Activation of vitamin D in the gingival epithelium and its role in gingival inflammation and alveolar bone loss.

Background And Objective: Both chronic and aggressive periodontal disease are associated with vitamin D deficiency. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH) D , induces the expression of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and innate immune mediators in cultured human gingival epithelial cells (GECs). The aim of this study was to further delineate the mechanism by which vitamin D enhances the innate defense against the development of periodontal disease (PD).

β-Defensins Coordinate In Vivo to Inhibit Bacterial Infections of the Trachea.

β-defensins are predicted to play an important role in innate immunity against bacterial infections in the airway. We previously observed that a type III-secretion product of inhibits the NF-κB-mediated induction of a β-defensin in airway epithelial cells in vitro. To confirm this in vivo and to examine the relative roles of other β-defensins in the airway, we infected wild-type C57BL/6 mice and mice with a deletion of the mBD-1 gene with wild-type strain, RB50 and its mutant strain lacking the type III-secretion system, WD3.

Potent in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity of a small molecule host defense peptide mimic through a membrane-active mechanism.

Lethal systemic fungal infections of Candida species are increasingly common, especially in immune compromised patients. By in vitro screening of small molecule mimics of naturally occurring host defense peptides (HDP), we have identified several active antifungal molecules, which also exhibited potent activity in two mouse models of oral candidiasis. Here we show that one such compound, C4, exhibits a mechanism of action that is similar to the parent HDP upon which it was designed.

Direct-Contact Low-Frequency Ultrasound Clearance of Biofilm From Metallic Implant Materials.

Biofilms are recognized as a significant deterrent to wound healing and to the management of exposed or infected surgical implants. Biofilms can be disrupted by a variety of enzymatic and mechanical interventions. This experiment was designed to determine whether direct-contact low-frequency ultrasound has the ability to clear biofilms and what then happens to the released bacteria.

NADPH Oxidase Contributes to Resistance against Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-Induced Periodontitis in Mice.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans is a Gram-negative commensal bacterium of the oral cavity which has been associated with the pathogenesis of periodontitis with severe alveolar bone destruction. The role of host factors such as reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates in periodontal A. actinomycetemcomitans infection and progression to periodontitis is still ill-defined.

Nasopharyngeal polyp causing sensory disturbances: a case report.

Nasopharyngeal polyps are benign abnormal mucosal protrusions associated with nasal and pharyngeal mucosa. They are commonly found in all age groups with various symptoms. This paper presents a case of a 52-year-old male who presented with constant numbness over the dental midline and extending along the right side of the maxilla for the past few weeks.

Safe sinus lift: use of acrylic stone trimmer to avoid sinus lining perforation.

Iatrogenic injury to the maxillary sinus membrane is a common complication during direct sinus lift procedures. The most common cause is perforation of the Schneiderian membrane using a tungsten-carbide round bur no.6.

Postfatigue fracture resistance of modified prefabricated zirconia implant abutments.

Statement Of Problem: The fracture of zirconia abutments has been reported relative to different amounts of reduction. Data are not available to demonstrate whether the apical vertical reduction of a zirconia abutment at different levels can be achieved while maintaining an acceptable load-to-fracture value.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of different levels of preparation of zirconia implant abutments on the fracture load.

Immune and endocrine function in patients with burning mouth syndrome.

Objectives: Research suggests that varied etiologic factors are responsible for burning mouth syndrome (BMS). We examined the role of immune and endocrine function in the pathology of BMS.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study to evaluate immune (lymphocyte subpopulations) and endocrine (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and sympathetic-adrenomedullary system) function in 47 female BMS patients and 47 age-matched female controls presenting at an university clinic.

Leukotoxin kills rodent WBC by targeting leukocyte function associated antigen 1.

Leukotoxin is a protein that is secreted by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and that primarily targets the active form of leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA1) on WBC. Because of its specificity for WBC, leukotoxin is being developed as a novel biologic treatment for hematologic malignancies and autoimmune-inflammatory diseases. Early studies indicated that leukotoxin is specific for WBC from humans and Old World primates.

Bacterial infection increases periodontal bone loss in diabetic rats through enhanced apoptosis.

