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Four specimens of unknown Coilia sp. were collected for the first time from the Yellow Sea in 2008 and compared with Coilia mystus and Coilia nasus. Coilia sp. showed similar morphology to C. mystus and C. nasus, but differed in that its tail was considerably shorter. We conducted an analysis of the morphological and genetic characteristics in an effort to clarify the taxonomic position of Coilia sp. In counts and measurements, Coilia sp. were well distinguished from C. nasus by the number of scutes (42-44 in Coilia sp. vs. 40-45 in C. mystus vs. 45-55 in C. nasus), ratio of dorsal base length to head length (43.4-47.6 vs. 37.9-47.6 vs. 33.0-41.0), and eye length to head length (19.2-20.8 vs. 17.0-22.4 vs. 13.8-18.2). In caudal skeleton of Coilia sp., urostyle, hypural and epural bones were not observed; instead of them, caudal fin rays were supported by the last vertebra, neural and haemal spines' extension. The molecular phylogenetic relationship was analyzed using 414 base-pair 12S rRNA mitochondrial DNA sequences. The Kimura-2-parameter distance between Coilia sp. and C. mystus was 0.3%, but was 1.3% between Coilia sp. and C. nasus. Both the neighbor-joining tree and maximum-likelihood tree showed that Coilia sp. are closely clustered with C. mystus. Therefore, our results suggest that the Coilia sp. may be a deformed fish of C. mystus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: CD24 has been reported to have a role in metastasis of several malignancies including breast cancer. We investigated the effect of CD24 expression on biologic features in human breast cancer cells, and found that CD24 expression is associated with more rapid growth and enhanced ability of adhesion and invasion in MCF-7. The proportion of cells was higher in synthetic phase and lower in arrestic phase for CD24high than for CD24low/− cells. Cyclin D1 and p27 had stronger expressions in CD24low/− cells than CD24high cells. These suggested one possible pathway for CD24 effect on proliferation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Therapeutic iodoform (CHI3) is commonly used as a root-filling material for primary teeth; however, the side effects of iodoform-containing materials, including early root resorption, have been reported. To overcome this problem, a water-soluble iodide (NaI)-incorporated root-filling material was developed. Calcium hydroxide, silicone oil, and NaI were incorporated in different weight proportions (30:30:X), and the resulting material was denoted DX (D5~D30), indicating the NaI content. As a control, iodoform instead of NaI was incorporated at a ratio of 30:30:30, and the material was denoted I30. The physicochemical (flow, film thickness, radiopacity, viscosity, water absorption, solubility, and ion releases) and biological (cytotoxicity, TRAP, ARS, and analysis of osteoclastic markers) properties were determined. The amount of iodine, sodium, and calcium ion releases and the pH were higher in D30 than I30, and the highest level of unknown extracted molecules was detected in I30. In the cell viability test, all groups except 100% D30 showed no cytotoxicity. In the 50% nontoxic extract, D30 showed decreased osteoclast formation compared with I30. In summary, NaI-incorporated materials showed adequate physicochemical properties and low osteoclast formation compared to their iodoform-counterpart. Thus, NaI-incorporated materials may be used as a substitute for iodoform-counterparts in root-filling materials after further (pre)clinical investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Metastasized and chemoresistant secondary breast cancer treatment commonly shows very low efficacy. A new efficient treatment method is required to overcome the limitation against the secondary breast cancer. In this study, anoikis-resistant breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were developed as models of chemoresistant and metastatic breast cancer. Doxorubicin encapsulating human serum albumin nanoparticles (HSA+DOX NPs) were fabricated to confirm the benefits of nanoparticles at the treatment of anoikis-resistant breast cancer cells. The side population (SP) fraction in the anoikis-resistant cancer cells was higher than the parental cells. HSA+DOX NPs were more cytotoxic to anoikis-resistant cancer cells than free doxorubicin. The confocal microscope images demonstrated HSA+DOX NPs to deliver more doxorubicin into cells compared to the free doxorubicin by bypassing the drug efflux pump systems of anoikis-resistant cancer cells. In this study, a nanomedicine-based drug delivery carrier shows a potential in treating a metastasized and chemoresistant breast cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, we investigated the effect of asiatic acid (the aglycon of asiaticoside) and asiaticoside isolated from the leaves of Centella asiatica (Umbelliferae) on LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Asiatic acid more potently inhibited LPS-induced NO