SCOPUS citation analysis of publications from Saudi dental colleges

Purpose: Citation analysis is frequently employed to assess the research output of individuals, departments, and institutions. Intra-country institutional analysis of bibliometric analysis is needed to formulate appropriate research policies. To assess the research output of dental colleges in Saudi Arabia Research design: An observational study was conducted for publications from Dental Colleges in Saudi Arabia using the SCOPUS database. The data for the years 2016-18 were retrieved for 18 dental colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Key findings: The highest publication productivity was reported for King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah). The highest number of publications in the years 2016-18 was from Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry. The highest h index for 2016-18 was 8 for Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry. The journal in which the most articles were published was the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. Conclusions/Implications: Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry are the leading dental institutions in the KSA regarding the number of papers published, the number of citations and the h index. The increased focus on research in institutions in Saudi Arabia is evidenced by the steady rise in their number of publications

SCOPUS citation analysis of publications from Saudi dental colleges

Purpose: Citation analysis is frequently employed to assess the research output of individuals, departments, and institutions. Intra-country institutional analysis of bibliometric analysis is needed to formulate appropriate research policies. To assess the research output of dental colleges in Saudi Arabia Research design: An observational study was conducted for publications from Dental Colleges in Saudi Arabia using the SCOPUS database. The data for the years 2016-18 were retrieved for 18 dental colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Key findings: The highest publication productivity was reported for King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah). The highest number of publications in the years 2016-18 was from Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry. The highest h index for 2016-18 was 8 for Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry. The journal in which the most articles were published was the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. Conclusions/Implications: Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry are the leading dental institutions in the KSA regarding the number of papers published, the number of citations and the h index. The increased focus on research in institutions in Saudi Arabia is evidenced by the steady rise in their number of publications

Revitalizing oral cancer research: Crispr-Cas9 technology the promise of genetic editing

This review presents an in-depth analysis of the immense potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology in revolutionizing oral cancer research. It underscores the inherent limitations of conventional treatments while emphasizing the pressing need for groundbreaking approaches. The unparalleled capability of CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely target and modify specific genes involved in cancer progression heralds a new era in therapeutic intervention. Employing genome-wide CRISPR screens, vulnerabilities in oral cancer cells can be identified, thereby unravelling promising targets for therapeutic interventions. In the realm of oral cancer, the disruptive power of CRISPR-Cas9 manifests through its capacity to perturb genes that are intricately associated with drug resistance, consequently augmenting the efficacy of chemotherapy. To address the challenges that arise, this review diligently examines pertinent issues such as off-target effects, efficient delivery mechanisms, and the ethical considerations surrounding germline editing. Through precise gene editing, facilitated by CRISPR/Cas9, it becomes possible to overcome drug resistance by rectifying mutations, thereby enhancing the efficacy of personalized treatment strategies. This review delves into the prospects of CRISPR-Cas9, illuminating its potential applications in the domains of medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. It is paramount to emphasize the necessity of ongoing research endeavors and the imperative to develop targeted therapies tailored specifically for oral cancer. By embracing this comprehensive overview, we can pave the way for ground-breaking treatments that instill renewed hope for enhanced outcomes in individuals afflicted by oral cancer

Current trends and future prospects of chemical management of oral biofilms

Oral biofilm, a tribulation encountered on a general basis is known to associate and contribute to many oral and systemic diseases. Eradication of these biofilms is a primary step in treatment of the underlying malady. Management of a biofilm is governed by various factors: the microenvironment within a biofilm, bond between the adhered surface and the biofilm, location of the biofilm, access to the biofilm for removal. Though annihilation is the priority, the mode of approach to achieve the same is equally important, because biofilm's heterogenic nature and location govern the strategical treatment required. Literature supports that the consequences of oral biofilms is not restricted to its home ground, but disseminated to other systems of the body. This contemplates us to procure knowledge on its development, structure and progression to aim its eradication. Therefore, this review attempts to recognize the type of biofilm based on location and enumerate all the possible chemical modes of management for the specific type of oral biofilms encountered. In addition, to the traditional strategies prescribed or administered, newer approaches which are gaining popularity due to their ease and efficiency are also addressed. Frontiers in the above field, under investigation and promising in near future are also compiled. Thus, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive elucidation of chemical management of oral biofilms, both the conventional and novel approaches under investigation

