Journal of endodontics最新文献

{"title":"RNA Sequencing Reveals that Thrombospondin-4/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Reduces Odontoblast Apoptosis.","authors":"Ruoxia Jiang, Wanhua Li, Weiwei Qiao, Liuyan Meng","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.020","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Bacteria from dental caries and their toxic products can induce apoptosis of odontoblasts via sustained and intense stimulation. In this study, we profiled the transcriptomes of healthy and carious human odontoblastic layer and investigated the role of thrombospondin-4 (TSP-4) in reducing odontoblast apoptosis under inflammatory conditions.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In the human clinical model, odontoblastic layers isolated from healthy and carious teeth were subjected to RNA sequencing . Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were performed to investigate gene expression profiles. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were validated with reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR). Further, western blot and immunofluorescence were used to detect TSP-4 expression. The mouse caries model was used to confirm TSP-4 expression in vivo. In the human odontoblastic-like cells (hOBLCs) model, cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide, small interfering RNA targeting TSP-4, recombinant human TSP-4, Stattic, and small interfering RNA targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). TSP-4 and caspase-3 expression and STAT3 phosphorylation were assessed using western blot. Apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the human clinical model, RNA sequencing results identified 779 DEGs. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that DEGs were enriched in the extracellular matrix organization. TSP-4 expression was increased in carious human dental pulp and in mouse carious dental pulp. In the hOBLCs model, lipopolysaccharide treatment increased TSP-4 expression. TSP-4 knockdown suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation and promoted apoptosis, while recombinant human TSP-4 treatment increased STAT3 phosphorylation and decreased apoptosis, which was abolished by Stattic or STAT3 knockdown.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Gene expression profiles of the odontoblastic layer in healthy and carious human teeth were identified. TSP-4 was found to regulate apoptosis in hOBLCs via STAT3 signaling. This study may deepen our understanding of dental pulp inflammation and offer a potential therapeutic target for preventing odontoblast apoptosis and subsequent damage during caries progression.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148648648","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healing Outcomes of Single-visit and Two-visit Endodontic Treatment for Necrotic Teeth with Apical Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Mike Sabeti, Heather Kim, Samah Abbaker, Negah Karimpourtalebi, Amir Azarpazhooh","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.018","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This randomized clinical trial compared single-visit and two-visit root canal treatment in necrotic teeth with apical periodontitis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Fifty-nine patients were randomized to single-visit (n = 28) or two-visit (n = 31) treatment, with calcium hydroxide placed for 10-14 days in the two-visit group. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained preoperatively and at follow-up. The primary outcome was combined clinical and CBCT-based radiographic healing assessed using the CBCT Periapical Index. Outcomes were categorized as strict (healed) and loose (healed + healing), both requiring absence of clinical signs and symptoms. The secondary outcome was lesion volume. Analyses used Fisher's exact, Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests (P < .05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At a mean follow-up of 2.8 years, 42 patients completed the study. Both groups demonstrated reductions in CBCT Periapical Index scores and lesion volumes. Strict and loose healing did not differ significantly (two-visit vs single-visit: strict 50% vs 25%, risk ratio: 2.0, 95% CI: 0.8-4.8; P = .121; loose 86.4% vs 90%, risk ratio: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.77-1.20; P = 1.000). Baseline volumes were similar (∼47 mm³), and lesion volumes decreased in both groups, with a median between-group difference in reduction of 10.3 mm³ in favor of the two-visit group (95% confidence interval: -15.3 to 27.7; P = .590).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>No statistically significant differences were detected between the two groups in combined clinical and CBCT-based periapical healing or lesion volume reduction. Complete healing was numerically more frequent in the two-visit group; however, these findings do not demonstrate superiority, noninferiority, or equivalence.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accuracy and Completeness of Four Artificial Intelligence Chatbots in Assisting Diagnosis and Treatment of Post-traumatic Endodontic Sequelae.","authors":"Ana Paula Portes-Zeno, Breno Pereira Caetano, Giullie Anne de Souza Giffoni da Conceição, Lucas Jural, Laura Guimaraes Primo, Marcela Baraúna Magno, Fabiola Ormiga, Patrícia A Risso, Lucianne Cople Maia","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.017","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.017","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and completeness of the answers generated by four freely available artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots regarding the management of endodontic sequelae in traumatized permanent teeth and the regenerative endodontic procedure, analyzing their performance by question type and over time.