Stemness Potency of Human Gingival Cells-Application in Anticancer Therapies and Clinical Trials.

Gingivae, as the part of periodontium, are involved in tooth support and possess the ability to heal rapidly, without scar formation. Recently, dental tissues have been identified as a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and several populations of MSCs were isolated from the orofacial region, including gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs). GMSCs exhibit robust immunomodulatory and differentiation potential and are easily obtainable, which make them promising candidates for cellular therapies. Apart from being tested for application in immunologic- and inflammatory-related disorders and various tissue regeneration, GMSCs promise to be a valuable tool in cancer treatment, especially in tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) with the use of targeted therapy, since GMSCs are able to selectively migrate towards the cancerous cells both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to their ability to uptake and release anti-neoplastic drugs, GMSCs may be transduced with apoptosis-inducing factors and used for cancer growth inhibition. Moreover, GMSCs, as most mammalian cells, secrete exosomes, which are a subset of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 40-160 nm, containing DNA, RNA, lipids, metabolites, and proteins. Such GMSCs-derived exosomes may be useful therapeutic tool in cell-free therapy, as well as their culture medium. GMSCs exhibit molecular and stem-cell properties that make them well suited in preclinical and clinical studies.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and malocclusion - a cross sectional study of female patients without previous orthodontic treatment.

The purpose of the present study was to assess the prevalence of various types of malocclusions in a group of female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), as well as the association between occlusal anomalies and the side, location, and severity of the spine deformity. The study group was comprised of 60 females aged 12-16 years with AIS and 54 healthy controls. Apart from clinical examination, alginate impressions and wax bites were taken. Occlusal traits were assessed on the casts in maximum intercuspation. Data were statistically analyzed with a significance taken as p < 0.05. All patients with AIS showed at least one abnormal orthodontic trait, while 9 (16.7%) patients from the control group had dentition free from any orthodontic anomaly. The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.0032). In the sagittal dimension, patients with AIS had a higher frequency of bilateral distocclusion and unilateral mesiocclusion as compared to the control group (p = 0.0004 and p = 0.0034, respectively). They also showed crowding, increased overjet and overbite more often than healthy age- mates (p = 0.0417, p = 0.0121, and p = 0.0166, respectively). Regarding the association between site, side, or severity of scoliosis and the occurrence of the malocclusion, asymmetric molar occlusion was more frequently observed in patients with right convex (p = 0.0149), while unilateral mesiocclusion, appeared more often in patients with the thoracic apex of the curve (p = 0.0349). The results emphasize a need for collaboration between orthopedists and orthodontists in the complex medical care for scoliotic individuals. Orthodontic treatment can alleviate negative impact that a malocclusion has on the oral health, aesthetics, and psychological well-being of this vulnerable group of patients.

Factors affecting puberty gingivitis in Polish girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

OBJECTIVES: Age at menarche and hormonal disturbances have been linked to the occurrence and severity of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Concomitantly, an increase in the production of sex hormones during puberty may result in steroid hormones-related gingivitis. Thus, the study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors affecting puberty gingivitis, including menarcheal status, in female patients with AIS and control subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group was comprised of 59 girls aged 12-16 years with AIS and 50 healthy controls. Dental examination included the assessment of oral hygiene, gingivitis, and dental caries intensity. Data were statistically analyzed with a significance taken as p < 0.05. RESULTS: There wasn't any statistically significant difference in the age at menarche and menarcheal status of both groups. During regression analysis, three predictors significantly affected gingival status of girls: oral hygiene, orthopedic condition, and laterality of the curve. Scoliosis and left convex of the curve significantly increased the index of gingival inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that gingivitis is frequent among female adolescents with AIS, due to poor oral hygiene and higher susceptibility to inflammation. It emphasizes a need for a development of preventive strategy for scoliotic patients, since incipient periodontal problems in children may turn into irreversible advanced periodontal diseases in adults.

Bilateral dentoalveolar asymmetries in female patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this cross-sectional research was to quantify left-right dentoalveolar fluctuating (FA) and directional asymmetries (DA) in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and to assess the relationship between these asymmetries and the side, location, and severity of scoliosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study group comprised of 60 females aged 12-16 years, with idiopathic scoliosis, and 54 healthy controls. Measurements were made with the use of digital caliper on full-mouth dental casts. The following variables were measured from each subject: a shift of the incisor midline, left and right incisor overjet, deviation of canine and buccal segment relation as well as maxillary and mandibular arch chords. The data were statistically analyzed with significance taken as p < 0.05. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in the mean shift of the incisor midline, buccal segment relation on the left and canine deviation on the left between the control group and the study group were detected ( p = 0.0419, p = 0.0.458 and p = 0.0204, respectively). FA of the midline deviation and canine deviation were statistically significantly higher for subjects with IS, compared to healthy controls ( p = 0.0315 and p = 0.0415, respectively). Neither direction of the curve nor apical vertebra's location or apical translation significantly affected the magnitude of dentoalveolar asymmetries. CONCLUSIONS: Our results confirmed that bilateral asymmetries are a common feature of the young females' occlusion. Individuals with IS show higher tendency to Angle Class II malocclusion, as well as higher FA of incisor midline discrepancy and canine deviation, compared to the controls.

