PURPOSE: Bone tissues for clinical application can be improved by studies on osteoblast differentiation. Runx2 is known to be an important transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation. However, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 treatment to stimulate Runx2 is not sufficient to acquire enough bone formation in osteoblasts. Therefore, it is necessary to find other regulatory factors which can improve the transcriptional activity of Runx2. The erythroblast transformation-specific (ETS) transcription factor family is reported to be involved in various aspects of cellular proliferation and differentiation. METHODS: We have noticed that the promoters of osteoblast differentiation markers such as alkaline phosphatase (Alp), osteopontin (Opn), and osteocalcin (Oc) contain Ets binding sequences which are also close to Runx2 binding elements. Luciferase assays were performed to measure the promoter activities of these osteoblast differentiation markers after the transfection of Runx2, myeloid Elf-1-like factor (MEF), and Runxs+MEF. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was also done to check the mRNA levels of Opn after Runx2 and MEF transfection into rat osteoblast (ROS) cells. RESULTS: We have found that MEF, an Ets transcription factor, increased the transcriptional activities of Alp, Opn, and Oc. The addition of Runx2 resulted in the 2- to 6-fold increase of the activities. This means that these two transcription factors have a synergistic effect on the osteoblast differentiation markers. Furthermore, early introduction of these two Runx2 and MEF factors significantly elevated the expression of the Opn mRNA levels in ROS cells. We also showed that Runx2 and MEF proteins physically interact with each other. CONCLUSIONS: Runx2 interacts with MEF proteins and binds to the promoters of the osteoblast markers such as Opn nearby MEF to increase its transcriptional activity. Our results also imply that osteoblast differentiation and bone formation can be increased by activating MEF to elicit the synergistic effect of Runx2 and MEF.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antigens, Differentiation ; Bone and Bones ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit ; Erythroblasts ; Humans ; Luciferases ; Osteoblasts ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteopontin ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Proteins ; Rats ; RNA, Messenger ; Transcription Factors ; Transfection

No abstract available.
Apgar Score ; Periodontal Diseases

No abstract available.
Apgar Score ; Periodontal Diseases

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to identify a role for endodontic intervention in enhancing the regenerative potential of the periodontal ligament when combined with periodontal treatment in seriously involved teeth with a secondary endodontic component. METHODS: Patients who exhibited radiolucency extending to the periapical region, abnormal electric pulp testing values, and deep probing depth derived from primary periodontal disease with secondary endodontic involvement were included. Intentional root canal treatment was applied to those teeth in which the apical lesions were presumed to communicate with those of the periodontal lesion of the teeth that remained vital. In all three selected cases, regenerative periodontal therapy incorporating either bone graft or guided tissue regeneration was instituted 3 months after the endodontic intervention. RESULTS: Remarkable enhancement in radiographic density was noticeable around the affected teeth as evidenced by changes in radiopacity. There was a significant reduction in the probing pocket depth and gain in the clinical attachment level. Chewing discomfort gradually disappeared from the commencement of the combined treatment. CONCLUSIONS: An intentional endodontic intervention may be a worthwhile approach for the sophisticated management of teeth suffering from serious attachment loss and alveolar bone destruction with concomitant secondary endodontic involvement.
Dental Pulp Cavity ; Guided Tissue Regeneration ; Humans ; Periodontal Attachment Loss ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Ligament ; Root Canal Therapy ; Stress, Psychological ; Tooth

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tensile strength of surgical synthetic absorbable sutures over a period of 14 days under simulated oral conditions. METHODS: Three suture materials (polyglycolic acid [PGA], polyglactin [PG] 910, and poly (glycolide-co-small je, Ukrainian-caprolactone) [PGC]) were used in 4-0 and 5-0 gauges. 210 suture samples (35 of each material and gauge) were used. All of the samples were tested preimmersion and 1 hour and 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days postimmersion. The tensile strength of each suture material and gauge was assessed. The point of breakage and the resorption pattern of the sutures were also assessed. RESULTS: During the first 24 hours of immersion, all 4-0 and 5-0 samples of PGA, PG 910, and PGC maintained their initial tensile strength. At baseline (preimmersion), there was a statistically significant (P<0.001) difference in the tensile strengths between the 4-0 and 5-0 gauge of PGA, PG 910, and PGC. PGA 4-0 showed the highest tensile strength until day 10. At 7 days, all the 4-0 sutures of the three materials had maintained their tensile strength with PGA 4-0 having significantly greater (P=0.003) tensile strength compared to PG. CONCLUSIONS: 4-0 sutures are stronger and have greater tensile strength than 5-0 sutures. The PGA 4-0 suture showed the highest tensile strength at the end of day 10.
Immersion ; Polyglactin 910 ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Prostaglandins A ; Sutures ; Tensile Strength

