Clinical performance of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacture lithium disilicate ceramic endocrown restorations: A 2-year study.

Context: Optimal restoration methods for endodontically treated teeth (ETTs) have always remained an ongoing discussion among physicians in this day and age. ETTs have a tendency to fracture when chewing, compared to initial teeth. From the perspective of biology, preserving and restoring tooth structure is critical to maintaining biomechanical, functional, and esthetic harmony. Dental bonding techniques have lessened the necessity for post-and-core restorations in ETTs with severe substance loss. A minimally invasive endodontic restoration technique called "endocrown" was initially introduced by Bindl and Mörmann in 1999. Aims: The aim of the study was to clinically evaluate all-ceramic mandibular molar endocrowns made using computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) following 2 years of follow-up. Subjects and Methods: This unblinded study contains 56 patients with 56 mandibular molars, which had severe substance loss. After teeth preparation, lithium disilicate ceramic endocrowns were manufactured with the CEREC CAD/CAM system, and cementation was performed using a composite luting agent. The endocrowns were assessed using the modified United States Public Health Service criteria at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years following placement. Patient satisfaction was evaluated using a questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: This study used descriptive statistics, including mean, standard deviation, and 95% confidence intervals. Data were processed using STATA version 14.0 (StataCorp LLC, USA). Results: Two endocrowns (3.6%) failed throughout the period of observation. The high clinical rating criteria (96.4%, count of 54) and the increased satisfaction percentage (94.6%, count of 53) remained practically stable during the follow-up assessments at 6 months and after 1-2 years. Conclusions: Endocrown offers a less invasive treatment option that may be a better method for endodontically treated mandibular molars. With contemporary CAD/CAM technology and new materials, time in the chair and esthetics optimally improved, bringing satisfaction to the patient.

Metabolites from Streptomyces aureus (VTCC43181) and Their Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ClpC1 Protein.

Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The outbreak of multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis has become a major challenge to prevent this disease worldwide. ClpC1 is a Clp ATPase protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, functioning as a chaperon when combined with the Clp complex. ClpC1 has emerged as a new target to discover anti-tuberculosis drugs. This study aimed to explore the ClpC1 inhibitors from actinomycetes, which have been known to provide abundant sources of antibiotics. Two cyclic peptides, including nocardamin (1), halolitoralin A (3), and a lactone pleurone (2), were isolated from the culture of Streptomyces aureus (VTCC43181). The structures of these compounds were determined based on the detailed analysis of their spectral data and comparison with references. This is the first time these compounds have been isolated from S. aureus. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their affection of ATPase activity of the recombinant ClpC1 protein. Of these compounds, halolitoralin A (1), a macrocyclic peptide, was effective for the ATPase hydrolysis of the ClpC1 protein.

Self-reported Communicable Diseases and Associated Socio-demographic Status Among Ethnic Minority Populations in Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to identify the self-reported communicable diseases (CDs) rate and associated factors among ethnic minority populations in Vietnam. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 6912 ethnic minority participants from 12 provinces located in four socioeconomic regions in Vietnam. A total of 4985 participants were included in the final analysis. We used a structured questionnaire to collect information on self-reported CDs and socio-demographic information. RESULTS: The results showed that the prevalence of self-reported CDs was 5.7% (95% CI: 5.0-6.4%). Ethnicity was shown to have an independently significant correlation to self-reported CDs. The Cham Ninh Thuan, Tay, Dao and Gie Trieng ethnic populations had significantly higher odds of self-reported CDs than those of La Hu ethnicity (OR = 47.1, 6.3, 5.6, and 6.5, respectively). Older people and males had significantly higher odds of having CDs than younger and females. CONCLUSION: Our findings recommend conducting ethnic-specific interventions to diminish the incidence of CDs.

Antimicrobial effect against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans of advanced and injectable platelet-rich fibrin from patients with periodontal diseases versus periodontally healthy subjects.

