Cold Atmospheric Plasma Jet as a Possible Adjuvant Therapy for Periodontal Disease.

Due to the limitations of traditional periodontal therapies, and reported cold atmospheric plasma anti-inflammatory/antimicrobial activities, plasma could be an adjuvant therapy to periodontitis. Porphyromonas gingivalis was grown in blood agar. Standardized suspensions were plated on blood agar and plasma-treated for planktonic growth. For biofilm, dual-species Streptococcus gordonii + P. gingivalis biofilm grew for 48 h and then was plasma-treated. XTT assay and CFU counting were performed. Cytotoxicity was accessed immediately or after 24 h. Plasma was applied for 1, 3, 5 or 7 min. In vivo: Thirty C57BI/6 mice were subject to experimental periodontitis for 11 days. Immediately after ligature removal, animals were plasma-treated for 5 min once-Group P1 (n = 10); twice (Day 11 and 13)-Group P2 (n = 10); or not treated-Group S (n = 10). Mice were euthanized on day 15. Histological and microtomography analyses were performed. Significance level was 5%. Halo diameter increased proportionally to time of exposure contrary to CFU/mL counting. Mean/SD of fibroblasts viability did not vary among the groups. Plasma was able to inhibit P. gingivalis in planktonic culture and biofilm in a cell-safe manner. Moreover, plasma treatment in vivo, for 5 min, tends to improve periodontal tissue recovery, proportionally to the number of plasma applications.

Ellagic Acid-Cyclodextrin Complexes for the Treatment of Oral Candidiasis.

The increase in the prevalence of fungal infections worldwide and the rise in the occurrence of antifungal resistance suggest that new research to discover antifungal molecules is needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential use of ellagic acid-cyclodextrin complexes (EA/HP-ß-CD) for the treatment of oral candidiasis. First, the effect of EA/HP-ß-CD on C. albicans planktonic cells and biofilms was evaluated. Then, the cytotoxicity of the effective concentration was studied to ensure safety of in vivo testing. Finally, the in vivo effectiveness was determined by using a murine model of induced oral candidiasis. Data was statistically analyzed. The minimal inhibitory concentration of EA/HP-ß-CD was 25 µg/mL and a concentration of 10 times MIC (250 µg/mL) showed an inhibitory effect on C. albicans 48 h-biofilms. The complex at concentration 250 µg/mL was classified as slightly cytotoxic. In vivo experiments showed a reduction in fungal epithelial invasion after treatment with EA/HP-ß-CD for 24 h and 96 h when compared to the negative control. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that EA/HP-ß-CD has antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, reducing the invasive capacity of C. albicans, which suggests that EA/HP-ß-CD may be a promising alternative for the treatment of oral candidiasis.

Oral prevalence and antifungal susceptibility of Candida species in cystic fibrosis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at assessing the oral prevalence ofCandida species in cystic fibrosis patients and the antifungal susceptibility of the isolates. DESIGN: One hundred patients aged 3-20 years old were included in the study and were divided into three groups: G1 (low severity disease): 25 cystic fibrosis patients with Shwachman-Kulczycki score (SK) between 100 and 71; G2 (high severity disease): 25 cystic fibrosis patients with SK score under 40; and G3 (control): 50 healthy patients age- and gender-matched to cystic fibrosis patients. Stimulated saliva samples were collected and the oral fungal concentrations were assessed. Isolates were identified by phenotypic and genotypic tests. Antifungal susceptibilities to amphotericin B, flucytosine and fluconazole were determined by CLSI methodology. Fungal counts were compared by Kruskal Wallis and Dunn's test (5%). RESULTS: A total of 68 % of Group 1, 80 % of Group 2, and 44 % of controls yielded positive Candida cultures. Oral concentrations of fungi were significantly higher in cystic fibrosis patients in relation to the control group (p < 0.0005). No significant difference was observed between low and high severity cystic fibrosis groups (p > 0.05). C. albicans was most frequently isolated species in all groups. Higher variability of Candida species was observed in the control group. C. dubliniensis and C. tropicalis were only detected among cystic fibrosis groups. All the isolates were susceptible to flucytosine and fluconazole. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cystic fibrosis were more frequently colonized by Candida species and showed higher oral fungal burden. No antifungal resistant isolates were detected.

Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet Reduces Trichophyton rubrum Adherence and Infection Capacity.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) jet on Trichophyton rubrum growth, germination and adherence to nail. The effects of plasma jet on T. rubrum conidia germination and on mycelial growth were evaluated by in vitro assays. An ex vivo nail infection model was used to evaluate the effects on conidia adherence and infection. Biochemical analyses of nail fragments exposed or not to CAPP were performed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Plasma jet exposure for 10 and 15 min completely inhibited mycelial growth after only one exposure. Fifteen minutes of exposure could reduce conidia germination in suspension. Fungal suspensions exposed to plasma jet for 10 and 15 min were not able to infect nail specimens. These results were corroborated by ATR-FTIR analyses of nail fragments. In conclusion, single exposure to CAPP for 15 min was able to inhibit fungal growth, adherence and infection capacity. The results suggest that cold atmospheric plasma jet can be a promising alternative for the treatment of onychomycoses caused by T. rubrum.

Amplitude-modulated cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet for treatment of oral candidiasis: In vivo study.

The aim of this study was to establish an effective and safe protocol for in vivo oral candidiasis treatment with atmospheric plasma jets. A novel amplitude-modulated cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet (AM-CAPPJ) device, operating with Helium, was tested. In vitro assays with Candida albicans biofilms and Vero cells were performed in order to determine the effective parameters with low cytotoxicity. After the determination of such parameters, the protocol was evaluated in experimentally induced oral candidiasis in mice. AM-CAPPJ could significantly reduce the viability of C. albicans biofilms after 5 minutes of plasma exposure when compared to the non-exposed group (p = 0.0033). After this period of exposure, high viability of Vero cells was maintained (86.33 ± 10.45%). Also, no late effects on these cells were observed after 24 and 48 hours (83.24±15.23% and 88.96±18.65%, respectively). Histological analyses revealed significantly lower occurrence of inflammatory alterations in the AM-CAPPJ group when compared to non-treated and nystatin-treated groups (p < 0.0001). Although no significant differences among the values of CFU/tongue were observed among the non-treated group and the groups treated with AM-CAPPJ or nystatin (p = 0.3201), histological analyses revealed marked reduction in candidal tissue invasion. In conclusion, these results point out to a clinical applicability of this protocol, due to the simultaneous anti-inflammatory and inhibitory effects of AM-CAPPJ with low cytotoxicity.

Gallic acid/hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin complex: Improving solubility for application on in vitro/ in vivo Candida albicans biofilms.

The aim of this study was to increase the solubility of gallic acid (GA) for the treatment of Candida albicans biofilm, which is very difficult to treat and requires high drug concentrations. Cyclodextrins (CDs) were used for this purpose. Complexes were evaluated by phase-solubility studies, prepared by spray drying and characterized by drug loading, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The complexes were tested on C. albicans biofilm using in vitro and in vivo models. HPßCD formed soluble inclusion complexes with GA. The percentage of GA in GA/HPßCD was 10.8 ± 0.01%. The SEM and DSC analyses confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes. GA/HPßCD maintained the antimicrobial activity of the pure GA. GA/HPßCD was effective on C. albicans biofilms of 24 and 48h. The in vivo results showed an anti-inflammatory activity of GA/HPßCD with no difference in invading hypha counting among the groups. This study encourages the development of new antifungal agents.

Terapias alternativas para o tratamento da estomatite por prótese total: modelo experimental in vivo em ratos / Alternative therapies for denture stomatitis treatment: in vivo experimental model in rats

A estomatite por prótese (EP) é uma condição multifatorial que acomete frequentemente usuários de prótese total e geralmente é relacionada com Candida albicans. Devido aos efeitos tóxicos da terapia antifúngica, novas terapias para EP são necessárias. Objetivos: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do extrato aquoso de Buchenavia tomentosa e bicarbonato de sódio frente a C. albicans em um modelo de EP em ratos. Material e Métodos: Um aparelho de resina acrílica simulando a base da prótese total foi fixado cobrindo o palato de 48 ratos machos seguido por indução da candidose. Os ratos foram divididos em 4 grupos (n=12): controle, bicarbonato de sódio, B. tomentosa e nistatina (controle positivo). Cada grupo foi subdividido de acordo com o período de tratamento; 24 horas (n=6) e 48 horas (n=6). Os animais foram sacrificados e os aparelhos foram removidos para contagem de C. albicans e análise por microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Resultados: Após 24 horas de tratamento, observou-se redução significativa da contagem de C. albicans tanto B. tomentosa quanto nistatina (nistatina x controle, p<0,01; B. tomentosa x controle, p=0,03). Os resultados foram confirmados pela análise histológica. Conclusão: Tanto o extrato aquoso de B. tomentosa e o bicarbonato de sódio foram capazes de reduzir significativamente as contagens de C. albicans em modelo experimental de EP (AU)

