Abstract:
Aim. Qat chewing has been reported to induce subgingival microbial shifts suggestive of prebiotic-like properties. The objective here was to assess the effect of qat chewing on a panel of classical and new putative periopathogens in health and periodontitis. Materials and Methods. 40 qat chewers and 40 nonchewers, equally stratified by periodontal health status, were recruited. Taqman, real-time PCR was used to quantify total bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Parvimonas micra, Filifactor alocis, Synergistetes, and TM7s in pooled subgingival biofilm samples. Differences in microbial parameters between the study groups were analysed using ordinal regression. Results. In health, the qat chewers harboured significantly lower relative counts of P. gingivalis, T. forsythia, Synergistetes, and TM7s after adjustment for multiple comparisons (P <= 0.007). At nominal significance level, they also carried lower counts of TM7s and P. micra (P <= 0.05). In periodontitis, the chewers had lower counts of all taxa; however, only T. denticola withstood correction for multiple comparisons (P <= 0.0063). Conclusions. Qat chewing is associated with lower proportions of periopathogens, particularly in subjects with healthy periodontium, which supports previous reports of its prebiotic-like properties. This potentially beneficial biological effect can be exploited by attempting to isolate the active fraction. Source: BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL Author: Al-Alimi A, Taiyeb Ali TB, Jaafar N, Al-Hebshi NN Open Access available at Hindawi
0 Comments
Abstract:
Ocular disorders occasionally necessitate surgical intervention that may lead to eye defects. The primary objective in restoring and rehabilitating such defects with an ocular prosthesis is to enable patients to cope better with associated psychological stress and to return to their accustomed lifestyle. A series of detailed steps for custom-made ocular prosthesis fabrication using the advantages of digital photography to replace the conventional oil paint and monopoly iris painting technique are presented in this article. In the present case, a digital photograph of the patient's iris was captured using a digital camera and manipulated on a computer using graphic software to produce a replica of the natural iris. The described technique reduces treatment time, increases simplicity, and permits the patient's natural iris to be replicated without the need for iris painting and special artistic skills. Source: JOURNAL OF PROSTHODONTICS-IMPLANT ESTHETIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE DENTISTRY Author: Buzayan MM, Ariffin YT, Yunus N, Mahmood WA Paid open access available at Wiley Co-Expression of TWIST1 and ZEB2 in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated with Poor Survival10/30/2015 Abstract:
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive disease accounting for more than 260,000 cancer cases diagnosed and 128,000 deaths worldwide. A large majority of cancer deaths result from cancers that have metastasized beyond the primary tumor. The relationship between genetic changes and clinical outcome can reflect the biological events that promote cancer's aggressive behavior, and these can serve as molecular markers for improved patient management and survival. To this end, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a major process that promotes tumor invasion and metastasis, making EMT-related proteins attractive diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this study, we used immunohistochemistry to study the expression of a panel of transcription factors (TWIST1, SNAI1/2, ZEB1 and ZEB2) and other genes intimately related to EMT (CDH1 and LAMC2) at the invasive tumor front of OSCC tissues. The association between the expression of these proteins and clinico-pathological parameters were examined with Pearson Chi-square and correlation with survival was analyzed using Kaplan Meier analysis. Our results demonstrate that there was a significant differential expression of CDH1, LAMC2, SNAI1/2 and TWIST1 between OSCC and normal oral mucosa (NOM). Specifically, CDH1 loss was significantly associated with Broder's grading, while diffused LAMC2 was similarly associated with non-cohesive pattern of invasion. Notably, co-expression of TWIST1 and ZEB2 in OSCC was significantly associated with poorer overall survival, particularly in patients without detectable lymph node metastasis. This study demonstrates that EMT-related proteins are differentially expressed in OSCC and that the co-expression of TWIST1 and ZEB2 could be of clinical value in identifying patients with poor survival for appropriate patient management. Source: PLOS ONE Author: Kong YH, Syed Zanaruddin SN, Lau SH, Ramanathan A, Kallarakkal TG, Chong VKV, Wan Mustafa WM, Abraham MT, Rahman ZAA, Zain RB, Cheong SC Open access available at Plos One Abstract:
