TLR2 agonist prevents the progression of periapical lesions in mice by reducing osteoclast activity and regulating the frequency of Tregs.

AIM: To evaluate the role of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in the presence or absence of the synthetic ligand Pam3Cys during the progression of periapical lesion in wild-type (WT) and toll-like receptor 2 knockout (TLR2KO) mice. METHODOLOGY: A total of 130 C57BL/6 male WT and TLR2KO mice were allocated into control (n = 5) and experimental (periapical lesion induction) (n = 10) groups. In specific groups (WT+Pam3cys and TLR2KO+Pam3cys), the synthetic ligand Pam3cys was administered intraperitoneally every 7 days, according to the experimental period (14, 21 and 42 days). At the end of those periods, the animals were euthanized, and the mandible and the spleen were submitted to histotechnical processing. Mandible histological sections were analysed by haematoxylin and eosin, TRAP histoenzymology and immunohistochemistry (FOXP3, RANK, RANKL and OPG). Spleen sections were analysed by immunohistochemistry (FOXP3). RESULTS: The inflammatory infiltrate and bone resorption were more intense in the TLR2KO group compared to the WT group. The animals that received the Pam3cys had smaller periapical lesions when compared to the animals that did not receive the ligand (p < .05). TLR2KO animals showed a significant increase in the number of osteoclasts when compared to TLR2KO+Pam3cys group (p < .05). At 21 days, the WT+Pam3cys group had a lower number of osteoclasts when compared to the WT animals (p = .02). FOXP3 expression was more intense in the WT+Pam3cys groups when compared to the WT animals in the 42 days (p = .03). In the spleen analysis, the WT+Pam3cys group also had a higher expression of FOXP3 when compared to the WT animals at 14 and 42 days (p = .02). Concerning RANKL, there was a reduction in staining in the KOTLR2+Pam3cys groups at 21 and 42 days (p = .03) and a higher binding ratio between RANK/RANKL in animals that did not receive the ligand. CONCLUSION: Administration of the Pam3cys increased the proliferation of Tregs, showed by FOXP3 expression and prevented the progression of the periapical lesion in WT mice. On the other hand, in the TLR2KO animals, Treg expression was lower with larger areas of periapical lesions. Finally, systemic administration of the Pam3cys in KO animals was able to limit the deleterious effects of the absence of the TLR2 receptor.

Effect of systemic administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on apical periodontitis.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 in drinking water on the development of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. In total 60 animals were divided into a control group (sound teeth); Group I - regular water without AP; Group II - probiotic water without AP; Group III - regular water with AP; Group IV - probiotic water with AP. AP was induced after 3 days in the control groups and after 7, 21, and 42 days in groups III and IV. The animals were euthanized, and the mandibles were subjected to histotechnical processing. Samples were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) to identify root canal features, apical and periapical regions. Additionally, histoenzymology was performed to detect osteoclasts, immunohistochemistry was used to identify osteoclastogenesis markers, and the Brown & Brenn technique was applied for microbiological analysis. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 with a significance level of 5%. Although no statistical differences were observed, the groups administered with probiotics showed better conditions in terms of histological aspects seen microscopically. Furthermore, there were no differences in the number of osteoclasts (p > 0.05). The RANKL marker was not found in the probiotic group at 42 days, unlike in group III.

TNF-α-TNFR1 Signaling Mediates Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Apical Periodontitis.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the proinflammatory axis TNF-α-TNFR1 in experimentally induced periapical inflammation and bone resorption in mice. METHODS: After receiving Ethics Committee Approval (2019.1.139.58.0), experimental apical periodontitis was induced by means of inoculating oral microorganisms into the root canals of molars of mice. Genetically deficient tumor necrosis factor-α receptor-1 mice (TNFR1-/-; n = 50) response was compared with that of C57Bl6 wild-type mice (wild-type; n = 50) after 7, 14, 28, and 42 days. The analyses performed were micro-computed tomographic, histopathologic, histomicrobiological, and histometric evaluation, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, immunohistochemistry, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance, followed by Tukey or Bonferroni tests (α = 5%). RESULTS: TNFR1-/- mice exhibited lower recruitment of neutrophils at 14, 28, and 42 days (P < .05), which resulted in reduced area and volume of apical periodontitis at 42 days (P < .05). The number of osteoclasts was also lower in TNFR1-/- animals at 14 and 42 days (P < .01), along with reduced synthesis of CTSK, MMP-9, and COX-2. Expression of RANKL, but not OPG, was reduced at 14 and 42 days (P < .001). The highest RANKL expression over OPG (ratio > 1) was found in wild-type animals at 7 (P < .0001) and 42 days (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Periapical inflammation and bone resorption were exacerbated in wild-type animals compared with TNFR1-/- mice, demonstrating that the TNF-α-TNFR1 signaling pathway mediated catabolic events in bone after root canal contamination.

