New Scanning Strategy for More Accurate Implant Scanbody Alignment: Short Communication.

This manuscript presents a more accurate methodology, in comparison to extant approaches, that enables errorless congruence between an implant scanbody and its counterparts in the scanbody library of a dental computer-aided design (CAD) application. The proposed method deletes corners and difficult intraoral scanning regions and selects only the remaining flat and wide scanbody planes in the library. Achieving overlap between the portions of the actual scanbody data without distortion using an intraoral scanner is a novel development that is expected to represent a new standard in scanbody library alignment.

Antiobesity effects of kimchi added with Jeju citrus concentrate on high-fat diet-induced obese mice.

Citrus fruits contain an abundance of nutrients, including vitamins C and B6 and hesperidin, which attribute to its beneficial health effects. Previously, kimchi with Jeju citrus concentrate (CK) elicited anti-obesity effects in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Here, we aimed to investigate whether CK exhibits anti-obesity effects by reducing serum and hepatic lipid concentrations and anti-obesity-associated gene expression in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6N mice. Low-dose CK (LDCK, 50 mg/kg) and high-dose CK (HDCK, 200 mg/kg) were orally administered 3 times per week over 8 weeks with HFD diet. Body weight gain, food efficiency ratio, and tissue weight were measured. Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, leptin, and adiponectin concentrations were also assessed. The effect of CK on the lipid profile and lipid accumulation was analyzed. Body and white adipose tissue masses were significantly lower in the LDCK and HDCK groups than in the HFD group. Orally administered CK significantly decreased serum lipid, fasting glucose, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels. Hepatic lipid content also decreased in the LDCK and HDCK groups. Serum leptin concentrations decreased, whereas serum adiponectin concentrations increased, confirming the anti-obesity effects of LDCK and HDCK. The decrease of hepatic vacuoles and stained lipid droplets indicated inhibition of lipid accumulation. These results support the hypothesis that CK exhibits anti-obesity effects in vivo by reducing lipid accumulation and by regulating anti-obesity-related genes.

Superimposition of a cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan and a photograph: A dental technique.

Various methods of combining facial and intraoral information have been described. However, overlapping errors lead to errors. This article describes a 3D face model that uses a UV mapping technique. The combination of soft-tissue information extracted from cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and a straightforward facial photograph provides more accurate data than with conventional methods.

A Hybrid Dental Model Concept Utilizing Fused Deposition Modeling and Digital Light Processing 3D Printing.

Currently, 3D printers, especially digital light processing (DLP) printers, are widely used in clinical dentistry. However, due to the shrinkage property of resin, their accuracy is not optimal for full-arch dental model printing. To overcome these limitations, fused deposition modeling (FDM) with filament that undergoes minimum shrinkage was introduced. Accordingly, a combination of FDM printing with the specific tooth die output of DLP printing for the full-arch dental model is proposed in the present report.

Modified digital workflow for artificial tooth exchange in a complete denture: A dental technique.

Duplication of complete dentures by using digital technology is now widely practiced. However, the method of accepting only the cameo surface of dentures and forming a new artificial tooth arrangement by using analog techniques is still complex and time-consuming. A method for creating a new denture by implementing various artificial tooth arrangements by using a computer-aided design (CAD) software program after importing the existing denture cameo surface as is into the software is introduced. The technique helps solve patient discomfort due to occlusal problems in patients with complete dentures.

Denture flask fabrication using fused deposition modeling three-dimensional printing.

PURPOSE: This paper describes a method for making a customized denture flask using fused deposition modeling (FDM) by three-dimensional (3D) printing. We have proposed a new digital dental prosthesis using conventional dental base materials and artificial teeth. METHODS: Using the universal development system software, a denture-designed Standard Tessellation Language (STL) file and a denture flask STL file were superimposed, and the denture region was set as an empty space. After setting the offset value to 200µm between the denture base and teeth for artificial tooth positioning, the flask was created by FDM 3D printing. Conventional artificial teeth were inserted into the 3D-printed flask, and resin packing, finishing, and polishing were performed using the conventional method for fabricating the complete denture. CONCLUSIONS: The 3D printing materials used to make digital dental prostheses have not yet been fully validated. Therefore, the production of a 3D-printed denture flask, which can use conventional complete denture materials, presents a new alternative to the digital fabrication of dentures.

