Adverse effects of articaine versus lidocaine in pediatric dentistry: a meta-analysis.

Over the last few years, numerous reports have lauded the efficacy of articaine hydrochloride as a local anesthetic (LA) in dental procedures. Numerous studies have shown that articaine outperforms lidocaine in various aspects of dental treatment, leading to its widespread adoption in both adults and children. Despite the publications of comparative studies, there remains a dearth of systematic reviews examining the adverse effects of articaine versus lidocaine in randomized controlled trials. The aim was to assess the available research on the adverse effects of articaine and lidocaine in pediatric dentistry. A comprehensive search was conducted on Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Embase, Web of Science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared articaine with lidocaine in pediatric dentistry were included. Methodological quality assessment and risk of bias were determined for each of the included studies. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach was used to assess the strength of evidence for every research. A total of 333 studies were identified through electronic searches. After conducting primary and secondary assessments, eight studies were included for the final qualitative analysis. We found no difference in the probability of adverse reactions between articaine and lidocaine after treatment in pediatric patients (risk ratio (RR) = 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) (0.54-2.15), p = 0.83). However, a high heterogeneity was reported among the outcomes in the investigated studies (I2 = 57%), and the strength of the evidence was classified as "moderate" based on the GRADE approach. Besides, we found no significant difference in the probability of postoperative pain, postoperative soft tissue injury and edema between articaine and lidocaine in pediatric patients following treatment. There was moderate quality evidence suggesting no difference in the occurrence of adverse events between articaine and lidocaine when used for pediatric dental procedures.

Randomized Crossover Study of Auricular Plaster Therapy to Relieve Dental Anxiety in Children.

Objective: To determine if auricular plaster therapy (APT) can alleviate dental anxiety in children aged 9 or 10 years old. Methods: A crossover research was conducted on children with at least two deep-arrested deciduous molar caries (N = 80?). The first group (N = 40) received APT intended to reduce anxiety prior to the first caries treatment, whereas the second group (N = 40) received placebo/control APT (no anticipated impact on anxiety). The APT approaches were exchanged after a washout period following the initial caries treatment. Additionally, both groups were also informed and given a demonstration regarding the procedures and equipment prior to their use as part of a Tell-Show-Do (TSD) protocol. The dentists, children, and parents were all involved in assessing the level of anxiety using general anxiety scales. Moreover, the average heart rate and salivary cortisol concentration, both of which are indications of anxiety, were compared between the pre- and post-intervention periods. The participants were unaware of the type of APT that was employed (anti-anxiety vs. control). To avoid inadvertently influencing the outcome, all psychologists, investigators, and data recorders were blinded to the randomized subject sequence. Results: Children treated with anti-anxiety APT demonstrated significantly higher levels of obedience than children treated with control APT (P < 0.05). In addition, children treated with APT had a lower average heart rate while awaiting treatment, undergoing local anesthesia, and receiving dental caries treatment (P < 0.05). These children had reduced salivary cortisol levels while awaiting treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Anti-anxiety APT can help relieve dental anxiety in children.

Rational Design of Ag-Based Catalysts for the Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to CO: A Review.

The selective electrochemical CO2 reduction (ECR) to CO in aqueous electrolytes has gained significant interest in recent years due to its capability to mitigate the environmental issues associated with CO2 emission and to convert renewable energy such as wind and solar power into chemical energy as well as its potential to realize the commercial use of CO2 . In view of the thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of CO2 molecules, the exploitation of active, selective, and stable catalysts for the ECR to CO is crucial to promote the reaction efficiency. Indeed, plenty of electrocatalysts for the selective ECR to CO have been explored, of which Ag is known as the most promising electrocatalyst for large-scale ECR to CO due to several competitive advantages including high catalytic performance, low price, and rich reserves compared with other metal counterparts. To provide useful guidelines for the further development of efficient catalysts for the ECR to CO, a comprehensive summary of the recent progress of Ag-based electrocatalysts is presented in this Review. Different modification strategies of Ag-based electrocatalysts are highlighted, including exposure of crystal facets, tuning of morphology and size, introduction of support materials, alloying with other metals, and surface modification with functional groups. The reaction mechanisms involved in these different modification strategies of Ag-based electrocatalysts are also discussed. Finally, the prospects for the development of next-generation Ag-based electrocatalysts are proposed in an effort to facilitate the industrialization of ECR to CO.

