Integrating digital technologies in dental technician education: A comparative study of national examination in Asian countries.

Background/purpose: The integration of digital technologies in dental technician education revolutionized the profession in Asian countries. Despite the growing adoption of digital methods, national examinations predominantly relied on traditional techniques. This study aimed to conduct a comparative analysis of national examination standards and digital course integration in dental technician education among 5 countries including Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, and China.

Presence and distribution of voids after using the single cone obturation technique with different sealer placement methods in canals with an isthmus.

Background/purpose: The obturation of canals with irregular structures is still a challenge for single cone obturation technique (SC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and distribution of voids using SC with different sealer placement methods in the canal with a simulated band-shaped isthmus.

Materials And Methods: 3D-printed root canal models with band-shaped isthmuses were randomly divided into four groups according to different obturation methods.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 upregulation in keratinocytes of oral lichen planus via c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling pathway activation.

Background/purpose: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by basement membrane disruption, which plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a group of proteolytic enzymes, contribute to the degradation of the basement membrane. The specific MMPs secreted by keratinocytes in OLP lesions and relevant regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood.

Beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol prevents bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw by promoting osteogenesis.

Background/purpose: Bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), a complication arising from the use of bisphosphonates (BPs), inflicts long-term suffering on patients. Currently, there is still a lack of effective treatments. This study aimed to explore the preventive effects of propranolol (PRO) on BRONJ in vitro and in vivo, given PRO's potential in bone health enhancement.

Relationships between orofacial pain and sleep: Analysis of UK biobank and genome-wide association studies data.

Background/purpose: Orofacial pain is common in dental practices. This study aimed to explore relationships between orofacial pain and sleep using the UK Biobank dataset and, based on epidemiological associations, to investigate the causal association using genome-wide association studies data.

Materials And Methods: First, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 196,490 participants from UK Biobank.

A scientometric study of syphilis research by dermatologists and stomatologists: Underpinning their roles in public health.

Background/purpose: launched a call to action for dermatologists in the rise of syphilis. In practice, dermatologists and stomatologists perform early diagnoses of syphilis and refer patients to adequate treatment.

Materials And Methods: This scientometric study aimed to investigate and compare research trends and characteristics of syphilis publications by dermatologists and stomatologists in the Scopus database, with emphasis on the analysis of the keywords that can reflect research directions and topics of concern.

A scientometric study on research trends and characteristics of oral leukoplakia and oral lichen planus.

Background/purpose: Oral leukoplakia (OLK) and oral lichen planus (OLP) represent two common oral potentially malignant disorders. It would be interesting to know scientific output and characteristics of studies on OLK and OLP.

Materials And Methods: This study aimed to investigate and compare scientometric characteristics of articles on OLK and OLP in the Scopus database, with emphasis on the analysis of the keywords that can reflect research directions and topics of concern.

Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing protein 5 affects the progression of periodontitis by regulating the function of periodontal membrane cells.

Background/purpose: Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family caspase recruitment domain containing protein 5 (NLRC5) plays a regulatory role in innate and adaptive immunity. However, its role in periodontitis remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of NLRC5 on periodontitis and the underlying mechanism.

The relevance of dental management prior to radiation therapy with severe oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients.

Background/purpose: Dental management prior to radiotherapy is often time-critical, and there are no studies on whether manipulations such as tooth extraction influence the risk of severe radiation-induced oral mucositis (ROM) during radiotherapy. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the relationship between dental management and the incidence of severe ROM.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 144 head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who received dental management before radiotherapy at Peking University Cancer Hospital, from January 2016 to December 2017.

Establishment and evaluation of a deep learning-based tooth wear severity grading system using intraoral photographs.

Background/purpose: Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist in medical diagnosis owing to its high accuracy and efficiency. This study aimed to develop a diagnostic system for automatically determining the degree of tooth wear (TW) using intraoral photographs with deep learning.

Materials And Methods: The study included 388 intraoral photographs.

Prognostic nomogram for proliferative verrucous leukoplakia.

Background: Proliferative verrucous leukoplakia (PVL) is a special type of leukoplakia characterized by high rate of malignant transformation into oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study aimed to analyze the canceration risk and prognostic factors of PVL and establish effective diagnostic and prognostic predictive models.

Materials And Methods: A total of 467 patients were enrolled, including 170 cases of PVL.

A review of the roles of exosomes in salivary gland diseases with an emphasis on primary Sjögren's syndrome.

Salivary gland diseases encompass a broad range of conditions, including autoimmune, inflammatory, obstructive, and neoplastic disorders, significantly impacting oral health and overall well-being. Recent research has highlighted the crucial role of exosomes, small extracellular vesicles, in these diseases. Exosomes mediate intercellular communication by transferring bioactive molecules such as proteins, microRNAs, and lipids, positioning them as potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic agents.

A scientometric study on research trends and characteristics of discoid lupus erythematosus.

Background/purpose: Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) serves as an interdisciplinary disease involved in dermatology and stomatology in many cases. The purpose of this study was to analyze the scientometric characteristics and research trends of DLE.