Effect of systemic administration of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis HN019 on apical periodontitis

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis (B. lactis) HN019 in drinking water on the development of apical periodontitis (AP) in rats. In total 60 animals were divided into a control group (sound teeth); Group I - regular water without AP; Group II - probiotic water without AP; Group III - regular water with AP; Group IV - probiotic water with AP. AP was induced after 3 days in the control groups and after 7, 21, and 42 days in groups III and IV. The animals were euthanized, and the mandibles were subjected to histotechnical processing. Samples were stained with hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) to identify root canal features, apical and periapical regions. Additionally, histoenzymology was performed to detect osteoclasts, immunohistochemistry was used to identify osteoclastogenesis markers, and the Brown & Brenn technique was applied for microbiological analysis. The data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 with a significance level of 5%. Although no statistical differences were observed, the groups administered with probiotics showed better conditions in terms of histological aspects seen microscopically. Furthermore, there were no differences in the number of osteoclasts (p > 0.05). The RANKL marker was not found in the probiotic group at 42 days, unlike in group III.

Contribution of dentistry in the diagnosis of systemic disorders related to erosive tooth wear / Contribución de la odontología en diagnóstico de trastornos sistémicos relacionados con el desgaste dental erosive / Contribuição da odontologia no diagnóstico de distúrbios sistêmicos relacionados ao desgaste dentário erosivo

Abstract Erosive tooth wear (ETW) is the irreversible loss of dental hard tissue resulting from the chemical-mechanical process. The aim of the present case report was to present two clinical cases of patients affected by ETW arising from different etiological factors. The patients, of the male gender, 9 and 10 years of age presented to the pediatric dental clinic, for routine evaluation. On clinical exam, both patients had no caries lesions, but some lesions suggestive of ETW, which had aspects such as a translucent halo around the occlusal surface of teeth, in addition to "cupping" lesions - mainly in the cusp region, and loss of tooth enamel (by volume). The lesions were restricted to enamel, and the patients showed no dental hypersensitivity. From the dental clinical exam and anamnesis, the two patients were found to have similar tooth structure loss, with diagnosis of ETW. However, in one patient the etiology was extrinsic due to diet, and in the other, it was intrinsic due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The latter patient was referred to a specialist for evaluation of the systemic condition, and GERD was diagnosed. It was concluded that dentists play an important role, as coadjuvant in the diagnosis of health problems related to ETW. Therefore, meticulous clinical exams must be performed to establish the correct diagnosis, because swift intervention in the clinical cases presented had a positive impact on halting the erosive process.

Resumen El desgaste dental erosivo corresponde a una pérdida irreversible de tejido duro dental resultante de un proceso químico-mecánico. Este artículo tuvo como objetivo presentar dos casos clínicos de pacientes afectados por desgaste erosivo con diferentes factores etiológicos. Pacientes varones, de 9 y 10 años, acudieron a la clínica dental de odontopediatría para evaluación de rutina. A la exploración clínica, ambos pacientes no presentaban lesiones cariosas y algunas lesiones sugestivas de erosion que presentaban aspectos como un halo translúcido alrededor de la superficie oclusal del diente, además de puntos de punción principalmente en la región cuspídea (lesiones en ventosa) y pérdida del volumen del esmalte dental. Las lesiones se restringieron al esmalte y los pacientes no presentaron hipersensibilidad dentaria. Del examen clínico odontológico y de la anamnesis se aprecia que los dos pacientes presentaban similar pérdida estructural, con diagnóstico de desgaste erosivo, pero un paciente tenía una etiología extrínseca, por alimentación y otro, intrínseco, por trastorno gastroesofágico (TGRE). El paciente fue derivado al especialista para evaluación de la condición sistémica y se diagnosticó la TGRE. Se concluye que el odontólogo tiene un papel importante, como coadyuvante en el diagnóstico de los trastornos de salud relacionados con el desgaste erosivo. Por tanto, se debe realizar un examen clínico minucioso para establecer el diagnóstico correcto, ya que la rápida intervención en los casos clínicos presentados, incidió positivamente en la parálisis del proceso de erosión.

