Remineralization potential of apacider mangosteen adhesive pastes on artificial carious lesions.

Background/purpose: Attention to caries administration has altered toward an early finding of lesions and targeted to noninvasive management with a remineralizing agent. This study compared the remineralization potential of apacider mangosteen adhesive pastes (AMAP), 500-ppm fluoride toothpaste (FT500), and 1000-ppm fluoride toothpaste (FT1000) on artificial caries. Materials and methods: Artificial caries were generated to enamel of eighty extracted human premolars. The specimens were allocated to four groups and subjected to pH-cycling with the application of testing agents (2 min each, for 10 days): (1) AMAP, dairy, (2) FT500, twice a day, (3) FT1000, twice a day, and (4) no treatment (NT). The surface microhardness was determined before demineralization, after demineralization, and after application of pH-cycling. The hardness, percent of hardness recovery (%HR), and percent of remineralization potential (%RP) were analyzed with ANOVA and Bonferroni's test (α = 0.05). Polarized light microscopy (PLM) was assessed for lesion depth. Results: Significant differences in remineralization were observed upon various agents compared to NT (P < 0.05). A significant difference in remineralization was found among AMAP, FT1000, and FT500 (P < 0.05). No significant difference in %HR and %RP was observed between AMAP and FT1000 (P > 0.05). PLM signified greater decrease in depth for AMAP, compared to FT1000 and FT500, but no depth reduction for NT. Conclusion: AMAP possesses comparable remineralization ability to FT1000. However, decreasing in depth of carious lesions was evinced with using AMAP more than FT1000 and FT500. AMAP was recommended as a potential remineralization material for handling initial caries.

Scaffold-Based Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride) and Its Copolymers: Materials, Fabrication Methods, Applications, and Perspectives.

Tissue engineering involves implanting grafts into damaged tissue sites to guide and stimulate the formation of new tissue, which is an important strategy in the field of tissue defect treatment. Scaffolds prepared in vitro meet this requirement and are able to provide a biochemical microenvironment for cell growth, adhesion, and tissue formation. Scaffolds made of piezoelectric materials can apply electrical stimulation to the tissue without an external power source, speeding up the tissue repair process. Among piezoelectric polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers have the largest piezoelectric coefficients and are widely used in biomedical fields, including implanted sensors, drug delivery, and tissue repair. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of PVDF and its copolymers and fillers for manufacturing scaffolds as well as the roles in improving piezoelectric output, bioactivity, and mechanical properties. Then, common fabrication methods are outlined such as 3D printing, electrospinning, solvent casting, and phase separation. In addition, the applications and mechanisms of scaffold-based PVDF in tissue engineering are introduced, such as bone, nerve, muscle, skin, and blood vessel. Finally, challenges, perspectives, and strategies of scaffold-based PVDF and its copolymers in the future are discussed.

Fluoride export is required for the competitive fitness of pathogenic microorganisms in dental biofilm models.

Microorganisms resist fluoride toxicity using fluoride export proteins from one of several different molecular families. Cariogenic species Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans extrude intracellular fluoride using a CLCF F-/H+ antiporter and FEX fluoride channel, respectively, whereas oral commensal eubacteria, such as Streptococcus gordonii, export fluoride using a Fluc fluoride channel. In this work, we examine how genetic knockout of fluoride export impacts pathogen fitness in single-species and three-species dental biofilm models. For biofilms generated using S. mutans with the genetic knockout of the CLCF transporter, exposure to low fluoride concentrations decreased S. mutans counts, synergistically reduced the populations of C. albicans, increased the relative proportion of oral commensal S. gordonii, and reduced properties associated with biofilm pathogenicity, including acid production and hydroxyapatite dissolution. Biofilms prepared with C. albicans with genetic knockout of the FEX channel also exhibited reduced fitness in the presence of fluoride but to a lesser degree. Imaging studies indicate that S. mutans is highly sensitive to fluoride, with the knockout strain undergoing complete lysis when exposed to low fluoride for a moderate amount of time. Biochemical purification of the S. mutans CLCF transporter and functional reconstitution establishes that the functional protein is a dimer encoded by a single gene. Together, these findings suggest that fluoride export by oral pathogens can be targeted by specific inhibitors to restore biofilm symbiosis in dental biofilms and that S. mutans is especially susceptible to fluoride toxicity. IMPORTANCE: Dental caries is a globally prevalent condition that occurs when pathogenic species, including Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans, outcompete beneficial species, such as Streptococcus gordonii, in the dental biofilm. Fluoride is routinely used in oral hygiene to prevent dental caries. Fluoride also has antimicrobial properties, although most microbes possess fluoride exporters to resist its toxicity. This work shows that sensitization of cariogenic species S. mutans and C. albicans to fluoride by genetic knockout of fluoride exporters alters the microbial composition and pathogenic properties of dental biofilms. These results suggest that the development of drugs that inhibit fluoride exporters could potentiate the anticaries effect of fluoride in over-the-counter products like toothpaste and mouth rinses. This is a novel strategy to treat dental caries.

