This cross-section study was designed to assess the effect of topical application of melatonin to the gingiva on salivary RANKL, osteoprotegrin (OPG) and melatonin levels as well as plasma melatonin in 30 patients with diabetes and periodontal disease and in a control group of 30 healthy subjects. Salivary RANKL and OPG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and salivary and plasma melatonin by radioimmunoassay using commercial kits. Periodontograms were performed using the Florida Probe(®). Diabetic patients were treated with topical application of melatonin (1% orabase cream formula) once daily for 20 days. Patients with diabetes showed significantly higher mean levels of salivary RANKL than healthy subjects as well as significantly lower values of salivary OPG and salivary and plasma melatonin. After treatment with melatonin, there was a statistically significant decrease of the gingival index, pocket depth and salivary levels of RANKL, and a significant rise in salivary values of OPG. Changes of salivary OPG levels before and after topical melatonin treatment correlated significantly with changes in the gingival index and pocket depth. Treatment with topical melatonin was associated with an improvement in the gingival index and pocket depth, a reduction in salivary concentrations of RANKL and increase in salivary concentrations of OPG, which indicates that melatonin has a favorable effect in slowing osteoclastogenesis, improving the quality of alveolar bone and preventing the progression of periodontal disease.

Abstract. Two blocking enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) involving the use of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) as capture and detecting agents and an indirect fluorescence test (IFT) were used for the detection of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) antigen or its antibodies. In the ELISA for viral antigen detection, the blocking step is accomplished by incubation of fecal samples, in duplicate wells, with PEDVspecific positive or negative serum, whereas in the ELISA for antibody detection the blocking step is accomplished by incubation of serum samples with a gut-origin virus suspension. All the methods developed were used to monitor an experimental infection in piglets with the CV-777 strain of PEDV and a natural PED outbreak in a swine fattening unit. The antigen-detection ELISA was able to detect PEDV shedding for a longer time than have previously described methods. The blocking ELISA for antibody detection was able to detect the serum antibody response sooner after PEDV infection than did IFT.

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When using an adhesive system, flowable composite resins exhibited similar SBS. Transbond Supreme was the only resin performing similarly with or without adhesive system application.

Melatonin (MLT; N-acetyl-5-metoxy-tryptamine) is a hormone that is principally synthesized in the pineal gland. MLT has been shown to exhibit a variety of functions. The hormone, which is a free radical scavenger, plays an immunomodulatory role, stimulates the proliferation and synthesis of type I collagen and promotes bone formation. Moreover, MLT exerts oncostatic activity through several biological mechanisms, including antiproliferative functions, stimulation of anticancer immunity, modulation of oncogene expression and anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiangiogenic effects. In addition, MLT inhibits human cancer cell growth in culture, and previous clinical studies have also confirmed its anticancer properties in vivo. With regard to the underlying mechanisms of MLT in tumor processes, including oral cavity tumors such as epidermoid carcinoma, knowledge of the role played by the MT1 and 2 membrane receptors, MT3 and the calmodulin cytosolic binding sites, as well as the nuclear receptors of the RZR/ROR family, is increasing. It has been hypothesized that exogenous restoration of MT1 (MTNR1A) expression inhibits the growth of oral squamous cell carcinoma cells lacking the expression of the receptor. The tumor suppressing functions of MLT and the presence of the MT1 receptor in various tumors indicate that the receptor may play a pivotal role in oral carcinogenesis. The current review discusses the clinical significance of MLT in oral cancer.