and PGE2 production than asiaticoside. Consistent with these observations, the protein and mRNA expression levels of inducible iNOS and COX-2 enzymes were inhibited by asiatic acid in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, asiatic acid dose-dependently reduced the production of IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophage cells. Furthermore, asiatic acid inhibited the NF-κB activation induced by LPS, and this was associated with the abrogation of IκB-α degradation and with subsequent decreases in nuclear p65 and p50 protein levels. Moreover, the phosphorylations of IKK, p38, ERK1/2, and JNK in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells were suppressed by asiatic acid in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the anti-inflammatory properties of asiatic acid might be the results from the inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α expressions through the down-regulation of NF-κB activation via suppression of IKK and MAP kinase (p38, ERK1/2, and JNK) phosphorylation in RAW 264.7 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: The role of C-type lectin receptor, a type of pattern recognition receptor, in otitis media with effusion (OME) is unclear. We assayed the levels of expression of C-type lectin receptor mRNA in children with OME and evaluated its relationship to the presence of bacteria, accompanying diseases, and characteristics of exudates. Subjects and Methods: The study population consisted of 73 children with OME who had undergone ventilating tube insertion. The levels of expression of Dectin-1, MR1, MR2, DC-SIGN, Syk, Card-9, Bcl-10, Malt-1, Src, Dec-205, Galectin-1, Tim-3, Trem-1, and DAP-12 mRNA in middle ear effusion were determined by real-time PCR. The level of expression of each mRNA was correlated with the presence of bacteria, accompanying diseases, and exudates characteristics. Results: The levels of expression of C-type lectin receptor mRNAs were not associated with bacterial presence or exudates characteristics (p >0.05 each). Levels of expression, however, were significantly higher in patients with sinusitis, adenoid vegetation or adenoiditis, and allergic rhinitis (p <0.05 each). Conclusions: Levels of expression of C-type lectin receptor mRNA may be associated with the pathogenesis of OME, being significantly higher in patients with than without accompanying sinusitis, adenoid vegetation or adenoiditis, and allergic rhinitis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A sensitive and accurate HPLC-UV method for the quantification of fluconazole (FLA) level in human plasma has been developed. The sample was prepared by one-step liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) of FLA from plasma using dichloromethane. Phenacetin was used as the internal standard. The chromatographic retention times of FLA and phenacetin were 4.6 and 8.3min, respectively. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) was 0.05μg/mL, and no interferences were detected in the chromatograms. The devised HPLC-UV method was validated by evaluating its intra- and inter-day precisions and accuracies in a linear concentration range between 0.05 and 10.00μg/mL. The devised method was successfully applied to a bioequivalence studies involving the oral administration of a single 150mg FLA tablet and 3×50mg FLA capsules in healthy Korean male volunteers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Direct ink writing (DIW) enables 3D printing of macroscopic objects with well-defined structures and compositions that controllably change over length scales of order 100 µm. Unfortunately, only a limited number of materials can be processed through DIW because it imparts stringent rheological requirements on inks. This limitation can be overcome for soft materials, if they are formulated as microparticles that, if jammed, fulfill the rheological requirements to be printed. By contrast, densely packed rigid microparticles with stiffnesses exceeding 2 MPa do not exhibit appropriate rheological properties that enable DIW. Here, an ink composed of up to 60 vol% rigid microparticles with core stiffnesses up to 50 MPa is introduced. To achieve this goal, rigid microparticles possessing soft hydrogel shells are produced. The 3D printed fragile granular structure is transformed into a load-bearing granular material through the formation of a 2nd network within the soft shells and in the interstitial spaces. The potential of these particles is demonstrated to be printed into intricate 3D structures, such as a trophy cup, or cast into flexible macroscopic photonic films., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Chemoresponsive dyes offer the potential to selectively detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) unique to certain disease states. Among different VOC sensing techniques, colorimetric sensing offers the advantage of facile recognition. However, it is often challenging to discern the color changes by the naked eye. Here, highly