Effects of nicotine administration in rats on MMP2 and VEGF levels in periodontal membrane

Background: Nicotine is associated with increased incidence of periodontal disease and poor response to therapy. This article aimed at identifying the expression of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMPs2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins on extracellular matrix, fibrous distribution and angiogenetic development in periodontitis caused by nicotine effects on periodontal membrane.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, rats were divided into nicotine and control groups. While the rats in the nicotine group (n = 6) were administered 2 mg/kg nicotine sulphate for 28 days, the animals in the control group (n = 6) were only administered 1.5 mL physiologic saline solution subcutaneously for 28 days.Results: Histological sections were prepared and immunohistochemically stained for MMP2 and VEGF. The sections stained with Trichrome-Masson were observed under light microscope. VEGF and MMP2 immunoreactivity of periodontal gingiva and dentin was assessed by immunohistochemical staining.Conclusions: Nicotine reduces MMP production, disrupts collagen synthesis and causes periodontitis. We observed that nicotine increases periodontitis by disrupting periodontal membrane and prevents tooth to anchor in dental alveoli by disrupting epithelial structure

Comparison of Load-Bearing Capacities of 3-Unit Fiber-Reinforced Composite Adhesive Bridges with Different Framework Designs

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the load-bearing capacities of three-unit direct resin-bonded fiber-reinforced composite fixed dental prosthesis with different framework designs.Material/Methods: Sixty mandibular premolar and molar teeth without caries were collected and direct glass fiber-resin fixed FDPs were divided into 6 groups (n=10). Each group was restored via direct technique with different designs. In Group 1, the inlay-retained bridges formed 2 unidirectional FRC frameworks and pontic-reinforced transversal FRC. In Group 2, the inlay-retained bridges were supported by unidirectional lingual and occlusal FRC frameworks. Group 3, had buccal and lingual unidirectional FRC frameworks without the inlay cavities. Group 4 had reinforced inlay cavities and buccal-lingual FRC with unidirectional FRC frameworks. Group 5, had a circular form of fiber reinforcement around cusps in addition to buccal-lingual FRC frameworks. Group 6 had a circular form of fiber reinforcement around cusps with 2 bidirectional FRC frameworks into inlay cavities. All groups were loaded until final fracture using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min.Results: Mean values of the groups were determined with ANOVA and Tukey HSD. When all data were evaluated, Group 6 had the highest load-bearing capacities and revealed significant differences from Group 3 and Group 4. Group 6 had the highest strain (p>0.05). When the fracture patterns were investigated, Group 6 had the durability to sustain fracture propagation within the restoration.Conclusions: The efficiency of fiber reinforcement of the restorations alters not only the amount of fiber, but also the design of the restoration with fibers

ATP Release from Dying Autophagic Cells and Their Phagocytosis Are Crucial for Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages

Pathogen-activated and damage-associated molecular patterns activate the inflammasome in macrophages. We report that mouse macrophages release IL-1β while co-incubated with pro-B (Ba/F3) cells dying, as a result of IL-3 withdrawal, by apoptosis with autophagy, but not when they are co-incubated with living, apoptotic, necrotic or necrostatin-1 treated cells. NALP3-deficient macrophages display reduced IL-1β secretion, which is also inhibited in macrophages deficient in caspase-1 or pre-treated with its inhibitor. This finding demonstrates that the inflammasome is activated during phagocytosis of dying autophagic cells. We show that activation of NALP3 depends on phagocytosis of dying cells, ATP release through pannexin-1 channels of dying autophagic cells, P2X7 purinergic receptor activation, and on consequent potassium efflux. Dying autophagic Ba/F3 cells injected intraperitoneally in mice recruit neutrophils and thereby induce acute inflammation. These findings demonstrate that NALP3 performs key upstream functions in inflammasome activation in mouse macrophages engulfing dying autophagic cells, and that these functions lead to pro-inflammatory responses

Microleakage of Glass Ionomer based Restorative Materials in Primary Teeth: An In vitro Study

