Comparative Evaluation of Fibrin Network Formation after Root Conditioning using Erbium, Chromium-Doped Yttrium Scandium Gallium and Garnet Laser, Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-Acetic Acid, and Tetracycline on Dentin: A Scanning Electron Microscopic Study.

Context: Regeneration of periodontal tissues depend on the adhesion and development of fibrin clots to the root surface. Demineralization of the root surface ensures removal of smear layer uncovering dentin tubules and collagen matrix. Root conditioning agents were introduced to remove the smear layer and enhance the adhesion of blood components. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of erbium, chromium-doped yttrium, scandium, gallium and garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser on smear layer removal (SLR) and fibrin network formation when compared to tetracycline, and ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetic acid (EDTA) for periodontal regeneration. Settings and Design: The study was conducted at Amrita school of dentistry and the study design involves in vitro comparative study. Subjects and Methods: Forty dentinal sections were prepared from freshly extracted teeth that were periodontally affected. The samples were divided into four groups: Scaling and root planing (SRP), tetracycline, EDTA, and Er, Cr: YSGG laser. The samples were assessed using a scanning electron microscope and photomicrographs were taken and analyzed for removal of smear layer, blood component adhesion (BCA), and fibrin network formation. Statistical Analysis Used: Analysis of variance test and Kruskal-Wallis test with P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant. Results: There was a significant difference between Er, Cr: YSGG laser, tetracycline hydrochloride, and EDTA categories when compared with SRP categories. There was no significant difference between Er, Cr: YSGG laser, tetracycline, and EDTA according to SLR scoring and BCA scoring. Conclusions: It can be concluded that Er, Cr: YSGG laser-treated samples presented complete elimination of smear layer, formation of fibrin network, and BCA along with desensitizing effect for a better reduction in dentin hypersensitivity.

Astragalus Shiitake-A Novel Functional Food with High Polysaccharide Content and Anti-Proliferative Activity in a Colorectal Carcinoma Cell Line.

The chemical and nutritional constituents of mushrooms can alter significantly when grown on different substrates. Based on this fact, an approach was made to cultivate a new type of mushroom, Hengshan Astragalus Shiitake, by growing Shiitake mushrooms on beds supplemented with the roots of an edible herbal plant, Astragalus membranaceus. In this study, three green extraction techniques, including microwave-enzyme assisted (MEA), ultrasound-enzyme assisted (UEA) and microwave-ultrasound-enzyme assisted (MUEA) extractions, were used to compare both the yield and antiproliferative activity of the polysaccharide-rich extracts (PREs) from HAS in human colorectal carcinoma cells (HCT 116). Both HAS-A and HAS-B extracts contain significantly higher amounts of polysaccharides when compared to the control (Shiitake extract), regardless of the extraction methods. The PREs from HAS-B have significantly higher anti-proliferative activity in HCT 116 compared to the control when using the UEA extraction method. Our findings demonstrate that HAS-B can become a novel functional food with anti-proliferative activities and the optimization of UEA extraction would help to develop new active extract-based health products.

Periodontal Approaches to Esthetic Dentistry: A Review on Current Trends.

AIM: Thepresent review is to discuss the current trends in periodontal approaches for improving the esthetics in dentistry. BACKGROUND: Esthetics is an essential component of today's dental care. A growing awareness of esthetics has fueled an increase in esthetic demand in dentistry in recent years. The ultimate goal in modern dentistry is to attain "white and pink esthetics" in the esthetically important zone Review results: Current evidence-based periodontal approaches for improving esthetic dentistry are discussed. The periodontal management of esthetics is mainly focused on proper assessment of the case scenario including the associated mucogingival deformities and selection of a proper technique for the correction of the same. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: There is drastic increase in esthetic demand for the dental procedures in recent years. With the evolution of innovative techniques, clinicians can fulfill the patient's esthetic demands. Thus it is important to be updated in this field about the current innovative approaches. CONCLUSION: Newer procedures are being developed all the time and are gradually being integrated into periodontal practice. The practitioner should be mindful that novel approaches are sometimes presented without appropriate clinical research. Our ongoing progress toward better therapeutic approaches should be guided by critical analysis of freshly offered methodologies.

