Adsorption of salivary and serum proteins, and bacterial adherence on titanium and zirconia ceramic surfaces.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of salivary and serum proteins present in pellicles formed on titanium (Ti) and zirconia ceramic (ZrO(2)) surfaces, and the ability of bacterial cells to adhere to the experimental pellicles. In addition, the protein profiles and bacterial binding properties of pellicles on Ti and ZrO(2) were compared to those formed on hydroxyapatite (HA) surface.

Methods: The pellicles were formed in vitro by incubating the materials with whole saliva, serum or saliva+serum.

Salivary glucosyltransferase B as a possible marker for caries activity.

Bacteria-derived glucosyltransferases (Gtf) (EC 2.4.1.

Influence of cranberry juice on glucan-mediated processes involved in Streptococcus mutans biofilm development.

Cranberry juice (CJ) has biological properties that may provide health benefits. In this study, we investigated the influence of CJ (pH 5.5) on several activities in vitro associated with the development of Streptococcus mutans UA159 biofilms.

Interactions of Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase B with lysozyme in solution and on the surface of hydroxyapatite.

Several active enzymes have been identified as components of acquired enamel pellicle. In the present study, the interactions of Streptococcus mutans glucosyltransferase B (GtfB) with lysozyme in solution and on the surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) beads were studied. Experiments were also performed to investigate whether structural differences exist between glucans formed by GtfB enzyme in the presence or absence of lysozyme in solution and on the surface of HA.

The influence of mutanase and dextranase on the production and structure of glucans synthesized by streptococcal glucosyltransferases.

Glucanohydrolases, especially mutanase [alpha-(1-->3) glucanase; EC 3.2.1.