Resumo O desgaste dentário erosivo corresponde a uma perda irreversível do tecido duro dentário resultante de um processo químico-mecânico. O presente artigo teve por objetivo apresentar dois casos clínicos de pacientes afetados pelo desgaste erosivo com fatores etiológicos distintos. Os pacientes do gênero masculino, com 09 e 10 anos, compareceram à clínica odontológica de odontopediatria para avaliação de rotina. Ao exame clínico, ambos os pacientes apresentavam ausência de lesão de cárie e algumas lesões sugestivas de erosão que apresentavam aspectos como halo translúcido ao redor da superfície oclusal do dente, além de pontos socavados principalmente na região de cúspide (lesões de "cupping") e perda do volume do esmalte dentário. As lesões estavam restritas ao esmalte e os pacientes não apresentavam hipersensibilidade dentária. A partir do exame clínico odontológico e anamese pode-se constatar que os dois pacientes apresentavam perdas estruturais semelhantes, com diagnóstico de desgaste erosivo, porém um paciente apresentava etiologia extrínseca, pela alimentação e outro, intrínseca, por distúrbio gastroesofágico (DGRE). O paciente foi encaminhado ao especialista para avaliação do quadro sistêmico, sendo diagnosticado o DGRE. Conclui-se que o cirurgião-dentista tem um papel importante, como coadjuvante no diagnóstico de distúrbios de saúde relacionados ao desgaste erosivo. Portanto, um exame clínico de maneira minuciosa deve ser realizado para estabelecer o diagnóstico correto, visto que, a rápida intervenção nos casos clínicos apresentados, impactaram de forma positiva na paralisação do processo erosivo.

Web search trends related to oral health issues during the Covid-19 outbreak in Brazil: an infodemiological survey

Objective: To compare the web search trends related to oral health issues during the COVID-19 outbreak with the previous year, focusing on dental trauma (DT), bruxism (BX) and toothache (TA). Methods: It was an infodemiological study carried out using Google Trends tool. Popular terms related to oral health issues investigated were used in Portuguese to retrieve relative search volumes (RSV) normalized by the algorithm. The case period consisted of data relating to the interval from December 12, 2019 to December 12, 2020, while the control period referred to the interval from December 11, 2018 to December 11, 2019. Results: Within the case and control periods, popular terms related to TA were significantly more searched on the web, followed by BX and DT terms (all p-value <0.05). There were higher RSV for all popular terms related to oral health issues investigated during the COVID-19 outbreak than in the previous year (all p-value <0.05), especially in the third and fourth quarters. The mean frequencies were significantly higher in the case period for all oral health issues (all p-value <0.05). Conclusion: In Brazil, it was possible to observe that the web search trends related to oral health issues investigated were greater during the COVID-19 outbreak than in the previous year.

Objetivo: Comparar as tendências de pesquisa na web relacionadas a problemas de saúde bucal durante o surto de COVID-19 com o ano anterior, com foco em trauma dentário (TD), bruxismo (BX) e dor de dente (DD). Métodos: Foi um estudo infodemiológico realizado com a ferramenta Google Trends. Termos populares relacionados aos problemas de saúde bucal investigados foram usados ​​em português para recuperar os volumes relativos de pesquisa (RSV) normalizados pelo algoritmo. O período do caso consistiu em dados referentes ao intervalo de 12 de dezembro de 2019 a 12 de dezembro de 2020, enquanto o período de controle referiu-se ao intervalo de 11 de dezembro de 2018 a 11 de dezembro de 2019. Resultados: Nos períodos de caso e controle, os termos populares relacionados à DD foram significativamente mais pesquisados ​​na web, seguidos pelos termos BX e TD (todos os valores de p<0.05). Houve maior RSV para todos os termos populares relacionados aos problemas de saúde bucal investigados durante o surto de COVID-19 do que no ano anterior (todos os valores de p<0,05), especialmente no terceiro e quarto trimestres. As frequências médias foram significativamente maiores no período do caso para todos os problemas de saúde bucal (todos os valores de p<0,05). Conclusão: No Brasil, foi possível observar que as tendências de buscas na web relacionadas aos problemas de saúde bucal investigados foram maiores durante o surto de COVID-19 do que no ano anterior.

Primary intraosseous CD9-positive B-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma of the maxilla affecting a pediatric patient: Immunohistochemical and in situ hybridization analysis.

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is a clinically aggressive disease, representing approximately 2% of all non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. In the oral and maxillofacial (OMF) region, approximately 39 cases, diagnosed as LBL, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or ALL/LBL, have been reported to date. Noteworthy, the CD9 expression, which indicates a poor outcome in ALL, has not been reported in LBL and lymphoblastic neoplasms of the OMF region. Herein, we report an additional maxillary intraosseous B-cell LBL, affecting a 14-year-old girl, which also showed positivity for CD9, Bcl-6 and MUM1/IRF4. Aiming at diagnostic and prognostic criteria, further studies focusing CD9 expression in LBL is recommended.

Gingival ossifying myopericytoma in a pediatric patient: Immunohistochemical analysis and literature review.

Myopericytoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor characterized by a hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern with perivascular myoid differentiation. To date, only 11 cases of oral myopericytoma have been reported. To the best of our knowledge, myopericytoma with gingival involvement and associated with calcifications has not been reported, expanding their clinicopathological spectrum. Herein, we report a 12-year-old girl female patient who presented a gingival nodule diagnosed as ossifying myopericytoma, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis when assessing oral soft tissue lesions, especially in pediatric patients.

