Integrating Phosphate Enhances Biomineralization Effect of Methacrylate Cement in Vital Pulp Treatment with Improved Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Stimulation.

Vital pulp treatment (VPT) is crucial for preserving the health and function of the tooth in cases where the pulp tissue remains vital despite exposure. Various materials are introduced for this purpose. However, challenges such as low strength, high solubility, and tooth discoloration persist. Methylmethacrylate-based cement (MC) offers excellent sealing ability, feasibility, and mechanical properties, making it a promising alternative for VPT. Phosphate-based glass (PBG) has the potential to promote hard tissue regeneration by releasing key inducers, phosphorus (P) and calcium (Ca), for reparative odontogenesis. This study investigates PBG-integrated MC (PIMC) by characterizing its properties, assessing human dental pulp stem cell activity related to initial inflammatory adaptation and odontogenic differentiation, and evaluating hard tissue formation using an in vivo dog pulpotomy model. Results indicate that a 5% PBG-integrated MC (5PIMC) maintains the physicochemical properties of MC. Furthermore, 5PIMC demonstrates cytocompatibility, excellent expression of osteo/odontogenic markers, and resistance to inflammatory markers, significantly outperforming MC. Enhanced hard tissue formation is observed in the dental pulp of mongrel dog teeth treated with 5PIMC. These findings suggest that 5PIMC could be an optimal and suitable material for reparative odontogenesis through VPT.

Murine parainfluenza virus persists in lung innate immune cells sustaining chronic lung pathology.

Common respiratory viruses, including the human parainfluenza viruses, threaten human health seasonally and associate with the development of chronic lung diseases. Evidence suggests that these viruses can persist, but the sources of viral products in vivo and their impact on chronic respiratory diseases remain unknown. Using the murine parainfluenza virus Sendai, we demonstrate that viral protein and RNA persist in lung macrophages, type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) and dendritic cells long after the infectious virus is cleared. Cells containing persistent viral protein expressed Th2 inflammation-related transcriptomic signatures associated with the development of chronic lung diseases, including asthma. Lineage tracing demonstrated that distinct functional groups of cells contribute to the chronic pathology. Importantly, targeted ablation of infected cells significantly ameliorated chronic lung disease. Overall, we identified persistent infection of innate immune cells as a key factor in the progression from acute to chronic lung disease after infection with parainfluenza virus.

Cation-eutaxy-enabled III-V-derived van der Waals crystals as memristive semiconductors.

Novel two-dimensional semiconductor crystals can exhibit diverse physical properties beyond their inherent semiconducting attributes, making their pursuit paramount. Memristive properties, as exemplars of these attributes, are predominantly manifested in wide-bandgap materials. However, simultaneously harnessing semiconductor properties alongside memristive characteristics to produce memtransistors is challenging. Herein we prepared a class of semiconducting III-V-derived van der Waals crystals, specifically the HxA1-xBX form, exhibiting memristive characteristics. To identify candidates for the material synthesis, we conducted a systematic high-throughput screening, leading us to 44 prospective III-V candidates; of these, we successfully synthesized ten, including nitrides, phosphides, arsenides and antimonides. These materials exhibited intriguing characteristics such as electrochemical polarization and memristive phenomena while retaining their semiconductive attributes. We demonstrated the gate-tunable synaptic and logic functions within single-gate memtransistors, capitalizing on the synergistic interplay between the semiconducting and memristive properties of our two-dimensional crystals. Our approach guides the discovery of van der Waals materials with unique properties from unconventional crystal symmetries.

Protocol to isolate and characterize pulmonary-specific extracellular vesicles in mice.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous nanoparticles classified based on their size and surface markers, which can be specific to various cell origins. Here, we present a protocol for the isolation of pulmonary-specific EVs in mice. We describe steps for differential centrifugation, density gradient centrifugation, and commercially available polyethylene glycol(PEG)-based precipitation, employing pulmonary-specific EV-bound chemicals and antibodies. We then detail procedures for the characterization of these EVs through nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Lee et al.1,2,3,4.