Spatial distribution, geochemical processes of high-content fluoride and nitrate groundwater, and an associated probabilistic human health risk appraisal in the Republic of Djibouti.

In the northern East African Rift System, the Republic of Djibouti relies exclusively on groundwater, with levels of fluoride (up to 14 mg/L) and nitrate (up to 256 mg/L) posing potential health risks. To address this, 362 samples were considered, including 133 shallow groundwater samples, along with new and previously published data dating back to 2012 on deep (88) and thermal (141) groundwater samples. To understand the enrichment mechanisms, dissolved anion and cation constituents, geochemical and thermodynamic tools, and stable isotope ratios, such as δ2H(H2O), δ18O(H2O), δ15N(NO3-), and δ18O(NO3-), were used. In particular, two activity diagrams (Mg2+ vs. Ca2+ and Na+ vs. Ca2+), focused on aqueous and solid fluoride species in an updated thermodynamic dataset of 15 fluoride-bearing minerals, are shown for the first time. The dataset offers new and valuable insights into fluoride geochemistry (classic thermodynamic datasets combined with geochemical codes rely solely on fluorapatite and fluorite F-bearing minerals). Activity diagrams and geochemical modeling indicate that mineral dissolution primarily drives groundwater fluoride enrichment in all water types, whereas the elevated nitrate levels may stem from organic fertilizers like animal manure, as indicated by nitrate isotopes and NO3-/Cl- vs Cl- diagrams. Despite the arid climate and 2H18O enrichment in shallow waters, evaporation seems to play a minor role. Monte Carlo simulations and sensitivity analysis were used to assess the health risks associated with elevated F- and NO3- concentrations. Mapping-related spatial distribution analysis identified regional contamination hotspots using a global Moran's I and GIS tools. One fluoride and three nitrate contamination hotspots were identified at a p-value of 0.05. Groundwater chemistry revealed that 88 % of groundwater being consumed exceeded the permissible levels for fluoride and nitrate, posing potential health risks, particularly for teenagers and children. This study pinpoints specific areas with excessive nitrate and fluoride contamination, highlighting a high non-carcinogenic risk.

The Constructing of the Oxide Phase Diagram for Fluoride Adsorption on La-Fe-Al: A Collaborative Study of Density Functional Calculation and Experimentation.

In recent years, fluoride pollution in water is a problem that has attracted much attention from researchers. The removal of fluoride-containing wastewater by adsorption with metal oxide as an adsorbent is the most common treatment method. Based on this, the effect of the doping ratio of La2O3, Fe2O3, and Al2O3 on the fluoride-removal performance was discussed by constructing a phase diagram. In this study, the adsorption mechanism of nanocrystalline lanthanum oxide terpolymer was investigated by density functional theory calculation and experiment. The optimal pH condition selected in the experiment was three, and the adsorption kinetics of fluoride ions were more consistent with the quasi-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption thermodynamics was more consistent with the Langmuir model. When the La-Fe-Al ternary composite oxides achieved the optimal adsorption efficiency for fluoride ions, the mass synthesis ratio was Al2O3:(Fe2O3:La2O3 = 1:2) = 1:100, resulting in a fluoride ion removal rate of up to 99.78%. Density functional calculations revealed that the La-Fe-Al ternary composite oxides had three important adsorption sites for La, Fe, and Al. Among them, the adsorption capacity for HF was Fe2O3 > La2O3 > Al2O3, and for F- was La2O3 > Al2O3 > Fe2O3. This provided good guidance for designing adsorbents to remove fluoride.

