Role of bone morphogenetic proteins in periodontal tissue engineering: Relatively unexplored horizon

Tissue engineering aims to reconstruct the natural target tissue by a combination of three key elements stem/progenitor cells (that will create the new tissue), signaling molecules (that instruct the cells to form the desired tissue) scaffold/extracellular matrix (to hold the cells). Regeneration of the periodontal tissues following destructive episodes of various forms of periodontitis is a formidable challenge to periodontologists. Bone morphogenic proteins have been considered as the most potent growth factors that can promote the bone regeneration. This review will emphasize on the unique nature of the tissue engineered bone morphogenic proteins molecules regarding their structure, classification, signaling mechanism, etc. which will further help in understanding their role and potential advances necessary to facilitate the process of regeneration in the field of periodontics.

Establishment of optirmal culture media in corneal epithelial wound healing models

BACKGROUND: Wound healing needs to occur after injury to prevent vision loss. Models of wound healing need to be optimized to assure treatments for corneal wounds can be developed in vitro prior to investigating with in vivo studies. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish the optimum media to use as a control solution in wound healing models. METHODS: Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were cultured in different growth media using a scratch and exclusion zone model. The effect of normoxic and hypoxic conditions on tight junctional integrity and metabolic activity of cells grown in different growth medium were also investigated. RESULTS: Wound healing with DMEMF12 media was significantly faster than both Keratinocyte serum-free media (p < 0.05) and EpiLife (p < 0.05) after 10 hours recovery under normoxic or hypoxic conditions using the scratch model and 9 days after wounding using the exclusion zone technique (p < 0.05). Using the culture media DMEMF12, cells stained for abundant ZO-1, Cx43 and had a high metabolic activity indicating significant epithelial barrier formation, gap junction formation and high cell viability. CONCLUSIONS: DMEMF12 led to superior wound healing under hypoxic and normoxic conditions and in two different wound healing models.

Role of annular pentameric molecule: C-Reactive protein in periodontal disease and its association with systemic health

Various acute phase reactants are produced in response to inflammatory stimuli, one of them is C-reactive protein which is. Serum levels of C-Reactive protein are useful to monitor and diagnose inflammatory process associated with disease as it being one of the valuable biomarkers in various clinical conditions, increase in level of C-Reactive protein is found in subjects with periodontal disease, which in turn can act as useful biomarker to diagnose cardiovascular disease, adverse pregnancy outcome as they being associated with periodontal disease. This manuscript is brief overview of C-Reactive protein and its relation with periodontal disease and systemic health.

Bullet for periodontal disease in future: Chemically modified tetracyclines

Chronic periodontitis is nowadays popularly regarded as Dysbiosis, [1] which causes destruction of tissues rich in collagen like periodontal ligament, alveolar bone and gingival connective tissue. The oral biofilm comprises many periodontal pathogens better regarded as ‘triggers’ in causing chronic periodontitis. Since, not everyone will be affected in the same manner due to periodontal pathogens. Some might not elicit a host response while, the others might have exaggerated response. So, host modulation therapy came into existence to counteract the exaggerated host response. The chemically modified tetracyclines (CMTs) have emerged to inhibit the inflammatory response or to reduce the collagenolytic activity of host. Though a derivative of tetracyclines, it still lacks an antimicrobial action and hence, can be used for periodontitis for longer duration with no adverse effects of gastrointestinal toxicity which parent tetracyclines have.

Artificial intelligence in periodontics – A dip in the future

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence is a relatively newer technology in the field of medical world. This science uses the machine – learning algorithm and computer software to aid in the diagnostics in medical and dental fields. It is a huge talking point in the field of technology which is spreading it’s wings in all possible sectors at a great speed. This field covers solutions from coaching solutions to diagnostics in medical field covering under the umbrella of all what can be achieved by machine and deep learning. CONTENT: In dentistry, artificial intelligence is creating a revolution in all sections from collection of data, creating algorithms for orthodontic procedures, diagnostic records in the aspect of radiographic data, three dimensional scans and cone beam computed tomography, CAD CAM systems for restorative and prosthetic purposes. Similarly continuous research is being done in the field of periodontics in terms of measuring bone loss, amount of plaque present and much more. CONCLUSION: The field of artificial technology with its varied applications will change the face of dentistry in the upcoming times. Artificial intelligence with its application of machine learning will change the face of dentistry in future.

Role of reactive oxygen species and antioxidants in periodontal disease

Recent epidemiological studies reveal that more than two-third of the world’s population suffers from one of the chronic forms of periodontal disease. The primary etiological agent of this inflammatory disease is a polymicrobial complex, predominantly Gram negative anaerobic or facultative bacteria within the sub-gingival biofilm. These bacterial species initiate the production of various cytokines such as interleukin-8 and TNF-α, further causing an increase in number and activity of polymorphonucleocytes (PMN) along with these cytokines, PMNs also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) superoxide via the respiratory burst mechanism as the part of the defence response to infection. ROS just like the interleukins have deleterious effects on tissue cells when produced in excess. To counter the harmful effects of ROS, human body has its own defence mechanisms to eliminate them as soon as they are formed. The aim of this review is to focus on the role of different free radicals, ROS, and antioxidants in the pathophysiology of periodontal tissue destruction.

