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Background: Dental implant success critically depends on the primary stability of the implant, which is significantly influenced by the bone density at the osteotomy site. Traditional drilling techniques for osteotomy preparation often compromise bone volume and quality. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of osseodensification, a novel osteotomy preparation technique, on bone density and implant stability. The technique utilizes specialized drills that operate in a counter-clockwise direction to compact autografted bone laterally and apically, preserving and enhancing bone density., Methods: A total of 32 patients undergoing dental implant surgery were included in this study. Pre-operative and post-operative bone densities at the apical, mesial, and distal regions of the osteotomy sites were measured using Dentascan (CT) and analyzed with Radiant DICOM software. The study utilized osseodensification drills for osteotomy preparation, comparing pre-operative and post-operative bone densities to assess the technique's efficacy., Results: The study found a statistically significant increase in bone density post-operatively (p < 0.001), with the greatest improvement observed in the distal region, followed by the mesial and apical regions. The findings underscore osseodensification's effectiveness in enhancing bone density and primary stability, with the distal region exhibiting the highest bone density., Conclusion: Osseodensification represents a significant advancement in implant dentistry for osteotomy preparation. By preserving and increasing bone density through compact autografting, this technique not only improves primary stability but also offers potential benefits in indirect sinus lifting and alveolar ridge expansion. The study advocates for the broader adoption of osseodensification drills in clinical practice to achieve better outcomes in dental implantology., Trial Registration: This study received ethical approval from The Research Ethics Committee at King Khalid University's under Approval no. ECM#2024 - 216. Additionally, it was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier no: NCT06268639., Competing Interests: Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participate The study was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, and the protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at King Khalid University, Saudi Arabia [ECM#2024 − 216, following the protocol HAPO-06-B-001]. The study protocol was developed, and all subjects gave their written informed consent for inclusion before they participated in the study. Consent for publication Not applicable. Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) simulations have been increasingly employed to train dental students prior to clinical practice. According to the literature, blended learning designs in the form of VR simulations can be utilized by both dental students and instructors to provide quality education. They can also save time and improve motor skills before students enter clinical stages. Therefore, this study was designed to review the importance of available VR simulators and their impact on student learning and outcomes., Method: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed to review the literature systematically, and different databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched (up to December 2023) for relevant articles using keywords: "virtual reality," "virtual reality simulators," "virtual reality simulation," and "dental education." The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess the study quality., Results: After a comprehensive literature search, 1477 research articles were identified, of which 16 were included in the present study. In terms of students' learning outcomes, engagement, and optimal approach, a significant improvement was observed compared to conventional training methods, specifically in their knowledge, performance, confidence, and psychomotor skills., Conclusion: The findings suggest that VR simulators enhance the overall learning abilities of dental students and should be regarded as an integral component of the current curriculum. However, it is important to recognize that VR simulators cannot fully substitute traditional training methods; rather, they can effectively complement them., (© 2024 American Dental Education Association.)