Optimization of Calcium Fluoride Crystallization Process for Treatment of High-Concentration Fluoride-Containing Semiconductor Industry Wastewater.

This study utilized a fluidized bed reactor (FBR) for fluoride removal from high-concentration fluoride-ion-containing simulated semiconductor industry wastewater and recovered high-purity CaF2 crystals. The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT), pH, Ca2+ to F- ratio, upflow velocity, seed size and seed bed height were investigated by performing lab-scale batch experiments. Considering fluoride removal and CaF2 crystallization efficiency, 5 h HRT, pH 6, seed height of 50 cm and [Ca2+]/[F-] ratio of 0.55 (mol/mol) were found to be optimum. The effect of the interaction between the important process parameters on fluoride removal was further analyzed using response surface methodology (RSM) experimental design. The results showed that all the individual parameters have a significant impact (p = 0.0001) on fluoride removal. SEM-EDX and FTIR analysis showed the composition of the crystals formed inside FBR. HR-XRD analysis confirmed that the crystalline structure of samples was mainly CaF2. The results clearly demonstrated the feasibility of silica seed material containing FBR for efficient removal and recovery of fluoride as high-purity calcium fluoride crystals.

Antibacterial PVDF Coral-Like Hierarchical Structure Composite Film Fabrication for Self-Cleaning and Radiative Cooling Effect.

Passive radiative cooling (PRC) is a zero-energy-consumption technology that reflects sunlight and radiates heat to cold outer space. In this work, a porous poly(vinylidene fluoride)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PVDF-PMMA) composite film is fabricated by decorating zinc-imidazolate metal-organic framework (MOF) (ZIF-8) particles obtained by phase inversion. Due to the competent scattering via the coral-like hierarchical structures and the vibration excitations of specific functional groups, the prepared film exhibits good solar reflectance (92.6%) and intermediate infrared emittance (99.1%), with an average sub-ambient cooling of 10.4 °C under a solar radiation intensity of 0.6 AM1.5. Additionally, poly(vinylidene fluoride) has a low surface energy, while the ZIF-8 particles and coral-like hierarchical structures enhance the surface roughness, endowing the surface with significant superhydrophobicity characterized by a water contact angle (WCA) of 157.5° and a sliding angle (SA) of 2°. These films exhibit excellent antibacterial properties. When the content of ZIF-8 particles in the film is 300 mg·L-1, the antibacterial rate reaches 100% after 1 h of treatment. Thus, the ZIF-8 porous poly(vinylidene fluoride)-poly(methyl methacrylate) composite (ZPPP) film has potential application prospects in areas with high health and environmental requirements, such as cold chain transportation and public spaces.

Amino-functionalized novel biosorbent for effective removal of fluoride from water: process optimization using artificial neural network and mechanistic insights.

Aqueous fluoride ( F - ) pollution is a global threat to potable water security. The present research envisions the development of novel adsorbents from indigenous Limonia acidissima L. (fruit pericarp) for effective aqueous defluoridation. The adsorbents were characterized using instrumental analysis, e.g., TGA-DTA, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and XRD. The batch-mode study was performed to investigate the influence of experimental variables. The artificial neural network (ANN) model was employed to validate the adsorption. The dataset was fed to a backpropagation learning algorithm of the ANN (BPNN) architecture. The four-ten-one neural network model was considered to be functioning correctly with an absolute-relative-percentage error of 0.633 throughout the learning period. The results easily fit the linearly transformed Langmuir isotherm model with a correlation coefficient ( R 2 ) > 0.997. The maximum F - removal efficiency was found to be 80.8 mg/g at the optimum experimental condition of pH 7 and a dosage of 6 g/L at 30 min. The ANN model and experimental data provided a high degree of correlation ( R 2 = 0.9964), signifying the accuracy of the model in validating the adsorption experiments. The effects of interfering ions were studied with real F - water. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed a good fit to the equilibrium dataset. The performance of the adsorbent was also found satisfactory with field samples and can be considered a potential adsorbent for aqueous defluoridation.

Advances and future perspectives of water defluoridation by adsorption technology: A review.

