Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of three bio marker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the proteins Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and at least two of Haemoglobin-beta (Hb-beta), Haemoglobin-delta (Hb-delta), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with advanced periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of advanced periodontitis or of mild periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, and a system, for accomplishing the in situ formation of a gel in an interdental space. This is useful for the interdental application of one or more dental care agents, such as antimicrobial agents or other anti-plaque agents. The invention makes use of a two component system comprising a gelable liquid and a liquid gelling agent capable of bringing about gelation of the liquid. The system of the invention is arranged such that first the gelable, typically viscous, liquid can be applied, and then the liquid gelling agent is forced, e.g. jetted, into the applied gelable liquid. The system is designed such as to prevent the gelling agent and the gelable liquid to come into contact with each other before both have been applied. The system is configured to allow the gelable liquid to be applied prior to the gelling agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the delivery, into interdental spaces, of oral care active agents contained in particles. The particles are made of one or more superabsorbent polymers (SAP), and are of size generally small enough to be easily applied into an interdental space. To this end, the particles typically have a length of below 1.5 mm. By virtue of the SAP's ability of absorbing several times its own weight in water, the particles will swell once in contact with saliva. As a result, the volume of the particles as applied in between teeth increases by at least eight times, thereby effectively making the particles larger than the average interdental gap size. The particles, once swollen, are thus held more firmly between the walls of the interdental space, thus preventing them from being easily washed away.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing or predicting the response of a human patient to treatment of periodontal disease. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva of a patient, the concentrations are measured of certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and at least one of Interleukin-1-beta (I-1?) and 5 Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). Based on the concentrations as measured, at least one value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This at least one value may indicate the probability that human patient has been or will be successfully treated for the periodontitis. The at least one value can be compared with at least one threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with successful treatment of 10 periodontitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and at least one of Profilin and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9). Another combination is Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has gingivitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from gingivitis, the concentrations are measured of the certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8), and at least one of Hemoglobin subunit beta (Hb-beta), Keratin 4 (K-4) and Pyruvate Kinase (PK). Another combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP), Hemoglobin subunit beta (Hb-beta) and Keratin 4 (K-4). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with gingivitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient suffering from periodontitis has mild periodontitis or advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine a selection of two biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the proteins Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and at least one of Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8), and Hemoglobin subunit beta (Hb-beta); or of the proteins Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and at least one of S 100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8) and S100 calcium-binding protein A9 (S100A9). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with advanced periodontitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing or predicting the response of a human patient to treatment of periodontal disease. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva of a patient, the concentrations are measured of certain protein combinations. One such combination is Hemoglobin subunit delta (Hb-delta) and Pyruvate kinase (PK). Another such combination is Keratin-4 (K-4) and at least two of Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP), Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). A third combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP), Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, at least one value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This at least one value may indicate the probability that human patient has been or will be successfully treated for the periodontitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of two or more of the proteins Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), Pyruvate Kinase (PK) and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from periodontitis, the concentrations are measured of the Free Light Chain ? protein and/or the Free Light Chain ?. Based on the concentration(s) as measured, a value is determined reflecting the concentration or joint concentrations for said protein or proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the concentration or joint concentrations associated with periodontitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of periodontitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient has gingivitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva a patient suffering from gingivitis, the concentrations are measured of the certain protein combinations. One such combination is Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1AGP) and at least one of Matrix metal-loproteinase-8 (MMP8), Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (M MP9), Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), Hemoglobin subunit beta (Hb-beta), and S100 calcium-binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, a value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This value is compared with a threshold value reflecting in the same manner the joint concentrations associated with gingivitis. The comparison allows assessing whether the testing value is indicative of the presence of gingivitis in said patient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for the delivery, into interdental spaces, of oral care active agents contained in particles. The particles are made of one or more superabsorbent polymers (SAP), and are of size generally small enough to be easily applied into an interdental space. To this end, the particles typically have a length of below 1.5 mm. By virtue of the SAP's ability of absorbing several times its own weight in water, the particles will swell once in contact with saliva. As a result, the volume of the particles as applied in between teeth increases by at least eight times, thereby effectively making the particles larger than the average interdental gap size. The particles, once swollen, are thus held more firmly between the walls of the interdental space, thus preventing them from being easily washed away.

