Web-Based Survey on Regenerative Endodontic Practices among Members of the American Association of Endodontists.

Introduction: The American Association of Endodontics (AAE) Regenerative Endodontics Committee reports here the web-based survey data of regenerative endodontic procedures performed by the AAE members from 2008 to 2019.

Methods: The web-based survey consisted of 2 questionnaires, a revascularization and a follow-up, including clinical and radiographic data at 3, 6, 12 or >12 months after treatment. Data from demographics, etiology, clinical protocols, radiographic, and clinical outcome as perceived by the clinicians were recorded.

Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain in adolescents, adults, and older adults: A report from the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Background: A panel convened by the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Pennsylvania conducted systematic reviews and meta-analyses and formulated evidence-based recommendations for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain after simple and surgical tooth extraction(s) and for the temporary management (ie, definitive dental treatment not immediately available) of toothache associated with pulp and periapical diseases in adolescents, adults, and older adults.

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The panel conducted 4 systematic reviews to determine the effect of opioid and nonopioid analgesics, local anesthetics, corticosteroids, and topical anesthetics on acute dental pain. The panel used the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess the certainty of the evidence and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence-to-Decision Framework to formulate recommendations.

Constructing the brief diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (bDC/TMD) for field testing.

Background: Despite advances in temporomandibular disorders' (TMDs) diagnosis, the diagnostic process continues to be problematic in non-specialist settings.

Objective: To complete a Delphi process to shorten the Diagnostic Criteria for TMD (DC/TMD) to a brief DC/TMD (bDC/TMD) for expedient clinical diagnosis and initial management.

Methods: An international Delphi panel was created with 23 clinicians representing major specialities, general dentistry and related fields.

Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain in children: A report from the American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and the Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania.

Background: A guideline panel convened by the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs, American Dental Association Science and Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, and Center for Integrative Global Oral Health at the University of Pennsylvania conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses and formulated evidence-based recommendations for the pharmacologic management of acute dental pain after 1 or more simple and surgical tooth extractions and the temporary management of toothache (that is, when definitive dental treatment not immediately available) associated with pulp and furcation or periapical diseases in children (< 12 years).

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The authors conducted a systematic review to determine the effect of analgesics and corticosteroids in managing acute dental pain. They used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach to assess the certainty of the evidence and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Evidence to Decision framework to formulate recommendations.

Sensitivity and Specificity of MRI versus CBCT to Detect Vertical Root Fractures Using MicroCT as a Reference Standard.

Introduction: Vertical root fracture (VRF) in root-canal-treated teeth frequently results in tooth loss, partly because VRFs are difficult to diagnose and when detected the fracture is often beyond the point of preservation with surgical intervention. Nonionizing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has demonstrated the ability to detect small VRFs, but it is unknown how its diagnostic capabilities compare with the current imaging standard for VRF detection, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). This investigation aimed to compare the sensitivity and specificity between MRI and CBCT for detecting VRF, using micro-computed tomography (microCT) as a reference.

Lithium in breast milk transiently affects the renal electrolytic balance of infants.

Background: The use of lithium during breast-feeding has not been comprehensively investigated in humans due to concerns about lithium toxicity.

Procedure: We analyzed lithium in the kidneys of nursed pups of lithium medicated mothers, using analytical spectroscopy in a novel rat model. The mothers were healthy rats administered lithium via gavage (1000 mg/day Li CO per 50 kg body weight).

Minimal Detectable Width of Tooth Fractures Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Method to Measure.

Introduction: Vertical root fracture (VRF) in root canal-treated (RCT) teeth is a common cause of pain, bone resorption, and tooth loss. VRF is also difficult to diagnose and measure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to identify VRF due to beneficial partial volume averaging, without using ionizing radiation.

How beavers affect riverine aquatic macroinvertebrates: a review.

Background: As ecosystem engineers, the construction of dams by beavers alters stream habitat physically and biologically, making them a species of interest for habitat restoration. Beaver-created habitat changes affect a wide range of aquatic invertebrate species. However, despite numerous individual studies of how beavers affect aquatic macroinvertebrate assemblages, there has been no evaluation of the consensus of these effects across studies.

Preoperative Factors Associated with Anesthesia Failure for Patients Undergoing Nonsurgical Root Canal Therapy: A National Dental Practice-Based Research Network Study.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to identify preoperative factors associated with local anesthesia failure.

Methods: The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (www.NationalDentalPBRN.

Interexaminer Agreement in the Radiologic Identification of Apical Periodontitis/Rarefying Osteitis in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network PREDICT Endodontic Study.

Introduction: Periapical images are routinely made in endodontics to support diagnosis and treatment decisions, but conventional imaging may not readily demonstrate inflammatory changes. This study aims to quantify disagreement in the radiologic interpretation of apical periodontitis/rarefying osteitis between 2 expert examiners and to determine if differences exist based on anatomic location.

Methods: We used 1717 pretreatment periapical images made before orthograde endodontic treatment as part of the Predicting Outcomes of Root Canal Treatment (PREDICT) study conducted within the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

Lithium from breast-milk inhibits thyroid iodine uptake and hormone production, which are remedied by maternal iodine supplementation.

