Obesity disrupts the pituitary-hepatic UPR communication leading to NAFLD progression.

Obesity alters levels of pituitary hormones that govern hepatic immune-metabolic homeostasis, dysregulation of which leads to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the impact of obesity on intra-pituitary homeostasis is largely unknown. Here, we uncovered a blunted unfolded protein response (UPR) but elevated inflammatory signatures in pituitary glands of obese mice and humans.

Fracture load of chairside CAD-CAM veneers fabricated with pre-and fully crystalized lithium disilicate ceramics.

Purpose: To evaluate the fracture load of chairside computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) veneers fabricated with two conventional pre-crystallized and two fully crystallized lithium disilicate ceramic materials.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-five chairside CAD-CAM veneers (15 specimens/group) for maxillary right central incisors were fabricated with different lithium disilicate brands: (1) IPS e.max CAD; (2) Amber Mill; (3) Cerec Tessera; (4) n!ce Straumann; and (5) GC Initial LiSi Block.

Fracture resistance of chairside CAD-CAM lithium disilicate occlusal veneer with various designs after mechanical aging.

Purpose: This study evaluated the fracture resistance of chairside computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) lithium disilicate crown, onlay, and non-anatomical occlusal veneer (A-OV) with and without margin fabricated.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-four CAD-CAM lithium disilicate restorations were designed as (1) complete coverage crown (CCC); (2) A-OV with margin; (3) non-A-OV with margin (NA-OV-M); and (4) non-A-OV without margin (NA-OV-NM), 16 of each. Restorations were crystallized and adhesively luted to resin dies using resin cement.

Predicting dental caries outcomes in young adults using machine learning approach.

Objectives: To predict the dental caries outcomes in young adults from a set of longitudinally-obtained predictor variables and identify the most important predictors using machine learning techniques.

Methods: This study was conducted using the Iowa Fluoride Study dataset. The predictor variables - sex, mother's education, family income, composite socio-economic status (SES), caries experience at ages 9, 13, and 17, and the cumulative estimates of risk and protective factors, including fluoride, dietary, and behavioral variables from ages 5-9, 9-13, 13-17, and 17-23 were used to predict the age 23 DMFS count.

Mechanical properties and degree of conversion of resin-based core build-up materials and short fiber-reinforced flowable resin-based composite.

To evaluate the degree of conversion (DC), surface hardness (SH), and flexural strength (FS) of resin-based core build-up materials. Core build-up materials used were: MultiCore Flow (MCF); Activa (ACT); Core-X Flow (CXF); and everX flow (EVX), and DC, SH and FS were measured. An increase of DC was identified for all materials post-cure, except for EVX.

Single administration of a psychedelic [(R)-DOI] influences coping strategies to an escapable social stress.

Psychedelic compounds have potentially rapid, long-lasting anxiolytic, antidepressive and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated whether the psychedelic compound (R)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine [(R)-DOI], a selective 5-HT receptor partial agonist, decreases stress-related behavior in male mice exposed to repeated social aggression. Additionally, we explored the likelihood that these behavioral changes are related to anti-inflammatory properties of [(R)-DOI].

Patient awareness of the association between periodontal and systemic diseases in an academic setting.

Background: Periodontal diseases (PD) have been increasingly associated with several systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to gain insight into patients' awareness of the association between PD and systemic diseases.

Methods: A survey was developed to analyze patient awareness of the association between PD and systemic diseases.

A Comparative Study of Shade-Matching Reproducibility Using an Intraoral Scanner and a Spectrophotometer.

Background: We compared the repeatability of the shade determination of resin composite restorations and acrylic teeth in light and darker shades at baseline and after an aging process through two digital tooth color-matching methods: using a Trios 3Shape intraoral scanner and using a Vita Easyshade Compact spectrophotometer.

Material And Methods: Forty upper central incisor acrylic teeth in the shade A1 ( = 10) and A3 ( = 10) were randomly assigned to be restored with Filtek Bulk Fill in the shade A1 ( = 10) or A3 ( = 10). Subsequently, 20 Class V cavities were prepared in a standardized manner (mesio-distal = 3.

Automated scoring and augmented reality visualization software program for evaluating tooth preparations.

Statement Of Problem: Tooth preparation is an essential part of prosthetic dentistry; however, traditional evaluation methods involve subjective visual inspection that is prone to examiner variability.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate a newly developed automated scoring and augmented reality (ASAR) visualization software program for evaluating tooth preparations.

Material And Methods: A total of 122 tooth models (61 anterior and 61 posterior teeth) prepared by dental students were evaluated by using visual assessments that were conducted by students and an expert, and auto assessment that was performed with an ASAR software program by using a 3-dimensional (3D) point-cloud comparison method.

Effect of Dental Practicality Index training using an online video on decision-making and confidence level in treatment planning by dental undergraduates.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Dental Practicality Index (DPI) training using an online video on the treatment planning decisions and confidence level of dental undergraduates (DUs).

Materials And Methods: Ninety-four DUs were shown 15 clinical case scenarios and asked to decide on treatment plans based on 4 treatment options. The most appropriate treatment plan had been decided by a consensus panel of experienced dentists.

Predictors of survival of large non-occlusal non-incisal glass-ionomer restorations in older adults.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the predictors of survival of non-occlusal non-incisal glass-ionomer restorations as a surrogate for root surface restorations among older adults.

Methods: In a retrospective cohort analysis using the University of Iowa College of Dentistry electronic dental records, we included 721 patients aged 65+ who received 2+ surface non-occlusal non-incisal glass ionomer restorations placed from January 2005 - December 2011. Restorations were followed until September 2017 or until they were deemed to have failed.

