Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontal Disease: A Complex Interplay

Recent advances in understanding the dynamic pathways involved in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis have emphasized the pivotal role of pro-inflammatory cytokines, inflammatory cells, endothelial cell activation and matrix degradation, acting in a genetically predisposed environment. On the other hand, there are significant amounts of data highlighting the potential role of bacteria (leading periodonthopatic pathogen Porfiromonas gingivalis) in promoting different types of arthritis, as well as the influence of periodontis (an infectious-inflammatory condition) as etiological or modulating factor in different pathologies, including cardio-vascular disorders, diabetes, respiratory disease and inflammatory rheumatic disorders (such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and lupus). The present chapter deals with the possible association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis as entities with common pathological events

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CARIOUS DISEASE AND INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

We aimed to analyse parameters defining carious disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate potential correlations with inflammatory systemic parameters related to RA. Materials and method. We performed a complex clinical oral exam (DMFT, PI, RFR, RFS, CT) and inflammatory tests (ESR, C-reactive protein) and ASLO in seven patients known with RA. The results were statistically analyzed by SPSS 16 programs and Spearman`s correlation. The results showed a positive correlation between ASLO and DMFT, PI, CT, ESR and DMFT, PI, CT, C-reactive protein and variable: CT, PI; negative correlations were reported between ASLO and RFR, RFS, while C-reactive protein also associated with DMFT, RFR, RFS. Conclusions RA can influence the patient's cariogenic risk

Evaluation and monitoring of quorum sensing soluble mediators implicated in the regulation of bacterial growth in Vibrio strains

Abstract Quorum sensing (QS) is an ubiquitary regulation mechanism in the bacterial world implicated in intra and inter-bacterial communication and dependen

Screening of Molecular Virulence Markers in Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains Isolated from Clinical Infections

Staphylococcus (S.) aureus and Pseudomonas (Ps.) aeruginosa are two of the most frequently opportunistic pathogens isolated in nosocomial infections, responsible for severe infections in immunocompromised hosts. The frequent emergence of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains has determined the development of new strategies in order to elucidate the different mechanisms used by these bacteria at different stages of the infectious process, providing the scientists with new procedures for preventing, or at least improving, the control of S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa infections. The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular markers of virulence in S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains isolated from different clinical specimens. We used multiplex and uniplex PCR assays to detect the genes encoding different cell-wall associated and extracellular virulence factors, in order to evaluate potential associations between the presence of putative virulence genes and the outcome of infections caused by these bacteria. Our results demonstrate that all the studied S. aureus and Ps. aeruginosa strains synthesize the majority of the investigated virulence determinants, probably responsible for different types of infections

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT INVOLVEMENT IN RHEUMATIC PATHOLOGY

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders in patients with various rheumatic conditions and to define the accurate assessment protocol. We performed a prospective observational study in 1052 consecutive patients with various inflammatory (433 rheumatoid arthritis, RA; 258 ankylosing spondylitis, AS; 103 psoriatic arthritis, PsA; 32 juvenile idiopathic arthritis, JIA) and degenerative (226 osteoarthritis, OA) rheumatic disorders attending at least once the rheumatology department. Patients were classified in six study groups, as follows: group A comprising 152 RA; group B: 55 AS; group C: 44 PsA; group D: 22 JIA; group E: 42 patients with osteoarthritis (OA); and group F or the control group. All patients were evaluated according to the same standardized protocol including several variables e.g. demographics, epidemiologic, clinical, biological and imaging parameters according to the underlying rheumatic condition. TMJ and dental-periodontal system were also examined. Statistical analysis was done in SAS 4.3 program, p<0.05; differences among groups were calculated using the Probability calculator for descriptive statistics, the χ2 test, the Pearson “r” correlations and Breakdown one way ANOVA tests. In conclusion, TMJ pathology displayed an increased prevalence in all groups, irrespective of the inflammatory or degenerative rheumatic disorders as compared to the control grou

INFLUENCE OF POSTURE ADOPTED BY DENTIST ON SPINE

Posture influences at work on the entire musculoskeletal apparatus, but with great consequences for the spine. Postural dentists use two totally different ways of working: seated working position and postural working position. The seating position is currently considered the ergonomic and postural is considered all unergonomic. This study aims to analyze the disco-vertebral and muscle pain, the conditions for carrying out or postural seating. The study was conducted on two groups A and B consisting of 43 random and that 47 dentists (49 women, 41 men), aged 30-55 years (maximum age of assets). The primary composition of the lots was the position taken during medical activity. Group A was selected for orthostatic position and group B seated on a wheelchair. In conclusion, there is an ideal working posture for the dentist, such as orthostatic position and sitting with the three types of support may be required for the backbone. Must always wanted workstations that causes less fatigue as being major change position after a period of time (maximum one hour)

ERGONOMICS AND WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL CONDITIONS IN DENTISTRY

Due to a permanent and excessive overload of axial (cervical and lumbar spine segments) as well as peripheral joints (especially hand and shoulder), dentists usually present with significant burden of professional-related musculoskeletal issues. The aim of our study was to describe work-related cervical spine complains and to perform an electromyographic (EMG) analysis of cervical muscles during specific working activities in dentists. Cross-sectional 24-weeks study including 30 dentists and primary care physicians. Each participant in both groups was asked to complete a specific questionnaire derived from Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire that included: general data, clinical parameters (signs and symptoms of cervical spine involvement), data on occupational activity (working position prevailing during work, use of magnifying devices such as glass, microscope) and extra-professional. As a second step after completion of the above mentioned questionnaire, all subjects performed an EMG test. The muscles involved in the static and dynamic of the cervical spine e.g. splenius capitis and trapezium were examined with the help of a surface electrodiometer. Specific work overload in dentistry, prolonged vicious position of the head and cervical segment, asymmetric contraction of the posterior musculature of the spine, adverse static positions, permanent focused vision in a limited space, vibrating tools essentially contribute to musculoskeletal issues, particularly in the cervical spine

THE ROLE OF CLINICAL STAGES IN MAKING EFFICIENT THE THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT IN PARTIAL EDENTATION

The aim of our study is to hierarchize the importance of the role of the main clinical stages of treatment in order to achieve a successful therapeutic management.Material and method:This study is carried out by analyzing the classic and modern facets for the main clinical stages that decisively influence the therapeutic development of an edented clinical case with different degrees of damage to the muco-bone, dento-periodontal support, with a special attention always being given loco-regional impairments. Results and disscusions :A particularly important aspect is represented by the management of devital teeth, which often, through the present and associated biomechanics, biomechanical stability orientates the choice of the restorative prosthetic solution to the zirconium ceramic restoration register, its opaque character being known, or to metalic-ceramice crowns. Conclusions:In view of efficient management of edentuous therapy, an effective clinical and paraclinical assessment is required, following the balancing, according to the decisional therapeutical algorithm of each clinical stage, and the manner in which it is performed in a classical or modern registry