Search

Women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and physical side effects including disruption in the diversity and community composition of the gut microbiome. To date, there is limited research exploring the associations among these specific challenges. The present cross-sectional study explored the associations of self-reported cognitive functioning, depression, and anxiety symptoms, and gut microbiome diversity and community composition in women who were diagnosed with and undergoing chemotherapy treatment for breast cancer (BC) compared to cancer-free healthy controls (HC). The BC group displayed higher rates of cognitive dysfunction (p p Akkermansia in BC compared to HC (p p

BackgroundHelicobacter pylori, a bacterium that infects approximately half of the world’s population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma. To combat the increasing antibiotic resistance of H. pylori, the need for new therapeutic strategies has become more pressing. Characterization of the interactions between H. pylori and the fecal microbiome, as well as the mechanisms underlying these interactions, may offer new therapeutic approaches. Exploration of changes in fatty acid metabolism associated with H. pylori-mediated alterations of the fecal microbiome may also reveal strategies to help prevent progression to neoplasia.AimTo characterize the gut microbiome and metabolome in H. pylori patients in a socioeconomically challenged and underprivileged inner-city community.MethodsStool samples from 19 H. pylori patients and 16 control subjects were analyzed. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed on normalized pooled amplicons using the Illumina MiSeq System using a MiSeq reagent kit v2. Alpha and beta diversity analyses were performed in QIIME 2. Non-targeted fatty acid analysis of the samples was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which measures the total content of 30 fatty acids in stool after conversion into their corresponding fatty acid methyl esters. Multi-dimensional scaling (MDS) was performed on Bray-Curtis distance matrices created from both the metabolomics and microbiome datasets and a Procrustes test was performed on the metabolomics and microbiome MDS coordinates.ResultsFecal microbiome analysis showed that alpha diversity was lowest in H. pylori patients over 40 years of age compared to control subjects of similar age group. Beta diversity analysis of the samples revealed significant differences in microbial community structure between H. pylori patients and control subjects. Thirty-eight and six taxa had lower and higher relative abundance in H. pylori patients, respectively. Taxa that were enriched in H. pylori patients included Atopobium, Gemellaceae, Micrococcaceae, Gemellales and Rothia (R. mucilaginosa). Notably, relative abundance of the phylum Verrucomicrobia was decreased in H. pylori patients compared to control subjects, suggesting disruption of the gut mucosal environment by H. pylori. Procrustes analysis showed a significant relationship between the microbiome and metabolome datasets. Stool samples from H. pylori patients showed increases in several fatty acids including the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) 22:4n6, 22:5n3, 20:3n6 and 22:2n6, while decreases were noted in other fatty acids including the PUFA 18:3n6. The pattern of changes in fatty acid concentration correlated to the Bacteroidetes:Firmicutes ratio determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis.ConclusionAn individualized understanding of gut microbiome features among H. pylori patients will pave the way for improved community impact, reduced healthcare burdens of repeated treatment, and decreased mounting resistance.

The study objective was to assess (a) the effect of a rubbing-application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or citric acid (CA) has on the ultrastructure of surface dentin and (b) the effect of two scanning electron microscopy (SEM) desiccation preparation techniques have on the collagen surface produced. Treatment regions on proximal root surfaces of extracted human teeth were root planned to expose dentin. Cotton pellets soaked in either 30% CA or 24% EDTA solution were rubbed on the treatment region then processed for SEM using one of two desiccation techniques, that is, (a) critically point dried from liquid CO2 (control) or (b) air-dried from tetramethylsilane (experimental). Specimens were coated with gold/palladium and viewed/photographed with an SEM. Specimens of the control groups displayed tufted fibrils (CA > EDTA) with many dentin tubules being partially obscured by overhanging fibrils. Air-dried specimens of both treatment groups displayed a flat intact monolayer devoid of a matted meshwork of fibrous collagen. Discrete fibril "sprigs," emanating from the surface monolayer, were characteristic of the EDTA group only. The rubbing-application of EDTA on dentin produces a tufted fibril surface somewhat similar to that produced by CA. Air-drying desiccation of both resulted in marked distortion with fibril collapse/coalescence of the tufted collagen matrix.

