Impact of Refined and Unrefined Sugar and Starch on the Microbiota in Dental Biofilm.

Aims and Objective: Sugar is not only associated with dental diseases but also, along with carbohydrates, is linked to various health issues including obesity, cancer, diabetes, heart, liver, and kidney-related diseases. At the same time, a polyphenol present in unrefined sugar and starch (UReSS) is shown to inhibit microbial growth and prevent biofilms and dental plaque. The question arises, "is sugar the causative agent for dental diseases, or is its refined form the cause?" The objective of this study is to conduct in-vivo studies of the impact of refined and unrefined sugar and starch on the microbiota of dental biofilm. Materials and Methods: An in-vivo study was performed using saliva and dental biofilm samples collected from 75 healthy subjects. For this study, healthy volunteers (n = 75) were randomly divided into five groups and were given sweet meals either made with refined white sugar and white rice (ReSS) or with unrefined brown sugar and red rice (UReSS). This was followed by using or not using a polyphenolic mouthwash. Before and after 4 h of eating a sweet meal, the saliva and dental plaque were collected and the DNA was analyzed by 16s metagenomic sequencing. The results were expressed in fold change of bacteria from 0 to 4 h. Statistical analyses have been performed by logarithmic linear discriminant analysis (LDA), Student's t-test, and Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Upon LEfSe and statistical analysis, in-vivo experiments clearly showed that UReSS significantly decreased bacteria associated with dental diseases. In contrast, ReSS showed a significant increase in Actinomyces, Streptococcus, and Selenomonas with a high LDA score (Log 4.2) and statistical significance (P < 0.003). Mouthwash significantly decreased bacterial taxa associated with diseases in both the ReSS and UReSS groups. The in-vivo study showed a significant increase and decrease in Streptococcus levels in refined and unrefined sugar groups, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, polyphenols aid in the prevention of dental caries. This study recommends using polyphenol-rich unrefined sugars and carbohydrates for both oral and general health. This study is the first of its kind to bring awareness to the effects of refined and unrefined starch and sugars on the oral microbiota.

Correction: Chhalliyil et al. A Real-Time Quantitative PCR Method Specific for Detection and Quantification of the First Commercialized Genome-Edited Plant. Foods 2020, 9, 1245.

The stated objective of the paper was to provide regulatory laboratories and industry laboratories a complete, legally robust method for the quantitative detection of SU canola [...].

A Novel, Simple, Frequent Oral Cleaning Method Reduces Damaging Bacteria in the Dental Microbiota.

AIM: Dental diseases can be prevented by reducing early bacterial colonization in biofilm, a precursor to mature dental plaque. Most studies on dental disease pathogenesis focus on mature plaque and fail to address the impact of oral cleaning on biofilm formation. Here we used next-generation metagenomics to assess the effects of a new method of regular, simple biofilm disruption on the oral metagenome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a randomized, controlled study of 45 healthy children divided into three groups. Participants avoided oral cleaning for 3 days and then performed 10 days of oral cleaning either by: (1) brushing and tongue cleaning twice a day (BT) with toothpaste; (2) Gum and tooth rubbing with Index Finger Tongue cleaning and water Swishing (GIFTS) after each meal, snack, and drink; or (3) GIFTS twice a day with nano-charcoal and tongue cleaning (CT) (n = 15 per group). Saliva, plaque, and tongue scraping samples were collected on day 0 and 10 for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and next-generation metagenomics sequencing to analyze microbiome taxa differences between groups. RESULTS: GIFTS more significantly reduced (P < 0.004) total bacteria in saliva than BT (P < 0.02). Metagenomics revealed a significant reduction in Firmicutes in GIFTS and CT tongue samples compared to BT samples. BT and CT saliva samples showed significantly more Streptococcus species than GIFTS saliva samples. In the plaque samples, GIFTS cleaning significantly reduced early colonizers, including Streptococcus, compared to the BT and CT methods. CONCLUSION: Here, we introduce the "frequent disruption of biofilm" concept for enhanced oral hygiene. GIFTS can be used to prevent early bacterial colonization of biofilm and plaque formation in both small children and adults. Frequent biofilm disturbance more effectively disrupts early bacterial colonization than twice oral cleaning, is nonabrasive, and is, therefore, a practical and straightforward complement to regular toothbrushing for improved oral hygiene and disease prevention.

A Real-Time Quantitative PCR Method Specific for Detection and Quantification of the First Commercialized Genome-Edited Plant.

Discussion regarding the regulatory status of genome-edited crops has focused on precision of editing and on doubts regarding the feasibility of analytical monitoring compliant with existing GMO regulations. Effective detection methods are important, both for regulatory enforcement and traceability in case of biosafety, environmental or socio-economic impacts. Here, we approach the analysis question for the first time in the laboratory and report the successful development of a quantitative PCR detection method for the first commercialized genome-edited crop, a canola with a single base pair edit conferring herbicide tolerance. The method is highly sensitive and specific (quantification limit, 0.05%), compatible with the standards of practice, equipment and expertise typical in GMO laboratories, and readily integrable into their analytical workflows, including use of the matrix approach. The method, validated by an independent laboratory, meets all legal requirements for GMO analytical methods in jurisdictions such as the EU, is consistent with ISO17025 accreditation standards and has been placed in the public domain. Having developed a qPCR method for the most challenging class of genome edits, single-nucleotide variants, this research suggests that qPCR-based method development may be applicable to virtually any genome-edited organism. This advance resolves doubts regarding the feasibility of extending the regulatory approach currently employed for recombinant DNA-based GMOs to genome-edited organisms.

Real-time and conventional PCR detection of Liberty Link rice varieties and transgenic soy in rice sampled in the Mexican and American retail markets.

Samples of rice from Mexican and USA retail stores were analyzed for the presence of transgenic (GM) events using real-time PCR. In screening for the CaMV35S promoter sequence (35SP), positive results were found in 49 and 35% of the Mexican and American samples, respectively. In further investigations in Mexican samples, 43% were positive for P35S::bar, with two above the quantifiable limit; these were 0.07% and 0.05% GMO. Fourteen out of the sixteen positive samples were labeled as imported from the USA. In testing samples bought in American retail shops, 24% showed positive results, all below the quantifiable range. It could be deduced that P35S::bar positive samples were Liberty Link(R) (LL) rice. In distinguishing between LL601 and LL62, end-point PCR was used, corroborating the P35S::bar amplicon length difference of these events. LL62 was found in one rice sample purchased in Mexico and two in the USA samples. Its presence was verified with the 35S terminator sequence. All other LL positive samples contained LL601. None of the samples analyzed showed the presence of Bt63 rice. The LL rice varieties found have been identified as not being commercially cultivated, and so their presence requires further investigation. 35SP was also present in samples which did not have any LL rice. Maize sequences could not be detected in any of the samples; however, soybean DNA was found in Mexican and USA rice samples. The Roundup Ready(R) trait was detected in trace amounts in 16 and 6% of the rice samples bought in Mexico and the USA, respectively. Real-time PCR was shown to be the method of choice for the sensitive and rapid screening of commodities and retail samples for the detection of GM and other contamination.