THE EFFECTS OF CHRONIC PERIODONTITIS AND OBESITY ON TOTAL ANTIOXIDANT/OXIDANT STATUS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS INDEX.

Objective: Both obesity and periodontal diseases are significant diseases that affect the quality of life. Recent studies have focused on the relationship between obesity and periodontal disease. The aim of this study is to determine the pathophysiological relationship between obesity and periodontal disease by evaluating the clinical periodontal parameters and oxidative status. Subjects and Methods: The study included 80 individuals divided into four groups including 20 individuals in each group as following; periodontally healthy patients with normal weight, (NH), patients with chronic periodontitis and normal weight (NCP), periodontally healthy patients with obesity (OH) and patients with chronic periodontitis and obesity (OCP). Clinical periodontal parameters were recorded, and serum, saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were obtained. Local and systemic levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI) were assessed biochemically. Results: No statistically significant difference was found among the groups regarding TAS, TOS and OSI values in serum and saliva samples (p>0.05). GCF-TAS values in NH group were statistically significantly higher compared with other groups (p<0,05) . GCF TOS values increased in obese groups (OH, OCP) compared with non-obese groups (NH, NCP) (p<0.05). Our results suggest that obesity and chronic periodontitis do not effect oxidant/antioxidant levels in serum and saliva. Conclusions: Many factors such as daily living conditions of the individual, stress and nutritional habits TAS and TOS levels of the individual may affect oxidative stress parameters. However, these factors could not be standardized in the study.

Matter-wave interference of a native polypeptide.

The de Broglie wave nature of matter is a paradigmatic example of quantum physics and it has been exploited in precision measurements of forces and fundamental constants. However, matter-wave interferometry has remained an outstanding challenge for natural polypeptides, building blocks of life, which are fragile and difficult to handle. Here, we demonstrate the wave nature of gramicidin, a natural antibiotic composed of 15 amino acids. Its center of mass is delocalized over more than 20 times the molecular size in our time-domain Talbot-Lau interferometer. We compare the observed interference fringes with a model that includes both a rigorous treatment of the peptide's quantum wave nature as well as a quantum chemical assessment of its optical properties to distinguish our result from classical predictions. The realization of quantum optics with this prototypical biomolecule paves the way for quantum-assisted measurements on a large class of biologically relevant molecules.

Long-pulse laser launch and ionization of tailored large neutral silver nanoparticles with atomic mass assignment.

We explore the synthesis, characterization, neutral launch and vacuum ultraviolet ionization of massive perfluorinated-alkyl-capped nanoparticles. The presence of the ligand coating in solution is corroborated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the particle size distribution is analyzed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry identifies perfluoralkyl coated silver nanoparticles as the most stable species among the materials studied here. They can be launched in high vacuum using long-pulse low-power laser heating - orders of magnitude below typical thresholds for laser desorption. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) of the recaptured silver clusters confirms the expected elemental distribution. Volatilization with subsequent ionization of the neutral nanoparticle beam in high vacuum by 157 nm light allows analyzing their mass with atomic resolution.

Tailoring the volatility and stability of oligopeptides.

Amino acids are essential building blocks of life, and fluorinated derivatives have gained interest in chemistry and medicine. Modern mass spectrometry has enabled the study of oligo- and polypeptides as isolated entities in the gas phase, but predominantly as singly or even multiply charged species. While laser desorption of neutral peptides into adiabatically expanding supersonic noble gas jets is possible, UV-VIS spectroscopy, electric or magnetic deflectometry as well as quantum interferometry would profit from the possibility to prepare thermally slow molecular beams. This has typically been precluded by the fragility of the peptide bond and the fact that a peptide would rather 'fry', i.e. denature and fragment than 'fly'. Here, we explore how tailored perfluoroalkyl functionalization can reduce the intermolecular binding and thus increase the volatility of peptides and compare it to previously explored methylation, acylation and amidation of peptides. We show that this strategy is essential and enables the formation of thermal beams of intact neutral tripeptides, whereas only fragments were observed for an extensively fluoroalkyl-decorated nonapeptide. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Mass Spectrometry Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Relationship between alexithymia and chronic periodontitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between alexithymia and chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A case-control study of 222 male and female subjects aged 21-63 years was conducted. The participants were divided into a chronic periodontitis group (n = 114) and a control group (n = 108) with no history of periodontitis. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) was used to evaluate alexithymia status of the subjects. Clinical data were collected on parameters such as the plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and the clinical attachment level (CAL). Socioeconomic data on the patients were also recorded. RESULTS: Chronic periodontitis group showed higher frequency in alexithymic patients as compared to control group. The proportion of high dental anxiety did not differ between the groups. The total TAS-20 score was statistically significantly higher in male subjects than in female subjects (P < 0.05). The bivariate analyses of the psychometric measures and the periodontal parameters revealed positive correlations with the severity of periodontal disease/CAL and the total TAS-20 score (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of the current study suggest that alexithymia is a possible risk factor for chronic periodontitis. Further research is needed to identify the underlying mechanism.

