Performance of multiple therapeutic approaches for palatal wound healing after soft tissue graft removal - an overview of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: To overview the literature to answer the following question: "What is the performance of different therapies on wound healing and postoperative discomfort after palatal ASTG removal?" METHODS: SRs that evaluated the wound healing (WH), postoperative pain, bleeding, and analgesic consumption of patients submitted to de-epithelialized/free gingival grafts (FGG) or subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) removed from the palate were included. The searches were conducted on six white and two gray databases up to December 2023. Methodological quality was evaluated through AMSTAR 2. The synthesis of results was described as a narrative analysis. RESULTS: Ten SRs (involving 25 randomized clinical trials) related to low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (3), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) (4), cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives (CTA) (2), and ozone therapy (OT) (1) were included in this overview. All techniques demonstrated improvements in WH. LLT, PRF, and CTA reduced pain and analgesic consumption. PRF and CTA reduced bleeding. Regarding methodological quality, the SRs were classified as critically low (2), low (5), moderate (2), or high quality (1). CONCLUSIONS: In SRs related to LLLT, PRF, CTA, and OT, the use of different therapies after palatal ASTG removal improved WH and postoperative discomfort. Due to the studies' low methodological quality and high heterogeneity, data should be interpreted with caution. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The present overview compiles the evidence of SRs related to different therapies for WH and patients' postoperative experience and reveals that different treatments can significantly improve the clinical outcomes of patients who require ASTG removal for periodontal or peri-implant surgeries. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022301257.

BMP-2 and asporin expression regulate 5-aza-dC-mediated osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation of periodontal dental ligament mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Periodontal dental ligament (PDL) is composed of heterogeneous population of mesenchymal progenitor cells. The mechanisms that regulate the differentiation of these cells towards osteoblast/cementoblast phenotype are not fully understood. Some studies have demonstrated that is possible to change the pattern of cell differentiation via epigenetic mechanisms. The proposal of this study was to investigate whether 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) treatment would stimulate the osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation of periodontal ligament mesenchymal progenitor cells (PDL-CD105+ enriched cells), characterized as low osteoblast potential, through bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) modulation. PDL-CD105+ cells from a single donor were cloned and characterized in two populations as high osteoblast/cementoblast potential (HOP) and low osteoblast/cementoblast potential (LOP) by mineralization in vitro and expression of osteogenic gene markers, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and asporin (ASPN). Next, two LOP clones (L1 and L2) were pretreated with 5-aza-dC (10 µM) for 48 h, cultured under osteogenic condition and evaluated for mineralized matrix in vitro, transcription modulation of osteogenic gene markers, methylated and hydroxymethylated DNA levels of BMP-2 and ASPN and intracellular/extracellular expression of BMP-2 protein. LOP clones showed high expression of ASPN transcripts associated with low mRNA levels of BMP-2, RUNX2, ALP, and OCN. 5-aza-dC treatment raised hydroxymethylated DNA levels of BMP-2 and increased the expression of BMP-2 transcripts in both LOP clones. However, BMP-2 protein (intracellular and secreted forms) was detected only in L1 cell clones, in which it was observed an increased expression of osteoblast/cementoblast markers (RUNX2, ALP, OCN) associated with higher mineralization in vitro. In L2 cell clones, 5-aza-dC increased gene expression of ASPN, with no great change in for osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation potential. These data show that 5-aza-dC improves osteoblast/cementoblast differentiation of PDL-CD105+ cells via BMP-2 secretion, and this effect depends on low levels of ASPN expression.

