Impact of molar incisor hypomineralization on oral health-related quality of life in 8-10 years old children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) and its different severities on various aspects of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in children between 8 and 10 years of age. DATA SOURCES: The search terms were chosen according to the Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and non-MeSH. Potentially eligible studies involved the OHRQoL evaluation in 8-10 years old children with MIH. An electronic search of published studies was carried out in August 2022 on Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases. Of 130 papers retrieved initially, 21 were eligible to be included in the systematic review, of which 8 were excluded. The OHRQoL questionnaires used in the studies included Caregivers Perceptions Questionnaire (CPQ) 8-10, Child Oral Health Impact Profile questionnaire, and Child Oral Impacts on Daily Performances questionnaire. Nine studies using CPQ8-10 contributed to the meta-analysis. RESULTS: According to meta-analysis, the results revealed that in MIH children a significant increase was observed in the total score of CPQ 810 with the pooled mean of 15.89 (95% confidence interval [CI]:8.95-22.84; P-value = .001) and in oral symptoms, functional limitation and emotional well-being domains with the pooled means of 6.25 (95% CI:4.01-8.50; P-value = .001), 3.88 (95% CI:1.93-5.83; P-value = 0.001), and 3.24 (95% CI:0.96-5.52; P-value = .01), respectively. While the increase in social well-being with the pooled mean of 1.65 (95% CI: -0.47 to 3.76; P-value = .13) was not significant. Subgroup analysis based on MIH severity showed no significant difference in OHRQoL means for all variables. CONCLUSION: Suffering from MIH, negatively affected the total score and all domains of the CPQ 8-10 questionnaire, except for social well-being. Furthermore, different severities of MIH had no significant impact on OHRQoL in children.

Amphiphilic Polypeptoids Rupture Vesicle Bilayers To Form Peptoid-Lipid Fragments Effective in Enhancing Hydrophobic Drug Delivery.

Peptoids are highly biocompatible pseudopeptidic polyglycines with designable substituents on the nitrogen atoms. The therapeutic and drug-carrying potential of these materials requires a fundamental understanding of their interactions with lipid bilayers. In this work, we use amphiphilic polypeptoids with up to 100 monomeric units where a significant fraction (26%) of the nitrogen atoms are functionalized with decyl groups (hydrophobes) that insert into the lipid bilayer through the hydrophobic effect. These hydrophobically modified polypeptoids (HMPs) insert their hydrophobes into lipid bilayers creating instabilities that lead to the rupture of vesicles. At low HMP concentrations, such rupture leads to the creation of large fragments which remarkably anchor to intact vesicles through the hydrophobic effect. At high HMP concentrations, all vesicles rupture to smaller HMP-lipid fragments of the order of 10 nm. We show that the technique for such nanoscale polymer-lipid fragments can be exploited to sustain highly hydrophobic drug species in solution. Using the kinase inhibitor, Sorafenib as a model drug, it is shown that HMP-lipid fragments containing the drug can efficiently enter a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line (Huh 7.5), indicating the use of such fragments as drug delivery nanocarriers.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Loaded Polymeric Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid Microspheres Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have documented improvement in erectile function after bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) in rats with the use of pioglitazone. Our group determined this improvement to be mediated by the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) pathway. AIM: To eliminate the systemic effects of pioglitazone and evaluate the local delivery of IGF-1 by polymeric microspheres after BCNI in the rat. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 10-12 weeks were assigned at random to 3 groups: sham operation with phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-loaded microspheres (sham group), crush injury with PBS-loaded microspheres (crush group), and crush injury with IGF-1-loaded microspheres (IGF-1 group). Poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres were injected underneath the major pelvic ganglion (MPG). IGF-1 was released at approximately 30 ng/mL/day per MPG per rat. OUTCOMES: Functional results were demonstrated by maximal intracavernosal pressure (ICP) normalized to mean arterial pressure (MAP). Protein-level analysis data of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2, and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) were obtained using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry for both the cavernosal tissue and the MPG and cavernous nerve (CN). RESULTS: At 2 weeks after nerve injury, animals treated with IGF-1 demonstrated improved erectile functional recovery (ICP/MAP) at all voltages compared with BCNI (2.5V, P = .001; 5V, P < .001; 7.5V, P < .001). Western blot results revealed that up-regulation of the IGF-1R and ERK-1/2 in both the nervous and erectile tissue was associated with improved erectile function recovery. There were no significant between-group differences in nNOS protein levels in cavernosal tissue, but there was an up-regulation of nNOS in the MPG and CN. Immunohistochemistry confirmed these trends. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: Local up-regulation of the IGF-1R in the neurovascular bed at the time of nerve injury may help men preserve erectile function after pelvic surgery, such as radical prostatectomy, eliminating the need for systemic therapy. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: This study demonstrates that local drug delivery to the MPG and CN can affect the CN tissue downstream, but did not investigate the potential effects of up-regulation of the growth factor receptors on prostate cancer tissue. CONCLUSION: Stimulating the IGF-1R at the level of the CN has the potential to mitigate erectile dysfunction in men after radical prostatectomy, but further research is needed to evaluate the safety of this growth factor in the setting of prostate cancer. Haney NM, Talwar S, Akula PK, et al. Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1-Loaded Polymeric Poly(Lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid Microspheres Improved Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury. J Sex Med 2019;16:383-393.