MicroRNA-1225 activates Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signalling to inhibit TNFα-induced osteoclastogenesis by mediating ROS generation.

The influence of miRNA-1225-5p (miR-1225) and Keap1-Nrf2 signalling on in vitro osteoclast differentiation in mouse models was studied along with the underlying mechanism. In differentiated bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs), downregulated miR-1225 and upregulated Keap1 were observed in the course of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL)-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that miR-1225 targeted the three prime untranslated region (3'-UTR) of Keap1 mRNA and caused its degradation. Transfection of a miR-1225 mimic or Keap1 silencing was found to inhibit osteoclastogenesis as evidenced by loss of activity and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, decreased expression of osteoclast markers, and associated genes and reduced number of multinuclear cells; in contrast, a miR-1225 inhibitor or Keap1 overexpression increased this process. In addition, transfection with the miR-1225 mimic or Keap1 silencing decreased the level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)α, which was increased after miR-1225 inhibition and Keap1 overexpression. TNFα overexpression promoted Keap1 depletion-inhibited BMM osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation that is related to osteoclastogenesis and the Keap-Nrf2 axis was impaired by the miR-1225 mimic and Keap1 silencing, whereas it was increased following miR inhibition and overexpression of Keap1 and TNFα. Thus, miR-1225 inhibits osteoclastogenesis by directly activating the Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 axis to repress TNFα-mediated ROS generation. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: Our study showed that miR-1225 is significant in multiple malignancies and other pathological reactions. Transfection of a miR-1225 mimic or Keap1 silencing inhibits osteoclastogenesis. After miR-1225 inhibition and Keap1 overexpression, TNF was increased. TNFα overexpression promoted Keap1 depletion-inhibited BMM osteoclastogenesis. miR-1225 activates Keap1-Nrf2-HO-1 signal to inhibit TNFα-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Roles of SP600125 in expression of JNK, RANKL and OPG in cultured dental follicle cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of C-JNK, RANKL and OPG after SP600125 administration in cultured dental follicle cells (DFCs). METHODS: TRAP staining and electron microscope were carried out on day 7 and 9 after coculture of BMMs and DFCs with a ratio of 5:1 in different groups. To determine the effects of SP600125 on the expression of C-JNK, RANKL and OPG mRNA and protein, cultured DFCs were divided into control group, DMSO group and SP600125 groups. Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to investigate the expression of the mRNA and protein, respectively. RESULTS: TRAP assay indicated that the number of multinucleated osteoclasts in the SP600125 group showed significant decrease compared with that of control (P < 0.05). The expression of JNK protein in the SP600125 groups showed significant decline compared with that of the control group and blank control (P < 0.05). Significant decrease was noticed in the RANKL protein expression with the elevation of SP600125. CONCLUSIONS: SP600125 could inhibit the formation of osteoclast in the coculture system of DFCs and BMMs. After SP600125 treatment, the expression of RANKL and JNK showed a trend of decrease, and the expression of OPG showed gradual increase followed by gradual decrease.

Auricular Acupressure Improves Habit Reversal Treatment for Nail Biting.

OBJECTIVE: Nail biting leads to a variety of health issues. Habit reversal treatment is a major approach to cease nail biting, but is often ineffective since patients continue to suffer from anxiety, a major trigger. This study investigated whether the potential anxiety relief provided by auricular acupressure could improve the efficacy of habit reversal treatment, as evidenced by improved stomatological and other outcomes. METHODS: In a pragmatic, randomized, crossover, pilot clinical trial, 83 nail biters (8-12 years old) received habit reversal treatment in combination with either auricular acupressure intended to reduce anxiety (Method A) or placebo auricular acupressure (Method B). The alternative protocol was employed after a two-month washout period. The primary outcome measured was the 41-item child self-reported version of the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders, while the secondary outcomes were the nail growth status (NS), which represented the fingernail growth of each finger during habit reversal treatment, simplified plaque index (SPI), and the simplified gingival index (SGI) as measures of oral health. A paired sample t-test was used to assess the differences between Methods A and B, and the differences in the anxiety scores, NS, SGI, and SPI between the baseline and each time point. RESULTS: Forty-one children successfully completed both arms of the treatments and attended all appointments. There were significant differences in the efficacy of habit reversal treatment, the anxiety score, the nail status, and the SGI in favor of Method A (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Auricular acupressure appears to improve the efficacy of habit reversal treatment, likely by reducing anxiety.