Translation and validation of ageism scale for dental students into Malay language.

Aims: Identifying ageism among dental students is essential in gerodontology courses. This study aimed to perform a preliminary validation of a Malay version of the ageism scale for dental students (ASDS-My).

Methods And Results: The 27-item ASDS were translated into Malay language and completed by 168 dental students.

Effectiveness of virtual reality interactive simulation practice in prosthodontic education: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Virtual reality-based interactive simulation (VRIS) provides a safe and controlled environment for dental students and professionals to develop skills and knowledge. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using the VRIS for prosthodontic practice and to explore the trends, application areas, and users' attitudes towards VRIS.

Materials And Methods: This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines for searching studies published until 21 March 2023 that reported quantitative or qualitative learning outcomes related to the use of VRIS for dental prosthodontic practice and clinical training.

Impact of restoration thickness and tooth shade background on the translucency of zirconia laminate veneers: An in vitro comparative study.

Purpose: Our in vitro comparative study aimed to investigate the impact of thickness and tooth shade background on the translucency of highly translucent zirconia veneers.

Materials And Methods: A total of 75 5Y-TZP zirconia veneers of shade A1 were fabricated with thicknesses of 0.50 mm (n = 25), 0.

Dental students' perceptions of standardized patient experiences using Zoom: Dyadic factors.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic required a rapid transition to online education, including simulations. The current study identified students' perceptions of communicating with standardized patients in a virtual setting.

Methods: This qualitative study thematically analyzed 485 reflections submitted by 248 students between Spring 2020 and Spring 2022.

Effect of Ceramic Thickness and Technician Variability on the Shade Duplication of Dental Ceramo-Metallic Restorations.

Ceramic thickness and technicians' manipulative variables are critical factors affecting the resultant shade of dental ceramo-metallic restorations. This study investigated the effect of the following variables on shade duplication of ceramo-metallic specimens: (a) ceramic thickness; (b) differences between several technicians (inter-technician variability); and (c) the ability of each technician to repeat the resultant shade (intra-technician variability). Ninety ceramo-metallic specimens were prepared and divided into three main groups ( = 30/gp) according to the different technicians who built up the veneering ceramic of the specimens.

An app to support oral hygiene care: Increasing attitudes, knowledge, and confidence in identifying oral health problems among caregivers of persons living with dementia.

Purpose: To develop and pilot test an App to help family and paid caregivers perform high quality oral hygiene care.

Methods: A prototype of the App was refined based on stakeholder feedback (e.g.

The Effect of Sintering on Zirconia Manufactured via Suspension-Enclosing Projection Stereolithography for Dental Applications: An In Vitro Study.

Background: Zirconia is a widely used material in the dental industry due to its excellent mechanical and aesthetic properties. Recently, a new 3D printing process called suspension-enclosing projection stereolithography (SEPS) was introduced to fabricate zirconia dental restorations. However, the effect of the sintering time and temperature on the properties of zirconia produced via SEPS has not been fully investigated.

Role of mutans streptococci, acid tolerant bacteria and oral species in predicting the onset of early childhood caries.

Aim: Early childhood caries is the most common chronic infectious disease in children in the United States. This study, which is part of a larger, longitudinal study exploring oral microbiological components of caries development in children, reports on the impact of total mutans streptococci (MS), total acid tolerant bacteria and species on the development of dental caries in a subset of these children. Of particular interest was the relationship between caries development and co-colonization of mutans streptococci and species.

Gelatin-Chitosan Hydrogel Biological, Antimicrobial and Mechanical Properties for Dental Applications.

Unlabelled: Chitosan, a natural polysaccharide sourced from crustaceans and insects, is often used with hydrogels in wound care. Evaluating its cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties is crucial for its potential use in dentistry.

Objective: To investigate the mechanical properties of gelatin hydrogels based on decaethylated chitosan and antimicrobial activity against and their biological effects with stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs).

Can Critical Thinking Skills Be Transferred from the Accomplished Scientist to the Beginning Scientist?

We seldom apply rigorous methods to how scientists think as they make new discoveries and open new avenues of inquiry. The progress of science relies on one generation of scientists transferring their thought processes and methods to the next. In a culture of inquiry, respect, rigor, and role modeling, critical thinking can thrive as novices become accomplished scientists.

Fracture Resistance of Chairside CAD/CAM Lithium Disilicate-reinforced Ceramic Occlusal Veneers With and Without Margin and Full Coverage Crowns.

Objective: The aim of this investigation was to compare the fracture resistance of chairside computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) lithium disilicate-reinforced ceramic occlusal veneers with and without margin and traditional full coverage premolar crowns.

Methods And Materials: A total of 60 chairside CAD/CAM lithium disilicate-reinforced ceramic (Amber Mill, Hass Bio) restorations were designed and fabricated with a chairside CAD/CAM system (CEREC Dentsply Sirona). The restorations were divided into three groups (n=20): 1) occlusal veneer with 1.

Clinical outcomes of implant- versus abutment-level connection in screw-retained fixed dental prostheses: A 5-year randomized controlled trial.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the 5 years clinical outcomes associated with implant-level connection (IL) versus abutment-level connection (AL) for implants with an internal conical connection (ICC) supporting a screw-retained fixed partial denture.

Materials And Methods: Fifty patients with 119 implants were randomly allocated to either the AL or IL group. Radiographic (Marginal bone loss) and clinical outcomes (Bleeding on Probing, probing pocket depth, plaque accumulation, incidence of peri-implantitis and peri-implant mucositis as well as prosthetic complications) were collected and compared at 1, 2, 3, and 5 years.