Digital Workflow for Retrofitting a Surveyed Crown Using a Removable Partial Denture as an Antagonist

Digital workflow expedites the procedure of retrofitting a surveyed crown against an existing removable partial denture (RPD). This article describes a simple and straightforward technique of digital workflow where an existing RPD is scanned as an antagonist to design the rest seat, guide plane, and height of contour of a surveyed crown.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156192/2/jopr13187_am.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/156192/1/jopr13187.pd

Effects of Rating Training on Inter-Rater Consistency for Developing a Dental Hygiene Clinical Rater Qualification System

We tried to develop itemized evaluation criteria and a clinical rater qualification system through rating training of inter-rater consistency for experienced clinical dental hygienists and dental hygiene clinical educators. A total of 15 clinical dental hygienists with 1-year careers participated as clinical examination candidates, while 5 dental hygienists with 3-year educations and clinical careers or longer participated as clinical raters. They all took the clinical examination as examinees. The results were compared, and the consistency of competence was measured. The comparison of clinical competence between candidates and clinical raters showed that the candidate group's mean clinical competence ranged from 2.96 to 3.55 on a 5-point system in a total of 3 instruments (Probe, Explorer, Curet), while the clinical rater group's mean clinical competence ranged from 4.05 to 4.29. There was a higher inter-rater consistency after education of raters in the following 4 items: Probe, Explorer, Curet, and insertion on distal surface. The mean score distribution of clinical raters ranged from 75% to 100%, which was more uniform in the competence to detect an artificial calculus than that of candidates (25% to 100%). According to the above results, there was a necessity in the operating clinical rater qualification system for comprehensive dental hygiene clinicians. Furthermore, in order to execute the clinical rater qualification system, it will be necessary to keep conducting a series of studies on educational content, time, frequency, and educator level

Reductively degradable polyester-based block copolymers prepared by facile polycondensation and ATRP: synthesis, degradation, and aqueous micellization

Well-defined reductively degradable amphiphilic block copolymers having disulfide linkages positioned repeatedly on hydrophobic chains, thus exhibiting fast degradation, were prepared by a combination of polycondensation and ATRP. The new method consists of three synthetic steps including, (1) polycondensation of commercially available diols and diacids through carbodiimide coupling or high temperature processes to synthesize degradable polyesters with disulfides labeled on the main chain at regular intervals (ssPES–OH), (2) bromination of ssPES–OH to ssPES–Br, and (3) ATRP for chain extension of ssPES–Br with water-soluble polymethacrylate, yielding ssPES-b-polymethacrylate block copolymers (ssABPs). The reductive cleavage of disulfide linkages in reducing conditions resulted in the degradation of ssPES homopolymers; their degradation rate was significantly enhanced with the increasing amounts of disulfide linkages in ssPES–OH and reducing agents. For ATRP, gel permeation chromatography and 1H-NMR results confirmed the synthesis of well-defined ssABPs and revealed that polymerizations were well controlled. Because of their amphiphilic nature, ssABPs self-assembled in water toward the formation of core/shell micelles consisting of a hydrophobic ssPES core surrounded with polymethacrylate coronas. The effects of the corona's chain length on thermal properties and micellization in water of well-defined ssABPs were examined. Moreover, reductive (or thiol-responsive) degradation of ssABP-based micelles enabled fast release of encapsulated model drugs. Cell culture experiments confirmed nontoxicity and biocompatibility of well-defined ssABPs as effect candidates for targeted delivery applications

Effect of rhBMP-2 applied with a 3D-printed titanium implant on new bone formation in rabbit calvarium

Objective: This study sought to compare the biocompatibility of a three-dimensional (3D)-printed titanium implant with a conventional machined titanium product, as well as the effect of such implant applied with recombinant human Bone Morphogenetic Protein Type 2 (rhBMP-2) for guided bone regeneration. Methodology: Disk-shaped titanium specimens fabricated either by the conventional machining technique or by the 3D-printing technique were compared by MC3T3-E1 cells cytotoxicity assay. New bone formation was evaluated using a rapid prototype titanium cap applied to the calvaria of 10 rabbits, which were divided into two groups: one including an atelopeptide collagen plug on one side of the cap (group I) and the other including a plug with rhBMP-2 on the other side (group II). At six and 12 weeks after euthanasia, rabbits calvaria underwent morphometric analysis through radiological and histological examination. Results: Through the cytotoxicity assay, we identified a significantly higher number of MC3T3-E1 cells in the 3D-printed specimen when compared to the machined specimen after 48 hours of culture. Moreover, morphometric analysis indicated significantly greater bone formation at week 12 on the side where rhBMP-2 was applied when evaluating the upper portion immediately below the ca p. Conclusion: The results suggest that 3D-printed titanium implant applied with rhBMP-2 enables new bone formation

The ERK MAPK Pathway Is Essential for Skeletal Development and Homeostasis

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of protein kinases that function as key signal transducers of a wide spectrum of extracellular stimuli, including growth factors and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Dysregulation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) MAPK pathway is associated with human skeletal abnormalities including Noonan syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, and cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome. Here, we demonstrate that ERK activation in osteoprogenitors is required for bone formation during skeletal development and homeostasis. Deletion of Mek1 and Mek2, kinases upstream of ERK MAPK, in osteoprogenitors (Mek1(Osx)Mek2(-/-)), resulted in severe osteopenia and cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD), similar to that seen in humans and mice with impaired RUNX2 function. Additionally, tamoxifen-induced deletion of Mek1 and Mek2 in osteoprogenitors in adult mice (Mek1(Osx-ERT)Mek2(-/-)) significantly reduced bone mass. Mechanistically, this corresponded to decreased activation of osteoblast master regulators, including RUNX2, ATF4, and beta-catenin. Finally, we identified potential regulators of osteoblast differentiation in the ERK MAPK pathway using unbiased phospho-mass spectrometry. These observations demonstrate essential roles of ERK activation in osteogenesis and bone formation