Immunomodulatory factors gene polymorphisms in chronic periodontitis: an overview.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis (CP), defines as destruction of the supporting tissues of the teeth and resorption of the alveolar bone. It is widespread in human populations and represent an important problem for public health. CP results from inflammatory mechanisms created by the interaction between environmental and host genetic factors that confer the individual susceptibility to the disease. AIM: The aim of the current study was to explore and summarize some functional biomarkers that are associated with CP susceptibility. METHODS: CP is considered to be a multifactorial disease. The pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases is characterized by various biological pathways. The studies revealed that polymorphisms were associated with susceptibility to periodontal diseases. In other word, genetic variations can change the development of CP. However, there are some conflicting results, because there are different variations in frequency of some alleles in any populations. Therefore, we conducted the current review to completely understanding the special biomarkers for CP. RESULTS: There is some evidence that SNPs in the IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL1RN, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, TGF-ß1, IFN-γ and VDR may be associated with CP susceptibility. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, numerous studies have reported the host genetic factors associated with CP susceptibility and related traits. Therefore, it is prevail to study the multiple SNPs and their effects to find the useful diagnosis methods. The current study will investigate the relationship between polymorphisms in cytokine genes and the susceptibility to the chronic periodontitis.

Comparison of the Lotrafilcon B and Comfilcon A Silicone Hydrogel Bandage Contact Lens on Postoperative Ocular Discomfort After Photorefractive Keratectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS: One hundred twenty eyes of 60 patients who underwent PRK were included in this randomized clinical trial study. In the end of the surgery, the lotrafilcon B (Air Optix; Ciba Vision, Duluth, GA) was used in one eye and the comfilcon A (Biofinity; Coopervision, Fairport, NY) was used in the fellow eye randomly. Pain and discomfort were assessed on the first and third day after surgery by visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The mean pain score was 3.75±3.32 and 4.47±3.60 on the first day (P=0.253) and 3.63±3.48 and 4.16±3.60 on the third day (P=0.416) after the use of the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A, respectively. The results showed no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.823). The mean score of foreign body sensation was 4.31±3.38 and 5.49±3.04 on the first day (P=0.045) and 4.44±3.34 and 5.13±3.23 on the third day (P=0.250) after the use of the lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A, respectively. The comfilcon A lens caused a more severe foreign body sensation only on the first day. There was no significant difference in photophobia, epiphora, and blurred vision between the two lenses (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both lotrafilcon B and comfilcon A silicone hydrogel bandage contact lenses reduce clinical symptoms after PRK effectively. We found no difference in pain control and discomfort between them. However, the patients using the lotrafilcon B lens showed less foreign body sensation on the first day postoperatively.

Impact of the Charge Ratio on the In Vivo Immunogenicity of Lipoplexes.

PURPOSE: The present study investigated the immunogenic potential of different cationic liposome formulations with a DNA plasmid encoding Pfs25, a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. METHODS: Pfs25 plasmid DNA was complexed with cationic liposomes to produce lipoplexes at different charge ratios of the cationic lipid head group to the nucleotide phosphate (N:P). The formation of lipoplexes was visualized by Cryogenic-TEM. Confocal microscopy of lipoplexes formed with GFP encoding plasmid DNA, and flow cytometry was used to determine their in vitro transfection capability. Two different lipoplex formulations using plasmid DNA encoding Pfs25 were evaluated for in vivo immunogenicity after intramuscular administration in Balb/c mice. Immune sera were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the cationic liposome-mediated DNA immunization with an N:P charge ratio of 1:3 (anionic lipoplexes) is more effective than the use of naked plasmid DNA alone. No antibody response was observed when lipoplexes with a higher N:P charge ratio of 10:3 (cationic lipoplexes) were used. Trehalose was added to some lipoplex formulations as a cryoprotectant and adjuvant, but it did not yield any further improvement of immunogenicity in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Pfs25 plasmid DNA delivered as lipoplexes at a charge ratio of 1:3 elicited strong immunogenicity in mice and may be improved further to match the immune responses of DNA vaccines administered by in vivo electroporation.

