Quality improvement of saliva by chewing tapioca pearls in bubble tea drinks: a randomized experimental trial: (Study on salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and calcium (Ca) levels).

Background: Bubble tea drinks contain tea and tapioca pearls. Chewing tapioca pearls in bubble tea drinks may increase salivary components. Because of its proteins, inorganic components, and enzymes, saliva plays an important role in the body's defense against bacteria and viruses. This study aims to analyze the effect of chewing tapioca pearls in bubble tea drinks on salivary C-reactive protein (CRP) and calcium (Ca) levels. Methods: The inclusion criterion was 18-25 years of age. The exclusion criteria were receiving medication, using dentures, a history of dry mouth, smoking and systemic disease. In the first week of the experiment, subjects drank bubble tea with tapioca pearls for three days (intervention week). In the second week, the same subjects drank tea without pearls for three days (control week). Each subject drank the bubble tea for 5 minutes per day over 3 days. Saliva samples were collected on the first day before bubble tea consumption (pretest) and on the third day after tea consumption (posttest). Saliva collection was performed in the morning (09:00 am-12:00 pm) for 1 minute. Sixty saliva samples were collected from 15 subjects. Salivary CRP levels were measured using a commercial ELISA kit, and Ca levels were determined using semi-quantitative test strips. Results: Salivary CRP decreased significantly on the third day in the intervention group but showed no significant difference with the control group. Calcium levels increased significantly on the third day in both groups. Conclusion: Bubble tea drinks could improve the quality of saliva by decreasing salivary CRP and increasing Ca levels. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04670341 (17 th December 2020).

Apical Sealing Ability of Calcite-Synthesized Hydroxyapatite as a Filler of Epoxy Resin-Based Root Canal Sealer.

BACKGROUND: The success of root canal treatment is influenced by hermetic root canal obturation. This study was conducted to analyze the apical sealing ability after the addition of calcite-synthesized hydroxyapatite (HA) as an epoxy resin sealer filler. METHODS: Calcite-synthesized HA powder was prepared using the microwave hydrothermal process. HA resin sealer powder and epoxy resin paste (3:1) were mixed, and concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% were prepared. A sample of thirty maxillary incisors were prepared in the root canal and then, the crown was cut to leave 13 mm of the root and a working length of 12 mm. The root canal was prepared using the crown-down technique and irrigated using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid alternately. The samples were divided into six groups, with each group consisting of five roots. Group I was obturated with gutta percha using an epoxy resin sealer without HA (HA-0%) as a control group. In each of the Groups II, III, IV, V, and VI, 10% HA resin sealer, 20% HA, 30% HA, 40% HA, and 50% HA were used. All the samples were incubated in a 10-ml simulated body fluid solution at 37°C for 4 weeks. Apical closure density measurement was done using a scanning electron microscope, and the results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: A significant increase in the apical sealing ability was observed in the HA-20% sealer group and the HA-30% and HA-40% groups compared to that in the control group. However, the HA-50% sealer group showed a decrease in the apical sealing ability, whereas the HA-10% sealer group showed no difference. The HA-30% had the highest sealing ability than other concentrations. CONCLUSION: The addition of calcite-synthesized HA as a filler at concentrations of 20%, 30%, and 40% increased the apical sealing ability of the epoxy resin sealer.

Characterization of buccal cell DNA after exposure to azo compounds: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Azo compounds, containing naphthol and diazonium salts, are synthetic dyes widely used in the batik industry. Azo compounds are considered toxic when they are exposed to human tissue. The purpose of this study was to analyze buccal cell DNA exposed to azo compounds in batik workers. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 20 male subjects divided into two groups (n=10 group), namely azo-exposed and non-exposed (control group). Inclusion criteria were batik workers of the colouring division who have been exposed to azo for at least 5 years. Buccal cells were taken using cytobrush then DNA were isolated from buccal cell. DNA isolation was done by buccal DNA kit, while the purity and concentration of the DNA was determined using spectrophotometer and electrophoresis. Results: The azo-exposed group revealed higher purity DNA than those in the control group. The purity of the DNA in the azo-exposed group and control group was 0.61±0.93 and 0.21±0.09, respectively, while the concentration of DNA was of 59.02 and 19.35 ng/UL, respectively. The ratio at 260/280 nm was 1.84-1.94 (azo-exposed) and 1.85-1.92 (control). Principal component analysis using the first principle component (PC1) and second principle component (PC2) could successfully classify subjects in the control and azo-exposed groups. Conclusion: Characteristics of DNA could be used as an indication of exposure to azo compounds in workers of batik industries.

