseline and 3 and 6 month after OFD from the 20 CP patients. GCF and salivary OPG levels were assessed by ELISA assay, while OPG expression in gingival tissues was examined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: GCF, salivary and gingival OPG profiles were significantly higher in control subjects compared to CP patients at baseline (P < 0.001). Within CP group, OPG levels in GCF, saliva, and gingival samples showed a significant increase at 3 and 6 months after OFD (P < 0.001) compared to baseline. Although OPG values increased significantly in gingival samples and insignificantly in saliva after 3 months compared to 6 months, yet GCF levels were significantly decreased. CONCLUSIONS: OPG might be considered as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker of periodontal bone destruction. This trial is registered with NCT02160613.