PURPOSE: The present study has two aims; firstly, it attempts to verify the presence of oxidative stress by estimating the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in periodontal pockets > or =5 mm as compared to controls. The second aim is to evaluate the effect of lycopene as a locally delivered antioxidant gel on periodontal health and on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a marker of oxidative injury. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects participated in this study. In the pretreatment phase, the ROS levels in pockets > or =5 mm were measured by flow cytometry. Three sites in each subject were randomly assigned into each of the following experimental groups: sham group, only scaling and root planing (SRP) was done; placebo group, local delivery of placebo gel after SRP; and lycopene group, local delivery of lycopene gel after SRP. Clinical parameters included recording site-specific measures of GCF 8-OHdG, plaque, gingivitis, probing depth, and clinical attachment level. RESULTS: The gel, when delivered to the sites with oxidative stress, was effective in increasing clinical attachment and in reducing gingival inflammation, probing depth, and 8-OHdG levels as compared to the placebo and sham sites. CONCLUSIONS: From this trial conducted over a period of 6 months, it was found that locally delivered lycopene seems to be effective in reducing the measures of oxidative stress and periodontal disease.
Antioxidants ; Carotenoids ; Deoxyguanosine ; Flow Cytometry ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; Gingivitis ; Inflammation ; Oxidative Stress ; Periodontal Diseases ; Periodontal Pocket ; Periodontitis ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Root Planing ; Salicylamides

Periodontitis is a common oral disease that is characterized by infection and inflammation of the tooth supporting tissues. While its incidence is highly associated with outgrowth of the pathogenic microbiome, some patients show signs of predisposition and quickly fall into recurrence after treatment. Recent research using genetic associations of candidates as well as genome-wide analysis highlights that variations in genes related to the inflammatory response are associated with an increased risk of periodontitis. Intriguingly, some of the genes are regulated by epigenetic modifications, supposedly established and reprogrammed in response to environmental stimuli. In addition, the treatment with epigenetic drugs improves treatment of periodontitis in a mouse model. In this review, we highlight some of the recent progress identifying genetic factors associated with periodontitis and point to promising approaches in epigenetic research that may contribute to the understanding of molecular mechanisms involving different responses in individuals and the early detection of predispositions that may guide in future oral treatment and disease prevention.
Animals ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Genetic Variation ; Histone Code ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Metagenome ; Mice ; Periodontitis ; Recurrence ; Tooth

No abstract available.
Extracellular Matrix

PURPOSE: The aim of this work is to evaluate a surgical technique for mobilization of mal posed dental implant in anterior area. METHODS: A 38-year-old patient consulted our unit for esthetic dissatisfaction with the implant treatment of a central incisor. An implant was observed in 11 and 21, where 11 was 3 mm above the ideal limit, with excessive vestibular angulation. The choice was made to perform a segmental osteotomy and mobilize the bone block and the implant down and forward; a bone block extracted from the mandibular ramus was installed between the implant block and the bed to stabilize the segment. RESULTS: After 4 months, a conventional fixed prosthesis was created and the esthetic result achieved was close to what the patient wanted, with no need for further surgery. The surgical condition was stabilized and maintained for the long-time and no complications how necrosis, infection or bone defects was present. CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that the procedure is efficient, and the biological arguments in favor of the procedure are discussed.
Adult ; Dental Implants* ; Humans ; Incisor ; Necrosis ; Osteotomy* ; Prostheses and Implants

PURPOSE: Peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) has a production mechanism similar to gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). However, limited research has been performed comparing their behavior in response to inflammation. Hence, the aim of the present study was to comparatively evaluate PISF and GCF volume with varying degrees of clinical inflammatory parameters. METHODS: Screening of patients was conducted. Based on the perimucosal inflammatory status, 39 loaded implant sites were selected from 24 patients, with equal numbers of sites in healthy, peri-implant mucositis, and peri-implantitis subgroups. GCF collection was done from age- and sex-matched dentate patients, selected with gingival inflammatory status corresponding to the implant sites. Assessment of the inflammatory status for dental/implant sites was performed using probing depth (PD), plaque index/modified plaque index (PI/mPI), gingival index/simplified gingival index (GI/sGI), and modified sulcular bleeding index (BI). Sample collection was done using standardized absorbent paper strips with volumetric evaluation performed via an electronic volume quantification device. RESULTS: Positive correlation of the PISF and GCF volume was seen with increasing PD and clinical inflammatory parameters. A higher correlation of GCF with PD (0.843) was found when compared to PISF (0.771). PISF expressed a higher covariation with increasing grades of sGI (0.885), BI (0.841), and mPI (0.734), while GCF established a moderately positive correlation with GI (0.694), BI (0.696), and PI (0.729). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, except for minor fluctuations, GCF and PISF volumes demonstrated a similar nature and volumetric pattern through increasing grades of inflammation, with PISF showing better correlation with the clinical parameters.
Dental Implants ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Mass Screening ; Mucositis ; Peri-Implantitis ; Periodontal Index