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Objectives: Previously, we demonstrated that IL17RB plays an essential role in lung cancer progression. This study aimed to determine whether IL17RB correlates with oral cancer and promotes oral cancer progression. Subjects and Methods: IL17RB expression in oral cancer tissues and normal tissues was determined by immunohistochemistry staining, while the association of IL17RB expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients was analyzed and its correlation with progression‐free survival and response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy in OSCC patients was also explored. Western blotting was performed to investigate the expression of IL17RB in various OSCC cell lines; moreover, transwell assay was performed to evaluate the effect of IL17RB expression on cell migration ability. Results: In this study, we found that IL17RB was expressed higher in OSCC tissues compared to normal oral mucosa tissues and its expression was positively correlated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, advanced cancer stage, and poor prognosis. In vitro study showed that IL17RB expression in OSCC cell lines as determined by Western blotting, was positively correlated with their migration ability. Conclusion: Clinical and in vitro studies suggest that IL17RB might serve as an independent risk factor and a therapeutic target for oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the effects of an at‐home artificial intelligence (AI)‐assisted dental monitoring application on treatment outcomes in patients with periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Participants with periodontitis were recruited and randomly assigned to an AI (n = 16), AI and human counselling (AIHC; n = 17), or control (CG; n = 20) group. All participants received non‐surgical periodontal treatment. We employed an AI‐assisted tool called DENTAL MONITORING® (DM) intervention, a new technological AI monitoring product that utilizes smartphone cameras for intra‐oral scanning and assessment. Patients in the AI and AIHC groups received additional (a) DM or (b) DM, respectively, with real‐person counselling over 3 months. Periodontal parameters were collected at baseline and follow‐ups. A mixed‐design model analysed the follow‐up effects over time. Results: The AI and AIHC groups, respectively, exhibited greater improvement in probing pocket depth (PPD) (mean diff = −0.9 ± 0.4 and −1.4 ± 0.3, effect size [ES] = 0.76 and 1.98), clinical attachment level (mean diff = −0.8 ± 0.3 and −1.4 ± 0.3, ES = 0.84 and 1.77), and plaque index (mean diff = −0.5 ± 0.2 and − 0.7 ± 0.2, ES = 0.93 and 1.81) at 3‐month follow‐up than the CG did. The AIHC group had a greater reduction in PPD (ES = 0.46) and clinical attachment level (ES = 0.64) at the 3‐month follow‐up compared with the AI group. Conclusions: Using AI monitoring at home had a positive effect on treatment outcomes for patients with periodontitis. Patients who received AI‐assisted health counselling exhibited better treatment outcomes than did patients who received AI monitoring alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volume of literature about serious gaming in dental education has increased, however, none of the previous studies have developed a serious game for closing the gap between preclinical and clinical training. Virtual Dental Clinic (VDC) is a serious game that was created to help develop clinical reasoning skills in dental students. This study aimed to evaluate VDC as an educational tool and its effectiveness on clinical skill and knowledge gain among clerkship dental students. The following three stages of VDC design and testing were addressed from 2016 to 2020: development, validation, and application. The VDC was developed using Unity game engine. In the validation stage, the content validity was reviewed by five visiting staff; construct validity and face validity were examined by 9 postgraduate-year dentists and 14 clerkship dental students. Concurrent validity and predictive validity were examined by 34 fifth-year dental students during their clerkship from September, 2018 to May, 2019, the associations between VDC experiences, clerkship performance, and the score on a national qualification test were explored. In the application stage, the VDC was set up as a self-learning tool in the Family Dentistry Department from August, 2019, quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted using the 92 clerkship students' feedback. The VDC showed good validity and a high potential for education in practice. Students who have used VDC received significantly higher scores on qualification test (p = 0.029); the VDC experiences significantly predicted higher performance score on periodontics (p = 0.037) and endodontics (p = 0.040). After the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, significantly higher proportion of students confirmed the value of VDC as an assistant tool for learning clinical reasoning (p = 0.019). The VDC as an educational tool, and the effectiveness on clinical