Objective: To assess Malaysian dental therapists' perceptions of their job satisfaction and future roles. Methods: A nationwide postal survey involving all Malaysian dental therapists who met the inclusion criteria (n=1726). Results:The response rate was 76.8%. All respondents were females; mean age 35.4years (SD=8.4). Majority were married (85.5%) and more than one-half had a working experience of <10years (56.1%). Majority worked in community dental service (94.3%) and in urban areas (61.7%). Overall, they were highly satisfied with most aspects of their career. However, they were least satisfied with administrative workload (58.1%), career advancement opportunities (51.9%) and remuneration package; specifically income (45.2%), allowances (45.2%) and non-commensurate between pay and performance (44.0%). Majority perceived their role as very important in routine clinical tasks such as examination and diagnosis, preventive treatment, extraction of deciduous teeth and oral health promotion. However, fewer than one-half consider complex treatment such as placement of preformed crowns on deciduous teeth (37.1%) and extraction of permanent teeth (37.2%) as very important tasks. ConclusionMajority expressed high career satisfaction with most aspects of their employment but expressed low satisfaction in remuneration, lack of career advancement opportunities and administrative tasks. We conclude that most Malaysian dental therapists have positive perceptions of their current roles but do not favour wider expansion of their roles. These findings imply that there was a need to develop a more attractive career pathway for therapists to ensure sustainability of effective primary oral healthcare delivery system for Malaysia's children. Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DENTAL HYGIENE (1601-5029) Author: Abu Bakar A, Nor NA, Ab-Murat N, Jaafar N Paid open access available at Wiley Abstract:
Aim:To compare four gutta-percha filling techniques in simulated C-shaped canals based on filling quality at three cross-sectional levels, filling time and the apical extrusion of gutta-percha. Methodology:Forty resin simulated C-shaped canals were constructed and filled using one of four techniques: cold lateral compaction (LC), ultrasonic compaction (UC), single cone with injectable gutta-percha (Obtura II) (IT) and core-carrier (Thermafil((R))) (CC). Cross sections were made at 1 (L1), 3 (L3) and 6 (L6) mm from the canal terminus. Areas of gutta-percha, sealer and voids in each cross section were measured using an image analysis system. Data were analysed using a univariate general linear model and post hoc test (Dunnett's T3). Data on time taken to fill canals was evaluated using the Bonferroni post hoc test. Results: CC had more gutta-percha and less sealer compared with IT at L1 (P<0.05). LC had marginally significantly less gutta-percha than CC at this level (P=0.049). At level 3mm, significantly more gutta-percha and less sealer were present in IT compared with LC (P<0.05). The techniques showed no difference in quality at L6. The time for LC (20.72min) was three times longer than for both IT (6.11min) and CC (6.67min), whereas for UC (26.92min), it was four times longer (P<0.001). Finally, the four techniques were not different in the occurrence of apical extrusion of gutta-percha. Conclusions:The core-carrier technique was the most effective technique when assessed by gutta-percha area in this simulated C-shaped canal. Source: INTERNATIONAL ENDODONTIC JOURNAL (0143-2885) Author: Soo WKM, Thong YL, Gutmann JL Paid open access available at wiley Optimization of Pre-transplantation Conditions to Enhance the Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stem Cells10/21/2015 Abstract:
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered a potential tool for cell based regenerative therapy due to their immunomodulatory property, differentiation potentials, trophic activity as well as large donor pool. Poor engraftment and short term survival of transplanted MSCs are recognized as major limitations which were linked to early cellular ageing, loss of chemokine markers during ex vivo expansion, and hyper-immunogenicity to xeno-contaminated MSCs. These problems can be minimized by ex vivo expansion of MSCs in hypoxic culture condition using well defined or xeno-free media i.e., media supplemented with growth factors, human serum or platelet lysate. In addition to ex vivo expansion in hypoxic culture condition using well defined media, this review article describes the potentials of transient adaptation of expanded MSCs in autologous serum supplemented medium prior to transplantation for long term regenerative benefits. Such transient adaptation in autologous serum supplemented medium may help to increase chemokine receptor expression and tissue specific differentiation of ex vivo expanded MSCs, thus would provide long term regenerative benefits. Source: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES Author: Haque N, Abu Kasim NH, Rahman MT Open Access available at IJBS Abstract:
Mycobacterium abscessus (Ma) is an emerging human pathogen that causes both soft tissue infections and systemic disease. We present the first comparative whole-genome study of Ma strains isolated from patients of wide geographical origin. We found a high proportion of accessory strain-specific genes indicating an open, non-conservative pan-genome structure, and clear evidence of rapid phage-mediated evolution. Although we found fewer virulence factors in Ma compared to M. tuberculosis, our data indicated that Ma evolves rapidly and therefore should be monitored closely for the acquisition of more pathogenic traits. This comparative study provides a better understanding of Ma and forms the basis for future functional work on this important pathogen. Source: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS Author: Choo SW, Wee WY, Ngeow WF, Mitchell W, Wong GJ, Zhao Y Full open access text available at Nature |