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Periodontal ligament (PDL) is assembled from highly organized collagen fiber bundles (PDL principal fibers) that are crucial in supporting teeth and buffering mechanical force. Therefore, regeneration of PDL needs to reconstruct these well-ordered fiber bundles to restore PDL functions. However, the formation of PDL principal fibers has long been a challenge due to the absence of an effective three-dimensional (3D) matrix to guide the growth of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and to inhibit the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs during the PDL principal fibers deposition. In this work, we designed and fabricated a bio-inspired tubular 3D matrix to guide the migration and growth of human PDLSCs and form well-aligned PDL principal fibers. As a biomimetic 3D template, the tubular matrix controlled PDLSCs migration inside the tubules and aligned the cells to the designated direction. Inside the tubular matrix, the PDLSCs expressed PDL markers and formed oriented fiber bundles with the same size and density as those of natural PDL principal fibers. Furthermore, the tubular matrix downregulated the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. A mechanism study revealed that the Yap1/Twist1 signaling pathway was involved in the inhibition of PDLSCs osteogenesis within the tubular matrix. This work provides an effective approach to induce PDLSCs to form principal fibers and gives insight into the underlying mechanism of inhibiting the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in biomimetic tubular matrices.

In search for peptide motifs that allow us to efficiently tether fusion proteins onto polymer surfaces, we designed a KLKLKLKLKL (KL5) decapeptide in which basic and hydrophobic amino acids were alternately linked. By means of genetic engineering technology together with a bacterial expression system, the KL5 fusions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, and stromal cell-derived factor-1α were prepared together with their control counterparts without KL5. The adsorption experiments were performed for these fusion proteins on the surface of polystyrene, hydrophilized polystyrene, and polycaprolactone by surface plasmon resonance analysis. To understand the results of the binding assays, the structure of the fusion proteins was predicted by

E. coli expressed recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) with histidine-tag (bFGF-His) was immobilized onto the surface of a glass plate modified with a Ni(II)-chelated alkanethiol monolayer. The immobilization is expected to take place through the coordination between Ni(II) and His-tag. The bFGF-immobilized surface was exposed to citrate buffer solution to refold in situ the surface-immobilized bFGF. The secondary structure of immobilized bFGF-His was analyzed by solid-phase circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Immortalized human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) were cultured on the bFGF-His-immobilized surface to examine their proliferation. CD spectroscopy revealed that the immobilized bFGF initially exhibited secondary structure rich in α-helix and that the spectrum was gradually transformed to exhibit the formation of β-strands upon exposure to citrate buffer solution, approaching to the spectrum of native bFGF. The rate of hMSC proliferation was 1.2-fold higher on the bFGF-immobilized surface treated with in situ citrate buffer, compared to the polystyrene surface. The immobilized bFGF-His treated in situ with citrate buffer solution seemed to be biologically active because its secondary structure approached its native state. This was well demonstrated by the cell culture experiments. From these results we conclude that immobilization of bFGF on the culture substrate serves to enhance proliferation of hMSCs.

Oral diseases are common in school children of underprivileged region of developing countries. The community-based oral health promotion approach, using schools as a platform, is a way to tackle the oral health problems of community with limited human and financial resources. A base-line study was conducted in a school of Jyamrung so as to evaluate oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices among schoolchildren, based on which an oral health promotion program will be developed for the school. A descriptive study was conducted among all the students of the school. Oral heath related information of the students was collected using DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) index and a questionnaire. A total of 88 children with age ranging from 6 to 16 years took part in the study. A total of 61% of the children had dental caries. Mean DMFT of the schoolchildren was 1.78 (SD 2.04). The Filled component score was 0. Children with the experience of tooth pain the previous year was 36.5% for 6-11 years of age, and 58.3% for 12-16 years of age. None of them had received any form of treatment following the pain. Only 4 children have dental consultation. Almost 92% of them have never received oral health education in their school. A comprehensive oral health care program is required to address the present oral health needs of the schoolchildren. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11930Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 1-4

