Assessment of Salivary Flow Rate in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an infectious disease, primarily affecting the attachment apparatus of the dentition, and is categorized into mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis on the basis of its severity. It is a well-established and proven fact that an adequate level of saliva is essential for maintaining the integrity of oral tissues including the periodontium. Although various factors, such as stimulation, circadian rhythm, diet, age, and drugs, can affect the salivary flow rate, many recent studies have provided evidence that it can be altered by pathological inflammatory conditions such as periodontal diseases. Therefore, this study has been undertaken to assess the unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate in the different clinical stages of chronic periodontitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study comprised 60 study participants, who were divided into four groups depending on clinical attachment level (CAL). In all, both unstimulated and stimulated saliva were collected, and the flow rate was expressed in milliliter per minute. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was accomplished with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze differences in salivary flow rate among the groups. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. The amount of unstimulated saliva in healthy subjects, in mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis was 0.766, 0.400, 0.270, and 0.146 mL/min, respectively. Likewise, the amount of stimulated saliva in healthy subjects, in mild, moderate, and severe periodontitis was 1.017, 0.494, 0.347, and 0.236 mL/min, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study identified a significant decrease in both unstimulated and stimulated salivary flow rate with the severity of progression of chronic periodontitis.

Effect of Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy on Serum Levels of Interleukin-1ß and Interleukin-8 in Smokers and Nonsmokers with Chronic Periodontitis.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on serum levels of interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in smokers and nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis before and after scaling and root planing (SRP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a comparative interventional study including a total of 52 (26 smokers and 26 nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis) subjects. Clinical parameters (gingival index [GI], plaque index [PI], recession, probing pocket depth [PPD], and clinical attachment level [CAL]) were recorded at baseline and 4 weeks after initial periodontal therapy. Initial periodontal therapy included oral hygiene instructions and full mouth SRP. Venous blood sample of 5 mL was collected from each subject at baseline and 4 weeks after initial periodontal therapy to evaluate serum IL-1ß and IL-8. These biochemical parameters were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. RESULTS: The periodontal parameters such as PI, GI, recession, PPD, and CAL were reduced after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Smokers with chronic periodontitis showed statistically significant lower GI and higher PI, gingival recession, PPD, and CAL as compared to nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis. Statistically significant reduction in periodontal parameters was seen in both groups after periodontal therapy. IL-1ß and IL-8 were increased in both groups at baseline; after SRP both groups showed statistically significant reduction in IL-1ß and smokers with chronic periodontitis showed statistically significant increase in IL-8 after SRP. CONCLUSION: Smokers with chronic periodontitis showed more periodontal destruction and systemic inflammatory markers compared to nonsmokers with chronic periodontitis. After periodontal therapy both groups showed statistically significant improvement in clinical parameters and biochemical parameters excluding IL-8.

Effect of Nonsurgical Periodontal Therapy on Serum Level of Interleukin-6 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α in Chronic Periodontitis Patients with and without Hypothyroidism.

AIM: The aim of this article was to determine the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on clinical parameters and also to evaluate serum level of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in chronic periodontitis patients with and without hypothyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects were 40 female patients (20 systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis and 20 subjects with hypothyroidism and chronic periodontitis). Clinical parameters like plaque score, gingival score, gingival recession, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level were recorded at baseline and 4 weeks after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Nonsurgical periodontal therapy included oral hygiene instructions and full-mouth scaling and root planing. A total of 5 mL of venous blood sample was collected from each subject at baseline and 4 weeks after nonsurgical periodontal therapy. RESULTS: The clinical parameters and biochemical parameters like IL-6 and TNF-α in both groups showed pronounced reduction at the end of 4 weeks following nonsurgical periodontal therapy. However, simultaneous comparison of clinical and biochemical parameters between the two groups was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence that nonsurgical periodontal therapy contributes to reduction in serum level of IL-6 and TNF-α in systemically healthy subjects with chronic periodontitis and subjects with hypothyroidism and chronic periodontitis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of periodontitis as well as hypothyroidism is increasing nowadays. Interleukin-6 and TNF-α are found to play a significant role in pathobiology of both periodontitis and hypothyroidism. With the treatment of periodontitis, it is found that there is improvement in periodontal and thyroid status of the patients. So, it is an alert to health professionals about the relation of hypothyroidism and periodontitis so that they consider a multidisciplinary approach.

