Upregulation of free fatty acid receptors in periodontal tissues of patients with metabolic syndrome and periodontitis.

Background And Objective: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) exacerbates periodontitis. Since saturated fatty acid (SFA) is increased in MetS and enhances lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced proinflammatory cytokine expression in macrophages, it has been considered to play a role in MetS-exacerbated periodontitis. However, it remains unknown how fatty acid receptors, which mediate the interaction of cells with SFA and uptake of SFA, are expressed and regulated in the periodontal tissue.

Exploring a temporal relationship between biofilm microbiota and inflammatory mediators during resolution of naturally occurring gingivitis.

Background: This study uses multiple, contemporary methodologies to expand our knowledge of the temporal relationship between host-microbial interactions and clinical signs of gingivitis.

Methods: Subgingival plaque and crevicular fluid samples were collected from 31 systemically healthy adults with naturally occurring plaque-induced gingivitis. Professional prophylaxis was administered and participants were followed over 7 weeks.

Age and Periodontal Health - Immunological View.

Purpose Of The Review: Aging clearly impacts a wide array of systems, in particular the breadth of the immune system leading to immunosenescence, altered immunoactivation, and coincident inflammaging processes. The net result of these changes leads to increased susceptibility to infections, increased neoplastic occurrences, and elevated frequency of autoimmune diseases with aging. However, as the bacteria in the oral microbiome that contribute to the chronic infection of periodontitis is acquired earlier in life, the characteristics of the innate and adaptive immune systems to regulate these members of the autochthonous microbiota across the lifespan remains ill defined.

Comparative analysis of expression of microbial sensing molecules in mucosal tissues with periodontal disease.

Host-derived pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are necessary for effective innate immune engagement of pathogens that express microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMP) ligands for these PRRs. This study used a nonhuman primate model to evaluate the expression of these sensing molecules in gingival tissues. Macaca mulatta aged 12-24 with a healthy periodontium (n = 13) or periodontitis (n = 11) provided gingival tissues for assessment of naturally-occurring periodontitis.

Biofilm-induced profiles of immune response gene expression by oral epithelial cells.

This study examined the oral epithelial immunotranscriptome response patterns modulated by oral bacterial planktonic or biofilm challenge. We assessed gene expression patterns when epithelial cells were challenged with a multispecies biofilm composed of Streptococcus gordonii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis representing a type of periodontopathic biofilm compared to challenge with the same species of planktonic bacteria. Of the 579 human immunology genes, a substantial signal of the epithelial cells was observed to 181 genes.

Periodontal disease susceptible matrilines in the Cayo Santiago Macaca mulatta macaques.

Objective And Background: The expression of periodontitis, including age of onset, extent, and severity is considered to represent an interaction of the individual's oral microbiome and host response to the microbial challenge that is modified by both genetics and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of periodontitis in a population of nonhuman primates, to document features of familial distribution that could reflect heritability and transmission of microbes with enhanced virulence.

Material And Methods: This report presents our findings from evaluation of periodontal disease bone defects in skulls from 569 animals (5-31 years of age) derived from the skeletons of the rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) of Cayo Santiago derived from eight matrilines over 6-9 generations.

Environmental lead effects on gene expression in oral epithelial cells.

Background And Objective: Host responses in periodontitis span a range of local and emigrating cell types and biomolecules. Accumulating evidence regarding the expression of this disease across the population suggests some component of genetic variation that controls onset and severity of disease, in concert with the qualitative and quantitative parameters of the oral microbiome at sites of disease. However, there remains little information regarding the capacity of accruing environmental stressors or modifiers over a lifespan at both the host genetic and microbial ecology levels to understand fully the population variation in disease.

Odontogenic abscesses in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) of Cayo Santiago.

Objectives: Odontogenic abscesses are one of the most common dental diseases causing maxillofacial skeletal lesions. They affect the individual's ability to maintain the dental structures necessary to obtain adequate nutrition for survival and reproduction. In this study, the prevalence and pattern of odontogenic abscesses in relation to age, sex, matriline, and living periods were investigated in adult rhesus macaque skeletons of the free-ranging colony on Cayo Santiago, Puerto Rico.

