Investigating the effects of oral microbial biofilms on oral epithelial cells

Periodontal disease is associated with an inflammatory response to a pathogenic biofilm. The host response may cause gingival inflammation, which can progress to irreversible gingival recession, alveolar bone destruction and tooth loss. Enhanced understanding of the host-biofilm relationship may inform novel therapeutic approaches. A key molecule involved in inducing and mediating pro-inflammatory responses are the IL-17 cytokine family. An in vitro model system potentially provides a platform to investigate biofilm interaction with epithelial cells. The aim of this study was to develop in vitro mono-species and multi-species biofilms and investigate the survival of biofilms in cell culture conditions, and simultaneously assess the epithelial response to the bacterial biofilms and planktonic cells with respect to viability, apoptosis and inflammatory mediators. This study also looked to determine whether IL-17A is expressed within and released from periodontal tissues and to investigate its role in the regulation of epithelial cell cytokine and chemokine production. Mono- and multi-species biofilms of P. gingivalis, F. nucleatum, A. actinomycetemcomitans and S. mitis were developed, which were assessed for survival in cell culture conditions, recovery from biofilms and morphology. Gingival tissue from patients with chronic periodontitis or healthy controls were analysed for IL-17A gene expression by qPCR. Protein expression and cellular localization was determined by immunofluorescence. Single cell suspensions of gingival tissue were stimulated in vitro and IL-17A release assessed. Epithelial response after bacterial and IL-17A co-culture was assessed. The individual bacteria survived preferentially in multi-species biofilm compared with mono-species biofilm in cell culture conditions. The viability, apoptosis and inflammatory mediator response depended on the type (pathogen or commensal) and form (planktonic or biofilm) of bacteria. Diseased gingival tissues expressed significantly higher levels of IL-17A mRNA than healthy samples. IL-17A localised to mast cells in the inflamed gingival tissue, and was released in cell culture supernatants following stimulation. Stimulation of epithelial cells with IL-17A resulted in the transcriptional regulation and release of numerous cytokines and chemokines. The initial component of the entire investigation has provided a quantitative and qualitative assessment of both mono- and multi-species biofilms that can be used to investigate how oral biofilms interact with the host epithelium. The epithelial-biofilm co-culture model has demonstrated clear differences between (i) planktonic and biofilms, (ii) pathogens and commensals, and (iii) live and dead bacterial challenge. These observations and the utility of the model will provide a platform to investigate key questions relating to pathogen and host within the oral cavity and beyond. From this study, it appears that IL-17A plays an important role in the protective periodontal immune response to bacterial pathogens. The upregulation of acute inflammatory mediators (such as IL-8) will promote neutrophil recruitment and potentiate the removal of any invading microbial threat. Therefore it is important to understand the benefits of this cytokine, before systemic therapeutic agents are used to antagonise its actions. The hope for the future is to unravel the details of the mechanisms involved and thereby identify novel therapeutic targets for inflammatory and infectious disease.

Water Quality Monitoring with Regression Based PPM Sensor for Controlling Hydroponic Dissolved Nutrient

Hydroponic cultivation requires rigorous monitoring and control of several parameters, such as turbidity, electric conductivity, acidity (pH), dissolved oxygen and nutrient, which usually be measured once a day manually. Therefore, automation in hydroponic cultivation requires those water quality information as the controlled variable. The dissolved nutrient is especially important because it significantly affects the hydroponic plant growth. Acquiring the dissolved nutrient can be done by using a PPM (parts per million) sensor, but most of the time the sensor needs further processing to obtain the desired measurement. This study presents a reading correction of a PPM sensor based on a regression method so the desired measurement can be done. Sample water with different PPM, such 309 PPM, 290 PPM, 762 PPM, 1910 PPM and 2420 PPM are measured first using a standard PPM meter. Then, the sample PPM is measured by using the PPM sensor. The study also investigates the best regression method to map the PPM sensor measurement to the standard PPM meter measurement by comparing several line equations, such as linear, exponential, polynomial and logarithmic. The function coefficient and bias is chosen by using least square methods. After comparing, the result shows that the polynomial function provides the best reading correction with average error of 76 PPM. The error is especially few when measuring the higher PPM (more than 500 PPM), which is suitable with hydroponic cultivation. Therefore, the PPM sensor with the polynomial function shown in this study can be used to measure the dissolve nutrient accurately in the automation of hydroponic activity compare to other line equations. This study is limited to small sample sizes to prove the concept. The generalization can also be considered in the future study

