Association between periodontal inflamed surface area and serum acute phase biomarkers in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Objectives: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the association between periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) and serum inflammatory biomarkers in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Design: Patients with sickle cell anemia (n = 80) and systemically healthy individuals (n = 80) were enrolled in the study. Crisis episodes were recorded and blood samples were collected from patients with sickle cell anemia.

Epigenetic clock indicates accelerated aging in glial cells of progressive multiple sclerosis patients.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by irreversible disability at later progressive stages. A growing body of evidence suggests that disease progression depends on age and inflammation within the CNS. We aimed to investigate epigenetic aging in bulk brain tissue and sorted nuclei from MS patients using DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks.

Methacrylic monomer derived from cardanol incorporated in dental adhesive as a polymerizable collagen crosslinker.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence on MMP inhibition, dentin adhesion and physicochemical properties of an adhesive system incorporated with polymerizable collagen crosslinker monomer derived from cardanol.

Methods: The intermediary cardanol epoxy (CNE) was synthesized through cardanol epoxidation, followed by synthesis of cardanol methacrylate through methacrylic acid solvent-free esterification. Zymographic analysis was performed to evaluate the substances' ability to inhibit gelatinolytic enzymes.

Healthcare costs of post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy in Belgium - A retrospective analysis.

The present aim was to estimate direct health care costs of patients suffering from post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTTN) and to compare the use of health care services, medications, and costs between temporary and persistent (>3 months) PTTN cohorts. A pre-existing clinical dataset of PTTN patients visiting a tertiary orofacial pain clinic in Belgium was utilized, including symptoms and quality of life measurements. Cost and resource utilization data were obtained by Belgium's largest health insurance provider for a period of 5 years after onset.

Associated risk factors with quantitative erosive tooth wear progression.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine predictors of erosive tooth wear (ETW) progression, using novel primary-care quantitative analysis techniques.

Methods: In a single-centre, prospective, observational cohort longitudinal study, adolescents, aged 11-18 years, underwent a baseline BEWE examination, validated risk factors questionnaire and baseline intraoral scan (IOS, TRIOS 3.0, 3Shape, Copenhagen, Denmark).

Cost-effectiveness of orthodontics: a systematic review.

Background: Health economic evaluation is a methodology to maximize health benefits and minimize opportunity costs and is of increasing importance in informing resource allocation decisions in healthcare.

Objective: This systematic review aims to assess the availability and quality of economic evaluations of any orthodontic interventions and summarize the conclusions of these studies.

Search Methods: A thorough search of the literature was carried out including terms related to orthodontic interventions and economic evaluation between January 2000 and February 2022.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for preventing bacterial endocarditis following dental procedures.

Background: Infective endocarditis is a severe infection arising in the lining of the chambers of the heart. It can be caused by fungi, but most often is caused by bacteria. Many dental procedures cause bacteraemia, which could lead to bacterial endocarditis in a small proportion of people.

Data-driven bioinformatics to disentangle cells within a tissue microenvironment.

Molecular profiling of clinical tissue samples is at the core of precision medicine. Yet, to elucidate the contribution of mixed cell types and detect changes in cell populations in response to infections or drugs is challenging. Recent advances using machine learning promise to learn explanatory models directly from data.

Present status and future directions: vertical root fractures in root filled teeth.

Vertical root fracture (VRF) is a common reason for the extraction of root filled teeth. The accurate diagnosis of VRF may be challenging due to the absence of clinical signs, whilst conventional radiographic assessment is often inconclusive. However, an understanding of the aetiology of VRFs, and more importantly, the key predisposing factors, is crucial in identifying teeth that may be susceptible.

DNA methylation changes in glial cells of the normal-appearing white matter in Multiple Sclerosis patients.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS), the leading cause of non-traumatic neurological disability in young adults, is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the poor accessibility to the target organ, CNS-confined processes underpinning the later progressive form of MS remain elusive thereby limiting treatment options. We aimed to examine DNA methylation, a stable epigenetic mark of genome activity, in glial cells to capture relevant molecular changes underlying MS neuropathology.

Impairment of gut microbial biotin metabolism and host biotin status in severe obesity: effect of biotin and prebiotic supplementation on improved metabolism.

Objectives: Gut microbiota is a key component in obesity and type 2 diabetes, yet mechanisms and metabolites central to this interaction remain unclear. We examined the human gut microbiome's functional composition in healthy metabolic state and the most severe states of obesity and type 2 diabetes within the MetaCardis cohort. We focused on the role of B vitamins and B7/B8 biotin for regulation of host metabolic state, as these vitamins influence both microbial function and host metabolism and inflammation.

Frequency of Four-dimensional Oral Health Problems across Dental Fields - a Comparative Survey of Slovenian and International Dentists.

Objectives: To compare the frequency of patients' oral health problems and prevention needs among Slovenian and international dentists with the aim to validate the four oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) dimensions across six clinical dental fields in all World Health Organization (WHO) regions.

Methods: An anonymous electronic survey in the English language was designed using Qualtrics software. A probability sampling for Slovenia and a convenience sampling strategy for dentist recruitment was applied for 31 countries.