Predictors of oropharyngeal cancer survival in Europe.

Objectives: HPV16-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients experience better outcomes compared to HPV16-negative patients. Currently, strategies for treatment de-escalation are based on HPV status, smoking history and disease stage. However, the appropriate cut-point for smoking and the role of other non-clinical factors in OPC survival remains uncertain.

Hematopoietic Stem Cells as a Novel Source of Dental Tissue Cells.

While earlier studies have suggested that cells positive for hematopoietic markers can be found in dental tissues, it has yet to be confirmed. To conclusively demonstrate this, we utilized a unique transgenic model in which all hematopoietic cells are green fluorescent protein (GFP). Pulp, periodontal ligament (PDL) and alveolar bone (AvB) cell culture analysis demonstrated numerous GFP cells, which were also CD45 (indicating hematopoietic origin) and co-expressed markers of cellular populations in pulp (dentin matrix protein-1, dentin sialophosphoprotein, alpha smooth muscle actin [ASMA], osteocalcin), in PDL (periostin, ASMA, vimentin, osteocalcin) and in AvB (Runx-2, bone sialoprotein, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin).

Gene expression analysis of neuropeptides in oral mucosa during periodontal disease in non-human primates.

Background: Neuropeptides (NPs) are innate pivotal regulators of the immunoinflammatory response. Nevertheless, their role in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease remains unknown. Changes in gene expression of 10 NPs and 16 NP receptors (NPRs) coincident with the initiation, progression, and resolution of periodontitis were determined.

Activation of Notch-1 in oral epithelial cells by P. gingivalis triggers the expression of the antimicrobial protein PLA-IIA.

P. gingivalis (Pg) is an oral pathogen with the ability to induce oral dysbiosis and periodontal disease. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which mucosal responses to the oral microbiota in the presence of specific pathogens such as Pg could abrogate the host-microbe symbiotic relationship leading to periodontitis remain unclear.

Tristetraprolin Is Required for Alveolar Bone Homeostasis.

Tristetraprolin (TTP) is an RNA-binding protein that targets numerous immunomodulatory mRNA transcripts for degradation. Many TTP targets are key players in the pathogenesis of periodontal bone loss, including tumor necrosis factor-α. To better understand the extent that host immune factors play during periodontal bone loss, we assessed alveolar bone levels, inflammation and osteoclast activity in periodontal tissues, and immune response in draining cervical lymph nodes in TTP-deficient and wild-type (WT) mice in an aging study.

Direct oral anticoagulants: A retrospective study of bleeding, behavior, and documentation.

Objective: To examine the effects of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on bleeding complications following dental surgeries.

Subjects And Methods: This 6-year retrospective study collected data from records of patients undergoing oral surgical procedures within a university setting. An electronic health record database was searched using current procedural terminology codes for oral surgical procedures.

Ageing effects on humoral immune responses in chronic periodontitis.

Unlabelled: Periodontal disease is a dominant global bacterial infection that increases with ageing.

Aim: This report focuses on host adaptive immune responses in periodontitis. While experimental models and humans diagnosed with periodontitis demonstrate an antigenic specificity for particular oral bacteria, we have a limited understanding of (i) how ageing affects the adaptive immune responses to these bacteria that chronically colonize the oral cavity for decades prior to disease expression and (ii) how the magnitude and specificity of the response interface with pathogens that emerge within the bacterial ecology during exacerbations of disease.

Roles of community pharmacists in improving oral health awareness in Plateau State, Northern Nigeria.

Introduction: There is poor oral health awareness in Nigeria because of limited access to correct information on oral health as well as a lack of oral health-care providers. The purpose of this study was to describe the roles of community pharmacists (CPs) in Plateau State, Northern Nigeria, as sources of oral health information in their communities.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study on CPs spanning the entire State.

