The role of pyroptosis in inflammatory diseases.

Programmed cell death has crucial roles in the physiological maturation of an organism, the maintenance of metabolism, and disease progression. Pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death which has recently received much attention, is closely related to inflammation and occurs via canonical, non-canonical, caspase-3-dependent, and unclassified pathways. The pore-forming gasdermin proteins mediate pyroptosis by promoting cell lysis, contributing to the outflow of large amounts of inflammatory cytokines and cellular contents.

Effect of access cavities on the biomechanics of mandibular molars: a finite element analysis.

Introduction: This study aimed to predict the fracture resistance of a mandibular first molar (MFM) with diverse endodontic cavities using finite element analysis (FEA).

Methods: Five experimental finite element models representing a natural tooth (NT) and 4 endodontically treated MFMs were generated. Treated MFM models were with a traditional endodontic cavity (TEC) and minimally invasive endodontic (MIE) cavities, including guided endodontic cavity (GEC), contracted endodontic cavity (CEC) and truss endodontic cavity (TREC).

Corrigendum to "Nav1.7 via Promotion of ERK in the Trigeminal Ganglion Plays an Important Role in the Induction of Pulpitis Inflammatory Pain".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2019/6973932.].

Nav1.7 via Promotion of ERK in the Trigeminal Ganglion Plays an Important Role in the Induction of Pulpitis Inflammatory Pain.

The trigeminal ganglion (TG) refers to sensory neurons bodies that innervate the spinal cord and peripheral axons that innervate teeth. The tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium (NA) channels (Nav1.7) play important roles in the pathophysiology of pain.

Wnt-GSK3/-Catenin Regulates the Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells into Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells.

Smooth muscle cell- (SMC-) based tissue engineering provides a promising therapeutic strategy for SMC-related disorders. It has been demonstrated that human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) possess the potential to differentiate into mature bladder SMCs by induction with condition medium (CM) from bladder SMC culture, in combination with the transforming growth factor-1 (TGF-1). However, the molecular mechanism of SMC differentiation from DPSCs has not been fully uncovered.

Clinical effect of a manual toothbrush with tapered filaments on dental plaque and gingivitis reduction.

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-plaque efficacy (Study 1) and the anti-gingivitis efficacy (Study 2) of a manual toothbrush with tapered bristles compared to marketed control manual toothbrushes.

Methods: Studies 1 and 2 were independent, randomized and controlled, single-center, examiner-blind clinical trials in generally healthy adults. Study 1 included a 2-day acclimation period, followed by a 5-day twice daily toothbrushing test phase with the assigned brush.

Hey1 functions as a positive regulator of odontogenic differentiation in odontoblast‑lineage cells.

Substantial evidence has indicated that Notch and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling may regulate odontoblastic differentiation. Hairy/enhancer‑of‑split related with YRPW motif 1 (Hey1), a downstream target gene of Notch and BMP signaling, is expressed in dental pulp tissues and has been demonstrated to be responsible for osteoblast mineralization. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Hey1 on odontoblast differentiation.

The Regulatory Effects of Long Noncoding RNA-ANCR on Dental Tissue-Derived Stem Cells.

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) have been recognized as important regulators in diverse biological processes, such as transcriptional regulation, stem cell proliferation, and differentiation. Previous study has demonstrated that lncRNA-ANCR (antidifferentiation ncRNA) plays a key role in regulating the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs). However, little is known about the role of ANCR in regulating other types of dental tissue-derived stem cells (DTSCs) behaviours (including proliferation and multiple-potential of differentiation).

Pleurocidin congeners demonstrate activity against Streptococcus and low toxicity on gingival fibroblasts.

Objectives: Fish epidermal antimicrobial peptides, such as pleurocidin, are cathelicidins with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against gram negative and gram-positive bacteria, as well as fungi. In the current study, we attempted to optimize peptide bioactivity by sequence modification and assess the antimicrobial activities.

Methods: Fifteen pleurocidin analogues were designed, and the efficacy of pleurocidin congeners against common cariogenic microorganisms was tested; furthermore, we performed a preliminary study of the antimicrobial mechanism.

Dentin regeneration by stem cells of apical papilla on injectable nanofibrous microspheres and stimulated by controlled BMP-2 release.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of PLLA nanofibrous microspheres (NF-MS) as a cell delivery carrier in combination with controlled release of BMP-2 from PLGA microspheres on the induction of odontogenic differentiation of human stem cells of apical papilla (SCAP). Injectable NF-MS, which mimic the physical architecture of collagen fibers on the nano scale, were fabricated by combining thermally-induced phase separation techniques with an emulsification process. SCAP cultured in a monolayer or cultured on NF-MS in spinner flasks were treated with 100ng/ml BMP-2 in vitro.

Bladder Smooth Muscle Cells Differentiation from Dental Pulp Stem Cells: Future Potential for Bladder Tissue Engineering.

Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into multiple cell lines, thus providing an alternative source of cell for tissue engineering. Smooth muscle cell (SMC) regeneration is a crucial step in tissue engineering of the urinary bladder. It is known that DPSCs have the potential to differentiate into a smooth muscle phenotype in vitro with differentiation agents.