Estimating the Composition of Food Nutrients from Hyperspectral Signals Based on Deep Neural Networks.

There is an increasing demand for acquiring details of food nutrients especially among those who are sensitive to food intakes and weight changes. To meet this need, we propose a new approach based on deep learning that precisely estimates the composition of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats from hyperspectral signals of foods obtained by using low-cost spectrometers. Specifically, we develop a system consisting of multiple deep neural networks for estimating food nutrients followed by detecting and discarding estimation anomalies. Our comprehensive performance evaluation demonstrates that the proposed system can maximize estimation accuracy by automatically identifying wrong estimations. As such, if consolidated with the capability of reinforcement learning, it will likely be positioned as a promising means for personalized healthcare in terms of food safety.

Customized Locator abutment fabrication on inclined implants: A clinical report.

Implant parallelism is rarely achieved, particularly when anatomic limitations are present. The problem of nonparallel implants has been addressed by using angled or bar abutments to compensate for the implant angulation. However, an angled abutment or bar attachment has disadvantages in terms of cost, laboratory process, and the maintenance of oral hygiene. In this clinical report, a solution for the management of an inclined implant is presented by using customized Locator abutment fabricated by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM).

Potential role of fibronectin in microglia/macrophage activation following cryoinjury in the rat brain: an immunohistochemical study.

To investigate whether fibronectin, a high-molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a role in the activation of microglia/macrophages after brain injury, we examined the changes in fibronectin and arginase-1, a marker for alternatively activated macrophages, in a rat cryoinjury model using Western blot analysis, real-time reverse transcription PCR and immunohistochemistry. The protein and mRNA level of fibronectin and arginase-1 significantly increased in the injury site of the ipsilateral cerebral cortex at days 4 and 7 after cryoinjury but was decreased at day 14. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed fibronectin expression in ED1-positive microglia/macrophages and reactive astrocytes, in the lesion core and periphery, respectively. Fibronectin immunoreactivity in the lesion was similar to arginase-1 except that fibronectin was detected in the ECM after cryoinjury. The present results suggest that fibronectin was extravasated into injured brain lesions via an impaired blood-brain barrier and stimulated glial cells including microglia and infiltrating macrophages in the lesion core and periphery to become alternatively activated microglia/macrophages, which modulated CNS inflammation after brain injury.

MRI-detectable pH nanosensors incorporated into hydrogels for in vivo sensing of transplanted-cell viability.

Biocompatible nanomaterials and hydrogels have become an important tool for improving cell-based therapies by promoting cell survival and protecting cell transplants from immune rejection. Although their potential benefit has been widely evaluated, at present it is not possible to determine, in vivo, if and how long cells remain viable following their administration without the use of a reporter gene. Here, we report a pH-nanosensor-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that can monitor cell death in vivo non-invasively. We demonstrate that specific MRI parameters that change on cell death of microencapsulated hepatocytes are associated with the measured bioluminescence imaging radiance. Moreover, the readout from this pH-sensitive nanosensor can be directly co-registered with high-resolution anatomical images. All of the components of these nanosensors are clinical grade and hence this approach should be a translatable and universal modification of hydrogels.

Micro-computed tomography and scanning electron microscopy comparisons of two nickel-titanium rotary root canal instruments used with reciprocating motion.

The single-file root canal instrumentation technique using reciprocating motion has been gaining concern. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the shaping ability of single ProTaper F2 file and WaveOne Primary file when they were used in the curved root canal with reciprocation motion and to investigate the durability of the file after use with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Changes in structure model index (SMI), root canal volume, curvature, surface area, and degree of transportation were measured from the cross-sectional images of the prepared canals using the micro-CT system with an isotropic resolution of 16 µm. Results showed that there were no differences in the changes of root canal volume, surface area, and SMI between the two file groups after the preparation (p > 0.05). The ProTaper group showed a curvature straightening value of 25.45 ± 12.51%, while the WaveOne group showed 27.30 ± 10.91%, and there was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05). The transportation values between the two groups showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). SEM revealed that 60% of ProTaper files showed initiation of microcracks on the surface while those were detected on the only one WaveOne file. The single-file technique using either WaveOne Primary or ProTaper F2 can be safely used under each reciprocating motion without creating an increased apical transportation in curved canals. However, the metallurgic property resists cyclic fatigue was more favorable with WaveOne under the scanning evaluation.

