Pain sensitivity and quality of life of patients with burning mouth syndrome: a preliminary study in a Chinese population.

Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is an oral-facial pain disorder involving the central and peripheral nervous systems, but the evidence for altered pain sensitivity remains inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate pain sensitivity and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with BMS and to assess the relationship between them.

Methods: Fifty Chinese patients with BMS (57.

Bifunctional Additive for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Based on the Metal-Phthalocyanine Complex.

With extremely high specific capacity and high energy density, lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have attracted enormous interest as promising candidates for energy storage devices. However, several problems, such as the shuttle effect and sluggish redox kinetics, hinder the successful realization of LSBs on an industrial scale. Therefore, designing an efficient electrode material to inhibit the shuttle effect and improve the reaction kinetics of polysulfides (LiPS) is of utmost significance.

Differential expression of circular RNAs in interleukin 6-promoted osteogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.

Introduction: Studies have shown that interleukin 6 (IL-6) can regulate stem cell osteogenic differentiation; however, the exact mechanism is not clear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closed circular non-coding RNAs that are involved in the process of stem cell osteogenic differentiation. Therefore, the purpose of this present study was to investigate the effect of IL-6 treatment on osteogenic differentiation of human apical tooth papillae stem cells (hSCAPs), and to detect the difference in circRNA expression using gene microarray technology.

MicroRNA-4691-3p inhibits the inflammatory response by targeting STING in human dental pulp cells: A laboratory investigation.

Aim: The regulation of human dental pulp inflammation is not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of miR-4691-3p on the cGAS-STING signalling cascade and its downstream cytokines production in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Methodology: Normal dental pulp tissue and pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis from third molars were collected.

The bioceramic sealer iRoot SP promotes osteogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla via miR-141-3p/SPAG9/MAPK signalling pathway.

Aim: The premixed bioceramic sealer iRoot SP that is widely used clinically has been reported to kill bacterial biofilms and promote osteogenic differentiation of human stem cells from the apical papilla (hSCAPs). Although miR-141-3p has been substantiated to be involved in the osteogenic process, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-141-3p in osteogenic differentiation and underlying mechanisms of iRoot SP-treated hSCAPs.

Construction of a BMP-2 gene delivery system for polyetheretherketone bone implant material and its effect on bone formation in vitro.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has been widely investigated for improving its biological inert to enable it to achieve stronger osteogenic capability and to be a promising material in implant fields. The most important mechanism that makes a successful implantation is osteointegration. Surface modification is an appropriate method to maintain the excellent mechanical properties of PEEK and simultaneously endow PEEK certain biological characters.

Effects of iRoot SP on osteogenic differentiation of human stem cells from apical papilla.

Background: Research shows that nano-bioceramics can modulate the differentiation of dental stem cells. The novel ready-to-use calcium-silicate-based root-canal sealer iRoot SP is widely used in root filling. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of iRoot SP on proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in human stem cells from the apical papilla (hSCAPs).

miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p downregulation promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells through IGF-1/ERK pathway under high glucose condition.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the roles of miR-221-3p and miR-222-3p in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchyme stem cells (BMSCs) under high glucose condition.

Materials And Methods: The expreesions of miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were detected by qRT-PCR. The protein levels of osteoblast-related proteins (Osterix, Runx-2 and Osteopontin) were detected by western blot.

Significance of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in young patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the prognosis of young patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) with a focus on the value of the pretreatment neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR).

Materials And Methods: Young (≤40 years old) patients with oral SCC were retrospectively enrolled, and each young patient was matched with an old (≥60 years old) oral SCC patient. Associations between the NLR and clinicopathological variables were analyzed by the chi-square test, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates.

Preparation and characterization of general-purpose gelatin-based co-loading flavonoids nano-core structure.

Flavonoids (FLAs) possess anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-oxidant properties. In this study, gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) with controllable surface potential and diameter was prepared through a modified two-step desolvation. Two well-known flavonoids, namely, low-molecular weight Genistein (GEN) and high-molecular weight Icariin (ICA), were adsorbed onto the surface of GNPs (FLA@GNPs).

[Clinic analysis of 198 elder patients with maxillofacial fracture].

Objective: The purpose of the study was to analyze the characteristics of elder patients with maxillofacial fracture.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of maxillofacial fractures in the elder patients, who were treated from July 2010 to October 2017. The clinical characteristics of the etiology, fracture site, combined injury, systemic disease, and treatment method were analyzed.

Antibacterial properties of nano-silver coated PEEK prepared through magnetron sputtering.

Objectve: We aimed to investigate the cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties of nano-silver-coated polyetheretherketone (PEEK) produced through magnetron sputtering and provide a theoretical basis for its use in clinical applications.

Methods: The surfaces of PEEKs were coated with nano-silver at varying thicknesses (3, 6, 9, and 12nm) through magnetron sputtering technology. The resulting coated PEEK samples were classified into the following groups according to the thickness of the nano-silver coating: PEEK-3 (3nm), PEEK-6 (6nm), PEEK-9 (9nm), PEEK-12 (12nm), and PEEK control group.

Bioactivity and antibacterial effect of nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation on polyetheretherketone.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the bioactivity and antibacterial effect of nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) on polyetheretherketone (PEEK).

Methods: According to the different modified parameters, the PEEK specimens were randomly divided into four main groups (n=49/group): PEEK-C, PEEK-I, PEEK-L, and PEEK-H. Then, N-PIII surface modification was conducted using the corresponding parameters.

Effects of light curing modes and ethanol-wet bonding on dentin bonding properties.

Objective: This study explored the effects of different light curing modes and ethanol-wet bonding on dentin bonding strength and durability.

Methods: A total of 54 molars were randomly divided into three groups: Single Bond 2, Gluma Comfort Bond, and N-Bond. Based on the three light-curing modes and presence or absence of ethanol pretreatment, the samples were assigned to six subgroups: high-light mode, ethanol pretreatment+high-light mode, soft-start mode, ethanol pretreatment+soft-start mode, standard mode, and ethanol pretreatment+standard mode.

The effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength of PEEK composite materials.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength between polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite materials and each of two different luting cements.

Methods: One hundred specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n=20/group) as follows: (A) no treatment, (B) 98% sulfuric acid, (C) 9.5% hydrofluoric acid, (D) argon plasma treatment, and (E) sandblast with 50μm Al2O3 particles.

Study of knowledge and attitudes on medical abortion among Chinese health providers.

Objective: To investigate providers' knowledge and attitudes about medical abortion (MA) and their views regarding the main challenges to expanding the use of MA in urban and rural areas in China.

Methods: A total of 658 abortion providers were surveyed from November 7, 2009, to May 29, 2010.

Results: The providers' knowledge about MA was relatively poor, and most thought the risks of severe complications of MA were much higher than they are.

Perspectives of Chinese healthcare providers on medical abortion.

Objective: To evaluate Chinese healthcare providers' knowledge regarding medical abortion, to understand provider preferences for abortion methods, and to investigate the role of remuneration on providers' decision making.

Methods: Between November 2009 and May 2010, 658 abortion service providers from family-planning service centers and hospitals in Shenzhen and Henan, China, were surveyed via self-administered questionnaires.

Results: The knowledge score (out of a maximum of 32) regarding medical abortion was 16-20 for 60.