Treatment outcomes of the patients with early glottic cancer treated with initial radiotherapy and salvaged by conservative surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study analyzed the oncological and treatment outcomes of the patients with T1-T2N0 glottic cancer, who were treated with radiotherapy as initial treatment and salvaged by conservative surgery for radiation failure. METHODS: Between May 1999 and December 2010, 115 patients with glottic laryngeal cancer were treated at Kobe University Hospital. At presentation, 54 patients had stage T1a disease, 26 had stage T1b disease and 35 had stage T2 disease. Seventy-nine patients were treated with conventional radiotherapy and 36 patients were treated with hyperfractionated radiotherapy as initial treatment. RESULTS: Median duration of follow-up was 61 months. Five-year local control rates of radiotherapy were 92% in T1a, 83% in T1b and 86% in T2. Of 12 patients who developed local recurrence, larynx was successfully preserved in 3 patients by laryngomicrosurgery, 7 patients by vertical partial laryngectomy and one patient by subtotal laryngectomy. Ultimate 5-year laryngeal preservation rate and local control rate of all cases were 99 and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Present results suggest that initial treatment with radiotherapy salvaged by organ preservation surgery is an effective strategy for laryngeal preservation in the treatment of T1-T2N0 glottic laryngeal cancer.

The tsunami's impact on mortality in a town severely damaged by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

This study identifies the relationship between tsunami damage and mortality through a demographic pyramid of a town severely damaged by the tsunami following the Great East Japan Earthquake of 11 March 2011. It uses cross-sectional data collection. Volunteers visited all households, including shelters, and asked residents about the whereabouts of family members and neighbours. The information was collated with lists of evacuees and the dead to confirm the whereabouts of all residents about 50 days after the disaster. Demographic pyramids for the whole population based on pre- and post-disaster data were drawn. In all, 1,412 (8.8 per cent) were dead or missing, 60.2 per cent of whom were aged 65 and over and 37.5 per cent aged 75 and over, suggesting that the very old should be located beyond the reach of tsunamis. The mortality rate of children was lower than that in other studies, which may indicate the efficacy of disaster evacuation drills.

Evaluation of the biological activities of Copaiba (Copaifera spp): a comprehensive review based on scientometric analysis.

Copaíba oil-resin is extracted from the trunk of the Copaíba tree and has medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial properties. As a result, widespread knowledge about the use of Copaíba oil-resin has evolved, attracting the scientific community's attention. This paper aims to map the global knowledge production regarding the biological activities of Copaíba (Copaifera spp.). Bibliometric methodological instruments were used to conduct a search of the Web of Science-Core Collection database. The search resulted in 822 references. After screening titles and abstracts, 581 references did not meet the eligibility criteria, leaving 246 references for full-text examination. Subsequently, 15 studies were excluded, resulting in a final set of 232 records for the bibliometric analysis. In vitro was the most published study type, mainly from Brazil, from 2010 to 2020. Regarding the authors, Bastos, JK, and Ambrosio, SR were the ones with the most significant number of papers included. The most frequent keywords were Copaíba oil, Copaíba, and Copaifera. Our findings revealed global study trends about Copaíba, mainly related to its various effects and use over time. In general, all countries have conducted more research on antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities, also exposing its antioxidant and healing properties. Copaifera reticulata was the most investigated, followed by Copaifera langsdorffi and Copaifera multijuga in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, there is a need for human reports, given the promising results that Copaíba oils have been demonstrating.

Effects of a lactobacilli, oligosaccharide and organic germanium intake on the immune responses of mice.

The organic germanium compound, Ge-132, has immune-modulating effects. We evaluated the symbiotic effects of Ge-132 with lactobacilli and oligosaccharide (LB/OS) on the immune responses of mice. The highest fecal IgA levels were observed in the mice receiving a low concentration of Ge-132 with LB/OS for 8 weeks. Our data suggest that LB/OS with a low concentration of Ge-132 stimulated the intestinal immunity.

Fine mapping of foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani) resistance gene Raso1 in soybean and its effect on tolerance to Soybean dwarf virus transmitted by foxglove aphid.

Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV) causes serious dwarfing, yellowing and sterility in soybean (Glycine max). The soybean cv. Adams is tolerant to SbDV infection in the field and exhibits antibiosis to foxglove aphid (Aulacorthum solani), which transmits SbDV. This antibiosis (termed "aphid resistance") is required for tolerance to SbDV in the field in segregated progenies of Adams. A major quantitative trait locus, Raso1, is reported for foxglove aphid resistance. Our objectives were to fine map Raso1 and to reveal whether Raso1 alone is sufficient to confer both aphid resistance and SbDV tolerance. We introduced Raso1 into cv. Toyomusume by backcrossing and investigated the degree of aphid antibiosis to foxglove aphid and the degree of tolerance to SbDV in the field. All Raso1-introduced backcross lines showed aphid resistance. Interestingly, only one Raso1-introduced backcross line (TM-1386) showed tolerance to SbDV in the field. The results demonstrated Raso1 alone is sufficient to confer aphid resistance but insufficient for SbDV tolerance. Tolerance to SbDV was indicated to require additional gene(s) to Raso1. Additionally, Raso1 was mapped to a 63-kb interval on chromosome 3 of the Williams 82 sequence assembly (Glyma1). This interval includes a nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat encoding gene and two other genes in the Williams 82 soybean genome sequence.

Four cases of spinal accessory nerve passing through the fenestrated internal jugular vein.

PURPOSE: Neck dissection (ND) is an important technique for the treatment of cervical lymph node metastasis in patients with head and neck cancer. Since the introduction of functional ND (FND), various modifications have been made to reduce the adverse effects of radical ND. Recently, many investigators have documented cases of FND with preservation of the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) and/or the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which have contributed to improve the quality of life following ND. For this type of ND, special attention must be paid to identify the SAN and the internal jugular vein (IJV). METHODS: We performed 123 NDs over 2 years at the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Kobe University Hospital. We collected data of all patients who underwent NDs by retrospectively reviewing the relevant hospital medical records and operative notes. RESULTS: In 4 out of 123 NDs (3.3%), an anomaly of the SAN passing through the fenestrated IJV was observed. CONCLUSION: Although this anomaly is rare, head and neck surgeons should be aware of this anomalous relationship between the SAN and the IJV in order to avoid accidental injury to these structures during ND.

Gingival recession associated with noncarious cervical lesions: combined periodontal-restorative approach and the treatment of long-term esthetic complications.

Buccal gingival recession is a prevalent problem in populations with a high standard of oral hygiene and is often associated with noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs), leading to the need for a combined periodontal-restorative approach for better esthetic and functional results. In the literature, resin-modified glass ionomer (RMGI) restorations associated with periodontal surgery have been shown to achieve significant root coverage and reduction of dentin sensitivity; however, changes to the color of some of those restorations have been observed, which could compromise esthetics. Therefore, the aim of the present case report is to describe and discuss the current understanding of treatment for a gingival recession associated with an NCCL with a periodontal-restorative approach, and to describe treatment of RMGI color alteration problems two years after treatment.

T-staging of rectal cancer: Utility of single-shot turbo spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging with T2-weighted images and fusion images.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of turbo spin-echo (TSE) DWI with fusion images in the T-staging compared with T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) alone and conventional echo-planner imaging (EPI) DWI. METHODS: In this prospective study, 4-mm-thick axial EPI-DWI, TSE-DWI, and T2WI were performed with the same slice locations for 20 patients with rectal cancer. Fusion images of DWI and T2WI were created for both EPI-DWI and TSE-DWI. Ten readers independently diagnosed the T-stages and scored the degree of confidence referring to T2WI alone and then to DWI, T2WI, and fusion images (DWI+T2WI) for each EPI-DWI and TSE-DWI. Visual score assessments of image quality were performed for each DWI. RESULTS: Inter-observer agreement of T-staging for 10 readers was slight on T2WI alone but fair on EPI-DWI+T2WI and excellent on TSE-DWI+T2WI images. No readers gave higher confidence scores for T2WI compared to EPI/TSE-DWI+T2WI and for EPI-DWI+T2WI compared to TSE-DWI+T2WI. In seven pathologically-proven cases, poor, poor to slight, and fair to perfect agreements with the pathological T-stage were observed with T2WI alone, EPI-DWI+T2WI, and TSE-DWI+T2WI, respectively. All readers gave higher scores regarding image distortion and lower scores regarding image noise for TSE-DWI compared to EPI-DWI. For DWI utility, higher scores were assigned for TSE-DWI compared to EPI-DWI in 7 readers and there were no significant differences in the other 3 readers. CONCLUSION: TSE-DWI images might be more appropriate for image fusion with T2WI and rectal cancer T-staging compared with EPI-DWI and T2WI alone.