This study aimed to comprehensively investigate the degradation behavior of 3D printed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) dental materials, with a specific focus on the influential factors of temperature and moisture, by employing molecular dynamics simulations. Owing to their aesthetic properties, 3D-printed PMMA dental materials play a pivotal role in dental applications. However, understanding their degradation mechanisms, particularly in the context of temperature and moisture variations, is crucial for their long-term durability. A Large-scale Atomic/Molecular Massively Parallel Simulator (LAMMPS) was utilized for the molecular dynamics simulations. The simulation setup included temperature variations from 300 to 600 K and relative humidity (RH) levels ranging from 20 to 100%. Various mechanical properties and structural changes were analyzed to determine the degradation behavior. Energetic profiling during equilibration and the subsequent temperature variations were studied. The spatial distribution of the mean squared displacement, non-bond energy, Young's modulus, bending stress, and volume expansion coefficient of the particles were quantitatively analyzed, revealing temperature- and moisture-dependent trends. The study concluded that temperature and moisture significantly affected the degradation behavior of 3D-printed PMMA dental materials. Higher temperatures and increased humidity levels contribute to reduced mechanical strength and altered structural properties, emphasizing the importance of controlling environmental conditions during fabrication., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between genetic factors and the occurrence and progression of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) using a comprehensive review and meta-analysis., Design: A comprehensive search was conducted using the ScienceDirect, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Dimensions, and Emerald databases. A reviewer selected the study using modified PICO criteria, considering human subjects with TMDs, comparing different genetic factors among TMD and non-TMD patients, and reporting TMD signs and symptoms as outcomes. The methodological standards of the eligible papers were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist for Non-randomized Experimental Investigations. Information was collected methodically and examined., Results: The electronic database search yielded 851 articles, 19 of which were included in this study. The data analysis showed a significant influence of genetic factors, such as polymorphisms and gene differences, on the development of TMD signs and symptoms, such as myofascial pain, chronic pain, and disc displacement. In addition, gene polymorphism significantly influenced TMD development, with an odds ratio of 2.46 (1.93-3.14) and p of 0.00001., Conclusions: Genetic factors significantly influenced TMD signs and symptoms, and genetic polymorphisms significantly influenced TMD onset and progression. Further research should be conducted in diverse settings with larger sample sizes to verify and validate these findings., 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 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) is a high-performance thermoplastic polymer with unique structural and mechanical properties that make it a promising candidate for surface modification of dental implants. This study was conducted to investigate the feasibility of PEKK for this purpose using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code based on density functional theory (DFT)., Methods: This study examined the ground state energy, structural properties, thermodynamic behavior, cohesive energy, refractive index, stress analysis, mechanical properties, and anisotropic behavior of PEKK., Results: This study found that PEKK has a complex crystal structure with an orthorhombic unit cell shape, triclinic lattice type, and a centered structure. It also has a 2D layered structure owing to the presence of carbonyl groups, which provides a large surface area for interaction with biological tissues. Thermodynamic analysis showed that PEKK exhibited bond elongation and structural changes at 380 °C, indicating thermal degradation. The cohesive energy of PEKK was calculated to be - 440 eV, indicating its stability and structural integrity. PEKK has a complex refractive index, with real and imaginary components that affect its optical properties. Stress analysis showed that PEKK is resistant to shear deformation and has high hydrostatic stress, which contributes to its stability and biocompatibility., Conclusion: The mechanical properties of PEKK, including its high stiffness, resistance to volume change under pressure, and ability to accommodate natural movements, make it suitable for surface modification of dental implants., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: This study aimed to explore the therapeutic potential of medicinal herbs for chronic periodontitis by examining the molecular interactions between specific herbal compounds and the heme-binding protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a key pathogen involved in the disease., Methods: The crystal structure of heme-binding protein was obtained from the Protein Data Bank. Herbal compounds were identified through an extensive literature review. Molecular docking simulations were performed to predict binding affinities, followed by Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (ADME) parameter prediction. Drug-likeness was assessed based on Lipinski's Rule of Five, and pharmacophore modeling was conducted to identify key molecular interactions., Results: The molecular docking simulations revealed that chelidonine, rotenone, and myricetin exhibited significant binding affinities to the heme-binding protein, with docking scores of -6.5 kcal/mol, -6.4 kcal/mol, and -6.1 kcal/mol, respectively. These compounds formed stable interactions with key amino acid residues within the binding pocket. ADME analysis indicated that all 3 compounds had favourable pharmacokinetic properties, with no violations of Lipinski's rules and minimal predicted toxicity. Pharmacophore modeling further elucidated the interaction profiles, highlighting specific hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions critical for binding efficacy., Conclusions: Chelidonine, rotenone, and myricetin emerged as promising therapeutic candidates for chronic periodontitis due to their strong binding affinities, favorable ADME profiles, and lack of significant toxicity. The detailed pharmacophore modeling provided insights into the molecular mechanisms underpinning their inhibitory effects on the heme-binding protein of P. gingivalis. These findings suggest that these compounds have the potential for further development as effective treatments for chronic periodontitis. Future research should focus on in vitro and in vivo validation of these findings to confirm the efficacy and safety of these compounds in biological systems., Competing Interests: Conflict of 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 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) in enhancing bone integration with dental implants., Method: PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched. Studies assessing PBM effectiveness with defined intervention/control groups were included, while those lacking specified laser types, involving severe maxillofacial defects or surgery, and not reporting outcomes related to dental implant osseointegration post-PBM therapy were excluded. The studies' risk of bias was assessed using Robvis for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and ROBINS-I for non-RCTs. The meta-analysis was conducted utilizing a random-effects model at a significance level of 0.01., Results: The study reviewed 26 papers involving 571 patients undergoing dental implant procedures with PBM/Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or placebo/control. Implant stability quotients (ISQ) analysis showed a non-significant difference (p = 0.06, mean difference: 1.02, 95 % CI: 0.28 to 1.75, I 2 =28 %), while the Periotest method indicated significant improvement in stability (p < 0.01, mean difference: -0.51, 95 % CI: -0.78 to -0.24, I 2 =71 %). PBM resulted in a significant bone density increase (p < 0.01, mean difference: 26, 95 % CI: 6.93 to 45.06, I 2 =91 %), but marginal bone loss showed no significant difference (p = 0.11, mean difference: 0.00, 95 % CI: -0.06 to 0.05, I 2 =45 %). Implant survival rate did not significantly differ (p = 0.73, mean difference: 1.56, 95 % CI: 0.38 to 6.46, I 2 =0 %). Most studies raised concerns regarding randomization., Conclusion: PBM could improve implant stability, as assessed with Periotest, and increase bone density, enhancing osseointegration. However, implant stability assessed with ISQ, marginal bone loss, and implant survival rate were comparable between the study groups., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Aims: Root canal therapy is a crucial aspect of endodontic treatment aimed at preserving natural dentition. Over the years, advancements in three-dimensional (3D) technology have revolutionized diagnosis and treatment planning. Different 3D technologies are used in dental care, such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), which ensures 3D slice visualization, root canal microanatomy, and dynamic navigation throughout the pulp cavity. By exploring the latest technological progress in this field, we seek to understand how these innovations are enhancing precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes, shedding light on the benefits and potential impact of 3D imaging in improving root canal procedures., Methods: Literature was searched from different databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, The Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria involved studies on 3D technology in root canal therapy with comparison groups, including RCTs and non-RCTs. Excluded studies lacked 3D imaging advancements, a control group, or were review articles or case studies. Quality assessment utilized QUIN for in vitro studies and ROBINS-I for non-RCTs to evaluate the studies' validity., Results: According to the PRISMA guidelines, among 5015 initial articles, 16 were included. CBCT was the most used 3D imaging technique for root imaging followed by micro-computed tomography (MCT) and limited CBCT (LCBCT) imaging methods. 2D radiographs and 2D histological methods and clearing techniques were the most common comparative modalities. Overall, 3D imaging streamlined dental treatment as clinicians could visualize much clearer and higher-quality images. Different resolutions and voxel sizes were applied to improve imaging quality., Conclusion: Three-dimensional imaging, especially CBCT, improves root canal treatments by providing superior image quality. CBCT outperforms other techniques like MCT and LCBCT, enhancing clarity. Varying resolutions and voxel sizes optimize the effectiveness of 3D imaging in root canal therapy., Clinical Relevance: The advancements in 3D imaging technology, particularly CBCT, have significantly enhanced the diagnosis and treatment planning for root canal therapy. CBCT provides detailed insights into intricate root canal anatomy, improving diagnostic accuracy., Competing Interests: Conflict of 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 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to provide valuable insights into the current research status and gaps in digital intraoral scanner literature in dentistry., Methodology: Scopus Search Query TITLE-ABS-KEY (intraoral AND scanners AND (dentistry OR digital AND dentistry)). The search query used in Scopus for the bibliometric analysis was "TITLE-ABS-KEY (intraoral AND scanners AND (dentistry OR digital AND dentistry))." This query indicates that the analysis focused on documents in which the title, abstract, or keywords contained the terms "intraoral," "scanners," and either "dentistry" or "digital dentistry.", Results: The analysis covers a timespan from 1998 to 2023 and includes 331 documents sourced from 136 publications. The annual growth rate of research in this field is reported to be 15.9%, indicating a steady increase over time. Among the top sources, the "Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry" and the "Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry" have the highest number of articles, indicating their significance in the field. Some notable authors and their corresponding statistics include WÖSTMANN B, with 15 articles and a fractionalized value of 3.16, and SCHLENZ MA, with 14 articles and a fractionalized value of 2.91. The United States has the highest number of articles, indicating a significant presence in research publications. Germany closely follows this, demonstrating a notable contribution to the scientific community., Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis of intraoral scanners used in dentistry provided valuable insights into the current state of research and scholarly publications in this field. This analysis sheds light on the trends, patterns, and advancements in the use of these scanners in dental practice., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Background: Zirconia crowns, resembling crystals and with enamel-like aesthetics, are recent entrants in pediatric restorative dentistry. Despite growing use, their empirical efficacy remains under-explored. The aim of this study is to compare resin composite strip crowns and premanufactured zirconia crowns on primary maxillary incisors., Methods: In the Pediatric Dental Clinics, 240 primary maxillary incisors (69 patients) were treated with either zirconia (120 teeth) or composite strip crowns (120 teeth). Evaluations of gingival health, plaque, secondary caries, restoration failure, and opposing teeth wear occurred at 3, 6, and 12-month intervals., Results: At 3 months, zirconia crowns showed less gum bleeding (P=0.006) and plaque. Through 6 and 12 months, zirconia crowns exhibited fewer failures but higher opposing teeth wear. Strip crowns indicated greater tooth material loss., Conclusions: Zirconia crowns demonstrated superior gingival health and durability over composite resin strip crowns but caused increased wear on opposing teeth.

