Brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys (Stål), genome: putative underpinnings of polyphagy, insecticide resistance potential and biology of a top worldwide pest.

BACKGROUND: Halyomorpha halys (Stål), the brown marmorated stink bug, is a highly invasive insect species due in part to its exceptionally high levels of polyphagy. This species is also a nuisance due to overwintering in human-made structures. It has caused significant agricultural losses in recent years along the Atlantic seaboard of North America and in continental Europe. Genomic resources will assist with determining the molecular basis for this species' feeding and habitat traits, defining potential targets for pest management strategies. RESULTS: Analysis of the 1.15-Gb draft genome assembly has identified a wide variety of genetic elements underpinning the biological characteristics of this formidable pest species, encompassing the roles of sensory functions, digestion, immunity, detoxification and development, all of which likely support H. halys' capacity for invasiveness. Many of the genes identified herein have potential for biomolecular pesticide applications. CONCLUSIONS: Availability of the H. halys genome sequence will be useful for the development of environmentally friendly biomolecular pesticides to be applied in concert with more traditional, synthetic chemical-based controls.

Salivary exRNA biomarkers to detect gingivitis and monitor disease regression.

AIM: This study tests the hypothesis that salivary extracellular RNA (exRNA) biomarkers can be developed for gingivitis detection and monitoring disease regression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Salivary exRNA biomarker candidates were developed from a total of 100 gingivitis and non-gingivitis individuals using Affymetrix's expression microarrays. The top 10 differentially expressed exRNAs were tested in a clinical cohort to determine whether the discovered salivary exRNA markers for gingivitis were associated with clinical gingivitis and disease regression. For this purpose, unstimulated saliva was collected from 30 randomly selected gingivitis subjects, the gingival and plaque indexes scores were taken at baseline, 3 and 6 weeks and salivary exRNAs were assayed by means of reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Eight salivary exRNA biomarkers developed for gingivitis were statistically significantly changed over time, consistent with disease regression. A panel of four salivary exRNAs [SPRR1A, lnc-TET3-2:1, FAM25A, CRCT1] can detect gingivitis with a clinical performance of 0.91 area under the curve, with 71% sensitivity and 100% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical values of the developed salivary exRNA biomarkers are associated with gingivitis regression. They offer strong potential to be advanced for definitive validation and clinical laboratory development test.

Evaluation of the antiplaque efficacy of two cetylpyridinium chloride-containing mouthwashes.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy in reducing dental plaque regrowth of two mouthwashes containing 0.075% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), one with 6% alcohol and one alcohol-free, as compared to a negative control mouthwash without CPC, using the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI). METHODS: The study was a double-blind, randomized, three-way crossover, controlled design. Following a washout period, subjects reported to the dental clinic where they were instructed to brush their teeth, used their assigned mouthwash, and were scored by the examining dentist for plaque using the MGMPI method. Subjects were instructed to refrain from all oral hygiene for the next 24 hours, except for rinsing with their assigned mouthwash 12 hours post-brushing. After this 24-hour period, subjects returned to the dental clinic and were once again scored for plaque. This sequence of washout followed by mouthwash use and plaque scoring was repeated until each subject had used all three mouthwashes. An ANOVA was conducted to assess between-group differences. RESULTS: The two test mouthwashes significantly reduced plaque regrowth over a 24-hour period (p < 0.05) as compared to the negative control mouthwash. The difference between the CPC-containing mouthwashes was not significant (p = 0.4868). CONCLUSION: Two mouthwashes containing 0.075% CPC, one with 6% alcohol and the other alcohol-free, were found to be safe and effective in reducing plaque accumulation when compared a negative control mouthwash without CPC. In short-term studies, the MGMPI appears useful for evaluating the antiplaque efficacy of mouthwash products.

