aMMP-8 POCT vs. Other Potential Biomarkers in Chair-Side Diagnostics and Treatment Monitoring of Severe Periodontitis.

This study aimed to compare several potential mouthrinse biomarkers for periodontitis including active matrix-metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), total MMP-8, and other inflammatory biomarkers in diagnosing and monitoring the effects of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Thirteen patients with stage III/IV periodontitis were recruited, along with thirteen periodontally and systemically healthy controls. These 13 patients were representative of the number of outpatients visiting any dentist in a single day.

In Vivo Regulation of Active Matrix Metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) in Periodontitis: From Transcriptomics to Real-Time Online Diagnostics and Treatment Monitoring.

Background: This study investigated in vivo regulation and levels of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8), a major collagenolytic protease, in periodontitis.

Methods: Twenty-seven adults with chronic periodontitis (CP) and 30 periodontally healthy controls (HC) were enrolled in immunohistochemistry and transcriptomics analytics in order to assess (Td) dentilisin and MMP-8 immunoexpression, mRNA expression of MMP-8 and its regulators (IL-1β, MMP-2, MMP-7, TIMP-1). Furthermore, the periodontal anti-infective treatment effect was monitored by four different MMP-8 assays (aMMP-8-IFMA, aMMP-8-Oralyzer, MMP-8-activity [RFU/minute], and total MMP-8 by ELISA) among 12 CP (compared to 25 HC).

Immunological isolation and characterization of neuronal progenitors from human dental pulp: A laboratory-based investigation.

Aims: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) contain a population of stem cells with a broad range of differentiation potentials, as well as more lineage-committed progenitors. Such heterogeneity is a significant obstacle to experimental and clinical applications. The aim of this study is to isolate and characterize a homogenous neuronal progenitor cell population from human DPSCs.

TRPV2 modulates mechanically Induced ATP Release from Human bronchial epithelial cells.

Repetitive bouts of coughing expose the large airways to significant cycles of shear stress. This leads to the release of alarmins and the tussive agent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) which may be modulated by the activity of ion channels present in the human airway. This study aimed to investigate the role of the transient receptor potential subfamily vanilloid member 2 (TRPV2) channel in mechanically induced ATP release from primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs).

An international consensus study to identify "what" outcomes should be included in a core outcome set for endodontic treatments (COSET) for utilization in clinical practice and research.

Background: Development of a standardized set of topic-specific outcomes known as a Core Outcome Set (COS) is important to address issues of heterogeneity in reporting research findings in order to streamline evidence synthesis and clinical decision making.

Aim: The aim of the current international consensus study is to identify "what" outcomes to include in the Core Outcome Set for Endodontic Treatments (COSET). Outcomes of various endodontic treatments (non-surgical root canal treatment, surgical endodontics, vital pulp treatment and revitalization procedures) performed on permanent teeth were considered.

Modulation of fast sodium current in airway smooth muscle cells by exchange protein directly activated by cAMP.

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells from mouse bronchus express a fast sodium current mediated by Na1.7. We present evidence that this current is regulated by cAMP.

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.

Oral health care in adult intensive care units: A national point prevalence study.

Background: The importance of good oral hygiene for patients in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is well recognized, however, the most effective way to achieve good oral care in the ICU is unclear.

Aim: This study aimed to provide a national picture of oral care practices in adult ICUs in the United Kingdom (UK) to identify areas for improvement.

Study Design: A national one-day point prevalence study was undertaken in adult ICUs in the UK in the period from 30th September to 14th October 2021.

Using Video to Describe the Patient-Controlled Analgesia Pump Programming Process: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps are complex medical devices frequently used for postoperative pain control. Differences in how nurses program PCA pumps can lead to preventable medication errors.

Purpose: To describe similarities and differences in how surgical nurses program PCA pumps.

Subgingival microbial diversity and respiratory decline: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To investigate whether there is an association between subgingival microbial diversity and reduced respiratory function.

Materials And Methods: A group of dentate 58-72-year-old men in Northern Ireland had a comprehensive periodontal examination including subgingival plaque sampling. DNA was extracted from plaque samples and the V1-V3 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were analysed by high-throughput sequencing and a microbial diversity index (MDI) was derived.

The neutralising and stimulatory effects of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 in human gingival fibroblasts.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of LL-37, a broad spectrum antimicrobial peptide expressed in periodontal tissues, on human gingival fibroblast responsiveness to microbial challenge and to explore the direct effects of LL-37 on human gingival fibroblasts.

Design: The effect of LL-37 on bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of Interleukin (IL-6) and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL) 8 was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). LL-37's influence on bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced IκBα degradation was investigated by western blot.

Long-term Outcomes for Late-Phase Kienböck's Tenoarthroplasty.

Background: In late Kienbӧck's, the lunate is fully fragmented and nonreconstructible. Replacing the lunate with a pyrocarbon prosthesis preserves load distribution and avoids carpectomy or fusion, but leaves the wrist intrinsically unstable, requiring additional soft-tissue stabilization techniques.

Methods: Five men and 7 women with a mean age of 43 (±15) years underwent prosthetic replacement of the lunate with dual bundle scaphoid-triquetrum tenodesis for carpal stabilization.

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).

Functional expression of Na1.7 channels in freshly dispersed mouse bronchial smooth muscle cells.

Isolated smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from mouse bronchus were studied using the whole cell patch-clamp technique at ∼21°C. Stepping from -100 mV to -20 mV evoked inward currents of mean amplitude -275 pA. These inactivated (tau = 1.

Quantitative oral health assessments in mechanically ventilated patients: A scoping review.

Background: Oral health is a key contributor to a person's overall health. Previous studies indicate that oral health deteriorates throughout ventilation and may contribute to the development of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Oral health at the time of initial ventilation may impact on this deterioration.

Outcomes reporting in systematic reviews on vital pulp treatment: A scoping review for the development of a core outcome set.

Background: A large number of research reports on vital pulp treatment (VPT) has been published over the last two decades. However, heterogeneity in reporting outcomes of VPT is a significant challenge for evidence synthesis and clinical decision-making.

Objectives: To identify outcomes assessed in VPT studies and to evaluate how and when outcomes are measured.

Novel Antibacterial Properties of the Human Dental Pulp Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Secretome.

It is well recognized that clearance of bacterial infection within the dental pulp precedes pulpal regeneration. However, although the regenerative potential of the human dental pulp has been investigated extensively, its antimicrobial potential remains to be examined in detail. In the current study bactericidal assays were used to demonstrate that the secretome of dental pulp multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has direct antibacterial activity against the archetypal Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, as well as the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Ficus septica exudate, a traditional medicine used in Papua New Guinea for treating infected cutaneous ulcers: in vitro evaluation and clinical efficacy assessment by cluster randomised trial.

Background And Objectives: Infected cutaneous ulcers are major health problems for children living in rural areas of Papua New Guinea. The inaccessibility of affected populations and lack of access to basic healthcare, make a local plant-based therapy an attractive treatment option. We assessed Ficus septica exudate in biological assays relevant to wound healing.

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.

A protocol for the Development of Core Outcome Sets for Endodontic Treatment modalities (COSET): an international consensus process.

Background: The outcome of endodontic treatment is generally assessed using a range of patient and clinician-centred, non-standardised clinical and radiographic outcome measures. This makes it difficult to synthesise evidence for systematic analysis of the literature and the development of clinical guidelines. Core outcome sets (COS) represent a standardised list of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all clinical studies in a particular field.