Presence of methanogenic archaea in necrotic root canals of patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Theoretically, a necrotic root canal fulfils all requirements as a niche for methanogens to inhabit. However, their presence in it and its implication in apical periodontitis (AP) is controversial. Therefore, to contribute to ending the controversy, this study aimed to detect and compare methanogens' presence in two distinct niches with supposedly different microenvironments; both were necrotic root canals associated with AP but one from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while the other from non-diabetic patients. A clinical examination was performed on 65 T2DM patients and 73 non-diabetic controls. Samples from necrotic root canals were obtained, and methanogens were identified. The presence of methanogens was three times higher (27.6%) in the T2DM group than in non-diabetic patients (8.2%). In addition, methanogens' presence was associated with a higher prevalence of periapical symptoms.

Emerging role of lncRNAs in drug resistance mechanisms in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) originates in the squamous cell lining the mucosal surfaces of the head and neck region, including the oral cavity, nasopharynx, tonsils, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. The heterogeneity, anatomical, and functional characteristics of the patient make the HNSCC a complex and difficult-to-treat disease, leading to a poor survival rate and a decreased quality of life due to the loss of important physiologic functions and aggressive surgical injury. Alteration of driver-oncogenic and tumor-suppressing lncRNAs has recently been recently in HNSCC to obtain possible biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic approaches. This review provides current knowledge about the implication of lncRNAs in drug resistance mechanisms in HNSCC. Chemotherapy resistance is a major therapeutic challenge in HNSCC in which lncRNAs are implicated. Lately, it has been shown that lncRNAs involved in autophagy induced by chemotherapy and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) can act as mechanisms of resistance to anticancer drugs. Conversely, lncRNAs involved in mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) are related to chemosensitivity and inhibition of invasiveness of drug-resistant cells. In this regard, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a pivotal role in both processes and are important for cancer detection, progression, diagnosis, therapy response, and prognostic values. As the involvement of more lncRNAs is elucidated in chemoresistance mechanisms, an improvement in diagnostic and prognostic tools could promote an advance in targeted and specific therapies in precision oncology.

Antibiotic Resistance Decreases the Efficacy of Endodontic Filling Pastes for Root Canal Treatment in Children's Teeth.

The antibacterial efficacy of antimicrobial filling pastes (AFP) used in the root canal treatment of primary teeth has been widely reported. However, antibiotic resistance as an emerging global problem could impact their current efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two common AFP on susceptible or resistant bacteria isolated from primary necrotic molars. Microbiological samples were obtained and cultured from the root canals of 34 children. In total, 96 colony-forming units were obtained to determine their resistance to tetracycline, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol. They were identified as S. mutans or E. faecalis using polymerase chain reaction. The antimicrobial activity of CTZ paste (chloramphenicol, tetracycline, zinc oxide, and eugenol) and Guedes-Pinto modified (GPM) paste (rifampicin, prednisolone, iodoform, and camphorated paramonochlorophenol) were tested against the identified and selected microorganisms. Larger size inhibition zones were observed in both species when the tested strains were susceptible to the antibiotics in the AFP preparation. The efficacy of AFP containing antibiotics depends on the antibiotic resistance profile of the strain. Antibiotic resistance and its effect on the AFP were shown, which calls into question the use of simplified endodontic techniques that depend on antibiotics, since in these cases these techniques could not clinically eliminate resistant bacteria from the root canal.

Effectiveness of a microabrasion technique using 16% HCL with manual application on fluorotic teeth: A series of studies.

