Search

The dental pulp is a highly innervated tissue transmitting pain‐related sensations in the tooth. Consequently, understanding the intricacies of its innervation mechanism in odontogenesis is crucial for gaining insights into dental pain and developing dental pain‐modulating agents. This study examined neuroregulatory molecules such as neurotrophic factors (nerve growth factor [NGF], brain‐derived neurotrophic factor [BDNF], neurotrophin‐4 [NTF‐4], and neurturin [NRTN]) and neuroinhibitory factors (slit2, ephrin isoforms and netrin‐1) in developing rat teeth with follicles. NGF, BDNF and NRTN transcriptions showed time‐dependent upregulation, particularly during the root formation stage. In contrast, NTF‐4 mRNA was highly expressed at the cap stage, but became downregulated over time. Slit2 and ephrin‐B2 expression was distinct at the cap stage and then downregulated in a time‐dependent manner. Ephrin‐A5 and netrin‐1 expression did not significantly change. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed a robust expression of both ephrin‐B2 and slit2 in the outer and inner dental epithelia of the enamel organ, a non‐neurogenic tissue, during the cap stage of 3rd molar germs. In contrast, BDNF was predominantly localized in dental papilla cells and odontoblasts during the root formation stage. These results suggest that neuroregulatory molecules, such as BDNF, slit2 and ephrin‐B2, may be important in identifying therapeutic targets for modulating dental pulp pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate location information is crucial for ensuring the reliability of service robots, such as field vehicles and agricultural robots. These practical robots often encounter fluctuating or inclined terrains in dynamic conditions during operation. Additionally, the performance of mobile robots depends on the physical size and weight of the localization system–physically heavy systems may degrade performance. In this paper, we present a compact, lightweight RTK‐GNSS device weighing under 40 g, which achieves centimeter‐level accuracy across different attitudes and dynamic situations. To enhance signal reception and positioning performance, we lessen noise levels in the power circuit and radio‐frequency signal conditioning using a low‐dropout regulator and low‐noise amplifier. Utilizing the configured device, we verified centimeter‐level accuracy through experiments of tracking an unmanned ground vehicle. The potential of the device is substantiated via three application scenarios—a localization of a moving human for a wearable device, a heading estimation of a mobile robot in stationary conditions, and practical field tests in various signal‐reception environments. Attributable to its compact dimensions and lightweight features, the proposed device can yield a low system strain while maintaining high accuracy and reliable performance, rendering it highly adaptable for various robotic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The association between diabetes mellitus (DM) and bone diseases is acknowledged. However, the mechanistic pathways leading to the alveolar bone (AB) destruction remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the mechanical forces (MF)-induced AB destruction in DM and its underlying mechanism.Methods: In vivo periodontal tissue responses to MF were evaluated in rats with diabetes. In vitro human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were either treated with advanced glycation end products (AGEs) alone or with AGEs and MF.Results: In vivo, the transcription of VEGF-A, colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1), and Ager was upregulated in diabetes, whereas changes in DDOST and Glo1 mRNAs were negligible. DM induced VEGF-A protein in the vascular cells of the PDL and subsequent angiogenesis, but DM itself did not induce osteoclastogenesis. MF-induced AB resorption was augmented in DM, and such augmentation was morphologically substantiated by the occasional undermining resorption as well as the frontal resorption of the AB by osteoclasts. The mRNA levels of CSF-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during MF application were highly elevated in diabetes, compared with those of the normal counterparts. In vitro, AGEs treatment elevated Glut-1 and CSF-1 mRNA levels via the p38 and JNK pathways, whereas OGT and VEGF levels remained unchanged. Compressive MF especially caused upregulation of VEGF, CSF-1, and Glut-1 levels, and such upregulation was further enhanced by AGEs treatment.Conclusions: Overloaded MF and AGEs metabolites may synergistically aggravate AB destruction by upregulating CSF-1 and VEGF. Therefore, regulating the compressive overloading of teeth, as well as the levels of diabetic AGEs, may prove to be an effective therapeutic modality for managing DM-induced AB destruction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Limited evidence exists on the effectiveness of the chronic care model for people with multimorbidity. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an information and communication technology- (ICT-)enhanced integrated care model, called Systems for Person-centered Elder Care (SPEC), for frail older adults at nursing homes.Methods/design: SPEC is a prospective stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial conducted at 10 nursing homes in South Korea. Residents aged 65 or older meeting the inclusion/exclusion criteria in all the homes are eligible to participate. The multifaceted SPEC intervention, a geriatric care model guided by the chronic care model, consists of five components: comprehensive geriatric assessment for need/risk profiling, individual need-based care planning, interdisciplinary case conferences, person-centered care coordination, and a cloud-based information and communications technology (ICT) tool supporting the intervention process. The primary outcome is quality of care for older residents using a composite measure of quality indicators from the interRAI LTCF assessment system. Outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded to group assignment. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, healthcare utilization, and cost. Process evaluation will be also conducted.Discussion: This study is expected to provide important new evidence on the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and implementation process of an ICT-supported chronic care model for older persons with multiple chronic illnesses. The SPEC intervention is also unique as the first registered trial implementing an integrated care model using technology to promote person-centered care for frail older nursing home residents in South Korea, where formal LTC was recently introduced.Trial Registration: ISRCTN11972147. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]