Effect of simultaneous therapy of arthrocentesis and occlusal splints on temporomandibular disorders: anterior disc displacement without reduction.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to evaluate the effect of simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 43 patients (3 males, 40 females) whose symptoms had improved was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dong-A University Hospital between 2008 and 2010. Subjects were divided into three groups: Group A (17 patients with arthrocentesis and occlusal splints simultaneously applied), Group B (13 patients whose symptoms did not improve with occlusal splints, undergoing arthrocentesis after occlusal splint use for 8 weeks), and Group C (13 patients that only used occlusal splints). We compared these groups in maximum comfortable opening (MCO) and the visual analogue scale of pain and noise. Follow-up was performed at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. RESULTS: The improvement of symptoms was noted in all three groups, but Group A had a quicker improvement than the other groups, in terms of pain reduction and MCO increases. CONCLUSION: The simultaneous application of arthrocentesis and occlusal splints can reduce patient discomfort more quickly.

Immunomodulation by transplanted human embryonic stem cell-derived oligodendroglial progenitors in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Transplantation of embryonic stem cells and their neural derivatives can lead to amelioration of the disease symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model for multiple sclerosis (MS). Oligodendroglial progenitors (OPs), derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESC, HES-1), were labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide and transduced with luciferase. At 7 days following induction of EAE in C57/BL6 mice, 1 × 10(6) cells were transplanted in the ventricles of C57/BL6 mice and noninvasively monitored by magnetic resonance and bioluminescence imaging. Cells were found to remain within the cerebroventricular system and did not survive for more than 10 days. However, EAE mice that received hESC-OPs showed a significant improvement in neurological disability scores (0.9 ± 0.2; n = 12) compared to that of control animals (3.3 ± 0.4; n = 12) at day 15 post-transplantation. Histopathologically, transplanted hESC-OPs generated TREM2-positive CD45 cells, increased TIMP-1 expression, confined inflammatory cells within the subarachnoid space, and gave rise to higher numbers of Foxp3-positive regulatory T cells in the spinal cord and spleen. Our results suggest that transplantation of hESC-OPs can alter the pathogenesis of EAE through immunomodulation, potentially providing new avenues for stem cell-based treatment of MS.

Use of MR cell tracking to evaluate targeting of glial precursor cells to inflammatory tissue by exploiting the very late antigen-4 docking receptor.

PURPOSE: To determine if glial precursor cells can be targeted to inflamed brain through overexpression of very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) and whether this docking process can be monitored with magnetic resonance (MR) cell tracking after intraarterial injection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All experimental procedures were performed between August 2010 and February 2012 and were approved by the institutional animal care and use committee. Human glial precursor cells (hGPs) were transfected with VLA-4 and labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide that contained rhodamine. A microfluidic adhesion assay was used for assessing VLA-4 receptor-mediated cell docking in vitro. A rat model of global lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated brain inflammation was used to induce global vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) expression. hGPs were infused into the carotid artery in four animal cohorts (consisting of three rats each): rats that received VLA-4-naive hGPs but did not receive LPS, rats that received VLA-4-expressing hGPs but not LPS, rats that received VLA-4-naive hGPs and LPS, and rats that received VLA-4-expressing hGPs and LPS. MR imaging was performed at 9.4 T before and 1, 10, 20, and 30 minutes after injection. Brain tissue was processed for histologic examination. Quantification of low-signal-intensity pixels was performed with pixel-by-pixel analysis for MR images obtained before and after cell injection. RESULTS: With use of the microfluidic adhesion assay, cell binding to activated brain endothelium significantly increased compared with VLA-4-naive control cells (71.5 cells per field of view±11.7 vs 36.4 cells per field of view±3.3, respectively; P<.05). Real-time quantitative in vivo MR cell tracking revealed that VLA-4-expressing cells docked exclusively within the vascular bed of the ipsilateral carotid artery and that VLA-4-expressing cells exhibited significantly enhanced homing as compared with VLA-4-naive cells (1448 significant pixels±366.5 vs 113.3 significant pixels±19.88, respectively; P<.05). Furthermore, MR cell tracking was crucial for correct cell delivery and proper ligation of specific arteries. CONCLUSION: Targeted intraarterial delivery and homing of VLA-4-expressing hGPs to inflamed endothelium is feasible and can be monitored in real time by using MR imaging in a quantitative, dynamic manner.