Is There Any Association Between Chronic Periodontitis and Anxiety in Adults? A Systematic Review.

Periodontitis is a multifactorial disease triggered by dysbiotic biofilms, involving the host's immune response, systemic and behavioral factors, including psychosocial conditions. This systematic review aimed to investigate the possible association between periodontitis and anxiety in adults. Searches were performed in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs, Cochrane, and OpenGrey databases, without language restrictions, considering studies in adults (P-Participants), with (E-Exposure) and without periodontitis (C- Comparison) in an outcome of association with anxiety (O-outcome). Methodological quality assessment was carried out using the Newcastle-Ottawa protocol for case-control and cross-sectional studies, followed by an analysis of the level of evidence using the GRADE tool. Metanalysis was not performed due to several differences in methods applied by authors in primary studies. Eleven observational studies were selected according to the inclusion criteria from the total of 6,380 studies retrieved from databases. Eight studies demonstrated higher anxiety levels in subjects with periodontitis, among which only one study presented a high risk of bias. The GRADE tool revealed a low level of evidence for the anxiety outcome measured by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), both for case-control and cross-sectional studies. However, since anxiety may affect the quality of life of many subjects, it reinforces the need for further studies that evaluate this association for more extended periods. Clinical Trial Registration:PROSPERO-CRD42020190445.

Effects of Different Stimulation Conditions on the Stimulation Effect of Noisy Galvanic Vestibular Stimulation.

Balance disorders are a risk factor for falls in the elderly population. Balance control involving the complex interaction among nervous, muscular, and sensory systems should be maintained to keep an upright posture and prevent falls. Vestibular sensation is one of the main senses essential for postural control. Noisy galvanic vestibular stimulation (nGVS) is a noninvasive stimulation method for vestibular organs. Recently, it has received increasing attention for the treatment of balance disorders. However, the effect of balance disorders on stimulus effect during the implementation of nGVS remains unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of different floor surface and visual conditions on the stimulus effects of the nGVS intervention. In this study, two experiments were conducted with 24 participants (12 each for Experiments 1 and 2). In Experiment 1, nGVS (0.4 mA; 0.1-640 Hz) was performed in the open-eyes standing position on a solid surface (nGVS condition) and in the closed-eye standing position on a foam rubber (nGVS + foam rubber condition). In Experiment 2, sham stimulation was performed under the same conditions as in Experiment 1, except for nGVS. Center of pressure (COP) sway was measured in all participants with them standing with open eyes at Pre and Post-1 (immediately after the intervention) and Post-2 (10 min after the measurement of post-1). In Experiment 1, under the nGVS condition, COP sway was significantly reduced in Post-1 and Post-2 compared with Pre. However, no significant difference was observed among Pre, Post-1, and Post-2 under the nGVS + foam rubber condition. Furthermore, the intervention effect was significantly greater in the nGVS condition than in the nGVS + foam rubber condition. In contrast, in Experiment 2, the COP sway did not significantly differ among Pre, Post-1, and Post-2 under either condition. Based on the results of this study, nGVS was found to be effective with open-eyes standing on a solid surface.

Association Between Diabetic Retinopathy and Periodontitis-A Systematic Review.