Antibiotics for Periodontal Infections:Biological and Clinical Perspectives

AIM: The review is to highlight the use of antibiotics in periodontal infections and prevent indiscriminate use of antibiotics. BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is the most common disease of the periodontal attachment apparatus, and its etiological factor can be related to the existence of virulent microorganisms in the dental plaque biofilm which harbors millions of microorganisms. In addition, the pathogenesis of this disease is greatly influenced by the host immune response that leads to the cyclic destruction and healing pattern. REVIEW RESULTS: Periodontitis is mostly treated through mechanical debridement using surgical and nonsurgical therapy. However, many times, this treatment does not render desired results due to poor patient compliance, altered immune response, or other host-related factors. This leads to the administration of antibiotics as an adjunct to mechanical debridement. Antibiotics are useful in eliminating periodontopathic microbes, but these agents should be cautiously used and prescribed only if indicated. CONCLUSION: Indiscriminate use of antibiotics can lead to unforeseen adverse effects as well as the development of resistant strains of microorganisms. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Hence, it is crucial for the dentists to know the indications, contraindications, undesirable effects, correct choice, and dosage of the antimicrobial agent before prescribing it to their patients thereby ensuring the success of periodontal therapy. Thus, the clinician should keep in mind that the antibiotics are merely adjuncts to mechanical therapy and not its replacement

Inhibitory effect of lupeol, quercetin, and solasodine on Rhizopus oryzae: A molecular docking and dynamic simulation study

Background: Mucormycosis is an infection caused by fungi belonging to the order Mucorales. Rhizopus oryzae is one of the most prevalent organisms identified in mucormycosis patients. Because it spreads quickly through the blood vessels, this opportunistic illness has an exceptionally high fatality rate, even when vigorous treatment is administered. Nonetheless, it has a high tolerance to antifungal medicines, limiting treatment options. As a result, improved methods for preventing and treating mucormycosis are desperately needed. Hence, this study was aimed at assessing the effect of lupeol, quercetin, and solasodine against mucormycosis based on computational approaches. Methods: The Rhizopus oryzae RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was the target for the design of drugs against the deadly mucormycosis. The three-dimensional structure of the RdRp was modelled with a Swiss model and validated using PROCHECK, VERIFY 3D, and QMEAN. Using the Schrodinger maestro module, a molecular docking study was performed between RdRp and the antimicrobial phytochemicals lupeol, quercetin, and solasodine. A molecular dynamics (MD) simulation study was used to assess the stability and interaction of the RdRp with these phytochemicals. Results: The RdRp protein binds strongly to lupeol (−7.2 kcal/mol), quercetin (−9.1 kcal/mol), and solasodine (−9.6 kcal/mol), according to molecular docking assessment based on the lowest binding energy, confirmation, and bond interaction. Simulations suggest that lupeol, quercetin, and solasodine complexes with RdRp and showed stable confirmation with minimal fluctuation throughout the 200 nanoseconds based on the RMSD and RMSF trajectory assessments. Conclusion: The molecular docking and MD simulation investigation improved our understanding of phytochemical-RdRp interactions. Due to its high affinity for RdRp, solasodine may be a better treatment option for mucormycosis

Evaluating the efficacy of Centella asiatica on enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic patients - A randomized clinical trial

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the oral secretagogue, anti-microbial and immunomodulatory properties of Centella asiatica in patients with type II diabetes mellitus. Materials and methods: In-vivo and In- vitro assessment was conducted for a period of 3 months. A before and after trial for a period of 3 months of intervention was performed involving 20 participants. Unstimulated Saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples was collected from all the participants before and after the intervention period. The effectiveness of Centella asiatica was estimated by evaluating the pre and post intervention values of salivary flow rate, salivary pH, S.mutans count, GCF flow rate, neutrophils count and alpha 1 defensin levels. Results: This clinico-interventional study inferred that after the usage of aqueous extract of Centella asiatica mouth wash, there was a high statistically significant improvement in the GCF flow rate, GCF neutrophil count and alpha 1 defensin levels from baseline to 90thday (after 3 months) (P = 0.001). The salivary flow rate, salivary pH and S.mutans colony count showed no statistically significant difference. Conclusion: The outcome of the current study enlightens the utility of ethnomedicinal plants and their usage, it is also helpful in enhancement of oral health status in hyperglycemic conditions. The current study concluded that rinsing twice with aqueous extract of Centella asiatica as mouth rinse for a period of 3 months has an immunomodulatory action. Clinical significance: Centella asiatica mouthwash can be used as an immunomodulatory agent

The Expression of Allele Changes in NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) Gene Polymorphisms in Periodontitis and Coronary Artery Disease