BACKGROUND: Dental fluorosis is caused by excessive fluoride ingestion during tooth formation. As a consequence, there is a higher porosity on the enamel surface, which causes an opaque look. AIM: The aim of this study was to identify a dental intervention to improve the smile in patients with tooth fluorosis. Additional aims were to relate the stain size on fluorotic teeth with the effectiveness of stain removal, enamel loss and procedure time using a manual microabrasion technique with 16% hydrochloric acid (HCL). METHODS: An experimental study was carried out on 84 fluorotic teeth in 57 adolescent patients, 33 females and 24 males, with moderate to severe fluorosis. The means, standard deviations and percentages were analyzed using nonparametric statistics and ArchiCAD 15 software was used for the variables including stain size and effectiveness of stain removal. RESULTS: The average enamel loss was 234 µm and was significantly related to the procedure time categorized as 1-4 min and 4.01-6 min, resulting in a P > 0.000. The microabrasion technique using 16% HCL was effective in 90.6% of patients and was applied manually on superficial stains in moderate and severe fluorosis. Procedure time was less than 6 min and enamel loss was within the acceptable range. CONCLUSION: Microabrasion is a first-line treatment; however, the clinician should measure the average enamel loss to ensure that it is within the approximate range of 250 µm in order to avoid restorative treatment.

Antimicrobial activity of endodontic sealers and medications containing chitosan and silver nanoparticles against Enterococcus faecalis.

BACKGROUND: The main microorganism associated with the failure of endodontic treatments is Enterococcus faecalis. Although several endodontic therapeutics have demonstrated antimicrobial activity against E. faecalis, the antimicrobial effectiveness of chitosan (CsNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) included into conventional endodontic sealers for endodontic therapies is still unclear. AIM: The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity increment (AAI) of endodontic sealers containing CsNPs and AgNPs as well as some chemical components against E. faecalis by direct contact assays. METHODS: CsNPs and AgNPs were synthesized by reduction and ionic gelation methods, respectively. Nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The bactericidal activity was tested on monolayers on agar plates and collagen membrane surface assays against E. faecalis. RESULTS: The size of CsNPs was 70.6±14.8 nm and zeta potential was 52.0±5.4 mV; the size of AgNPs was 54.2±8.5 nm, and zeta potential was -48.4±6.9 mV. All materials, single or combined, showed an AAI, especially when CsNPs, chlorhexidine (Chx), and the combination of CsNPs-Chx were added. However, the combination of CsNPs-Chx showed the highest (55%) AAI, followed by Chx (35.5%) and CsNPs (11.1%), respectively. There was a significant statistical difference in all comparisons (p < 0.05). Tubliseal (40%) and AH Plus (32%) sealants showed a higher AAI on E. faecalis in the monolayer test and collagen membrane assay analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Tubliseal and AH plus sealers combined with nanoparticles, especially CsNPs-Chx, could be used for conventional endodontic treatments in the control of E. faecalis bacteria.

Fibra óptica como un material alternativo en la obturación endodóncica: un estudio piloto / Optical fiber as an alternative material in endodontics: a pilot study

La gutapercha es químicamente un polímero a base de isopreno, impermeable, no poroso y radiopaco entre otras características, empleado desde el siglo XIX; sin embargo manifiesta algunos inconvenientes propios del material, lo cual ha dado lugar al nacimiento de otros materiales para mejorar sus propiedades. Recientemente se ha desarrollado y caracterizado un material novedoso a base de fibra óptica recubierta por nano partículas de plata (FONP), propuesto como un material alternativo para la obturación de conductos radiculares. En el presente estudio se seleccionaron 24 dientes para conformar cuatro grupos experimentales comparativos entre la obturación con fibra óptica y con gutapercha, ambos con el sellador AH Plus. Las raíces fueron obturadas en grupos de diez y almacenadas en solución salina a 37 oC. La filtración apical se midió desde el extremo apical de la interfaz del material hasta la extensión más coronal del tinte observado microscópicamente. Se empleó la herramienta de LAS EZ V3.0 (Leica Microsystems, Switzerland), los datos se tabularon y se analizaron. Resultados: Las mediciones de microfiltración a nivel apical e intraconductos manifestaron diferencias en favor de la gutapercha, donde los grupos experimentales manifestaron una filtración promedio correspondiente a 0.872 mm en el grupo de Gutapercha/AH-PLUS y de 2.390 mm con técnica lateral utilizando FONP/AH-PLUS, aun así se evidenció que las propiedades de sellado de la fibra óptica con nanopartículas fueron suficientes para considerarlo como un material de obturación de conductos radiculares dentales como posible sustituto de la gutapercha (AU)