Aim: Using AutoCAD, we examined the microleakage of dye at the edges of primary‑teeth restorations using three glass ionomer‑based restorative materials. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 extracted noncarious primary molars were used. Class V cavities were adjusted on the buccal surfaces. The teeth were randomly divided into three groups of 10 teeth each as follows: Group A (Ketac Molar), Group B (Photac Fil), and Group C (Dyract XP). All specimens were stored for 24 h at 37°C in distilled water. The teeth were thermocycled 1000 times between 5°C ± 2°C and 55°C ± 2°C before immersion in 0.5% basic fuchsin for 24 h. Two mesiodistal cuts of each tooth were photographed under a stereomicroscope equipped with a digital camera. The dye‑infiltrated surface area was measured. Statistical evaluations were performed by the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, Levene test, one‑way analysis of variance, and Tukey’s honestly significant difference test. Results: The mean microleakage ratio differed significantly among the groups (P < 0.05). Group C exhibited a significantly smaller area (P < 0.001) than the other groups. Group A had a nonsignificantly higher mean microleakage value than Group B (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Polyacid‑modified composite resin may be a useful restorative material in primary teeth in terms of minimizing microleakage.Keywords: Glass ionomer‑based restorative materials, microleakage, primary teet

The Presence of Donor-Specific Antibodies in Renal Transplantation

Determining the presence of anti-HLA antibodies before transplantation is an important factor to prevent loss of function among renal transplantations. In addition, recent studies have shown that not only the pretransplantation existence of anti-HLA antibody but also posttransplantation donor-specific antibodies (DSA) and non-donor-specific antibodies are significantly associated with allograft rejection or loss of graft function. This study presented DSA among patients after renal transplantation together with graft function and survival

Lipid Parameters, Doses and Blood Levels of Calcineurin Inhibitors in Renal Transplant Patients

The calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) [cyclosporin A (CsA) and tacrolimus (Tac)] are currently the most widely prescribed drugs for maintenance of immunosuppression after renal transplantation. These immunosuppressants are associated with side effects such as hyperlipidemia. We evaluated the differential effects of different CNIs on serum lipid parameters in renal transplant patients. Moreover, the aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between doses and blood levels of CNIs, and blood levels of CNIs and lipid parameters retrospectively. Two groups of 98 non-diabetic renal transplant patients, each treated with different CNIs, were studied: group A (n = 50, mean age: 31 ± 10 years), CsA, mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprin, steroid; group B (I = 48, mean age: 34 ± 12 years), Tac, mycophenolate mofetil/azathioprin, steroid. In renal transplant patients, CNIs blood levels and doses were examined at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation. Biochemical laboratory parameters including plasma lipids [total-cholesterol (CHOL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL)–CHOL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)–CHOL, and triglycerides (TG)], CNI levels and doses were examined at 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after transplantation. None of the patients received anti-lipidemic drugs during the study period. Blood levels of CNIs were detectable in all whole-blood samples by Cloned- Enzyme-Donor Immunoassay (CEDIA). The relationship between CNIs blood levels and CHOL, (LDL)–CHOL, HDL–CHOL, TG were evaluated. The mean serum CHOL levels and LDL–CHOL levels of patients in group A were found significantly higher than the patients in group B during the 12 month of follow up (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in TG and HDL–CHOL plasma levels between group A and group B (p > 0.005). In group A the daily dose of CsA was significantly correlated with the mean blood levels of CsA at the 1st and 3rd months (r = 0.387, p = 0.005; r = 0.386, p = 0.006), respectively. In group A, the daily dose of CsA was significantly correlated with the mean serum TG levels during the 12 month of follow up (r = 0.420, p = 0.003). In group B, the daily dose of Tac was significantly correlated with the mean blood level of Tac (r = 0.335, p = 0.020) at the 1st month. No correlation was found between mean Tac blood levels and lipid parameters during the 12-month of follow up (p > 0.05). Significant positive correlation was observed between the CsA blood levels and LDL–CHOL levels (r = 0.338, p = 0.027) at the 3rd month. In the renal transplant patients with well functioning grafts, CsA therapy is associated with increased CHOL and LDL–CHOL ratio which represents an increased atherogenic risk tended to be associated with CsA. Serum LDL–CHOL levels may be effected by blood CsA levels