reasoning skills and knowledge gain among clerkship dental students has been validated and confirmed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This in vitro study investigated the accuracy and wear conditions of three drill sleeve distances (0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 mm) for 3D-guided stents in simulated clinical dental implant surgery. Fifteen sets of upper and lower partially edentulous epoxy tooling board models with four edentulous first molar sites were prepared in a Nissin Simple Manikin II and set on a dental chair. Sixty computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) designed and guided stents with three drill sleeve distances were prepared in this study. The maximum height (Sz) of the wear roughness of drills, maximum deviation, and drilling time were observed. The highest maximum horizontal deviations were observed at the upper first molar (0.48 ± 0.12 mm, p < 0.001). The highest maximum vertical and angular deviations were observed at the lower left first molar (1.08 ± 0.35 mm and 5.61° ± 1.21°, respectively, p < 0.001). Only angular deviation significantly differed among the three drill sleeve distances (p = 0.046); the 0.03 mm distance exhibited the maximum angular deviation (3.92° ± 1.87°). The bigger drill sleeve distance (0.03 mm) was associated with more wear roughness (8.70 ± 2.29 µm) of the drills. Guided stents with varying drill-sleeve distances (0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 mm) exhibited no significant difference in preparation drilling time and abrasive wear. In practice, the optimal drill sleeve distance for single-type CAD/CAM-guided stents of dental implantation was 0.01 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tooth loss is a common problem among older adults that affects masticatory function (MF) and food selection. Financial burden is a reason that some older adults in Taiwan with this condition forgo dental restoration. To identify the number of posterior occlusal support areas (POSAs) associated with MF. Large‐scale cross‐sectional study included 1100 community‐dwelling participants of Taiwan aged ≥65 years. Participants completed dental examination and questionnaires through personal interviews. Masticatory performance was evaluated using a colour‐changeable chewing gum. Masticatory ability was evaluated on the basis of how many of 14 common foods the participants were able to eat. Participants were grouped into 10 categories (A1‐A3, B1‐B4 and C1‐C3) according to the Eichner index (EI) of posterior occlusal contacts. Multivariable regression models were used to analyse the association between the EI groups and MF. More than 80% of the participants with two or more POSAs (those in groups A1‐B2) could easily eat various foods. Compared with those in groups A1‐B2, those in groups in B3, B4, C1, C2 and C3 exhibited a significantly different masticatory performance (all P <.001) and significantly higher difficulty in eating fruits and vegetables. A dose‐response effect between POSAs and perceived masticatory ability to eat fruits and vegetables was observed (P <.05 for both trends). Preservation of at least two POSAs is essential for MF. Older adults with tooth loss can undergo the restoration of two POSAs to improve MF and increase food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated the effect of toothbrush/dentifrice brushing on the weight variation and surface properties of different denture bases. Four denture base materials (conventional heat cure, high impact, CAD/CAM, and polyamide resins) were subjected to toothbrushing abrasion (50,000 strokes). The weight value, surface roughness, and topography of each group were determined before and after toothbrushing. The hardness was measured by the Vickers hardness test. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni tests. After toothbrushing, the weight of the polyamide resin had significantly increased; significant weight losses were observed for conventional heat cure and high impact resins, but none for the CAD/CAM resin. The surface roughness of each group increased significantly owing to the wear caused by toothbrushing. The weight variation and surface roughness were not affected by the hardness. Our results suggested that denture base materials deteriorate after brushing with toothpaste, in which the polyamide resin exhibited lower levels of abrasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient‐dentist discourse is a core nonoperational competency in dental education. The skills of querying patients and responding to questions are noncognitive attributes, and their evaluation by the standardized patient objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) is particularly necessary. However, it is not clear whether students' test anxiety affects these attributes. This study aims to examine the relationship between dental students' state‐trait anxiety, noncognitive performance, and examination results during their first OSCE. A single dental school cohort (n = 226) of 5 year students attending their first