Circulating miRNAs as Epigenetic Mediators of Periodontitis and Preeclampsia Association.

Objective: Periodontal disease has been associated with pregnancy complications including preeclampsia. This bioinformatic study is aimed at investigating the possible role of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as mediators of the association between maternal periodontal disease and preeclampsia.

Methods: Peripheral blood miRNA profiles of periodontitis and controls were sought from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and differential expression analysis was performed.

Long noncoding RNA TUG1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cell through sponging microRNA-222-3p to negatively regulate Smad2/7.

Objective: To scrutinize the function of long non-coding RNA TUG1 on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells in periodontitis and its specific mechanism.

Methods: Human periodontal ligament stem cells were extracted from human periodontium, followed by induction of osteogenic differentiation with osteogenic medium. Knockdown or overexpression of TUG1, microRNA-222-3p or Smad2/7 were performed in human periodontal ligament stem cells to observe their effect on expressions of osteogenic differentiation markers (Runx2, ALP, and OCN), and on calcium nodule formation by Alizarin red staining.

Berberine reduces inflammation of human dental pulp fibroblast via miR-21/KBTBD7 axis.

Objective: This study is to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of berberine (BBR) on the proliferation and inflammatory levels of lipopolysaccharide induced human dental pulp fibroblast (LPS-HDPF).

Methods: Different concentrations of LPS were used to induce inflammatory response of HDPF. Cell proliferation was observed in BBR treated HDPF after transfection of miR-21 mimic, miR-21 inhibitor or sh-kBTBD7 plasmids and their negative controls.

Berberine Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Through Activating EGFR-MAPK-Runx2 Pathways.

Similar to the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) also have pluripotent differentiation characteristic and may be more ideal for tissue regeneration, especially in tooth regeneration engineering. However, bacterial infection may be a powerful obstacle. Berberine (BBR), known with antibacterial effects, was recently found to play functions in bone formation through promoting osteogenic differentiation from pluripotent stem cells.

An investigation of factors predicting the type of bladder antimuscarinics initiated in Medicare nursing homes residents.

Background: To examine factors predicting type of bladder antimuscarinics (BAM) initiated in nursing home (NH) residents.

Methods: Incident BAM initiators following NH admission were identified by constructing a retrospective cohort from Medicare files and Minimum Data Set (MDS). Participants included all residents 65 years and older admitted in Medicare-certified NH between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008 who were prescribed BAM and had continuous Medicare (Part A, B, and D) enrollment.

Bladder antimuscarinics and cognitive decline in elderly patients.

Introduction: The evidence on the impact of bladder antimuscarinics initiation on cognitive function in older adults is inconsistent.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) on enrollees 65 years and older evaluated the association between antimuscarinic initiation and cognitive decline. We defined decline from baseline (yes/no) for cognitive assessments included in the NACC Uniform Data Set 2.

A Comparison of Sex Differences in Psychotropic Medication Use in Older People with Alzheimer's Disease in the US and Finland.

Aims: Given the high prevalence of psychotropic medication use in people with dementia and the potential for different prescribing practices in men and women, our study aimed to investigate sex differences in psychotropic medication use in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD) living in the US and Finland.

Methods: We used data collected between 2005 and 2011 as part of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) in the US, and Medication use and Alzheimer's disease (MEDALZ) cohorts in Finland. We evaluated psychotropic medication use (antidepressant, antipsychotic, anxiolytic, sedative, or hypnotic) in participants aged 65 years or older.

Public and personal depression stigma in a rural American female sample.

We examined public and personal stigma among a community sample of 1,000 women living in primarily rural counties of Western Kentucky. Data on demographics, depression, stigma, health information sources, and availability of health services were collected via a random digit dial survey. The prevalence of depression was 15.

Developmental-behavioral pediatric teaching of medical students: a national COMSEP survey.

Background: The Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) pediatric clerkship curriculum is widely followed. To date, there are no known studies on clerkship instruction related to developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) curricular elements.

Purposes: The goals of this study are to examine pediatric clerkships' current DBP teaching methods and to identify barriers and solutions to recommended curriculum implementation.

Sources of health information among rural women in Western Kentucky.

Objective: To identify sources of general and mental health information for rural women to inform the development of public health nursing interventions that consider preferences for obtaining information.

Design And Sample: One thousand women (mean age = 57 years; 96.9% White) living in primarily nonmetropolitan areas of Western Kentucky participated via a random-digit-dial survey.

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus testing and associated risk factors in college students.

Objective: This study documents the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing in a sample of college students and examines associated demographic and behavioral characteristics.

Participants: College students aged 18 or older were randomly selected to participate in a health behavior survey at a southeastern university in September 2011.

Methods: Only sexually active students were included (N = 905).