Gutta-percha is chemically an Isoprene-based polymer, impervious, non-porous and radiopaque, among other characteristics, used since the 19th century, it manifests some disadvantages inherent to the material, which has led to the birth of new materials with improved properties. Recently, a novel material based on optical fiber covered by silver nanoparticles (FONP) has been developed, characterized and proposed as an alternative material for root canal obturation. In the present study, 24 teeth were selected and divided into four comparative experimental groups for obturation with fiber optics and gutta-percha, both with the AH Plus sealer. The roots were sealed in groups of ten and stored in saline at 37 oC. Apical filtration test was performed from the apical end of the material interface to the most coronal extension of the dye observed microscopically. The LAS EZ V3.0 tool was used to make the measurements and the data was tabulated and analyzed. Results: Measurements of microfiltration at the apical and intracanal level showed differences in favor of gutta-percha, where the experimental groups showed an average filtration of 0.872 mm in the Gutapercha/AH-PLUS group and 2.390 mm using FONP/AH-PLUS, even so, it was evidenced that the sealing properties of the optical fiber with nanoparticles are sufficient to consider this material as a proper filling material for dental root canals as a substitute for gutta-percha (AU)

Expresión Inmunohistoquímica de Ki-67 en Lesión Central de Células Gigantes / Immunohistochemical Expression of Ki-67 in Central Giant Cell Lesion

RESUMEN: La lesión central de células gigantes (LCCG) es una lesión osteolítica benigna que en algunos casos presenta un comportamiento agresivo, con recidiva y mal pronóstico. Ki-67 es una proteína nuclear cuya función general es la regulación de la proliferación celular. Este marcador es utilizado para el reconocimiento de células en proliferación y como herramienta de pronóstico en el diagnóstico de neoplasias. El objetivo de este estudio fue cuantificar la inmunoexpresión de Ki-67 en las diferentes poblaciones celulares de las LCCG y analizar su asociación con las características clínicas, demográficas y radiográficas. Se evaluó la inmunoexpresión de Ki-67 de 17 casos de LCCG en dos poblaciones celulares: células gigantes multinucleadas (CGM) y células mesenquimatosas estromales (CME). El análisis estadístico se efectuó con el programa SAS 9.0 y SPSS versión 23.0, con un nivel alfa impuesto de P<0,05. Las CME mostraron inmunoexpresión promedio de 9,4 % y las CGM de 0,65 %. No se encontró relación estadísticamente significativa entre las características clínicas, demográficas y radiográficas de las LCCG y la inmunoexpresión de Ki-67. La expresión de Ki-67 en CME sugiere que esta población se encuentra en constante actividad celular y que las LCCG son lesiones dinámicas y en constante proceso de diferenciación.

ABSTRACT: The central giant cell lesion (CGCL) is a benign osteolytic lesion which in some cases presents an aggressive behavior with recurrence and poor prognosis. Ki67 is a nuclear protein whose general function is the regulation of cell proliferation. This marker is used to identify proliferating cells and as a prognostic tool in the diagnosis of neoplasms. The aim of this study was to quantify the immune expression of Ki-67 in the different cell populations of CGCL and analyze its association with clinical, demographic and radiographic characteristics. The Ki-67 immune expression of 17 cases of LCCG was evaluated in two cell populations: multinucleated giant cells (CGM) and stromal mesenchymal cells (SMC). The statistical analysis was carried out with SAS 9.0 and SPSS version 23.0, with an alpha tax level of P <0.05. The CME showed average immune expression of 9.4 % and the CGM of 0.65 %. No statistically significant relationship was found between the clinical, demographic and radiographic characteristics of the CGCL and the immune expression of Ki-67. The expression of Ki-67 in CME suggests that this population is in constant cellular activity, and that the CGCL are dynamic lesions in a continuous differentiation process.

