Immunologic burden links periodontitis to acute coronary syndrome: levels of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells in gingival granulation tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the proportional variation of macrophage and T-lymphocytes subpopulations in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients, its association with periodontitis (P), and to compare with control individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Three groups of subjects participated: one group consisted of 17 ACS patients with P (ACS + P), another group consisted of 22 no ACS + P patients, and a control group consisted of 23 participants with gingivitis (no ACS + G). Macrophage, CD4 + , and CD8 + T-lymphocytes and CD4 + /CD8 + ratio values in gingival tissue were determined histometrically. RESULTS: Significant differences were found among three groups regarding the mean number of macrophage (no ACS + P > ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05) and CD8 + T-lymphocytes (no ACS + P > ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05). Significant variations were observed between the groups both CD4 + T-lymphocytes densities (ACS + P > no ACS + P and ACS + P > no ACS + G; p < 0.05) and CD4 + / CD8 + ratio (no ACS + P < no ACS + G and ACS + P < no ACS + G; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increased number of CD8 + T-lymphocytes in both group ACS + P and group no ACS + P resulted in a reduction of the CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in gingival tissue when compared with no ACS + G group. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The decrease of CD4 + /CD8 + ratio in gingival tissue reflects periodontitis and may be associated with severe adverse outcomes in people with ACS.

Salivary bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein: A novel inflammatory marker associated with periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES: The present case-control study aims to investigate the salivary levels of bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) in systemically healthy individuals with periodontitis and periodontally healthy for the evaluation of BPI's relation with periodontal inflammation and clinical diagnosis of periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 participants were enrolled in this study and divided into periodontitis (P group) (n = 50) and periodontally healthy (H group) (n = 50) groups based on their full-mouth periodontal examination results including plaque index, probing pocket depth, gingival index, bleeding on probing, and clinical attachment level. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected. Salivary BPI and IL-1ß levels were determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were created to determine the diagnostic value of BPI. RESULTS: The levels of BPI and IL-1ß in saliva were significantly higher in the P group than in the H group (p<0.001). Moreover, salivary BPI and IL-1ß levels correlated significantly with all clinical periodontal parameters (all p<0.001). Interestingly, there was a strong positive correlation between salivary levels of BPI and IL-1ß (r=0.544, p<0.001). In addition, the results of the ROC curve analysis showed that BPI had a high diagnostic potential to distinguish periodontitis from healthy controls with an area under the curve value of 0.94% (p<0.000). CONCLUSION: The significantly higher salivary levels of BPI in periodontitis patients together with strong positive correlations between all periodontal parameters and salivary IL-1ß levels suggest that BPI may be involved in the inflammatory process of periodontal disease. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study for the first time report that salivary BPI levels may serve as a potential biomarker of inflammation in periodontal disease. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Thai Clinical Trials.gov (TCTR20211222008) (22 December 2021).

Evaluating the relationship between ankylosing spondylitis and periodontal disease: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the possible relationship between periodontal disease and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) by evaluating clinical periodontal measurements and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of sclerostin, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8) levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight patients with AS (AS group) and 28 systemically healthy controls (C group) were enrolled in this study. Full-mouth periodontal measurements: plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) measurements were obtained from all patients. AS-related parameters were included in the data analyses. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay determined GCF IL-1ß, MMP-8, and sclerostin levels. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical periodontal measurements between the two groups (p > 0.05). Interestingly, patients with AS had significantly lower GCF sclerostin levels than the C group (p < 0.05). But there were no statistical differences in the GCF levels of IL-1ß and MMP-8 between the two groups (p > 0.05). Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels strongly correlated with both BOP (r = 0.497, p < 0.05) and PPD (r = 0.570, p < 0.05) in the AS group. Bath AS Metrology Index (BASMI) also positively correlated with both BOP (r = 0.530, p < 0.05) and CAL (r = 0.568, p < 0.05). Similarly, Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesis Score (MASES) strongly correlated with both BOP (r = 0.487, p < 0.05) and CAL (r = 0.522, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the patient's systemic condition may influence local sclerostin levels in GCF, and the strong correlations between periodontal measurements and AS-related parameters may indicate an interrelationship between inflammatory periodontal disease and AS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present study provides important information concerning the relationship between periodontal disease and ankylosing spondylitis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials.gov (TCTR20200908001) (08. September 2020).