ICV-transplanted human glial precursor cells are short-lived yet exert immunomodulatory effects in mice with EAE.

Human glial precursor cells (hGPs) have potential for remyelinating lesions and are an attractive cell source for cell therapy of multiple sclerosis (MS). To investigate whether transplanted hGPs can affect the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of transplanted hGPs together with the in vivo fate of these cells using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI). At 14 days post-EAE induction, mice (n = 19) were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with 5 × 10(5) hGPs that were magnetically labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles as MR contrast agent and transduced with firefly luciferase for BLI of cell survival. Control mice (n = 18) received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) vehicle only. The severity of EAE clinical disability in the hGP-transplanted group was significantly suppressed (P < 0.05) with concomitant inhibition of ConA and MOG-specific T cell proliferation in the spleen. Astrogliosis was reduced and a lower activity of macrophages and/or microglia was observed in the spinal cord (P < 0.05). On MRI, SPIO signal was detected within the lateral ventricle from 1 day post-transplantation and remained there for up to 34 days. BLI indicated that most cells did not survive beyond 5-10 days, consistent with the lack of detectable migration into the brain parenchyma and the histological presence of an abundance of apoptotic cells. Transplanted hGPs could not be detected in the spleen. We conclude that ICV transplantation of short-lived hGPs can have a remote therapeutic effect through immunomodulation from within the ventricle, without cells directly participating in remyelination.

Immunohistochemical study of arginase-1 in the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Arginase-1, a marker for M2 phenotype alternatively activated macrophages, inhibits inflammation and is associated with phagocytosis of cell debris and apoptotic cells. We analyzed the expression of arginase-1, a competitive enzyme of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), in the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Western blot analysis showed that both arginase-1 and iNOS significantly increased in the spinal cords of rats at the peak stage of EAE compared with the expression level in control animals (p<0.05) and declined thereafter. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated that increased expression of arginase-1 in EAE spinal cords was confirmed in macrophages as well as in some neurons and astrocytes that were constitutively positive for arginase-1 in normal spinal cords. A semiquantitative analysis by immunofluorescence showed that in EAE lesions, an increased level of arginase-1 immunoreactivity was matched with ED1-positive macrophages, which were also positive for activin A, a marker for the M2 phenotype. Taking all of these findings into consideration, we postulate that the increased level of arginase-1, which is partly from M2 macrophages, contributes to the modulation of neuroinflammation in EAE lesions, possibly through the reduction of nitric oxide in the lesion via competition with iNOS for the use of L-arginine.

Immunohistochemical study of arginase-1 in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury.

The expression of arginases, enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of arginine to ornithine and urea, was studied in the inflammatory lesions of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats. The level of arginase-1 expression in rat spinal cords with clip compression injury was determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Western blot showed that the level of arginase-1 increased in the core lesion of SCI at day 1 post injury and continued to increase through days 4 (p<0.05) and 7 (p<0.01). Immunohistochemical analysis showed that arginase-1 was constitutively expressed in neurons and glial cells in sham control spinal cords. In SCI lesions, arginase-1 was additionally detected in inflammatory cells, particularly in isolectin B4-positive macrophages and reactive astrocytes within the core lesion. These findings suggest that the increased level of arginase-1 in SCI is associated with an increase in macrophages and reactive astrocytes, possibly contributing to the modulation of inflammation during the course of SCI.

