SCOPUS citation analysis of publications from Saudi dental colleges

Purpose: Citation analysis is frequently employed to assess the research output of individuals, departments, and institutions. Intra-country institutional analysis of bibliometric analysis is needed to formulate appropriate research policies. To assess the research output of dental colleges in Saudi Arabia Research design: An observational study was conducted for publications from Dental Colleges in Saudi Arabia using the SCOPUS database. The data for the years 2016-18 were retrieved for 18 dental colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Key findings: The highest publication productivity was reported for King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah). The highest number of publications in the years 2016-18 was from Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry. The highest h index for 2016-18 was 8 for Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry. The journal in which the most articles were published was the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. Conclusions/Implications: Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry are the leading dental institutions in the KSA regarding the number of papers published, the number of citations and the h index. The increased focus on research in institutions in Saudi Arabia is evidenced by the steady rise in their number of publications

SCOPUS citation analysis of publications from Saudi dental colleges

Purpose: Citation analysis is frequently employed to assess the research output of individuals, departments, and institutions. Intra-country institutional analysis of bibliometric analysis is needed to formulate appropriate research policies. To assess the research output of dental colleges in Saudi Arabia Research design: An observational study was conducted for publications from Dental Colleges in Saudi Arabia using the SCOPUS database. The data for the years 2016-18 were retrieved for 18 dental colleges of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Key findings: The highest publication productivity was reported for King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah). The highest number of publications in the years 2016-18 was from Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry. The highest h index for 2016-18 was 8 for Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry. The journal in which the most articles were published was the Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. Conclusions/Implications: Jazan University- Faculty of Dentistry, King Abdulaziz University- Faculty of Dentistry (Jeddah) and Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University- College of Dentistry are the leading dental institutions in the KSA regarding the number of papers published, the number of citations and the h index. The increased focus on research in institutions in Saudi Arabia is evidenced by the steady rise in their number of publications

Comparison of four dental pulp-capping agents by cone-beam computed tomography and histological techniques—a split-mouth design ex vivo study

Dental pulp-capping is done to preserve vital teeth when the pulp is exposed due to caries, trauma or instrumentation. Various materials are used as pulp-capping agents. The introduction of newer materials requires scientific studies to assess their clinical efficacy. The study was designed as a split-mouth randomized analysis of four pulp-capping agents (calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine and EndoSequence root repair material (ERRM)). Based on selection criteria, 15 orthodontic patients requiring the extraction of four premolars (60 teeth total) were included in the study. After pulp-capping, the teeth were extracted after 8 weeks. We analyzed the extracted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histological sections to determine the quality of the dentinal bridge and the pulpal response. Ordinal scores were given based on the completeness of the dentinal bridge, the type of bridge and the degree of pulpal inflammation. Results were analyzed using a Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05) with post hoc Conover values being used when applicable. All four pulp-capping materials elicited dentinal bridge formation (60/60). MTA had the highest scores (10/15) in dentinal bridge formation followed by ERRM (8/15). Both materials showed more samples with complete dentinal bridges (9/15 each) and a favorable pulpal response (15/15). Teeth capped with calcium hydroxide showed more cases of incomplete bridge formation (9/15) and pulpal inflammation. These differences in dentinal bridge formation and pulpal inflammation were statistically significant (p 0.001 and p 0.00005, respectively), with post hoc tests revealing no significant differences between MTA and ERRM (p 0.49 and p 0.71, respectively). MTA and ERRM performed better than the other pulp-capping materials but did not differ significantly from each other. The individual preference for a pulp-capping material may be based on clinical efficacy and handling characteristics

Modulation of the dental pulp stem cell secretory profile by hypoxia induction using cobalt chloride

The action of stem cells is mediated by their paracrine secretions which comprise the secretory profile. Various approaches can be used to modify the secretory profile of stem cells. Creating a hypoxic environment is one method. The present study aims to demonstrate the influence of CoCl2 in generating hypoxic conditions in a dental pulp stem cell (DPSCs) culture, and the effect of this environment on their secretory profile. DPSCs that were isolated from human permanent teeth were characterized and treated with different concentrations of CoCl2 to assess their viability by an 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and proliferation by a cell counting kit (CCK)-8 assay. The gene expression level of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) was analyzed by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to demonstrate a hypoxic environment. Comparative evaluation of the growth factors and cytokines were done by cytometric bead array. Gene expression levels of transcription factors OCT4 and SOX2 were analyzed by qRT-PCR to understand the effect of CoCl2 on stemness in DPSCs. DPSCs were positive for MSC-specific markers. Doses of CoCl2, up to 20 µM, did not negatively affect cell viability; in low doses (5 µM), it promoted cell survival. Treatment with 10 µM of CoCl2 significantly augmented the genetic expression of HIF-1α. Cells treated with 10 µM of CoCl2 showed changes in the levels of growth factors and cytokines produced. It was very evident that CoCl2 also increased the expression of OCT4 and SOX2, which is the modulation of stemness of DPSCs. A CoCl2 treatment-induced hypoxic environment modulates the secretory profile of DPSCs

Usporedba dugotrajne primjene triju intrakanalnih lijekova na mikrotvrdoću i otpornost na lom korijenskog dentina: in vitro istraživanje

