Codon-optimized fluorescent mTFP and mCherry for microscopic visualization and genetic counterselection of streptococci and enterococci.

Despite the powerful potential of fluorescent proteins for labeling bacteria, their use has been limited in multi-species oral biofilm models. Fermentative metabolism by streptococcal species that initiate biofilm colonization results in an acidic, reduced microenvironment that may limit the activities of some fluorescent proteins which are influenced by pH and oxygen availability. The need to reliably distinguish morphologically similar strains within biofilms was the impetus for this work.

Candidate Gene Analyses of Skeletal Variation in Malocclusion.

This study evaluated associations between craniofacial candidate genes and skeletal variation in patients with malocclusion. Lateral cephalometric radiographs of 269 untreated adults with skeletal classes I, II, and III malocclusion were digitized with 14 landmarks. Two-dimensional coordinates were analyzed using Procrustes fit and principal component (PC) analysis to generate continuous malocclusion phenotypes.

Phenotype-genotype correlations of facial width and height proportions in patients with Class II malocclusion.

Objectives: To characterize soft-tissue facial height and width variation in Class II malocclusion and test for correlations with genes HMGA2, AJUBA, and ADK.

Setting And Sample Population: Nine facial proportions were estimated from 2D frontal repose photographs of 330 Caucasian adults with Class II malocclusion.

Material And Methods: After adjustments for age and gender, the facial proportions were submitted to a principal component analyses (PCA).

Phenotypic diversity in white adults with moderate to severe Class II malocclusion.

Introduction: Class II malocclusion affects about 15% of the population in the United States and is characterized by a convex profile and occlusal disharmonies. The specific etiologic mechanisms resulting in the range of Class II dentoskeletal combinations observed are not yet understood. Most studies describing Class II phenotypic diversity have used moderate sample sizes or focused on younger patients who later in life might outgrow their Class II discrepancies; such a focus might also preclude the visualization of adult Class II features.

Recovery of Viable Bacteria from Probiotic Products that Target Oral Health.

Probiotic therapy has predominantly been directed toward promoting and maintaining intestinal health. In recent years, however, probiotic regimens that target oral health have appeared on the market. These regimens are often delivered in the form of lozenges.

Phenotypic diversity in white adults with moderate to severe Class III malocclusion.

Introduction: Class III malocclusion is characterized by a composite of dentoskeletal patterns that lead to the forward positioning of the mandibular teeth in relation to the maxillary teeth and a concave profile. Environmental and genetic factors are associated with this condition, which affects 1% of the population in the United States and imposes significant esthetic and functional burdens on affected persons. The purpose of this study was to capture the phenotypic variation in a large sample of white adults with Class III malocclusion using multivariate reduction methods.

Effects of DNA methylation on expression of virulence genes in Streptococcus mutans.

Bacteria produce a variety of enzymes capable of methylating DNA. In many species, the majority of adenine methylation is accomplished by the DNA adenine methylase Dam. In Escherichia coli the Dam methylase plays roles in the initiation of replication, mismatch repair, and gene regulation.