Mostly Microbes and Infection

Examples of excellence at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry across clinical care, research and community service were on full display during the OKU-Sutro Excellence Day celebration held May 8, 2024.

Frankincense oil, originating from Boswellia trees in the Middle East, Africa, and parts of Asia, has a rich history as a valuable remedy for various diseases. Recent scientific research has revealed its potential therapeutic effects on oral health, contributing to oral disease prevention and maintenance. As interest in natural remedies grows and concerns regarding side effects of synthetic drugs persist, frankincense serves as a promising candidate for adjunctive therapy. This study examines the impact of frankincense on the oral microbiome, focusing on its antimicrobial properties against pathogenic oral bacteria –S. mutans, P. gingivalis, and F. nucleatum – that contribute to dental caries and periodontal disease. To measure the effects of frankincense on these bacteria, saliva samples were collected with a RNA/DNA stabilizing solution from volunteers prior to and after using a frankincense concentrated mouthwash solution. Volunteers were divided into two separate groups, one group ...

  Introduction Chronic periodontitis (ChP) is a prevalent inflammatory disease affecting 46% of the US population. ChP produces a profound local inflammatory response to dysbiotic oral microbiota that leads to the destruction of alveolar bone and tooth loss. ChP is also associated with systemic illnesses, including cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The mechanisms underlying oral and systemic diseases are poorly understood. Our previous cohort demarcates systemic and cell-specific immune dysfunctions in patients with ChP, which can be temporarily reversed by the local treatment of ChP . Here, we conducted a validation cohort (Perio VAL) to validate our previous results. Method We consent 16 patients and 12 healthy controls in the Bell Dental Center (San Leandro, CA). Whole-blood samples were collected at baseline, 3 weeks, and 3 months after standard nonsurgical treatment for ChP. Blood was left unstimulated or stimulated with Porphyromonas gingi...

A study of endurance training in rats found molecular changes throughout the body that could help explain the beneficial effects of exercise on health. Large differences were seen between male and female rats, highlighting the need to include both women and men in exercise studies.  

This review addresses the known functions of tRNA modifications in the biology of  P. falciparum  while highlighting the potential therapeutic opportunities and the value of using  P. falciparum  as a model organism for addressing several open questions related to the tRNA epitranscriptome.

Study suggests leprosy passed between humans & red squirrels in medieval England, supporting the theory that the fur trade could have played a role in the spread of the disease