Nanofibrous spongy microspheres for the delivery of hypoxia-primed human dental pulp stem cells to regenerate vascularized dental pulp.

Unlabelled: Dental pulp infection and necrosis are widespread diseases. Conventional endodontic treatments result in a devitalized and weakened tooth. In this work, we synthesized novel star-shaped polymer to self-assemble into unique nanofibrous spongy microspheres (NF-SMS), which were used to carry human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) into the pulp cavity to regenerate living dental pulp tissues.

Nanofibrous spongy microspheres enhance odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells.

Dentin regeneration is challenging due to its complicated anatomical structure and the shortage of odontoblasts. In this study, a novel injectable cell carrier, nanofibrous spongy microspheres (NF-SMS), is developed for dentin regeneration. Biodegradable and biocompatible poly(l-lactic acid)-block-poly(l-lysine) are synthesized and fabricated into NF-SMS using self-assembly and thermally induced phase separation techniques.

Mechanisms that lead to the regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome expression and activation in human dental pulp fibroblasts.

Background: The NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in the cellular defense against invading pathogens and is reported to be expressed in human dental pulp fibroblasts (HDPFs). However, the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in HDPFs during pulpal infection and inflammation remains unclear.

Objectives: To elucidate the function of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the mechanisms that lead to its expression and activation in HDPFs.

Four-rooted permanent maxillary first and second molars in a northwestern Chinese population.

Objectives: To detect the incidence and anatomic features of 4-rooted permanent maxillary molars in a northwestern Chinese population by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Design: A total of 725 Chinese patients with well-developed maxillary permanent first and/or second molars were examined by using CBCT. The number of roots and canals, shape, location, and division level of the roots were evaluated.

Melatonin attenuates inflammation of acute pulpitis subjected to dental pulp injury.

Acute pulpitis (AP), one of the most common diseases in the endodontics, usually causes severe pain to the patients, which makes the search for therapeutic target of AP essential in clinic. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling is widely involved in the mechanism of pulp inflammation, while melatonin has been reported to have an inhibition for a various kinds of inflammation. We hereby studied whether melatonin can regulate the expression of TLR4/NF-ĸB signaling in the pulp tissue of AP and in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs).

Activation of the NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome in human dental pulp tissue and human dental pulp fibroblasts.

The NLRP3/caspase-1 inflammasome pathway plays an important role in cellular immune defence against bacterial infection; however, its function in human dental pulp tissue and human dental pulp fibroblasts remains poorly understood. We demonstrate that NLRP3 protein expression occurs to a greater extent in pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis than in normal pulp tissue and in tissue with reversible pulpitis. Caspase-1 is present in its active (cleaved) form only in pulp tissue with irreversible pulpitis.

Down-regulated non-coding RNA (lncRNA-ANCR) promotes osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells.

Objective: Our studies aimed to figure out how anti-differentiation noncoding RNA (ANCR) regulates the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

Design: In this study, we used lentivirus infection to down-regulate the expression of ANCR in PDLSCs. Then we compared the proliferation of control cells and PDLSC/ANCR-RNAi cells by Cell Counting Kit-8.

Antibacterial peptide nisin: a potential role in the inhibition of oral pathogenic bacteria.

Although the antimicrobial peptide nisin has been extensively studied in the food industry for decades, its application in the oral cavity remains to develop and evaluate its feasibility in treating oral common diseases. Nisin is an odorless, colorless, tasteless substance with low toxicity and with antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria. These biologic properties may establish its use in promising products for oral diseases.

Antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effect of Bac8c on major bacteria associated with dental caries and Streptococcus mutans biofilms.

Dental caries is a common oral bacterial infectious disease. Its prevention and treatment requires control of the causative pathogens within dental plaque, especially Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans).

[Defects in 2061 discarded ProTaper handfiles after clinical use].

Purpose: To explore the mechanism of failure of ProTaper NiTi handfiles during root canal preparation.

Methods: A total of 2061 discarded ProTaper handfiles were collected after clinical use. The files were studied under stero-microscope to determine the type of defect.

Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in rat dental pulp mediates the inflammatory response during pulpitis.

Introduction: In recent years, the inflammasome has been determined to play an important role in inflammatory diseases. However, the role of the inflammasome in pulpitis remains unclear. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is a type of inflammasome that recognizes cytosolic double stranded DNA and forms a caspase-1-activating inflammasome with apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase activating recruiting domain.

Conditioned medium from periapical follicle cells induces the odontogenic differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla in vitro.

Introduction: We investigated the biological effects of conditioned medium (CM) from periapical follicle cells (PAFCs) of root-developing tooth on the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells from the apical papilla (SCAP) in vitro.

Methods: Human SCAP and PAFCs were isolated and expanded. CM from PAFCs was prepared with the primary cells.

Fluorapatite enhances mineralization of mesenchymal/endothelial cocultures.

In addition to the widely used mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), endothelial cells appear to be a favorable cell source for hard tissue regeneration. Previously, fluorapatite was shown to stimulate and enhance mineralization of MSCs. This study aims to investigate the growth of endothelial cells on synthesized ordered fluorapatite surfaces and their effect on the mineralization of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) through coculture.