The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between salivary proteins and dental caries. 80 healthy adults were further divided into caries free (N=20) and caries active (N=60) based on DMFT index. Caries active was further divided into group I (D=1-3), group II (D=4-10), group III (D= >10).Saliva samples collected were further analysed for salivary total protein levels, salivary IgA levels, salivary mucin levels, salivary albumin/globulin ratio, salivary C-reactive protein levels and proline rich proteins. The data was then statistically analysed using one way ANOVA test and Post Hoc Tukey's test. P value < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Study showed significantly high levels of salivary total protein, salivary IgA and salivary albumin globulin ratio in caries free group. Salivary mucin and salivary C-reactive protein levels were significantly high in caries active group. 95% proline rich protein bands were present in caries free group, whereas caries active group showed 65% proline rich protein bands. This study adds to better understanding of salivary components and their role in dental caries. Modulation of these proteins could play an important role in determining the onset and progression of caries, opening a new avenue of caries prevention.

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The aim of the present study is to evaluate the status of salivary nitric oxide in patients with dental caries. The study consisted of 80 individuals. According to DFMT index, the subjects were divided into control group (DMFT=0) and study group (DMFT>5).Saliva sample was collected from each subject. Nitric oxide concentration was measured as total nitrates and nitrites by the Griess reaction method. The results of this study show that the presence of NO and its metabolites in saliva of adults with natural healthy teeth is significantly higher compared to high risk group, suggesting the protective role of NO in relation to caries. From the study it can be concluded that highly significant increase of nitrates and nitrites in stimulated saliva of high caries risk group could be the host defense response opposing bacterial growth. The obtained results support the role of NO as modulator of bacterial proliferation and suggest that increased NO production might contribute to lower caries incidence in adults.Absorbance is read at 550nm.Concentration is determined using standard graph. Statistical analysis :Results are presented as mean + standard deviation value.Student 't' test was used to correlate between total antioxidant level and dental caries in study and control groups. A 'p' value of 0.05 or less was considered significant. Results :The nitric oxide (NO +NO ) concentration of saliva was 2 3 higher in control group when compared to that of the study 7

The role of inflammatory mediators in dental pulp is unique. The local environment of pulp responds to any changes in the physiology that are highly fundamental, like odontoblast cell differentiation and other secretory activity. The aim of this review is to assess the role of cathelicidins based on their capacity to heal wounds, their immunomodulatory potential, and their ability to stimulate cytokine production and stimulate immune-inflammatory response in pulp and periapex. Accessible electronic databases were searched to find studies reporting the role of cathelicidins in pulpal inflammation and regeneration published between September 2010 and September 2020. The search was performed using the following databases: Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, SciELO and PubMed. The electronic search was performed using the combination of keywords “cathelicidins” and “dental pulp inflammation”. On the basis of previous studies, it can be inferred that LL-37 plays an important role in odontoblastic cell differentiation and stimulation of antimicrobial peptides. Furthermore, based on these outcomes, it can be concluded that LL-37 plays an important role in reparative dentin formation and provides signaling for defense by activating the innate immune system.

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Introduction and Aim: Calcium and vitamin D3 play a pivotal role in many biological functions like hard tissue mineralization and tooth formation. Both are dietary elements with a known concentration in the saliva, therefore directly affecting the rate and progression of dental caries. The aim of the study was to compare the salivary vitamin D and calcium levels in caries active and caries free adult patients.   Materials and Methods: Tarson’s saliva collection tubes were used to collect 5 ml of saliva samples from 110 patients. The supernatant obtained from the centrifuged saliva was stored at -4°C. Analysis of calcium levels was done using the Arsenazo method. Commercially available vitamin D Elisa kit (Epitope diagnostics) was used for the analysis of vitamin D levels.   Results: The mean salivary vitamin D levels were higher in the caries free group (66.57mg/dl) when compared to the caries active group (56.43mg/dl). The mean salivary calcium level was elevated in the caries free group (27.09mg/dl) when compared to the caries active group (6.84 mg/dl).   Conclusion: The filtrates in saliva play a major role in the occurrence of dental caries through a demineralization and remineralization cycle. Vitamin D in saliva causes a decrease in bacterial aggregation and biofilm formation through the protective role of peptides, causing decreased demineralization of the tooth surface and increased level of free calcium ions in the saliva.

Introduction and Aim: With the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic raging on, there is a need to identify clinical and laboratory predictors which predict progression towards severe and fatal forms of this illness. Our study aims to evaluate the ability of hematologic and biochemical biomarkers to discriminate between patients with and without severe or fatal forms of COVID-19.   Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 200 Covid positive patients;100 with mild disease and 100 with severe disease. Medical records were reviewed to collect demographic data and results of the following blood investigations were noted at admission: Hb, Platelet count, Total and Differential leukocyte count, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, Ferritin and D-Dimer. Comparative analysis was performed between the 2 groups.   Results: A significant difference in the basophil count (mean 2.35 and 5.92) among those with mild and severe disease respectively was noted as also with the eosinophil count (mean 6.88 and 1.79). The levels of CRP were higher in those with severe disease as compared to the mild disease group (mean 276.29 and 65.23). Ferritin levels were markedly increased severe disease patients (mean 1275.66 and 533.94). D-dimer was markedly increased in COVID-19 patients with severe disease (mean 3813.91 ng/ml) compared to those with mild disease group (mean 521.78 ng/ml).   Conclusion: Hematological and biochemical markers positively correlate to the severity of covid infection, thus highlighting their role in the early diagnosis of the disease and can act as independent markers in predicting severity and prognosis of disease.