Wiley Acta Medica Okayama 0022-3484 57 3 2022 Association between serum miRNAs and gingival gene expression in an obese rat model 502 509 EN Takayuki Maruyama Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Terumasa Kobayashi Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshio Sugiura Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Academic Field of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Introduction<br> Recent studies have reported a relationship between periodontitis and obesity; however, the mechanisms of obesity’s effects on periodontitis are not well understood. On the other hand, microRNAs (miRNAs) are known to play key roles in the post-transcriptional regulation gene expression by suppressing translation and protein synthesis. We examined the association between obesity-related miRNAs and gene expression in gingival tissue using miRNA–messenger RNA (mRNA) pairing analysis in an obese rat model.<br> <br> Methods<br> Sixteen male Wistar rats aged 8 weeks old were divided into two groups: the control group was fed a normal powdered food for 8 weeks, and the obesity group was fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Distance from the cement–enamel junction to the alveolar bone crest of the first molars was measured. miRNA microarray analysis was performed on samples of serum and gingival tissue; the resulting data were used to calculate fold changes in miRNA levels in the obesity group relative to the control group, and miRNA–mRNA pairing analysis was performed to identify mRNAs potentially targeted by miRNAs of interest.<br> <br> Results<br> Alveolar bone loss in the obesity group exceeded that in the control group (p = .017). miRNA–mRNA pairing analysis identified an association between 4 miRNAs (miR-759, miR-9a-3p, miR-203b-3p, and miR-878) that were differentially expressed in the obesity and control groups and 7 genes (Ly86, Arid5b, Rgs18, Mlana, P2ry13, Kif1b, and Myt1) expressed in gingival tissue.<br> <br> Conclusion<br> This study revealed that several miRNAs play an important role in the mechanism of periodontal disease progression induced by the obesity. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1660-4601 18 15 2021 Detection of Salivary miRNAs That Predict Chronic Periodontitis Progression: A Cohort Study 8010 EN Kohei Fujimori Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Takaaki Tomofuji Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Asahi University Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Tetsuji Azuma Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Asahi University Takayuki Maruyama Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Yoshio Sugiura Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University The aim of this two-year cohort study was to investigate salivary microRNAs (miRNAs) that predict periodontitis progression. A total of 120 patients who underwent supportive periodontal therapy were recruited. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected at baseline. Two years later, 44 patients were followed up (median age, 67.1 years) and divided into two groups: progression group (n = 22), with one or more sites with clinical attachment level (CAL) progression (>3 mm compared with baseline) or tooth extraction due to periodontitis progression; and the control group (n = 22), which did not exhibit CAL progression. In the microarray analysis of salivary miRNAs, hsa-miR-5571-5p, hsa-miR-17-3p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-4724-3p, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-200a-3p, hsa-miR-28-5p, hsa-miR-320d, and hsa-miR-31-5p showed fold change values <0.5 or >= 2.0 in the progression group compared with the control group (p < 0.05). On receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, areas under the curves of hsa-miR-5571-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-28-5p, and hsa-miR-320d were >0.7, indicating fair discrimination power. The expressions of salivary hsa-miR-5571-5p, hsa-let-7f-5p, hsa-miR-99a-5p, hsa-miR-28-5p, and hsa-miR-320d were associated with periodontitis progression in patients with chronic periodontitis. These salivary miRNAs may be new biomarkers for progression of periodontitis, and monitoring them may contribute to new diagnostics and precision medicine for periodontitis. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1660-4601 17 22 2020 Association between Household Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Dental Caries among Japanese Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study 8623 EN Hikari Saho Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ayano Taniguchi-Tabata Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Aya Yokoi Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Kouta Kataoka Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Daiki Fukuhara Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Naoki Toyama Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Md Monirul Islam Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Nanami Sawada Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yukiho Nakashima Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Momoko Nakahara Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Junya Deguchi Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoko Uchida-Fukuhara Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiaki Iwasaki Health Service Center, Okayama University Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences The long-term effects of secondhand smoke (SHS) on dental caries among Japanese young adults remain unclear. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate whether household exposure to SHS is associated with dental caries in permanent dentition among Japanese young adults. The study sample included 1905 first-year university students (age range: 18-19 years) who answered a questionnaire and participated in oral examinations. The degree of household exposure to SHS was categorized into four levels according to the SHS duration: no experience (-), past, current SHS < 10 years, and current SHS >= 10 years. Dental caries are expressed as the total number of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) score. The relationships between SHS and dental caries were determined by logistic regression analysis. DMFT scores (median (25th percentile, 75th percentile)) were significantly higher in the current SHS >= 10 years (median: 1.0 (0.0, 3.0)) than in the SHS-(median: 0.0 (0.0, 2.0)); p = 0.001). DMFT >= 1 was significantly associated with SHS >= 10 years (adjusted odds ratio: 1.50, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.87, p < 0.001). Long-term exposure to SHS (>= 10 years) was associated with dental caries in permanent dentition among Japanese young adults. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Public Library of Science Acta Medica Okayama 1932-6203 15 7 2020 Relationship between oral hygiene knowledge, source of oral hygiene knowledge and oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students: A prospective cohort study e0236259 EN Daiki Fukuhara Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Kota Kataoka Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Ayano Taniguchi-Tabata Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Yoko Uchida-Fukuhara Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Hospital Naoki Toyama Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshio Sugiura Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Monirul Islam Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hikari Saho Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Yoshiaki Iwasaki Health Service Center, Okayama University Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences The aim of this prospective cohort study was to examine whether oral hygiene knowledge, and the source of that knowledge, affect oral hygiene behavior in university students in Japan. An oral exam and questionnaire survey developed to evaluate oral hygiene knowledge, the source of that knowledge, and oral hygiene behavior, such as the frequency of tooth brushing and regular dental checkups and the use of dental floss, was conducted on university student volunteers. In total, 310 students with poor tooth brushing behavior (frequency of tooth brushing per day [<= once]), 1,963 who did not use dental floss, and 1,882 who did not receive regular dental checkup during the past year were selected. Among these students, 50, 364, and 343 in each respective category were analyzed in over the 3-year study period (follow-up rates: 16.1%, 18.5%, and 18.2%, respectively). The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for oral hygiene behavior were calculated based on oral hygiene knowledge and the source of that knowledge using logistic regression models. The results showed that dental clinics were the most common (> 50%) source of oral hygiene knowledge, and that a more frequent use of dental floss was significantly associated with dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge (OR, 4.11; 95%CI, 1.871-9.029; p < 0.001). In addition, a significant association was seen between dental clinics being a source of oral hygiene knowledge and more frequent regular dental checkups (OR, 13.626; 95%CI, 5.971-31.095; p < 0.001). These findings suggest the existence of a relationship between dental clinics being the most common source of oral hygiene knowledge and improved oral hygiene behavior in Japanese university students. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

International Institute of Anticancer Research Acta Medica Okayama 0258-851X 34 2 2020 Effects of Coffee Intake on Oxidative Stress During Aging-related Alterations in Periodontal Tissue 615 622 EN Terumasa Kobayashi Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Takayuki Maruyama Center for Innovative Clinical Medicine, Okayama University Hospital Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Hisataka Miyai Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Tetsuji Azuma Department of Community Oral Health, Asahi University School of Dentistry Takaaki Tomofuji Department of Community Oral Health, Asahi University School of Dentistry Daisuke Ekuni Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Background/aim: The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-aging effects of coffee intake on oxidative stress in rat periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss.<br/> Materials and methods: Male Fischer 344 rats (8 weeks old) were randomized to four groups; the baseline group immediately sacrificed, the control group fed with normal powdered food for 8 weeks, and the experimental groups fed with powdered food containing 0.62% or 1.36% coffee components for 8 weeks.<br/> Results: Alveolar bone loss and gingival level of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine were significantly lower in the 1.36% coffee group than in the control group. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 translocation to the nucleus was significantly higher in the 1.36% coffee group than in the control group.<br/> Conclusion: Continuous intake of 1.36% coffee could prevent age-related oxidative stress in the periodontal tissue and alveolar bone loss, possibly by up-regulating the Nrf2 signaling pathway. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

MDPI Acta Medica Okayama 1661-7827 16 19 2019 Influence of Occupational Stress and Coping Style on Periodontitis Among Japanese Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study 3540 EN Md Monirul Islam Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Daisuke Ekuni Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Toshiki Yoneda Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Aya Yokoi Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Manabu Morita Department of Preventive Dentistry, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between the influence of occupational stress and coping style on periodontitis among Japanese workers. The study sample included 738 workers (age range: 19-65 years) at a manufacturing company in Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. To analyze occupational stress and coping style, all participants answered a self-report questionnaire composed of items on their work environment and oral health behavior. Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists. Among all workers, 492 (66.7%) workers were diagnosed with periodontitis, and 50 (6.8%) were diagnosed with a high stress-low coping condition. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between the periodontitis and non-periodontitis groups in terms of age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, daily alcohol drinking, monthly overtime work, worker type, and stress-coping style. Logistic regression analysis showed that a high stress-low coping condition was associated with an increased risk of periodontitis (odds ratio: 2.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-7.43, p = 0.039). These findings suggest that a high stress-low coping condition is associated with periodontitis among the 19-65 years of age group of Japanese workers. No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.