The highly selective oxidation of cyclohexane to cyclohexanone and cyclohexanol over VAlPO4 berlinite by oxygen under atmospheric pressure.

BACKGROUND: The oxidation of cyclohexane under mild conditions occupies an important position in the chemical industry. A few soluble transition metals were widely used as homogeneous catalysts in the industrial oxidation of cyclohexane. Because heterogeneous catalysts are more manageable than homogeneous catalysts as regards separation and recycling, in our study, we hydrothermally synthesized and used pure berlinite (AlPO4) and vanadium-incorporated berlinite (VAlPO4) as heterogeneous catalysts in the selective oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen under atmospheric pressure. The catalysts were characterized by means of by XRD, FT-IR, XPS and SEM. Various influencing factors, such as the kind of solvents, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated systematically. RESULTS: The XRD characterization identified a berlinite structure associated with both the AlPO4 and VAlPO4 catalysts. The FT-IR result confirmed the incorporation of vanadium into the berlinite framework for VAlPO4. The XPS measurement revealed that the oxygen ions in the VAlPO4 structure possessed a higher binding energy than those in V2O5, and as a result, the lattice oxygen was existed on the surface of the VAlPO4 catalyst. It was found that VAlPO4 catalyzed the selective oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen under atmospheric pressure, while no activity was detected on using AlPO4. Under optimum reaction conditions (i.e. a 100 mL cyclohexane, 0.1 MPa O2, 353 K, 4 h, 5 mg VAlPO4 and 20 mL acetic acid solvent), a selectivity of KA oil (both cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone) up to 97.2% (with almost 6.8% conversion of cyclohexane) was obtained. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane over VAlPO4 was also proposed. CONCLUSIONS: As a heterogeneous catalyst VAlPO4 berlinite is both high active and strong stable for the selective oxidation of cyclohexane with molecular oxygen. We propose that KA oil is formed via a catalytic cycle, which involves activation of the cyclohexane by a key active intermediate species, formed from the nucleophilic addition of the lattice oxygen ion with the carbon in cyclohexane, as well as an oxygen vacancy formed at the VAlPO4 catalyst surface.

Phosgene-free synthesis of hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate by the catalytic decomposition of dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate over zinc-incorporated berlinite (ZnAlPO4).

The phosgene-free synthesis of hexamethylene-1,6-diisocyanate (HDI) by the decomposition of dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate (HDU) was carried out on a self-designed fixed-bed catalytic reactor, using zinc-incorporated berlinite (ZnAlPO4) as catalyst, dioctyl phthalate (DOP) as solvent and N2 as carrier gas. Factors influencing the yield of HDI, including the Zn/Al molar ratio, HDU concentration and liquid space velocity (LHSV), were investigated. Under the optimized reaction conditions, i.e., 4.8 wt.% concentration of HDU in DOP, 100ml/min N2 flow rate, 0.09 MPa vacuum, 623K reaction temperature, 1.2h(-1) LHSV and catalyst usage 2.0 g, a 89.4% yield of HDI had been achieved over the ZnAlPO4 (molar ratio Zn/Al=0.04) catalyst. The ZnAlPO4 catalyst was found to exhibit a considerable large on-stream stability and could be repeatedly used in the decomposition of HDU to HDI, after its regeneration.

[Odontogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells induced by periodontal ligament stem cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism underlying the mechanism of odontogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) induced by periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and offer an experimental evidence for the combination of the two types of stem cells to make regenerative periodontal complex. METHODS: By means of Transwell(R); chamber, PDLSCs and BMMSCs from miniature pigs were co-cultured indirectly at different mixing ratios of PDLSCs to BMMSCs, 10:1 (group A), 1:1 (group B), 1:10 (group C). On the other hand, PDLSCs and BMMSCs were respectively cultured alone as positive and negative control group. Fourteen days later, the expressions of scleraxis, matrix extracellular phosphoglycoprotein (MEPE), osteocalcin (OCN), osterix (OSX) were detected by immunofluorescence and real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) to determine the optimal ratio of PDLSCs to BMMSCs for odontogenic differentiation. RESULTS: Immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR showed that the expression levels of sceleraxi, OCN and OSX protein and relative mRNA had no statistically significant difference in the A, B, C groups (P>0.05), but as for MEPE, its relative mRNA expression level in group A was significantly higher than that in group B or C (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: In the indirect co-culture of PDLSCs and BMMSCs, BMMSCs can obtain PDLSCs' biological characteristics to different extent, and meanwhile, a small number of PDLSCs can also induce the odontogenic differentiation of BMMSCs.