B cell depletion in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is associated with reduced IL-1ß in GCF.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the effect of B cell depletion on the clinical periodontal findings and IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels of the gingival crevicular (GCF) fluid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy patients were included in this case-control study. Twenty patients with RA were undergoing B-cell depletion treatment. The second group of RA patients (n = 20) were undergoing non-B-cell depletion treatment with Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARD). Control group, with no RA, consisted of 30 individuals. Periodontal parameters including probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), and plaque index (PI) were recorded. IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels in GCF were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Rheumatological parameters including Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS-28), rheumatoid factor levels (RF), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide levels were included in the data analyses. RESULTS: All groups were similar in PD, CAL, BOP, GI, and PI measures. GCF IL-1ß levels were 1.85 ± 1.67 pg in the B-cell depletion group, 10.50 ± 13.16 pg in the DMARD group, and 34.12 ± 29.45 pg in the control group (p < 0.001). MMP-8 levels were 21.00 ± 4.23 pg in the B-cell depletion group, 8.16 ± 6.94 pg in the DMARD group, and 21.45 ± 8.67 pg in the control group (p < 0.001). DAS 28, RF, and anti-CCP were similar in RA groups. CONCLUSIONS: GCF IL-1ß levels were significantly lower in B cell depletion group, and MMP-8 levels were significantly lower in DMARD group, suggesting that rheumatoid arthritis treatments may modify biochemical parameters of GCF. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that host modulation therapies in RA can reduce local production of IL-1ß and MMP-8. Reduction of these inflammatory cytokines and enzymes may have a beneficial effect in controlling periodontal tissue destruction.

The effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on neutrophil elastase and elastase alpha-1 proteinase inhibitor levels in GCF in periodontitis patients with or without acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis may contribute to vascular damage, resulting in the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaque leading to acute coronary syndrome (ACS). In this study, we explored the effect of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on cardiovascular blood biomarkers and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) neutrophil elastase (NE) and α1-proteinase inhibitor (α-1PI) levels in periodontitis (P) participants with and without ACS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical and dental examinations were performed to diagnose ACS and periodontitis, respectively. Seventeen patients with diagnosis of ACS and periodontitis were included in this study, as a test group (group ACS). Twenty-six age and sex-matched control patients with periodontitis (group P) were otherwise systemically healthy. Both groups received NSPT. Plasma levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), C-reactive protein (CRP), GCF NE activity, GCF α1-PI levels, and GCF NE/α1-PI rates were measured at baseline, at1st and 3rd months after NSPT. RESULTS: GCF NE activity/time (µU/30s) decreased significantly at 3rd month compared to baseline values in the Group P after NSPT. First and 3rd months after NSPT, in the Group P GCF α1-PI activity/time (pg/30s) was significantly higher than the Group ACS. Moreover GCF NE/α1-PI rates decreased significantly compared to baseline values at 1st and 3rd months after NSPT in the group P. CONCLUSION: NSPT yields decrease in NE/α1-PI rates. NE and its possible interactions with α1-PI may play a crucial role in both periodontitis and ACS. GCF α1PI activity/time (U/30s) can be a potential biomarker in management of periodontitis associated with ACS. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The GCF α1-PI reduction may alter the immune-inflammatory response in patients with periodontitis and thus increase the risk of ACS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials.gov (NCT04785235).

Gingival crevicular fluid levels of cytokine, chemokine, and growth factors in patients with periodontitis or gingivitis and periodontally healthy subjects: a cross-sectional multiplex study.

INTRODUCTION: Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an important resource for detecting inflammatory biomarkers related to periodontal disease. The purpose of this research was to identify the possible relation between cytokine levels and periodontal status. MATERIAL AND METHODS: GCF samples collected from 25 periodontally healthy individuals, 24 with gingivitis, and 24 with periodontitis were analyzed using the MAGPIX system with a Bio-Plex Pro Human Cytokine 27-plex kit. Gingival index (GI), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured from each tooth to determine each patient's periodontal status. RESULTS: All clinical parameters showed statistically significant differences between groups. While interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, macrophage chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), interferon γ-induced protein 10 (IP-10) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were statistically significantly higher in patients with periodontitis compared to periodontally healthy subjects, IL-15 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in periodontally healthy individuals compared to periodontitis (p < 0.05). Also, IL-1ß and IP-10 showed positive correlations with PPD, CAL, GI and bleeding on probing (BOP). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-15, MCP-1, VEGF and IP-10 could be related to periodontal disease and health and can be used as an adjunct to clinical examination in future research design. Scanning cytokines in GCF with a multiplex immunoassay technique is consequential, especially because many cytokine types are found in one sample.