Introduction: Dental caries and malnutrition is a public health problem, concentrated more among socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between malnutrition and dental caries among 6, 10 and 12 years children in Mangalore. Materials and Methods : Data about oral health status and body mass index of children of age groups 6, 10 and 12 were collected using a cross-sectional design. Anthropometric measurements and oral examinations were carried out. Statistical test was performed to look for categorical associations between BMI categories and dental caries prevalence and to see if any correlation exists between BMI Score and dental caries severity. Results: The Pearson correlation test result suggested children with less BMI score tend to have more caries affected teeth than children with normal BMI. Conclusions: Physicians and dentists treating young children should consider malnutrition as a risk marker for childhood caries. Inclusion of BMI calculation in the standard dental evaluation of any pediatric patient can provide a screen for prevention, timely diagnosis, and treatment of the children suffering from dental caries and malnutrition. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i2.8171 J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013; 33(2):99-102

Dental caries is a common childhood disease. Its prevalence can be reduced by integrating dental strategies into primary health care approach. Knowledge, attitude and practice of anganwadi workers in the subject of oral health is imperative in achieving this goal. This study was therefore conducted to assess the knowledge and attitude towards oral health among anganwadi workers of Mangalore city. A questionnaire study, using convenience samples was conducted among 159 angan­wadi workers of Mangalore city. A close ended questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was used. Details of age and quali­fication were recorded. The data was analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Only 45.9% of the anganwadi workers knew that dental caries was a disease, 57.2% knew that the best time to eat sweets was during meal time, 58.5% workers stated dentists as their source of oral health information. Almost all of the Anganwadi workers were positive towards the importance of oral health education and expressed their willingness to teach children how to brush properly and obliged to advise a child need­ing dental care to go to dentist. An anganwadi worker can be a vital link in the health care delivery system. There is a need to educate them on oral health in order to reach children at an early and receptive age. It is very important on the part of the health department to carry out effective programmes on oral health for anganwadi workers. Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2013; 3(4); 6-8 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v3i4.9545

Background Chepang communities are one of the most deprived ethnic communities in Nepal. According to the National Pathfinder Survey, dental caries is a highly prevalent childhood disease in Nepal. There is no data concerning the prevalence of caries along with knowledge, attitude and oral hygiene practices among Chepang schoolchildren. The objectives of this study were to 1) record the prevalence of dental caries 2) report experience of dental pain 3) evaluate knowledge, attitude and preventive practices on oral health of primary Chepang schoolchildren. Method A cross sectional epidemiological study was conducted in 5 government Primary schools of remote Chandibhanjyang Village Development Committee (VDC) in Chitwan district. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Board within the Research Department of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Tribhuvan University. Consent was obtained from parents for conducting clinical examination and administrating questionnaire. Permission was taken from the school principal in all schools. Data was collected using a pretested questionnaire on 131 schoolchildren aged 8-16-year- olds attending Grade 3–5. Clinical examination was conducted on 361 school children aged 5–16 –year-olds attending grade 1–5. Criteria set by the World Health Organization (1997) was used for caries diagnosis. The questionnaires, originally constructed in English and translated into Nepali were administered to the schoolchildren by the researchers. SPSS 11software was used for data analysis. Results Caries prevalence for 5–6 –year-old was above the goals recommended by WHO and Federation of Dentistry international (FDI) of less than 50% caries free children. Caries prevalence in 5-6-year-olds was 52% and 12-13-year-olds was 41%. The mean dmft/DMFT score of 5–6 –year-olds and 12 -13-year -olds was 1.59, 0.31 and 0.52, 0.84 respectively. The DMFT scores increased with age and the d/D component constituted almost the entire dmft/DMFT index. About 31% of 8-16-year-olds school children who participated in the survey reported having suffered from oral pain. Further, the need for treatment of decayed teeth was reported at 100%. About 76% children perceived teeth as an important component of general health and 75% reported it was required to eat. A total 93% children never visited a dentist or a health care service. Out of 56% children reporting cleaning their teeth daily, only 24% reported brushing their teeth twice daily. About 86% of the children reported using toothbrush and toothpaste to clean their teeth. Although 61% children reported to have received oral health education, 82% children did not know about fluoride and its benefit on dental health. About 50% children reported bacteria as the main cause of tooth decay and 23% as not brushing teeth for gingivitis. Frequency of sugar exposure was low; 75% of children reported eating sugar rich food once daily. Conclusions Caries prevalence of 5–6 –year- old Chepang school children is above the recommended target set by FDI/WHO. The study reported 31% schoolchildren aged 8-16-year old suffered oral pain and decayed component constituted almost the entire dmft/DMFT index. The brushing habit was reportedly low with only 24% of the children brushing twice daily. A nationwide scientifically proven, cost effective school based interventions is needed for prevention and control of caries in schoolchildren in Nepal.