Comparison of the short-term antiplaque/antibacterial efficacy of two commercial dentifrices.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of these three clinical trials was to compare the impact of two commercial products, Colgate Total and Crest Pro-Health, on the formation of dental plaque over a 24-hour period of time. The studies utilized the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI), a validated and reliable clinical method for assessing the efficacy of products in reducing plaque build-up. METHODS: Colgate Total and Crest Pro-Health were the test products for all three clinical trials. Colgate Great Regular Flavor (CR) was used as the universal washout product. Colgate Total, as the only toothpaste approved by the FDA under an NDA for antiplaque, antigingivitis, and anticaries benefits, contains 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer for antigingivitis and antiplaque, as well as 0.243% sodium fluoride (NaF) for anticaries. Crest Pro-Health contains 0.454% stannous fluoride (SnF2) as both a monographed anticaries agent and a monographed antigingivitis agent, along with sodium hexametaphosphate and zinc lactate. Twenty-five healthy subjects meeting all study criteria were included into each of the double-blind studies. Product assignment was randomized and a crossover design was implemented. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to commencement of each of the studies. The studies followed published MGMPI procedures, which require subjects to receive a dental scaling/prophylaxis followed by a one-week washout period prior to use of test products. A baseline MGMPI score was calculated following use of the test products in the dental clinic. Subjects refrained from all oral hygiene for 24 hours following use of each test product, and returned to the clinic for a 24-hour MGMPI score. Following a washout period, subjects repeated the procedure with the other test product as per the crossover design. The differences (delta) between baseline plaque scores and 24-hour plaque scores were independently calculated for each study, and the delta values were compared for the two test products in each of the studies. RESULTS: In all three clinical trials, Colgate Total significantly reduced plaque regrowth over a 24-hour time period (p < or = 0.05) compared to Crest Pro-Health. Existing differences were determined via a paired t-test, which confirmed that Colgate Total was statistically significantly different from Crest Pro-Health. CONCLUSION: These in vivo data support the antiplaque benefit of the 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/0.243% sodium fluoride dentifrice. Additionally, the results support that Colgate Total provides superior efficacy in inhibiting the formation of dental plaque compared to Crest Pro-Health.

The use of the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI) method to investigate the inhibitory effect of various toothpastes on dental plaque formation.

OBJECTIVE: Colgate Total (CTT) is the only FDA-approved toothpaste for antiplaque and antigingivitis benefits. The objective of this study was to compare the impact of Colgate Total Pharma (CTP), a new variant of Colgate Total, with Colgate Regular Toothpaste (CRT) on plaque formation over a 24-hour period following a single use of the dentifrice. METHODS: CTP and CRT were the two test products. CRT was used for a washout product as well. Fifteen male/female subjects who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included into this single-blind (preliminary phase) and double-blind (randomized phase) crossover study. Ethical approval and written informed consent were obtained. Preliminary phase: After a one-week washout with CRT, subjects brushed in the dental clinic with CRT before a one-minute use of a test dentifrice. A baseline Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI) score was calculated. Subjects refrained from oral hygiene for 24 hours, and returned to the clinic for their 24-hour MGMPI score. Subjects entered the second washout phase to repeat as per the crossover design. The above procedures were conducted three times by three independent examiners. Randomized phase: Subjects were randomized to the groups according to a computer-generated randomization schedule. The procedure was carried out as in the preliminary phase, except the washout period between the two products was at least one week and the products (CTP or CRT) were used in a randomized double-blind manner. Plaque scores were recorded as above. RESULTS: CTP provided a significant (p = 0.01) antiplaque effect versus CRT. The results are consistent with previously reported data for CTT. All three examiners demonstrated a strong correlation for this clinical study utilizing the MGMPI methodology. CONCLUSION: This clinical investigation examined the efficacy of a new variant of a commercial dentifrice, historically shown to provide antiplaque and antigingivitis efficacy. It is important to confirm the continued efficacy of new products to consumers and to the profession. Additionally, this clinical trial demonstrated the usefulness of the clinical methodology with respect to consistency in results by three independent clinical examiners. Because this methodology is often employed to document antiplaque benefits of new and existing technologies, it is important to periodically evaluate and confirm its reliability and reproducibility.