Clinical presentation and diagnostic delay in pemphigus vulgaris: A prospective study from Turkey.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the diagnostic patterns and factors that may influence delays in the diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) with oral involvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 36 newly diagnosed PV patients with oral involvement were clinically examined and interviewed about the natural history of the oral lesions, number of medical consultations (Med consultation), medical treatment history, and diagnostic delay time (DD time). RESULTS: Thirty (83%) PV patients presented initially with oral mucosal involvement (OMI) and 6 (17%) presented initially with skin involvement (SI). The mean DD time was 6.19 ± 3.82 months, and the mean number of Med consultation was 5.8 (n = 36). The means of all the parameters were significantly higher for the OMI patients than for the SI patients (P < .05). All of the patients with OMI had been misdiagnosed. The DD time was significantly longer in patients who presented initially with desquamative gingivitis (8.25 ± 3.81) than patients who presented with ulcers and erosions (4.78 ± 1.11) (P < .05). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between DD time and Med consultation (r = 0.91). CONCLUSION: Even with the high frequency of oral involvement and easy access to the oral cavity, diagnostic delays are still common for patients with oral PV. This underlines the need for education to improve healthcare providers' awareness and knowledge of the clinical oral presentation of PV.

Evaluation of the clinical and biochemical efficacy of erbium, chromium:ytrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (ER,CR:YSGG) laser treatment in periodontitis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical efficacy of erbium, chromium:ytrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser treatment, in addition to non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT), in periodontitis patients. This was a single-centre, split-mouth, randomized, controlled 6-month clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to a debridement and laser treatment group or control group (debridement alone). Clinical measurements were performed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. The following parameters were measured: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BoP), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume and IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels in GCF. There were statistically significant clinical improvements in both groups, with no significant between-group differences in PD, CAL, PI and BoP clinical measurements (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, the GI 1 and 3 months post-treatment and BoP 1 month post-treatment were significantly improved in the laser group (p < 0.05). There was also a significant reduction in IL-1 ß levels in both groups at baseline versus those 1, 3 and 6 months later (p < 0.05) There was no statistically significant difference in IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels between groups (p < 0.05). Both the treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in clinical parameters. Within the limitations of this study, Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment applied in addition to NSPT is indicated to reduce clinical inflammation.

Immune modulatory and antioxidant effects of locally administrated vitamin C in experimental periodontitis in rats.

Background: Vitamin C is an important water-soluble vitamin with antioxidant and immune-modulatory actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of locally applied vitamin C on alveolar bone resorption in rats with experimental periodontitis.Methods: Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into three groups with seven animals in each group: (1) control, (2) experimental periodontitis and 3) experimental periodontitis-local vitamin C treatment group. After ligature was removed, 50 µL vitamin C was locally administered into the subperiosteum of the buccal gingiva of periodontitis vitamin C (PvitC) group rats for three times in intervals of 2 days. At the end of the study, the animals were scarified, and serum and gingival samples were collected for analysis of serum IL-1ß, oxidative stress index (OSI), CTX and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and gingival MMP-8 immunostaining. Alveolar bone loss and attachment loss were determined based on measurements on histological sections obtained from rat mandibles.Results: Serum MDA and OSI levels which are related to the oxidative stress were significantly lower in the PvitC group as compared with those in the P group (p < .05). Serum CTX levels which are related to the bone resorption were significantly lower in the PvitC group as compared with those in the P group (p < .05). The numeric density of MMP-8-positive cells was significantly lower in the PvitC group compared to P group (p < .05). Alveolar bone loss and attachment loss were significantly lower in the PvitC group compared to P group (p < .05)Conclusions: The local vitamin C administration provided protection against inflammation-induced alveolar bone resorption by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation-induced tissue breakdown vitamin C may be a therapeutic agent that can be used in periodontitis treatment.

