Evaluation of the usefulness of saliva for mosaic loss of chromosome Y analysis.

Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) in leukocytes has attracted much attention as an emerging biomarker of aging and aging-related diseases. We evaluated the usefulness of saliva for mLOY analysis and showed that saliva-derived mLOY is significantly associated with aging and increased physical activity, but not with smoking. While these data support the robust association between saliva-derived mLOY and aging, caution is required when comparing data from saliva-derived and blood-derived mLOY.

Use of quantitative PCR to evaluate methods of bacteria sampling in periodontal patients.

Periodontal disease is associated with specific periodontal pathogens and may persist as gingivitis or progress to more severe disease. The bacteria involved in disease initiation and progression have not been identified. We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to compare the levels of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, and total bacteria detected by different sampling methods.

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA by PCR/microfluorometry for screening of cervical cancer.

Background: Cervical cancer screening is conducted by a cytological Papanicolaou (Pap) test. For screening, it is becoming increasingly important to introduce a more objective result, based on human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test. We describe here a practical method allowing the mass detection of HPV-DNA by PCR followed by fluorogenic DNA intercalation.