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of long-term use of three intracanal medicaments on the radicular dentin microhardness and fracture resistance. Material and methods: A chemomechanical preparation was done using the Protaper rotary instruments up to F3. The teeth were stored in an incubator at 37°C at 100% humidity and were categorized in three groups by random allocation, namely: Triple Antibiotic Paste (TAP), Calcium hydroxide paste (Apexcal) and Ledermix. Following medicament application, the access openings of all teeth were sealed with 4 mm thickness of cavit. The samples were stored for periods of 1 week, 1 month and 3months. Two dentin cylinders measuring 5mm and 3mm were obtained from each sample. The cervical third was used for fracture resistance and the middle third was used for micro hardness evaluation. The microhardness testing was done using a Knoop microhardness tester, and the fracture resistance testing was done using the universal testing machine. Results: Calcium hydroxide showed maximally negative effect on the physical properties of radicular dentin compared to TAP (p= 0.0100 at one month and Ledermix (p=0.0001 at one month ). With an increase in the application time, there was an increased deterioration in the physical properties of radicular dentin. Conclusion: Long-term placement of calcium hydroxide, Triple Antibiotic Paste, and Ledermix (p= 0.0001at 3 months) significantly affects the microhardness and fracture resistance of radicular dentin.Cilj rada: Željelo se procijeniti kako dugotrajna upotreba triju intrakanalnh lijekova utječe na mikrotvrdoću i otpornost na lom radikularnog dentina.Materijal i metode: Kemomehanička preparacija obavljena Protaperovim rotirajućim instrumentima do F3. Zubi su zatim stavljeni u inkubator i čuvani na temperaturi od 37 °C u 100 posto vlažnom okružju te su slučajnim odabirom podijeljeni u tri skupine: trostruka antibiotička pasta (TAP), pasta od kalcijeva hidroksida (Apexcal), Ledermix. Nakon primjene lijekova svi su ulazni otvori zabrtvljeni 4 mm debelim slojem Cavita. Uzorci su zatim uskladišteni tjedan dana, mjesec dana i tri mjeseca. Od svakog uzorka uzeta su po dva dentinska cilindra debljine 3 i 5 mm. Za otpornost na lom korištena je cervikalna trećina, a za procjenu mikrotvrdoće srednja trećina. Mikrotvrdoća je ispitana testerom Knoop Microhardness, a otpornost na lom univerzalnim ispitnim uređajem. Rezultati: Kalcijev hidroksid najsnažnije je negativno djelovao na fizička svojstva radikularnog dentina u usporedbi s TAP-om (p = 0,0100 nakon mjesec dana) i Ledermixom (p = 0,0001 nakon mjesec dana). Kako se povećavalo razdoblje djelovanja, tako su se pogoršavala fizička obilježja radikularnog dentina. Zaključak: Dugotrajno korištenje kalcijeva hidroksida, TAP-a i Ledermixa (p = 0,0001 nakon 3 mjeseca) znatno utječe na mikrotvrdoću i otpornost na lom radikularnog dentina

Instant Transport Media for Biopsied Soft Tissue Specimens: A Comparative Study

Background. Formalin, a traditionally preferred fixative in the field of pathology, has restricted usage in private settings. Since its toxicity violates the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, an eco-friendly alternative would be the need of the hour. Hence an instant media which is economical and nontoxic and enables easy transport of biopsied soft tissue specimens in its original state is of vital importance. Materials and Methods. Commercially available fresh goat buccal mucosa specimens were sliced into smaller bits of equal dimensions and placed in six different containers containing 20% honey, 30% jaggery, milk, and ice for 1 hr, 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours each with formalin as a positive control. After the set time interval, the specimens were fixed in 10% buffered formalin for 24 hours followed by routine processing and staining. The histologic interpretations were a blinded procedure and evaluated by two experts. Results were statistically analysed. Results. 30% jaggery proved to be an ideal transport media showing high quality preservation after 24 hours. 20% honey and ice showed optimal tissue preservation up to 6 hours following which quality deteriorated. Tissues transported in milk showed poor preservation. Conclusion. 30% jaggery can be endorsed in routine histopathological analysis as a transport media

Oral Warty Dyskeratoma—A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective: To systematically review the clinicopathological features of oral warty keratoma based on published literature. Materials and Methods: PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for reports of oral warty dyskeratoma. Of the 52 identified articles, only 25 articles (43 cases) satisfied the selection criteria (case report/series in the English language reporting clinicopathologically diagnosed oral warty dyskeratoma/oral focal acantholytic keratosis/oral isolated dyskeratosis follicularis in humans). Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs institute critical appraisal checklist for case reports and case series. Results: Most cases had well-circumscribed, white, nodular verruco-papillary lesions with a central depressed/crater-like area. Alveolar ridges were the most frequent sites of occurrence and tobacco was the most commonly associated risk factor. Histopathologically, the most pathognomonic feature was the supra-basal clefting. The cleft had dyskeratotic acantholytic cells (corps ronds, and grains). Below the cleft were projections of the connective tissue villi lined by basal cells. The basal cells in a few cases exhibited hyperplasia in the form of budding into the stroma, but epithelial dysplasia was not reported. The surface epithelium had crypts filled with keratin debris. Conclusion: Oral warty dyskeratoma is a rare solitary self-limiting benign entity, which due to its clinical and histopathological resemblance and associated habit history could be misdiagnosed as leukoplakia or carcinoma. None of the assessed articles provided molecular data, which in turn could be the reason for the lack of insight into the etiopathogenesis of this enigmatic lesion