Molecular biomarkers for objective assessment of symptomatic pulpitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Inflammatory biomarkers are potentially useful targets for pulpal diagnostic tests that can identify pulp status and predict vital pulp treatment (VPT) outcome, however, their accuracy is unknown.

Objectives: (1) Calculate sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of previously investigated pulpitic biomarkers; (2) Determine if biomarker levels discriminate between clinical diagnoses of pulpitis based on the presence or absence of spontaneous pain (3) Evaluate if biomarker level can predict VPT outcome.

Methods: Searches: PubMed/MEDLINE, Ovid SP, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP), ClinicalTrials.

The Role of Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Adhesion Motifs in Functionalised Hydrogels.

To create functional tissue engineering scaffolds, biomaterials should mimic the native extracellular matrix of the tissue to be regenerated. Simultaneously, the survival and functionality of stem cells should also be enhanced to promote tissue organisation and repair. Hydrogels, but in particular, peptide hydrogels, are an emerging class of biocompatible scaffolds which act as promising self-assembling biomaterials for tissue engineering and regenerative therapies, ranging from articular cartilage regeneration at joint defects, to regenerative spinal cord injury following trauma.

The association of denture wearing with reduced lung function and increased airflow limitation in 58-72 year old men.

Objective: To investigate the association between denture wearing and airflow limitation in men in Northern Ireland enrolled in the Prospective Epidemiological Study of Myocardial Infarction (PRIME) study.

Methods: A case-control design was used to study partially dentate men. Cases were men aged 58-72 years who were confirmed as denture wearers.

Regulation of caries-induced pulp inflammation by NLRP3 inflammasome: A laboratory-based investigation.

Aim: To evaluate the expression and function of the nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in caries induced pulpitis.

Methodology: NLRP3 expression was determined with immunohistochemistry in the dental pulp and qPCR in dental pulp cells (DPCs). THP-1 macrophages expressing the apoptosis-related speck-like protein (ASC) and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion protein were used to assess NLRP3 inflammasome activation by live cell imaging, following treatment with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lipoteichoic acid (LTA).

Outcomes reporting in systematic reviews on non-surgical root canal treatment: A scoping review for the development of a core outcome set.

Background: Studies related to non-surgical root canal treatment are amongst the most frequently performed clinical studies in endodontics. However, heterogeneity in reporting outcomes and lack of standardization is a significant challenge to evidence synthesis and guideline development.

Objectives: The aims of the present scoping review were to (a) identify outcomes reported in systematic reviews evaluating non-surgical root canal treatment; (b) identify how and when the reported outcomes were measured; (c) assess possible selective reporting bias in the included studies.

Evidence That a TRPA1-Mediated Murine Model of Temporomandibular Joint Pain Involves NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

This study investigates the role of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) in murine temporomandibular joint (TMJ) inflammatory hyperalgesia and the influence of the NLR family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Two distinct murine models of TMJ pain and inflammation (zymosan and CFA) were established. Spontaneous pain-like behaviours were observed as unilateral front paw cheek wipes.

Differential regulation of NPY and SP receptor expression in STRO-1+ve PDLSCs by inflammatory cytokines.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to investigate neuropeptide receptor expression regulation on STRO-1 +ve periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) in response to inflammatory cytokines and to investigate a potential osteogenic effect of neuropeptides.

Background: Nerve fibres innervating the periodontal tissues in humans contain several neuropeptides including neuropeptide Y and substance P. The role of neuropeptide receptors on PDLSCs, including their response to the local inflammatory environment of periodontitis, is currently unknown.

Periodontal status and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations: a systematic review.

Background: A growing body of evidence suggests a role for oral bacteria in lung infections. This systematic review aimed to analyse the association between poor periodontal status and the frequency of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL and Medline were searched for studies published until May 2020, with no language restriction.

Identification and validation of novel biomarkers and therapeutics for pulpitis using connectivity mapping.

Aim: To create an irreversible pulpitis gene signature from microarray data of healthy and inflamed dental pulps, followed by a bioinformatics approach using connectivity mapping to identify therapeutic compounds that could potentially treat pulpitis.

Methodology: The Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, an international public repository of genomics data sets, was searched for human microarray datasets assessing pulpitis. An irreversible pulpitis gene expression signature was generated by differential expression analysis.

Natural Antimicrobials in the Dental Pulp.

Introduction: Like many tissues, the dental pulp is equipped with innate and adaptive immune responses, designed to defend against infection and limit its spread. The pulp's innate immune response includes the synthesis and release of antimicrobial peptides by several dental pulp cell types. These naturally-occurring antimicrobial peptides have broad spectrum activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Pulpotomy for mature carious teeth with symptoms of irreversible pulpitis: A systematic review.

Objectives: Management of carious teeth with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis is traditionally invasive, but emerging evidence suggests successful treatment outcomes with less invasive vital pulp treatment such as coronal pulpotomy. The objective of this systematic review is to determine whether coronal pulpotomy is clinically effective in treating carious teeth with signs and symptoms indicative of irreversible pulpitis.

Sources: MEDLINE; PubMed; Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform and ClinicalTrials.

A Comparative Analysis of the Osteogenic Potential of Dental Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

The aim of this study was to compare the in vitro osteogenic differentiation potential of within-subject mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from the dental pulp of permanent teeth (dental pulp stem cells-DPSCs), the dental pulp of deciduous teeth (stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth-SHEDs), and the periodontal ligament of permanent teeth (periodontal ligament stem cells-PDLSCs). A single subject was identified that required concurrent removal of both deciduous and permanent teeth for orthodontic purposes. Primary, mixed population cells from dental pulp, deciduous dental pulp, and periodontal ligament were obtained by the tissue outgrowth method.

