Journal of endodontics
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Journal of endodontics · Apr 2011
Human dental pulp fibroblasts express the "cold-sensing" transient receptor potential channels TRPA1 and TRPM8.
Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels comprise a group of nonselective calcium-permeable cationic channels, which are polymodal sensors of environmental stimuli such as thermal changes and chemicals. TRPM8 and TRPA1 are cold-sensing TRP channels activated by moderate cooling and noxious cold temperatures, respectively. Both receptors have been identified in trigeminal ganglion neurones, and their expression in nonneuronal cells is now the focus of much interest. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular and functional expression of TRPA1 and TRPM8 in dental pulp fibroblasts. ⋯ Human dental pulp fibroblasts express TRPA1 and TRPM8 at the molecular, protein, and functional levels, indicating a possible role for fibroblasts in mediating cold responses in human teeth.
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Journal of endodontics · Nov 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyA prospective, randomized, double-blind comparison of the anesthetic efficacy of two percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and three percent mepivacaine in the maxillary high tuberosity second division nerve block.
The purpose of this prospective, randomized, double-blind study was to compare the anesthetic efficacy of 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 3% mepivacaine in the maxillary high tuberosity second division nerve block. ⋯ The high tuberosity approach to the maxillary second division nerve block with both anesthetic formulations resulted in a high success rate (92%-98%) for the first and second molars. Approximately 76%-78% of the second premolars were anesthetized with both anesthetic formulations. Both anesthetic formulations were ineffective for the anterior teeth and first premolars. The use of 3% mepivacaine provided a significantly shorter duration of pulpal anesthesia than 2% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine in the molars and premolars.
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Journal of endodontics · Apr 2010
ReviewA systematic evaluation of the quality of meta-analyses in endodontics.
Meta-analyses have been suggested to be the highest form of evidence available to clinicians to guide clinical practice in dental care. High methodologic quality is a prerequisite for valid interpretation and application of review findings. However, meta-analyses are complex exercises, and assessing quality can be a daunting task. Clinicians and policymakers require guidance, which is not provided adequately by the available literature on the quality of meta-analyses. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the quality of meta-analyses that address topics pertinent to endodontics. ⋯ The overall quality of the reports of meta-analyses available in endodontics is high according to AMSTAR.
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Journal of endodontics · Apr 2010
Effect of cytosolic phospholipase A2 on proinflammatory cytokine-induced bone resorptive genes including receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand in human dental pulp cells.
Although cytokines stimulate prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) gene expression in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs), the involvement of cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)) has not been assessed. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of cPLA(2) on the regulation of proinflammatory cytokine-stimulated genes associated with osteoclast differentiation or bone resorption. ⋯ These results suggest that cPLA(2) is involved in inflammatory cytokine-induced osteoclastogenic gene expression and consequent damage or destruction.
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Intracellular Ca(2+) is essential to many signal transduction pathways, and its level is tightly regulated by the Ca(2+) extrusion system in the plasma membrane, which includes the Na(+)-Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX). Although expression of NCX1 isoforms has been demonstrated in odontoblasts, the detailed properties of NCX remain to be clarified. In this study, we investigated localization and ion-transporting/pharmacologic properties of NCX isoforms in rat odontoblasts. ⋯ These results suggest that odontoblasts express NCX1 and NCX3 at the distal membrane, and that these isoforms play an important role in the Ca(2+) extrusion system as well as in the directional Ca(2+) transport pathway from the circulation to the dentin-mineralizing front.