Berberine Enhances Neuroregeneration in a Rat Model of Peroneal Nerve Transection Injury: An Animal Study.

Background: Berberine has therapeutic potential in central nervous system disorders, however, few studies have investigated the effect of berberine on axonal regeneration in PNS injury models. Thus, this study aims to assess the effects of berberine on axonal regeneration in a peroneal nerve transection rat model.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: group B, berberine (20 mg/kg) intraperitoneal injection after peroneal nerve transection; and group C, normal saline injection as a control.

Optimal concentration of mesenchymal stem cells for fracture healing in a rat model with long bone fracture.

Background: There is still no consensus on which concentration of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to use for promoting fracture healing in a rat model of long bone fracture.

Aim: To assess the optimal concentration of MSCs for promoting fracture healing in a rat model.

Methods: Wistar rats were divided into four groups according to MSC concentrations: Normal saline (C), 2.

SLPI in periodontal Ligament is not sleepy during biophysical force-induced tooth movement.

Aim: We aimed to identify a key molecule that maintains periodontal tissue homeostasis during biophysical force-induced tooth movement (BTM) by orchestrating alveolar bone (AB) remodelling.

Materials And Methods: Differential display-PCR was performed to identify key molecules for BTM in rats. To investigate the localization and expression of the identified molecules, immunofluorescence, real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were performed in rats and human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells.

Low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, tooth loss, and the prevalence of severe periodontitis in Koreans aged 50 years and older.

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency may cause bone loss and increased inflammation, which are well-known symptoms of periodontal disease. This study investigated whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are associated with periodontal disease status and tooth loss.

Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5,405 individuals aged ≥50 years (2,253 males and 3,152 females) were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study, a prospective cohort study of risk factors for chronic diseases.

Effect of a Er, Cr:YSGG laser and a Er:YAG laser treatment on oral biofilm-contaminated titanium.

Objective: Implant surface decontamination is a challenging procedure for therapy of peri-implant disease. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of decontamination on oral biofilm-contaminated titanium surfaces in Er:YAG laser, Er, Cr:YSGG laser, and plastic curette.

Methodology: For oral biofilms formation, six participants wore an acrylic splint with eight titanium discs in the maxillary arch for 72 hours.

Inhibitory effect of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14 on the osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament cells through transforming growth factor-beta1.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the expression of chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 14 (CXCL14) in pulpal and periodontal cells in vivo and in vitro, and investigate function of CXCL14 and its underlying mechanism in the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells.

Methods: To determine the expression level of CXCL14 in adult rat oral tissues and in hPDL cells after application of biophysical forces, RT-PCR, western blot, and histological analyses were performed. The role of CXCL14 in proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of PDL cells was evaluated by measuring dehydrogenase activity and Alizarin red S staining.

Humoral immune responses to periodontal pathogens in the elderly.

Purpose: Elderly people are thought to be more susceptible to periodontal disease due to reduced immune function associated with aging. However, little information is available on the nature of immune responses against putative periodontal pathogens in geriatric patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the serum IgG antibody responses to six periodontal pathogens in geriatric subjects.

Osteoblastic behavior to zirconium coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the surface characteristics and the biocompatibility of zirconium (Zr) coating on Ti-6Al-4V alloy surface by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method.

Materials And Methods: The zirconium films were developed on Ti-6Al-4V discs using RF magnetron sputtering method. Surface profile, surface composition, surface roughness and surface energy were evaluated.

The correlation of carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographs and determination of carotid artery atherosclerosis with ultrasonography.

Objectives: To investigate the association of carotid artery calcification (CAC) on panoramic radiographs and determine carotid artery atherosclerosis with ultrasonography.

Study Design: The study included 4050 subjects aged 50 years and older. Panoramic radiographs for the presence of CAC were interpreted.

The association between periodontal disease, tooth loss and bone mineral density in a Korean population.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate whether clinical attachment loss (CAL), a measure of the severity of periodontal disease or number of teeth present is associated with bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: The study population consisted of 5383 people aged 50 years and older who participated in the Dong-gu Study. BMD at the lumbar spine and femoral neck was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Digital panoramic radiographs are useful for diagnosis of osteoporosis in Korean postmenopausal women.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether digital panoramic radiographs could be used for the diagnosis of osteoporosis through evaluation of the radiographs based on the correlation with bone mineral density (BMD).

Methods: One hundred and ninety-four post-menopausal women were selected from participants who had participated in the Dong-gu study. Panoramic radiographic indices measured are mental index (MI), mandibular cortical index (MCI) and simple visual estimation (SVE).

Nitric oxide-induced apoptosis of human dental pulp cells is mediated by the mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Nitric oxide (NO) is recognized as a mediator and regulator of inflammatory responses. NO is produced by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and NOS is abundantly expressed in the human dental pulp cells (HDPCs). NO produced by NOS can be cytotoxic at higher concentrations to HDPCs.

Periodontal disease associated with blood glucose levels in urban Koreans aged 50 years and older: the Dong-gu study.

