Meta-Analysis of Assessment of Total Oxidative Stress and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Patients with Periodontitis

Background

Periodontitis is intricately linked to oxidative stress-antioxidant (redox) imbalance. The antioxidant system scavenges the oxygen free radicals in biological fluids in patients with periodontitis. However, little is still known about the free radicals mediated oxidative stress and reductive ability of the antioxidant system. Thus, the present meta-analysis aims to quantitatively review the literature that assessed the oxidative stress marker total oxidative stress (TOS) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in various biological fluids of patients with periodontitis. Methodology. Electronic databases were searched for studies that assessed TOS and TAC levels in various biological samples of patients with periodontitis.

Results

From the 1,812 articles identified, 1,754 were excluded based on title and abstract screening due to irrelevance to the topic of interest. A full-text assessment of the remaining 58 articles led to the selection of 42 articles that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of these, only 24 studies had consistent data for quantitative analysis. The periodontitis group displayed significantly elevated TOS levels (p < 0.05) in serum, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF), and saliva samples in the studies evaluated. In contrast, the periodontitis group exhibited significantly attenuated TAC levels (p < 0.01) compared to healthy controls in plasma, serum, and GCF samples of the studies evaluated, which was insignificant in salivary samples (p=0.433). At the same time, the periodontitis group displayed insignificantly elevated TAC levels after periodontal therapy (p=0.130).

Conclusions

The present meta-analysis showed significantly higher TOS and lower TAC in periodontitis, reflecting the elevated oxidative stress level than the control group. Clinical Relevance. Scientific rationale for the study: The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants (oxidative stress (OS)) plays a critical role in the onset and progression of periodontitis; the assessment of the relationship between OS-related biomarkers in regional samples and systemic samples of patients with periodontitis helps us to evaluate the periodontal disease progression. The OS biomarker levels can be used to assess periodontal disease and therapeutic efficacy.

Assessment of glutathione peroxidase enzyme response and total antioxidant status in oral cancer - Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress induced by free radical accumulation contributes to many pathologies, including cancer. Antioxidant defense system fails to scavenge free radicals when it is excessively accumulated. Assessing individual antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant capacity could direct the customized therapeutic strategies.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of total antioxidant status and enzyme glutathione peroxidase activity in the oral cancer group compared to the healthy control group.

METHOD

The literature search included databases PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane and Cross Reference between 1999 and 2021. The database search was completed in the month of August 2022. The extracted data were analyzed by Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) version 3 software (Biostat Inc. Englewood, NJ). Based on search strategies, 1435 articles have been retrieved from the database. In the segregated articles, 1365 were excluded due to duplicated articles, animal studies, low-quality studies, articles unrelated to the research question, and with unmatched objectives. Based on inclusion criteria, 70 articles were selected for full-text valuation. However, 33 articles were found highly suitable for inclusion and data extraction. Finally, 11 articles were selected for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis of four included studies of tissue samples showed a significantly (p < .001) increased GPx activity in the oral cancer group, when compared to the control group, whereas three included studies of erythrocyte samples displayed a significantly (p < .001) decreased GPx activity in the oral cancer group than the control group with the pooled standardized mean difference value of -2.766 moles/min/g Hb at 95% CI (-3.297 to -2.234). The meta-analysis of the included studies depicted an insignificant (p = .947) reduction of salivary TAS levels in the oral cancer group when compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION

Our systematic review and meta-analysis depict antioxidant GPx enzyme activity in the regional tissue samples of the oral cancer group differs from other systemic biological fluid samples compared to the healthy control group.

Accuracy of Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Software in Predicting the Size of Impacted Canine: A Preliminary Study

Objective

To compare and analyze the precision, accuracy, and reliability of commonly used cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) software in predicting the mesiodistal diameter of impacted canines.

Methods

This study was conducted on 11 patients (six males and five females, mean age: 17.5±5.5 years) with either unilateral or bilateral impacted canines in the maxilla or mandible. DICOM data sets of the patients obtained from CBCT scans were then loaded and visualized with four selected CBCT software to measure the widest mesiodistal diameter of the impacted teeth. Physical measurements using a digital vernier caliper, kept as a control, were also made on the extracted teeth and orthodontically erupted teeth. The collected data underwent statistical analysis, and the statistical significance level was set at p<0.05.

Results

The Bland-Altman analysis was performed to quantify the agreement between different software to the digital caliper, showing a narrow difference for all plots. Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test followed by a post hoc test was performed to determine whether there was any difference in measuring the mesiodistal diameter of the impacted canine among the five methods, and tend no statistically significant difference was found among the five methods. Intraclass correlation (ICC) was performed, and measurements made with all CBCT software yielded an ICC greater than 0.95, indicating high reliability of the selected software.

Conclusion

All the evaluated CBCT imaging software exhibited a high degree of reliability, and accuracy in precise measurement of the mesiodistal diameter of an impacted tooth.

Laser Conditioning: A Preferred Option Over Conventional Acid Etching for Orthodontic Bonding

Aim:

To evaluate the demineralization resistance and the shear bond strength of enamel surfaces after erbium, chromium: yttrium–scandium–gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser etching (2 W/15 Hz, 2 W/25 Hz) and to compare them with conventional acid etching for orthodontic bonding.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 60 extracted human premolars with intact enamel surface were used for this study. Demineralization Resistance was estimated using ion-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). Shear bond strength was evaluated using Universal Testing Machine—Instron.

Results:

Statistically significant difference ( P < .001) was found in the concentration of dissolved calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P), with the highest mean Ca and P in the acid-etched group, followed by 2 W/15 Hz laser-etched group and least with 2 W/25 Hz laser-etched group. Maximum bond strength was found in the acid-etched group (12.06 MPa), followed by the 2 W/25 Hz laser-etched group (9.01 MPa) and 2 W/15 Hz laser-etched group (8.39 MPa). The differences were statistically significant.

Conclusions:

Laser conditioning of enamel surface revealed significant demineralization resistance with a minimal dissolution of Ca and P ions in the demineralizing solution. Moreover, optimum bond strength was obtained similar to that of acid etching; hence, Er,Cr:YSGG laser conditioning of enamel surface is preferred over the conventional phosphoric acid etching for orthodontic bonding.

Awareness survey about the effects of malocclusion among young adults

BACKGROUND

Malocclusion has been a problem since ancient times. Diverse factors influence malocclusion such as oral habits, anomalies in the dentition like changes in shape, position and number of teeth. But awareness and attitude about the problem differs within the neighborhood, depending upon their understanding and education. Hence, observation is essential to diminish and avoid the deleterious effects of malocclusion. Hence the objective of this study is to perceive the knowledge of youngsters and enlighten their perception on misaligned teeth.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

A cross sectional study was conducted among 1000 young adults between ages 18-22 in Sathyabama University, Chennai, India. A questionnaire consisting of 24 multiple choice questions were given to the participants to assess their awareness, attitude towards malocclusion and orthodontic treatment. Descriptive statistics and chi square test was done using SPSS software version 20. The level of significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS

More than 70% of the participants show concern and interest on self-image, 39.9% of the total study population were unhappy with the arrangement of their teeth. There was an overall lack of knowledge about the etiology and the effects of malocclusion among the participants. 60.2% of the population have not visited a dentist in the past 3 years. Many had false impressions towards orthodontic treatment.

CONCLUSION

Awareness about the effects of malocclusion among young adults seems to be lacking. Most of the time, the treatment is neglected until the need for it arises.