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Biological effects of low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) have been unclear until now. Saliva, because of the ease of collection, could be valuable in studying low-dose IR effects by means of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The objective of our study was to compare the salivary SER spectra recorded before and after low-dose IR exposure in the case of pediatric patients (PP). Unstimulated saliva was collected from ten PP before and after irradiation with a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) machine used for diagnostic purposes. The SERS measurements have been recorded on dried saliva samples using a solid nanosilver plasmonic substrate synthesized using an original method developed in our laboratory. The experimental results showed that salivary SER spectra are dominated by three vibrational bands (441,735 and 2107 cm−1) that can be assigned to bending and stretching vibrations of salivary thiocyanate (SCN-). After exposure, an immediate increase of vibrational bands assigned to SCN- has been recorded in the case of all samples, probably as a result of IR interaction with oral cavity. This finding suggests that SCN- could be used as a valuable biomarker for the detection and identification of low-dose radiation effects.

Objectives. To determine the correlations between carioactivity, quantified by the cariogenic index, and total plasma proteins, protein fractions and salivary immunoglobulins. Material and method. We conducted the study on a group of 23 patients with chronic liver disease of alcoholic etiology, who underwent clinical and paraclinical examinations. Total plasma proteins, albumin, alpha-1-globulins, alpha-2-globulins, beta-globulins, gamma-globulins, plasmatic IgG, IgA, IgM, plasma IgA/IgG and salivary immunoglobulins values were determined. Results. We determined the following mean values: cariogenic index 1.78±1.00, total plasmatic protein concentration 7.45±0.51 g/l, albumin 59.90±6.63%, α1-globulin 3.79±1.58%, α2-globulin 9.08±0.95%, β-globulin 11.44±2.80%, γ-globulin 15.79±3.42%, plasmatic IgG 14.76±3.64 g/l, plasmatic IgA 3.58±1.94 g/l, plasmatic IgA/IgG ratio 0.24±0.13, plasmatic IgM 1.43±0.65 g/l, total salivary proteins 1.25±0.85 g/l, salivary IgG 3.05±0.63 mg/dl, salivary IgA 22.18±7.33 mg/dl, salivary IgA/IgG ratio 7.31±2.60. Conclusions. We have established statistically significant correlations between the cariogenic index and the total plasma proteins, plasmatic alpha-2 fraction and plasmatic IgG.

Objectives. Our research team aimed to evaluate the effects smoking has on several salivary parameters and to assess if there are any correlations between smoking and the cariogenic activity. Material and method. The present research included a total of 35 participants. Saliva was collected from every participant to the study. Salivary chloride, calcium and potassium levels, as well as salivary flux and pH were determined for all subjects. Results. Our results showed significantly lower salivary flux and pH levels in smokers compared to nonsmokers (p < 0.01). Chloride, calcium and potassium we found to have higher concentrations in smokers compared to the control group. However, a statistical significance could be found only for calcium (p = 0.02). Moreover, we were able to find in the smokers group a positive correlation in smokers between salivary chloride levels and cariogenic activity as well as a negative correlation could be found in smokers between salivary calcium levels and the cariogenic activity Conclusions. The results of the present study show that smoking alters salivary parameters and that these modifications can favour the development of dental caries.