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

MYCELIUM BIO-COMPOSITES: THE FUTURE OF PACKAGING MATERIALS

Fungi have been used for centuries for a variety of purposes, including as a source of food, medicine, and industrial products. In recent years, there has been growing interest in using fungi strains to obtain novel biomaterials with unique properties that can be used in various applications, including in the field of biotechnology. One example of a fungi strain used for obtaining novel biomaterials is Ganoderma lucidum, also known as the reishi mushroom. This strain has been shown to produce polysaccharides with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have potential applications in the development of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals. Aspergillus oryzae strain is widely used in the production of a traditional Japanese seasoning called koji. Koji is used to break down starches and proteins in foods, and it has been found to have a variety of potential health benefits, including improving digestion and boosting the immune system. Fungal mycelium of the mushroom species Schizophyllum commune, which has been used to create a biodegradable packaging material that has properties similar to polystyrene foam. This material is sustainable, compostable, and can be produced using waste products, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional packaging materials. Overall, the use of fungi strains for obtaining novel biomaterials has great potential for the development of new and sustainable materials with unique properties. As research in this area continues to expand, it is likely that we will see even more exciting applications for these versatile organisms

SILVER NANOPARTICLES APPLICATION FOR TEXTILE CONSERVATION

Silver is a metal well known for its antimicrobial properties and it is widely used in a broad range of applications (e.g., dyes, cosmetics, medicine etc.). Therefore, the attempt to use silver for textile cultural heritage conservation does not come as a surprise. However, the real challenge is to achieve a perfect fixation of these particles on textiles without altering the aesthetic aspect of the materials. In this context, the use of silver as nanoparticles is essential to ensure that none of the visual aspects is affected, such as color, texture, brightness etc. For the present work, different types of textile fibers were subjected to an accelerated aging process, using UV light, temperature, and humidity. The fibers selected for this study are natural, artificial and combination. In parallel, the textile fibers were treated with different dispersions containing silver nanoparticles and subjected to the same process. To make a comparison between the levels of degradation of the treated and non-treated fibers, they were characterized using different techniques. Electronic microscopy was used to observe the visual effect of the degradation. Infrared spectroscopy was performed to evaluate the changes in the functional groups of the polymeric structures and colorimetry measurements were carried out to quantify the color change of the fibers

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

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

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)