Objectives: Advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF+) and injectable platelet-rich fibrin (i-PRF) have recently been developed and used in periodontal therapy. Few studies have contrasted the antibacterial effectiveness of these autologous materials derived from individuals with healthy gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial effects of these PRF materials against the periodontal pathogenic bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) in patients with different periodontal conditions. Methods: Blood samples were collected from periodontally healthy individuals, patients with gingivitis, or patients with periodontitis to prepare A-PRF+ and i-PRF. The antibacterial capacity of these materials was evaluated through antibiofilm formation, biofilm susceptibility, and the time-kill assay over a 48-h period. Results: A-PRF+ and i-PRF from each patient groups interfered with Aa's ability to form biofilm on the test tube surface, and the effect of i-PRF was significantly different among the patient groups. In contrast, these plasma preparation had a weak impact on mature biofilm. For products from the gingivitis and periodontitis groups, these effects were significantly stronger for i-PRF than A-PRF+ (p = 0.012 and p = 0.004, respectively). All plasma preparations inhibited Aa growth in the first 12 h after application, and i-PRF exhibited a significantly greater antimicrobial effect than A-PRF + at each time point. Conclusion: A-PRF+ and i-PRF in all three patient groups could inhibit the growth of Aa in vitro, and i-PRF from patients with periodontitis exhibited a more significant effect than PRF from the other groups.

Nonsurgical periodontal treatment improved the type 2 diabetes mellitus status in smokers: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and periodontal disease have bilateral associations. The effect of periodontal treatment on T2D patients who smoke is scarce. This study aimed to assess the effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in periodontitis smokers with T2D for a duration of 6 months of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty moderate to severe periodontitis smokers with T2D were randomly distributed into two different treatment groups: the test group (NSPT including oral hygiene instructions, scaling and root planing; and 0.05% Chlorhexidine mouthrinse) and the control group (treatment including oral hygiene instructions, supragingival removal of plaque and calculus and 0.05% Chlorhexidine mouthrinse). Periodontal parameters including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), periodontal probing depth (PPD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL) were examined. Metabolic parameters, including fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. RESULTS: The test group significantly improved all periodontal parameters and reduced metabolic parameters and hs-CRP, whereas improvements in PI and GI were observed in the control group at 1, 3 and 6 months of follow-up. However, the PPD, CAL, metabolic parameters and hs-CRP increased in the control group at 3 and 6 months of follow-up, but the differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: NSPT improves the periodontal status of smokers with T2D, has a favorable effect on glycemic control and reduces pro-inflammatory mediators, which may limit complications due to T2D in these patients.

Two new glycosides, farnesyl pentaglycoside and oleanane triglycoside from Lepisanthes rubiginosa, a mangrove plant collected from Thua Thien-Hue province, Vietnam.

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Lepisanthes rubiginosa led to the isolation of two new glycosides, lepisantheside A (1) and lepisantheside B (2), together with two known compounds acutoside A (3) and 3-O-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-]-oleanolic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic methods (HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR), and by comparison with the reported data. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-4 against four human cancer cell lines (KB, HepG2, SK-LU-1 and MCF7) was evaluated. Compound 4 exhibited significant activity with IC50 values of 9.57, 6.66, 6.97 and 18.32 µM, respectively, in comparison with the postive control ellipticine.