Aim: This study aimed to comprehensively assess the biocompatibility and toxicity profiles of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and its monomeric unit, methyl methacrylate (MMA), crucial components in dental materials for interim prosthetic restorations., Methodology: Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding affinities, energetics, and steric features of MMA and PMMA with selected receptors involved in bone metabolism and tissue development, including RANKL, Fibronectin, BMP9, NOTCH2, and other related receptors. The HADDOCK standalone version was utilized for docking calculations, employing a Lamarckian genetic algorithm to explore the conformational space of ligand-receptor interactions. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 100 nanoseconds were conducted using the GROMACS package to evaluate dynamic actions and structural stability. The LigandScout was utilized for pharmacophore modeling, which employs a shape-based screening approach to identify potential ligand binding sites on protein targets., Results: The molecular docking studies elucidated promising interactions between PMMA and MMA with key biomolecular targets relevant to dental applications. MD simulation results provided strong evidence supporting the structural stability of PMMA complexes over time. Pharmacophore modeling highlighted the significance of carbonyl and hydroxyl groups as pharmacophoric features, indicating compounds with favorable biocompatibility profiles., Conclusion: This study underscores the potential of PMMA in dental applications, emphasizing its structural stability, molecular interactions, and safety considerations. These findings lay a foundation for future advancements in dental biomaterials, guiding the design and optimization of materials for enhanced biocompatibility. Future directions include experimental validation of computational findings and the development of PMMA-based dental materials with improved biocompatibility and clinical performance., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Nanoparticles are increasingly used in dentistry for various applications, including enhancing the mechanical properties of denture base resins. This study aimed to comprehensively review and analyze the research landscape of nanoparticles and their effect on the flexural strength of denture base resins to identify key research areas and trends and to highlight the importance of collaboration between authors and institutions., Methods: A Bibliometric Analysis was conducted using the Keywords "Nanoparticle*" AND "Denture*" OR "CAD/CAM." The literature search from the WOS database was restricted to the publication years 2011 to 2022., Results: Key findings encompass an increase in research publications but a decline in citations. Saudi Arabia, China, and Iraq led this research, with specific institutions excelling. Notable journals with high impact factors were identified. Authorship patterns show variations in citation impact. Additionally, keyword analysis revealed that current research trends offer insights into influential authors and their networks., Conclusions: The analysis of nanoparticles and denture base resins reveals a dynamic and evolving landscape that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, staying current with research trends, and conducting high-quality research in this ever-evolving domain., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Dental resin-based composites are widely recognized for their aesthetic appeal and adhesive properties, which make them integral to modern restorative dentistry. Despite their advantages, adhesion and biomechanical performance challenges persist, necessitating innovative strategies for improvement. This study addressed the challenges associated with adhesion and biomechanical properties in dental resin-based composites by employing molecular docking and dynamics simulation., Methods: Molecular docking assesses the binding energies and provides valuable insights into the interactions between monomers, fillers, and coupling agents. This investigation prioritizes SiO 2 and TRIS, considering their consistent influence. Molecular dynamics simulations, executed with the Forcite module and COMPASS II force field, extend the analysis to the mechanical properties of dental composite complexes. The simulations encompassed energy minimization, controlled NVT and NPT ensemble simulations, and equilibration stages. Notably, the molecular dynamics simulations spanned a duration of 50 ns., Results: SiO 2 and TRIS consistently emerged as influential components, showcasing their versatility in promoting solid interactions. A correlation matrix underscores the significant roles of van der Waals and desolvation energies in determining the overall binding energy. Molecular dynamics simulations provide in-depth insights into the mechanical properties of dental composite complexes. HEMA-SiO 2 -TRIS excelled in stiffness, BisGMA-SiO 2 -TRIS prevailed in terms of flexural strength, and EBPADMA-SiO 2 -TRIS offered a balanced combination of mechanical properties., Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing dental composites tailored to diverse clinical requirements. While EBPADMA-SiO 2 -TRIS demonstrates distinct strengths, this study emphasizes the need for further research. Future investigations should validate the computational findings experimentally and assess the material's response to dynamic environmental factors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aim: The integration of advanced technologies, including three-dimensional (3D) imaging modalities and virtual simulations, has significantly influenced contemporary approaches to preoperative planning in implant dentistry. Through a meticulous analysis of relevant studies, this review synthesizes findings related to accuracy outcomes in implant placement facilitated by 3D imaging in virtual patients., Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across relevant databases to identify relevant studies published to date. The inclusion criteria were studies utilizing 3D imaging techniques, virtual patients, and those focusing on the accuracy of dental implant planning and surgical placement. The selected studies were critically appraised for their methodological quality., Results: After a rigorous analysis, 21 relevant articles were included out of 3021 articles. This study demonstrates the versatility and applicability of these technologies in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Integrating Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM), cone bean computed tomography (CBCT), and advanced 3D reconstruction methodologies showcases a trend toward enhanced precision in implant planning and placement. Notably, the evaluation parameters varied, encompassing distances, discrepancies, and deviations in the implant placement. The ongoing integration of systems such as dynamic navigation systems, augmented reality, and sophisticated software platforms shows a promising trajectory for the continued refinement of virtual reality applications in dental implantology, providing valuable insights for future research and clinical implementation. Moreover, using stereolithographic surgical guides, virtual planning with CBCT data, and 3D-printed templates consistently demonstrates enhanced precision in dental implant placement compared to traditional methods., Conclusion: The synthesis of the available evidence underscores the substantial positive impact of 3D imaging techniques and virtual patients on dental implant planning and surgical placement accuracy. Utilizing these technologies contributes to a more personalized and precise approach that enhances overall treatment outcomes. Future research directions and potential refinements to the application of these technologies in clinical practice should be discussed., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2024.)