Periodontal disease is the most common osteolytic disease in humans and is significantly increased by diabetes mellitus. We tested the hypothesis that bacterial infection induces bone loss in diabetic animals through a mechanism that involves enhanced apoptosis. Type II diabetic rats were inoculated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and treated with a caspase-3 inhibitor, ZDEVD-FMK, or vehicle alone.

A comparison of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) virulence traits in a rat model for periodontal disease.

Our aim was to explore the effects of Cytolethal Distending toxin (Cdt) in a well established rat model of periodontal disease where leukotoxin (LtxA) was thought to have no known effect. In vitro studies, were used to assess CdtB activity using Aa Leukotoxin as a negative control. These studies showed that both CdtB and LtxA (unexpectedly) exerted significant effects on CD4(+) T cells.

Rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla complicated by combination syndrome with an implant overdenture: a case report.

The treatment of the edentulous jaws with complete dentures is determined individually and often is unpredictable. Implant-assisted overdentures are a significant improvement over conventional complete dentures in terms of patient comfort and function. Combination syndrome refers to a dramatic exaggeration of maxillary alveolar resorption leading to a more complicated rehabilitation.

Characterization of TEM-1 β-Lactamase-Producing Kingella kingae Clinical Isolates.

is a human pathogen that causes pediatric osteoarticular infections and infective endocarditis in children and adults. The bacterium is usually susceptible to β-lactam antibiotics, although β-lactam resistance has been reported in rare isolates. This study was conducted to identify β-lactam-resistant strains and to characterize the resistance mechanism.

A consortium of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus parasanguinis, and Filifactor alocis is present in sites prior to bone loss in a longitudinal study of localized aggressive periodontitis.

Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans-induced localized aggressive periodontitis (LAP) in African-American adolescents has been documented but is poorly understood. Two thousand fifty-eight adolescents aged 11 to 17 years were screened for their periodontal status and the presence of A. actinomycetemcomitans in their oral cavity.

Large, expansile odontogenic cyst with bilateral maxillary sinus involvement.

Residual cysts are common odontogenic lesions of the tooth-bearing areas of the jaws. A case of an unusually large residual cyst that crosses the maxillary midline and occupies portions of the maxillary sinuses is being reported. Investigations included a panoramic radiograph, CT scan and a biopsy.

Antibiofilm activity of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 capsular polysaccharide.

Cell-free extracts isolated from colony biofilms of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 were found to inhibit biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, but not by A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 5 itself, in a 96-well microtiter plate assay.

Effect of pit and fissure sealants on caries detection by a fluorescent camera system.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sealant placement on the detection of caries by a fluorescent camera (FC), the Spectra caries detector.

Materials And Methods: In a laboratory study, FC images and readings were obtained from 31 extracted teeth, before and following application of clear sealants (Shofu Clear or Delton unfilled), or opaque sealants (3M Clinpro or Delton FS). Teeth were then sectioned and examined for enamel or dentine caries.

Comparison of sealing ability of MTA and EndoSequence Bioceramic Root Repair Material: a bacterial leakage study.

Objective: To compare the sealing ability of ProRoot mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) to the sealing ability of EndoSequence Bioceramic Root Repair Material (ES-BCRR) putty using a bacterial leakage model.

Method And Materials: Root canals of 60 single-rooted extracted teeth were enlarged to an apical diameter of 0.5 mm using EndoSequence files.

Oral Kaposi's sarcoma: a review and update.

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is an important mucocutaneous neoplasm with four well-known clinicopathologic types. Involvement of the oral cavity may be seen in all variants but is most common with AIDS-KS. The latter may signal undiagnosed HIV infection.

Cross sectional: use of coolant for high-speed tooth preparation: a survey of pediatric dentist members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.

Purpose: To report the findings of a survey to determine the educational experiences, opinions and clinical practices relative to the use of coolant during cavity preparation of pediatric dentist members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and to determine whether teaching policies influenced the type of coolant used in private practice.

Methods: Four thousand fifty surveys were emailed to AAPD members and included questions regarding demographics and predoctoral, graduate, and current practice policies for the use of dry cutting.

Results: Returned survey numbered 1730 for a response rate of 43%.