Quantitative Parameters of Interdental Gingiva in Chronic Periodontitis Patients with IFN-γ Gene Polymorphism.

Chronic periodontitis (CP), an infectious disease resulting in inflammation within the periodontal tissue, is the main cause of adult tooth loss. CP is a multi-factorial disorder and the interaction between multiple genetic and environmental factors results in the manifestation of this disease. Recent researches in periodontitis has focused on cytokine gene polymorphisms that play important role in periodontal inflammation, but few studies investigated histological change that occur during CP in the supporting tissue of teeth. The aims of this study were to investigate the association of IFN-γ +874 A/T polymorphisms and quantitative parameters of interdental gingiva in CP patients. The study samples were interdental gingiva biopsies from 60 individuals including 38 patients and 22 healthy subjects. After determination of IFN-γ +874 A/T gene polymorphism by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR), patients were divided in three subgroups: 10 AA, 18 AT and 10 TT. After slides preparation, quantitative parameters were estimated by Cavalieri's point-counting method. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis test to compare differences between groups. The volume density (Vv) of epithelium, connective tissue and its components were significantly different between the control and CP groups (P<0.05). Statistically significant differences in the Vv of collagenous and non-collagenous matrix of interdental gingiva between AA, AT and TT groups were found (P<0.05). Result of present study shows that IFN-γ +874 A/T is strongly associated with some quantitative parameters of connective tissue constituents of interdental papilla in CP patients.

Morphometric parameters of dental pulp in immature teeth in a sheep model after mechanical pulp exposure and restoration with reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the morphometric parameters of dental pulp in open apices immature teeth in a sheep model after mechanical pulp exposure and restoration with reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 12 immature mandibular central incisors from six adult male sheep, weighing 30-40 kg and with the age of 1 year old with Merino race were examined. After anesthesia, the pulps of the teeth in the case group were mechanically exposed and then were restored with reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol and amalgam. In the control group, the teeth remained intact. The animals were sacrificed at intervals of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks (E2, E4, E6, and E8) in the case and 2 and 8 weeks (C2 and C8) in the control groups. Then, their teeth were removed with the surrounding supporting tissues and alveolar bones. Tissue processing and staining were done, and the sections were examined under a light microscope. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the data and compare the changes between the two groups. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: In response to mechanical exposure, reparative or tertiary dentin was formed, and its thickness increased during the time of the study. The thickness of the odontoblastic layer in the E4 group was the highest amount. The pulp chamber diameter in the C2 group was significantly larger than the other groups, and the diameter of the apical foramen in the E8 was decreased significantly compared to the controls (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In response to mechanical exposure and restoration with reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol, some morphometric parameters of the dental pulp changed significantly in the sheep model compared to the controls.

Characteristics and Cytotoxic Effects of Nano-Liposomal Paclitaxel on Gastric Cancer Cells.

OBJECTIVE: Addressing both the initial treatment response and subsequent paclitaxel resistance is a pivotal concern. Nano drug delivery, an emerging approach, presents a cutting-edge alternative to conventional chemotherapy. METHODS: This investigation synthesized PEGylated nanoparticles (NPs) via the Reverse Phase Evaporation technique for liposomal NPs. Characteristics such as zeta potential, size, drug release and polydispersity index (PDI) were subjected to evaluation. Subsequently, cytotoxicity assays were conducted on gastric cancer cells (AGS) following 24 and 48-hour incubation periods. RESULTS: In this study, the liposomal NPs had a zeta potential of -22 mV and a particle size of 285 nm. The Entrapment efficiency was determined as 41% that occurred physically. Additionally, the liposomal NPs demonstrated a high drug retention rate (39% remained after 72 hours), and they exhibited significantly increased cytotoxicity compared to the free drug, confirming their effectiveness as a suitable carrier for paclitaxel during both incubation periods (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These findings collectively advocate the potential of liposomal NPs as promising contenders for effective nano-drug application in propelling chemotherapy forward.