Fluoride contamination in water sources poses a significant challenge to human health and the environment. In recent years, adsorption technology has emerged as a promising approach for water defluoridation due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This review article comprehensively explores the advances in water defluoridation through adsorption processes. Various adsorbents, including natural and synthetic materials, have been investigated for their efficacy in removing fluoride ions from water. The mechanisms underlying adsorption interactions are elucidated, shedding light on the factors influencing defluoridation efficiency. Moreover, the review outlines the current state of technology, highlighting successful case studies and field applications. Future perspectives in the field of water defluoridation by adsorption are discussed, emphasizing the need for sustainable and scalable solutions. The integration of novel materials, process optimization, and the development of hybrid technologies are proposed as pathways to address existing challenges and enhance the overall efficacy of water defluoridation. This comprehensive assessment of the advances and future directions in adsorption-based water defluoridation provides valuable insights for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working towards ensuring safe and accessible drinking water for all.

Application of Fenton chemistry in electrochemical determination of pyrophosphatase activity and fluoride.

Fenton chemistry has aroused widespread concern due to its application in the green oxidation and mineralization of organic wastes. Inorganic pyrophosphatase (PPase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate ions (PPi) and provides a thermodynamic driving force for many biosynthetic reactions. Fluoride (F-) is widely applied to fight against tooth decay and reduce cavities. The electrochemical determination of PPase activity and F- was realized based on Fenton chemistry in this work. Glassy carbon electrode modified with poly (azure A) and acetylene black (GCE/PAA-AB) was fabricated. Hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) that were generated from a Cu2+-catalyzed Fenton-type reaction could oxidize PAA in the near-neutral medium, leading to a great increase of the cathodic peak current (Ipc). A coordination reaction between PPi and Cu2+ exerted a negative effect on Fenton reaction and hindered the Ipc enhancement. Cu2+-PPi complex was decomposed due to the hydrolysis of PPi induced by PPase, which caused the reappearance of the notably increased current response. F- could effectively inhibit PPase activity. As a result, the stable Cu2+-PPi complex remained and the high Ipc suffered from the decline again. The Ipc difference was used for the highly sensitive determination of PPase activity in the content range of 0.001-20 mU mL-1 with a detection of limit (LOD) at 0.6 µU mL-1 and that of F- in the concentration range of 0.01-100 µM with a LOD at 7 nM. The proposed PPase and F- sensor displayed a good selectivity, stability and reproducibility, and a high accuracy.

Innovative soil fluoride estimation method: dual polarimetric saline-associated fluoride for agricultural patches.

Fluoride and its constituents in soil affect plant growth and public health. In this study, soil fluoride was measured for the semi-arid regions in southern India, using Sentinel-1 data in conjunction with the dual polarimetric saline-associated fluoride model (also known as fluoride model). A loss angle was estimated from laboratory-based dielectric components of soil samples with strong electrical conductivity under high and low fluoride conditions. The conductivity loss angle and real and imaginary dielectric constants were used to study fluoride salt's dielectric behavior. The imaginary dielectric component sensitive to dielectric loss could predict fluoride across large areas over time. This was statistically analyzed with R2 = 0.86, RMSE = 1.90, and bias = 0.35 showing a promising depiction that C-band SAR data can distinguish fluoride levels over varied clay soil and soil with varying vegetation development. Moreover, the association between biomass and simulated fluoride helped to identify fluoride-tolerant and non-tolerant crops. The study found that Sorghum and Oryza sativa tolerate saline-associated fluoride, whereas Peanut and Allium do not. Furthermore, the model successfully retrieves fluoride from saline salts based on tangent loss.

Piezoelectric and Dielectric Electrospun Fluoropolymer Membranes for Oral Mucosa Regeneration: A Comparative Study.