Background: Inflammasomes have been shown to play a pivotal role in periodontal disease pathogenesis. However, their role in periodontitis subjects with coronary heart disease remains unclear. This study aimed to obtain the expression of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) gene polymorphisms in the subgingival plaque and blood samples of generalized periodontitis (GP) subjects with and without coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods: A total of 70 subjects were grouped into two; GP and GP with CHD. Demographic variables and periodontal and cardiac parameters were recorded from both the groups. Subgingival plaque and blood samples were obtained from both the groups and were further subjected to the identification of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) expression and allele change using a conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and gene sequencing (Sanger’s method). Results: Amongst the demographic variables, age and monthly income were statistically significant between the two groups. Plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low density-lipoprotein (LDL) exhibited statistically significant levels between the two groups. The NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) genes showed a statistically significant association with allele change (frequency) among the groups. The general comparison of all the parameters with the allele change of NLRP3 (rs35829419) and IL-1β (+3954) in the subgingival plaque and blood samples showed statistically significant associations among the two groups. Conclusion: The present study highlighted an allele change in IL-1β (+3954) gene polymorphisms which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and coronary heart disease

Transcriptional regulatory signatures of systemic diseases in periodontitis with dyslipidemia

Background: Periodontitis is a chronic bacterial infection of tooth that increases the risk of systemic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. Although it has been have found altered lipids in periodontitis patients, its gene regulation is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the lipid meditated regulatory network in periodontitis that may helpful in early detection of periodontal mediated systemic diseases. Methods: We employed a high-throughput gene expression data of 1) patients with periodontitis (n = 6); 2) the periodontitis patients with dyslipidemia (n = 6); and 3) healthy control group (n = 6). The over represented (DEGs) genes in SET-A (control vs. periodontitis) and SET-B (control vs. periodontitis with dyslipidemia) was identified. The protein interaction network was generated for the over represented genes in both the conditions. The constructed network was dissected into multiple regulatory clusters, containing over expressed transcription factors with its interacting proteins. Further the behavior of the clusters was determined through gene ontology and molecular pathways. Results: On expression analysis, 751 in SET-A and 561 in SET-B were over expressed compared to healthy control. Using over expressed genes, protein interaction networks were constructed for SET-A and SET-B, respectively. Topological analysis revel the difference in the complexity of both the network. Four regulatory clusters (ESR1, FOS, RUNX2, and SP1) from SET-A and six (ESR1, ESR2, FOS, JDP2, PBX1, and TAL1) from the SET-B network was extracted. Each cluster displayed a variety of molecular mechanism associated with immune system, cell cycle, and signal processing. Clusters from SET-B showed diverse regulatory pattern in associated with cancer, neurological, psychiatric and metabolic diseases. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate difference in regulatory patterns between periodontitis and periodontitis with dyslipidemia. These finding may provide evidence for dyslipidemia mediated periodontitis contribute to progressive systemic diseases. Further experiments are required to validate these regulators as biomarkers and drug targets

Melatonin as a Topical/Systemic Formulation for the Management of Periodontitis: A Systematic Review

Objectives: To qualitatively and quantitatively review the use of melatonin as a topical/systemic formulation for the management of periodontitis. Materials and methods: PubMed; Scopus; and Web of Science databases were searched using the MesH terms “melatonin” and “periodontitis”. Title and abstracts were screened to eliminate irrelevant and duplicate articles. The full text data of the screened articles were assessed using the selection criteria. Results: Of 176 identified articles (PubMed-66; Scopus-56; Web of Science-52; Cross-reference-2), only 12 studies qualified to be included in the systematic review. Four studies assessed the independent effect of 1% topical melatonin formulation while 8 articles assessed the adjunctive use of systemic melatonin formulation (1–10 mg) following scaling and root planing (SRP). All studies showed an improvement in periodontal parameters such as pocket depth, clinical attachment loss, periodontal disease index, community periodontal index, gingival bleeding scores, and prognostic marker levels in saliva and serum. A meta-analysis of data from 2 studies revealed that 1–2 mg (systemic) melatonin supplementation reduced pocket depth; although the difference was not statistically significant and hence cannot be interpreted or used for conclusive evidence. Risk of Bias Assessment tool (RoBANS) and Cochrane Collaboration RoB tool elicited a high risk of bias in the included studies. GRADE (recommendation assessment, development, and evaluation) inferred a weak recommendation for the use of melatonin in periodontitis management. Conclusions: Melatonin supplementation (topical and systemic) in periodontitis patients improved key periodontal parameters including pocket depth and clinical attachment loss. Clinical relevance: Melatonin could be a potential host modulatory agent for periodontitis management; although the data from the present review should be interpreted carefully due to the associated high risk of bias