This study assessed the effect various scanning electron microscopy (SEM) desiccation preparation techniques have on a tufted collagen surface produced using an acid-burnished (rubbed) demineralization application technique. Citric acid- soaked cotton pellets (30%) were burnished on the dentin treatment region, rinsed in water, and then fixed. Four SEM desiccation preparation techniques were employed: (1) air-dried from glutaraldehyde; (2) air-dried from ethanol; (3) critical point dried from liquid carbon dioxide (control); or (4) air-dried from tetramethylsilane. Control specimens all displayed a characteristic tufted fibril surface. In all experimental groups, fibrils collapsed, forming an intact, undulating nondescript surface monolayer. All air-drying SEM desiccation preparation procedures appear to cause artifactual distortion of a tufted dentin collagen surface.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the clinical crown of the 3 tooth groups of the maxillary anterior sextant of the permanent dentition of normal subjects with respect to (i) width, length and the width/length ratios and (ii) determine if there is a correlation between tooth dimensions or tooth group ratios and subject height. Subjects (> or = 20 y.o.) were recruited for this study if (i) the free gingival margin on the facial surface of teeth in the maxillary sextant was positioned apical to the cervical bulge, (ii) there was no evidence of attachment loss; as determined by lack of a detectable CEJ and (iii) the marginal tissue was knife edged in form, firm in consistency and coral pink in color. Teeth were excluded if (i) there was evidence of gingival alteration, i.e., gingival overgrowth/hyperplasia, inflammation, altered passive eruption, attachment loss, gingival recession or history of periodontal surgery, or (ii) there was evidence or history of incisal edge/proximal tooth alteration as in, i.e., restorative intervention, traumatic injury or occlusal wear into dentin. At least 1 suitable tooth from each tooth group of the maxillary anterior dentition had to be present. A maxillary impression was taken and poured in yellow die stone. The widest mesial-distal portion and the longest apical-coronal portion of the test teeth were measured. Gender, ethnicity and subject height (SH) were recorded for each participant. Due to a limited ethnic diversity only data from the Caucasian group were analyzed. The mean coronal tooth width (mm) of males versus females was CI: 8.59 versus 8.06, LI: 6.59 versus 6.13 and CA: 7.64 versus 07.15. The mean coronal tooth length (mm) of males versus females was CI: 10.19 versus 9.39, LI: 8.70 versus 7.79 and CA: 10.06 versus 8.89. All width and length measures were significantly greater for males than for females. The mean coronal tooth width/length ratios for males versus females was CI: 0.85 versus 0.86, LI: 0.76 versus 0.79 and CA: 0.77 versus 0.81. A comparison between genders of the width/length ratios of the CI and LI were found not to differ, however the CA ratio for females was significantly greater than for males. A statistically significant difference was found to exist between the mean (cm) SH for males versus females: 181.2 versus 164.0. A positive correlation (p < or = 0.0001 to 0.0691) was found to exist between tooth group width/height ratios within genders. No significant correlation was found between any of the tooth dimensions or tooth group ratios and SH. The results of this study indicate that within male and female Caucasians, the mean width/length ratio of the maxillary 3 anterior tooth groups is 0.81. As well, within both genders there is a positive correlation between tooth group width/length ratios. The significance of these findings with respect to periodontal mucogingival plastic surgical procedures is discussed.

The purpose of this study was to see if the root surface topography of teeth, stored in saline and subsequently treated with citric acid, differred from the root surface topography of teeth that were treated immediately upon extraction, 12 freshly extracted adult human permanent teeth, with proximal surfaces free of caries and periodontal disease, were treated in succession. The crowns were removed at the level of periodontal attachment, the teeth sectioned buccal-lingually and a treatment area deligniated on each proximal section. The treatment area of 6 teeth was root planed to expose dentin (D) and scaled to remove adherent tissue and leave a cementum surfaces (C) on the other 6 teeth. A coronal-apical groove down the middle of the treatment area divided it into approximately equal parts or experimental regions. One proximal section of each tooth was placed in physiologic saline (S) and treated after 6 weeks of storage while the other proximal section was freshly treated (F). Treatment consisted of applying a 30% citric acid (CA) solution (pH = 1.60) for 5 min. Cotton pellets soaked in the citric acid solution were placed (P) on one half of the experimental area and heavily burnished (B) on the other half. Treatment areas were subsequently prepared for scanning electron microscopy analysis. Assessment was made of (i) the % of surface area tufted, (ii) fibril tufting depth (0.3) and (iii) fibril tufting density (1.3). Similarities were found in the data for both storage methods (F and S) across each application technique (P or B) and each tooth surface (D or C) with respect to the (i) % area tufted and (ii) frequency distribution of tufting depth scores. As for the application techniques, the data for burnishing was greater than placed across each storage method (F or S) and each tooth surface (D or C) for the same two parameters. The results of the study indicated that 6-week physiologic saline storage does not affect root surface demineralization by citric acid, as assessed by SEM.