Analysis of Yield of Eleutherosides B and E in Acanthopanax divaricatus

An analysis of the yield of eleutherosides B and E in Acanthopanax divaricatus and A. koreanum was performed using high performance liquid chromatography to evaluate production by different cultivation methods. In A. divaricatus and A. koreanum, the total content of eleutherosides B and E was 2.466–7.360 mg/g varying by plant section, 3.886–11.506 mg/g by pinching site, 3.655–10.083 mg/g by planting time, and 3.652–10.108 mg/g by fertilizer ratio. Thus the total content of eleutherosides B and E in A. divaricatus and A. koreanum differed depending on cultivation methods. These results present useful information for high eleutheroside content applications in A. divaricatus and A. koreanum. This information can affect selection of plant section and cultivation methods for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmeceutical material development

A standardized extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour. exerts a protective effect on benzalkonium chloride-induced mouse dry eye model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE In contrast to other leguminous plants generally used as food, Rhynchosia volubilis Loureiro, a small soybean with a black seed coat, has been used as a traditional oriental remedy for various human diseases in Eastern Asia. In this study, we demonstrated the protective effect of R. volubilis against dry eye disease. AIM OF THE STUDY We aimed to investigate whether a standardized ethanol extract of R. volubilis (EERV) can protect the cornea in a benzalkonium chloride (BAC)-induced mouse dry eye model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Experimental dry eye was induced by the instillation of 0.2% BAC on mouse cornea. A standardized ethanol extract of R. volubilis (EERV) was orally administered following BAC treatment. The positive control group was treated with commercial eye drops. Fluorescein staining, tear break-up time (BUT), and hematoxylin and eosin staining were evaluated on the ocular surface. Squamous metaplasia and apoptosis in the corneal epithelial layer were detected by immunostaining. Furthermore, the protein expression of cytochrome c, Bcl-2, and Bax was determined. RESULTS EERV treatment significantly improved fluorescein scoring, BUT, and smoothness in the cornea compared to the vehicle group. In addition, EERV inhibited squamous metaplasia and apoptosis in the cornea. The expression of cytochrome c and Bax was upregulated, while that of Bcl-2 was downregulated in the vehicle group compared with that in the control group. However, EERV treatment inhibited the expression of cytochrome c and Bax, while that of Bcl-2 was improved. CONCLUSION Standardized EERV could be a beneficial candidate for the treatment of dry eye disease

Selective arterial embolization of renal angiomyolipoma: comparing ethanol–lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol particles as embolic agents

PURPOSETo examine the effectiveness and safety of two embolic agents, an ethanol–lipiodol emulsion and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) particles, for selective arterial embolization (SAE) of renal angiomyolipoma (AML).METHODSRetrospectively, we reviewed the medical records and imaging data of renal AML patients who received SAE in our hospitals between July 2007 and January 2018. Among those eligible for analysis were patients with complete medical information, preoperative and postoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography scans, and follow-up data. An ethanol–lipiodol emulsion was used to embolize 15 AMLs, and PVA particles were used to embolize 16 AMLs. We compared the tumor responses and adverse events between the two embolization-agent groups.RESULTSAfter embolization, no significant differences were observed in the shrinkage rates: 34.2% ± 3.4% for the ethanol–lipiodol emulsion group and 26.3% ± 3.0% for the PVA particles group (P = 0.090). Minor post-embolization complications were also similar between the groups, and there were no severe adverse events. The length of hospital stay after SAE was 2.5 ± 0.5 days for the ethanol–lipiodol emulsion group and 1.9 ± 0.5 days for the PVA particles group and was not significantly different (P = 0.425).CONCLUSIONThe results showed that SAE with ethanol–lipiodol emulsion or PVA particles was safe and efficient in decreasing tumor size and controlling renal AML hemorrhage

MMP-Inhibitory Effects of Flavonoid Glycosides from Edible Medicinal Halophyte Limonium tetragonum

Limonium tetragonum has been well-known for its antioxidative properties as a halophyte. This study investigated the antimetastasis effect of solvent-partitioned L. tetragonum extracts (LTEs) and isolated compounds on HT1080 mouse melanoma cell model with a focus on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and TIMP and MAPK pathways. Upregulation and stimulation of MMPs result in elevated degradation of extracellular matrix which is part of several complications such as metastasis, cirrhosis, and arthritis. The anti-MMP capacity of LTEs was confirmed by their MMP-inhibitory effects, regulation of MMP and TIMP expression, and suppression of MAPK pathway. Among all tested LTEs, 85% aq. MeOH and n-BuOH were found to be most active fractions which later yielded two known flavonoid glycosides, myricetin 3-galactoside and quercetin 3-o-beta-galactopyranoside. Anti-MMP potential of the compounds was confirmed by their ability to regulate MMP expression through inhibited MAPK pathway activation. These results suggested that L. tetragonum might serve as a potential source of bioactive substances with effective anti-MMP properties