Effect of curcumin-mediated photodynamic therapy on Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans: A systematic review of in vitro studies.

BACKGROUND: There is still no systematized evidence in the literature regarding the combination of curcumin to improve the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) on complex oral biofilms. Therefore, the objective of this review was to systematically assess the antimicrobial effect of curcumin-mediated aPDT on the vitality of biofilms of microorganisms Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. METHODS: The addressed focused question was: "What are the effects of curcumin-mediated antimicrobial therapy on the biofilm viability of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans in vitro models?" A literature search was conducted in the electronic databases Pubmed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Bireme up to April 2019. In vitro studies evaluating the effect of curcumin-mediated antimicrobial photodynamic therapy on S. mutans and C. albicans biofilms were included. RESULTS: From 95 citations, 11 full-text articles were screened and 6 studies were included in this review. Because of the heterogeneity observed in the studies selected, meta-analysis was not possible. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro studies indicate the potential use of curcumin-mediated aPDT to inactivate microorganisms; Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. This survey should be viewed as a starting point for further examinations using standardized parameters to enhance outcomes.

Activity of Carbonic Anhydrase VI is Higher in Dental Biofilm of Children with Caries.

This study investigated pH, activity and concentration of carbonic anhydrase VI (CA VI) in dental biofilm of caries and caries-free children of 7-9 years old. Seventy-four children were selected and divided into two groups. The caries diagnosis was performed according to the WHO criteria, including the early caries lesion. After biofilm collection and pH determination, CA VI concentration and activity were determined by ELISA and Zimography respectively. The data were submitted to a Mann-Whitney test and to Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses. Means and standard deviations of dental caries for the caries group were of 3.162 ± 1.385. The biofilm pH was significantly higher in the caries-free group. The CA VI activity was significantly higher in biofilm of children with caries. The CA VI concentration was significantly higher in biofilm of caries-free children. In caries-free children, there was a moderate negative correlation between CA VI activity and concentration in dental biofilm as well as between pH and CA VI activity. A negative correlation between biofilm pH and CA VI concentration was found in the caries group. In conclusion, CA VI was shown to be more active in the biofilm of school children with caries in order to contribute to neutralization of biofilm acid.

Children with a Higher Activity of Carbonic Anhydrase VI in Saliva Are More Likely to Develop Dental Caries.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the concentration and activity of carbonic anhydrase (CA) VI in the saliva of school children. We investigated the relationship among caries, CA VI concentration/activity, flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-four school children were divided into a caries-free group and a caries group. Clinical examinations were conducted by one examiner according to World Health Organization criteria + early caries lesions. Salivary flow rate, pH, and buffering capacity were analyzed. Salivary CA VI concentration and activity were evaluated by ELISA and zymography, respectively. The data were analyzed using Student's t test and the Mann-Whitney test, and Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were also done. In multivariate modeling, associations between variables were expressed as odds ratios. RESULTS: The results showed that salivary flow rate, salivary pH, and BC were significantly higher in the saliva of caries-free children. Also, the salivary CA VI concentration was significantly higher in the saliva of caries-free children. The salivary CA VI activity was higher in children with caries. We found a negative correlation between BC and dental caries. Also, in the caries group we found a positive correlation between the concentration and the activity of CA VI and a negative correlation between BC and CA VI activity. A negative correlation between salivary pH and CA VI concentration was observed in the caries-free group. A high activity of CA and a low salivary flow rate were associated with dental caries. CONCLUSION: These results support the conclusion that dental caries is highly affected by the activity of CA VI in saliva as well as by the salivary flow rate.

Intensive cycle ergometer training improves gait speed and endurance in patients with Parkinson's disease: A comparison with treadmill training.

