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Candida albicans ( C. albicans ) and Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) are frequently detected in the plaque biofilms of children with early childhood caries. This study investigated the effects of sucrose and farnesol on biofilm formation by the oral pathogens S. mutans and C. albicans , including their synergistic interactions. Biofilm formation dynamics were monitored using the Cell Index (CI). The CI for S. mutans increased in the brain-heart infusion medium, peaking at 10 h; however, the addition of sucrose reduced the CI. For C. albicans yeast cells, the CI increased at sucrose concentrations > 0.5%, peaking at 2 h. Mixed cultures of S. mutans and C. albicans yeast cells showed significantly higher CI values in the presence of sucrose, suggesting a synergistic effect on biofilm formation. Farnesol consistently suppressed biofilm formation by C. albicans yeast cells, even in the presence of sucrose, and higher farnesol concentrations resulted in greater inhibition. Regarding C. albicans hyphal cells, sucrose did not enhance biofilm formation, whereas farnesol significantly reduced biofilm formation at all concentrations tested. These findings elucidate the complex roles of sucrose and farnesol in biofilm formation by S. mutans and C. albicans and emphasize the potential of farnesol as an effective oral biofilm inhibitor.

Melatonin exerts various physiological effects through melatonin receptors and their ability to scavenge free radicals. Radiotherapy is a common treatment for head and neck tumors, but stomatitis, a side effect affecting irradiated oral mucosa, can impact treatment outcomes. This study investigated the preventive effect of melatonin, a potent free radical scavenger, on radiation-induced oral mucositis. Mice were irradiated with 15 Gy of X-ray radiation to the head and neck, and the oral mucosa was histologically compared between a melatonin-administered group and a control group. The results showed that radiation-induced oral mucositis was suppressed in mice administered melatonin before and after irradiation. It was suggested that the mechanism involved the inhibition of apoptosis and the inhibition of DNA damage. From these findings, we confirmed that melatonin has a protective effect against radiation-induced oral mucositis .

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are considered a valuable cell source for regenerative medicine because of their high proliferative potential, multipotency, and availability. We established a new cryopreservation method (NCM) for collecting DPSCs, in which the tissue itself is cryopreserved and DPSCs are collected after thawing. We improved the NCM and developed a new method for collecting and preserving DPSCs more efficiently. Dental pulp tissue was collected from an extracted tooth, divided into two pieces, sandwiched from above and below using cell culture inserts, and cultured. As a result, the cells in the pulp tissue migrated vertically over time and localized near the upper and lower membranes over 2-3 days. With regard to the underlying molecular mechanism, SDF1 was predominantly involved in cell migration. This improved method is valuable and enables the more efficient collection and reliable preservation of DPSCs. It has the potential to procure a large number of DPSCs stably.

Objectives: This study investigated the surface characteristics of denture base resin coatings prepared using a novel silica-based film containing hinokitiol and assessed the effect of this coating on Candida albicans adhesion and growth., Methods: Silica-based coating solutions (control solution; CS) and CS containing hinokitiol (CS-H) were prepared. C. albicans biofilm formed on denture base specimens coated with each solution and these uncoated specimens (control) were analyzed using colony-forming unit (CFU) assay, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Specimen surfaces were analyzed by measuring the surface roughness and wettability and with Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( 1 H NMR). Stability of coated specimens was assessed via immersion in water for 1 week for each group (control-1w, CS-1w, and CS-H-1w) followed by CFU assay, measurement of surface roughness and wettability, and FT-IR., Results: CS-H and CS-H-1w contained significantly lower CFUs than those present in the control and control-1w, which was also confirmed via SEM. Fluorescence microscopy from the CS-H group identified several dead cells. The values of surface roughness from coating groups were significantly less than those from the control and control-1w. The surface wettability from all coating groups exhibited high hydrophobicity. FT-IR analyses demonstrated that specimens were successfully coated, and 1 H NMR analyses showed that hinokitiol was incorporated inside CS-H., Conclusions: A silica-based denture coating that incorporates hinokitiol inhibits C. albicans growth on denture., Clinical Relevance: We provide a novel antifungal denture coating which can be helpful for the treatment of denture stomatitis., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The early diagnosis and isolation of infected individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain important. Although quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) testing is considered the most accurate test available for COVID-19 diagnosis, it has some limitations, such as the need for specialized laboratory technicians and a long turnaround time. Therefore, we have established and reported a rapid diagnostic method using a small amount of saliva as a sample using a lightweight mobile qPCR device. This study aimed to improve the existing method and increase the detection sensitivity and specificity. The detection specificity of CDC N1 and N2 was examined by improving qPCR reagents and polymerase chain reaction conditions for the previously reported method. Furthermore, the feasibility of detecting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA was examined using both the previous method and the improved method in patients with COVID-19. The results showed that the improved method increased the specificity and sensitivity. This improved method is useful for the rapid diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.