Better understanding of the furcation anatomy may serve to decrease the risk of pulpal injury during rotary odontoplasty, a procedure often used in conjunction with guided tissue regeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine (i) the tooth thickness about the furcation entrance of lower molars, and (ii) whether there is a relationship between tooth thickness and patient age. 40 mandibular 1st molars (M1) (mean age = 36.2; range 10-65 years) and 40 mandibular 2nd molars (M2) (mean age = 37.9; range 14-70 years) were collected. Age, gender and furcation involvement (if any) were noted for each tooth at the time of extraction. Teeth were sectioned in half, buccal-lingual, at the furcation entrance with a rotary diamond blade. A standardized linear reference scale was placed on each experimental section and an 8 x 10 in. photograph generated. The distance from the floor of the pulp chamber to 5 predetermined sites on the root surface was calculated. The data were expressed as (a) the mean of each site and (b) the mean of each tooth (the average of the 5 points of each tooth). Analysis of covariance failed to show a relationship between thickness measurements and gender or furcation involvement. Thus, the data was subjected to simple regression analysis to determine the relationship of age with tooth and cementum thickness. This study revealed that by site, the mean measurements ranged from 2.7-3.0 mm for both M1 and M2. The single least/greatest measurements of the 5 sites were for M1: 1.6/4.7 mm and for M2: 1.8/4.2 mm. By tooth, the average distance from the pulp to the root surface was 2.83 mm (+/- 0.49) for M1 and 2.88 mm (+/- 0.44) for M2. Regression analysis of tooth thickness with age was significant for M1 only. The maximum slope of the 5 sites was approximately 0.3 mm/10 years. No relationship was found between cementum thickness and age for either tooth group. The results of this study indicate that the majority of times the pulp is 1.6-4.2 mm from the root surface in the vicinity of the furcation entrance of lower 1st and 2nd molars. Although tooth thickness in this area may increase with age, the amount is not enough to forego judicious odontoplasty on older patients.

The subepithelial connective tissue graft (SECTG) is a favorite surgical technique for the treatment of mucogingival defects. However, complete root coverage of Miller Class I and II defects is often not achieved with this procedure, especially when the defects are deep or wide. The purpose of this report is to describe a surgical technique used to manage such mucogingival defects. The technique uses a uniquely obtained SECTG with "embossed epithelium" that is designed to fit the defect site. This is employed to prolong protection of the underlying healing process. In addition, this technique avoids flap advancement, thereby allowing for the development of a wider zone of attached gingiva at the treatment site.

The purpose of this study was to compare the surface topography of roots treated with a resin bonding demineralizing agent using either a "placed" or "burnished" application technique.Fifteen roots of human teeth were sectioned in half and a treatment area prepared on the coronal portion of each proximal section. This area was root planed to expose dentin. Treatment areas were demineralized with (1) a commercially available demineralizing agent (10% citric acid with 3% ferric chloride) (Amalgambond; Parkell) or (2) 30% citric acid solution. Cotton pellets saturated in either solution were placed or burnished (vigorously rubbed) on the treatment area for 3 min. Sections were prepared for SEM analysis using liquid CO2 dehydration.Areas of cementum and dentin were evident on most treatment areas. Specimens of both placed groups lacked a smear layer and exhibited a cracked-eroded, flat surface of matted or ridged fibrous material. Specimens in both burnished groups also lacked a smear layer, yet in stark contrast, exhibited an abundant array of deeply tufted fibril material similar to that of a "shag carpet". Two types of tufted fibril patterns were present: a lace-like array of shorter fibrils seen on dentin, and a voluminous mass of longer fibrils seen on cementum.Root cementum and dentin, treated with either demineralizing agent using the burnishing application technique, were ultrastructurally similar in that both displayed an abundant array of deeply tufted fibril material. This differed from the flat/matted fibril material seen using the placed application technique.

Previous work has shown that a 25-30% citric acid solution was the most effective concentration with which to demineralize dentin. The purpose of this investigation was to study the topography, using a scanning electron microscope, of root surfaces treated with a 30% citric acid solution using various application pressures. 20 freshly extracted human teeth were collected and stored in physiologic saline at room temperature. 3 root specimens, approximately 3x5x5 mm in size, were prepared from the coronal periodontally healthy area of each tooth. 30 specimens were root planed to expose dentin (dentin group) while the remaining 30 specimens were lightly scaled to remove periodontal soft tissue (cementum group). A freshly made 30% citric acid (CA) solution, (pH = 1.60), was applied to each of the experimental areas. Cotton pellets soaked in the citric acid solution were either placed (CAP), lightly rubbed (CAR) or heavily burnished (CAB) on the prepared root surface for 3 min. Pellets were resoaked every 30 s. The root sections were rinsed, fixed in glutaraldehyde, dehydrated in graded ethanol, critically point dried in liquid CO2 and sputter coated in gold. The treated surfaces were assessed for fibril tufting using scanning electron microscopy. Assessment was made of: (i) the % of surface area tufted; (ii) tufting depth (0-3); (iii) tufting density (1-3). Results of the study showed significantly more tufted surface area and greater tufting depth on both dentin and cementum for CAR and CAB compared to CAP. CAP produced a flat/mat fibril surface with no evidence of tufting.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The present study is an attempt to assess if age-related changes, manifested as loss of probing attachment and alveolar bone, occur in humans. 511 subjects, in ages 20-24, 30-34, 40-44, 50-54 and 60-64 years, were included in the study. All subjects had undergone a comprehensive clinical examination, including recordings of probing pocket depth and probing attachment level. A subsample of subjects was selected, whose periodontal status indicated minimal experience of destructive periodontal disease. In these particular subjects, the height of the alveolar bone was also assessed. The results showed that in the subsample, (i) attachment loss increased with age, but (ii) a high proportion of tooth surfaces remained with no attachment or alveolar bone loss in ages between 20 and 64 years. There are reasons to suggest, therefore, that age-related alterations in the periodontium may not inevitably be manifested as loss of probing attachment or alveolar bone.