Background: Yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina are the most commonly used dental esthetic crown materials. This study aimed to provide detailed information on the comparison between yttrium-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and alumina, the two materials most often used for esthetic crowns in dentistry., Methodology: The ground-state energy of the materials was calculated using the Cambridge Serial Total Energy Package (CASTEP) code, which employs a first-principles method based on density functional theory (DFT). The electronic exchange-correlation energy was evaluated using the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) within the Perdew (Burke) Ernzerhof scheme., Results: Optimization of the geometries and investigation of the optical properties, dynamic stability, band structures, refractive indices, and mechanical properties of these materials contribute to a holistic understanding of these materials. Geometric optimization of YSZ provides important insights into its dynamic stability based on observations of its crystal structure and polyhedral geometry, which show stable configurations. Alumina exhibits a distinctive charge, kinetic, and potential (CKP) geometry, which contributes to its interesting structural framework and molecular-level stability. The optical properties of alumina were evaluated using pseudo-atomic computations, demonstrating its responsiveness to external stimuli. The refractive indices, reflectance, and dielectric functions indicate that the transmission of light by alumina depends on numerous factors that are essential for the optical performance of alumina as a material for esthetic crowns. The band structures of both the materials were explored, and the band gap of alumina was determined to be 5.853 eV. In addition, the band structure describes electronic transitions that influence the conductivity and optical properties of a material. The stability of alumina can be deduced from its bandgap, an essential property that determines its use as a dental material. Refractive indices are vital optical properties of esthetic crown materials. Therefore, the ability to understand their refractive-index graphs explains their transparency and color distortion through how the material responds to light..The regulated absorption characteristics exhibited by YSZ render it a highly attractive option for the development of esthetic crowns, as it guarantees minimal color distortion., Conclusion: The acceptability of materials for esthetic crowns is strongly determined by mechanical properties such as elastic stiffness constants, Young's modulus, and shear modulus. YSZ is a highly durable material for dental applications, owing to its superior mechanical strength., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Various methods, chemical and physical, disinfect dental impressions. Common chemicals include 1% Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% glutaraldehyde, while UV radiation is a prevalent physical method. Few studies compare their effects on dimensional stability in polyether impressions. This study aims to assess such stability using different disinfection methods. Therefore, this study was planned to evaluate the dimensional stability of polyether impression material using different disinfection methods., Methods: This in vitro study compared the effects of chemical disinfectants (1% Sodium Hypochlorite and 2% glutaraldehyde) and UV irradiation on the dimensional stability of polyether impression material. Groups A, B, C, and D, each with ten samples (N = 10), were studied. Group A was untreated (control). Group B was treated with 2% glutaraldehyde for 20 min, Group C with 1% Sodium Hypochlorite for 20 min, and Group D with UV rays for 20 min. A pilot milling machine drill was used to make four parallel holes labeled A, B, C, and D in the anterior and premolar regions from right to left. After sequential drilling, four implant analogs were positioned using a surveyor for accuracy. Ten open-tray polyether impressions were made and treated as described in the groups, followed by pouring the corresponding casts. Distortion values for each disinfection method were measured using a coordinate measuring machine capable of recording on the X- and Y-axes., Results: A comprehensive analysis was conducted using the one-way ANOVA test for distinct groups labeled A, B, C, and D, revealing significant differences in the mean distances for X1, X2, X4, X5, and X6 among the groups, with p-values ranging from 0.001 to 0.000. However, no significant differences were observed in X3. Notably, mean distances for the Y variables exhibited substantial differences among the groups, emphasizing parameter variations, with p-values ranging from 0.000 to 0.033. The results compared the four groups using the one-way ANOVA test, revealing statistically significant distance differences for most X and Y variables, except for X3 and Y4. Similarly, post-hoc Tukey's tests provided specific pairwise comparisons, underlining the distinctions between group C and the others in the mean and deviation distances for various variables on both the X- and Y-axes., Conclusions: This study found that disinfection with 1% sodium hypochlorite or UV rays for 20 min maintained dimensional stability in polyether impressions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: The success of implants in the socket shield technique relies on stress experienced by root fragments within the socket. Although there is no consensus on optimal root fragment thickness, varying thicknesses and dynamic implant placement induce stress in various directions and degrees. This study aimed to assess biomechanical response and stress distribution across different root fragment thicknesses in the socket shield procedure., Methods: This in vitro study was conducted to assess and compare the stress distribution on residual root structures of varying thicknesses positioned within the labial aspect of the maxillary incisor socket during immediate implant placement of standard dimensions. The procedure involved applying an insertional torque of 40 Ncm, and the analysis was conducted using finite element analysis software., Results: Utilizing the Numerical Technique with Abaqus software for explicit dynamics, von Mises stress and principal strain were analyzed on the root structure and bone under nonlinear contact conditions during implant torque application. For Model A, a loading torque of 40 Ncm was applied vertically on the implant, along with a horizontal force of 20 N on the root structure and bone. Results indicated maximum stress of 12.68 MPa on the root structure with a thickness of 0.5 mm and 5.61 MPa on the bone, with principal strains of 6.82E-03 and 4.10E-03, respectively. In Model B, with a root structure thickness of 1.0 mm, the maximum stress increased to 19.70 MPa, while the bone stress rose to 9.51 MPa, with principal strains of 1.03E-02 and 6.09E-03. Model C, with a root structure thickness of 1.5 mm, exhibited a maximum stress of 21.58 MPa on the root and 10.12 MPa on the bone, with principal strains of 1.16E-02 and 6.10E-03. Lastly, in Model D, with a root structure thickness of 2.0 mm, the maximum stress on the root structure and bone escalated to 28.74 MPa and 11.38 MPa, respectively, with principal strains of 1.55E-02 and 8.31E-03., Conclusions: As the thickness of the shield increases (ranging from 0.5 to 2 mm) in socket shield procedures with immediate implant placement, both stress on the root fragment and bone and principal micro-strain escalate. However, employing a shield thickness within the range of 0.5 to 2 mm does not lead to any adverse stress generation on the residual root fragment. However, for enhanced safety, it is recommended to restrict the maximum diameter and extension of the root fragment to 1.5 mm when considering implant sizes and socket diameter for the socket shield technique., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The current body of research on utilizing botulinum toxin (BTX) to manage temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) has not yet yielded definitive conclusions. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of BTX in pain reduction for TMDs compared to placebo and other treatments. The secondary outcomes evaluated were adverse events, maximum mouth opening, bruxism events, and maximum occlusal force., Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Dimension Publication, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The RoB 2 tool was used for quality assessment. The mean differences in pain scores were estimated to measure the effect of BTX on pain reduction. For adverse events, the risk ratio for the incidence of side effects was calculated., Results: Two hundred and sixty non-duplicate articles were identified; however, only 14 RCTS were included in this review. The total study population included 395 patients. The overall risk of bias showed a low to moderate quality of evidence. Results from 6 studies were reported only narratively; four studies were used for meta-analysis on pain reduction, and five were used for meta-analysis on adverse events. The control used in the meta-analysis was placebo injections. Results of the meta-analysis for pain reduction were statistically insignificant for the BTX group with mean differences at MD = -1.71 (95% CI, -2.87 to -0.5) at one month, -1.53 (95% CI, -2.80 to -0.27) at three months, and -1.33 (95% CI, -2.74 to 0.77) at six months. This showed that BTX treatment was not significantly better than placebo for a reduction in pain scores at 1, 3, and 6 months. Regarding safety, the placebo group showed a relative risk of 1.34 (95%CI, 0.48-6.78) and 1.17 (95%CI, 0.54-3.88) at 1 and 3 months respectively. However, the risks were not statistically significant. There was also no difference in the effectiveness of BTX compared to placebo and other treatments for maximum mouth opening, bruxism events, and maximum occlusal force., Conclusion: BTX was not associated with better outcomes in terms of pain reduction, adverse events, maximum mouth opening, bruxism events, and maximum occlusal force. More high-quality RCTs are needed to better understand this topic., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Saini et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Background: The main aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to identify peer-reviewed scholarly journal articles reporting the significance of physiotherapy interventions in managing TMJ ankylosis. In addition, this study aimed to critically appraise the existing evidence on the prevalence and clinical presentation, physiotherapy intervention approaches, efficacy of physiotherapy interventions, adverse effects, and safety of physiotherapy interventions in TMJ ankylosis management., Methods: An all-inclusive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus electronic databases. The researchers screened the potential articles and assessed for eligibility based on the reported inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality evaluation tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias Tool were used to assess the quality of the included studies. Researchers also comprehensively analyzed the data, reported the results, and discussed them according to the predominant themes., Results: The primary electronic database search yielded 409 articles, of which 25 were included in this review. A secondary search was conducted from citations of the included studies, yielding 74 articles, of which six were included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence of bony ankylosis than fibrous ankylosis, with an overall effect size of p < 0.00001. In addition, there were significantly more unilateral than bilateral presentations with an overall effect size of p < 0.00001. Moreover, there were 78 reported complications out of 245 subjects according to five included studies demonstrating a significant effect size with p = 0.001 following the treatment protocols., Conclusion: This study highlighted the prevalence of bony ankylosis in temporomandibular joint ankylosis, emphasizing its impact on patients' well-being. On the other hand, the results show that physiotherapy is essential to optimize postoperative outcomes and minimize adverse events such as re-ankylosis. Practitioners and healthcare professionals must monitor postoperative recovery and ensure strict adherence to physiotherapy protocols for optimal outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has revolutionized dentistry, particularly in fabricating provisional restorations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to thoroughly evaluate the flexural strength of provisional restorations produced using 3D printing while considering the impact of different resin materials., Methods: A systematic search was conducted across major databases (ScienceDirect, PubMed, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, and Scopus) to identify relevant studies published to date. The inclusion criteria included studies evaluating the flexural strength of 3D-printed provisional restorations using different resins. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the CONSORT scale, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.4 to pool results., Results: Of the 1914 initially identified research articles, only 13, published between January 2016 and November 2023, were included after screening. Notably, Digital Light Processing (DLP) has emerged as the predominant 3D printing technique, while stereolithography (SLA), Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), and mono-liquid crystal displays (LCD) have also been recognized. Various printed resins have been utilized in different techniques, including acrylic, composite resins, and methacrylate oligomer-based materials. Regarding flexural strength, polymerization played a pivotal role for resins used in 3D or conventional/milled resins, revealing significant variations in the study. For instance, SLA-3D and DLP Acrylate photopolymers displayed distinct strengths, along with DLP bisacrylic, milled PMMA, and conventional PMMA. The subsequent meta-analysis indicated a significant difference in flexure strength, with a pooled Mean Difference (MD) of - 1.25 (95% CI - 16.98 - 14.47; P < 0.00001) and a high I 2 value of 99%, highlighting substantial heterogeneity among the studies., Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the flexural strength of 3D-printed provisional restorations fabricated using different resins. However, further research is recommended to explore additional factors influencing flexural strength and refine the recommendations for enhancing the performance of 3D-printed provisional restorations in clinical applications., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The effectiveness of newly developed elastomeric polymer hybrid siloxane (PVES), which combines the properties of polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) elastomers, has been a subject of interest in recent studies. This study aimed to assess the physical properties of hybrid PVES materials by analyzing existing data from recent studies on this topic., Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted to retrieve peer-reviewed articles published up to February 5, 2023. The population, intervention, comparison, and pertinent outcomes were specified under the PICO framework. The primary data analysis was performed in Microsoft Excel, while statistical analysis used Meta-Essentials., Results: Of the 1152 articles assessed, 14 met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis of the selected studies indicated that polyether (PE) and polyvinyl siloxane (PVS) were highly correlated (two-tailed p-values of 0.000 and 0.001, respectively) with the improved tensile strength of vinyl polyether siloxane (PVES) with a significantly positive effect size. Similarly, the hydrophilic characteristics of PVES were significantly improved compared to those of PE and PVS. PE was a significant contributor to the hydrophilic characteristics of PVES, with a two-tailed p-value of 0.000. The effect size was highly positive for hydrophilicity but showed high heterogeneity. It was also observed that the dimensional accuracy of PVES was comparable to those of PE and PVS, with no statistically significant differences among the three materials., Conclusions: PVES showed promising features, with improved tensile strength and hydrophilic characteristics compared to those of PE and PVS., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Glycoproteins, essential for cellular functions, contain monosaccharides like Levo-fucose, crucial for cell communication. Recent research highlights serum L-fucose as a potential biomarker for early detection of malignancies. Typically, serum L-fucose levels are low but rise with malignancy. This study evaluates serum L-fucose as an early biomarker in oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) patients., Aim: Assess serum L-fucose's diagnostic potential for dysplasia in OSMF patients., Objectives: Determine the Association between Serum L Fucose Glycoprotein Levels and Dysplasia in OSF Patients.Evaluate the Diagnostic Accuracy of Serum L Fucose Glycoprotein as a Biomarker for OSF-Related Dysplasia., Methodology: Over a span of two years, this study encompassed 80 subjects, aged between 18 and 60 years, who were clinically and histopathologically identified as OSMF patients, with or without dysplastic alterations. From each participant, 5 ml of blood was collected. Following centrifugation to separate the serum, the samples were analyzed to determine the levels of Levo-fucose., Statistical Analysis: Using SPSS (version 17.0), serum L-Fucose levels of the case group were compared to the control group using ANOVA. Frequencies were analyzed with the chi-square test, and Tukey's Test was used for multiple comparisons. Significance was set at p < 0.01., Results: The analysis revealed a statistically significant disparity in the mean serum L-Fucose levels between the two groups (p < 0.01). Notably, Group II patients (those with OSMF and dysplasia) exhibited markedly elevated mean serum L-fucose levels., Conclusion: Elevated serum L-Fucose levels were observed in OSMF patients with dysplasia. Harmful habits, especially gutkha chewing, were linked to Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma onset. Serum L-fucose can be a reliable marker for evaluating precancerous conditions., Competing Interests: 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., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Background: Sleep bruxism is a prevalent condition in dentistry practice, characterized by involuntary grinding or clenching of the teeth during sleep. Several therapies, including occlusal splints, have been used to manage sleep bruxism and temporomandibular disorders, including occlusal splints. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different occlusal splints in managing sleep bruxism., Methods: The PICO framework encompasses the characterization of the population, intervention, comparison, and pertinent outcomes. A comprehensive and systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar to identify grey literature. The search specifically targeted scientific studies published before September 20, 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool assessed the accuracy of the included Randomized Control Trials (RCTs). The modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale assessed non-randomized studies. Data were systematically extracted, synthesized, and reported thematically., Results: Out of the total of 808 articles that were evaluated, only 15 articles were found to meet the specified inclusion criteria. Adjustable splints, such as full-occlusion biofeedback splints, were more effective in reducing sleep bruxism episodes, improving patient-reported symptoms, and enhancing overall well-being. The impact of different occlusal sprints on electromyographic activity varies, and potential adverse effects should be considered individually., Conclusions: This review provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of occlusal splints in managing sleep bruxism. The results of this study indicate that occlusal splint therapy is a viable treatment approach for sleep bruxism., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: The issue of an increase in pulpal temperature affects direct and indirect techniques, where the fabricating material will come in direct contact with the prepared teeth., Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the pulpal thermal variations during provisional fabrication using direct and indirect-direct techniques, with three commonly commercially available provisional fabricating materials., Method: In this vitro analytical study, 120 extracted human teeth were placed in a dentulous mould and dental stone was poured, to create a working model with an embedded natural right maxillary central incisor. Recording of thermal changes in the pulp chamber during provisionalization with direct (technique 1) and indirect-direct (technique 2) using three common types of provisional crown materials. 120 provisional crowns were fabricated using polymethyl methacrylate (DPI) (Group 1), Bis-acryl composite (Protemp 4) (Group 2) and Visible-light polymerizing (VLP) Urethane Dimethacrylate (Revotek LC) (Group 3) by two techniques and recording of peak temperature changes were done. Temperature rise in the pulp chamber was recorded using a thermocouple., Results: The mean initial and final temperature of the pulp chamber recorded for Groups 1, 2 and 3 was 31.52, 32.56; 31.01, 32.34; 32.29, 34.47 for technique 1 and 29.13, 30.5; 29.29, 31.11; 30.31, 32.65 for technique 2. The mean change in temperature was higher in Group 3 compared to the other groups., Conclusion: The temperature rise detected according to this study was within the safer pulpal health limits with all the investigated materials and techniques. The resin material recommended for clinical use when the direct technique is employed for the fabrication of provisional crowns is bis-acryl composite resin (Protemp-4) as it caused minimal temperature rise in the pulpal chamber.