Radio-protective effects of Nigella sativa oil on oxidative stress in tongue tissue of rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil against radiation-induced oxidative stress in the rat tongue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four equal groups. Group 1 [control group(C)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation. Group 2 [sham control group(CN)] did not receive N.S. oil or irradiation but received 1-ml saline orally, plus sham irradiation. Group 3 [irradiation group(R)] received irradiation, plus 1-ml saline orally. Group 4 [irradiation plus N.S. oil group(RN)] received irradiation plus 1 g kg(-1) per day of N.S. oil orally for 10 days. The animals were euthanized on day 10, and tongue tissues were collected for evaluating biochemical oxidative parameters. RESULTS: The oxidative stress index, total oxidant status and lipid hydroperoxides levels in the R group were statistically higher than those in the C, CN and RN groups. The paraoxonase levels in the R group were statistically lower than those in the C, CN and RN groups. No statistically significant differences were detected between any of the groups, in terms of total antioxidant status and the arylesterase, ceruloplasmin and total sulfhydryl group levels. CONCLUSION: Nigella sativa (N.S.) oil may be a beneficial agent in protecting against ionizing radiation-related tissue injury.

The effect of a new calcium-based agent, Pro-Argin, on the microhardness of bleached enamel surface.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the effects of Pro-Argin application on the microhardness of bleached enamel and compared them with those of acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) and casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) applications. METHODS: Forty blocks (4 × 4 × 4 mm) were prepared from the facial surfaces of 10 sound bovine incisors. The enamel surfaces were bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide three times at 5-day intervals. The specimens were divided into five treatment regimen groups (n = 8 each): Group 1, bleaching/no surface treatment (control); Group 2, bleaching/Pro-Argin toothpaste treatment; Group 3, bleaching/Pro-Argin treatment; Group 4, bleaching/APF treatment; and Group 5, bleaching/CPP-ACP treatment. During bleaching treatments, specimens were stored in artificial saliva. Vickers microhardness measurements were performed at baseline and after treatment in all groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and post hoc least significant difference tests. RESULTS: After bleaching, hardness values of enamel surfaces increased significantly in the treatment groups versus the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was found among treatment groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Through bleaching treatment, Pro-Argin application may have a positive effect on enamel surface hardness, equivalent to that of CPP-ACP or APF.

Effects of periodontal therapy on disease activity and systemic inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This observational prospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment on clinical periodontal measurements and systemic inflammatory mediator levels in low or moderate to highly active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with chronic periodontitis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Rheumatoid arthritis activity was assessed with disease activity score test (DAS28). Thirty patients with RA with moderate to high disease activity (DAS28 ≥ 3.2) and chronic periodontitis (MHDA group) and thirty patients with RA with low disease activity (DAS28 < 3.2) and chronic periodontitis (LDA group) were enrolled in the study. The patients were monitored at the beginning and 3 months after undergoing periodontal therapy. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in serum, DAS28 and periodontal parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, TNF-α levels in serum, DAS28 and periodontal parameters exhibited similar and significant reduction 3 months after the non-surgical periodontal treatment. CONCLUSION: Non-surgical periodontal treatment may prove beneficial in reducing RA severity as measured by ESR, CRP, TNF-α levels in serum and DAS28 in low or moderate to highly active RA patients with chronic periodontitis.

Serum cytokine levels and periodontal parameters in ankylosing spondylitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Multiple studies support the role of periodontal disease in contributing to the chronic systemic inflammatory burden in a variety of diseases, including ankylosing spondylitis (AS), in the progression which the inflammatory process plays an important role. We assume that patients with AS are more likely to have periodontal disease than healthy individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between inflammatory periodontal diseases and AS by evaluating clinical periodontal parameters and serum cytokine levels. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-eight adults with AS (35 women and 13 men; age range 18-56 years; mean age 34.27 years) and 48 age- and sex-matched systemically healthy control subjects participated in the study. The clinical periodontal parameters, venous blood and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score were obtained, and serum C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: There was statistically no significant difference in the frequency of periodontitis between AS patients and the control group. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in probing depth, clinical attachment level and plaque index, and the only significant clinical difference between groups was in levels of bleeding on probing (p < 0.001). Serum concentrations of IL-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and C-reactive protein in the AS group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). In the AS group, there was a correlation between serum IL-6 levels and clinical attachment level (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of present study suggest that bleeding on probing was the only different periodontal parameter between the AS and the control group, and the periodontal status of patients with AS may be affected by IL-6 levels.