Dental status in the Polish senior population and its correlates-Results of the national survey PolSenior.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess dental status of Polish seniors having and wearing dentures in relation to demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. BACKGROUND: Tooth loss is associated with deterioration of general health status. The epidemiological data on dental status in Poland, including Polish seniors, are fragmented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study cohort consisted of 4524 randomly selected participants, aged 65 years and over, representative for Polish seniors. Demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle factors and dental status were collected using standardised questionnaires. RESULTS: The prevalence of partial and complete edentulism in the Polish senior population was estimated at 45.7% and 47.1%, respectively. Fourteen point four per cent (14.4%) of complete edentulous participants and 31.1% with partial edentulism (1-19 natural teeth) did not have dentures, and one-twelfth of respondents having dentures were not wearing them. The independent correlates of complete edentulism were: female sex, advanced age, rural dwelling, lower education level, physical work in the past, smoking and diabetes. Male sex, age 90+, rural dwelling, type of work, dependence in activities of daily living and partial edentulism were independent correlates of not having dentures and denture disuse. Lower than average personal income was only significant for not having dentures. CONCLUSIONS: Complete edentulism is frequent among older Poles and affects almost 50% of them. It is associated with female sex, age, rural dwelling, poor economic status, smoking and diabetes. Rural dwelling and dependence of daily living are significant correlates of not having dentures and denture disuse.

New Gene Markers for Metabolic Processes and Homeostasis in Porcine Buccal Pouch Mucosa during Cells Long Term-Cultivation-A Primary Culture Approach.

The oral mucosal tissue is a compound structure composed of morphologically and physiologically different cell types. The morphological modification involves genetically determined lifespan, which may be recognized as the balance between cell survival and apoptosis. Although the biochemical processes and pathways in oral mucosa, with special regards to drug transport, delivery, and metabolism, are well known, the cellular physiological homeostasis in this tissue requires further investigation. The porcine buccal pouch mucosal cells (BPMCs) collected from 20 pubertal crossbred Landrace gilts, were used in this study. Immediately after recovery, the oral mucosa was separated micro-surgically, and treated enzymatically. The dispersed cells were transferred into primary in vitro culture systems for a long-term cultivation of 30 days. After each step of in vitro culture (IVC), the cells were collected for isolation of total RNA at 24 h, 7, 15, and 30 days of IVC. While the expression was analyzed for days 7, 15, and 30, the 24th hour was used as a reference for outcome calibration. The gene expression profile was determined using Affymetrix microarray assays and necessary procedures. In results, we observed significant up-regulation of SCARB1, PTGS2, DUSP5, ITGB3, PLK2, CCL2, TGFB1, CCL8, RFC4, LYN, ETS1, REL, LIF, SPP1, and FGER1G genes, belonging to two ontological groups, namely "positive regulation of metabolic process", and "regulation of homeostatic process" at 7 day of IVC as compared to down-regulation at days 15 and 30. These findings suggest that the metabolic processes and homeostatic regulations are much more intense in porcine mucosal cells at day 7 of IVC. Moreover, the increased expression of marker genes, for both of these ontological groups, may suggest the existence of not only "morphological lifespan" during tissue keratinization, but also "physiological checkpoint" dedicated to metabolic processes in oral mucosa. This knowledge may be useful for preclinical experiments with drugs delivery and metabolism in both animals and humans.

Incidence of Otologic Symptoms and Evaluation of the Organ of Hearing in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders (TDM).

BACKGROUND Numerous studies have discussed cases of concomitant temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and otologic symptoms (OS). However, attempts to determine the true origin of these symptoms combined with assessments of the condition of the organ of hearing are relatively rare. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and type of OS in patients with TMD, and attempted to determine the origin of the OS in the studied group of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS 246 patients, aged 40.08±11.12 years (F=147, M=99) with TMD, from the Department of Oral Rehabilitation of Poznan University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: dental history interviews and clinical examinations. There were 2 groups-G1 and G2-selected on the basis of the presence or absence of OS in the medical history stage. After audiological evaluation, 2 subgroups were identified: G1.1 and G1.2. RESULTS OS were observed in 36.18% (G1). In 48 patients (53.93%), the audiological evaluation found there was no impairment of the organ of hearing (G1.2). Audiological abnormalities were found in 46.07% (n=41) of the patients (G1.1). The OS which differentiated the 2 groups were a plugging sensation as well as otalgia (more frequent in group G1.2) and hearing impairment (more frequent in group G1.1). CONCLUSIONS 1. The OS which most frequently accompany with TMD were fullness and otalgia. 2. It is recommended that a subjective assessment of hearing loss in patients with TMD and concomitant OS should be included in the medical history stage. 3. Clicking and popping are significantly more frequent in patients without concomitant hearing impairment.

