Cooperative tumor inhibition by CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide and cyclic dinucleotide in head and neck cancer involves T helper cytokine and macrophage phenotype reprogramming.

Head and neck cancer ranks as the sixth most common cancer worldwide, highlighting the critical need for the development of new therapies to enhance treatment efficacy. The activation of innate immune receptors given their potent immune stimulatory properties aid in the eradication of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the immune mechanism and anti-tumor function of a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist, CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide-2722 (CpG-2722), in combination with cyclic dinucleotides, which are agonists of stimulator of interferon genes (STING).

Association between untreated caries and cariogenic bacteria in adolescents in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: There is a paucity of research focused on salivary bacteria analyzed through real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) among adolescents. The current study determined the quantity of (SM) and (LB) in saliva obtained from Taiwanese adolescents and investigated the association between the oral bacteria and untreated dental caries.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited Taiwanese students aged 10-18.

A rapid optimization method for Sepbox system separation using HPTLC: an application of L. separation.

The rapid isolation of natural products and efficient drug screening are pivotal in expediting drug development. Techniques ranging from traditional open column chromatography to medium-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC), and the latest Sepbox technology, have been developed to accelerate separation processes and streamline drug development timelines. The Sepbox system combines two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography (2D-HPLC) and solid-phase extraction (SPE) technologies, coupled with UV and evaporative light scattering detection (ELSD) systems, offering various column options to cater to diverse sample requirements.

Dual dimeric interactions in the nucleic acid-binding protein Sac10b lead to multiple bridging of double-stranded DNA.

Nucleoid-associated proteins play a crucial role in the compaction and regulation of genetic material across organisms. The Sac10b family, also known as Alba, comprises widely distributed and highly conserved nucleoid-associated proteins found in archaea. Sac10b is identified as the first 10 kDa DNA-binding protein in the thermoacidophile .

Submicron Memtransistors Made from Monocrystalline Molybdenum Disulfide.

Multiterminal memtransistors made from two-dimensional (2D) materials have garnered increasing attention in the pursuit of low-power heterosynaptic neuromorphic circuits. However, existing 2D memtransistors tend to necessitate high set voltages (>1 V) or feature defective channels, posing concerns regarding material integrity and intrinsic properties. Herein, we present a monocrystalline monolayer MoS memtransistor designed for operation within submicron regimes.

Real-world effectiveness of national pit and fissure sealants program in Taiwan.

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of a national population-based pit and fissure sealants (PFS) program in Taiwan.

Methods: Part 1 (effectiveness of national PFS program) involved children who had participated in the PFS program from 2015 to 2019. After propensity score matching, 670,840 children were selected for analysis until the end of 2019.

Effects of ceramic thickness, ceramic translucency, and light transmission on light-cured bulk-fill resin composites as luting cement of lithium disilicate based-ceramics.

Purpose: To assess the effects of ceramic thickness, ceramic translucency, and light transmission on restorative composites used as luting cement for lithium disilicate-based ceramics.

Methods: Four luting types of cement were tested (n=8); a dual-cured resin cement (Multilink N), a light-cured conventional flowable composite (Tetric N-Flow), and two light-cured bulk-fill flowable composites (Tetric N-Flow Bulk Fill and X-tra base). The 20 s- or 40 s-light (1000 mW/cm) was transmitted through 1- or 2-mm-thick high- or low-translucency (HT- or LT-) ceramic discs (IPS e.

Quality of dental treatments under intravenous sedation among patients with disability: A self-matching study.

Background/purpose: Patients with disabilities usually have difficulties in communication and mobility, and the quality of the dental treatments are often inferior. This study uses the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database to analyze the quality of dental treatment for patients with disabilities who receive intravenous sedation (IVS).

Materials And Methods: This study selected patients with disabilities who received dental treatment under IVS.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Approach Leveraging Real-World Clinical Narratives as a Predictor of Survival in Advanced Cancer.

Purpose: Predicting short-term mortality in patients with advanced cancer remains challenging. Whether digitalized clinical text can be used to build models to enhance survival prediction in this population is unclear.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a single-centered retrospective cohort study in patients with advanced solid tumors.

Calcium peroxide aids tyramine-alginate gel to crosslink with tyrosinase for efficient cartilage repair.

The innate cartilage extracellular matrix is avascular and plays a vital role in innate chondrocytes. Recapping the crucial components of the extracellular matrix in engineered organs via polymeric gels and bioinspired approaches is promising for improving the regenerative aptitude of encapsulated cartilage/chondrocytes. Conventional gel formation techniques for polymeric materials rely on employing oxidative crosslinking, which is constrained in this avascular environment.

Effects of oral exercise on tongue pressure in Taiwanese older adults in community day care centers.