Wound healing of the oral mucosa is an urgent problem in modern dental surgical practice. This research article presents and compares the findings of the investigations of the structural, physicochemical, and biological characteristics of two types of polymeric membranes used for the regeneration of oral mucosa. The membranes were prepared from poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) and a copolymer of vinylidene fluoride and tetrafluoroethylene (VDF-TeFE) and analyzed via scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Investigation results obtained indicate that both types of membranes are composed of thin fibers: (0.57 ± 0.25) µm for PTFE membranes and (0.43 ± 0.14) µm for VDF-TeFE membranes. Moreover, the fibers of VDF-TeFE membranes exhibit distinct piezoelectric properties, which are confirmed by piezoresponse force microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Both types of membranes are hydrophobic: (139.7 ± 2.5)° for PTFE membranes and (133.5 ± 2.0)° for VDF-TeFE membranes. In vitro assays verify that both membrane types did not affect the growth and division of mice fibroblasts of the 3T3-L1 cell line, with a cell viability in the range of 88-101%. Finally, in vivo comparative experiments carried out using Wistar rats demonstrate that the piezoelectric VDF-TeFE membranes have a high ability to regenerate oral mucosa.

Assessing the Effects and Acceptance of Silver Diamine Fluoride Treatment in Early Childhood Caries.

BACKGROUND:  Early childhood caries (ECC) is a widespread dental problem that impacts children below the age of six years. Traditional restorative treatments like fillings are often challenging and invasive for young children. Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) offers a minimally invasive and cost-effective alternative for managing ECC. However, the effects, acceptance, and understanding of this treatment by parents remain crucial for its successful implementation. AIM: To evaluate the impact and level of acceptance of SDF treatment in ECC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two children from an Anganwadi center aged between two to five years suffering from ECC were selected. A 38% SDF was applied for 3 minutes on the identified carious lesion, and the arrest percentage was checked after a recall period of three weeks and three months. The Likert scale was used for the questionnaire regarding parental feedback about the ease of application procedure, tooth discoloration, possible pain associated with the procedure, and the taste of SDF. RESULTS: In the present study, a total of 75 surfaces were subjected to the application of SDF. After a period of three weeks, it was observed that 64 of these surfaces had successfully undergone the process of caries arrest. This finding was deemed to be statistically significant, with a P value of 0.021. Furthermore, the remaining surfaces that had not achieved caries arrest were subsequently treated at three months. The results of this subsequent treatment were also found to be statistically significant, with a P value of 0.027. These findings highlight the efficacy of both caries treatment and caries arrest in relation to the utilization of SDF. CONCLUSION: SDF was found to be minimally invasive, easy to administer, inexpensive, highly efficient, and effective treatment in arresting caries in the primary dentition of young children, particularly in patients lacking cooperation.

Effect of Kaempferol on Modulation of Vascular Contractility Mainly through PKC and CPI-17 Inactivation.

In this study, we investigated the efficacy of kaempferol (a flavonoid found in plants and plant-derived foods such as kale, beans, tea, spinach and broccoli) on vascular contractibility and aimed to clarify the detailed mechanism underlying the relaxation. Isometric contractions of divested muscles were stored and linked with western blot analysis which was carried out to estimate the phosphorylation of myosin phosphatase targeting subunit 1 (MYPT1) and phosphorylation-dependent inhibitory protein for myosin phosphatase (CPI-17) and to estimate the effect of kaempferol on the RhoA/ROCK/CPI-17 pathway. Kaempferol conspicuously impeded phorbol ester-, fluoride- and a thromboxane mimetic-derived contractions regardless of endothelial nitric oxide synthesis, indicating its direct effect on smooth muscles. It also conspicuously impeded the fluoride-derived elevation in phospho-MYPT1 rather than phospho-CPI-17 levels and phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate-derived increase in phospho-CPI-17 and phospho-ERK1/2 levels, suggesting the depression of PKC and MEK activities and subsequent phosphorylation of CPI-17 and ERK1/2. Taken together, these outcomes suggest that kaempferol-derived relaxation incorporates myosin phosphatase retrieval and calcium desensitization, which appear to be modulated by CPI-17 dephosphorylation mainly through PKC inactivation.

Preparation of Lanthanum-Modified Tea Waste Biochar and Its Adsorption Performance on Fluoride in Water.