The influence of smoking, age and stage at diagnosis on the survival after larynx, hypopharynx and oral cavity cancers in Europe: The ARCAGE study.

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a preventable malignancy that continues to cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Using data from the ARCAGE and Rome studies, we investigated the main predictors of survival after larynx, hypopharynx and oral cavity (OC) cancers. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to estimate overall survival, and Cox proportional models to examine the relationship between survival and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, HIF1A and HIF2A, increase in aging mucosal tissues.

Hypoxia (i.e. oxygen deprivation) activates the hypoxia-signalling pathway, primarily via hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) for numerous target genes, which mediate angiogenesis, metabolism and coagulation, among other processes to try to replenish tissues with blood and oxygen.

miRNAs: Important Targets for Oral Cancer Pain Research.

Pain is a symptom shared by an incredible number of diseases. It is also one of the primary conditions that prompt individuals to seek medical treatment. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) corresponds to a heterogeneous disease that may arise from many distinct structures of a large, highly complex, and intricate region.

Patterns of Systemic and Cervicovaginal Fluid Inflammatory Cytokines throughout Pregnancy.

Objective:  This study describes the normal variations in serum and cervicovaginal fluid (CVF) cytokine levels throughout pregnancy.

Study Design:  This multicenter, prospective study examined trimester-specific maternal serum and CVF cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein [CRP]). A two-factor linear mixed modeling approach compared cytokine distribution, while pairwise comparisons evaluated differences over time.

Comparative analysis of microbial sensing molecules in mucosal tissues with aging.

Host-bacterial interactions at mucosal surfaces require recognition of the bacteria by host cells enabling targeted responses to maintain tissue homeostasis. It is now well recognized that an array of host-derived pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), both cell-bound and soluble, are critical to innate immune engagement of microbes via microbial-associated molecular patterns (MAMP). This report describes the use of a nonhuman primate model to evaluate changes in the expression of these sensing molecules related to aging in healthy gingival tissues.

Patterns of periodontal disease progression based on linear mixed models of clinical attachment loss.

Aim: The goal of the present longitudinal cohort study was to examine patterns of periodontal disease progression at progressing sites and subjects defined based on linear mixed models (LMM) of clinical attachment loss (CAL).

Materials And Methods: A total of 113 periodontally healthy and 302 periodontitis subjects had their CAL calculated bimonthly for 12 months. LMMs were fitted for each site and the predicted CAL levels used to categorize their progression state.

Testing of a bioactive, moldable bone graft substitute in an infected, critically sized segmental defect model.

Large infected bone defects, often resulting from high energy traumas, are difficult to treat due to their variability in complexity and location. Standard treatment for infected bone defects begins with a protocol that includes a series of debridements in conjunction with an extended course of systemic antibiotics. Only after the infection has been eliminated will repair of the defect commence, typically with implantation of autologous bone.

Bayesian Analysis of the Association between Family-Level Factors and Siblings' Dental Caries.

We conducted a Bayesian analysis of the association between family-level socioeconomic status and smoking and the prevalence of dental caries among siblings (children from infant to 14 y) among children living in rural and urban Northern Appalachia using data from the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA). The observed proportion of siblings sharing caries was significantly different from predicted assuming siblings' caries status was independent. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model, we found the inclusion of a household factor significantly improved the goodness of fit.

Dual peptide-mediated targeted delivery of bioactive siRNAs to oral cancer cells in vivo.

Objectives: Despite significant advances in cancer treatment, the prognosis for oral cancer remains poor in comparison to other cancer types, including breast, skin, and prostate. As a result, more effective therapeutic modalities are needed for the treatment of oral cancer. Consequently, in the present study, we examined the feasibility of using a dual peptide carrier approach, combining an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting peptide with an endosome-disruptive peptide, to mediate targeted delivery of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) into EGFR-overexpressing oral cancer cells and induce silencing of the targeted oncogene, cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A).