The Clinicopathological and Prognostic Significance of Nrf2 and Keap1 Expression in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Nuclear factor E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) activation is associated with both cytoprotective effects and malignant behavior of cancer cells. This study aimed to evaluate the clinicopathological implications of the expression of Nrf2, pNrf2, and its regulator Keap1 in human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Tissue microarrays consisting of 285 surgically resected HCCs were immunohistochemically stained with pNrf2, Nrf2, Keap1, stemness-related markers (keratin 19 (K19), epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)), carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related markers (ezrin, uPAR, E-cadherin), and p53, and the results were correlated with the clinicopathological features.

Evaluation of the Apical Complex and the Coronal Pulp as a Stem Cell Source for Dentin-pulp Regeneration.

Introduction: This study compared the stemness and differentiation potential of stem cells derived from the apical complex (apical complex cells [ACCs]) and coronal pulp (dental pulp stem cells [DPSCs]) of human immature permanent teeth with the aim of determining a more suitable source of stem cells for regeneration of the dentin-pulp complex.

Methods: ACC and DPSC cultures were established from 13 human immature permanent teeth using the outgrowth method. The proliferation capacity and colony-forming ability of ACCs and DPSCs were evaluated.

Relief of Upper Airway Obstruction Using a Cervical Splint for Young Patients with Cerebral Palsy.

13-year old boy with spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy visited dental clinic with chief complaints of mouth breathing and malocclusion. His mouth was constantly open at the resting position, with his mandible and tongue displaced downward. He breathed through his mouth, making a constant gurgling sound, a sign of upper airway obstruction.

Cytokine Expression of Stem Cells Originating from the Apical Complex and Coronal Pulp of Immature Teeth.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to measure and compare the expression levels of cytokines from developing apical complex cells (DACCs) and dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) of the immature tooth.

Methods: DPSC-conditioned medium (CM) and DACCs-CM were obtained from human young teeth, and 174 cytokines secreted from each CM were identified and compared. A cytokine membrane array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure and compare the expression levels of the cytokines.

Biological efficacy of two mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA)-based materials in a canine model of pulpotomy.

The aim of this study was to compare the biocompatibility of Endocem Zr and ProRoot MTA by histopathologic analysis in a canine model of pulpotomy. This study utilized 39 teeth of two beagle dogs. The exposed pulp tissues were treated by pulpotomy using ProRoot MTA (n=19) or Endocem Zr (n=20).

Comparative Gene Expression Analysis of the Coronal Pulp and Apical Pulp Complex in Human Immature Teeth.

Introduction: This study determined the gene expression profiles of the human coronal pulp (CP) and apical pulp complex (APC) with the aim of explaining differences in their functions.

Methods: Total RNA was isolated from the CP and APC, and gene expression was analyzed using complementary DNA microarray technology. Gene ontology analysis was used to classify the biological function.

Characteristics of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) from intact cryopreserved deciduous teeth.

The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) from cryopreserved intact deciduous teeth with those of fresh SHED. In total, 20 exfoliated deciduous teeth were randomly divided into a fresh group (f-SHED; n = 11) and cryopreserved group (c-SHED; n = 9; stored for 1-8 months). Following thawing and separation of the pulp, the SHED cells were cultured, and the characteristics as mesenchymal stem cells were investigated using proliferation assays, cell-cycle analysis, colony-forming unit-fibroblast (CFU-F) assays, and flow cytometry analyses.

Effects of In Vitro Osteogenic Induction on In Vivo Tissue Regeneration by Dental Pulp and Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of in vitro odontogenic/cementogenic differentiation on the in vivo tissue regeneration of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs).

Methods: DPSCs and PDLSCs were predifferentiated for 0, 4, or 8 days with an odontogenic/cementogenic medium and then transplanted into subcutaneous pockets in immunocompromised mice. The transplants were harvested 9 weeks after transplantation, and the characteristics of the newly formed tissues in vivo were analyzed by histologic staining; examining alkaline phosphate activity; immunohistochemical staining for osteocalcin, dentin sialoprotein, and type XII collagen; and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to analyze the expression patterns of the following genes: RUNX2, OC, DMP1, DSPP, POSTN, CP23, and Col XII.

Ectopic Hard Tissue Formation by Odonto/Osteogenically In Vitro Differentiated Human Deciduous Teeth Pulp Stem Cells.

There have been many attempts to use the pulp tissue from human deciduous teeth for dentin or bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of odonto/osteogenic in vitro differentiation of deciduous teeth pulp stem cells (DTSCs) on their in vivo hard tissue-forming potential. DTSCs were isolated from extracted deciduous teeth using the outgrowth method.

Continued root development of a surgically repositioned human incisor tooth germ.

Conventional orthodontic traction may not be the treatment of choice in cases of inverted impaction of a maxillary incisor, especially when located near the alveolar crest. Poor prognosis is associated with the limited space for proper root development, resulting in a root too short for normal function and/or a severely dilacerated root interrupting the force-induced positioning. The surgical repositioning of ectopic impacted toothgerm before the development of root could be a valuable alternative choice of treatment before the decision of extraction.

In vitro and in vivo characteristics of stem cells derived from the periodontal ligament of human deciduous and permanent teeth.

In many studies, adult stem cells have been found in human periodontal ligament (PDL), but in most cases they were found in the permanent teeth. The aim of the present study was to characterize stem cells from the PDL of deciduous teeth (dPDLSCs) and compare them with those from the PDL of permanent teeth (pPDLSCs). Stem cell markers were examined by a flow cytometric analysis.

Pedobacter agri sp. nov., from soil.

A Gram-negative strain, PB92(T), which belongs to the family Sphingobacteriaceae, was isolated from soil (Daejeon, Korea). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain PB92(T) was associated with the genus Pedobacter and was most closely related to the type strains Pedobacter sandarakinus DS-27(T) (97.7 %), Pedobacter roseus CL-GP80(T) (97.