Clinical investigation of the antiplaque efficacy of a new variant of a commercially available triclosan/copolymer/fluoride dentifrice.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of two single-blind, three-treatment, crossover design, clinical studies was to evaluate the antiplaque efficacy using the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI) scores of three dentifrices: 1) a dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% polyvinylmethyl ether/maleic acid (PVM/MA) copolymer/sodium fluoride in a 17% dual silica base (Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste-Test Dentifrice); 2) a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/sodium fluoride in a 10% high-cleaning silica base (Colgate Total Toothpaste-Positive Control Dentifrice); and 3) a commercially available dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a regular silica base (Colgate Winterfresh Gel-Negative Control Dentifrice). METHODS: In each study, subjects reported to the clinical facility, and those who met the inclusion/exclusion criteria were given a complete oral prophylaxis, a soft-bristled toothbrush, and a commercially available dentifrice (Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste). They were instructed to use these products exclusively for seven days (washout period), after which time they reported back to the clinical facility and were randomized into three treatment groups. All subjects then brushed their teeth for one minute with a full ribbon (approximately 1.5 gm) of Colgate Cavity Protection Fluoride Toothpaste, and immediately followed with a one-minute brushing using a full ribbon of one of the three study dentifrices. Subjects then rinsed with a red disclosing solution (Butler Red-Cote) and had their teeth and gums examined to assess their plaque content. They returned to the clinical facility after 24 hours of no oral hygiene to again have their teeth and gums examined to assess their plaque content. As per the crossover clinical design, the same methods and materials were used until all subjects used all three study treatments. RESULTS: Seventeen subjects in the first study and 16 subjects in the second study complied with the protocol and completed all phases of the study. Two-way ANOVA results from both studies showed that there was no difference in mean delta MGMPI scores between the groups using the Test Dentifrice and the Positive Control Dentifrice. Results also showed that there was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in delta MGMPI scores between both the Test Dentifrice treatment and the Positive Control Dentifrice treatment when compared to the Negative Control Dentifrice. CONCLUSION: A new improved dentifrice containing 0.2% triclosan/3.0% PVM/MA copolymer/sodium fluoride in a 17% dual silica base is comparable in controlling dental plaque when compared to a Positive Control Dentifrice containing 0.3% triclosan/2.0% PVM/MA copolymer/sodium fluoride in a 10% high-cleaning silica base, and is statistically significantly better in controlling dental plaque when compared to a Negative Control Dentifrice containing 0.243% sodium fluoride in a silica base.

Clinical evaluation of the anti-plaque effect of a commercial chewing gum.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this research was to evaluate the dental plaque control effect of a chewing gum versus brushing with a dentifrice via four clinical studies. METHODOLOGY: Study 1 compared a commercial chewing gum (Colgate Dental Gum, CDG) with a water control after 24 hours post-brushing; Studies 2 and 3 compared CDG to two different brands of commercially available fluoride dentifrices after 24 hours post-brushing; Study 4 examined the anti-plaque effect of CDG plus a regular fluoride dentifrice (Colgate Winterfresh Gel, CWG) versus brushing with CWG alone for five days. The 24-hour clinical tests employed the Modified Gingival Margin Plaque Index (MGMPI), while the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index (QHPI) was used for the five-day study. All studies utilized a randomized, crossover design with a one-week washout period, and were single-blinded to the clinical evaluator. RESULTS: In Study 1, the mean MGMPI score for CDG was significantly lower (p < 0.05) compared to the water control. In Studies 2 and 3, while brushing with regular fluoride dentifrices provided improved plaque control compared to CDG, the chewing gum alone with no tooth brushing delivered a plaque reduction 60% as effective as brushing with a fluoride dentifrice. In Study 4, the group using the combination of chewing with CDG and brushing with CWG provided a significantly lower (p < 0.05) mean QHPI score compared to the group using the dentifrice only, particularly on the hard-to-brush lingual surfaces. CONCLUSIONS: Four clinical studies demonstrated that CDG provides a plaque control benefit. The results suggest that chewing gum may serve as an effective oral hygiene device when brushing may not be possible and, additionally, that chewing gum may serve as an effective adjunct to brushing for enhanced oral health.

Clinical evaluations of sustained calculus control by Colgate Simply White dentifrice using an in-situ appliance.

OBJECTIVE: Two clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the dental calculus control efficacy of Colgate Simply White dentifrice versus a positive and a negative control dentifrice, using a published intra-oral appliance and monitoring the prevention of calcium deposition, an indicator of early dental calculus formation. METHODOLOGY: Healthy human volunteers entered into the two double-blind, cross-over studies. An intra-oral appliance was custom-made for each subject. After brushing with an assigned dentifrice, each subject wore his or her appliance for four daytime hours (study 1) or 12 overnight hours (study 2). When the appliance was removed, it was washed, suspended in 0.1 M HCl to release Ca++ from deposits, and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) for deposited calcium. The three dentifrices studied were Colgate Simply White (CSW), Colgate Regular dentifrice (CR), and Colgate Tartar Control Whitening (CTW). There was a one-week wash-out period between each product use. RESULTS: There were no side effects observed or reported in either study. In both the four- and 12-hour studies, CSW and CTW had significantly lower calcium uptake compared to CR (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between CSW and CTW in efficacy. CONCLUSION: The results of this research demonstrate that Colgate Simply White dentifrice provides four- and 12-hour calculus control efficacy, superior to a standard dentifrice and comparable to a commercial anti-tartar dentifrice.