Oral findings and its association with prenatal and perinatal factors in newborns.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the frequency of abnormalities in the newborn oral cavity and to evaluate the association with prenatal and perinatal factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 2,216 newborns. Oral findings were assessed in the first 24 hours of life using visual examination. Sex, weight, length, gestational age, and medical disorders at birth were recorded. Maternal demographic and medical information was also obtained. RESULTS: The most common oral findings were Bohn's nodules, Epstein's pearls, and dental lamina cysts. Other intraoral findings included odontogenic cysts, ankyloglossia, and natal teeth, among others. In logistic regression analyses, folic acid consumption during pregnancy was significantly associated with Bohn's nodules (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23-2.55; P=0.002), Epstein's pearls (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.14-2.33; P=0.007), and dental lamina cysts (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.02-2.05; P=0.038). Moreover, preterm births were negatively associated with prevalence of Bohn's nodules (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.50-0.80; P≤0.0001). Comparison between newborns with and without oral inclusion cysts showed that maternal folic acid and iron intake were significantly different (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal folic acid and iron intake were associated with the prevalence of oral inclusion cysts.

Stimulatory effect of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans DNA on proinflammatory cytokine expression by human gingival fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: While different virulence factors have been reported of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), there is little information about the stimulatory effect of its DNA. The main purpose of this study was to assess the inflammatory response of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) stimulated with A. actinomycetemcomitans DNA. DESIGN: Cytokine levels of IL-6, IL-1α and TNF-α were measured on the supernatant of HGFs activated with 10, 25, 50 and 100µg/ml DNA of Aa during 24h. Primary cultures of HGFs were infected with Aa and its DNA at different times and concentrations to compare its cytotoxic effect. Cell damage and adhesion of Aa to HGFs were evaluated under light microscopy and Scanning electron microscopy respectively. RESULTS: There was a statistical difference (p<0.05) in cytokine expression in HGFs activated by bacterial DNA with a dose dependent on IL-6 expression and a significantly elevated expression of IL-1α and TNF-α compared to Human DNA negative control. Substantial morphological alterations were observed after infection of A. actinomycetemcomitans in HGFs but not with bDNA exposure. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans showed a high rate of adhesion and cell damage to HGFs after 30min. CONCLUSIONS: Genomic DNA of A. actinomycetemcomitans could be a factor in the pathogenesis of periodontitis that might play a major role in the inflammatory response.

Peripheral arterial disease associated with caries and periodontal disease.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important cardiovascular disorder of the peripheral arteries. Chronic infections, such as periodontitis, may play an important role in the etiology and pathophysiology of PAD and other cardiovascular conditions. Recently, Streptococcus mutans has been found with high frequency in atheromatous plaques. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible clinical and microbiologic association between PAD and periodontitis and dental caries. METHODS: Thirty patients with PAD and 30 control individuals were selected. PAD and its severity were established by the use of the ankle-brachial index (ABI). Clinical attachment loss (AL); probing depth; decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index; and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated. The presence of bacterial DNA from Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans was identified by polymerase chain reaction in subgingival biofilm and serum. RESULTS: Patients with ≥30% AL ≥ 4 mm had six-fold increased risk of having PAD (odds ratio = 8.18; 95% confidence interval = 1.21 to 35.23; P = 0.031). There was statistical difference in the CRP (P = 0.0413) and DMFT index (P = 0.0002), with elevated number of missing teeth (P = 0.0459) in the PAD group compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in the frequency of bacteria in serum and subgingival plaque. CONCLUSION: There was a positive relationship between periodontitis based on AL and PAD determined by the ABI (odds ratio = 8.18).