Objective: To investigate the association of periodontal disease and the number of teeth present with the risk of prediabetes and diabetes as well as with blood glucose and HbA1c levels in adult Koreans.

Background: The relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes has not been fully elucidated.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5535 participants aged ≥50 years were obtained from 2008 to 2010.

Relationship between periodontal disease and subclinical atherosclerosis: the Dong-gu study.

Aim: We assessed the association of periodontal disease and number of missing teeth with subclinical atherosclerosis in an adult Korean population.

Materials And Methods: Cross-sectional data from 5404 individuals aged ≥50 years were obtained from the 2008-2010 Dong-gu study. Periodontal examinations were conducted to determine the number of missing teeth, pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP).

Surface characteristics and bioactivity of an anodized titanium surface.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the surface properties and biological response of an anodized titanium surface by cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase activity analysis.

Methods: Commercial pure titanium (Ti) disks were prepared. The samples were divided into an untreated machined Ti group and anodized Ti group.

Quantitative analysis of periodontal pathogens present in the saliva of geriatric subjects.

Purpose: At present, information regarding periodontal disease in geriatric patients is scarce. The purpose of this study was to quantify the periodontal pathogens present in the saliva of Korean geriatric patients and assess the relationship between the bacterial levels and the periodontal condition.

Methods: Six putative periodontal pathogens were quantified by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in geriatric patient groups (>60 years) with mild chronic periodontitis (MCP), moderate chronic periodontitis (MoCP), and severe chronic periodontitis (SCP).

Surface characteristics and osteoblastic cell response of alkali-and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium alloy.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the biological response of alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium surfaces by cell proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis.

Methods: Commercial pure titanium (group cp-Ti) and alkali- and heat-treated titanium-8tantalum-3niobium (group AHT) disks were prepared. The surface properties were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersed spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).

Taurine ameliorates hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by reducing insulin resistance and leptin level in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats with long-term diabetes.

This study aimed to determine whether taurine supplementation improves metabolic disturbances and diabetic complications in an animal model for type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether taurine has therapeutic effects on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and diabetic complications in Otsuka Long- Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats with long-term duration of diabetes. Fourteen 50-week-old OLETF rats with chronic diabetes were fed a diet supplemented with taurine (2%) or a non-supplemented control diet for 12 weeks.

The effects of a novel botanical agent on lipopolysaccharide-induced alveolar bone loss in rats.

Background: The development of host-modulatory agents with low risk of adverse effects has been needed to treat periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease. A botanical mixture of extracts from two natural substances, Panax notoginseng and Rehmannia glutinosa Libosch, was developed as a novel botanical agent synthesized with anti-inflammatory effect. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the botanical mixture on the release of inflammatory cytokines and its inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced alveolar bone loss (ABL) in a rat model.

Surface characteristics of thermally treated titanium surfaces.

Purpose: The characteristics of oxidized titanium (Ti) surfaces varied according to treatment conditions such as duration time and temperature. Thermal oxidation can change Ti surface characteristics, which affect many cellular responses such as cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the surface characteristics and cell response of thermally treated Ti surfaces.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma presenting as localized severe periodontitis in the maxillary gingiva.

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. The clinical features of gingival SCC include alveolar bone loss and erythematous lesion. Therefore, gingival SCC sometimes presents as advanced periodontitis.

Response of fetal rat calvarial cells to nanotubular titanium oxide surface.

This study examined the cell response to a TiO2 nanotubular surface (Ti-NT) for future biomedical applications. The level of cell attachment and spreading at 20 min and 60 min was evaluated by SEM. IL-6 and PGE2 secretion was evaluated by ELISA.

Antioxidant profile of whole saliva after scaling and root planing in periodontal disease.

Purpose: This study compared the total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the saliva of periodontally compromised patients before and after scaling and root planing (SRP) to assess their diagnostic utility.

Methods: Severe chronic periodontitis patient (test group) and subjects with no attachment loss, sites showing a 3 mm or more probing depth and a sulcus bleeding index < 10% (control group) were enrolled in this study. Saliva sampling and clinical examination were performed at one week, one month and 3 months after SRP.

Inhibition of apoptotic signals in overgrowth of human gingival fibroblasts by cyclosporin A treatment.

Cyclosporin A (CsA), an immunosuppressive drug, has overgrowth effects on human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) in vitro. However, the molecular mechanism responsible for the CsA-induced gingival overgrowth remains still unclear. The present study is aimed to investigate the correlation with the apoptotic signal pathway in CsA-induced overgrowth of HGF.

Effects of calcium ion incorporation on osteoblast gene expression in MC3T3-E1 cells cultured on microstructured titanium surfaces.

The surface characteristics of a calcium ion (Ca)-incorporated titanium (Ti) surface, produced by hydrothermal treatment using an alkaline Ca-containing solution, and its effects on osteoblastic differentiation were investigated. MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells were cultured on machined or grit-blasted Ti surfaces with and without Ca incorporation. The MTT assay was used to determine cell proliferation, and real-time PCR was used for quantitative analysis of osteoblastic gene expression.