. Introduction: Periodontitis is a non-reversible inflammation of the peridontium, that if left untreated will eventually lead to teeth loss. Currently, the routine diagnosis of periodontal disease is primarily based on clinical (oral inspection, palpation and probing) and radiographic measures of periodontal tissue loss. Whilst these parameters are very useful, they only provide information on tissues destruction that already taken place hence are of limited use for prevention and early diagnosis. More non-invasive diagnosis methods have been developed, utilizing saliva from patients and immobilization of specific analytes onto a biosensor platform. Objective: This study aimed to compare various types of biosensors as point-of-care- testing for diagnosis and monitoring of periodontal disease. Methodology: A systematic literature search was performed in three public databases; Pubmed, Google Scholar and Science Direct. Search was carried out without any restrictions on date of publication however restricted to original research that developed biosensor platform for detection of periodontal disease using patient saliva samples. Results: Literature search resulted in seven studies that described various biosensors as point-of-care device capable of detecting specific analytes or biomarkers that is associated with periodontitis. Two of these devices used proteins derived from bacteria which causes periodontitis. Each biosensor has different detection mechanisms and varies in detection limit of analytes tested. Conclusion: Development of biosensors capable for detection of saliva-based analytes as a non-invasive diagnosis point-of-care test could serve as an adjunct to complement existing routine diagnosis method.

The potential antimicrobial properties of tannins from Phyllanthus columnaris stem bark were evaluated against three Gram-positive cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus salivarius ATCC 13419, Streptococcus oralis ATCC 6249 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175), two obligate anaerobic Gram-negative periodontopathic bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277, and Fusobacterium spp ATCC 25586), and five Candida spp (C. albicans ATCC 14053, C. parapsilosis ATCC 22019, C. tropicalis ATCC 750, C. krusei ATCC 6258 and C. glabrata ATCC 2001). Antimicrobial activities of tannins were determined using the disc diffusion test as well as minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentration tests. The chemical composition of tannins was analysed by direct infuse mass spectrometry. Tannins inhibited the growth of all tested pathogens at MIC value ranging from 0.16 to 1.25 mg/mL. All tested bacteria showed similar higher level of susceptibility against tannins as the lowest MIC value was detected (0.16 mg/mL) except for S. oralis (0.63 mg/mL). However, both Gram negative anaerobes recorded the lowest MBC value at 0.32 mg/mL as compared to the Gram positive cariogenic bacteria (2.5->5.0 mg/mL). DIMS analysis of precursor ions detected four compounds present in tannins namely punicafolin, (S)-Nerolidol 3-O-[a-L-Rhamnopyranosyl-(1->4)-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->2)-[4-(4-hydroxy-3 methoxycinnamoyl)-(E)-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1->6)]-b-D-glucopyranoside], ent-Epicatechin-(4alpha->8)-ent-epicatechin-(4alpha->8)-ent-epicatechin 3',3''-digallate and pavetannin C1 respectively.

We have established 3 cell lines ORL-48, -115 and -136 from surgically resected specimens obtained from untreated primary human oral squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity. The in vitro growth characteristics, epithelial origin, in vitro anchorage independency, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, microsatellite instability status, karyotype and the status of various cell cycle regulators and gatekeepers of these cell lines were investigated. All 3 cell lines grew as monolayers with doubling times ranging between 26.4 and 40.8 h and were immortal. Karyotyping confirmed that these cell lines were of human origin with multiple random losses and gains of entire chromosomes and regions of chromosomes. Immunohistochemistry staining of cytokeratins confirmed the epithelial origin of these cell lines, and the low degree of anchorage independency expressed by these cell lines suggests non-transformed phenotypes. Genetic analysis identified mutations in the p53 gene in all cell lines and hypermethylation of p16INK4a in ORL-48 and -136. Analysis of MDM2 and EGFR expression indicated MDM2 overexpression in ORL-48 and EGFR overexpression in ORL-136 in comparison to the protein levels in normal oral keratinocytes. Analysis of the BAT-26 polyadenine repeat sequence and MLH-1 and MSH-2 repair enzymes demonstrated that all 3 cell lines were microsatellite stable. The role of HPV in driving carcinogenesis in these tumours was negated by the absence of HPV. Finally, analysis of the tissues from which these cell lines were derived indicated that the cell lines were genetically representative of the tumours, and, therefore, are useful tools in the understanding of the molecular changes associated with oral cancers.