Background: Titanium is a commonly used material for dental implants owing to its excellent biocompatibility, strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, lightweight nature, hypoallergenic properties, and ability to promote tissue adhesion. However, alternative materials, such as titanium alloys (Ti-Al-2 V) and zirconia, are available for dental implant applications. This study discusses the application of Density Functional Theory (DFT) in evaluating dental implant materials' mechanical properties and structural stability, with a specific focus on titanium (Ti) metal. It also discusses the electronic band structures, dynamic stability, and surface properties. Furthermore, it presents the mechanical properties of Ti metal, Ti-Al-2 V alloy, and zirconia, including the stiffness matrices, average properties, and elastic moduli. This research comprehensively studies Ti metal's mechanical properties, structural stability, and surface properties for dental implants., Methods: We used computational techniques, such as the CASTEP code based on DFT, GGA within the PBE scheme for evaluating electronic exchange-correlation energy, and the BFGS minimization scheme for geometry optimization. The results provide insights into the structural properties of Ti, Ti-Al-2 V, and zirconia, including their crystal structures, space groups, and atomic positions. Elastic properties, Fermi surface analysis, and phonon studies were conducted to evaluate the tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio, hardness, fatigue resistance, and corrosion resistance., Results: The findings were compared with those of Ti-Al-2 V and zirconia to assess the advantages and limitations of each material for dental implant applications. This study demonstrates the application of DFT in evaluating dental implant materials, focusing on titanium, and provides valuable insights into their mechanical properties, structural stability, and surface characteristics., Conclusions: The findings of this study contribute to the understanding of dental implant material behavior and aid in the design of improved materials with long-term biocompatibility and stability in the oral environment., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: This study aimed to determine the relative positioning accuracy of multiple implants utilizing four distinct types of splinting materials., Methods: The purpose of this in-vitro study was to compare the precision of four splinting materials in an open tray impression technique in multiple implant situations. Based on the material used for splinting, four groups were made (n = 40)- Group A: Conventional Method, Group B: Prefabricated Pattern Resin Framework, Group C: Prefabricated Metal Framework, Group D: Light Cured Pattern Resin, these groups were compared with the master model. A heat-cured clear acrylic resin and a master model were constructed. A pilot milling machine drill was used to drill four parallel holes in the anterior and premolar regions, which were later labeled as A, B, C, and D positions from right to left. Then, sequential drilling was carried out, and four 3.75‑mm diameter and 13-mm long ADIN implant analogs with internal hex were placed in the acrylic model using a surveyor for proper orientation. The impression posts were then manually screwed to the implant analogs using an open tray, and they were secured to the implants using 10 mm flat head guide pins with a 15 N.cm torque. 10 Open tray polyether impressions were made, and casts were poured. Each splinting method's distortion values were measured using a coordinate measuring machine capable of recordings in the X-, Y-, and Z-axes. Comparison of mean distances for X1, X2, and X3 was made using the Kruskal-Wallis test, and Pairwise comparison was done using Post Hoc Tukey's Test., Results: The differences between the groups were significant when assessing the distances X1, X2, and X3 (p < 0.05). The comparison of deviations between the groups revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) for the deviation distance X3 but not for the deviation distances X1 and X2. For distance Y1, the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p0.05), but it was not significant for distances Y2 and Y3. A statistically significant difference was seen in the comparison between the groups (p < 0.05) for the deviation distances Y1, Y2, and Y3. The results were statistically significant for the distance Z1 comparisons, namely, control vs. Group A (p = 0.012), control vs. Group B (p = 0.049), control vs. Group C (p = 0.048), and control vs. Group D (p = 0.021), and for distance Z3 comparison for control vs. Group A (p = 0.033). The results were statistically insignificant for the distance Z2 comparisons (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: All splinting materials produced master casts with measurements in close proximity to the reference model. However, prefabricated pattern resin bars splinting showed the highest accuracy among the studied techniques. The most recent splinting techniques using prefabricated metal framework and light-cure pattern resin showed similar accuracy., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Undifferentiated, highly proliferative, clonogenic, and self-renewing dental stem cells have paved the way for novel approaches to mending cleft palates, rebuilding lost jawbone and periodontal tissue, and, most significantly, recreating lost teeth. New treatment techniques may be guided by a better understanding of these cells and their potential in terms of the specificity of the regenerative response. MicroRNAs have been recognized as an essential component in stem cell biology due to their role as epigenetic regulators of the processes that determine stem cell destiny. MicroRNAs have been proven to be crucial in a wide variety of molecular and biological processes, including apoptosis, cell proliferation, migration, and necrocytosis. MicroRNAs have been recognized to control protein translation, messenger RNA stability, and transcription and have been reported to play essential roles in dental stem cell biology, including the differentiation of dental stem cells, the immunological response, apoptosis, and the inflammation of the dental pulp. Because microRNAs increase dental stem cell differentiation, they may be used in regenerative medicine to either preserve the stem cell phenotype or to aid in the development of tooth tissue. The development of novel biomarkers and therapies for dental illnesses relies heavily on progress made in our knowledge of the roles played by microRNAs in regulating dental stem cells. In this article, we discuss how dental stem cells and their associated microRNAs may be used to cure dental illness., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