Correlation between salivary estrogen levels and oral epithelial cytokeratin 5 expression.

Background: Estrogen expression levels may be associated with age and may affect keratinization of the hard palate. Keratinized epithelium expresses cytokeratin 5 and 14 in the basal layer. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the levels of salivary estrogen and number of cytokeratin 5-positive oral epithelial cells. Methods: A total of 30 female subjects were recruited and divided into children, adults and elderly (N=10 per group). Salivary estrogen levels and cytokeratin 5-expressing oral epithelial cells were assessed using ELISA and immunohistological methods, respectively. Data were analyzed using ANOVA with post hoc LSD test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: The results showed that both the number of cytokeratin 5-positive cells and the level of salivary estrogen were significantly higher in adults but decreased in the elderly, as compared with those in children (p<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of salivary estrogen were significantly correlated with the number of cytokeratin 5-positive cells (r=0.815). The ANOVA result showed significance difference cytokeratin 5 expression and estrogen level (p<0.05). The post hoc LSD test revealed cytokeratin 5 expression and estrogen level to be significantly different in children, adults, and elderly participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that the profile of salivary estrogen and oral epithelial cell-expressed cytokeratin 5 may be positively correlated with age and depend on age.

Expression of Cytokeratin 19 in the epithelial cell of Azo-exposed buccal mucosa.

Background: Azo is a synthetic dye used in batik industries. It can be toxic to the tissue when exposed via inhalation, swallowing, or direct contact. Expression of cytokeratin will change in hyperplastic and cancer of the oral mucosa. Expression of Cytokeratin 8, 18, 19 is strong in the epithelial cells that undergo excessive hyperproliferation and oral mucosal changes in leukoplakia and squamous stratification carcinoma. The present study was conducted to analyze the expression of Cytokeratin 19 in the epithelial cells of azoexposed buccal mucosa. Methods: A total of 30 males were divided into 2 groups of azo-exposed and controls equally. Criterion for azo-exposed participants was working at batik coloring division for at least 5 years, while the controls were the ones who were not exposed to azo dyes. Exfoliative cytology using cytobrush was the method of collecting buccal mucosal epithelial cells. Expression of Cytokeratin 19 was analyzed using Cytokeratin 19 monoclonal antibody and immunohistochemical staining. Data were analyzed using independent samples t test in SPSS 13.0 software. Results: There was a negative expression on the controls, while positive expression was observed in the exposed group. T test analysis showed significant differences (p<0.001) in the positive expression of the exposed group (97.600±2.063) compared to controls (3.133±1.641). Conclusion: Azo dye could increase the expression of Cytokeratin 19 on buccal mucosa epithelial cells.

Effect of nifedipine on the expression of bcl-2 protein in rat gingiva.

Bcl-2 is a family of proteins involved in protecting the cell against death stimuli or in promoting cell death. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of nifedipine treatment on the expression of bcl-2 protein in rat gingival tissues. Rats were given gastric intubation with various concentrations and durations of nifedipine. Nifedipine-untreated and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO)-treated animals served as control groups. The gingival tissues were dissected and the expression of bcl-2 protein was determined immunohistochemically. The results showed that the numbers of bcl-2-positive cells in the gingiva of nifedipine-treated animals were significantly higher than in the control groups. These numbers increased parallel to increased concentration and duration of nifedipine treatment. The results suggest that nifedipine treatment may induce the expression of bcl-2 protein in rat gingival tissue in a dose- and duration-dependent fashion and that this proto-oncogenic protein may play a role in nifedipine-induced gingival hyperplasia.