Patient Safety Incidents in Primary Care Dentistry in England and Wales: A Mixed-Methods Study.

Background: In recent decades, there has been considerable international attention aimed at improving the safety of hospital care, and more recently, this attention has broadened to include primary medical care. In contrast, the safety profile of primary care dentistry remains poorly characterized.

Objectives: We aimed to describe the types of primary care dental patient safety incidents reported within a national incident reporting database and understand their contributory factors and consequences.

Dental continuing professional development - Part II: The Malta CPD Pilot Project.

Introduction: Continuing professional development (CPD) remains voluntary in nine European countries. Evidence suggests a move towards mandatory CPD across Europe with the objective of harmonisation of dental CPD. Although the importance of CPD is acknowledged, the literature regarding its effectiveness is limited and under debate.

Dental Continuing Professional Development - Part I: Background on Dental Continuing Professional Development in Europe.

Introduction: Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is mandatory in most European countries and evidence shows a move towards mandatory CPD across all Member States in the near future. Malta is one of seven Member States where dental CPD is still voluntary.

Discussion: Although dental CPD is a legal requirement for recertification in many countries, integral aspects of dental CPD remain under debate, like whether CPD is truly effective.

Deep characterization of paired chromatin and transcriptomes in four immune cell types from multiple sclerosis patients.

The putative involvement of chromatin states in multiple sclerosis (MS) is thus far unclear. Here we determined the association of chromatin-accessibility with concurrent genetic, epigenetic and transcriptional events. We generated paired assay for transposase-accessible chromatin sequencing and RNA-sequencing profiles from sorted blood immune CD4 and CD8 T cells, CD14 monocytes and CD19 B cells from healthy controls (HCs) and MS patients.

Prognostic factors, symptom evolution, and quality of life of posttraumatic trigeminal neuropathy.

Neurosensory disturbances (NSDs) caused by injury to the trigeminal nerve can affect many aspects of daily life. However, factors affecting the persistence of NSDs in patients with posttraumatic trigeminal neuropathies (PTTNs) remain largely unknown. The identification of such risk factors will allow for the phenotyping of patients with PTTNs, which is crucial for improving treatment strategies.

The impact of tooth colour on the perceptions of age and social judgements.

Objective: Psychological research has established that the presence of dental anomalies negatively impact social judgements. This study sought to determine the effects of tooth colour on the subjective ratings of social judgements in a group of Caucasian adults.

Methods: A cross sectional experimental analogue design comprised fifty Caucasian adults: 25 women and 25 men.

Calcium Silicate-Based Root Canal Sealers: A Narrative Review and Clinical Perspectives.

Over the last two decades, calcium silicate-based materials have grown in popularity. As root canal sealers, these formulations have been extensively investigated and compared with conventional sealers, such as zinc oxide-eugenol and epoxy resin-based sealers, in in vitro studies that showed their promising properties, especially their biocompatibility, antimicrobial properties, and certain bioactivity. However, the consequence of their higher solubility is a matter of debate and still needs to be clarified, because it may affect their long-term sealing ability.

Gene Regulatory Network of Human GM-CSF-Secreting T Helper Cells.

GM-CSF produced by autoreactive CD4-positive T helper cells is involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis. However, the molecular regulators that establish and maintain the features of GM-CSF-positive CD4 T cells are unknown. In order to identify these regulators, we isolated human GM-CSF-producing CD4 T cells from human peripheral blood by using a cytokine capture assay.

Bis[2-(Methacryloyloxy) Ethyl] Phosphate as a Primer for Enamel and Dentine.

Dental resin composites are commonly used in the restorative management of teeth via adhesive bonding, which has evolved significantly over the past few decades. Although current self-etch bonding systems decrease the number of clinical steps, the acidic functional monomers employed exhibit a limited extent of demineralization of enamel in comparison to phosphoric acid etchants, and the resultant superficial ionic interactions are prone to hydrolysis. This study evaluates the etching of primers constituted with bis[2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] phosphate (BMEP) of dental hard tissue, interfacial characteristics, and inhibition of endogenous enzymes.

Securing Public Trust: Dentistry, SARS-CoV-2, and "Testing for Tomorrow".

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic created societal upheaval well beyond what anyone, but the oldest of Americans, has seen in their lifetime. As the pandemic begins to subside, it is leaving behind a legacy of permanently changed practices, including enhanced environmental controls in clinical settings, reconsideration of modes of personal protective equipment outsourcing, changes and/or reinterpretation of dental practice acts, and entirely new approaches to testing and vaccine design, among many others. This article focuses on one change that the authors hope will prevail: greater trust in the dental profession as a valuable public resource during healthcare crises.

Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy: correlation between objective and subjective assessments and a prediction model for neurosensory recovery.

Background: Post-traumatic trigeminal neuropathy (PTN) can have a substantial effect on patient well-being. However, the relation between the neuropathic symptoms and their effect on psychosocial functioning remains a matter of debate. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between objective and subjective assessments of neurosensory function in PTN and predict neurosensory outcome using baseline measurements.