The effect of low-level laser therapy on non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized controlled, single-blind, split-mouth clinical trial.

The purpose of this split-mouth, single-blind, controlled clinical study was to evaluate the impact of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. Twenty-five systemically healthy and non-smoking adults with chronic periodontitis who had at least two bilateral premolar teeth with probing pocket depth (PPD) of 7 ≥ x ≥ 5 mm were included in the study. In the periodontal examination of these patients, PPD, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded at the baseline, first, third, and sixth months after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken at the baseline, first week, and first month after treatment. The collected GCF samples were analyzed using the MAGPIX™ system with a Bio-Plex Pro™ Human Cytokine 27-plex kit. After non-surgical periodontal treatment, LLLT with an energy density of 7.64 J/cm2 was performed four times: immediately after scaling and root planning (SRP) and on the first, third, and seventh day after treatment. In the first month, PPD levels were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the SRP + LLLT group than in the SRP group. At the third and sixth months, CAL, PPD, and GI were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in the SRP + LLLT group than in the SRP group. Differences in GCF cytokines levels among the group were not statistically significant. Within the limitations of this study, it is indicated that LLLT as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment has a positive impact on clinical parameters.

The efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser supported periodontal therapy on the reduction of peridodontal disease related oral malodor: a randomized clinical study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser assisted periodontal therapy on the reduction of oral malodor and periodontal disease. METHODS: Sixty patients with chronic periodontitis were included in the study and allocated into two groups each containing 30 patients. The study was planned in a double blind fashion. Conventional periodontal therapy was performed in group 1 and conventional periodontal therapy was performed in association with Er,Cr:YSGG application in group 2. Periodontal parameters of probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index and bleeding on probing were measured with a periodontal probe. Quantitative analysis of volatile sulphure compunds (VSCs) were measured with a calibrated halimeter at baseline level and at post-treatment 1st, 3rd and 6th months. P values <0.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: There was a statistical significant reduction in VSC values in group 2 at post-treatment 3rd and 6th months (p < 0.05). Pocket depth values at post-treatment 1st month and bleeding on probing values at post-treatment 3rd and 6th months were significantly decreased in group 2 (p < 0.05). Intragroup statistical analysis revealed that there were statistically significant differences for all parameters (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Er,Cr:YSGG laser assisted conventional periodontal therapy is more effective in reducing oral malodor and improving periodontal healing compared to conventional periodontal therapy alone.

Effect of Chronic Periodontitis on Oxidative Status in Patients With Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis (PS), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and chronic periodontitis (CP) are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases and have remarkable pathologic similarities. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of periodontal inflammation on oxidative stress in patients with PS and PsA by evaluating serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, oxidative stress index, levels of lipid hydroperoxides, and the activities of paraoxonase, arylesterase, and ceruloplasmin. Also measured were the levels of prolidase and total sulfhydryl groups. METHODS: A total of 120 participants were divided into six groups of 20 participants: 1) PS with CP (PS-CP); 2) PS-periodontally healthy (PS-C); 3) PsA with CP (PsA-CP); 4) PsA-periodontally healthy (PsA-C); 5) systemically healthy with CP (CP); and 6) both systemically and periodontally healthy (C). Demographic, periodontal, and serum oxidative parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Oxidative stress index values of PS-C, PS-CP, PsA-C, and PsA-CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of C and CP groups, and there were no differences between any of the PS (PS-C and PS-CP), and PsA (PsA-C and PsA-CP) groups. Total antioxidant status levels of the C group were higher by 27% compared with those of the PS-C and the PsA-CP groups (P <0.05). Total oxidant status levels of both PsA-C and PsA-CP groups were approximately twice as high as those of the C (P <0.05) and CP (P <0.05, P <0.001 respectively) groups. CONCLUSIONS: The contribution of CP on systemic oxidative levels in patients with PS and PsA or systemically healthy individuals seems limited. PS and PsA did not show any additional detrimental effect on clinical parameters in patients with CP.

Relationship between periodontal destruction and gene mutations in patients with familial Mediterranean fever.