Lateral Wall Integrity of the Greater Tuberosity Is Important for the Stability of Osteoporotic Proximal Humeral Fractures After Plate Fixation.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies assessing surgical fixation of osteoporotic proximal humeral fractures have primarily focused on medial calcar support. In this study, we utilized a specific model for 2-part surgical neck fracture of the osteoporotic proximal humerus to investigate how severe comminution of the greater tuberosity (GT) lateral wall affects biomechanical stability after fixation with a plate. METHODS: Ten matched pairs of cadaveric humeri (right and left) were assigned to either a surgical neck fracture alone (the SN group) or a surgical neck fracture with GT lateral wall comminution (the LW group) with use of block randomization. We removed 5 mm of the lateral wall of the GT to simulate severe comminution of the lateral wall. Axial compression stiffness, torsional stiffness, varus bending stiffness, and the single load to failure in varus bending were measured for all plate-bone constructs. RESULTS: Compared with the SN group, the LW group showed a significant decrease in all measures, including torsional stiffness (internal, p = 0.007; external, p = 0.007), axial compression stiffness (p = 0.002), and varus bending stiffness (p = 0.007). In addition, the mean single load to failure in varus bending for the LW group was 62% lower than that for the SN group (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Severe comminution of the GT lateral wall significantly compromised the biomechanical stability of osteoporotic, comminuted humeral surgical neck fractures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the generalizability of this cadaveric model may be limited to the extreme clinical scenario, the model showed that severe comminution of the GT lateral wall significantly compromised the stability of osteoporotic humeral surgical neck fractures fixed with a plate and screws alone.

Effect of shade and thickness on the microhardness of resin-based composite specimens at different points considering curing light beam's inhomogeneity.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported the inhomogeneity in the light emitted by dental light-curing units (LCUs). It is essential to understand how this uneven light distribution affects the physical properties of resin-based composites (RBCs) at various points across their surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LCU beam's inhomogeneity on the microhardness of RBCs with different shades and thicknesses. METHODS: Four body (A1B, A2B, A3B, and A4B), one dentin (A3D), and one enamel shade (A3E) of RBC (Filtek Z350 XT) were examined. The specimens were fabricated in four thicknesses (1, 2, 3, and 4 mm) and subjected to a 40-second light-curing. Vickers microhardness testing was performed at the center point, and 3 mm left and right from the center at the bottom surface of each sample. The LCU beam profile was characterized using a beam profiler, while irradiance after specimen passage was measured using a spectrometer. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used to analyze the effects of shades and thicknesses on irradiance and microhardness, respectively. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the microhardness across different points. Pearson's correlation analysis examined the relationship between irradiance and microhardness. RESULTS: The beam profile of LCU revealed inhomogeneous light distribution. Light irradiance was decreased with both the increase in thickness and darker shade of the specimens (p < 0.05). Microhardness was found to decline with an increase in sample thickness (p < 0.05), and was consistently higher at the center point compared to the periphery, particularly in thicker (3 and 4 mm) and darker shades (A3B, A4B, and A3D). A positive correlation was found between the irradiance and microhardness across all evaluated points (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inhomogeneous light emission from LCU significantly influences the microhardness of RBC samples, depending on the thicknesses and shades. The findings underline the importance of considering LCU beam inhomogeneity in clinical settings to ensure optimal polymerization of RBC.

Influence of Gelatin on Adhesion, Proliferation, and Adipogenic Differentiation of Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells Cultured on Soy Protein-Agarose Scaffolds.

Scaffolds play a key role in cultured meat production by providing an optimal environment for efficient cell attachment, growth, and development. This study investigated the effects of gelatin coating on the adhesion, proliferation, and adipogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) cultured on soy protein-agarose scaffolds. Gelatin-coated scaffolds were prepared using 0.5% and 1.0% (w/v) gelatin solutions. The microstructure, water absorption rate, mechanical strength, cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation capabilities of the scaffolds were analyzed. Field emission scanning electron microscopy revealed the porous microstructure of the scaffolds, which was suitable for cell growth. Gelatin-coated scaffolds exhibited a significantly higher water absorption rate than that of non-coated scaffolds, indicating increased hydrophilicity. In addition, gelatin coating increased the mechanical strength of the scaffolds. Gelatin coating did not show cytotoxicity but significantly enhanced cell adhesion and proliferation. The gene expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, and fatty acid-binding protein 4 were upregulated, and lipid accumulation was increased by gelatin coating. These findings suggest that gelatin-coated scaffolds provide a supportive microenvironment for ADSC growth and differentiation, highlighting their potential as a strategy for the improvement of cultured meat production and adipose tissue engineering.