Analysis of the antibacterial activity and plaque control benefit of colgate total dentifrice via clinical evaluation and real-time polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed, from a combined clinical and molecular biologic perspective, the antibacterial and antiplaque efficacy of Colgate Total dentifrice (CTD). METHODOLOGY: A single-blind crossover study design utilized 11 healthy human subjects. After a one-week washout period, subjects donated dental plaque, received a dental prophylaxis, and subsequently brushed with a test product. Twenty-four hours postbrushing, dental plaque was collected and a clinical plaque score determined. Dental plaque was submitted for Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (Real-time PCR) analysis. The same procedure was repeated in accordance with a crossover design for the use of the second test product. Following a one-week washout, a plaque donation, prophylaxis, and brushing with the test product ensued for each subject. Twenty-four hours post-brushing, the subjects returned for a plaque score and plaque donation. RESULTS: Twenty-four hours after brushing, dental plaque coverage increased 17.88% +/- 8.27% with CTD, compared to 30.42% +/- 9.97% with Colgate Cavity Protection (CCP; p = 0.005). Real-time PCR found plaque collected 24 hours after brushing with CTD exhibited, on average, fewer representative periodontal pathogens (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Tannerella forsythensis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis) and fewer early colonizers (Actinomyces naeslundii) than plaque collected before brushing, whereas CCP showed a moderate effect on oral bacteria. CONCLUSION: The study provides clinical and molecular biological evidence to substantiate the antibacterial and plaque control benefits of Colgate Total, and suggests the value of combining a molecular biological method with clinical research to corroborate clinical benefits.

A new appliance to evaluate the clinical efficacy of dental calculus control agents.

OBJECTIVE: A new intra-oral appliance was developed to measure the inhibition of early calcium deposition by anti-calculus agents in dentifrice products. Four clinical studies were conducted to evaluate the application of this appliance for short-term (4 or 12 hrs) prevention of calcium deposition after panelists brushed with assigned dentifrices. METHODOLOGY: Residual Ca2+ on the appliance was determined by inductively coupled plasma analysis. In two 4-hour studies, the appliance was utilized to compare the calculus inhibiting properties of Colgate Tartar Control plus Whitening (CTCW) versus Crest Regular (CR), or CTCW versus Crest Tartar Control (CTC) dentifrice. In the third and fourth studies, where early calculus deposits were collected 12 hours (daytime and nighttime) after product use, CR was compared to Colgate Total Toothpaste (CT). RESULTS: In the first study, there was a mean 48.2% inhibition (p < 0.0215) of early calculus formation by CTCW versus CR, which contains no known tartar control agents. In the second 4-hour study, CTCW provided 33.5% more inhibition (p < 0.0264) of early calculus formation than CTC. The results from both 4-hour studies are in agreement with in vitro and long-term clinical studies which utilized the same dentifrices. There was a significant (p < 0.04), 23.0% inhibition by CT compared to CR after 12 hours daytime post-brushing, and a 20.4% decrease in 12-hour nighttime post-brushing by CT compared to CR, which was significant at p < 0.05. The results are in agreement with both laboratory and clinical studies documenting the efficacy of CT over a 12-hour time period. CONCLUSION: The intra-oral appliance, developed, tested and reported here, appears useful to assess and predict the long-term clinical efficacy of anti-calculus agents in dentifrices.

The technology behind Colgate Simply White Toothpaste.

Colgate Simply White Toothpaste is a new advanced tooth whitening dentifrice that can be used every day. The synergy of abrasive stain removal with activated hydrogen peroxide delivers excellent performance in the removal of extrinsic and intrinsic tooth stain. Colgate Simply White Toothpaste provides other oral health benefits that have become the cost-of-entry into the toothpaste market: caries protection, tartar control, fresh breath, and a preferred flavor.