Impact of frequency of denture cleaning on microbial and clinical parameters - a bench to chairside approach

Objective: Robust scientific and clinical evidence of how to appropriately manage denture plaque is lacking. This two-part study (i) developed an in vitro model of denture plaque removal, and (ii) assessed effectiveness of these approaches in a randomised clinical trial. Method: (i) a complex denture plaque model was developed using the dominant microbial genera from a recent microbiome analyses. Biofilms formed on polymethylmethacrylate were brushed daily with a wet toothbrush, then either treated daily for 5 days or only on Days 1 and 5 with Polident® denture cleanser tablets (3 min soaking). Quantitative and qualitative microbiological assessments were performed. (ii), an examiner-blind, randomised, crossover study of complete maxillary denture wearers was performed (n = 19). Either once-daily for 7 days or on Day 7 only, participants soaked dentures for 15 min using Corega® denture cleansing tables, then brushed. Denture plaque microbiological assessment used sterilized filter paper discs. Results: The in vitro model showed daily cleaning with denture cleanser plus brushing significantly reduced microbial numbers compared to intermittent denture cleaning with daily brushing (p < 0.001). The clinical component of the study showed a statistically significant reduction in denture plaque microbial numbers in favour of daily versus weekly treatment (aerobic bacteria p = 0.0144). Both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that denture plaque biofilm composition were affected by different treatment arms. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that daily denture cleansing regimens are superior to intermittent denture cleansing, and that cleansing regimens can induce denture plaque compositional changes. Clinicaltrials.gov registration: NCT02780661

Development of an in vitro periodontal biofilm model for assessing antimicrobial and host modulatory effects of bioactive molecules

Background: Inflammation within the oral cavity occurs due to dysregulation between microbial biofilms and the host response. Understanding how different oral hygiene products influence inflammatory properties is important for the development of new products. Therefore, creation of a robust host-pathogen biofilm platform capable of evaluating novel oral healthcare compounds is an attractive option. We therefore devised a multi-species biofilm co-culture model to evaluate the naturally derived polyphenol resveratrol (RSV) and gold standard chlorhexidine (CHX) with respect to anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory properties.<p></p> Methods: An in vitro multi-species biofilm containing <i>S. mitis, F. nucleatum, P. Gingivalis</i> and <i>A. Actinomycetemcomitans</i> was created to represent a disease-associated biofilm and the oral epithelial cell in OKF6-TERT2. Cytotoxicity studies were performed using RSV and CHX. Multi-species biofilms were either treated with either molecule, or alternatively epithelial cells were treated with these prior to biofilm co-culture. Biofilm composition was evaluated and inflammatory responses quantified at a transcriptional and protein level.<p></p> Results: CHX was toxic to epithelial cells and multi-species biofilms at concentrations ranging from 0.01-0.2%. RSV did not effect multi-species biofilm composition, but was toxic to epithelial cells at concentrations greater than 0.01%. In co-culture, CHX-treated biofilms resulted in down regulation of the inflammatory chemokine IL-8 at both mRNA and protein level. RSV-treated epithelial cells in co-culture were down-regulated in the release of IL-8 protein, but not mRNA.<p></p> Conclusions: CHX possesses potent bactericidal properties, which may impact downstream inflammatory mediators. RSV does not appear to have bactericidal properties against multi-species biofilms, however it did appear to supress epithelial cells from releasing inflammatory mediators. This study demonstrates the potential to understand the mechanisms by which different oral hygiene products may influence gingival inflammation, thereby validating the use of a biofilm co-culture model.<p></p&gt

Residential air pollution does not modify the positive association between physical activity and lung function in current smokers in the ECRHS study

Background: Very few studies have examined whether a long-term beneficial effect of physical activity on lung function can be influenced by living in polluted urban areas. Objective: We assessed whether annual average residential concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters = 2 times and >= 1 h per week) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were evaluated using adjusted mixed linear regression models. Models were conducted separately for never-and current smokers and stratified by residential long-term NO2, PM2.5 mass and PM10 mass concentrations ( 75th percentile (high)). Results: Among current smokers, physical activity and lung function were positively associated regardless of air pollution levels. Among never-smokers, physical activity was associated with lung function in areas with low/medium NO2, PM2.5 mass and PM10 mass concentrations (e.g. mean difference in FVC between active and non-active subjects was 43.0 mL (13.6, 72.5), 49.5 mL (20.1, 78.8) and 49.7 mL (18.6, 80.7), respectively), but these associations were attenuated in high air pollution areas. Only the interaction term of physical activity and PM10 mass for FEV1 among never-smokers was significant (p-value = 0.03). Conclusions: Physical activity has beneficial effects on adult lung function in current smokers, irrespective of residential air pollution levels in Western Europe. Trends among never-smokers living in high air pollution areas are less clear