We investigated whether irradiation with 405-nm blue LED light could inhibit the growth of not only single- but dual-species biofilms formed by Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans on denture base resin and cause the alteration in gene expression related to adhesion and biofilm formation. C. albicans and S. mutans single-/dual-species biofilms were formed on the denture base specimens. The biofilms were irradiated with 405-nm blue LED light (power density output: 280 mW/cm 2 ) for 0 (control) and 40 min. Dual-species biofilms were analyzed using CFU assay and fluorescence microscopy, and single-/dual-species biofilms were analyzed using alamarBlue assays and gene expression analysis. To assess the inhibitory effect of irradiation on dual-species biofilms, specimens after irradiation were aerobically incubated for 12 h. After incubation, the inhibition of growth was assessed using CFU assays and fluorescence microscopy. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U or Student's t test (p < 0.05). Irradiation produced a significant inhibitory effect on biofilms. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that almost all C. albicans and S. mutans cells were killed by irradiation, and there was no notable difference in biofilm thickness immediately after irradiation and after irradiation and incubation for 12 h. alamarBlue assays indicated the growth of the biofilms was inhibited for 12-13 h. The expression of genes associated with adhesion and biofilm formation-als1 in C. albicans and ftf, gtfC, and gtfB in S. mutans-significantly reduced by irradiation. Irradiation with 405-nm blue LED light effectively inhibited the growth of C. albicans and S. mutans dual-species biofilms for 12 h., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Masks are effective for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections. If antimicrobial properties can be applied to the non-woven fabric filters in masks, they can become a more effective countermeasure against human-to-human and environmental infections. We investigated the possibilities of carrying antimicrobial agents on the fiber surfaces of non-woven fabric filters by applying silica-resin coating technology, which can form silica-resin layers on such fabrics at normal temperature and pressure. Scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis showed that a silica-resin layer was formed on the fiber surface of non-woven fabric filters. Bioassays for coronavirus and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) revealed that all antimicrobial agents tested loaded successfully onto non-woven fabric filters without losing their inactivation effects against the human coronavirus (inhibition efficacy: >99.999%). These results indicate that this technology could be used to load a functional substance onto a non-woven fabric filter by vitrifying its surface. Silica-resin coating technology also has the potential of becoming an important breakthrough not only in the prevention of infection but also in various fields, such as prevention of building aging, protection of various cultural properties, the realization of a plastic-free society, and prevention of environmental pollution.

This study investigated: (1) the microbicidal effect of 405-nm blue LED light irradiation on biofilm formed by Candida albicans hyphae and Streptococcus mutans under dual-species condition on denture base resin, (2) the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by irradiation, and (3) the existence of intracellular porphyrins, which act as a photosensitizer. Denture base resin specimens were prepared and C. albicans and S. mutans dual-species biofilms were allowed to form on the specimens. The biofilms were irradiated with 405-nm blue LED light and analyzed using the colony-forming unit assay, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Single-species biofilms of C. albicans and S. mutans formed on the specimens were irradiated with 405-nm blue LED light. After the irradiation, the intracellular ROS levels in C. albicans and S. mutans cells were measured. In addition, the level of intracellular porphyrins in C. albicans and S. mutans were measured. Irradiation for more than 30 min significantly inhibited the colony formation ability of C. albicans and S. mutans. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that almost all C. albicans and S. mutans cells were killed by irradiation. SEM images showed various cell damage patterns. Irradiation led to the generation of intracellular ROS and porphyrins were present in both C. albicans and S. mutans cells. In conclusion, irradiation with 405-nm blue light-emitting diode light for 40 min effectively disinfect C. albicans hyphae and S. mutans dual-species biofilms and possibly react with intracellular porphyrins resulting in generation of ROS in each microorganism., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

