NCK1 antisense RNA 1 (NCK1-AS1) exerts pro-fibrosis property in oral mucosa through modulation of miR-137/NCK1 axis.

Background/purpose: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a premalignant condition of the oral cavity, and its pathogenesis remains largely unknown. A multitude of non-coding RNAs are aberrantly expressed in OSF, and their implication for the development of OSF is a matter meriting investigation.

Materials And Methods: The functional role of long non-coding RNA NCK1-AS1 in myofibroblast activation of fibrotic buccal mucosal fibroblasts (fBMFs) derived from OSF tissues was assessed.

Soft coral Lobophytum crassum extract inhibits migration and induces apoptosis capabilities in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cells.

Background/purpose: The extract of the soft coral has shown an anti-cancer activity in various cancer cells. However, its effect on the oral squamous cell carcinoma cell (OSCC) lines remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-cancer effects of the extract of (C127) on the OSCC cells.

Significant association of oral health-related quality of life with mental depression in middle-aged and older Taiwanese adults.

Background/purpose: With the gradual aging of the population, oral health has emerged as a critical concern alongside mental well-being. This study endeavored to investigate the relationship between oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and mental depression in middle-aged and older population.

Materials And Methods: Based on the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging in 2015, 7631 participants were enrolled.

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.

High-precision and non-invasive measurement of crestal bone level by optical coherence tomography.

Background/purpose: Identifying crestal bone level (CBL) on the buccal and lingual aspects poses challenges in conventional dental radiographs. Given that optical coherence tomography (OCT) has the capability to non-invasively provide in-depth information about the periodontium, this in vitro study aimed to assess whether OCT can effectively identify periodontal landmarks and measure CBL in the presence of gingiva.

Materials And Methods: An in-house handheld scanning probe connected to a 1310-nm swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) system, along with self-developed algorithms were employed to measure the CBL in dental models with artificial gingiva.

Enhancement of titanium surfaces using different acid solutions at room temperature to improve bone cell responses.

Background/purpose: Early osseointegration of titanium (Ti) dental implants relies on the surface topography. Surface modification of Ti seeks to enhance bone regeneration around implants. Acid etching is the simple, less technique sensitive and cost-effective technique for surface treatment.

Riboflavin-ultraviolet-A collagen crosslinking treatments in improving dentin bonding and resistance to enzymatic digestion.

Background/purpose: The efficacy of riboflavin-ultraviolet-A (RF-UVA) treatment in crosslinking collagen and improving dentin bonding has been proven. However, biodegradation of the hybrid layer may compromise the bonding. The purpose of this study was to evaluate different RF-UVA treatments regarding their ability to preserve dentin bonding from enzymatic digestion.

The investigation of thermal behavior and temperature analysis of three types of contemporary gutta-percha points.

Background/purpose: The impact of thermal behavior on the clinical performance of gutta-percha points (GP) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the thermal behavior of three different types of GP and their temperature changes (TC) in a simulated clinical environment.

Materials And Methods: The GP tested were Conform Fit® Gutta-Percha Points (CF), Autofit™ Feathered Tip Gutta Percha (AF), and Gutta Percha Root Canal Points (GC).

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 induced matrix turnover and osteogenic differentiation-related molecules of stem cells from apical papilla and its associated ALK/Smad signaling.

Background/purpose: Revascularization procedures are used over apexification to treat teeth with necrotic pulp tissues and incomplete root formation. Clinically, inducing proliferation, migration, matrix deposition, and differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) are critical for pulp regeneration. The study aimed to elucidate the impact of bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) on plasminogen activation molecules and the osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of SCAPs, as well as understand the related signaling mechanisms.

Investigation of the cushioning mechanism of a novel dental implant system with composite hydrogel.

Background/purpose: Dental implants can restore both function and aesthetics in edentulous areas. However, the absence of cushioning mechanical behavior in implants may limit their clinical performance and reduce the long-term survival rates. This study aimed to establish an implant cushion mechanism that mimicked the natural periodontal ligament, utilizing the properties of composite hydrogels.

Biomineralization reaction from nanosized calcium silicate: A new method for reducing dentin hypersensitivity.

Background/purpose: This study assessed the ability of experimental materials consisting of dicalcium silicate (DCS) and tricalcium silicate (TCS) with nanosized particles to form intratubular crystals under phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and the effect on dentin permeability reduction.