Recent studies have shown that genetic factors involved in the host responses might determine the disease severity for both familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and periodontitis. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship of FMF with periodontitis and to search for the potential association between periodontitis and MEFV gene missense variations in patients with FMF. The study consisted of 97 FMF patients and 34 healthy volunteers. FMF patients were classified according to the kind of MEFV gene mutation: (1) patients with homozygous M694V gene mutation, (2) patients with heterozygous M694V gene mutation, and (3) patients with MEFV gene different mutations. Gingival Index (GI), Plaque Index (PI), probing pocket depth (PD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were measured in all participants. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed a highly significant association between homozygous M694V gene mutation and periodontitis in FMF patients (p < 0.05). After adjusting for potential confounders (smoking, body weight, age, and gender), FMF patients with homozygous M694V gene mutation were 3.51 (1.08-11.45) times more likely to present periodontitis than the other FMF patients. These results indicate that the presence of homozygous M694V gene mutation seems to increase the risk for periodontitis in FMF patients.

[A case of gingival myiasis caused by Wohlfahrtia magnifica]. / Wohlfahrtia magnifica'dan kaynaklanan gingival miyaz olgusu.

Myiasis is an infestation of living or dead tissue of humans and animals by diptera larvae. Gingival myiasis is a rare pathology and is mainly associated with poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, senility, suppurative lesions, mouth breathing, mental retardation and hemiplegia. Myiasis is most common during summer since the fly population increases during this season. Mostly it occurs in farmers and people who live in tropical climates. Gingival myiasis in humans in Turkey is limited to only a few cases. According to our literature research, this is the first case of gingival myiasis produced by larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica in a Turkish adult. According to our best knowledge, it is also the first gingival myiasis case that one of the causative larva had grown to the adult stage in Turkey. A 43 years old male patient who perceived the presence of live maggots in his mouth was referred to our clinic. Clinical findings of gingival myiasis were observed. The patient had no history of systemic disease but oral hygiene was poor. Clinical and radiographic examination indicated that he had chronic periodontitis. Before the dental treatment seven larvae and during the scalling five larvae were elevated from the gingival sulcus. The body of the larvae composed of 12 segments and they were 8-10 mm in length. One of the larvae which was sent to the microbiology laboratory were placed into sheep liver to resume life and the other larvae were placed into 70% alcohol solution. After 9-10 days, the larva which was placed in the liver became pupa. Approximately 15 days later, the pupa became an adult fly. The larvae were identified as the second stage larvae of Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Treatment consisted of removal of the maggots from the gingival sulcus, followed by scaling and oral hygiene instruction. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was applied and the patient was followed-up for 3 months. After non-surgical periodontal treatment, patient didn't accept the flap operation. The most important point for the prevention of gingival myiasis is to establish a good oral hygiene, together with the elimination of environmental factors which support the proliferation of the flies.

Translating biotechnology to knowledge-based innovation, peace, and development? Deploy a Science Peace Corps--an open letter to world leaders.

Scholarship knows no geographical boundaries. This science diplomacy and biotechnology journalism article introduces an original concept and policy petition to innovate the global translational science, a Science Peace Corps. Service at the new Corps could entail volunteer work for a minimum of 6 weeks, and up to a maximum of 2 years, for translational research in any region of the world to build capacity manifestly for development and peace, instead of the narrow bench-to-bedside model of life science translation. Topics for translational research are envisioned to include all fields of life sciences and medicine, as long as they are linked to potential or concrete endpoints in development, foreign policy, conflict management, post-crisis capacity building, and/or peace scholarship domains. As a new instrument in the global science and technology governance toolbox, a Science Peace Corps could work effectively, for example, towards elucidating the emerging concept of "one health"--encompassing human, environmental, plant, microbial, ecosystem, and planet health--thus serving as an innovative crosscutting pillar of 21(st) century integrative biology. An interdisciplinary program of this caliber for development would link 21(st) century life sciences to foreign policy and peace, in ways that can benefit many nations despite their ideological differences. We note that a Science Peace Corps is timely. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) of the United Nations released the Fifth Assessment Report on March 31, 2014. Worrisomely, the report underscores that no person or nation will remain untouched by the climate change, highlighting the shared pressing life sciences challenges for global society. To this end, we recall that President John F. Kennedy advocated for volunteer work that has enduring, transgenerational, and global impacts. This culminated in establishment of the Peace Corps in 1961. Earlier, President Abraham Lincoln aptly observed, "nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." We therefore petition President Barack Obama, other world leaders, and international development agencies in positions of power around the globe, to consider deploying a Science Peace Corps to cultivate the essential (and presently missing) ties among life sciences, foreign policy, development, and peace agendas. A Science Peace Corps requires support by a credible and independent intergovernmental organization or development agency for funding, and arbitration in the course of volunteer work when the global versus local (glocal) value-based priorities and human rights intersect in synergy or conflict. In all, Science Peace Corps is an invitation to a new pathway for competence in 21(st) century science that is locally productive and globally competitive. It can open up scientific institutions to broader considerations and broader inputs, and thus cultivate vital translational science in a world sorely in need of solidarity and sustainable responses to the challenges of 21(st) century science and society.