Containment of SARS-CoV-2 has become an urgent global issue. To overcome the problems of conventional quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests, we verified the usefulness of a mobile qPCR device that utilizes mouthwash to obtain a saliva sample with the aim of developing a rapid diagnostic method for SARS-CoV-2. First, we examined whether anyone could easily operate this device. Then, we examined whether RNA in the mouthwash could be detected in a short time. In addition, we investigated whether it was possible to diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infection using mouthwash obtained from COVID-19 patients undergoing hospitalization. The results revealed that all subjects were able to complete the operation properly without error. In addition, RNase P was detected in the mouthwash without pretreatment. The average detection time was 18 min, which is significantly shorter than conventional qPCR devices. Furthermore, this device detected SARS-CoV-2 in the mouthwash of a COVID-19 patient undergoing hospitalization. The above findings verified the efficacy of this diagnostic method, which had a low risk of infection, was technically simple, and provided stable results. Therefore, this method is useful for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2.

This study investigated (i) the degradation effect of 405-nm blue light-emitting diode (LED) light irradiation on Candida albicans and C. glabrata biofilms formed on denture base resin and (ii) the effects of 405-nm blue LED light irradiation on the mechanical and surface characteristics of the resin. Polymethyl methacrylate denture base resin discs were prepared, and C. albicans or C. glabrata biofilms formed on the denture base resin discs. Each biofilm was irradiated with 405-nm blue LED light under a constant output power (280 mW/cm 2 ) for different times in a moisture chamber with 100% relative humidity. Postirradiation, each biofilm was analyzed using a colony-forming unit assay, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Parallelepiped specimens of acrylic resin were prepared, and changes in their flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), and surface roughness (R a ) preirradiation and postirradiation with 405-nm blue LED light were evaluated. Irradiation for 30 min completely inhibited colony formation in both Candida species. Fluorescence microscopy showed that almost all Candida cells were killed because of irradiation. SEM images showed various cell damage patterns, such as wrinkles, shrinkage, and cell surface damage. An increase in FS was noted postirradiation, but no significant changes were observed in FM and R a preirradiation and postirradiation. In conclusion, irradiation with 405-nm blue LED light induces degradation of C. albicans and C. glabrata biofilms on denture base resin, even in the absence of photosensitizers, without resin surface deterioration.

This study aimed to investigate the cleansing effects of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) on biofilms of Candida albicans (C. albicans) formed on denture-base resin and the influence of GSE on the mechanical and surface characteristics of the resin. GSE solution diluted with distilled water to 0.1% (0.1% GSE) and 1% (1% GSE) and solutions with Polident® denture cleansing tablet dissolved in distilled water (Polident) or in 0.1% GSE solution (0.1% G+P) were prepared as cleansing solutions. Discs of acrylic resin were prepared, and the biofilm of C. albicans was formed on the discs. The discs with the biofilm were treated with each solution for 5 min at 25°C. After the treatment, the biofilm on the discs was analyzed using a colony forming unit (CFU) assay, fluorescence microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In order to assess the persistent cleansing effect, the discs treated with each solution for 5 min were aerobically incubated in Yeast Nitrogen Base medium for another 24 h. After incubation, the persistent effect was assessed by CFU assay. Some specimens of acrylic resin were immersed in each solution for 7 days, and changes in surface roughness (Ra), Vickers hardness (VH), flexural strength (FS), and flexural modulus (FM) were evaluated. As a result, the treatment with 1% GSE for 5 min almost completely eliminated the biofilm formed on the resin; whereas, the treatment with 0.1% GSE, Polident, and 0.1% G+P for 5 min showed a statistically significant inhibitory effect on biofilms. In addition, 0.1% GSE and 0.1% G+P exerted a persistent inhibitory effect on biofilms. Fluorescence microscopy indicated that Polident mainly induced the death of yeast, while the cleansing solutions containing at least 0.1% GSE induced the death of hyphae as well as yeast. SEM also revealed that Polident caused wrinkles, shrinkage, and some deep craters predominantly on the cell surfaces of yeast, while the solutions containing at least 0.1% GSE induced wrinkles, shrinkage, and some damage on cell surfaces of not only yeasts but also hyphae. No significant changes in Ra, VH, FS, or FM were observed after immersion in any of the solutions. Taken together, GSE solution is capable of cleansing C. albicans biofilms on denture-base resin and has a persistent inhibitory effect on biofilm development, without any deteriorations of resin surface., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.