Antiepileptic and Neuroprotective Effects of Rheum tanguticum Root Extract on Trimethyltin-Induced Epilepsy and Neurodegeneration: In Vivo and in Silico Analyses.

BACKGROUND: Rheum tanguticum root, cataloged as "Daehwang" in the Korean Pharmacopeia, is rich in various anthraquinones known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Formulations containing Daehwang are traditionally employed for treating neurological conditions. This study aimed to substantiate the antiepileptic and neuroprotective efficacy of R. tanguticum root extract (RTE) against trimethyltin (TMT)-induced epileptic seizures and hippocampal neurodegeneration. METHODS: The constituents of RTE were identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC). Experimental animals were grouped into the following five categories: control, TMT, and three TMT+RTE groups with dosages of 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg. Seizure severity was assessed daily for comparison between the groups. Brain tissue samples were examined to determine the extent of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation using histological and molecular biology techniques. Network pharmacology analysis involved extracting herbal targets for Daehwang and disease targets for epilepsy from multiple databases. A protein-protein interaction network was built using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) database, and pivotal targets were determined by topological analysis. Enrichment analysis was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) tool to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: The RTE formulation was found to contain sennoside A, sennoside B, chrysophanol, emodin, physcion, (+)-catechin, and quercetin-3-O-glucuronoid. RTE effectively inhibited TMT-induced seizures at 10, 30, and 100 mg/kg dosages and attenuated hippocampal neuronal decay and neuroinflammation at 30 and 100 mg/kg dosages. Furthermore, RTE significantly reduced mRNA levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and c-fos in hippocampal tissues. Network analysis revealed TNF, Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Protein c-fos (FOS), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), and Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) as the core targets. Enrichment analysis demonstrated significant involvement of R. tanguticum components in neurodegeneration (p = 4.35 × 10-5) and TNF signaling pathway (p = 9.94 × 10-5). CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo and in silico analyses performed in this study suggests that RTE can potentially modulate TMT-induced epileptic seizures and neurodegeneration. Therefore, R. tanguticum root is a promising herbal treatment option for antiepileptic and neuroprotective applications.

A multifunctional protein pre-coated metal-organic framework for targeted delivery with deep tissue penetration.

Targeted drug delivery using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has shown significant progress. However, the tumor microenvironment (TME) impedes efficient MOF particle transfer into tumor cells. To tackle this issue, we pre-coated nano-sized MOF-808 particles with multifunctional proteins: glutathione S-transferase (GST)-affibody (Afb) and collagenase, aiming to navigate the TME more effectively. The surface of MOF-808 particles is coated with GST-Afb-a fusion protein of GST and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) Afb or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) Afb which has target affinity. We also added collagenase enzymes capable of breaking down collagen in the extracellular matrix (ECM) through supramolecular conjugation, all without chemical modification. By stabilizing these proteins on the surface, GST-Afb mitigate biomolecule absorption, facilitating specific tumor cell targeting. Simultaneously, collagenase degrades the ECM in the TME, enabling deep tissue penetration of MOF particles. Our resulting system, termed collagenase-GST-Afb-MOF-808 (Col-Afb-M808), minimizes undesired interactions between MOF particles and external biological proteins. It not only induces cell death through Afb-mediated cell-specific targeting, but also showcases advanced cellular internalization in 3D multicellular spheroid cancer models, with effective deep tissue penetration. The therapeutic efficacy of Col-Afb-M808 was further assessed via in vivo imaging and evaluation of tumor inhibition following injection of IR-780 loaded Col-Afb-M808 in 4T1tumor-bearing nude mice. This study offers key insights into the regulation of the multifunctional protein-adhesive surface of MOF particles, paving the way for the designing even more effective targeted drug delivery systems with nano-sized MOF particles.