[Expression of tumor necrosis factor in placenta tissue of pregnant rats with chronic peridontitis].

OBJECTIVE: To examine the expression of tumor necrosis factor in placenta of pregnant rats with chronic periodontitis. METHODS: Twenty Wistar female rats were randomly divided into two groups, control (n = 8) and experimental group (n = 12). The periodontitis model was established in the experimental group. The females and males in the two groups got together four weeks later. Nineteen days after pregnancy all rats were executed and placenta collected. The delivery time and neonatal birth weight were recorded and the pathological changes of periodontal tissue observed. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) expression was examined in placenta by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. RESULTS: The animal model of chronic periodontitis was successfully established. Experimental group delivered 30 offspring and the control group 56 offspring. The average number of pups born alive per litter in experimental group (4.1 ± 2.2) was significantly lower than that in control group (9.2 ± 2.2), P < 0.05. The birth weight of pups in experimental group [(5.01 ± 0.43) g] was significantly lower than that in the control group [(5.79 ± 0.53) g], P < 0.05. The relative quantitative expression of TNF was (1.807 ± 0.265) in experimental group the and (1.003 ± 0.021) in the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic periodontitis may be related to preterm low birth weight.

Catalysis over zinc-incorporated berlinite (ZnAlPO4) of the methoxycarbonylation of 1,6-hexanediamine with dimethyl carbonate to form dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate.

BACKGROUND: The alkoxycarbonylation of diamines with dialkyl carbonates presents promising route for the synthesis of dicarbamates, one that is potentially 'greener' owing to the lack of a reliance on phosgene. While a few homogeneous catalysts have been reported, no heterogeneous catalyst could be found in the literature for use in the synthesis of dicarbamates from diamines and dialkyl carbonates. Because heterogeneous catalysts are more manageable than homogeneous catalysts as regards separation and recycling, in our study, we hydrothermally synthesized and used pure berlinite (AlPO4) and zinc-incorporated berlinite (ZnAlPO4) as heterogeneous catalysts in the production of dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate from 1,6-hexanediamine (HDA) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The catalysts were characterized by means of XRD, FT-IR and XPS. Various influencing factors, such as the HDA/DMC molar ratio, reaction temperature, reaction time, and ZnAlPO4/HDA ratio, were investigated systematically. RESULTS: The XRD characterization identified a berlinite structure associated with both the AlPO4 and ZnAlPO4 catalysts. The FT-IR result confirmed the incorporation of zinc into the berlinite framework for ZnAlPO4. The XPS measurement revealed that the zinc ions in the ZnAlPO4 structure possessed a higher binding energy than those in ZnO, and as a result, a greater electron-attracting ability. It was found that ZnAlPO4 catalyzed the formation of dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate from the methoxycarbonylation of HDA with DMC, while no activity was detected on using AlPO4. Under optimum reaction conditions (i.e. a DMC/HDA molar ratio of 8:1, reaction temperature of 349 K, reaction time of 8 h, and ZnAlPO4/HDA ratio of 5 (mg/mmol)), a yield of up to 92.5% of dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate (with almost 100% conversion of HDA) was obtained. Based on these results, a possible mechanism for the methoxycarbonylation over ZnAlPO4 was also proposed. CONCLUSION: As a heterogeneous catalyst ZnAlPO4 berlinite is highly active and selective for the methoxycarbonylation of HDA with DMC. We propose that dimethylhexane-1,6-dicarbamate is formed via a catalytic cycle, which involves activation of the DMC by a key active intermediate species, formed from the coordination of the carbonyl oxygen with Zn(II), as well as a reaction intermediate formed from the nucleophilic attack of the amino group on the carbonyl carbon.