Formation of bone extracellular matrix in a rotational bioreactor: Preseeding of human mesenchymal stromal cells on a thin polymer scaffold

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic osteolysis is known to be the main reason for aseptic instability after the arthroplasty or dental implantation. The use of tissue-engineered scaffolds that allow bone formation area, produced using flow or rotational bioreactor, seems to be a promising approach for such bone lesions treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the bone neo-extracellular matrix formation within the three-week culture of a scaffold in a coaxial rotational bioreactor generating the preliminary mathematically modelled FSS values with the aim to develop a tissue-engineered scaffold for periprosthetic osteolysis prevention, but reactor critical characteristics like fluid shear stress (FSS) should be fine-tuned to achieve good cell density and prevent cell loss by the scaffold. METHODS: Thin film biodegradable polymer carrier, produced with electrospun and then seeded with hMSCs (human mesenchymal stromal cell) and culture for three weeks in rotational bioreactor, which generates the preliminary math model-calculated FSS from 4 to 8 mPa. Results were assessed with laser scanning confocal microscopy with immunofluorescence, and electron scanning microscopy with spectroscopy. RESULTS: After two weeks of culture, there were no significant differences between the density of hMSC cultured in the static conditions and bioreactor but after 3 weeks the cell density in the bioreactor increased by 35% compared to the static conditions (up to 3.53×106±462 per 1 cm2, P < 0.001). The immunofluorescence intensity exhibited by type I collagen after two and three weeks of culture increased 2.5-fold (48.3±0.39 a.u., P < 0.001) and 1.31-fold (74.0±0.29 a.u., P < 0.001) in the bioreactor, but for osteopontin after 3 weeks of culture in the static conditions was similar to those in the bioreactor. CONCLUSIONS: Optimization of the reactor characteristics with the mathematically modelled FSS values could significantly improve cell proliferation, differentiation, and enhanced formation of the neo-extracellular matrix within 3 weeks in the rotational bioreactor.

Point mutation of COVID-19 proteins: A study on noval corona virus (nCov) correlation with MERS and H1N1 viruses and in silico investigation of nCoV proteins for future applications

Coronavirus disease (COVID 19) which is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) was first reported in Wuhan, China in December 2019. The disease transformed to a pandemic and affected people’s lives all over the world. It caused death to millions of people all over the world. In this project we focused on finding out the correlation of SARS-CoV2 with other respiratory diseases causing viruses like MERS and H1N1 influenza viruses. We further investigated to understand the mutations that occur in the sequences of the SARS-CoV2 during the spread of the disease and correlated it with the functional domains of proteins. The resulted phylogenetic tree indicated that SARS-CoV2 is closely related to the MERS and H1N1 viruses are distantly related. The mutation analysis of 10 different proteins of the SARS-CoV2 shows that there were more than 50 point-mutations among 34 countries sequences for six proteins. Interestingly, four proteins did not any mutation during the analysis. Therefore, these four proteins may be taken into consideration during the development of the diagnostics or therapeutics against this disease.

Contribution of technology to human cell properties

After explaining the meaning of SARS-CoV2, the protection rules for the disease caused by this virus are described in order to eradicate the resulting pandemic. Methods to differentiate asymptomatic from symptomatic patients will be mentioned. Human lungs, heart, kidney, endothelium and erythrocyte have specific binding sites for the SARS-CoV2. The aim of this opinion was to highlight some new disposable technology to identify two cell properties. One of them is the vascular endothelial cell (EC) receptor binding to the SARS-CoV2 and the other is related with red blood cells (RBCs) as SARS-CoV2 carrier.

Immunomodulatory response and serum level of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) as a marker of acute kidney injury in wistar rats exposed to pyrethroids

BACKGROUND: Insecticide usage has increased in the tropics and subtropics due to the high prevalence of vector-borne infections, even though insecticide use effectively reduces insect-borne diseases. Insecticide exposure can cause oxidative stress and have severe consequences for human health. The study was then designed to evaluate oxidative stress and its effects on immunomodulatory and renal integrity among Wistar rats exposed to pyrethroids. METHODS: Eighty-four Wistar rats were randomly selected and divided into two groups. Fifty-one rats were exposed to 1.2 %w/v pyrethroids, while the remaining thirty-three rats were grouped as non-exposed. The groups were divided into three different groups, each with 7, 21, and 41 days. After days of exposure, the animals in each group were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava. Using standard spectrophotometric techniques, the levels of total antioxidant status (TAS), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), urea, creatinine and uric acid were determined. Blood activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) were determined. ELISA was used to determine levels of IgG, IgA, IgE, TNF-α, and NGAL. Data obtained were statistically compared. RESULTS: The serum mean levels of SOD, GPx, CAT, GSH, and TAS were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) while mean levels of MDA, H2O2, IgG, IgE, IgA, TNFα, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), urea, uric acid, and creatinine were significantly elevated (p < 0.05) from 7 to 41 days exposure in exposed groups. NGAL had a higher area under the ROC curve than urea and creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: This study observed that pyrethroids can cause oxidative stress, deplete antioxidant levels, nephrotoxicity, and may modulate both humoral and cellular immune functions. It also established NGAL as a sensitive diagnostic tool and early biomarker for acute kidney injury (AKI).