Critical Literature Review on the Definition Clarity of the Concept of Faith, Religion, and Spirituality.

The critical review of the literature describes the definition clarity of spirituality, religion, and faith. These three terms are interchangeably used in the literature. However, each of these terms has its own definitions. For example, the term spirituality has more than 13 conceptual components. It is abstract and subjective and is different from religion and faith. Spirituality can be a connection to God, nature, others, and surrounding. Spirituality is associated with quality and meaning in life. Conversely, religion is attributed to traditional values and practices related to a certain group of people or faith. Religion is guided by tradition, rules, and culture. Religion is defined as a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Religion is the service or worship of God or the supernatural. Faith is often associated with religion and spirituality. Faith is more personal, subjective, and deeper than organized religion and relates to the relationship with God. The concept of spirituality lacks a professional understanding. It is imperative that the holistic view of nursing must strive to understand the definition of spirituality.

An In Vitro Study to Evaluate and Compare the Hemocompatibility of Titanium and Zirconia Implant Materials after Sandblasted and Acid-etched Surface Treatment.

AIM: This study was aimed to investigate the hemocompatibility of zirconia and titanium implant materials after surface treatment with sandblasting and acid etching (SLA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty specimens were procured from manufacturers of dimension 10mm × 3mm, thirty of each were prefabricated medical grade titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) and thirty of sintered zirconia. Silicon carbide grit papers of 240 to 1200pm, was used to polish the specimen surface. The surfaces were rinsed with water to remove any remnant particles after polishing. Later ultrasonic cleaning was done for 5 minutes using distilled water. The control specimens included 15 specimens each from titanium (groups A1) and zirconia (groups B1). The remaining 15 specimens (groups A2 and B2) were sandblasted using alumina particles of 150 microns particle size and using 20% hydrochloric acid, acid etching was done for 30 seconds. The specimens were scanned under electron microscope after surface treatment for analysis purpose and evaluated for surface characteristics. Before the exposure of specimens to blood, percentage hemolysis, prothrombin, platelet aggregation and activation, and thrombin time values were calculated. one mL of blood was added to each specimen for testing. The values before and after the exposure of specimens to blood were noted. Using a t-test, the values noted were statistically Results: A1 (polished titanium) showed highest mean values after exposure, in platelet count (184.67 ± 1.29), leucocyte count (7.27 ± 0.08), and thrombin time (10.15 ± 0.34) while prothrombin time's highest mean value after exposure were showed by A2 (SLA treated titanium) with a mean value of 10.04 ± 0.24. CONCLUSION: Surface treatment with sandblasting and acid etching (SLA) using 150 microns alumina particles and 20% hydrochloric acid increased the surface roughness of the titanium and zirconia implant materials and polished titanium showed maximum hemocompatibility. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The implant's success depends on its biocompatibility and its property of osseointegration. The adverse interaction between blood and the artificial surface is detected by the hemocompatibility test for medical materials, to know if the surface can activate or destruct the blood components. The success of implant placement also depends on the interaction between the blood and the specimen.

Investigation on Au-nano incorporated pH-sensitive (itaconic acid/acrylic acid/triethylene glycol) based polymeric biocompatible hydrogels.