Immunoexpression of interferon-gamma in the interdental gingiva of chronic periodontitis patients with interferon-gamma (+874A/T) rs62559044 polymorphism.

Interferon-gamma (IFNγ), which is involved in inflammation, has an essential role in the pathogenesis of chronic periodontitis (CP). The association of IFNγ +874A/T gene polymorphisms with a higher incidence of CP has been reported previously. We investigated the immunoexpression of IFNγ in human gingiva from CP patients with IFNγ +874A/T gene polymorphisms compared to a healthy group. Biopsies from interdental gingiva (n = 60) were obtained from CP patients (n = 38) and individuals who had clinically healthy gingiva (n = 22). The specimens were classified according to genotypes of IFNγ +874A/T gene polymorphism using amplification-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) (10AA, 18AT, and 10 TT). After tissue processing and slide preparation, we evaluated the expression levels of IFNγ in the interdental gingiva using the immunohistochemistry technique. Values were compared between two study groups by Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis analysis. P < 0.05 was considered the level of significance. There was a noticeable increase in the immunoexpression of IFNγ in the gingival epithelium, fibroblasts, and capillaries of gingival tissue from CP patients compared to the control group. We found different levels of IFNγ expression in different parts of the gingival epithelium. The highest levels were found in the middle regions of the gingival epithelium in patients with TT genotypes. Immune cells and vascular endothelium of gingiva in the AA group also showed increased expression of IFNγ. Results suggest that IFNγ +874A/T gene polymorphism may change the expression level of IFNγ and subsequently the progression of CP.

The association between interleukin-28B gene polymorphisms as a potential biomarker and the risk of chronic Periodontitis in an Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Periodontitis (CP) is a common inflammatory disease affects supporting tissues of the teeth and can lead to tooth loss. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between polymorphisms in the IL-28B gene and chronic periodontitis in an Iranian population. METHODS: Two hundred and ten CP patients and one hundred healthy subjects were enrolled in the present case-control study. The rs12979860 and rs8099917 SNPs were identified using RFLP and T-ARMS-PCR methods respectively. RESULTS: SNP analysis revealed that the G allele of rs8099917 SNP and T allele of rs12979860 SNP increased susceptibility to CP compared to the A allele and C allele (p < 0.0001, OR = 2.712, CI = 1.783-4.126; p < 0.0001, OR = 2.538, CI = 1.784-3.613 respectively). In addition, the CT/GT, TT/GG and TT/GT haplotypes were predominant in CP patients and significantly associated with the increased risk of CP. CONCLUSION: IL-28B polymorphisms may be useful predictive factors for chronic periodontitis and correlated to the susceptibility to CP infection in our population.

Association of macrophage migration inhibitory factor gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis in a South Eastern Iranian population.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a key proinflammatory mediator. It plays a vital role in immune response against the oral disease. MIF is a regulator of innate immunity, and bacterial antigens can stimulate serum level of this protein. In experimental gingivitis, the expression level of MIF increases and this increment positively correlates with oral plaque index. The single nucleotide polymorphisms in the gene encoding the MIF protein can control the function of MIF. The aim of the present study was a clarification of the associations between MIF-173 G/C, MIF 95 bp, and 189 bp insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis (CP) compared with healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was carried out on 210 CP patients and 100 normal subjects. MIF-173 G/C and MIF 95 bp and 189 bp I/D polymorphisms were genotyped, using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment-length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and PCR, respectively. Allele and genotype frequencies of the variants were compared between patients and controls using Chi-square. test. The value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study findings showed that MIF-173 G/C polymorphism, especially the C allele increased the risk of CP. The 95-bp I/D polymorphism was not associated with CP and the 185-bp I/D variant was not polymorphic in our population. CONCLUSION: Therefore, MIF-137 G/C variant increased the risk of CP in the South East of the Iranian population. In other words, polymorphisms in MIF gene influence clinical outcome of CP infection and influence the susceptibility to disease. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are required to validate our findings.