Hydrated Calcium Silicate in Resin Composites for Prevention of Secondary Caries.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The gaps at the margins of restorative composite resin can increase as the carious process occurs underneath the materials, causing further demineralization along the tooth cavity wall. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of restorative resin composite containing hydrated calcium silicate (hCS) filler on enamel protection against demineralization by simulating microleakage between the test material and teeth in a cariogenic environment. METHODS: The experimental resin composites were composed of 70 wt.% filler, which was mixed with a glass filler and hCS in a weight ratio of 70.0% glass (hCS 0), 17.5% hCS + 52.5% glass (hCS 17.5), 35.0% hCS + 35.0% glass (hCS 35.0), and 52.5% hCS + 17.5% glass (hCS 52.5). A light-cured experimental resin composite disk was positioned over a polished bovine enamel disk, separated by a 30-µm gap, and immersed in artificial saliva with pH 4.0 for 15, 30, and 60 days. After the immersion period, the enamel disk was separated from the resin composite disk and evaluated using a microhardness tester, atomic force microscopy, and polarized light microscopy. The opposing sides of the enamel and resin composite disks were observed using scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry. RESULTS: The enamel surface showed a significant increase in microhardness, decreased roughness, and remineralization layer as the proportion of hCS increased (P < .05). In the scanning electron microscopy image, the enamel surface with hCS 35.0 and 52.5 after all experimental immersion periods, showed a pattern similar to that of a sound tooth. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that increasing the hCS filler level of restorative resin composites significantly decreased enamel demineralization. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Hydrated calcium silicate laced restorative resin composites may be a promising dental biomaterial for protecting teeth against demineralization and preventing secondary caries around restorations.

A Comprehensive Study on a Deep-Learning-Based Electrocardiography Analysis for Estimating the Apnea-Hypopnea Index.

This study introduces a deep-learning-based automatic sleep scoring system to detect sleep apnea using a single-lead electrocardiography (ECG) signal, focusing on accurately estimating the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Unlike other research, this work emphasizes AHI estimation, crucial for the diagnosis and severity evaluation of sleep apnea. The suggested model, trained on 1465 ECG recordings, combines the deep-shallow fusion network for sleep apnea detection network (DSF-SANet) and gated recurrent units (GRUs) to analyze ECG signals at 1-min intervals, capturing sleep-related respiratory disturbances. Achieving a 0.87 correlation coefficient with actual AHI values, an accuracy of 0.82, an F1 score of 0.71, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 for per-segment classification, our model was effective in identifying sleep-breathing events and estimating the AHI, offering a promising tool for medical professionals.

Exploring the Relationship between Behavioral and Neurological Impairments Due to Mild Cognitive Impairment: Correlation Study between Virtual Kiosk Test and EEG-SSVEP.

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease, making early screening imperative for potential intervention and prevention of progression to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, there is a demand for research to identify effective and easy-to-use tools for aMCI screening. While behavioral tests in virtual reality environments have successfully captured behavioral features related to instrumental activities of daily living for aMCI screening, further investigations are necessary to establish connections between cognitive decline and neurological changes. Utilizing electroencephalography with steady-state visual evoked potentials, this study delved into the correlation between behavioral features recorded during virtual reality tests and neurological features obtained by measuring neural activity in the dorsal stream. As a result, this multimodal approach achieved an impressive screening accuracy of 98.38%.

Resonant-mode engineering for additive reflective structural colors with high brightness and high color purity.

We present quad-layered reflective structural color filters generating vivid additive primary colors by controlling a mode number in a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity and an anti-reflective (AR) coating layer, thus accomplishing high spectral contrast which is highly demanded in creating sharp colors. The reflection brightness of fabricated structural color filters is over 78% and a color gamut is comparable to the standard color gamut (sRGB). Higher-order resonant modes are exploited yielding a narrow passband with strong suppression of the reflection at shorter and longer wavelength ranges for a green color, while red and blue colors are produced by employing fundamental resonant modes. Besides, the structural color filters maintain both high brightness and high color purity at oblique incidence angles up to 40° due to a small angle of refraction by a cavity medium with high refractive index. Moreover, a large-scale fabrication is enabled owing to the simplicity of a device structure, where thin film deposition is used. The scheme presented in this work may open the door to a number of applications, such as reflective displays, imaging devices, colored photovoltaics, and decorations.