PURPOSE: Cycle ergometer training improves gait in the elderly, but its effect in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is not completely known. METHODS: Twenty-nine PD inpatients were randomized to treadmill (n = 13, PD-T) or cycle ergometer (n = 16, PD-C) training for 3 weeks, 1 hour/day. Outcome measures were distance travelled during the 6-min walking test (6MWT), spatio-temporal variables of gait assessed by baropodometry, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) duration, the balance score through the Mini-BESTest, and the score of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). RESULTS: Sex, age, body mass index, disease duration, Hoehn-Yahr staging, comorbidity and medication did not differ between groups. At end of training, ANCOVA showed significant improvement, of similar degree, in both groups for 6MWT, speed, step length and cadence of gait, TUG, Mini-BESTest and UPDRS. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that cycle ergometer training improves walking parameters and reduces clinical signs of PD, as much as treadmill training does. Gait velocity is accompanied by step lengthening, making the gait pattern close to that of healthy subjects. Cycle ergometer is a valid alternative to treadmill for improving gait in short term in patients with PD.

The effect of chronic treatment with fluoride on salivary activity, tooth, and bone in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

The present study evaluated the effect of chronic treatment with sodium fluoride on salivary activity, tooth, and bone in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The treatment was made with a 20-ppm NaF solution added to the drinking water for 30 days. Systolic blood pressure values were obtained by plethysmography; fluoride concentration was determined by an ion-selective electrode; calcium concentration and amylase activity were determined by commercial kits; and enamel microhardness was verified by longitudinal section. Systolic blood pressure values and animals' weight were not changed by treatment. However, the salivary flow rate-which was lowered in SHR at baseline when compared to Wistar rats-was found to be increased with the treatment with NaF. The fluoride concentration was increased in the plasma of the treated groups, even though it remained lower for the treated SHR in relation to the treated Wistar rats. Calcium concentration was decreased in the saliva and plasma of SHR treated with NaF. A reduction in the plasmatic total protein concentration was observed in SHR treated with NaF. The fluoride concentration on bone surface was found to be increased in Wistar or SHR treated with NaF. In treated SHR's femurs, it was observed a significant reduction in fluoride concentrations. Enamel microhardness of the incisor teeth was not changed by the treatment with NaF in both groups. The distribution of fluoride to the salivary glands in SHR is poor, and treatment with NaF causes a decrease in the concentration of important biochemical parameters to the salivary physiology in SHR.

Spontaneously hypertensive rat as experimental model of salivary hypofunction.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the salivary activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) evaluating biochemical parameters of saliva in 4-week-old and 12-week-old animals. DESIGN: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was recorded by tail plethysmography. The salivary flow rate was stimulated by pilocarpine (SFR). The pH and salivary buffering capacity (SBC) were evaluated with a specific electrode. The concentrations of fluoride ([F(-)]) and calcium ([Ca(++)]) ions were determined using an electrode connected to a calibrated ion analyser. The total protein concentration was determined by Lowry method, and amylase activity by kinetic method. The salivary IgA was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The SFR, [F(-)] and [Ca(++)] increased with age in normotensive rats, however no alteration in pH, total protein and IgA was observed between 4 and 12 weeks old Wistar rats. SBC decreased with age in Wistar rats. The SFR was not altered between SHRs in different ages and it was lower in 12 weeks old SHR when compared to Wistar rats. An increase in the protein concentration, and in the amylase activity and [F(-)] was observed with the development of SHR. Unaltered SBC, salivary IgA and [Ca(++)] were observed in 12 weeks old when compared to 4 weeks old SHR. The [Ca(++)] ions were reduced in saliva of SHR than that of Wistar rats at 12 weeks. A lower pH was observed in saliva of Wistar than that of SHR at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: SHR is an experimental model of salivary hypofunction, the decreased SFR observed in SHR at different ages was associated to salivary biochemical parameter alterations.