In this study, tea waste was used as a raw material, and TBC (tea waste biochar) was prepared by pyrolysis at 700 °C. La(NO3)3·6H2O was used as the modifier to optimize one-way modification; the orthogonal experiment was undertaken to determine the optimal preparation conditions; and La-TBC (lanthanum-modified biochar) was obtained. The key factors for the adsorption of fluoride by La-TBC were investigated by means of batch adsorption experiments, and kinetics and isothermal adsorption experiments were carried out on the adsorption of fluoride in geothermal hot spring water. The adsorption mechanism of fluoride by La-TBC was analyzed via characterization methods such as SEM-EDS (Scanning Electron Microscope and Energy Dispersive Spectrometer), BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared), XRD (X-ray diffraction), and so on. The results show that La-TBC had the best adsorption effect on fluoride at pH 7. The process of adsorption of fluoride follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isothermal model, and the maximum theoretical adsorption quantity was 47.47 mg/g at 80 °C, while the removal rate of fluoride from the actual geothermal hot spring water reached more than 95%. The adsorption process was dominated by the monolayer adsorption of chemicals, and the mechanisms mainly include pore filling, ion exchange, and electrostatic interaction.

Skeletal fluorosis secondary to methoxyflurane use for chronic pain.

Skeletal fluorosis is rare and occurs secondary to chronic high amounts of fluoride consumption, manifesting as diffuse osteosclerosis, skeletal pain, connective tissue calcification, and increased fracture risk. Methoxyflurane is a volatile, fluorinated hydrocarbon-inhaled analgesic, and the maximum recommended dose is 15 mL (99.9 % w/w) per wk. A rodent study found increased skeletal fluoride after methoxyflurane exposure. However, skeletal fluorosis secondary to methoxyflurane use in humans has rarely been reported. We present the case of a 47-yr-old female with diffuse osteosclerosis secondary to fluorosis from methoxyflurane use for chronic pain, presenting with 3 yr of generalized bony pain and multiple fragility fractures. Lumbar spine BMD was elevated. CT and radiographs demonstrated new-onset marked diffuse osteosclerosis, with calcification of interosseous membranes and ligaments, and a bone scan demonstrated a grossly increased uptake throughout the skeleton. Biochemistry revealed an elevated alkaline phosphatase and bone turnover markers, mild secondary hyperparathyroidism with vitamin D deficiency, and mild renal impairment. Zoledronic acid, prescribed for presumed Paget's disease, severely exacerbated bony pain. Urinary fluoride was elevated (7.3 mg/L; reference range < 3.0 mg/L) and the patient revealed using methoxyflurane 9 mL per wk for 8 yr for chronic pain. A decalcified bone biopsy revealed haphazardly arranged cement lines and osteocytes lacunae and canaliculi, which was consistent with an osteosclerotic process. Focal subtle basophilic stippling around osteocyte lacunae was suggestive of fluorosis. Although fluorosis is not a histological diagnosis, the presence of compatible histology features was supportive of the diagnosis in this case with clinical-radiological-pathological correlation. Skeletal fluorosis should be considered as a cause of acquired diffuse osteosclerosis. Methoxyflurane should not be recommended for chronic pain. The risk of repeated low-dose exposure to fluoride from methoxyflurane use as analgesia may be greater than expected, and the maximum recommended dose for methoxyflurane may require re-evaluation to minimize skeletal complications. Abbreviated abstract: Skeletal fluorosis is rare and occurs secondary to chronic high amounts of fluoride consumption, manifesting as diffuse osteosclerosis, skeletal pain, connective tissue calcification, and increased fracture risk. We present the case of a 47-yr-old female with skeletal fluorosis secondary to long-term methoxyflurane for chronic pain. The risk of repeated low-dose exposure to fluoride from methoxyflurane use for analgesia may be greater than expected, and the maximum recommended dose for methoxyflurane may require re-evaluation to minimize skeletal complications.

GPX4 degradation contributes to fluoride-induced neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive impairment via mtROS-chaperone-mediated autophagy.