Singular Hall Response from a Correlated Ferromagnetic Flat Nodal-Line Semimetal.

Topological quantum phases are largely understood in weakly correlated systems, which have identified various quantum phenomena, such as the spin Hall effect, protected transport of helical fermions, and topological superconductivity. Robust ferromagnetic order in correlated topological materials particularly attracts attention, as it can provide a versatile platform for novel quantum devices. Here, a singular Hall response arising from a unique band structure of flat topological nodal lines in combination with electron correlation in a van der Waals ferromagnetic semimetal, Fe3GaTe2, with a high Curie temperature of Tc = 347 K is reported. High anomalous Hall conductivity violating the conventional scaling, resistivity upturn at low temperature, and a large Sommerfeld coefficient are observed in Fe3GaTe2, which implies heavy fermion features in this ferromagnetic topological material. The scanning tunneling microscopy, circular dichroism in angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and theoretical calculations support the original electronic features of the material. Thus, low-dimensional Fe3GaTe2 with electronic correlation, topology, and room-temperature ferromagnetic order appears to be a promising candidate for robust quantum devices.

The combined effect of epidermal growth factor and keratinocyte growth factor delivered by hyaluronic acid hydrogel on corneal wound healing.

This study strategically incorporates epidermal growth factor (EGF) and keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) within a hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel to enhance corneal wound healing. The controlled release of EGF and KGF from the HA hydrogel is engineered to promote the regeneration of both the epithelial and stromal layers. Specifically, EGF plays a pivotal role in the regeneration of the epithelial layer, while KGF exhibits efficacy in the regeneration of the stromal layer. The combination of these growth factors facilitates efficient regeneration of each layer and demonstrates the capability to modulate each other's regenerative effects. The interplay between EGF and KGF provides an understanding of their cooperative influence on the dynamics of corneal wound healing. The results of this study contribute to the development of advanced strategies for corneal wound management and offer insights into the complex process of corneal regeneration.

Exploring the impact of green logistics practices and relevant government policy on the financial efficiency of logistics companies.

The coexistence of carbon neutrality and capitalism can be realized if environmentally friendly management is proven to enhance profitability. The focus of green logistics practices (GLPs) is on maximizing energy efficiency in logistics services, potentially leading to cost reductions for companies. Such practices can be supported through public reports, such as Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports, and government policies, including government certification. The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether the financial efficiency of logistics companies can be improved through the implementation of GLPs and a relevant government policy. To achieve this objective, a two-stage analysis was conducted using Data Envelopment Analysis - Slack-Based Measure (DEA-SBM) and Tobit regression analysis. The DEA-SBM was employed to assess whether the financial efficiency of logistics companies adopting GLPs and a relevant government policy was superior to that of companies not adopting such practices. Additionally, Tobit regression analysis was employed to analyze the effects of GLPs, ESG reports, and a government policy on the financial efficiency of logistics companies. The findings of the study indicate the necessity for collaboration between the private and public sectors to implement GLPs in a financially positive manner. In conclusion, the research demonstrated that the implementation of GLPs, coupled with public disclosure through ESG reports or equivalents and a government policy, had a positive impact on the financial efficiency of logistics companies.

Rugged Island-Bridge Inorganic Electronics Mounted on Locally Strain-Isolated Substrates.

Various strain isolation strategies that combine rigid and stretchable regions for stretchable electronics were recently proposed, but the vulnerability of inorganic materials to mechanical stress has emerged as a major impediment to their performance. We report a strain-isolation system that combines heteropolymers with different elastic moduli (i.e., hybrid stretchable polymers) and utilize it to construct a rugged island-bridge inorganic electronics system. Two types of prepolymers were simultaneously cross-linked to form an interpenetrating polymer network at the rigid-stretchable interface, resulting in a hybrid stretchable polymer that exhibited efficient strain isolation and mechanical stability. The system, including stretchable micro-LEDs and microheaters, demonstrated consistent operation under external strain, suggesting that the rugged island-bridge inorganic electronics mounted on a locally strain-isolated substrate offer a promising solution for replacing conventional stretchable electronics, enabling devices with a variety of form factors.