State of the art on ethical, legal, and social issues linked to audio- and videobased AAL solutions

Working Group 1. Social responsibility: Ethical, legal, social, data protection and privacy issuesAbstract Ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies are increasingly presented and sold as essential smart additions to daily life and home environments that will radically transform the healthcare and wellness markets of the future. An ethical approach and a thorough understanding of all ethics in surveillance/monitoring architectures are therefore pressing. AAL poses many ethical challenges raising questions that will affect immediate acceptance and long-term usage. Furthermore, ethical issues emerge from social inequalities and their potential exacerbation by AAL, accentuating the existing access gap between high-income countries (HIC) and low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Legal aspects mainly refer to the adherence to existing legal frameworks and cover issues related to product safety, data protection, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and access to data by public, private, and government bodies. Successful privacy-friendly AAL applications are needed, as the pressure to bring Internet of Things (IoT) devices and ones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) quickly to market cannot overlook the fact that the environments in which AAL will operate are mostly private (e.g., the home). The social issues focus on the impact of AAL technologies before and after their adoption. Future AAL technologies need to consider all aspects of equality such as gender, race, age and social disadvantages and avoid increasing loneliness and isolation among, e.g. older and frail people. Finally, the current power asymmetries between the target and general populations should not be underestimated nor should the discrepant needs and motivations of the target group and those developing and deploying AAL systems. Whilst AAL technologies provide promising solutions for the health and social care challenges, they are not exempt from ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI). A set of ELSI guidelines is needed to integrate these factors at the research and development stage. Keywords Ethical principles, Privacy, Assistive Living Technologies, Privacy by Design, General Data Protection Regulation.publishedVersio

State of the art on ethical, legal, and social issues linked to audio- and video-based AAL solutions - Uploaded on December 29, 2021

Ambient assisted living (AAL) technologies are increasingly presented and sold as essential smart additions to daily life and home environments that will radically transform the healthcare and wellness markets of the future. An ethical approach and a thorough understanding of all ethics in surveillance/monitoring architectures are therefore pressing. AAL poses many ethical challenges raising questions that will affect immediate acceptance and long-term usage. Furthermore, ethical issues emerge from social inequalities and their potential exacerbation by AAL, accentuating the existing access gap between high-income countries (HIC) and low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Legal aspects mainly refer to the adherence to existing legal frameworks and cover issues related to product safety, data protection, cybersecurity, intellectual property, and access to data by public, private, and government bodies. Successful privacy-friendly AAL applications are needed, as the pressure to bring Internet of Things (IoT) devices and ones equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) quickly to market cannot overlook the fact that the environments in which AAL will operate are mostly private (e.g., the home). The social issues focus on the impact of AAL technologies before and after their adoption. Future AAL technologies need to consider all aspects of equality such as gender, race, age and social disadvantages and avoid increasing loneliness and isolation among, e.g. older and frail people. Finally, the current power asymmetries between the target and general populations should not be underestimated nor should the discrepant needs and motivations of the target group and those developing and deploying AAL systems. Whilst AAL technologies provide promising solutions for the health and social care challenges, they are not exempt from ethical, legal and social issues (ELSI). A set of ELSI guidelines is needed to integrate these factors at the research and development stage

Do asian patients require only half of the clozapine dose prescribed for caucasians? A critical overview

© 2020 Indian Psychiatric Society - South Zonal Branch | Published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow. Since 1997, studies have found that Asians need lower clozapine doses than Caucasians. Caucasians with average clozapine metabolism may need from 300 to 600 mg/day to reach the therapeutic range (350 ng/ml). Thus, serum clozapine concentration-to-dose (C/D) ratios typically range between 0.60 (male smokers) and 1.20 (female non-smokers). A 2019 systematic review of clozapine levels demonstrated weighted mean C/D ratios of 1.57 in 876 East Asians and 1.07 in 1147 Caucasians (

Sponge fauna of the Lakshadweep Islands of Indian Ocean

The present study deals with four new records of sponges found at Lakshadweep area and a checklist of sponges reported off. The new records are Agelas oroides, Callyspongia (Cladochalina) aculeata, Raspailia (Clathriodendron) arbuscula and Stylissa massa. Details about the species diversity of common sponges, massive sponges, boring sponges of the area are discussed and presented