The effect of curcumin as an adjunct in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: A large number of trials has been conducted using curcumin as the main ingredient in mouth rinses, topical oral gel, subgingival irrigant, locally delivered gel and locally delivered chips to reduce gingival inflammation and probing pocket depth. However, the results of these trials vary and are debatable. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of oral curcumin products as compared to the routinely used ones in reducing gingival inflammation and probing pocket depth in adults. METHODS: Electronic databases such as Pubmed/Medline and Cochrane Library and hand searching was done for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which yielded 148 results, of which 27 RCTs compared curcumin products with routinely used ones. Meta-analysis was conducted to check for plaque reduction, gingival inflammation and pocket depth. RESULTS: 963 participants in the 27 RCT studies were considered for a systematic review. We found that for a long-term evaluation of probing pocket depth in nine studies each with 400 participants, there was a statistically significant difference in the reduction when curcumin topical gel was used as compared with the control [SMD -0.87, 95% CI: -1.31 to -0.43]. However, in the evaluation of short-term plaque and gingival scores, we found no statistically significant differences in the reduction when curcumin mouth rinse was used [SMD -0.76, 95% CI: -2.25 to 0.73] and [MD: -0.09, 95% CI: -0.29 to 0.10]. CONCLUSION: Curcumin topical and local delivery gel, mouth rinses and sub-gingival irrigants were found to be equally effective compared to the routinely used agents for reduction of plaque and gingival inflammation. Curcumin local delivery gel had greater reduction in probing pocket depth.

Combining the Anticancer and Immunomodulatory Effects of Astragalus and Shiitake as an Integrated Therapeutic Approach.

Astragalus root (Huang Qi) and Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinus edodes) are both considered medicinal foods and are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine due to their anticancer and immunomodulating properties. Here, the scientific literatures describing evidence for the anticancer and immunogenic properties of Shiitake and Astragalus were reviewed. Based on our experimental data, the potential to develop medicinal food with combined bioactivities was assessed using Shiitake mushrooms grown over Astragalus beds in a proprietary manufacturing process, as a novel cancer prevention approach. Notably, our data suggest that this new manufacturing process can result in transfer and increased bioavailability of Astragalus polysaccharides with therapeutic potential into edible Shiitake. Further research efforts are required to validate the therapeutic potential of this new Hengshan Astragalus Shiitake medicinal food.

Cytokines and pregnancy: Potential regulation by histone deacetylases.

Cytokines are important regulators of pregnancy and parturition. Aberrant expression of proinflammatory cytokines during pregnancy contributes towards preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. The regulation of cytokine expression in human cells is highly complex, involving interactions between environment, transcription factors, and feedback mechanisms. Recent developments in epigenetic research have made tremendous advancements in exploring histone modifications as a key epigenetic regulator of cytokine expression and the effect of their signaling molecules on various organ systems in the human body. Histone acetylation and subsequent deacetylation by histone deacetylases (HDACs) are major epigenetic regulators of protein expression in the human body. The expression of various proinflammatory cytokines, their role in normal and abnormal pregnancy, and their epigenetic regulation via HDACs will be discussed in this review.

Role of Dietary Nutrients in the Modulation of Gut Microbiota: A Narrative Review.

Understanding how dietary nutrients modulate the gut microbiome is of great interest for the development of food products and eating patterns for combatting the global burden of non-communicable diseases. In this narrative review we assess scientific studies published from 2005 to 2019 that evaluated the effect of micro- and macro-nutrients on the composition of the gut microbiome using in vitro and in vivo models, and human clinical trials. The clinical evidence for micronutrients is less clear and generally lacking. However, preclinical evidence suggests that red wine- and tea-derived polyphenols and vitamin D can modulate potentially beneficial bacteria. Current research shows consistent clinical evidence that dietary fibers, including arabinoxylans, galacto-oligosaccharides, inulin, and oligofructose, promote a range of beneficial bacteria and suppress potentially detrimental species. The preclinical evidence suggests that both the quantity and type of fat modulate both beneficial and potentially detrimental microbes, as well as the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio in the gut. Clinical and preclinical studies suggest that the type and amount of proteins in the diet has substantial and differential effects on the gut microbiota. Further clinical investigation of the effect of micronutrients and macronutrients on the microbiome and metabolome is warranted, along with understanding how this influences host health.

Assessment of membrane-organizing extension spike protein as a biomarker for periodontal disease by comparing its level in gingival crevicular fluid in individuals with and without chronic severe periodontitis - A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Membrane-organizing extension spike protein (Moesin) is a cytoskeletal protein expressed in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) which may play a role in the immune response in periodontal disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether Moesin can be used as a biomarker for periodontal disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients satisfying the required inclusion criteria were selected from those reporting to the out patient (OP) of the department of periodontics and divided into two groups: Group A - systemically healthy controls with no periodontitis and Group B - systemically healthy controls with chronic severe periodontitis. Periodontal parameters were recorded. GCF was collected, and Moesin levels in the two groups were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Scaling and root planing (SRP) was done in Group B patients who were reviewed, and samples were collected again after 4 weeks and analyzed. RESULTS: At baseline, the mean GCF Moesin level in Group A was 666.95 ± 471.872 pg/ml, while in Group B, it was found to be 27435.35 ± 14179.77 pg/ml, which showed a high statistically significant difference on comparison. The mean GCF Moesin level in patients with chronic severe periodontitis was 27435.35 ± 14179.77 pg/ml at baseline, and on review 1 month after SRP, it was found to have undergone a statistically significant reduction to 27161.23 ± 14161.57 pg/ml (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that Moesin can serve as a potential biomarker for periodontal disease.