Background: Lithium is especially taken as a maintenance medication for Bipolar Disorder. In women with bipolar disorder, lithium is often effective during postpartum period, but breast-feeding for medicated mothers is controversial because of harmful effects for her child. At present, the biological mechanisms of lithium are not well-understood, affecting its usage and overall health implications.

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy with machine learning reveals lithium-induced electrolyte imbalance in the kidneys.

Lithium is a major psychiatric medication, especially as long-term maintenance medication for Bipolar Disorder. Despite its effectiveness, lithium has side-effects, such as on renal function. In this study, lithium was administered to adult rats.

New International Classification of Orofacial Pain: What Is in It For Endodontists?

Pain is a common symptom in endodontic conditions, but differential diagnostic procedures are often needed to exclude other pain origins. Thus, general dentists and endodontists need to be aware of alternative painful orofacial conditions and be able to identify them. The new International Classification of Orofacial Pain (ICOP) is the first comprehensive classification that uniquely deals with orofacial pain.

Postoperative Pain: An Analysis on Evolution of Research in Half-Century.

Introduction: Examining the evolution of research parameters helps scientists to discover the well-developed and neglected aspects of knowledge. Pain after root canal treatment is a health problem affecting millions of patients. Research in this field has a meaningful impact on quality of lives.

A modified arginine-depleting enzyme NEI-01 inhibits growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

Arginine deprivation cancer therapy targets certain types of malignancies with positive result in many studies and clinical trials. NEI-01 was designed as a novel arginine-depleting enzyme comprising an albumin binding domain capable of binding to human serum albumin to lengthen its half-life. In the present work, NEI-01 is shown to bind to serum albumin from various species, including mice, rat and human.

3-year Outcome of Patients with Persistent Pain after Root Canal Treatment: The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network.

Introduction: We measured the long-term outcomes of patients reporting persistent pain 6 months after root canal treatment (RCT) and assessed the characteristics differing patients with pain chronification from those with pain resolution.

Methods: Forty-five patients previously found to have persistent pain 6 months post-RCT from the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network were approached for a 3-year follow-up, and 27 participated in the survey. The frequency of self-reported pain, its impact on the ability to perform daily activities, and health care use were measured.

Accuracy and Reliability of Root Crack and Fracture Detection in Teeth Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Introduction: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the potential to aid in determining the presence and extent of cracks/fractures in teeth because of better contrast without ionizing radiation. The objectives were to develop MRI criteria for root crack/fracture identification and to establish reliability and accuracy in their detection.

Methods: MRI-based criteria for crack/fracture appearance was developed by an MRI physicist and a panel of 6 dentists.

Rapid and in situ optical detection of trace lithium in tissues.

Lithium-based medications are used successfully to treat many mental disorders, including bipolar disorder and Alzheimer's disease. However, the therapeutic mechanisms are not well characterized due to limitations in detecting lithium in organs and cells. This limits the ability to improve lithium-based treatments.

Rewilding wetlands: beaver as agents of within-habitat heterogeneity and the responses of contrasting biota.

Ecosystem engineers can increase biodiversity by creating novel habitat supporting species that would otherwise be absent. Their more routine activities further influence the biota occupying engineered habitats. Beavers are well-known for transforming ecosystems through dam building and are therefore increasingly being used for habitat restoration, adaptation to climate extremes and in long-term rewilding.

Raman spectroscopy of bone composition during healing of subcritical calvarial defects.

Subcritical calvarial defects heal spontaneously and optical methods can study the healing without mechanically perturbing the bone. In this study, 1mm defects were created on the skulls (in vivo) of Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 14). After 7 (n = 7) and 14 days (n = 7) of healing, the subjects were sacrificed and additional defects were similarly created (control).

Hemicrania continua: Case series presenting in an orofacial pain clinic.

Aim Of Investigation: Hemicrania continua (HC) is an uncommon primary headache and little is known of the characteristics of such patients managed in an orofacial pain setting. This study provides clinical features of HC, its association with other disorders, and treatment outcomes of patients managed in the TMD and Orofacial Pain Clinic at the University of Minnesota.

Methods: A retrospective review of patient records was undertaken.

Elemental analysis of the thyroid by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

The thyroid is an important hormone regulation organ. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is developed to assess iodine and other essential elements in the thyroid (of rats). Subjects are administered 0.

Using ecosystem engineers as tools in habitat restoration and rewilding: beaver and wetlands.

Potential for habitat restoration is increasingly used as an argument for reintroducing ecosystem engineers. Beaver have well known effects on hydromorphology through dam construction, but their scope to restore wetland biodiversity in areas degraded by agriculture is largely inferred. Our study presents the first formal monitoring of a planned beaver-assisted restoration, focussing on changes in vegetation over 12years within an agriculturally-degraded fen following beaver release, based on repeated sampling of fixed plots.

In situ cellular level Raman spectroscopy of the thyroid.

We report a novel Raman spectroscopy method for in situ cellular level analysis of the thyroid. Thyroids are harvested from control and lithium treated mice. Lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder, but affects thyroid function.