Health-related quality of life of the Vietnamese during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Vietnam applied strict quarantine measures to mitigate the rapid transmission of the SARS-COV-2 virus. Central questions were how the COVID-19 pandemic affected health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the Vietnamese general population, and whether there is any difference in HRQOL among people under different quarantine conditions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted during 1 April- 30 May 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in Vietnam. Data was collected via an online survey using Google survey tool. A convenient sampling approach was employed, with participants being sorted into three groups: people who were in government quarantine facilities; people who were under self-isolation at their own place; and the general population who did not need enforced quarantine. The Vietnamese EQ-5D-5L instrument was used to measure HRQOL. Differences in HRQOL among people of isolation groups and their socio-demographic characteristics were statistically tested. RESULTS: A final sample was made of 406 people, including 10 persons from government quarantine facilities, 57 persons under self-isolation at private places, and the rest were the general population. The mean EQ-VAS was reported the highest at 90.5 (SD: 7.98) among people in government quarantine facilities, followed by 88.54 (SD: 12.24) among general population and 86.54 (SD 13.69) among people in self-isolation group. The EQ-5D-5L value was reported the highest among general population at 0.95 (SD: 0.07), followed by 0.94 (SD: 0.12) among people in government quarantine facilities, and 0.93 (SD: 0.13) among people who did self-isolation. Overall, most people, at any level, reported having problems with anxiety and/or depression in all groups. CONCLUSION: While there have been some worries and debates on implementing strict quarantine measures can hinder people's quality of life, Vietnam showed an opposite tendency in people's HRQOL even under the highest level of enforcement in the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Antimicrobial Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma against Porphyromonas gingivalis.

AIM: The aim of our study was to evaluate whether there was a difference in antimicrobial effect between the PRP of healthy volunteers and that of patients with chronic periodontitis against P. gingivalis, which was fresh cultured from subgingival plaque. METHODS: Subgingival plaque of patients with moderate and severe chronic periodontitis was collected to isolate P. gingivalis. The PRP of four individuals with healthy periodontium and four patients with moderate and severe periodontitis were collected with a specific kit using a two-centrifuge procedure, and then, the antibacterial properties against P. gingivalis were tested, through their minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), adhesion resistance assay, and biofilm susceptibility assay. RESULTS: P. gingivalis was successfully isolated from the subgingival plaque of the 21st patient. The round, smooth, and black colony appeared in the agar disk after 7-10 days of incubation under anaerobic conditions. Bacterial identification was performed by MALDI-TOF and confirmed by PCR. All PRP samples tested showed the ability to inhibit P. gingivalis growth. The MIC value (expressed as fraction of PRP) was 1/2, and PRP prevented P. gingivalis attachment on the disk surface. However, PRP did not have a strong effect on the suppression of P. gingivalis biofilm. CONCLUSION: PRP of individuals with healthy periodontium and chronic periodontitis patients showed antibacterial properties against P. gingivalis. This material can become an adjunct to periodontal treatment.

The interaction among obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and periodontitis in Vietnamese patients.

To examine the relationship between obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and periodontal disease in Vietnamese patients. The sample included 712 patients aged 18 years or older who first visited the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Ho Chi Minh City. All participants completed a questionnaire and underwent anthropometric index measurements for obesity (height, weight, waist, and hip circumferences) and had their body fat percentage measured. A full periodontal examination was performed and a fasting glycemic level was determined. Occurrence and risk of periodontal outcomes were compared across 3 different measurements of obesity (body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage). The prevalence of periodontitis in obese group (37.0%, 36.4%, and 24.6% by body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage, respectively) or Type 2 diabetic group (50.7%) was significantly higher than those without these conditions (p < .05). Subjects with obesity or Type 2 diabetes had significantly greater pocket depth and clinical attachment loss than those who are not obese or diabetic (p < .001). Multivariate logistic regression, adjusted for confounding variables, showed that the likelihood (odds ratio, OR) for periodontitis was highest in the obese and Type 2 diabetic group (OR = 4.24, CI [2.29, 7.86]; OR = 4.06, CI [2.24, 7.36]; and OR = 5.44, CI [2.94, 10.03]), followed by the obese and non-Type 2 diabetic group (OR = 2.28, CI [1.05, 4.95]; OR = 2.02, CI [1.34, 3.56]), and then the nonobese and Type 2 diabetic group (OR = 2.20, CI [1.21, 3.98]; OR = 1.99, CI [0.93, 4.24] and OR = 5.22, CI [2.76, 9.84]) when obesity was defined by body mass index, waist-hip ratio, and body fat percentage, respectively, (p < .05). There was a significant association between obesity, Type 2 diabetes, or those with both systemic conditions and periodontitis in Vietnamese patients.