State of the art of audio- and video based solutions for AAL

Working Group 3. Audio- and Video-based AAL ApplicationsIt is a matter of fact that Europe is facing more and more crucial challenges regarding health and social care due to the demographic change and the current economic context. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has stressed this situation even further, thus highlighting the need for taking action. Active and Assisted Living (AAL) technologies come as a viable approach to help facing these challenges, thanks to the high potential they have in enabling remote care and support. Broadly speaking, AAL can be referred to as the use of innovative and advanced Information and Communication Technologies to create supportive, inclusive and empowering applications and environments that enable older, impaired or frail people to live independently and stay active longer in society. AAL capitalizes on the growing pervasiveness and effectiveness of sensing and computing facilities to supply the persons in need with smart assistance, by responding to their necessities of autonomy, independence, comfort, security and safety. The application scenarios addressed by AAL are complex, due to the inherent heterogeneity of the end-user population, their living arrangements, and their physical conditions or impairment. Despite aiming at diverse goals, AAL systems should share some common characteristics. They are designed to provide support in daily life in an invisible, unobtrusive and user-friendly manner. Moreover, they are conceived to be intelligent, to be able to learn and adapt to the requirements and requests of the assisted people, and to synchronise with their specific needs. Nevertheless, to ensure the uptake of AAL in society, potential users must be willing to use AAL applications and to integrate them in their daily environments and lives. In this respect, video- and audio-based AAL applications have several advantages, in terms of unobtrusiveness and information richness. Indeed, cameras and microphones are far less obtrusive with respect to the hindrance other wearable sensors may cause to one’s activities. In addition, a single camera placed in a room can record most of the activities performed in the room, thus replacing many other non-visual sensors. Currently, video-based applications are effective in recognising and monitoring the activities, the movements, and the overall conditions of the assisted individuals as well as to assess their vital parameters (e.g., heart rate, respiratory rate). Similarly, audio sensors have the potential to become one of the most important modalities for interaction with AAL systems, as they can have a large range of sensing, do not require physical presence at a particular location and are physically intangible. Moreover, relevant information about individuals’ activities and health status can derive from processing audio signals (e.g., speech recordings). Nevertheless, as the other side of the coin, cameras and microphones are often perceived as the most intrusive technologies from the viewpoint of the privacy of the monitored individuals. This is due to the richness of the information these technologies convey and the intimate setting where they may be deployed. Solutions able to ensure privacy preservation by context and by design, as well as to ensure high legal and ethical standards are in high demand. After the review of the current state of play and the discussion in GoodBrother, we may claim that the first solutions in this direction are starting to appear in the literature. A multidisciplinary 4 debate among experts and stakeholders is paving the way towards AAL ensuring ergonomics, usability, acceptance and privacy preservation. The DIANA, PAAL, and VisuAAL projects are examples of this fresh approach. This report provides the reader with a review of the most recent advances in audio- and video-based monitoring technologies for AAL. It has been drafted as a collective effort of WG3 to supply an introduction to AAL, its evolution over time and its main functional and technological underpinnings. In this respect, the report contributes to the field with the outline of a new generation of ethical-aware AAL technologies and a proposal for a novel comprehensive taxonomy of AAL systems and applications. Moreover, the report allows non-technical readers to gather an overview of the main components of an AAL system and how these function and interact with the end-users. The report illustrates the state of the art of the most successful AAL applications and functions based on audio and video data, namely (i) lifelogging and self-monitoring, (ii) remote monitoring of vital signs, (iii) emotional state recognition, (iv) food intake monitoring, activity and behaviour recognition, (v) activity and personal assistance, (vi) gesture recognition, (vii) fall detection and prevention, (viii) mobility assessment and frailty recognition, and (ix) cognitive and motor rehabilitation. For these application scenarios, the report illustrates the state of play in terms of scientific advances, available products and research project. The open challenges are also highlighted. The report ends with an overview of the challenges, the hindrances and the opportunities posed by the uptake in real world settings of AAL technologies. In this respect, the report illustrates the current procedural and technological approaches to cope with acceptability, usability and trust in the AAL technology, by surveying strategies and approaches to co-design, to privacy preservation in video and audio data, to transparency and explainability in data processing, and to data transmission and communication. User acceptance and ethical considerations are also debated. Finally, the potentials coming from the silver economy are overviewed.publishedVersio