Unilateral enlargement of the lateral lingual tonsil: An immunohistochemical study and literature review.

Besides the Waldeyer's ring, other lymphoid aggregates can also be detected in the soft palate, floor of the mouth and ventral tongue. The lingual tonsil is located at the base of the tongue and related to circumvallate papillae, whereas subepithelial lymphoid tissue at the posterior lateral portion of the tongue and related to foliate papillae constitutes the lateral lingual tonsil. Unilateral tonsillar enlargement is critical, because it can suggest malignancy, notably non-Hodgkin lymphoma or squamous cell carcinoma. Herein, we report an unusual presentation of unilateral enlargement of the lateral lingual tonsil, diagnosed as follicular lymphoid hyperplasia.

Multiple Desmoplastic Cellular Neurothekeomas in Child: Report of the First Oral Case and Review of the Literature.

Cellular neurothekeomas (CNs) are distinctive benign tumors of uncertain histogenesis, with predilection for the skin of the head and neck region. We describe the first case of multiple desmoplastic CNs (DCNs) affecting the oral cavity in a 9-year-old girl. Histopathologic evaluation showed a proliferation of spindle and epithelioid cells, forming nests and bundles, supported by exuberant fibrous stroma, as well as scattered multinucleated floret-like giant cells. The tumor cells were immunopositive for vimentin, CD63, CD56, whereas AE1/AE3, S100, CD34, α-SMA, GFAP, EMA, CD57 and NSE were negative. Ki-67 was <2%. Multiple DCNs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oral nodular lesions.

Orofacial manifestations in patients with sickle cell anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of orofacial manifestations between patients with and without sickle cell anemia and to investigate the distribution of such events in patients with sickle cell anemia by sex and age. METHOD AND MATERIAL: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which 330 subjects divided into two groups (a group of individuals with sickle cell anemia and a healthy control group) were examined. RESULTS: It was observed that patients with sickle cell anemia had a significantly higher prevalence of previous mental nerve neuropathy (P = .000) and delayed tooth eruption (P = .006) than patients without the disease. Regarding the distribution of orofacial manifestations in patients with sickle cell anemia by sex and age, the only statistical associations were between the prevalence of previous mental nerve neuropathy and sex (P = .023) and previous mandibular pain and age (P = .019). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that sickle cell anemia is associated with the prevalence of previous mental nerve neuropathy and delayed tooth eruption. Moreover, previous mental nerve neuropathy is more frequent among females with sickle cell anemia, and previous mandibular pain is more frequent among individuals older than 21 years of age with sickle cell anemia. Further studies using a methodology similar to the one in this study are necessary considering the scarcity of studies using this approach.

Saúde bucal coletiva: análise dos periódicos especializados / Public oral health: a review of professional journals

Objetivo: O presente estudo objetivou analisar a produção científica odontológica na área de saúde coletiva a partir de periódicos indexados na base de dados Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO), sessão Saúde Pública. Materiais e Métodos: Foram analisados 10 periódicos, sessão Saúde Pública, com 605 números, totalizando 8.494 artigos científicos, indexados no SciELO e publicados entre janeiro de 1998 e dezembro de 2007. Resultados: Verificou-se que em relação à produção científica, das 8.494 publicações, 260 eram da área odontológica, correspondendo a 3% da produção analisada. A maior produção de artigos científicos concentrou-se no periódico Cadernos de Saúde Pública (26,5%) e a menor, na Revista de Salud Pública da Colômbia (2%). A maior parcela da produção científica originou-se de Instituições de Ensino Superior (48%). Dessas, 76,5% foi oriunda de instituições públicas localizadas, principalmente, no Sudeste do Brasil (54%). Conclusão: Foi possível observar, portanto, a crescente produção científica da área de saúde bucal coletiva brasileira, evidenciando-se uma maior concentração na região sudeste e uma grande participação das instituições de ensino superior.(AU)

Aim: This study aimed to analyze the dental scientific production in the area of Public Health, from periodicals indexed in the Scientific Electronic Library Online (SciELO) database. Materials and Methods: The present study analyzed 10 journals, in the area of public health, with 605 editions, totaling 8.494 articles, indexed in SciELO and published between January 1998 and December 2007. Results: Considering the total number of published articles (n=8.494), 260 were associated with dentistry, corresponding to 3% of the analyzed production. The largest scientific article production was concentrated in the Public Health Journals (26.5%), whereas a lesser amount could be found in the Revista de Salud Pública (Public Health Journal, Colombia) (2%). The great majority of scientific production came from institutions of higher education (48%), 76.5% of which came from public institutions, located mainly in the Southeastern regions of Brazil (54%). Conclusion: The results demonstrated the growth of scientific literature on public health in Brazil, but with obvious regional bias and prominent involvement of institutions of higher education.(AU)