The Th17 cytokine IL-22 is expressed at high levels in CD and correlates with disease activity, offering a better separation between active and inactive CD than IL-6 and TNF-alpha. IL23R genotypes influence IL-22 serum expression, linking genetic CD susceptibility to Th17 cell function for the first time.

Ozone has been proposed as an alternative antiseptic agent in dentistry based on reports of its antimicrobial effects in both gaseous and aqueous forms. This study investigated whether gaseous ozone (4 x 10(6) microg m(-3)) and aqueous ozone (1.25-20 microg ml(-1)) exert any cytotoxic effects on human oral epithelial (BHY) cells and gingival fibroblast (HGF-1) cells compared with established antiseptics [chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) 2%, 0.2%; sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 5.25%, 2.25%; hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) 3%], over a time of 1 min, and compared with the antibiotic, metronidazole, over 24 h. Cell counts, metabolic activity, Sp-1 binding, actin levels, and apoptosis were evaluated. Ozone gas was found to have toxic effects on both cell types. Essentially no cytotoxic signs were observed for aqueous ozone. CHX (2%, 0.2%) was highly toxic to BHY cells, and slightly (2%) and non-toxic (0.2%) to HGF-1 cells. NaOCl and H(2)O(2) resulted in markedly reduced cell viability (BHY, HGF-1), whereas metronidazole displayed mild toxicity only to BHY cells. Taken together, aqueous ozone revealed the highest level of biocompatibility of the tested antiseptics.

Huth KC, Quirling M, Maier S, Kamereck K, AlKhayer M, Paschos E, Welsch U, Miethke T, Brand K, Hickel R.Effectiveness of ozone against endodontopathogenic microorganisms in a root canal biofilm model. International Endodontic Journal, 42, 3-13, 2009. Aim To assess the antimicrobial efficacy of aqueous (1.25-20 lg mL )1 ) and gaseous ozone (1-53 g m )3 ) as an alternative antiseptic against endodontic pathogens in suspension and a biofilm model. Methodology Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, Peptostreptococcus micros and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were grown in planctonic culture or in mono-species biofilms in root canals for 3 weeks. Cultures were exposed to ozone, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl; 5.25%, 2.25%), chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX; 2%), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ; 3%) and phosphate buffered saline (control) for 1 min and the remaining colony forming units counted. Ozone gas was applied to the biofilms in two experimental settings, resembling canal areas either difficult (setting 1) or easy (setting 2) to reach. Time-course experiments up to 10 min were included. To compare the tested samples, data were analysed by one-way anova.Results Concentrations of gaseous ozone down to 1 g m )3 almost and aqueous ozone down to 5 lg mL )1 completely eliminated the suspended microorganisms as did NaOCl and CHX. Hydrogen peroxide and lower aqueous ozone concentrations were less effective. Aqueous and gaseous ozone were dose-and strain-dependently effective against the biofilm microorganisms. Total elimination was achieved by high-concentrated ozone gas (setting 2) and by NaOCl after 1 min or a lower gas concentration (4 g m )3 ) after at least 2.5 min. High-concentrated aqueous ozone (20 lg mL )1 ) and CHX almost completely eliminated the biofilm cells, whilst H 2 O 2 was less effective. Conclusion High-concentrated gaseous and aqueous ozone was dose-, strain-and time-dependently effective against the tested microorganisms in suspension and the biofilm test model.

Pulpotomy is the accepted therapy for the management of cariously exposed pulps in symptom-free primary molars; however, evidence is lacking about the most appropriate technique. The aim of this study was to compare the relative effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser, calcium hydroxide, and ferric sulfate techniques with that of dilute formocresol in retaining such molars symptom-free. Two hundred primary molars in 107 healthy children were included and randomly allocated to one of the techniques. The treated teeth were blindly re-evaluated after 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Descriptive data analysis and logistic regression analysis, accounting for each patient's effect by a generalized estimating equation (GEE), were used. After 24 months, the following total and clinical success rates were determined (%): formocresol 85 (96), laser 78 (93), calcium hydroxide 53 (87), and ferric sulfate 86 (100). Only calcium hydroxide performed significantly worse than formocresol (p = 0.001, odds ratio = 5.6, 95% confidence interval 2.0-15.5). In conclusion, calcium hydroxide is less appropriate for pulpotomies than is formocresol.

A pulpotomy is the therapy for management of pulp exposures due to caries in symptom-free primary molars. The aim was to longitudinally compare the relative effectiveness of the Er:YAG laser, calcium hydroxide and ferric sulphate techniques with dilute formocresol in retaining symptom-free molars. Two hundred primary molars in 107 healthy children were included and randomly allocated to one technique. The treated teeth were blindly reevaluated after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Descriptive data analysis and logistic regression analysis accounting for multiple observations per patient by generalised estimating equation were used. Additionally, various influences including tooth type, upper and lower jaws, type of anaesthesia, operator and the final restoration on treatment success were evaluated (Wald chi-square test). After 36 months, the following total (considering clinical and clinically symptom-free radiographic failures) and clinical success rates were determined (in percent): Formocresol 72 (92), laser 73 (89), calcium hydroxide 46 (75), ferric sulphate 76 (97). No significant differences were detected between formocresol and any other technique after 36 months. However, the odds ratio of failure appeared to be three times higher for calcium hydroxide than for formocresol. No significant differences in total success rates were seen regarding the aforementioned influencing clinical parameters. The correct diagnosis of the pulpal status, bleeding control and the specific technique are highly important for long-term success of pulpotomies in primary molars. According to the presented long-term data, pulpotomies using ferric sulphate revealed the best treatment outcome among the used techniques, while calcium hydroxide resulted in the lowest success rates after 3 years. Therefore, we can recommend ferric sulphate for easy and successful treatment of primary molars with caries-exposed pulps.

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The nature of the adhesive greatly influences the resultant bond strength, the risk of enamel damage, and the extent of residual composite on the teeth.