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Congenital hydrocephalus (CH), occurring in approximately 1/1,000 live births, represents an important clinical challenge due to the limited knowledge of underlying molecular mechanisms. The discovery of novel CH genes is thus essential to shed light on the intricate processes responsible for ventricular dilatation in CH. Here, we identify FLVCR1 (feline leukemia virus subgroup C receptor 1) as a gene responsible for a severe form of CH in humans and mice. Mechanistically, our data reveal that the full-length isoform encoded by the FLVCR1 gene, FLVCR1a, interacts with the IP3R3-VDAC complex located on mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) that controls mitochondrial calcium handling. Loss of Flvcr1a in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) affects mitochondrial calcium levels and energy metabolism, leading to defective cortical neurogenesis and brain ventricle enlargement. These data point to defective NPCs calcium handling and metabolic activity as one of the pathogenetic mechanisms driving CH., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests E.T., V.F., D.Chiabrando, S.P., F.B., and A.L.A. are inventors in a patent filed by the University of Torino, not related to the research reported here., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to test the molecular expression profile (senescence-associated secretory phenotype; SASP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) prior to surgery in relation to the distribution of clinical success of periodontal regeneration. Forty consecutive patients presenting sites with residual probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm and intrabony defects ≥ 3 mm were treated through a minimally invasive surgical technique. Pre-operatively, GCF was sampled for inflammatory biomarker analysis related to SASP [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12; matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP)-8 and -9]. Better or worse responders were classified depending on the achievement of a composite outcome measure at 1-year [COM; PPD ≤ 4 mm and clinical attachment gain (CAL) gain ≥ 3 mm]. Correlation analyses and logistic regression models were performed. Periodontal regeneration led to significant improvements in mean clinical and radiographic parameters. Teeth achieving COM presented significantly lower amounts of SASP factors compared with non-successful teeth. Higher CAL gain, PPD reduction, and radiographic bone fill were negatively correlated with IL-1β and MMP-8 and -9 ( p < 0.001), while IL-12 showed a direct relationship with CAL gain ( p = 0.005) and PPD reduction ( p = 0.038). Sites expressing higher SASP expression in the GCF before periodontal regeneration achieved worse clinical and radiographic outcomes.

The present systematic review was performed to assess the application of orally derived stem cells in periodontal regenerative therapy, and because of this, the following PICO question was proposed: "In patients with periodontitis, can the adjunctive use of orally derived stem cells provide additional clinical and radiographic benefits for periodontal regeneration?". Randomized clinical studies were electronically and manually searched up until December 2023. Quantitative analyses were performed with the aim of evaluating the mean differences (MDs) between the treatment and control groups in terms of clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, probing pocket depth (PPD) reduction, gingival recession (GR), and radiographic bone gain (RBG) using random effect models. A total of seven studies were selected for the systematic review. Meta-analyses excluding studies with a high risk of bias highlighted a non-statistically significant result for the use of stem cells when compared to the control groups in terms of CAL gain [MD = 1.05; 95% CI (-0.88, 2.97) p = 0.29] and PPD reduction [MD = 1.32; 95% CI (-0.25, 2.88) p = 0.10]. The same also applied to GR [MD = -0.08; 95% CI (-0.79, 0.63) p = 0.83] and RBG [MD = 0.50; 95% CI (-0.88, 1.88) p = 0.48]. Based on the high heterogeneity, there is not enough evidence to consider the adjunctive application of orally derived mesenchymal stem cells as a preferential approach for periodontal regenerative treatment, as compared to standard procedures.

This study was conducted to compare the effects of an innovative plasma surface treatment device that does not need a gas supply for titanium disks with two different surface topographies: the prototypical machined surface (MAC) and one of the most diffused roughened ones (SL) obtained through grit blasting and acid etching. A total of 200-MAC and 200-SL titanium disks were used. Each group of disks was divided into four sub-groups of 40 samples each that were subjected to five different tests. Among these, 150-MAC and 150-SL were considered the test group, and they were treated with plasma for 15, 30, and 60 s after being removed from the sterile packaging. On the other hand, 50-MAC and 50-SL were considered the control group, and they were only removed from sterile plastic vials. The samples were analyzed to evaluate the capability of the plasma treatment in influencing protein adsorption, cell adhesion, proliferation, and microbial growth on the test group disks when compared to the untreated disks. Protein adsorption was significantly enhanced after 20 min of plasma treatment for 15 and 30 s on the MAC and SL disks. Plasma treatment for 15 and 30 s significantly increased the level of adhesion in both treated samples after 30 min. Furthermore, the MAC samples showed a significant increase in cell adhesion 4 h after plasma treatment for 15 s. The SEM analysis highlighted that, on the treated samples (especially on the MAC disks), the cells with a polygonal and flat shape prevailed, while the fusiform- and globular-shaped cells were rare. The encouraging results obtained further confirm the effectiveness of plasma treatments on cell adhesion and fibroblast activity.

Objectives: To evaluate the fracture strength and linear elongation at break of three-units fixed partial dentures (FPDs) fabricated with traditional and new materials for fixed prosthodontics before and after ageing., Methods: Sixty models of three-units FPDs were fabricated and cemented onto a Co-Cr model simulating the replacement of a maxillary second premolar. The samples were randomly divided into 3 groups: metal-ceramic (MCR), graphene-doped polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA-GR) and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). Half of the samples were directly subjected to fracture test, while the remaining half underwent an ageing process and then a fracture loading test using an electrodynamic testing machine. Fracture load and elongation at break values were taken and statistically analysed., Results: Significant differences were detected between the different materials (p<0.05). All groups showed a reduction of the fracture load and elongation at break values after ageing, but not statistically significant, except for PMMA group (p = 2.012e-19) (p = 3.8e-11)., Conclusions: MCR and PMMA-GR three-units FPDs showed higher fracture strength and lower elongation at break compared to PMMA. MCR and PMMA-GR had higher resistance to ageing processes compared to PMMA., Clinical Significance: PMMA-GR could be considered a material for long-term provisional restorations as its mechanical behaviour and ageing resistance are more like MCR than PMMA., 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 Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

This in vitro study assessed the efficacy of a solution containing 33% trichloroacetic acid (CCl 3 COOH; TCA) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in decontaminating machined (MAC) and sand-blasted acid-etched (SBAE) titanium surfaces. A total of 80 titanium disks were prepared (40 MAC and 40 SBAE). Streptococcus sanguinis and Enterococcus faecalis strains were incubated on 36 samples, while the remaining 44 were kept as controls. Roughness analysis and scanning electron microscopy were used to evaluate the surface features before and after TCAH 2 O 2 treatment. The viability of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) after TCAH 2 O 2 decontamination was assessed with a chemiluminescent assay along with cell morphology through fluorescent staining. TCAH 2 O 2 preserved the surface topography of MAC and SBAE specimens. It also effectively eradicated bacteria on both types of specimens without altering the surface roughness ( p > 0.05). Also, no significant differences in protein adsorption between the pristine and TCAH 2 O 2 -treated surfaces were found ( p = 0.71 and p = 0.94). While ASC proliferation remained unchanged on MAC surfaces, a decrease was observed on the decontaminated SBAE specimens at 24 and 48 h ( p < 0.05), with no difference at 72 h ( p > 0.05). Cell morphology showed no significant changes after 72 h on both surface types even after decontamination. This study suggests TCAH 2 O 2 as a promising decontamination agent for titanium surfaces, with potential implications for peri-implant health and treatment outcomes.