Novel Effects of Traditional Wooden Toothbrush on Bowel Motility Symptoms in Spinal Cord Injury Patients; Findings from a Pilot Quasi-experimental Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effect of traditional wooden toothbrush usage on most severe constipation, which usually occurs in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. METHODS: In a quasi-experimental study, 61 SCI patients were selected who had injuries in different spinal levels (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), and severe constipation from one defection in a few days to 3 weeks. They were recommended to use traditional wooden toothbrush for 5 min twice a day, after breakfast and dinner, over a 6 weeks period. Two proper standard scales, called neurogenic bowel dysfunction (NBD), and "Constipation Assessment Scale (CAS)," were used for evaluating the changes in patients' gastrointestinal (GI) habits during the period of using the wooden toothbrush. Through these scales (NBD and CAS), the therapeutic effects of traditional wooden toothbrush usage on the severity of constipation before and after intervention were measured. RESULTS: The mean of NBD and CAS scores were reduced significantly, from 8.95 ± 0.78 and 3.34 ± 0.28; respectively, to 3.03 ± 0.57 and 1.74 ± 0.25, after 6 weeks using traditional wooden toothbrush (P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in terms of NBD scores in patients with different levels of injury (P < 0.01), particularly in patients with thoracic injury, before (10.52 ± 0.88) and after (3.13 ± 0.78) treatment, respectively (P < 0.0001). Eventually, all symptoms of bowel problems improved significantly after the intervention (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The use of traditional wooden toothbrush lead to the improvement of bowel and defecation problems in SCI patients. Yet more studies, particularly randomized control clinical trials are needed to investigate the effect of using wooden toothbrush on other GI reflexes. In addition, if some clinical trials are devised to study the effects of wooden toothbrush on both conscious and unconscious patients in ICU, best results are expected to be found on keeping their mouth and teeth hygiene, as well as, getting rid of their constipations.

Estimation of volume density of interdental papilla components in patients with chronic periodontitis and interleukin-6 (-174G/C) gene polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: The association between interleukin-6 (IL-6) (-174G/C) gene polymorphisms and level of tissue breakdown and periodontal disease progression is unknown. The present study investigated quantitative parameters of interdental papilla in chronic periodontitis (CP) patients with IL-6 (-174G/C) gene polymorphisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty gingival samples were studied. After determination of IL-6 (-174G/C) gene polymorphisms using a tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) technique, 45 gingival tissue samples of CP patients (GG and GC+CC genotypes) were considered as case groups. Fifteen control samples were also collected from healthy individuals. After tissue processing, interdental gingival tissues were exhaustively sectioned into 4 µm-thick sections. Ten to thirteen sections were sampled by systematic uniform random sampling and stained with Masson trichrome, and the volume density (Vv) of the gingival components was estimated using Cavalier's point counting method. Statistical analysis was performed by Student t-test to compare differences between groups. The significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in the Vv of epithelium, connective tissue, collagenous and non-collagenous matrix, and blood vessels between the control and CP groups (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences in the Vv of epithelium, connective tissue of gingiva, collagenous and non-collagenous matrix, and blood vessels among GG, GC, and CC genotypes in CP patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Results of the current study showed that there was no association between IL-6 (-174G/C) gene polymorphisms and quantitative parameters of interdental papilla in CP patients.

Gold nanorods-bombesin conjugate as a potential targeted imaging agent for detection of breast cancer.

Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a hybrid biomedical imaging modality that offers both strong optical absorption contrast and high ultrasonic resolution. PAI is capable of in vivo molecular imaging, thus facilitating further molecular and cellular characterization of cancer. In this study, Gold nanorods (GNRs) were synthesized and coated with polyethyleneglycol (PEG). Then, the PEG-GNRs were conjugated with bombesin (BBN), a cancer seeking peptide, for production of a potential photoacoustic targeting imaging agent for detection of breast cancer. The optical property, biocompatibility, stability and in vitro/in vivo binding affinities of GNR-PEG-BBN for breast cancer cells were investigated. UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the conjugation of bombesin with PEG-coated GNRs. The stability assessment proved high optical stability of GNR-PEG-BBN in human blood serum up to 12h. Cytotoxicity study showed biocompatibility of GNR-PEG-BBN conjugate. Molecular targeting ability was approved in cells over expressing gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor (breast cancer cell line) in comparison with cells that do not express GRP receptor (skin fibroblast cell line). The selective accumulation of GNR-PEG-BBN was demonstrated in breast tumor in comparison with unconjugated gold nanorods, following the intravenous administration of GNR-PEG-BBN to breast tumor-bearing mice. This study demonstrated the potential of GNR-PEG-BBN as a photoacoustic imaging agent that can provide improved specificity and sensitivity for breast cancer detection.