T helper (Th) 17 cells are one of the most important T cell subsets in a number of autoimmune and chronic inflammatory diseases. During infections, Th17 cells appear to play an important role in the clearance of extracellular pathogens. Th17 cells, on the other hand, are engaged in inflammation and have been linked to the pathophysiology of a number of autoimmune illnesses and human inflammatory disorders. A diverse group of RNA molecules known as lncRNAs serve critical functions in gene expression regulation. They may interact with a wide range of molecules, including DNA, RNA, and proteins, and have a complex structure. LncRNAs, which have restricted or no protein-coding activity, are implicated in a number of illnesses due to their regulatory impact on a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. Several lncRNAs have been associated with Th7 cell development in the context of immune cell differentiation. In this article, we cover new studies on the involvement of lncRNAs in Th17 cell differentiation in a variety of disorders, including auto-immune diseases, malignancies, asthma, heart disease, and infections., 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 © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Autoimmune diseases are complex, chronic inflammatory conditions initiated by the loss of immunological tolerance to self-antigens. Nowadays, there is no effective and useful therapy for autoimmune diseases, and the existing medications have some limitations due to their nonspecific targets and side effects. During the last few decades, it has been established that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immunomodulatory functions. It is proposed that MSCs can exert an important therapeutic effect on autoimmune disorders. In parallel with these findings, several investigations have shown that MSCs alleviate autoimmune diseases. Intriguingly, the results of studies have demonstrated that the effective roles of MSCs in autoimmune diseases do not depend on direct intercellular communication but on their ability to release a wide spectrum of paracrine mediators such as growth factors, cytokines and extracellular vehicles (EVs). EVs that range from 50 to 5,000 nm were produced by almost any cell type, and these nanoparticles participate in homeostasis and intercellular communication via the transfer of a broad range of biomolecules such as modulatory proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), lipids, cytokines, and metabolites. EVs derived from MSCs display the exact properties of MSCs and can be safer and more beneficial than their parent cells. In this review, we will discuss the features of MSCs and their EVs, EVs biogenesis, and their cargos, and then we will highlight the existing discoveries on the impacts of EVs from MSCs on autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, arthritis rheumatic, inflammatory bowel disease, Type 1 diabetes mellitus, systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune liver diseases, Sjögren syndrome, and osteoarthritis, suggesting a potential alternative for autoimmune conditions therapy., 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 © 2023. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Wound healing is a dynamic and complicated process containing overlapping phases. Presently, definitive therapy is not available, and the investigation into optimal wound care is influenced by the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of developing therapies. Accumulating evidence demonstrated the potential role of mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) therapy in several tissue injuries and diseases due to their high proliferation and differentiation abilities along with an easy collection procedure, low tumorigenesis, and immuno-privileged status. MSCs have also accelerated wound repair in all phases through their advantageous properties, such as accelerating wound closure, improving re-epithelialization, elevating angiogenesis, suppressing inflammation, and modulating extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In addition, the beneficial therapeutic impacts of MSCs are largely associated with their paracrine functions, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). Exosomes and microvesicles are the two main subgroups of EVs. These vesicles are heterogeneous bilayer membrane structures that contain several proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. EVs have emerged as a promising alternative to stem cell-based therapies because of their lower immunogenicity, tumorigenicity, and ease of management. MSCs from various sources have been widely investigated in skin wound healing and regeneration. Considering these features, in this review, we highlighted recent studies that the investigated therapeutic potential of various MSCs and MSC-EVs in skin damages and wounds., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Human Cell Society.)