Background/purpose: Oral exercise is a training method for swallowing dysfunction in older adults. The study investigated the effect of oral exercise on tongue pressure in older adults in Taiwanese community day care centers over a 3-month period.

Materials And Methods: Participants over age 50 who were able to communicate and participating for the duration of the 12-week period were recruited from five community day care centers.

Two-photon scanned light sheet fluorescence microscopy with axicon imaging for fast volumetric imaging.

Significance: Two-photon microscopy has become the standard platform for deep-tissue fluorescence imaging. However, the use of point scanning in conventional two-photon microscopy limits the speed of volumetric image acquisition.

Aim: To obtain fast and deep volumetric images, we combine two-photon light sheet fluorescence microscopy (2p-LSFM) and axicon imaging that yields an extended depth of field (DOF) in 2p-LSFM.

Local chromatin fiber folding represses transcription and loop extrusion in quiescent cells.

A longstanding hypothesis is that chromatin fiber folding mediated by interactions between nearby nucleosomes represses transcription. However, it has been difficult to determine the relationship between local chromatin fiber compaction and transcription in cells. Further, global changes in fiber diameters have not been observed, even between interphase and mitotic chromosomes.

Anti-Demineralization Effects of Dental Adhesive-Composites on Enamel-Root Dentin Junction.

Oral biofilm reactor (OBR) and pH cycling (pHC) artificial caries model were employed to evaluate the anti-demineralization effects of four composite filling systems on enamel-root dentin junction. Sixty-four enamel-root dentin blocks (6 mm × 6 mm × 2 mm) each with a cylindrical cavity were randomly assigned to the pHC and OBR group, then four subgroups (n = 8) and filled with either the Beautifil II (BEF, SPRG-filler-containing) or Estelite (EST) composite after the adhesive (either Single Bond Universal (SBU) or FL Bond II (FL, SPRG-filler-containing)). The demineralization lesions of filling interface were examined by micro-computerized tomography (μCT) and swept-source-optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Association between population-based fluoride varnish application services and dental caries experience among schoolchildren in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: Taiwan government has provided population-based fluoride varnish application services for all preschool children since July 2004. This study investigated the association providing such services on dental caries experiences among schoolchildren.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on schoolchildren aged 8-9 years.

Association between sugary drinks consumption and dental caries incidence among Taiwanese schoolchildren with mixed dentition.

Objectives: Dental caries is a multifactorial disease, and a sugary diet can generate an acidic plaque environment that advances its development. However, the specific effect of sugary drinks on the subsequent oral health of schoolchildren with mixed dentition is unclear. In this study, we investigated the association between the consumption of sugary drinks and 1 year incidence rate of caries in permanent teeth among Taiwanese schoolchildren with mixed dentition.

Craniofacial, dental arch morphology, and characteristics in preschool children with mild obstructive sleep apnea.

Background/purpose: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) might be a serious cause of neurocognitive deficits, behavioral changes, and craniofacial disharmony in children at very young age with mild type of OSA. This study aims to examine the effect of mild OSA on craniofacial morphology as well as dental arch morphology and characteristics in preschool children.

Materials And Methods: The test group comprised 16 preschool children (11 boys, 5 girls; mean age: 5.

Dentists' performance in dentin-composite resin bonding before and after hands-on course learning.

Background/purpose: The restoration longevity depends on a high dentin-composite bond quality. This study investigated learning outcomes when using etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesives among general practitioners in a hands-on bonding test course.

Methods: We recruited 30 general practitioners to perform shear bond strength (SBS) tests using five adhesives: one Peak® Universal Bond (PUB) etch-and-rinse and four Futurabond DC, Single Bond universal (SBU), Versa Optibond (VOB), and Tetric-N Bond Self-Etch (TNS) self-etch adhesives.

Can government-supported preventive fluoride varnish application service reduce pulp-involved primary molars?

Objectives: Fluoride varnishes are reported to reduce 37-43% of dental caries; however, it remains unclear whether they can prevent severe decay. The study investigated the association between the government-supported preventive fluoride varnish application service (FVAS) and the risk of undergoing treatments of pulp-involved primary molars.

Methods: Children who were younger than 6 years and did not receive any dental treatment between the first and last services within 2 years were defined as the "preventive-FVAS group.

Biomechanical behavior of cavity design on teeth restored using ceramic inlays: An approach based on three-dimensional finite element analysis and ultrahigh-speed camera.

Ceramic fracture and debonding are the primary failures that follow ceramic inlay and can lead to stress and tooth fracture. In this study, we examined two designs-concave and flat-of the gingival cavity bottom for tooth cavities restored using ceramic inlays. We investigated the biomechanical behavior of ceramic inlay-restored teeth (concave and flat) through three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) and experimentally validated the results using an ultrahigh-speed camera.