Quantitative analysis of interdental Gingiva in patients with chronic periodontitis and transforming growth factor-ß1 29C/T gene polymorphisms.

BACKGROUND: The association of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 29C/T gene polymorphisms with level of tissue breakdown and periodontal disease progression is not clear. In this study, quantitative parameters of interdental papilla are investigated in patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and TGF-ß1 29C/T gene polymorphisms. METHODS: Sixty gingiva samples were included. After determination of TGF-ß1 29C/T gene polymorphisms using tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system/polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR), 15 gingival tissue samples from patients with CP in each genotype (TT, TC, and CC) were considered as case groups. Fifteen control samples were also collected from healthy individuals. After tissue processing, interdental gingiva tissues were exhaustively sectioned into 4-µm-thick sections. Ten to 13 sections were sampled by systematic uniform random sampling and stained with Masson trichrome, and the volume density (Vv) of the gingival components was estimated using Cavalieri estimation. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found in Vv of epithelium, connective tissue, collagenous and non-collagenous matrix, and blood vessels between control and CP groups (P <0.0001). There was a corresponding decrease in the collagenous matrix Vv in patients with the TT genotype compared with those with CT and CC genotypes. Collagenous matrix and blood vessel Vv values were statistically correlated with the number of T alleles (r = -0.74, r(2) = 54.8%, P = 0.0001 and r = 0.84, r(2) = 70.6%, P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study shows that there is a strong association between TGF-ß1 29C/T gene polymorphisms and quantitative parameters of interdental papilla in patients with CP.

The Effect of Calcium Pre-Rinse on Salivary Fluoride After 900 ppm Fluoride Mouthwash: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Calcium fluoride deposit during fluoride application. Uptake and retention of fluoride by saliva depends generally on the concentration of calcium. In this study, the effect of calcium pre-rinse on salivary fluoride concentration after a 900 ppm fluoride mouthwash was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-over double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted in a girls' dormitory in Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, southeast Iran. In this study, 42 female dental students were chosen using simple randomization. During the first phase, 21 subjects (group A) used fluoride rinse (F regimen) and the remaining (group B) used calcium pre-rinse followed immediately by fluoride rinse (Ca + F regimen). In the second phase, participants rinsed using the mouthwashes not previously used. Prior to each phase prophylaxis was performed and no fluoridated product was used during a two-week interval between the phases. Salivary samples were taken immediately before (baseline), 1 and 12 hours after rinsing. The salivary fluoride concentration was determined using fluoride sensitive electrode. Repeated measures ANOVA was used for statistical analysis and the significance level was set at P<0.05. RESULTS: There was significant difference between fluoride concentrations at different time points (P< 0.001). Significant differences were observed when the different time points of two regimens were examined. In contrast to this, the baseline before using F regimen and the baseline before using Ca + F regimen did not show any significance (P= 0.070). CONCLUSION: Pre-rinsing with calcium before fluoride is recommended because of significant increases in salivary fluoride concentration.

Association of TGF-ß1 -509 C/T, 29 C/T and 788 C/T gene polymorphisms with chronic periodontitis: a case-control study.

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between TGF-ß1 -509 C/T (rs1800469), 29 C/T (Prol10Leu, rs1800470) and 788 C/T (Thr263Ile, rs1800472) gene polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis (CP) in a sample of Iranian population. This case-control study was conducted on 100 CP patients and 100 healthy unrelated, age-, sex-, and ethnicity-matched. Genotyping was performed by tetra amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) technique. Our findings showed that there was a significant difference between the groups regarding TGF-ß1 29 C/T (rs1800470) polymorphism (χ2=23.23, P<0.0001). The CT and TT genotypes increased the risk of CP in comparison with the CC genotype (OR=4.42, 95% CI=2.16-9.06, P<0.001 and OR=5.84, 95% CI=2.32-14.71, P<0.001, respectively). The T allele increased the risk of CP (OR=2.50, 95% CI=1.66-3.74, P<0.001) in comparison with C allele. No significant association was found among the groups regarding -509 C/T and 788 C/T variants of TGF-ß1 gene. This study shows that TGF-ß1 29 C/T polymorphism, but not -509 C/T and 788 C/T polymorphisms, may contribute to the development of CP in a sample of Iranian population. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are needed to validate our findings.