clinical examination from 2014 to 2017 was studied. Participants completed the Chinese Mandarin Version State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory Y form before taking the OSCE. The difference between state and trait anxiety levels was compared by paired t test. Gender differences and the effect of age group in these anxiety levels were analyzed using multivariate analysis of variance. Moreover, gender, age group, state anxiety, and trait anxiety scores were compared with the OSCE items of noncognitive performance using a chi‐square test. Students showed significantly higher state anxiety than trait anxiety levels; moreover, women showed significantly higher state anxiety than men. Furthermore, gender, age group, state anxiety, and trait anxiety had no association with the noncognitive performance examination results. Most participants showed moderate state and trait anxiety levels during their first OSCE. Further, the state‐trait anxiety had no significant effect on their noncognitive performance. However, 26.5% of participants did not pass the examination; therefore, dental educators should increase communication skill training courses during clerkship training to improve students' noncognitive attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep‐related breathing disorders are complex problems that decrease quality of life and increase morbidity and mortality in patients. Comprehensive evaluation is essential for selecting and planning obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatments. However, the many proposed OSA treatments are rarely compared in the literature. The literature on OSA consists largely of case series studies, and the paucity of controlled studies makes comparisons of OSA treatments difficult. This article provides a brief overview of the most common OSA interventions. Because of the controversies and unanswered questions about OSA treatments, further studies are needed to define what treatments are best for specific OSA patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the bond characteristics of 6-MHPA monomer-based primer in a temporary tooth coating material set (BeautiCoat, Shofu, Kyoto, Japan), applied to various conditioned enamels. The buccal enamel of thirty premolars was ground flat and the teeth were divided into six groups. This research bleached two groups, acid-etched two groups, and did not condition the remaining two groups. BeautiCoat primer was applied alone, or with activator on the ground and bleached enamel. BeautiCoat primer and FL-Bond were applied on the acid-etched enamel. FL-Bond adhesive on acid-etched enamel served as the control. BeautiCoat flowable resin was then piled on the enamel surfaces and light-cured. The microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was measured and the superficial demineralization, the resin–enamel interface, and failure mode were evaluated with a scanning electron microscope. The μTBS obtained in the non-acid-etched groups was more than half of that obtained in the acid-etched groups (p < 0.05). FL-Bond adhesive on acid-etched enamel showed the highest μTBS values. Marked improvements in μTBS were not observed when activator was combined with primer. No significant difference in μTBS could be found between BeautiCoat primer and FL-Bond adhesive on acid-etched enamel, or among BeautiCoat primer applied with/without activator on the ground and bleached enamel. The cohesive enamel failure ratio was low with the BeautiCoat primer or in the primer and activator groups but high in the FL-Bond group. The adhesive of BeautiCoat provided favorable bond strength with minimal risk of damage to the enamel. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Previously, arsenic was a popular devitalizing agent used to necrotize inflamed dental pulp to lower the pulp sensitivity owing to the unavailability of appropriate anesthesia. However, leakage from the apical foramen, lateral or accessory canals, or cracks in the tooth is common. This can be dangerous because of the reportedly high toxic effects of arsenic in both hard and soft tissues, leading to gingival and osseous necrosis and, consequently, osteomyelitis. Therefore, arsenic can prove fatal for both bones and teeth and is no longer used. We encountered a case involving a 50-year-old man who had developed mandibular osteomyelitis with lower lip paresthesia caused by arsenic trioxide used during endodontic treatment. The patient was treated with appropriate antibiotics, adjunctive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and adequate surgical debridement. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can induce neovascularization in necrosed tissues and improve bone and soft tissue healing. At a 4-year follow-up visit, bone healing was observed, with restoration of periodontal health, although the paresthesia had persisted. We describe this case, present a review of the relevant published data, and discuss the possible causes, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up protocol of mandibular osteomyelitis caused by arsenic trioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Microstructures of 2205 duplex stainless steel were examined using transmission electron microscopy. During isothermal heating at 950 °C, M23C6 carbide was formed on the austenite grain boundaries with two types of morphologies: “larva” and “triangle”. The orientation relationship between the M23C6 carbide and the austenite matrix is cubic-to-cubic. In addition, these two types of precipitates have a twin relationship with each other. Based on the STEM-EDS data, the silicon content of triangle M23C6 carbide is higher than that of the larva M23C6 carbide, revealing that the silicon content in the M23C6 carbide plays an important role in determining the orientation relationship between the M23C6 carbide and the austenite matrix. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Two mol% Y2O3-PSZ precursor powders for dental applications were synthesized using ZrOCl2·8H2O and Y(NO3)3·6H2O by a co-precipitation process at pH 7 and 348K for 2h. The thermal properties and phase transformation of 2Y-PSZ nanocrystallite powder have been investigated using a thermogravimetric and difference scanning calorimeter (TG/DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction and dilatometric analysis. Two weaker broad exothermic peaks appear at around 618 and 718K were explored in DSC results. The TG analysis shows that minor weight loss occurs from 298 to 348K, followed by three major weight losses at 610, 630 and 773K. Calcinated at 773 and 1273K, the crystallized phases are composed of the major phase of tetragonal ZrO2 and minor phase of monoclinic ZrO2. TEM reveals that the tetragonal ZrO2 with an average size of less than 20.0nm is mainly aggregated into the secondary aggregates with a size of small than 30.0nm. The sintering curve of the compact pellet has a significant shrinkage with a linear rate of 18.5% at about 1341K. Maximum densification rate happened at 1473K, demonstrating the good low temperature sinterability for dental applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oral appliances are a range of devices that are designed to alter upper airway patency. The efficiency of these appliances for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has been rarely discussed. This case report describes two designs of mandibular repositioning appliances used to treat OSA. A 36-year-old man was diagnosed with mild OSA by his physician. A single-piece, soft oral appliance and a two-piece, acrylic appliance were used in this patient. Polysomnography was performed three times (baseline, and with the single-piece, and two-piece appliances). The apnea/hypopnea index was improved significantly with both appliances, but to a greater degree with the single-piece soft appliance. Our study concluded that oral appliances may assist in the management of OSA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Esophageal cancer is one of the most common malignancies and leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying esophageal cancer progression and the development of clinical tools for effective diagnosis remain unclear. Resistin, which was originally identified as an adipose tissue-secretory factor, has been associated with obesity-related diseases, including certain types of cancer. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the expression levels of resistin in tissue and serum specimens from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) to determine the potential biological effects of resistin on ESCC cells. The results demonstrated that both tissue and serum resistin levels were significantly lower in patients with ESCC compared with healthy controls. In addition, resistin expression was positively associated with the body mass index of patients with ESCC. In vitro studies revealed that resistin inhibited the migratory ability of ESCC cells, while having no effect on ESCC cell proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that resistin may have the potential to be developed into a clinical marker for ESCC. However, further studies are required to investigate resistin receptor expression and determine the potential involvement of resistin-associated biological pathways, which may provide insight for future development of targeted therapies for resistin-mediated ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of incorporating low copper (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 wt.%) additions into as-forged AISI 304 stainless steel (304SS). The microstructures and mechanical properties of the steel were examined using scanning electron microscopy and a universal testing machine. The antibacterial properties of the Cu-bearing 304SS specimens were investigated using Escherichia coli. Each specimen was soaked in artificial saliva to detect the release of copper ions through inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The addition of copper had no significant effect on the microstructure of the as-forged Cu-bearing 304SS, but it slightly increased its maximum tensile strength. The antibacterial rate of the as-cast and as-forged 304SS with 2 wt.