Ferroptosis is a newly recognized type of programmed cell death that is implicated in the pathophysiological process of neurological disorders. Our previous studies have revealed that exposure to high concentrations of fluoride for long periods of time induces hippocampal neural injury and cognitive deficits. However, whether ferroptosis is involved in fluoride-induced neuronal death and the underlying mechanism remain unknown. In this study, the results indicated that exposure to high fluoride triggered ferroptosis in SH-SY5Y cells and in the hippocampus of mice. Fluoride exposure accelerated the lysosomal degradation of GPX4 and led to neuronal ferroptosis, while GPX4 overexpression protected SH-SY5Y cells against fluoride-induced neurotoxicity. Intriguingly, the enhanced chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) induced by fluoride stimulation was responsible for GPX4 degradation because the inhibition of CMA activity by LAMP2A knockdown effectively prevented fluoride-induced GPX4 loss. Furthermore, mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) accumulation caused by fluoride contributed to CMA activation-mediated GPX4 degradation and subsequent neuronal ferroptosis. Notably, the ferroptosis-specific inhibitor ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) or the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) alleviated fluoride-evoked hippocampal neuronal death and synaptic injury as well as cognitive deficits in mice. The present studies indicates that ferroptosis is a novel mechanism of fluoride-induced neurotoxicity and that chronic fluoride exposure facilitates GPX4 degradation via mtROS chaperone-mediated autophagy, leading to neuronal ferroptosis and cognitive impairment.

The Older Adults' Intention to Use Silver Diamine Fluoride for Dental Caries Treatment.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the intention of older adults to use silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for treating tooth decay. Patients and Methods: A group of Thai-speaking individuals between the ages of 60 and 90 were asked to participate in the study. They were provided with information about SDF and then asked to complete a questionnaire based on the Theory of Reason Action (TRA). The questionnaire consisted of 23 questions divided into seven constructs aimed at determining the determinants of the intention to use SDF. These constructs were behavioral belief, evaluation of behavioral outcome, normative belief, motivation to comply, attitude towards behavior, subjective norm, and intention. The responses were rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (Strongly disagree) to 4 (Strongly agree). The characteristics and TRA scores of the participants were analyzed and compared based on their intention to use SDF, using the Chi-square test and t-test. Multiple logistic regression was employed to determine the determinants of the intention to use SDF. Results: The study involved 588 participants, with an average age of 65.3 years (SD= 5.53). Of the participants, 52.7% were women, 58.1% were unemployed or retired, 80.8% lived with family, 63.4% had less than sixth-grade education, 62.9% had a monthly family income of less than 10,000 baht, and 63.6% had underlying diseases. The study found that 82.7% of the participants intended to use SDF for dental caries treatment, with an average score of 2.86 out of 4. The study also found that age, family income, underlying diseases, dental health problems, and fear of the dentist significantly affected their intention. Behavioral beliefs and evaluations of behavioral outcomes significantly affected the intention to use SDF treatment. Conclusion: Most older adults in the study intended to use SDF for dental caries treatment.

Enhancing piezoelectric effect of PVDF electrospun fiber through NiO nanoparticles for wearable applications.

Flexible electrospun fiber-based piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) has attracted a lot of interest due to its ability of generating electrical energy from mechanical energy sources. The present work aims to improve the piezoelectric output of PENG devices based on electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) doped with nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) in different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 wt.-%). Crystalline phase changes and ß-crystalline content in electrospun fibers were evaluated using XRD and FTIR-ATR, respectively. Surface morphology and surface roughness of the electrospun fibers were observed using FE-SEM and AFM, respectively. The hydrophobic nature of the fibers was analyzed using a wettability test. PENG output voltage and short-circuit current performance of neat PVDF and PVDF doped with NiO (PN) composite electrospun fibers were calculated using a customized variable-pressure setup with an optimized force of 1.0 kgf and 1.0 Hz frequency. Neat PVDF-based PENG exhibited only 1.7 V and 0.7 µA, whereas, PVDF doped with 6 wt.-% NiO NP (PN-6) based PENG generated a high output voltage of 5.5 V and 1.83 µA current. The optimized PN-6 PENG device is demonstrated for use in wearable devices towards identifying certain body movements like tapping, wrist movement, walking and running.

Osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells on electroactive substrates.

This study investigates the effect of electroactivity and electrical charge distribution on the biological response of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs) cultured in monolayer on flat poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, substrates. Differences in cell behaviour, including proliferation, expression of multipotency markers CD90, CD105 and CD73, and expression of genes characteristic of different mesenchymal lineages, were observed both during expansion in basal medium before reaching confluence and in confluent cultures in osteogenic induction medium. The crystallisation of PVDF in the electrically neutral α-phase or in the electroactive phase ß, both unpoled and poled, has been found to have an important influence on the biological response. In addition, the presence of a permanent positive or negative surface electrical charge distribution in phase ß substrates has also shown a significant effect on cell behaviour.