sensitive colorimetric VOC sensor arrays from dye-incorporated colloidal photonic crystals (dye-cPhCs) are reported. cPhCs are scalably fabricated on a 4-inch wafer by spin-coating of silica nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed in a photo-cross-linkable monomer, where the gradient shear flow along the film thickness creates densely-packed square arrays of NPs in the top layers, whereas the bulk is quasi-amorphous with larger periodicities. The broadened reflection peak allows for augmented dye absorption originating from the overlap between the photonic bandgap edge of the cPhC and the dye absorption peak, leading to a more noticeable color change upon exposure to VOCs. The sensor array generates distinct color difference maps for acetaldehyde, acetone, and acetic acid, respectively, without any data amplification. The limit of detection for acetaldehyde, acetone, and acetic acid is 1, 0.1, and 0.02 ppm, respectively. Moreover, VOC can be diagonalized by visually intuitive pattern recognition, and principal component analysis at reduced dimensionality is demonstrated., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Rapid and accurate detection and visualization of temperature variations near the human body hold significant importance. This study presents thermochromic colloids capable of adjusting the detectable temperature range and reflection wavelength over a wide spectrum. The systematic investigation focuses on understanding the influence of the molecular structure of nematic mesogens on the morphological dynamics of cholesteric liquid crystal droplets and their associated thermochromic behaviors. A tunable colorimetric temperature range (i.e., from 10 to 40 °C) and high sensitivity (i.e., Δλ ΔT -1  > 100nm °C -1 ) are realized through precise modulation of the alkyl chain lengths in cyanobiphenyls molecules, combined with a cholesteryl oleyl carbonate as a chiral dopant. We demonstrate the efficiency of a binary mixture of different mesogens, enabling customized structural colors with desired temperature responses. Finally, inspired by the ability of the octopus to camouflage through the elongation or contraction of its pigment cells, thermochromic droplets are embedded within a polymer matrix, resulting in a portable skin patch that offers quick, reversible, and direct temperature visualization of the human body., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Premature loss of root canal-treated primary teeth has long been a concern in dentistry. To address this, researchers developed a sodium iodide-based root canal-filling material as an alternative to traditional iodoform-based materials. The goal of this study was to improve the physicochemical properties of the sodium iodide-based material to meet clinical use standards. To resolve high solubility issues in the initial formulation, researchers adjusted component ratios and added new ingredients, resulting in a new paste called L5. This study compared L5 with L0 (identical composition minus lanolin) and Vitapex as controls, conducting physicochemical and antibacterial tests. Results showed that L5 met all ISO 6876 standards, demonstrated easier injection and irrigation properties than Vitapex, and exhibited comparable antibacterial efficacy to Vitapex, which is currently used clinically. The researchers conclude that if biological stability is further verified, L5 could potentially be presented as a new option for root canal-filling materials in primary teeth.

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for and research focus on cell therapy, driven by the tissue-regenerative and disease-treating potentials of stem cells. Among the candidates, dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) or human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have garnered significant attention due to their easy accessibility (non-invasive), multi-lineage differentiation capability (especially neurogenesis), and low immunogenicity. Utilizing these stem cells for clinical purposes requires careful culture techniques such as excluding animal-derived supplements. Human platelet lysate (hPL) has emerged as a safer alternative to fetal bovine serum (FBS) for cell culture. In our study, we assessed the impact of hPL as a growth factor supplement for culture medium, also conducting a characterization of SHED cultured in hPL-supplemented medium (hPL-SHED). The results showed that hPL has effects in enhancing cell proliferation and migration and increasing cell survivability in oxidative stress conditions induced by H 2 O 2 . The morphology of hPL-SHED exhibited reduced size and elongation, with a differentiation capacity comparable to or even exceeding that of SHED cultured in a medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS-SHED). Moreover, no evidence of chromosome abnormalities or tumor formation was detected. In conclusion, hPL-SHED emerges as a promising candidate for cell therapy, exhibiting considerable potential for clinical investigation.