Maxillary anterior fixed prostheses may be compromised when pontics are adapted to deficient residual alveolar ridges. This study determined the effect of ridge contour on esthetics and function. Thirteen men and 17 women, 23 to 75 years of age, who had received maxillary anterior fixed prostheses during the period 1976 to 1986 participated. A six-item structured interview was conducted for each subject to determine causes of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with esthetics and function. Pontic esthetics were also determined by examination using a 12-point esthetic index that was developed and pretested for this study. Residual ridge contour was classified according to Siebert as being deficient buccolingually (I), deficient apicocoronally (II), or deficient in both areas in combination (III). The results showed that patients with class I ridges had a higher subjective level of satisfaction with their prosthesis than did those with class II or III ridges. Esthetic index scores were significantly higher (p less than 0.05) for type I (10) than for type II (7.4) or III (7.3) using a post hoc Scheffé comparison. These results suggest that consideration be given to ridge augmentation prior to construction of maxillary anterior fixed prostheses, particularly when class II or III defects are present.

An atypical case of localized juvenile periodontitis is presented. The case exhibits a unique distribution of osseous defects, an unusually high dental lesion incidence, and an atypical Gram-staining and morphologic subgingival microflora. Past and current treatment regimens are reviewed. Based on our current understanding of the pathogenesis of juvenile periodontitis and the therapeutic effects of antibiotic and surgical treatment, a temporal treatment regimen is proposed which would overlap instead of superimpose effective stages of therapy.

The osteoclast may play an important rŏle in the variable rate of osseous destruction seen in periodontitis. Current understanding of various aspects of the osteoclast may help explain this fact. This review paper will first look at two theories of cell origin of the osteoclast: the multipotential osteoprogenitor cell theory and the hemopoietic stem cell theory. Next, ultrastructural features characteristic to the cell such as the ruffled border, clear zone, and lysosomal system, will be discussed. Thirdly, current and proposed theories on the actual mechanism of bone degradation are considered. This includes the one-cell theory and the two-cell theory. Finally, elements which activate the osteoclast are enumerated and their delicate interplay is outlined. In the context of this information, pathways found in the periodontal lesion (microbial agents, inflammatory cells and their products) which attract and activate elements of the osteoclastic system are discussed.

The integrity of formalin-fixed periodontally diseased root surfaces was assessed following root planing to dentin and citric acid application. Extracted human teeth (fixed in 10% formalin), with crowns removed, were vertically sectioned in half. A horizontal groove on each proximal surface marked the extent of attachment loss. The diseased root surface was vigorously root planed to expose dentin. Cotton pellets, soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid, were either "placed" (control) or "burnished" (vigorously rubbed using root planing pressure) (experimental) on the prepared root surface for 5 min. Pellets were changed 2 times/min. The teeth were fixed and prepared for scanning electron microscope viewing and photography. A representative print was selected for each specimen. To confirm differences between test and control groups, untrained raters were asked to perform 2 sorting exercises. First, they were asked to sort the representative photographs of each specimen into 2 piles based on surface characteristics. Second, they were asked to choose from pairs of photographs, representing matched specimens, the one photograph which appeared to have the greatest collagen surface area. The surfaces of experimental specimens revealed patent dentinal tubules and an intertubular area with a very distinct "shag carpet" appearance of deeply tufted collagen fibrils. Control samples also exhibited open dentinal tubules, yet the intertubular surface displayed a "matted collagen" surface. Results of the 2 sorting exercises confirm that burnishing of formalin-fixed dentin root surfaces for 5 min with cotton pellets soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid consistently produces a distinct tufted collagen fibril surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)