RAG suppresses group 2 innate lymphoid cells.

Antigen specificity is the central trait distinguishing adaptive from innate immune function. Assembly of antigen-specific T cell and B cell receptors occurs through V(D)J recombination mediated by the Recombinase Activating Gene endonucleases RAG1 and RAG2 (collectively called RAG). In the absence of RAG, mature T and B cells do not develop and thus RAG is critically associated with adaptive immune function. In addition to adaptive T helper 2 (Th2) cells, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) contribute to type 2 immune responses by producing cytokines like Interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-13. Although it has been reported that RAG expression modulates the function of innate natural killer (NK) cells, whether other innate immune cells such as ILC2s are affected by RAG remains unclear. We find that in RAG-deficient mice, ILC2 populations expand and produce increased IL-5 and IL-13 at steady state and contribute to increased inflammation in atopic dermatitis (AD)-like disease. Further, we show that RAG modulates ILC2 function in a cell-intrinsic manner independent of the absence or presence of adaptive T and B lymphocytes. Lastly, employing multiomic single cell analyses of RAG1 lineage-traced cells, we identify key transcriptional and epigenomic ILC2 functional programs that are suppressed by a history of RAG expression. Collectively, our data reveal a novel role for RAG in modulating innate type 2 immunity through suppression of ILC2s.

Postoperative pain of minimally invasive root canal treatment:a randomized clinical trial.

This randomized clinical trial compared postoperative pain between a minimally invasive (MP) and conventional root canal treatment protocol (CP). A total of 170 mature permanent teeth (either with vital or necrotic pulp), were randomly assigned into two groups. In the CP group, ProTaper Gold (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and a continuous wave of condensation technique were used, whereas, in the MP group, TruNatomy (Dentsply Sirona), ultrasonic-assisted irrigation (UI), calcium hydroxide, and a sealer-based obturation technique were used. Patients recorded preoperative and postoperative pain using a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS) at 4 h, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 days after instrumentation and 1 day after canal obturation, respectively. There were no significant differences in pain intensity at any time points assessed between the two groups (p > 0.05). The occurrence of moderate/intense pain after instrumentation was significantly associated with preoperative periapical index (PAI) (p = 0.017) and NRS scores (p < 0.001). Preoperative pulp status (p = 0.009) and NRS score (p = 0.006) were identified as significant factors in the occurrence of moderate/intense pain after obturation. Instrumentation unequivocally reduced pain severity for both groups. The post-endodontic pain associated with the use of MP, combined with UI, Ca(OH)2, and calcium-silicate cement, did not differ from that of CP. Preoperative pain score, PAI, and preoperative pulp status were determined to be prognostic factors for postoperative pain.

Determination of Optimal Antigen Yield and Virus Inactivation Conditions for the Production of the Candidate Foot-and-Mouth Disease Recombinant Vaccine Strain Asia1 Shamir-R in a Bioreactor.

Since the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in South Korea in 2010-2011, vaccination policies utilizing inactivated FMD vaccines composed of types O and A have been implemented nationwide. However, because type Asia1 occurred in North Korea in 2007 and intermittently in neighboring countries, the risk of type Asia1 introduction cannot be ruled out. This study evaluated the antigen yield and viral inactivation kinetics of the recombinant Asia1 Shamir vaccine strain (Asia1 Shamir-R). When Asia1 Shamir-R was proliferated in shaking flasks (1 L), a 2 L bioreactor (1 L), and a wave bioreactor (25 L), the antigen yields were 7.5 µg/mL, 5.2 µg/mL, and 3.8 µg/mL, respectively. The optimal FMDV inactivation conditions were 2 mM BEI at 26 °C and 1.0 mM BEI at 37 °C. There was no antigen loss due to BEI treatment, and only a decrease in antigen levels was observed during storage. The sera from pigs immunized with antigen derived from a bioreactor exhibited a neutralizing antibody titer of approximately 1/1000 against Asia1 Shamir and Asia1/MOG/05 viruses; therefore, Asia1 Shamir-R is expected to provide sufficient protection against both viruses. If an FMD vaccine production facility is established, this Asia1 Shamir-R can be employed for domestic antigen banks in South Korea.