Background: Diabetic retinopathy is a common microvascular complication in diabetic patients and is considered the main cause of visual loss worldwide. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition, which compromises dental supporting tissues. The chronic bacterial challenge in periodontitis is a persistent source of inflammatory mediators that may be associated with insulin resistance, increasing the risk of complications of diabetes mellitus. This systematic review aimed to summarize the evidence in the association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis. Methods: This review was registered under the number CRD 42019142267. A search strategy in five electronic databases and a gray literature source was performed based on the PECO acronym. After data extraction, the qualitative synthesis and risk of bias analyses were performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The level of evidence of all studies taken together was evaluated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: Out of the 253 citations screened, five cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis, in which two were judged to be of good quality, one as fair quality, and two as poor quality. Among the included studies, a significant relationship between the severity of periodontitis (CAL > 5 mm) and the severity of diabetic retinopathy (p < 0.05) was reported by four studies. Also, an association between both diseases in non-obese adults was found after adjustments [OR 2.206 (1.114-4.366); p = 0.0232). However, the analysis of evidence by GRADE assessment was rated as low. Conclusions: Although the results of individual studies suggest an association between diabetic retinopathy and periodontitis, the quality of the body of evidence was judged to be low by the GRADE approach. Further studies with larger sample sizes, adequate models of cofounders' adjustments, and prospective analysis of periodontitis and diabetes conditions ought to be conducted to clarify this association.

Transcriptome profile of highly osteoblastic/cementoblastic periodontal ligament cell clones.

BACKGROUND: Heterogeneous cell populations of osteo/cementoblastic (O/C) or fibroblastic phenotypes constitute the periodontal dental ligament (PDL). A better understanding of these PDL cell subpopulations is essential to propose regenerative approaches based on a sound biological rationale. OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to clarify the differential transcriptome profile of PDL cells poised to differentiate into the O/C cell lineage. METHODOLOGY: To characterize periodontal-derived cells with distinct differentiation capacities, single-cell-derived clones were isolated from adult human PDL progenitor cells and their potential to differentiate into osteo/cementoblastic (O/C) phenotype (C-O clones) or fibroblastic phenotype (C-F clones) was assessed in vitro. The transcriptome profile of the clonal cell lines in standard medium cultivation was evaluated using next-generation sequencing technology (RNA-seq). Over 230 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were identified, in which C-O clones showed a higher number of upregulated genes (193) and 42 downregulated genes. RESULTS: The upregulated genes were associated with the Cadherin and Wnt signaling pathways as well as annotated biological processes, including "anatomical structure development" and "cell adhesion." Both transcriptome and RT-qPCR showed up-regulation of WNT2, WNT16, and WIF1 in C-O clones. CONCLUSIONS: This comprehensive transcriptomic assessment of human PDL progenitor cells revealed that expression of transcripts related to the biological process "anatomical structure development," Cadherin signaling, and Wnt signaling can identify PDL cells with a higher potential to commit to the O/C phenotype. A better understanding of these pathways and their function in O/C differentiation will help to improve protocols for periodontal regenerative therapies.

SARS-CoV-2 infection among returnees on charter flights to Japan from Hubei, China: a report from National Center for Global Health and Medicine.

Due to the significant spread of a new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) in China, the Chinese government blockaded several cities in Hubei Province. Japanese citizens lost a means of transportation to return back to Japan. The National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM) helped the operation of charter flights for evacuation of Japanese residents from Hubei Province, and this article outlines our experiences. A total of five charter flights were dispatched, and the majority of returnees (793/829 [95.7%]) were handled at NCGM. A large number of personnel from various departments participated in this operation; 107 physicians, 115 nurses, 110 clerical staff, and 45 laboratory technicians in total. Several medical translators were also involved. In this operation, we conducted airborne precautions in addition to contact precautions. Eye shields were also used. The doctors collecting the pharyngeal swab used a coverall to minimize the risk of body surface contamination from secretions and droplets. Enhanced hand hygiene using alcohol hand sanitizer was performed. Forty-eight persons were ultimately hospitalized after the triage at NCGM operation, which was more than the number of persons triaged at the airport (n = 34). Of those hospitalized after NCGM triage, 8.3% (4/48 patients) ultimately tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, significantly higher than the positive rate among subjects not triaged (4/48 [8.3%] vs. 9/745 [1.2%]: p = 0.0057). NCGM participated in a large-scale operation to evacuate Japanese nationals from the COVID-19 epidemic area. We were able to establish a scheme through this experience that can be used in the future.