Abstract: Disclosed is an in vitro method for assessing whether a human patient is free from periodontal disease, has gingivitis, has mild periodontitis or has advanced periodontitis. The method is based on the insight to determine biomarker proteins. Accordingly, in a sample of saliva of a patient, the concentrations are measured of the proteins: Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (A1 AGP) and Pyruvate Kinase (PK), and at least one of the proteins Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and S100 calcium binding protein A8 (S100A8). Based on the concentrations as measured, at least one value is determined reflecting the joint concentrations for said proteins. This at least one value may indicate the probability that human patient is free from periodontal disease, has gingivitis, has mild periodontitis or has advanced periodontitis. The at least one value can be compared with at least one threshold value reflecting in the same manner joint concentrations associated with gingivitis, mild or advanced periodontitis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, and a system, for accomplishing the in situ formation of a gel in an interdental space. This is useful for the interdental application of one or more dental care agents, such as antimicrobial agents or other anti-plaque agents. The invention makes use of a two component system comprising a gelable liquid and a liquid gelling agent capable of bringing about gelation of the liquid. The system of the invention is arranged such that first the gelable, typically viscous, liquid can be applied, and then the liquid gelling agent is forced, e.g. jetted, into the applied gelable liquid. The system is designed such as to prevent the gelling agent and the gelable liquid to come into contact with each other before both have been applied. The system is configured to allow the gelable liquid to be applied prior to the gelling agent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a new method, and a system, for the delivery of particles comprising at least one oral care agent to the oral cavity, so as to particularly enable delivery into the interproximal spaces. The method involves providing a liquid comprising the particles and introducing the liquid into the oral cavity in the form of a fluid jet, said jet having a velocity of from 0.5 m/s to 5 m/s. The fluid jet can be generated by an appropriately adapted oral irrigator, but other devices can be used as well. The invention is particularly suitable for the delivery of adhesive gel particles comprising one or more oral care agents, preferably particles for the controlled and/or slow release of such agents.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises an array of electro wetting cells, each cell comprising first and second liquids (14,18) which are immiscible in each other. An electrode arrangement (60a,60b) is used to control the position of the interface between the first and second liquids, and comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. Each cell comprises a first switching device (64a) for applying a cell drive voltage to the first electrode (60a), and a second switching device (64b) for simultaneously applying the same cell drive voltage to the second electrode (60b). The cell circuit can be produced without requiring any additional control lines to those required for a single electrode and associated switching device, but the use of two switching devices enables the ultimate signal applied to each electrode to be different as a result of different capacitive effects. This then enables control over the way the liquid interface moves in response to control voltages.

Abstract: An electronic device comprises an array of electro wetting cells, each cell comprising first and second liquids (14,18) which are immiscible in each other. An electrode arrangement (60a,60b) is used to control the position of the interface between the first and second liquids, and comprises a first electrode and a second electrode. Each cell comprises a first switching device (64a) for applying a cell drive voltage to the first electrode (60a), and a second switching device (64b) for simultaneously applying the same cell drive voltage to the second electrode (60b). The cell circuit can be produced without requiring any additional control lines to those required for a single electrode and associated switching device, but the use of two switching devices enables the ultimate signal applied to each electrode to be different as a result of different capacitive effects. This then enables control over the way the liquid interface moves in response to control voltages.

Abstract: A method of making a source-gated transistor is described, in which a gate (4) is provided on substrate (2) followed by gate insulator (6) and semiconductor layer (8). The layer is patterned to align the source with the gate (4) using photoresist (12) and back illumination through the substrate (2) with the gate (4) acting as a mask. The distance between source and drain may also be self-aligned using a spacer technique.

Abstract: A method of making a source-gated transistor is described, in which a gate (4) is provided on substrate (2) followed by gate insulator (6) and semiconductor layer (8). The layer is patterned to align the source with the gate (4) using photoresist (12) and back illumination through the substrate (2) with the gate (4) acting as a mask. The distance between source and drain may also be self-aligned using a spacer technique.

Abstract: A polycrystalline silicon GOLDD TFT with a gate (10) overlying its channel (11) is fabricated by using the gate (10) as a mask during a first dopant implantation step. Spacers (13, 14) are then formed adjacent to the gate (10), which comprise portions of a thin metallic layer (19) which are defined by fillets (17) in an etching process. The spacers and gate are then used as a mask for doping source and drain regions, thereby providing a self-aligned fabrication technique.