Printing structurally colored patterns is of great importance for providing customized graphics for various purposes. Although a direct writing technique has been developed, the use of colloidal dispersions as photonic inks requires delicate printing conditions and restricts the mechanical and optical properties of printed patterns. In this work, we produce elastic photonic microbeads through scalable bulk emulsification and formulate photonic inks containing microbeads for direct writing. To produce the microbeads, a photocurable colloidal dispersion is emulsified into a highly concentrated sucrose solution via vortexing, which results in spherical emulsion droplets with a relatively narrow size distribution. The microbeads are produced by photopolymerization and are then suspended in urethane acrylate resin at volume fractions of 0.35-0.45. The photonic inks retain high color saturation of the microbeads and offer enhanced printability and dimensional control on various target substrates including fabrics, papers, and even skins. Importantly, the printed graphics show high mechanical stability as the elastic microbeads are embedded in the polyurethane matrix. Moreover, the colors show a wide viewing angle and low-angle dependency due to the optical isotropy of individual microbeads and light refraction at the air-matrix interface. We postulate that this versatile direct writing technique is potentially useful for structural color coating and printing on the surfaces of arbitrary 3D objects.

Direct ink writing (DIW) stands out as a facile additive manufacturing method, minimizing material waste. Nonetheless, developing homogeneous Bingham inks with high yield stress and swift liquid-to-solid transitions for versatile 3D printing remains a challenge. In this study, high-performance Bingham inks are formulated by destabilizing silica particle suspensions in acrylate-based resin. A colloidal network forms in the shear-free state through interparticle attraction, achieved by disrupting the solvation layer of large resin molecules using polar molecules. The network is highly dense, with evenly distributed linkage strength as monodisperse particles undergo gelation at an ultra-high fraction. Crucially, the strength is calibrated to ensure a sufficiently large yield stress, while still allowing the network to reversibly melt under shear flow. The inks immediately undergo a liquid-to-solid transition upon discharge, while maintaining fluidity without nozzle clogging. The dense colloidal networks develop structural colors due to the short-range order. This enables the rapid and sophisticated drawing of structurally-colored 3D structures, relying solely on rheological properties. Moreover, the printed composite structures exhibit high mechanical stability due to the presence of the colloidal network, which expands the range of potential applications., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Colloidal crystallization serves as one of the most economic and scalable production methods for photonic crystals. However, insufficient optical performance, nonuniformity and low reproducibility remain challenges for advanced high-value applications. In this study, we optimally formulate a photocurable dispersion of silica particles and apply shear flow to unify the orientation of the colloidal crystals, ensuring high optical performance and uniformity. The silica particles experience strong repulsion at ultrahigh volume fractions of 50% but demonstrate low mobility, leading to polycrystalline structures. Applying shear flow to the dispersions allows the silica particles to rearrange into larger crystalline domains with a unidirectional orientation along the flow. This shear-induced structural change produces absolute reflectivity at the stopband as high as 90% and a high transparency of 90% at off-resonant wavelengths with minimal diffusive scattering. Furthermore, the strong interparticle repulsion ensures a uniform volume fraction of particles throughout the dispersion, reducing deviations in the optical properties. We intricately micropattern the photocurable dispersions using photolithography. Additionally, the photonic films and patterns can be stacked to form multiple layers, displaying mixed structural colors and multiple reflectance peaks without sacrificing reflectivity. These superior photonic materials hold promise for various optical applications, including optical components and anticounterfeiting patches., Competing Interests: Conflict of interestThe authors declare no competing interests., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Calcium silicate-based cement (CSC) is a pharmaceutical agent that is widely used in dentistry. This bioactive material is used for vital pulp treatment due to its excellent biocompatibility, sealing ability, and antibacterial activity. Its drawbacks include a long setting time and poor maneuverability. Hence, the clinical properties of CSC have recently been improved to decrease its setting time. Despite the widespread clinical usage of CSC, there is no research comparing recently developed CSCs. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to compare the physicochemical, biological, and antibacterial properties of four commercial CSCs: two powder-liquid mix types (RetroMTA ® [RETM]; Endocem ® MTA Zr [ECZR]) and two premixed types (Well-Root™ PT [WRPT]; Endocem ® MTA premixed [ECPR]). Each sample was prepared using circular Teflon molds, and tests were conducted after 24 h of setting. The premixed CSCs exhibited a more uniform and less rough surface, higher flowability, and lower film thickness than the powder-liquid mix CSCs. In the pH test, all CSCs showed values between 11.5 and 12.5. In the biological test, cells exposed to ECZR at a concentration of 25% showed greater cell viability, but none of the samples showed a significant difference at low concentration ( p > 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase staining revealed that cells exposed to ECZR underwent more odontoblast differentiation than the cells exposed to the other materials; however, no significant difference was observed at a concentration of 12.5% ( p > 0.05). In the antibacterial test, the premixed CSCs showed better results than the powder-liquid mix CSCs, and ECPR yielded the best results, followed by WRPT. In conclusion, the premixed CSCs showed improved physical properties, and of the premixed types, ECPR exhibited the highest antibacterial properties. For biological properties, none of these materials showed significant differences at 12.5% dilution. Therefore, ECPR may be a promising material with high antibacterial activity among the four CSCs, but further investigation is needed for clinical situations.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of different viscosities of silicone oil on the physicochemical, pre-clinical usability, and biological properties of a sodium iodide paste. Six different paste groups were created by mixing therapeutic molecules, sodium iodide (D30) and iodoform (I30), with calcium hydroxide and one of the three different viscosities of silicone oil (high (H), medium (M), and low (L)). The study evaluated the performance of these groups, including I30H, I30M, I30L, D30H, D30M, and D30L, using multiple parameters such as flow, film thickness, pH, viscosity, and injectability, with statistical analysis ( p < 0.05). Remarkably, the D30L group demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the conventional iodoform counterpart, including a significant reduction in osteoclast formation, as examined through TRAP, c-FOS, NFATc1, and Cathepsin K ( p < 0.05). Additionally, mRNA sequencing showed that the I30L group exhibited increased expression of inflammatory genes with upregulated cytokines compared to the D30L group. These findings suggest that the optimized viscosity of the sodium iodide paste (D30L) may lead to clinically favorable outcomes, such as slower root resorption, when used in primary teeth. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the D30L group shows the most satisfactory outcomes, which may be a promising root-filling material that could replace conventional iodoform-based pastes.

Objective: We investigated the effects of fusidic acid (FA) on human cervical, thyroid, and breast carcinoma cell lines to determine the potential usefulness of FA in cancer treatment., Methods: Six cancer cell lines (cervical cancer: Caski, HeLa; thyroid cancer: 8505C, TPC1; and breast cancer: MCF-7, MDA-MB-231) were treated with FA. Furthermore the changes in cell growth, cell cycle duration, and extent of apoptosis were analyzed., Results: After FA treatment, the cancer cells showed a decrease in growth rate. In the cell death assay, the cell populations were similar in each cell type after treatment with FA, indicating that growth inhibition by FA was not related to the induction of apoptosis. FA induced cell cycle arrest at a dose that inhibited growth rate, which varied in different cell types. G0/G1 phase arrest occurs in breast cancer, S phase arrest in 8505C thyroid cancer, and G2/M phase arrest in cervical cancer. These results indicate that FA reduces growth rates by inducing cell cycle arrest., Conclusion: FA treatment can interfere with cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest in human cervical, thyroid, and breast carcinoma cell lines. Thus, FA can be useful in treating human cervical, thyroid, and breast carcinomas.

Structural colors provide a promising visualization with high color saturation, iridescent characteristics, and fade resistance. However, pragmatic uses are frequently impeded by complex manufacturing processes for sophisticated nanostructures. Here, we report a facile emulsion-templating strategy to produce crescent-shaped microparticles as structural color pigments. The micro-crescents exhibit brilliant colors under directional light originating from total internal reflections and optical interferences in the absence of periodic nanostructures while being transparent under ambient light. The colors are finely tunable by adjusting the size of the micro-crescents, which can be further mixed to enrich the variety. Importantly, the pre-defined convex surface secures high stability of colors and enables structural coloration on target surfaces through direct deposition as inks. We anticipate this class of nanostructure-free structural colorants is pragmatic as invisible inks in particular for anti-counterfeiting patches and color cosmetics with distinctive impressions due to low-cost, scalable manufacturing, unique optical properties, and versatility., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Regenerative endodontic treatment based on tissue engineering has recently gained interest in contemporary restorative dentistry. However, low survival rates and poor potential differentiation of stem cells could undermine the success rate of pulp regenerative therapy. Human gingival fibroblast-conditioned medium (hGF-CM) has been considered