Immunohistochemical studies on disabled-2 protein in the spinal cords of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Disabled-2 (Dab-2), an adaptor protein of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-ß) signaling, was studied in the spinal cords of rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to evaluate the possible involvement of Dab-2 in the pathogenesis of EAE using Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. Western blot analysis showed that two isoforms (p96 kDa and p67 kDa) of Dab-2 were detected in the spinal cords of rats used as controls. Both isoforms of Dab-2 were significantly elevated in the EAE spinal cord at the peak stage of EAE (P<0.05) and declined at the recovery stage. However, only the p96 kDa isoform was markedly phosphorylated in the EAE spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry showed that Dab-2 and p-Dab-2 were detected in some vascular endothelial cells, glial cells, and some neurons in the rat spinal cords of normal and immunized CFA-alone controls. In EAE lesions, Dab-2 and p-Dab-2 were immunodetected in some inflammatory cells (mainly in ED1-positive macrophages and R73-positive T cells), while the enhanced immunoreactivity of Dab-2 in spinal cord cells suggested constitutive expression. Additionally, TGF-ß1 immunoreactivity showed a similar expression pattern of Dab-2 in EAE lesions. These findings suggest that Dab-2 is transiently upregulated and phosphorylated (particularly the p96 kDa isoform) in EAE, a CNS autoimmune disease, and may be involved in TGF-ß signaling.

Immunohistochemical localization of cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein in the pig retina during postnatal development.

This study evaluated the cellular localization of cyclic AMP-responsive element binding protein-binding protein (CBP) expression in pig retinas during postnatal development. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were performed on retinal tissue from 2-day-old, 5-week-old, and 6-month-old pigs. Western blot analysis detected the expression of CBP in the retinas of 2-day-old piglets and showed that it was significantly decreased in the retinas of 5-week-old and 6-month-old pigs. Immunohistochemically, CBP was intensely immunostained in protein kinase C alpha (PKCα)-positive-bipolar cells, glutamine synthetase-positive Müller cells, and in ganglion cells in 2-day-old piglets. CBP was detected weakly in the inner plexiform, outer nuclear, and rod and cone layers. CBP immunoreactivity in the ganglion cell layer was decreased in the retinas of 5-week-old and 6-month-old pigs, while clear CBP expression detected in the neurite of PKCα-positive bipolar cells in the inner nuclear layer. In addition, CBP immunoreactivity in Müller cells and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive glial processes was particularly noteworthy in pig retinas, but not in rat retinas. The results indicate that CBP is expressed differentially in the retinal neurons and glial cells according to growth and animal species, and may play an important role in homeostasis in Müller cells, neurite extention in bipolar cells, and signal transduction in photoreceptor cells in the porcine retina.

Optogenetic-guided cortical plasticity after nerve injury.

Peripheral nerve injury causes sensory dysfunctions that are thought to be attributable to changes in neuronal activity occurring in somatosensory cortices both contralateral and ipsilateral to the injury. Recent studies suggest that distorted functional response observed in deprived primary somatosensory cortex (S1) may be the result of an increase in inhibitory interneuron activity and is mediated by the transcallosal pathway. The goal of this study was to develop a strategy to manipulate and control the transcallosal activity to facilitate appropriate plasticity by guiding the cortical reorganization in a rat model of sensory deprivation. Since transcallosal fibers originate mainly from excitatory pyramidal neurons somata situated in laminae III and V, the excitatory neurons in rat S1 were engineered to express halorhodopsin, a light-sensitive chloride pump that triggers neuronal hyperpolarization. Results from electrophysiology, optical imaging, and functional MRI measurements are concordant with that within the deprived S1, activity in response to intact forepaw electrical stimulation was significantly increased by concurrent illumination of halorhodopsin over the healthy S1. Optogenetic manipulations effectively decreased the adverse inhibition of deprived cortex and revealed the major contribution of the transcallosal projections, showing interhemispheric neuroplasticity and thus, setting a foundation to develop improved rehabilitation strategies to restore cortical functions.