Background: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a primary cause of illness and death and increased expenditure due to prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis. HAI is a global safety concern, according to World Health Organization (WHO). This study assesses the current level of knowledge and perception regarding hospital infection control practices among nursing students and evaluates the impact of structured training interventions on their baseline knowledge and perception level., Methods and Materials: It was a single group, a pre-post interventional study done on nursing students of one government and one private nursing college in the year 2021. A pretested questionnaire consisting of was used as a study tool. Various statistical tests like one repeated-measure ANOVA, Mauchly's Test of Sphericity, and Greenhouse-Geisser correction were used., Results: The mean knowledge was minimum in the pretest group (Mean = 79.4430, SD = 17.49746) and maximum immediately after the training group (Mean = 96.5443, SD = 25.42322). But after one month, knowledge decreased; however, it was more than pre-training Knowledge (Mean = 84.4937, SD = 22.40313)., Conclusions: Annual educational/training modules help retain knowledge in hospital infection control practices and HAI prevention. All healthcare workers need regular training., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Background: "Donation gap" refers to the shortage of organ donors worldwide. The medical/nursing students and various healthcare workers have poor awareness and attitude toward organ donation., Objective: We conducted this study to assess the current level of knowledge and perception regarding cadaver organ donation and transplantation among nursing students and to evaluate the impact of structured training interventions on their baseline knowledge and perception level., Methods: It was a single-group pre-post interventional study done by nursing students of one government and one private nursing college.A pre-tested questionnaire was used as a study tool., Statistical Analysis: Various statistical tests like one-way repeated measure ANOVA, Mauchly's test of sphericity, and Greenhouse-Geisser correction were used. Pairwise comparisons used Bonferroni corrections., Results: The pre-test group had the lowest mean knowledge (50.2346, SD = 15.35188), and immediately after training group had the highest (57.3900, SD = 14.34626). After one month, knowledge decreased but was still higher than pretraining (mean = 52.3607, SD = 13.28141)., Conclusions: The positive attitude of nursing students may augment cadaver organ donation and transplantation in the future. The study has also highlighted the further training needs of the participants., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Indian Journal of Community Medicine.)

Aim: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of Cention-N (CN) and stainless steel crowns (SSCs) as restorations for pulpotomised primary molars, and to study clinical and radiographic outcomes of pulpotomies restored with these materials., Methods: The study was conducted on 60 pulpotomised molars with occlusoproximal caries. These were randomly divided into two groups and restored with either stainless steel crowns or Cention-N. Clinical performance of restorations and clinical and radiographic success of pulpotomy was examined at 6, 9 and 12 months., Results: The mean scores for marginal integrity deteriorated significantly at 6, 9 and 12 months in both groups but in comparison were insignificant. The mean for proximal contact deteriorated significantly for the Cention-N group, whereas the mean for gingival health deteriorated remarkably for the stainless steel crown group at successive evaluations. No tooth in either group showed secondary caries or discomfort on biting, except for one tooth in Cention-N group which presented with secondary caries. The clinical success rate for pulpotomised molars was 100% for both groups until nine months, although this had reduced by the end of 12 months. Radiographically, the success rate was 79.3% for Cention-N, while it was 86.6% for stainless steel crowns at 12 months. There was no significant difference in clinical and radiographic success between either group., Conclusion: Cention-N and stainless steel crowns are comparable for marginal integrity. However, crowns maintain significantly better proximal contacts while Cention-N was notably better for gingival health of the restored tooth. Both materials do not show secondary caries and discomfort on biting and are comparable in clinical and radiographic success of pulpotomy at the end of one year.

