Role of the V2R-βarrestin-Gβγ complex in promoting G protein translocation to endosomes.

Classically, G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) promote signaling at the plasma membrane through activation of heterotrimeric Gαβγ proteins, followed by the recruitment of GPCR kinases and βarrestin (βarr) to initiate receptor desensitization and internalization. However, studies demonstrated that some GPCRs continue to signal from internalized compartments, with distinct cellular responses. Both βarr and Gβγ contribute to such non-canonical endosomal G protein signaling, but their specific roles and contributions remain poorly understood.

Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on the Incidence of Dental Caries in Adolescents: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Orthodontic treatment is a widely embraced intervention aimed at enhancing dental aesthetics and correcting malocclusions among adolescents. However, concerns persist regarding its potential impact on oral health, particularly on the development of dental caries. This study aimed to systematically investigate the relationship between orthodontic treatment and the incidence of new carious lesions among adolescents.

Reduced mouth opening in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiation therapy: an analysis of the Clinical Registry of Dental Outcomes in Head and Neck Cancer Patients (OraRad).

Objective: Trismus/reduced mouth opening (RMO) is a common side effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC). The objective was to measure RMO, identify risk factors for RMO, and determine its impact on quality of life (QOL).

Study Design: OraRad is an observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study of patients receiving curative intent RT for HNC.

Simultaneous Quantitative SARS-CoV-2 Antigen and Host Antibody Detection and Pre-Screening Strategy at the Point of Care.

As COVID-19 pandemic public health measures are easing globally, the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains continue to present high risk for vulnerable populations. The antibody-mediated protection acquired from vaccination and/or infection is seen to wane over time and the immunocompromised populations can no longer expect benefit from monoclonal antibody prophylaxis. Hence, there is a need to monitor new variants and its effect on vaccine performance.

Development of KROHL, a tool for evaluating oral health knowledge.

Objectives: The authors aim to evaluate a scale assessing oral health knowledge, the KROHL (Knowledge Related to Oral Health Literacy) including the inter-rater reliability for scoring open-ended questions, internal consistency of the hypothesized scales, the discriminant validity of the resulting scale and its relationship to existing measures of oral health literacy.

Methods: The questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interviews to 144 volunteers recruited in the waiting areas of clinics throughout the NYU College of Dentistry.The KROHL questionnaire evaluates oral health knowledge by asking open-ended questions about the appearance, cause, treatment and prevention of caries, gum disease, oral cancer, tooth loss and malocclusion.

The impact of head and neck radiotherapy on salivary flow and quality of life: Results of the ORARAD study.

Objectives: Salivary hypofunction and xerostomia, are common side effects of radiotherapy, negatively impacting quality of life. The OraRad study presents results on the longitudinal impact of radiotherapy on salivary flow and patient-reported outcomes.

Patients And Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of 572 patients receiving curative-intent head and neck radiotherapy (RT).

Global Oral Health Policies and Guidelines: Using Silver Diamine Fluoride for Caries Control.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) was developed in Japan in the 1960s. It is a clear solution containing silver and fluoride ions. Because of its anti-bacterial and remineralizing effect, silver diamine fluoride has been used in managing dental caries for decades worldwide.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Permeability Transition in Neonatal Brain and Lung Injuries.

This review discusses the potential mechanistic role of abnormally elevated mitochondrial proton leak and mitochondrial bioenergetic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of neonatal brain and lung injuries associated with premature birth. Providing supporting evidence, we hypothesized that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to postnatal alveolar developmental arrest in bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and cerebral myelination failure in diffuse white matter injury (WMI). This review also analyzes data on mitochondrial dysfunction triggered by activation of mitochondrial permeability transition pore(s) (mPTP) during the evolution of perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Efficacy of topical interventions for temporomandibular disorders compared to placebo or control therapy: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

This systematic review focused on the efficacy of topical products in reducing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)-associated pain, in comparison to placebo or control interventions. The EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE via PubMed databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using topical interventions in adults diagnosed with TMD. The pain intensity was the primary outcome, and other clinical findings were the secondary outcomes.

Depression and Psychosocial Stress Are Associated With Subclinical Carotid Atherosclerosis Among Women Living With HIV.

Background To identify reasons for increased atherosclerotic risk among women living with HIV (WLWH), we evaluated the associations between psychosocial risk factors (depressive symptoms, perceived stress, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms) and subclinical atherosclerosis among WLWH and HIV-negative women. Methods and Results Carotid artery focal plaque (localized intima-media thickness >1.5 mm) was measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging in 2004-2005 and 2010-2012 in the Women's Interagency HIV Study.

Genetic and clinical predictors of CD4 lymphocyte recovery during suppressive antiretroviral therapy: Whole exome sequencing and antiretroviral therapy response phenotypes.