Clinical and biochemical effects of 810 nm diode laser as an adjunct to periodontal therapy: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the clinical and biochemical efficacy of an 810 nm diode laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP). BACKGROUND DATA: Lasers can achieve excellent tissue ablation with strong bactericidal and detoxification effects. The use of lasers is one of the most promising new technical modalities for nonsurgical periodontal treatment. However, the most effective wavelength and parameters for their use are still under investigation. METHODS: This study was designed as a single-blinded, randomized-controlled, split-mouth clinical trial. Twenty-one patients (12 females and 9 males between 26 and 55 years of age), diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis, were included in the study. After initial periodontal therapy, which consisted of oral hygiene instructions and scaling, patients underwent two different treatment modalities. Test and control sites were chosen with coin toss randomization. At the test site, patients received SRP and laser treatment; at the contralateral control site, they received SRP treatment alone. RESULTS: Both treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in all clinical and biochemical parameters. Sites irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser using the "hot tip" (∼ 760 °C) technique showed enhanced healing in all the registered periodontal variables and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels, compared with SRP alone. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode lasers as an adjunct to SRP produced significant improvements in clinical parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) IL-1ß levels in the 6 month study period.

Host modulation in rheumatoid arthritis patients with TNF blockers significantly decreases biochemical parameters in periodontitis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of host modulation therapy on periodontal and biochemical parameters. Sixteen rheumatoid arthritis patients newly scheduled for anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) therapy were screened for 30 days. Periodontal parameters (clinical attachment level, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, plaque index and gingival index) as well as salivary and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) levels of the patients were evaluated at baseline and on the 30th day of therapy. GCF volume, IL-1ß and IL-8 levels (p = 0.007, p = 0.017 and p = 0.009, respectively) of the periodontitis patients significantly decreased. Although there was a decrease in all these parameters in healthy patients, it was below statistical significance. Salivary IL-8 and MCP-1 levels significantly decreased in periodontitis patients (p = 0.028 and p = 0.013, respectively), but IL-1ß levels remained unchanged. These results suggest that TNF blockers may significantly modify host response in terms of biochemical parameters of the periodontium and may mask significant associations such as those reported between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Periodontal disease in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Rheumatological diseases and periodontal disease are both characterized by dysregulation of the host inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the possible relationship between periodontitis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Fifty-one adults with PsA (27 men and 24 women; mean age 41.73 ± 11.27 years) and 50 age- and gender-balanced systemically healthy control subjects participated in the study. Participants' periodontal status as determined by probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss (CAL), plaque index, and gingival index was evaluated. The CAL levels of the PsA group were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05) There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of periodontitis, probing pocket depth, plaque index, or gingival index between the two groups. The results of the present study show that periodontitis severity as determined by CAL was higher in the PsA group; therefore, periodontal evaluation must be considered when PsA is diagnosed.

Protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract on ligature-induced periodontitis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that the systemic administration of extract of Ginkgo biloba (EGb) would prevent excessive tissue destruction in ligature-induced periodontitis in a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were used in the current study. The rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight rats each: (1) non-ligated treatment (NL) group, (2) ligature-only (LO) group, (3) ligature plus GB28 (28 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group and (4) ligature plus GB56 (56 mg/kg, daily for 11 days) group. RESULTS: Measurement of alveolar bone loss in the mandibular molar tooth revealed significantly lower bone loss values in the LO group compared to groups NL, GB28 and GB56 (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present results are the first data which suggests that host response in periodontitis can be modified by EGb administration. EGb minimized progression of periodontal disease.