An anthropometric analysis of the head and face in vocal students.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was an anthropometric analysis of the values of selected cranial and facial indexes in vocal students and a comparison of these values with the standards for the same ethnic and age group of non-singing students. PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: 56 vocal students, aged 19-26 years, were examined. Standard instruments, such as sliding and spreading callipers and soft measuring tape, were used for the examination. A set of 32 linear measurements of the head and face was provided. RESULTS: In all head measurements the obtained results were greater for the vocal students. The vocal students revealed greater values of the indexes related to face width and depth of the lower jaw. In the comparison group the indices for the middle and lower part of the face were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: Vocalists have bigger heads and mandibles than non-singers.

Surface electromyography in orthodontics - a literature review.

Electromyography is the most objective and reliable technique for evaluating muscle function and efficiency by detecting their electrical potentials. It makes it possible to assess the extent and duration of muscle activity. The main aim of surface electromyography is to detect signals from many muscle fibers in the area of the detecting surface electrodes. These signals consist of a weighted summation of the spatial and temporal activity of many motor units. Hence, the analysis of the recordings is restricted to an assessment of general muscle activity, the cooperation of different muscles, and the variability of their activity over time.                         This study presents the main assumptions in the assessment of electrical muscle activity through the use of surface electromyography, along with its limitations and possibilities for further use in many areas of orthodontics. The main clinical uses of sEMG include the diagnostics and therapy of temporomandibular joint disorders, an assessment of the extent of stomatognathic system dysfunctions in subjects with malocclusion, and the monitoring of orthodontic therapies.

[Music therapy in different dental specialties]. / Muzykoterapia w róznych dziedzinach stomatologii.

INTRODUCTION: Music is generally recognized as the best and, in parallel, the simplest medium of communication. The music therapy, applied in various spheres linked to a therapeutic process, is particularly valued in rehabilitation, medicine, humanities and social sciences. Present study aimed at determination of usefulness of selected techniques of music therapy in different dental specialties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies were conducted on 81 generally healthy patients aging 18 to 62 years. Various planned dental procedures were performed first time or were appraised by the patients as unpleasant ones. On the basis of pilot studies, a stable scheme of the visits was established. At the beginning of the studies, music therapy according to Kieryl was conducted. Subsequently, basing on description of Schwabe, a form of regulatory individual music therapy was conducted. Depending on psychoemotional condition of the patient, music programming was based on ISO and LEVEL principles, taking into account musical preferences of the patient and his/her age. After every visit the patients filled questionnaires and appropriate results, together with results of studies performed by the dentist, were subjected to statistical analysis. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Results of the studies encourage application of musicotherapeutic techniques in different dental specialties. 2. Dental visit can be made attractive and patient's visits in dental office can be facilitated with no significant financial input or organizational.

[Smoking addiction and stress in dental practice]. / Nalóg palenia tytoniu i stres w praktyce zawodowej lekarzy dentystów.

UNLABELLED: Dentists in their practice are constantly exposed to psychic overloads, and yet they are rarely investigated as a professional group in the context of occupational risk. The aim of this epidemiological study was to analyze the frequency of smoking habit among dentists and to evaluate stress inducing factors which are affecting dentists in their everyday practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The questionnaire consisting of 12 closed questions arranged in Lickert scale were used in this cross sectional study. First part of the survey involved basic anthroposocial data (age, gender, weight), second ergonomic part referred to psychological overload involved in dental practice and stress factors outside their job. The question concerning smoking was a part of second section. 150 questionnaires were filled in by female dentists coming from western regions of Poland. Most of participants in the study were older than 40 years, only 10% represented younger than 30 years old generation (mean age 47.5 sd 9.1). For statistical analysis we used Kruskal Wallis, Anova and Dunn tests. Statistical significance in this study was established at the p < 0.05 level. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed that 17% of female dentists smoke cigarettes. 81% of respondents declare job related psychological overload. All of the respondents found physical overload as a main negative factor, 82% pointed out lack of good communication with patients and 65% lack of communication with coworkers as an important negative factor, 74% of respondents indicated long working hours and time pressure during procedures as a significant stress inducing factors. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The study confirmed that dentists who have long working hours consider their job as more stressful. 2. The results acknowledge the need to enhance and promote health-oriented attitudes among dentists.