Potential Therapeutic Strategy of Targeting Pulp Fibroblasts in Dentin-Pulp Regeneration.

Fibroblasts represent the most abundant population within the dental pulp. Although other cell types such as odontoblasts and stem cells have been extensively investigated, very little attention was given to the fibroblasts, which have major roles in regulating the pulp biology and function under normal and pathologic conditions. Indeed, although pulp fibroblasts control the pulp vascularization and innervation under physiological conditions, these cells synthesize growth factors that enhance dentin-pulp regeneration, vascularization, and innervation.

Distribution of white spot lesions among orthodontic patients attending teaching institutes in Khartoum.

Background: Fixed orthodontic appliances render teeth cleaning arduous, thus when orthodontic treatment is associated with inadequate oral hygiene practice, development of white spot lesions (WSLs) imposes a significant risk on the dentition. Salivary reservoir of calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and fluoride counteracts demineralization and encourages remineralization providing protection against caries challenge. The investigation of the factors leading to WSLs' development is mandatory for appropriate prevention strategies planning.

Osteoblastic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells on non-stoichiometric calcium phosphate and titanium surfaces.

Bioactive materials offer particular clinical benefits in the field of dental implantology, where differentiation of stem cells towards an osteoblastic lineage is required for osseointegration and appropriate function of implants in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the osteoblastic response of Stro-1 +ve periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) to three well-characterized biomaterial surfaces: an abraded titanium surface (cpTi) control; a polycrystalline titanium surface, with both micro and nanotopography produced by radio frequency magnetron sputtering (TiTi); and the same surface incorporating a sputter deposited calcium phosphate coating (CaP-TiTi). The CaP-TiTi surfaces were nonstoichiometric, carbonated, and calcium rich with a Ca/P ratio of 1.

Biodentine Reduces Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-induced TRPA1 Expression in Odontoblastlike Cells.

Introduction: The transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels have emerged as important cellular sensors in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells, with TRPA1 playing a central role in nociception and neurogenic inflammation. The functionality of TRP channels has been shown to be modulated by inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of inflammation on odontoblast TRPA1 expression and to determine the effect of Biodentine (Septodent, Paris, France) on inflammatory-induced TRPA1 expression.

Replication of the association of GLT6D1 with aggressive periodontitis in a Sudanese population.

Background: Susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (AgP) is influenced by genetic as well as environmental factors. Studies linking gene variants to AgP have been mainly centred in developed countries with limited data from Africa.

Aim: To investigate whether previously reported candidate gene associations with AgP could be replicated in a population from Sudan.

Endodontic 'Solutions'. Part 2: An audit comparing current practice in Belfast with UK and Republic of Ireland Dental Schools.

Unlabelled: Endodontic lubricants, irrigating solutions and medicaments help reduce the microbial load within root canals. Primary and secondary cases involve different microbes. Each'solution'or combinations thereof could play a significant role but no detailed guidelines exist on their use.

Human dental pulp fibroblasts express the "cold-sensing" transient receptor potential channels TRPA1 and TRPM8.

Introduction: Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels comprise a group of nonselective calcium-permeable cationic channels, which are polymodal sensors of environmental stimuli such as thermal changes and chemicals. TRPM8 and TRPA1 are cold-sensing TRP channels activated by moderate cooling and noxious cold temperatures, respectively. Both receptors have been identified in trigeminal ganglion neurones, and their expression in nonneuronal cells is now the focus of much interest.

Human odontoblasts express functional thermo-sensitive TRP channels: implications for dentin sensitivity.

Odontoblasts form the outermost cellular layer of the dental pulp where they have been proposed to act as sensory receptor cells. Despite this suggestion, evidence supporting their direct role in mediating thermo-sensation and nociception is lacking. Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels directly mediate nociceptive functions, but their functional expression in human odontoblasts has yet to be elucidated.

Neuropeptides regulate expression of angiogenic growth factors in human dental pulp fibroblasts.

Introduction: Neuropeptides play an important role in inflammation and repair and have been implicated in mediating angiogenesis. Pulp fibroblasts express neuropeptide receptors, and the aim of this research was to investigate whether neuropeptides could regulate angiogenic growth factor expression in vitro

Methods: An angiogenic array was used to determine the levels of 10 angiogenic growth factors expressed by human pulp fibroblasts.

Results: Pulp fibroblasts were shown to express angiogenin, angiopoietin-2, epidermal growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor, heparin-binding epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, leptin, platelet-derived growth factor, placental growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and NPY Y1 receptor in periodontal health and disease.

Objectives: Neuropeptide Y (NPY) coordinates inflammation and bone metabolism which are central to the pathogenesis of periodontitis. The present study was designed to determine whether NPY was quantifiable in human gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and to test the null hypothesis that GCF levels of NPY were the same in periodontal health and disease. A subsidiary aim was to determine the potential functionality of released NPY by detecting the presence of NPY Y1 receptors in gingival tissue.

Antimicrobial activity of neuropeptides against a range of micro-organisms from skin, oral, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract sites.

Many neuropeptides are similar in size, amino acid composition and charge to antimicrobial peptides. This study aimed to determine whether the neuropeptides substance P (SP), neurokinin A (NKA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), displayed antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. SP, NPY, VIP and CGRP displayed variable degrees of antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens tested with the exception of S.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and VPAC1 receptor in adult human dental pulp in relation to caries.

Objective: To quantitatively measure VIP levels and to qualitatively study the distribution of VIP fibres and demonstrate the presence of the VPAC1 receptor in human dental pulp from carious and non-carious adult human teeth.

Design: Dental pulp samples were collected from non-carious, moderately carious and grossly carious adult human teeth. VIP levels were determined using radioimmunoassay.