Materials And Methods: All the papers on DLE were comprehensively retrieved from the Scopus database.

miR-508-5p suppresses osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells via targeting sex-determining region Y-related HMG-box 11.

Background/purpose: The local inflammatory microenvironment created by periodontitis negatively impacts periodontal tissue regeneration, necessitating the development of methods to enhance the regenerative capacity of stem cells. This study explored the regulatory role and underlying mechanism of miR-508-5p in the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

Materials And Methods: The regulatory roles of miR-508-5p in osteogenic differentiation of hPDLSCs were investigated through its inhibition or overexpression.

From gingiva to multiple organs in mice: The trace of via imaging.

Background/purpose: Periodontitis is associated with systemic health. One of the underlying mechanisms is the translocation of periodontal pathogens, among which () is the most common. Here, we aimed to illustrate the biodistribution and dynamics of from gingiva to multiple organs through blood circulation.

Improving osteogenic properties of zirconia ceramic via glow discharge plasma-enhanced deposition of amine organic compound.

Background/purpose: Osseointegration potential is greatly depended on the interaction between bone cells and dental implant surface. Since zirconia ceramic has a bioinert surface, functionalization of the surface with an organic compound allylamine was conducted to overcome its drawback of minimal interaction with the surrounding bone.

Materials And Methods: The zirconia surface was initially treated with argon glow discharge plasma (GDP), then combined with amine plasma at three different conditions of 50-W, 75-W and 85-W, to prepare the final samples.

Optimized design for using of double-barrel vascularized fibular flap in various types of mandibular defects.

Background/purpose: The functional and aesthetic reconstruction of the mandible can be achieved by using the double-barrel vascularized free fibula flap. The purpose of this study was to use multiple integrated techniques to more effectively reconstruct the mandible, some contains of our unique ideas.

Materials And Methods: 21 patients were included in this study.

Periodontal ligament fibroblasts utilize isoprenoid intermediate farnesyl diphosphate for maintaining osteo/cementogenic differentiation abilities.

Background/purpose: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) is a major transcription factor of energy metabolism-associated genes, and three PPARγ isoforms have been identified in periodontal tissues and cells. When energy metabolism homeostasis is affected by PPARγ downregulation in periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs), osteo/cementogenic abilities are markedly lost. Herein, we investigated whether PPARγ agonists promote periodontal tissue regeneration, and which PPARγ isoforms and metabolic pathways are indispensable for osteo/cementogenic abilities.

Chemokine receptor-2 deficiency induced mild experimental periapical lesion in mice.

Background/purpose: Macrophages are considered to play an important role in the development of chronic apical periodontitis (CAP). However the function of tissue resident macrophages in CAP is unclear. This study aims to investigate the potential role of macrophages of different origins in CAP.

Progesterone affects periodontitis in perimenopausal women and in an experimental rat model.

Background/purpose: Progesterone (PG) is sex steroid hormone that commonly used to control menopausal symptoms, but its exact role in periodontitis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PG on periodontitis in perimenopausal women and in an experimental rat model.

Materials And Methods: Total 412 perimenopausal women with periodontitis and a history of PG deficiency-induced uterine dysfunctional bleeding were enrolled, among which 209 women had been treated with PG.

Evaluation of cortical bone thickness at the nasomaxillary and zygomaticomaxillary buttresses using cone-beam computed tomography imaging for Le Fort I osteotomy.

Background/purpose: Studies have indicated that 50%-55% of the population have malocclusion, and approximately 5%-10% require orthognathic surgery to correct this condition. Optimal placement of plates and screws significantly affects the success rate of the surgery and postoperative stability. This study evaluates the cortical thickness of the maxillary bone in the nasomaxillary and zygomaticomaxillary buttress regions in Taiwanese patients based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

Effect of pulp-chamber lateral wall thickness and number on fracture resistance in endocrown-restored molars: An in vitro study.

Background/purpose: It remains unclear how the thickness and number of pulp-chamber lateral walls (PCLWs) affects fracture resistance in endocrown-restored teeth.

Materials And Methods: 64 mandibular molars were collected and randomly divided into eight groups (n = 8). In group C (control group), the teeth were untreated.

Phytic acid-based nanomedicine against mTOR represses lipogenesis and immune response for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis therapy.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases and is mainly caused by metabolic disorders and systemic inflammatory responses. Recent studies have indicated that the activation of the mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling participates in MASH progression by facilitating lipogenesis and regulating the immune microenvironment. Although several molecular medicines have been demonstrated to inhibit the phosphorylation or activation of mTOR, their poor specificity and side effects limit their clinical application in MASH treatment.

Spatial multi-omics characterizes GPR35-relevant lipid metabolism signatures across liver zonation in MASLD.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a metabolic disease that can progress to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and cancer. The zonal distribution of biomolecules in the liver is implicated in mediating the disease progression. Recently, G-protein-coupled receptor 35 (GPR35) has been highlighted to play a role in MASLD, but the precise mechanism is not fully understood, particularly, in a liver-zonal manner.