A reverse metabolic approach to weaning: in silico identification of immune-beneficial infant gut bacteria, mining their metabolism for prebiotic feeds and sourcing these feeds in the natural product space.

BACKGROUND: Weaning is a period of marked physiological change. The introduction of solid foods and the changes in milk consumption are accompanied by significant gastrointestinal, immune, developmental, and microbial adaptations. Defining a reduced number of infections as the desired health benefit for infants around weaning, we identified in silico (i.e., by advanced public domain mining) infant gut microbes as potential deliverers of this benefit. We then investigated the requirements of these bacteria for exogenous metabolites as potential prebiotic feeds that were subsequently searched for in the natural product space. RESULTS: Using public domain literature mining and an in silico reverse metabolic approach, we constructed probiotic-prebiotic-food associations, which can guide targeted feeding of immune health-beneficial microbes by weaning food; analyzed competition and synergy for (prebiotic) nutrients between selected microbes; and translated this information into designing an experimental complementary feed for infants enrolled in a pilot clinical trial ( http://www.nourishtoflourish.auckland.ac.nz/ ). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we applied a benefit-oriented microbiome research strategy for enhanced early-life immune health. We extended from "classical" to molecular nutrition aiming to identify nutrients, bacteria, and mechanisms that point towards targeted feeding to improve immune health in infants around weaning. Here, we present the systems biology-based approach we used to inform us on the most promising prebiotic combinations known to support growth of beneficial gut bacteria ("probiotics") in the infant gut, thereby favorably promoting development of the immune system.

A Qualitative Analysis of Periodontal Pathogens in Chronic Periodontitis Patients after Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy with and without Diode Laser Disinfection Using Benzoyl-DL Arginine-2-Naphthylamide Test: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontal diseases are caused by pathogenic bacteria locally colonized in the dental biofilm creating infection; the main etiological factor is represented by dental plaque and in particular by anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli. For that reason, the first phase of periodontal treatment is always represented by the initial preparation which primarily aims at the elimination or reduction of bacterial infection and the control of periodontal plaque-associated inflammation. Yet, another innovative causal therapy is represented by the irradiation of periodontal pockets with LASER. The aim of this randomized clinical study is to compare and to detect the presence of periodontal pathogens in chronic periodontitis patients after nonsurgical periodontal therapy with and without diode LASER disinfection using BANA test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized clinical trial includes 20 patients having chronic periodontitis. From each patient, one test site and one control site were selected and assessed for gingival index (GI), oral hygiene index (OHI), pocket probing depth and clinical attachment level (CAL), and presence of BANA pathogens. The test site underwent scaling and root planning along with diode LASER therapy as an adjuvant while the control site received scaling and root planning alone. Patients were recalled for review after 2 weeks and 2 months where periodontal parameters were assessed and plaque samples were collected and analyzed for BANA pathogens. RESULTS: The test site where LASER was used as an adjuvant showed significant reduction in pocket probing depth, CAL, OHI, GI, and periodontal pathogens which shows that the amount of recolonization of microbes is less when LASER is used as an adjuvant to conventional therapy. CONCLUSION: Diode LASER as an adjuvant to SRP has shown additional benefits over conventional therapy in all the clinical parameters evaluated and this can be associated in the treatment of periodontal therapy. BANA-enzymatic kit is a simple chair side kit which can be reliable indicator of BANA positive species in dental plaque.

Transfer of bisphenol A across the human placenta.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the investigation was to study placental transfer and conjugation of bisphenol A (BPA) across the human placenta. STUDY DESIGN: Human placentae obtained from healthy term singleton pregnancies were utilized in a dual recirculating model of ex vivo placental perfusion. Seven placentae were perfused with BPA (10 ng/mL) added to the maternal perfusate for 180 minutes. Antipyrine and fluorescein isothiocyanate dextran were used as positive and negative controls, respectively, to validate integrity of the circuits. Concentrations of BPA and its conjugates were determined by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. RESULTS: The transfer percentage for antipyrine and BPA were 25.5 +/- 1.13% and 27.0 +/- 1.88%, respectively, and the transfer index for BPA was 1.1 +/- 0.09 after 180 minutes of perfusion. Only 3.2 +/- 1.6% of BPA in the fetal compartment was in the conjugated form. CONCLUSION: Bisphenol A at low environmentally relevant levels can transfer across the human placenta, mainly in active unconjugated form.