Efeito do tratamento crônico com fluoreto na atividade salivar, ossos e dentes de ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) / Effect of chronic treatment with fluoride in the salivary activity, bones and teeth of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Em pesquisa anterior, verificamos que ratos espontaneamente hipertensos (SHR) apresentam menor fluxo salivar estimulado que ratos normotensos Wistar, o que poderia levar ao maior índice de doença cárie nestes animais. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do tratamento crônico com fluoreto de sódio (NaF) nos parâmetros bioquímicos da saliva e plasma, nos ossos e na mineralização de dentes incisivos de SHR. Foram utilizados ratos Wistar e SHR aos 3 meses de vida. O tratamento foi feito com solução de NaF (20 ppm) por 30 dias, na água de beber. A medida da pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) foi realizada pelo método indireto de pletismografia de cauda. Para a coleta da saliva, o fluxo salivar foi estimulado com nitrato de pilocarpina e os animais foram colocados em prancha inclinada e a saliva coletada por 15 minutos. As concentrações salivares e plasmáticas de fluoreto foram determinadas com eletrodos específicos e as de cálcio utilizando um kit comercial específico. A determinação da concentração de proteínas totais foi realizada pelo método de Lowry e a atividade da amilase salivar utilizando kit comercial. A análise de flúor na superfície do fêmur foi feita pelo método direto e a análise no fêmur pelo método de Taves. A microdureza dos dentes incisivos foi determinada utilizando microdurômetro com penetrador tipo Knoop. Os resultados foram avaliados e a diferença estatística foi considerada quando p<0,05. A PAS e o peso dos animais não foram alterados pelo tratamento. O reduzido fluxo salivar de SHR apresentou-se aumentado em SHR tratados. A concentração de flúor na saliva e plasma aumentou com o tratamento em ratos Wistar, no entanto em SHR este aumento foi observado apenas no plasma. Apesar do aumento no fluxo salivar que ocorre após o tratamento com NaF, a concentração de flúor na saliva de SHR não se altera. A concentração de cálcio diminuiu na saliva e plasma no grupo de SHR após o tratamento, fato não observado entre os Wistar. Não foi observada...

In previous research we found that spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) have lower stimulated salivary flow than normotensive Wistar, which could lead to a higher rate of caries in these animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of chronic treatment with sodium fluoride (NaF) in the biochemical parameters of saliva and plasma, bone and mineralization in incisor teeth of SHR. Were used SHR and Wistar rats at 3 months of life. The treatment was made with NaF solution (20 ppm) for 30 days in drinking water. The measurement of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was performed by the indirect method of tail plethysmography. To collect saliva, salivary flow was stimulated with pilocarpine nitrate and the animals were placed on an inclined board and saliva collected for 15 minutes. Salivary and plasma concentrations of fluoride were determined with specific electrodes and calcium using a specific commercial kit. The determination of total protein concentration was performed by the method of Lowry and salivary amylase activity using a commercial kit. The analysis of fluoride on the surface of the femur was made by the direct method and analysis in the femur by the method of Taves. The microhardness of incisors was determined using Knoop microhardness with indenter type. The results were evaluated and differences were considered when p <0.05. The SBP and the weight of the animals were not affected by treatment. The reduced salivary flow in SHR were enlarged in treated SHR. The fluoride concentration in saliva and plasma increased with treatment in Wistar rats, however, in SHR the increase was only observed in plasma. Despite the increase in salivary flow that occurs after treatment with NaF, the concentration of fluoride in saliva is not altered in SHR. The calcium concentration decreased in saliva and plasma in SHR group after treatment, what was not observed among Wistar rats. There was no change in protein concentration in saliva in any of the groups...

Alternate trains of postural muscle vibration promote cyclic body displacement in standing parkinsonian patients.

Patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD) have difficulties with control of stance, postural changes, and walking, seemingly depending on problems in central integration of proprioceptive information. We tested the hypothesis that alternate vibration of postural muscles can induce cyclic medio-lateral or antero-posterior sway in PD, mimicking that accompanying body progression during walking, thereby favoring the production of locomotor tasks. In 12 standing PD patients and 11 healthy subjects, we applied trains of vibratory stimuli, bilaterally in an alternating paradigm to soleus, tibialis anterior, or paravertebral muscles. The trains of stimuli were delivered at frequencies selected to be above, near, and below the normal walking rhythm. The displacement of the center of foot pressure (CoP) was recorded. In PD, sway area during unperturbed stance was just larger than in healthy subjects; shifts in CoP in response to vibration were preserved, regardless of the vibrated muscle pair; CoP oscillations along medio-lateral, but not antero-posterior direction, were coupled to the vibration trains; time to initiate and terminate the postural responses was normal. PD patients correctly integrate and exploit the vibration-induced proprioceptive inflow to produce body oscillations comparable to those occurring during walking. Vibratory stimulation can be safely and easily employed to provoke rhythmic postural changes in PD.