Background: Denture stomatitis (DS) is a multifactorial condition that commonly affects denture users and is mainly caused by Candida albicans. Due to the toxic effects of antifungal therapy, new therapies for DS are claimed. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of aqueous extract of Buchenavia tomentosa and sodium bicarbonate against C. albicans in a model of DS in rats. Material and Methods: An acrylic resin device simulating a denture base was fixed covering the palate of forty-eight male rats followed by candidiasis induction. Rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 12): Control, sodium bicarbonate, B. tomentosa and nystatin (positive control). Each group was subdivided according to the period of treatment; 24 h (n = 6) and 48 h (n = 6). Animals were sacrificed and had their devices removed for C. albicans counts and SEM analysis. The palate mucosa was removed and processed for histopathologic analysis. Results: After 24 h of treatment, both B. tomentosa and nystatin groups reduced significantly C. albicans counts when compared to control (nystatin x control, p < 0.01; B. tomentosa x control, p = 0.03). The results were confirmed by the histologic analysis. Conclusion: Both the aqueous extract of B. tomentosa and sodium bicarbonate was able to significantly decrease C. albicans counts in an experimental model of DS (AU)

Cherubism: clinicoradiographic features and treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Cherubism is a congenital childhood disease of autosomal dominant inheritance. This disease is characterized by painless bilateral enlargement of the jaws, in which bone is replaced with fibrous tissue. The condition has sui generis clinical, radiographic and histological features, of which the clinician should be aware for a better differential diagnosis in the presence of a fibro-osseous lesion affecting the bones of the maxillomandibular complex. The purpose of present paper was to review the literature and to report the most important aspects of cherubism in order to facilitate the study of this disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Literature was reviewed about cherubism, emphasizing the relevant clinicoradiographic features and treatment. Literature was selected through a search of PubMed and Scielo electronic databases. The keywords used for search were adolescent, cherubism, cherubism/physiopathology, cherubism/treatment, cherubism/radiography. A manual search of the reference lists of the identified articles and the authors' article files and recent reviews was conducted to identify additional publications. Those studies that described new features about cherubism were included in this review. RESULTS: In total 44 literature sources were obtained and reviewed. Studies that described new features about cherubism physiopathology, diagnostics and treatment were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the exceptions, cherubism is a clinically well-characterized disease. In cases of a suspicion of cherubism, radiographic examination is essential since the clinical presentation, the location and distribution of the lesions may define the diagnosis. Histopathological examination is complementary. Nowadays, genetic tests should be used for final diagnosis of cherubism.

Influence of methods of application of self-etching adhesive systems on adhesive bond strength to enamel.

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of variations in the application technique of self-etching adhesive systems on the adhesive bond strength to enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred thirty bovine teeth were used and divided into 13 groups. The teeth were embedded in acrylic resin, ground until a flat enamel area was exposed, and polished with 600-grit abrasive paper. The self-etching adhesive systems One Up Bond F, Clearfil SE Bond, Self & Etch were used, and the conventional adhesive Magic Bond and acid etching were used as the control group. One or two layers of the self-etching systems were actively or passively applied. Composite cylinders were made over the bonding area. The samples were submitted to shear bond testing at a speed of 1 mm/min. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using two-way ANOVA, followed by Tukey's test at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS: Significant variations were observed for the factors type of adhesive (p = 0.001, F = 193,3594, df = 3) and application technique (p = 0.001, F = 29,9119, df = 1). No significant interaction was found between the two factors (p = 0.08). The adhesives Clearfil SE Bond and One Up Bond F presented significantly higher adhesive bond strength means than Self & Etch. The active application of two layers resulted in higher bond strength means than the other techniques. CONCLUSION: The application technique had a significant influence on adhesive bond strength to enamel.