Periodontal ligament-derived mesenchymal stem cells modulate neutrophil responses via paracrine mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into distinct mesenchymal cell lineages and regulate the immune response. The aim of this study was to determine whether periodontal ligament-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDLSCs) have the ability to modulate neutrophil responses via paracrine mechanisms. METHODS: CD105-enriched PDLSCs were seeded for 24 h and challenged with Porphyromonas gingivalis total protein extract (PgPE) (0 or 2 ug/mL) for 3 h. Cells were then washed and further cultured for 18 h and the supernatants were collected and stored. Next, neutrophil-differentiated human promyelocytic leukemia HL-60 cells (HL60D) were treated with PDLSCs supernatants and HL-60D activation and functional responses were determined. RESULTS: PgPE treatment induced higher secretion of inflammatory markers and chemokines by PDLSCs, including RANTES, eotaxin, interferon (IFN)-γ- inducible protein 10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-1ra (P < 0.05). HL-60D recruitment rate was increased by 4.7 ± 1.09-fold when exposed to PgPE-treated PDLSCs supernatants. PgPE-treated PDLSCs supernatants promoted a 1.78 ± 1.04-fold increase in the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by PMA-stimulated HL-60D, whereas PgPE-untreated PDLSCs supernatants led to a 16% reduction in intracellular ROS. In sharp contrast, neither PgPE-untreated nor PgPE-treated PDLSCs supernatants altered tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-1ß secretion by HL-60D cells. CONCLUSION: Together, these findings suggest an important role of PDLSCs in the recognition of P. gingivalis, paracrine recruitment and activation of antimicrobial mechanisms in innate immune cells, without interfering in cytokine responses.

Perfil de componentes curriculares e docentes de Odontologia Legal e saúde coletiva de cursos de graduação em Odontologia da região norte do Brasil / Profile of curricular components and professors of Forensic Dentistry and Public Health in undergraduate dentistry courses in the northern region of Brazil

Introdução: Odontologia Legal (OL) e Saúde Coletiva (SC) contribuem na formação do cirurgião-dentista em aspectos relacionados à ética profissional, à cidadania e à atenção às necessidades de saúde da população. Objetivo: analisar o perfil de componentes curriculares e docentes de OL e SC de cursos de graduação em Odontologia. Material e método: Trata-se de um estudo transversal quantitativo desenvolvido por meio de formulário eletrônico aplicado a docentes de componentes curriculares de OL e SC de cursos da região norte do Brasil, em 2022. Para análise de dados, foi aplicada estatística descritiva e os testes Qui-quadrado e Exato de Fisher. Resultados: Quarenta docentes participaram da pesquisa, sendo 12 de instituições públicas, 27 de particulares e 1 de ambas. Deles, 10 (25%) eram de OL, 22 (55%) de SC e 8 (23%) de ambos os componentes curriculares. Todos (100%) os componentes curriculares de OL eram obrigatórios e ministrados em 1 a 3 semestres do curso, a maioria com ensino presencial (94,4%) e 50% em aulas teóricas e práticas. Os componentes curriculares de SC possuíam grande variabilidade de distribuição de períodos no curso, a maioria com carga horária de até 200 horas. Pouco mais de 40% dos docentes de OL possuíam formação específica na área. Para SC, 63% dos docentes possuíam formação específica. A oportunidade de trabalho ou de inserção em uma instituição de ensino foi o motivo mais citado pelos docentes que não possuíam formação específica na área dos componentes curriculares que ministravam. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa no perfil dos docentes. Conclusão: os componentes curriculares de OL não estavam alinhados às diretrizes da Associação Brasileira de Ética e Odontologia Legal e os componentes curriculares de SC seguiam as previsões das Diretrizes Nacionais Curriculares de 2002