% Cu was over 80%, which corresponded to an increase in the release of copper ions. This study demonstrates that low-Cu-content stainless steel can reduce bacteria and can be a suitable material for the oral environment because of the low release of Cu ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the addition of silver on the microstructural variation and antibacterial performance of 2205 duplex stainless steel after solution and aging treatment were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, and antibacterial testing. The microstructure showed that 2205Ag is composed of a ferrite (α) + austenite (γ) duplex phase and Ag-rich nano-precipitates (Ag-NPs). The morphology of the Ag-NPs varied from spherical to polygonal after aging treatment at 450 °C for 4 h. These precipitates were identified as face-centered-cubic structures with a lattice parameter of a = 0.354 nm and a mismatch of δ = 0.84% relative to the austenite matrix. Notably, 2205Ag with polygonal Ag-NPs exhibited excellent antibacterial properties that were superior to those of 2205Ag with spherical Ag-NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microstructural characteristics and Young's modulus of the as-cast Ti–15Ta–15Nb alloy are reported in this study. On the basis of the examined XRD and TEM results, the microstructure of the current alloy is essentially a mixture (α + β+ α′ + α″ + ω + H) phase. The new H phase has not previously been identified as a known phase in the Ti–Ta–Nb alloy system. On the basis of examination of the Kikuchi maps, the new H phase belongs to a tetragonal structural class with lattice parameters of a = b = 0.328 nm and c = 0.343 nm, denoting an optimal presentation of the atomic arrangement. The relationships of orientation between these phases would be {0001}α//{110}β//{ 1 ¯ 2 1 ¯ 0}ω//{10 1 ¯ }H and (01 1 ¯ 0)α//(1 1 ¯ 2)β//( 1 ¯ 010)ω//(121)H. Moreover, the Young's modulus of the as-cast Ti–15Ta–15Nb alloy is approximately E = 80.2 ± 10.66 GPa. It is implied that the Young's modulus can be decreased by the mixing of phases, especially with the presence of the H phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti-6Al-4V, although widely used in dental materials, causes peri-implant inflammation due to the long-term accumulation of bacteria around the implant, resulting in bone loss and eventual failure of the implant. This study aims to overcome the problem of dental implant infection by analyzing the influence of Ti-6Al-4V surface characteristics on the quantity of accumulated bacteria. Ti-6Al-4V specimens, each with different surface roughness are produced by mechanical, chemical, and electrolytic polishing. The surface roughness, surface contact angle, surface oxygen content, and surface structure were measured via atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), drop shape analysis (using sessile drop), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The micro and macro surface roughness are 10.33–120.05 nm and 0.68–2.34 μm, respectively. The surface X direction and Y direction contact angle are 21.38°–96.44° and 18.37°–92.72°, respectively. The surface oxygen content is 47.36–59.89 at.%. The number of colonies and the optical density (OD) are 7.87 × 106–17.73 × 106 CFU/mL and 0.189–0.245, respectively. The bacterial inhibition were the most effective under the electrolytic polishing of Ti-6Al-4V. The electrolytic polishing of Ti-6Al-4V exhibited the best surface characteristics: the surface roughness of 10 nm, surface contact angle of 92°, and surface oxygen content of 54 at.%, respectively. This provides the best surface treatment of Ti-6Al-4V in dental implants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To control the degradation rate of magnesium (Mg) alloys, chitosan (CHI) and L-glutamic acid (LGA) were used as coatings on Mg-Zn-Ca alloys via dip coating. In this study, either two or seven CHI/LGA layers were applied as a coating on Mg-2.8Zn-0.8Ca alloy (ZX31) and Mg-2.8Zn-0.8Ca hemostasis clips (ZX31 clips). The morphologies, compositions, and surface roughness of the specimens were characterized via scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and surface measurement devices. The degradation rates and behavior of the specimens were evaluated by immersing them in simulated body fluids and by applying these ZX31 clips on rabbits' uterine tubes for five weeks. The specimen with seven layers (ZX31(CHI/LGA)7) exhibited improved corrosion behavior when compared with ZX31 or ZX31(CHI/LGA)2, with a reduced degradation rate of the Mg alloy in a simulated body environment. In vivo experiments showed that ZX31 clips exhibited good biocompatibilities in each group but could not maintain the clamping function for five weeks. The weight loss of ZX31(CHI/LGA)7 was significantly lower than that of the other groups. Consequently, it was verified that CHI can be used as a protective layer on a magnesium alloy surface via in vitro and in vivo experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]