The pH-sensitive gold nano hydrogel based on itaconic acid, acrylic acid and triethylene glycol (GIAT) has been prepared by free radical polymerization viz. organic solventless approach with different monomer ratios. The nature of bonding and structural identification of GIAT hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy. The surface morphology of gold gel was examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to identify the size of gold nano particles. The in vitro biocompatibility of GIAT hydrogel has been evaluated in 3T3 fibroblast cell lines. The obtained results show that gold nano particle incorporated hydrogel possess ~99% of cell proliferation. Followed by, the impact of gold nano particles on swelling, surface morphology was studied. The consecutive preparation of hydrogel, effect of different pH conditions, and stoichiometry of monomeric units have also been discussed. The degree of swelling was measured in carbonate buffer solutions for 24h period with varying pH such as 1.2, 6.0, 7.4 and 10.0. The obtained results showed that the stoichiometry of itaconic acid and gold nano particles plays an essential role in modifying the nature of GIAT polymeric hydrogels. In conclusion, promising Au-nano incorporated pH-sensitive bio polymeric hydrogels were prepared and characterized. The unique properties of these Au-nano hydrogel make them attractive use in biomedical applications.

Phosphatase activity in anaerobic bioreactors for wastewater treatment.

Phosphatase (PO4ase) activity was investigated in continuous and fed-batch anaerobic bioreactors for wastewater treatment. PO4ase levels were high in continuously fed reactors (880-2632 micromol/L/h), compared to a fed-batch reactor (FBR) (540-1249 micromol/L/h). Alkaline and acid PO4ases were present in all the reactors, but in varying magnitudes and total PO4ase activity exhibited a 10-30% variation even at steady-state reactor conditions. The PO4ase activity was not affected by the inorganic phosphate (Pi) level in the reactors, but biomass level and wastewater type, including specific PO4ases (either alkaline or acid), strongly influenced the PO4ase activity in a reactor. Both flocculated and suspended cells produced PO4ase, and 60-65% of the enzyme was cell bound, remaining entrapped in the extracellular matrix and in cell-free form. Batch studies with anaerobic sludge showed a negative correlation between Pi and PO4ase activity. An increase in PO4ase activity was observed under starvation and higher salinity (above 15 g/L). Glucose and propionate (at 10 mM level) induced PO4ase activity, whereas acetate and butyrate (10 mM) addition had no response. This study also reveals that Archaea and bacteria contributed 45% and 55%, respectively, of total PO4ase activity in anaerobic sludge.

Single-copy genes define a conserved order between rice and wheat for understanding differences caused by duplication, deletion, and transposition of genes.

The high-quality rice genome sequence is serving as a reference for comparative genome analysis in crop plants, especially cereals. However, early comparisons with bread wheat showed complex patterns of conserved synteny (gene content) and colinearity (gene order). Here, we show the presence of ancient duplicated segments in the progenitor of wheat, which were first identified in the rice genome. We also show that single-copy (SC) rice genes, those representing unique matches with wheat expressed sequence tag (EST) unigene contigs in the whole rice genome, show more than twice the proportion of genes mapping to syntenic wheat chromosome as compared to the multicopy (MC) or duplicated rice genes. While 58.7% of the 1,244 mapped SC rice genes were located in single syntenic wheat chromosome groups, the remaining 41.3% were distributed randomly to the other six non-syntenic wheat groups. This could only be explained by a background dispersal of genes in the genome through transposition or other unknown mechanism. The breakdown of rice-wheat synteny due to such transpositions was much greater near the wheat centromeres. Furthermore, the SC rice genes revealed a conserved primordial gene order that gives clues to the origin of rice and wheat chromosomes from a common ancestor through polyploidy, aneuploidy, centromeric fusions, and translocations. Apart from the bin-mapped wheat EST contigs, we also compared 56,298 predicted rice genes with 39,813 wheat EST contigs assembled from 409,765 EST sequences and identified 7,241 SC rice gene homologs of wheat. Based on the conserved colinearity of 1,063 mapped SC rice genes across the bins of individual wheat chromosomes, we predicted the wheat bin location of 6,178 unmapped SC rice gene homologs and validated the location of 213 of these in the telomeric bins of 21 wheat chromosomes with 35.4% initial success. This opens up the possibility of directed mapping of a large number of conserved SC rice gene homologs in wheat. Overall, only 46.4% of these SC genes code for proteins with known functional domains; the remaining 53.6% have unknown function, and hence, represent an important, but yet, under explored category of genes.