Increase of peripheral blood CD4 lymphocyte counts is a key goal of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART); most, but not all, recipients respond adequately and promptly. A small number of studies have examined specific genetic factors associated with the extent of CD4 recovery. We report a genome-wide examination of factors that predict CD4 recovery in HIV-infected women.

Heart Failure Symptom Biology in Response to Ventricular Assist Device Implantation.

Background: We have a limited understanding of the biological underpinnings of symptoms in heart failure (HF), particularly in response to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation.

Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the degree to which symptoms and biomarkers change in parallel from before implantation through the first 6 months after LVAD implantation in advanced HF.

Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 101 patients receiving an LVAD for the management of advanced HF.

Effect of Antimicrobial Interventions on the Oral Microbiota Associated with Early Childhood Caries.

Purpose: The purposes of this systematic literature review were to identify research-based evidence for an effect of antimicrobial therapeutic approaches on the cariogenic microbiota and early childhood caries (ECC) outcomes; and to review methods used to perform microbial assessments in clinical studies of ECC.

Methods: Multiple databases were searched; only clinical cohort studies and randomized controlled trials published from 1998 to 2014 were selected. A total of 471 titles and abstracts were identified; 114 studies met the inclusion criteria for a full review, from which 41 studies were included in the meta-analyses.

Reliability of reduced-thickness and thinly veneered lithium disilicate crowns.

The present investigation hypothesized that the reliability of reduced-thickness monolithic lithium disilicate crowns is high relative to that of veneered zirconia (Y-TZP) and comparable with that of metal ceramic (MCR) systems. CAD/CAM first mandibular molar full-crown preparations were produced with uniform thicknesses of either 1.0-mm or 2.

Does constipation predict the quality of bowel preparation during colonoscopy?

Background: Suboptimal bowel preparation has several consequences, including reduced polyp detection rate and increased cost of colorectal cancer screening. The presence of constipation is thought to be a feature associated with poor bowel preparation.

Objectives: To characterise the relationship between features of constipation and the quality of bowel preparation during colonoscopy.

Implant site development using ridge splitting techniques.

Ridge splitting is a useful surgical technique for preparation of the edentulous ridge for implant placement or interpositional bone grafting. This approach is limited to enhancing ridge width and is more applicable to the maxilla. The cortical plates of the residual ridge are carefully split and expanded to accommodate implant insertion or bone graft materials.

The interdisciplinary approach to implant dentistry.

The coordination of therapy between surgical and general dentists is integral to an ideal definitive restoration for comprehensive implant patients. Employing specific surgical and restorative strategies, this team approach allows for the maintenance of esthetics, phonetics, and function during the provisional period, as well as significant hard and soft tissue management designed to enhance the final restoration. This article presents three implant-related case reports that demonstrate a more predictable result by synchronization between the periodontist and general dentist.

Precision shade technology: contemporary strategies in shade selection.

Precise color communication is integral to the development of aesthetic harmony and overall restorative success. While traditional shade-taking procedures have enabled a degree of shade transfer, contemporary digital shade analysis devices allow standardized, repeatable shade determinations for increased accuracy. This article presents a clinical case report and contrasts two technology-based shade selection systems (SpectroShade, MHT International, Newtown, PA; ShadeScan, Cynovad, Montreal, Canada) in the retrospective verification of shade during the restoration of a maxillary right central incisor compared to conventional methods.

Use of a synthetic low-fusing quartz glass-ceramic material for the fabrication of metal-ceramic restorations.

The development of natural aesthetics has been facilitated by various innovative ceramic materials and techniques. Although metal-ceramic restorations have traditionally been the standard for durable and predictable restorations, the use of metal core materials may result in dense, opaque restorations. The incorporation of low-fusing porcelain materials has enabled the provision of translucent restorations that enable sufficient light transmission and strength.

An alternate technique for management of acute closed locks.

The article introduces an alternative method for manipulation and reduction of acute closed locks. The method is described as the Assisted Lateral Reduction Technique (ALRT). The authors have used the ALRT on more than 150 patients and found it more effective and easier to administer than the more common manipulation and reduction techniques (MRT) in the management of acute closed locks which have been extensively documented in the literature.

Report of four familial cases with congenitally missing mandibular incisors.

Heredity is one of the possible factors associated with congenitally missing mandibular incisors. We report four cases--a mother and three daughters--in an attempt to examine this hypothesis. Different treatment modalities have been used to treat malocclusions stemming from this problem.

Biologic and clinical considerations for autografts and allografts in periodontal regeneration therapy.

Although complete periodontal regeneration is unpredictable with any regenerative therapy currently used, periodontal bone grafts show strong potential. A large body of clinical evidence clearly indicates that grafts consistently lead to better bone fill than nongrafted controls. Regardless of which material is used, the average bone fill is 3 mm, or about 60% defect fill according to reported studies.