a potential therapy for tissue regeneration due to its stability in maintaining multiple factors essential for tissue regeneration compared to live cell transplantation. This study aimed to investigate the potency of hGF-CM on stem cells from human dental pulp (DPSC) in pulp regeneration. A series of experiments confirmed that hGF-CM contributes to a significant increase in proliferation, migration capability, and cell viability of DPSC after H 2 O 2 exposure. Moreover, it has been proved to facilitate the odontogenic differentiation of DPSC via qRT-PCR, ALP (alkaline phosphatase), and ARS (Alizarin Red S) staining. It has been discovered that such highly upregulated odontogenesis is related to certain types of ECM proteins (collagen and laminin) from hGF-CM via proteomics. In addition, it is found that the ERK pathway is a key mechanism via inhibition assay based on RNA-seq result. These findings demonstrate that hGF-CM could be beneficial biomolecules for pulp regeneration., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is an outstanding dental material for arresting and preventing caries, but some drawbacks, such as high flowability due to low viscosity and cytotoxicity to the pulp, have been reported. To overcome these problems, copper-doped bioactive glass nanoparticles (CuBGns) were combined with SDF. After synthesis, CuBGns were examined by physical analysis and added in SDF at different weight/volume% (SDF@CuBGn). After assessing physical properties (viscosity and flowability) of SDF@CuBGn, physicochemical properties (morphology before and after simulated body fluid (SBF) immersion and ion release) of SDF@CuBGn-applied hydroxyapatite (HA) discs were evaluated. Biological properties were further evaluated by cytotoxicity test to pulp stem cells and antibacterial effect on cariogenic organisms ( Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus ). Combining CuBGns in SDF increased the viscosity up to 3 times while lowering the flowability. More CuBGns and functional elements in SDF (Ag and F) were deposited on the HA substrate, even after SBF immersion test for 14 days, and they showed higher Cu, Ca, and Si release without changing F and Ag release. Cell viability test suggested lower cytotoxicity in SDF@CuBGn-applied HA, while CuBGns in SDF boosted antibacterial effect against S. aureus , ~27% in diameter of agar diffusion test. In conclusion, the addition of CuBGn to SDF enhances viscosity, Ag and F deposition, and antibacterial effects while reducing cell toxicity, highlighting the role of bioactive CuBGns for regulating physical and biological effects of dental materials.

Photonic and plasmonic colors, stemming from nanostructures of dielectric materials and metals, are promising for pigment-free coloration. In particular, nanostructures with structural colors have been employed in stimuli-responsive Janus microparticles to provide active color pixels. Here, the authors report a simple strategy to produce electro-responsive Janus microspheres composed of photonic and plasmonic faces for active color change. The photonic microspheres are first prepared by self-assembly of silica particles in emulsion droplets of photocurable resin. The silica particles form 3D crystalline arrays in the interior and 2D hexagonal arrays on the interface. The emulsion droplets are photocured and the silica particles are selectively removed to make porous photonic microspheres with hexagonal arrays of dimples on the surface. Directional deposition of gold or aluminum on the photonic microsphere develops plasmonic color on the top hemisphere while maintaining photonic color on the bottom hemisphere. Moreover, the metal deposited on one side renders the Janus microspheres electro-responsive. Therefore, the photonic and plasmonic colors are switchable by the orientation control of the Janus microspheres with an external electric field. The photonic and plasmonic colors are independently adjustable by employing two different sizes of silica particles in core-shell emulsion drops., (© 2022 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Pulp regeneration has recently attracted interest in modern dentistry. However, the success ratio of pulp regeneration is low due to the compromising potential of stem cells, such as their survival, migration, and odontoblastic differentiation. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have been considered a promising tool for regenerative therapy due to their ability to secrete multiple factors that are essential for tissue regeneration, which is achieved by minimally invasive procedures with fewer ethical or legal concerns than those of other procedures. The aim of this study is to investigate the potency of SHED-derived conditioned media (SHED CM) on dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), a major type of mesenchymal stem cells for dental pulp regeneration. Our results show the promotive efficiency of SHED CM on the proliferation, survival rate, and migration of DPSCs in a dose-dependent manner. Upregulation of odontoblast/osteogenic-related marker genes, such as ALP, DSPP, DMP1, OCN, and RUNX2, and enhanced mineral deposition of impaired DPSCs are also observed in the presence of SHED CM. The analysis of SHED CM found that a variety of cytokines and growth factors have positive effects on cell proliferation, migration, anti-apoptosis, and odontoblast/osteogenic differentiation. These findings suggest that SHED CM could provide some benefits to DPSCs in pulp regeneration.