Identification of a novel salivary biomarker miR-143-3p for periodontal diagnosis: A proof of concept study.

BACKGROUND: Though the use of salivary miRNAs as potential biomarkers has been reported in few diseases/conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and oral cancer, there are no reported studies on their utility in periodontal diagnostics. Thus, the aim of the present study was to profile salivary miRNAs and identify the most suitable salivary miRNA biomarker in chronic periodontitis. METHODS: In this study, we have explored the potential application of next generation sequencing (NGS) technology for profiling miRNAs in two unstimulated saliva samples collected by passive drool method from a patient diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis and a healthy control. Subsequently, the validation of most highly expressed known miRNA in periodontitis was performed in saliva samples collected from an independent set of 16 chronic periodontitis patients and 16 periodontally healthy controls using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Target gene prediction and pathway mapping were performed using bioinformatic tools. RESULTS: NGS analysis identified 40 upregulated and 40 downregulated known miRNAs in chronic periodontitis compared to healthy controls, of which miR-143-3p was the most highly expressed miRNA in periodontitis (Read count - 227630; fold change - 5.82). Validation using qRT-PCR showed significant upregulation of miR-143-3p expression in the test group compared with controls (P < 0.05). K-RAS (V-Ki-ras2 Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene) gene was predicted as the target gene for miR-143-3p in humans. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of genes and genomes) pathway mapping revealed the involvement of K-RAS in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The application of NGS for miRNA expression profiling can be considered a valuable tool in detection of novel biomarkers in periodontal diagnostics. Also, the results of the study points to the potential utility of miR143-3p as a novel salivary biomarker for chronic periodontitis.

A comparative evaluation of the marginal adaptation of a thermoplastic resin, a light cured wax and an inlay casting wax on stone dies: An in vitro study.

BACKGROUND: Different pattern materials do not produce copings with satisfactory, marginal accuracy when used on stone dies at varying time intervals. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the vertical marginal accuracy of patterns formed from three materials, namely, thermoplastic resin, light cured wax and inlay casting wax at three-time intervals of 1, 12, and 24 h. METHODOLOGY: A master die (zirconia abutment mimicking a prepared permanent maxillary central incisor) and metal sleeve (direct metal laser sintering crown #11) were fabricated. A total of 30 stone dies were obtained from the master die. Ten patterns were made each from the three materials and stored off the die at room temperature. The vertical marginal gaps were measured using digital microscope at 1, 12, and 24 h after reseating with gentle finger pressure. RESULTS: The results revealed a significant statistical difference in the marginal adaptation of three materials at all the three-time intervals. Light cured wax was found to be most accurate at all time intervals, followed by thermoplastic resin and inlay casting wax. Furthermore, there was a significant difference between all pairs of materials. The change in vertical marginal gap from 1 to 24 h between thermoplastic resin and light cured wax was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The marginal adaptation of all the three materials used, was well within the acceptable range of 25-70 µm. The resin pattern materials studied revealed significantly less dimensional change than inlay casting wax on storage at 1, 12, and 24 h time intervals. They may be employed in situations where high precision and delayed investing is expected.

Prosthetic rehabilitation in neurosurgical cranioplasty.

The defects of the skull cause mechanical vulnerability of the brain, esthetic disfigurement, and transmission of vibrations and pulsation of the brain. Subsequent cranioplasty may be required to compensate for the defect and to alleviate various signs and symptoms. When long-term outcome of biomaterial use in pediatric cases is limited, alloplastic cranioplasty in adults are supported by several large case series. This case report narrates cranioplasty using titanium alloplastic implant material.