Materials And Methods: By isolating the cervical part of the extracted premolars, 195 specimens were obtained. Two experimental materials (DCS/TCS and TCS) were applied to the dentin surface by brushing and stored in PBS (n = 65).

COVID-19 vaccination patterns among oral cancer patients: A comprehensive analysis in a medical center in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: COVID-19 vaccines are supplied at no-cost to residents as a measure to prevent comorbidities, fatalities, and the increased risk of community transmission, thus protecting public health systems. However, vaccine acceptance among cancer patients remained uncertain. This study aimed to elucidate the vaccination rates among oral cancer patients at a medical center in Taiwan.

investigation of human salivary microbial growth with lysogeny broth for translational research-A pilot study.

Background/purpose: Salivary microbiome has become a surrogate indicator of oral disease due to its collective reservoirs and convenience in sampling. However, failed clinical trials often lead to wastes of resources, indicating a need for preclinical models. In this pilot study, we aimed to compare the salivary microbiome by metagenomics analysis before and after lysogeny broth culture for prospective translational studies.

Calf circumference and serum albumin level are the reliable biomarkers for predicting the chewing ability and nutritional status of the elderly people.

Background/purpose: The relationship among chewing ability, food texture selection, and nutritional status in the elderly is well-known. This study tried to find the reliable biomarkers to predict the chewing ability and nutritional status of the elderly people.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-eight elderly subjects (mean age, 80.

Immediate orthodontic treatment after regeneration of periodontal intrabony defects: A long-term retrospective study.

Background/purpose: Orthodontic movement is often necessary for periodontally compromised patients to enhance esthetics, function, and long-term occlusal stability. However, the impact of orthodontic treatment immediately following the regeneration of intrabony defects on periodontal healing remains a topic of debate. The objective of this long-term case series study was to test the hypothesis that orthodontic treatment performed immediately after regenerative procedures for periodontal intrabony defects did not adversely affect periodontal healing.

Antimicrobial properties of bimetallic-containing mesoporous bioglass against .

Background/purpose: Various pulp-covering materials offer advantages in regenerative root canal treatment, but each has limitations, highlighting the need for more effective antibacterial strategies for pulp repair and regeneration. Mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBG) show significant biological activity, making them valuable in tissue/dental repair. Silver-incorporated MBG exhibits promising antibacterial effects against various bacteria; copper ions are crucial in regulating angiogenesis signals.

Association and relevant factors between objective masticatory performance and subjective masticatory ability among community-dwelling older adults.

Background/purpose: Dentists often focus on masticatory performance (MP) rather than masticatory ability (MA) and treatment expectations when evaluating older adults. This study aimed to determine if MA aligns with MP and to explore influencing factors.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling, including one thousand community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older.

Deep learning system for the differential diagnosis of oral mucosal lesions through clinical photographic imaging.

Background/purpose: Oral mucosal lesions are associated with a variety of pathological conditions. Most deep-learning-based convolutional neural network (CNN) systems for computer-aided diagnosis of oral lesions have typically concentrated on determining limited aspects of differential diagnosis. This study aimed to develop a CNN-based diagnostic model capable of classifying clinical photographs of oral ulcerative and associated lesions into five different diagnoses, thereby assisting clinicians in making accurate differential diagnoses.

Elucidating interfacial failure of cervical restorations using damage mechanics: A finite element analysis.

Background/purpose: Although clinical studies have suggested a link between non-axial forces and reduced longevity of cervical restorations, the underlying mechanisms require further numerical investigation. This in-silico study employed a cohesive zone model (CZM) to investigate interfacial damage in a cervical restoration subjected to different load directions.

Materials And Methods: A plane strain model of a maxillary premolar was established, with a wedge-shaped buccal cervical restoration.

The relationship between pneumonia and dental visits in patients with cerebral palsy: A nationwide registry-based cohort study in Taiwan.

Background/purpose: In general, improving oral health can reduce the risk of pneumonia. The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the risk of pneumonia between cerebral palsy (CP) cohort and non-CP cohort as well as the association of pneumonia with the number of dental visits in CP patients in Taiwan.

Materials And Methods: We identified 10,544 patients who were diagnosed with CP between 2010 and 2019 from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.