Antibiotics Used in Regenerative Endodontics Modify Immune Response of Macrophages to Bacterial Infection.

Introduction: Ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole are antibiotics used in regenerative endodontic therapy (RET). Although their antimicrobial properties are well-documented, there is a lack of information on the effects of these antibiotics on the immune response by host macrophages and periapical healing. Thus, this study had 2 objectives: (1) to determine the immune response of macrophages to bacterial infection in response to the combination of ciprofloxacin or amoxicillin and metronidazole and (2) using conditioned media produced by these macrophages to simulate the periapical microenvironment, to determine the impact on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components by periodontal fibroblasts.

Cysteamine Enhances Biofilm Eradication Efficacy of Calcium Hydroxide.

Introduction: Calcium hydroxide (Ca[OH]2) is a widely used interappointment dressing, but its antibacterial property is compromised by dentin. Hence, the addition of chlorhexidine (CHX) with Ca(OH)2 has been proposed. However, the antimicrobial efficacy of this mixture compared with Ca(OH)2 alone is currently still debatable.

Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitor as an Antimicrobial Agent to Eradicate Enterococcus faecalis Biofilm.

Introduction: Successful endodontic treatment outcomes require new strategies for the complete eradication of microbial biofilms in the root canal system. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential enzymes in microbial cell growth and homeostasis, and they require transition metal ion cofactors to function. Targeting MMP activity also preserves dentin collagen integrity.

Isolation of alkaline-tolerant bacteria from primary infected root canals.

Introduction: Alkaline-tolerant bacteria in primary infected root canals could have enhanced survival capacity against antimicrobials commonly used in root canal treatment. The aims of this study were to isolate and characterize alkaline-tolerant bacteria before endodontic treatment (S1), after chemomechanical root canal preparation (S2), and after calcium hydroxide dressing (S3).

Methods: Bacteriologic samples were obtained from 43 primary infected root canals.

Rapid method for the detection of root canal bacteria in endodontic therapy.

Introduction: Complete eradication of microorganisms is essential for successful root canal therapy. However, current methods to evaluate persistent bacteria after therapy are not widely practiced. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an indicator of viable cells.

N-acetylcysteine inhibits growth and eradicates biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis.

Introduction: The aims of this study were to evaluate the antibacterial and biofilm eradication efficacies of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on Enterococcus faecalis.

Methods: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of NAC on E. faecalis were determined.

PRL-3 down-regulates PTEN expression and signals through PI3K to promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

PRL-3 is a metastasis-associated phosphatase. We and others have shown that its overexpression increases cell motility and invasiveness. These phenotypic changes are reminiscent of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) that occurs during embryonic development and oncogenesis.

PRL-3 initiates tumor angiogenesis by recruiting endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

We show here that PRL-3 protein is expressed in fetal heart, developing blood vessels, and pre-erythrocytes but not in their mature counterparts. These observations imply that PRL-3 may be involved in the early development of the circulatory system. Because PRL-3 mRNA had been reported to be consistently elevated in metastatic samples derived from colorectal cancers, we attempted to investigate if PRL-3 might be involved in tumor angiogenesis and if PRL-3-expressing cells could cross-talk to human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVEC) by using an in vitro coculture system.