Introduction: Forensic Dentistry (FD) and Public Health (PH) contribute to dentist's development in aspects related to professional ethics, citizenship and attention to the population health needs. Aim: to analyze the profile of FD and PH curricular components and professors in undergraduate courses of Dentistry. Material and methods: a quantitative cross-sectional study was carried out using an electronic questionnaire sent to professors who taught FD and PH in north Brazilian colleges in 2022. To data analysis, descriptive statistics, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were applied. Results: Forty professors participated in the survey, 12 from public institutions, 27 from private institutions and 1 from both. Of them, 10 (25%) were professors of FD, 22 (55%) of PH and 8 (23%) of both curricular components. All (100%) FD curricular components were mandatory and taught in 1 to 3 semesters of the course, most with face-to-face teaching (94.4%) and 50% with theoretical and practical classes. PH curricular components had great variability in the distribution of periods in the course, most with a workload up to 200 hours. Just over 40% of FD professors had specific training in the area. In the PH area, 63% of professors had specific training. The opportunity for work or insertion in an educational institution was the reason most cited by professors who did not have specific training in the area of the curricular components they taught. There was no statistically significant difference in the professors' profile. Conclusion: the FD curricular components were not aligned with the guidelines of the Brazilian Association of Ethics and Forensic Dentistry and the PH curricular components followed the predictions of the 2002 National Curricular Guidelines

A Novel Modification of Semilunar Coronally Advanced Flap for the Treatment of Gingival Recession: Case Series.

This article aims to describe a modification of the semilunar coronally advanced flap. A total of 12 systemically and periodontally healthy patients presenting Miller Class I gingival recession were treated with the modified semilunar coronally advanced flap technique described in this article. After 1 year of follow-up, the mean root coverage was 85.4% ± 24.7%. Significant gingival recession reduction, clinical attachment gain, and reduction in dentin sensitivity was observed 1 year after surgery. This novel semilunar coronally advanced flap technique was demonstrated to be effective for root coverage in Miller Class I gingival recessions.

Periodontitis and Alzheimer's Disease: A Possible Comorbidity between Oral Chronic Inflammatory Condition and Neuroinflammation.

Periodontitis is an oral chronic infection/inflammatory condition, identified as a source of mediators of inflammation into the blood circulation, which may contribute to exacerbate several diseases. There is increasing evidence that inflammation plays a key role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although inflammation is present in both diseases, the exact mechanisms and crosslinks between periodontitis and AD are poorly understood. Therefore, this article aims to review possible comorbidity between periodontitis and AD. Here, the authors discuss the inflammatory aspects of periodontitis, how this oral condition produces a systemic inflammation and, finally, the contribution of this systemic inflammation for worsening neuroinflammation in the progression of AD.

Viability and Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Progenitor Cells Are Maintained After Incubation With Porphyromonas gingivalis Protein Extract.

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a major periodontal pathogen that contains immunostimulatory components. Periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (PDLMSCs) are responsible for regeneration of the periodontium that is lost due to periodontitis. Pathologic factors within the microenvironment that impair resident PDLMSCs are not well understood. The present study investigates in vitro the effects of Pg protein extract (PgPE) on biologic properties of CD105-enriched PDL progenitor cell populations (PDL-CD105+). METHODS: Five populations of PDL-CD105+ cells were exposed to PgPE and assessed for cell viability, apoptosis, and proinflammatory gene expression (interleukin-1ß [IL-1ß], tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α], and IL-6) by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, IL-6 immunostaining, activation of IL-6/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 signaling pathway, and osteogenic differentiation potential. RESULTS: PgPE treatment (2 µg/mL) did not affect cell viability or survival but induced a significant increase in IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and positive staining for IL-6. A total of 29 genes from the IL-6/STAT3 pathway were upregulated on PgPE stimulation. These genes are related to biologic processes involved in the control of cell survival (B-cell lymphoma 2 [BCL2]), cell proliferation (hepatocytehepatocyte growth factor), cytokine-mediated signaling pathway (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3, C-X-C ligand 8 [CXCL8]), and response to stress (CXCL8, mitogen-activated protein kinase 3, BCL2-associated X protein, and BCL2). Additionally, PgPE treatment caused an increase in alkaline phosphatase mRNA expression in PDL-CD105+ cells after 7 days of osteogenic induction, although mineral nodule formation was comparable to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the inflammatory profile induced by PgPE treatment in PDL-CD105+ cells did not affect cell viability, apoptosis, or osteogenic differentiation, perhaps due to increased expression of genes involved in the control of cell proliferation and protection against cell death.