Expression of human caspase-4 in the gingival epithelium affected with periodontitis: Its involvement in Porphyromonas gingivalis-challenged gingival epithelial cells.

Objective: Implication of human caspase-4 in periodontitis and in sensing periodontal pathogens by gingival epithelial cells (GECs) is unclear. This study aimed to determine caspase-4 and interleukin (IL)-18 expressions in gingival tissues affected with periodontitis and to investigate caspase-4 involvement in mediating innate immune responses in GECs.

Design: Ex vivo, caspase-4 and IL-18 expressions in gingival biopsies, obtained from healthy participants with periodontitis or clinically healthy gingiva (N = 20 each), were determined by immunohistochemistry.

Mandibular premolar transplantation to replace missing maxillary anterior teeth: A multidisciplinary approach.

One of the most challenging problems for orthodontists is that of multiple missing maxillary teeth in a growing patient. In many patients, a good treatment option is autotransplantation. This case report describes the multidisciplinary treatment of an 11-year-old girl with regional odontodysplasia affecting the maxillary right and left central incisors, and congenitally missing maxillary left lateral incisor and canine.

Association between periodontitis and spontaneous abortion: A case-control study.

Background: Spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage, is a complication of pregnancy which can severely affect women both physically and psychologically. We investigated the associations of periodontitis and periodontopathic bacteria with spontaneous abortion.

Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study in two tertiary hospitals in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

Killing activity of LFchimera on periodontopathic bacteria and multispecies oral biofilm formation in vitro.

Lactoferrin chimera (LFchimera), a heterodimeric peptide containing lactoferrampin (LFampin265-284) and a part of lactoferricin (LFcin17-30), possesses a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity. However, there is no report on the inhibitory effects of LFchimera against multispecies oral biofilms. This study aimed to determine the effects of LFchimera in comparison to chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) and minocycline hydrochloride (MH), on in vitro multispecies biofilms derived from subgingival plaque of periodontitis patients harboring Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

Periodontitis and gestational diabetes mellitus in non-smoking females.

Background: Chronic inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Periodontal disease is associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators and may be a risk factor for GDM. The authors aimed to examine the association between periodontitis and GDM among non-smoking pregnant females.

Alanine aminopeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients.

Background: Alanine aminopeptidase (ALAP) and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) are ectopeptidases that play a role in collagen degradation and are thought to be involved in the destruction of periodontal tissue. This study compared the activities of salivary ALAP and DPPIV in patients with periodontitis and periodontally healthy subjects. The correlations of enzyme activities with clinical variables and the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis were also evaluated.