Background  Fractures of the distal radius are a common injury. The British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) and The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) have released new guidelines outlining the management of these fractures, specifically identifying "thresholds for intervention," based on radiological parameters for management with open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). Questions/Purposes  Have our distal radius fractures (DRFs), previously managed with ORIF, met the new guidelines' thresholds for intervention, based on radiological parameters? Patients and Methods  A retrospective assessment of DRFs treated with ORIF was performed between January 2017 and August 2018. Patients were categorized into three cohorts based on their age. The five radiological parameters of ulnar variance, dorsal tilt, radial inclination, radial height, and intra-articular step were measured on the initial plain radiograph, "pre-manipulation film," postplaster application radiograph, and "post-manipulation film." These were compared with the "thresholds for intervention" outlined in the BOA/BSSH guidelines. Results  A total of 94 patients underwent an ORIF with a mean age of 56 years (range 17-86 years). As many as 75.74% of patients on the "pre-manipulation film" met the "threshold for intervention" on at least one radiological parameter, while 53.57% of patients on the "post-manipulation" met at least one "threshold for intervention." Dorsal tilt was the parameter that most often met the threshold in both films at 53.37% and 40.11%, respectively. Conclusion  Within our trust, there is a tendency to over manage the distal radius fracture with ORIF, potentially resulting in unnecessary operations. Education surrounding the new guidelines will better serve our decision-making. Level of Evidence  This is a level III study., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The present study was undertaken for assessing the pattern of oral prosthetic treatment and prevalence of dental diseases in edentulous patients in North Indian population., Materials and Methods: A survey was carried out in North Indian population, and screening of the edentulous patients was done. Five hundred edentulous patients were enrolled. Complete oral and general examination was carried out. Pro forma was framed, and clinical details were recorded. Using mouth mirror and explorer, complete oral examination was carried out. Demographic profile was also evaluated. Prosthetic rehabilitation pattern of all the participants was also recorded., Results: Complete removable denture and removable partial denture were method of rehabilitation in 28% and 31% of the participants. Dental implant-supported complete denture was used in 8% of the patients, whereas dental implant-supported overdenture was used in 33% of the participants. Ulcerative lesions were present in 5% of the patients, whereas oral leukoplakia was present in 4% of the patients. Oral lichen planus and torus were present in 2% and 1% of the patients., Conclusion: Majority of the geriatric patients prefer having removable denture. Furthermore, due to nutritional deficiency associated with geriatric age, oral leukoplakia and ulcerative lesions are more common in them., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

Aim: To analyze the impact of implant angulation and implant number on the dimensional accuracy of definitive casts., Materials and Methods: Seven definitive casts with implant analogs placed in a triangular pattern were made from dental stone. The groups were as follows: group 1 (control group) all implant analogs perpendicular to the plane of the cast; the center implant analog (implant 2) being at 90° to the plane of the cast in all groups and implant analogs number 1 and 3 arranged in 5°, 10°, or 15° divergence from or convergence to the center implant (implant number 2). Three open-tray impressions of definitive casts were made in each group. Impressions were poured in type IV dental stone. Coordinates in the three planes were measured at the implant analog top surface and the base of the cast using a fine tip measuring stylus. The data were aligned and the angular differences between implant analog vectors from definitive and duplicate casts were calculated in degrees., Results: The impact of implant number on the dimensional accuracy of definitive casts was significant whereas for implant angulation it was nonsignificant. The correlation of angulation and the number of the implant did not show an interpretable pattern. The precision of duplicate casts (compared to definitive casts) is not affected by the combined interaction of implant number and implant angulation., Conclusion: The close proximity of implant angulation toward a right-angled direction results in higher precision of implant. In the impression, there is direct picking from the impression copings which decreases the discrepancies in implant angulation on impression and master cast. The interaction of implant angulation and the number shows a noninterpretable pattern., Clinical Significance: Dimensionally accurate implant impressions can be made by using an open tray technique for three implants angled up to 15°.

The concentration of radium, thorium and potassium and radon exhalation rates in soil samples collected from Shivalik foot hills in the states of Haryana and Himachal Pradesh (India) were experimentally measured. A high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopic system was used for the measurement of natural radioactivity ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) at Inter-University Accelerator Center, New Delhi, using a coaxial n-type high-purity germanium detector (EG&G, ORTEC, Oak Ridge, USA). The mass exhalation rates (EM) of radon in soil samples from the study area measured by 'sealed canister technique' using LR-115 type II track detectors varied from 50±1 to 143±6 mBqkg(-1) h(-1). The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in various soil samples of the study area varied from 31±1.3 to 63±4.6, 53±1.8 to 78±2.6 and 472±4.8 to 630±7.0 Bq kg(-1) respectively. The results indicated some higher levels of radioactivity in Lal Dhang peak area of the hills compared with other locations under study.

Carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT) has been identified as a potential biochemical marker of heavy alcohol consumption. Published studies to date primarily have focused on the ability of CDT levels to distinguish individuals with heavy alcohol drinking from nondrinking populations. In contrast, this study examines the utility of CDT levels in distinguishing alcohol-dependent patients who drink heavily from those who drink smaller amounts. This study also evaluates the potential relationship of CDT to severity of alcohol dependence and its gender differences. Serum was collected in 38 DSM-III-R alcohol-dependent outpatients at treatment entry (22 males, 16 females). CDT levels correlated with the extent of alcohol drinking in the month before treatment in males (r = 0.56, df = 20, p < .01), but not in females (r = 0.08, df = 14, NS). CDT levels also correlated with alcohol severity at pre-treatment in males (r = 0.53, df = 20, p < .05), but not in females (r = 0.27, df = 14, NS). Thus, elevated CDT levels may be mediated by alcohol severity, distinguishing CDT not only as a marker of heavy drinking, but also as an indicator of the severity of drinking-related biological and psychosocial dysfunction that may require further intervention.

Sixteen translocation stocks developed in pearl millet, Pennisetum typhoides (Burm.) S.&H. (2 n = 14) were inter-crossed and the meiotic configurations of f1's analysed. A translocation tester set comprising five translocation stocks, each involving two non-homologous chromosomes has been developed.

Imago of Tenebrio, Dermestes (Coleoptera) and Lepidopterous caterpillars Pieris and Galleria were observed for the general physiology of the cryptonephric Malpighian tubules. Injection of dyes were made. The dyes were taken only by the free portion of the Malpighian tubules. Reassociated Malpighian tubules do not take dyes from the haemoly mph. They are secretory, but not excretory. The perinephric membrane in the Lepidoptera is impermeable to the dyes.

Osmotic pressure of the haemolymph, perirectal fluid and of the rectal fluid of four "Species of cryptonephric insects (Tenebrio, Dermestes, Galleria and Pieris) has been measured. In all cases the osmotic pressure of the rectal fluid is much higher than that of the haemolymph and the osmotic pressure of the perirectal fluid is intermediate between these two. The cryptonephric Malpighian tubules increase the osmotic pressure in the perirectal fluid. Consequently between the blood and the rectum there is a chamber which has an osmotic pressure higher than that of the blood but lower than that of the rectum. This higher osmotic pressure in the perinephric chamber enables the modified epithelium to do less work in the absorption of water and nutrient salts from the faecal waste.

The zygoptera larvae have tracheal gills. Both outer and inner epicuticles of damselfly larvae (Zygoptera) are pierced by pores of about 200...250 A thickness. The pores are distributed at a distance of about 500...600 A apart. Their endings are noticed upto the lower portion of exocuticle. The endocuticle is a big area in which the respiratory epithelium have flat apical and basal sides, plasma membrane is not folded. Glycogen granules are distributed in the cytoplasm and a few mitochondria are noticed. The tracheal brances and the cytoplasm of the respiratory epithelium come in contact with the epicuticle. The distribution of tracheoles, with surplus of tracheoles in a surface outside the hypodermis are close to the sub-cuticular area is found. The gills of Zygoptera appear to be merely respiratory organs having respiratory epithelium and the ions and water are resorbed from the modified rectal epithelium.