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four AI chatbots (ChatGPT 3.5, Copilot, Perplexity, and DeepSeek) were evaluated with 14 structured questions developed by endodontists, applied at baseline (day 1) and repeated after 7 days (day 8). Nine questions involved clinical cases of traumatized immature and mature permanent teeth (diagnosis, treatment, and treatment with prior diagnosis), and five were conceptual about regenerative endodontic procedures (REPs). Two blinded endodontists independently evaluated response accuracy (1-6 points) and completeness (1-3 points) based on agreement with the expert benchmark, with results reported as median ± interquartile range. Reproducibility was analyzed with weighted Kappa, while Kruskal-Wallis with Dunn's post hoc and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for comparisons.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>On baseline, DeepSeek exceeded in diagnosis while Perplexity consistently outperformed others in treatment-related domains. Regarding response accuracy, Perplexity showed higher score values compared to ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot, and similar scores to DeepSeek. In terms of completeness, no significant differences were observed among the AI chatbots (P > .05). Over time, only DeepSeek demonstrated a significant increase in completeness scores on day 8 (mean ± standard deviation: 1.56 ± 0.8) compared to baseline (mean ± standard deviation: 1.34 ± 0.55), with P < .05. Conceptual REP questions achieved high accuracy across chatbots.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>DeepSeek showed superior performance in diagnosis, while Perplexity outperformed others in treatment domains. All chatbots performed well on conceptual REP questions. Although chatbots demonstrated moderate-to-high performance in selected domains, none consistently matched the expert benchmark across all evaluated scenarios. Therefore, chatbot-generated information should be interpreted with caution and verified against current evidence-based guidelines before clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148620325","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Effect of Endodontic Disinfection on Microbial Reduction and Biodiversity of Root Canal Systems with Necrotic Pulps.","authors":"Annie F Chen, Ronald Ordinola-Zapata, W Craig Noblett, Blake C Clarke, Kirk R Baumgardner, Michael Gould, Christopher Staley","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.016","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.016","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>To analyze microbial reduction and diversity changes after cleaning and shaping procedures, and calcium hydroxide interappointment medication. The influence of clinical and radiographic factors was assessed as well.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Thirty-two teeth diagnosed with pulp necrosis and evidence of apical periodontitis were included. Five samples were collected on each tooth: surface sample before access (C1), before treatment (S1), after cleaning and shaping with ultrasonic irrigant activation (S2), at the second visit before removal of the temporary restoration (C2), and after removal of calcium hydroxide (S3). All samples were processed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing. The Shannon and Chao1 indices were used to measure alpha diversity. Differences in abundances of genera were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Differences in community composition (beta diversity) were evaluated using analysis of similarity (ANOSIM) with Bray-Curtis dissimilarity matrices.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The qPCR analysis revealed significant differences between S1 and S2 as well as between S1 and S3 (P = .0001). No significant differences between S2 and S3 were observed for qPCR (P = .400) as well as for Chao1 alpha diversity. ANOSIM revealed differences between S1 and S3 (P < .001, R = 0.59), and between S1 and S2 (P < .001, R = 0.40). Microbial composition differed according to percussion sensitivity (ANOSIM R = 0.07, P = .023) and sinus tract presence (ANOSIM R = 0.06, P = .03), although the effect sizes were small. Most of preoperative taxa (top 20) found before treatment were significantly impacted by root canal procedures except Peptostreptococcus and Clostridiales (P > .05). The relative abundance of Schaalia (P = .004) and Enterococcus (P = .001) increased significantly after treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A significant reduction in microbial load after instrumentation (S2) and after calcium hydroxide medication (S3) was observed. The effect on root canal composition (beta diversity) was impacted after the cleaning and shaping. No additional changes in qPCR and beta diversity were observed after the use of calcium hydroxide. The effects produced by clinical factors although significant were low, and the results reinforce the value of robust chemical and mechanical disinfection procedures.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148604000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Premixed Versus Manually Mixed Calcium Silicate-based Bioceramic Materials for Pulpotomy of Permanent Teeth with Irreversible Pulpitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.","authors":"Heitor Sebastao De Souza, Marina Fernandes, Ida de Noronha de Ataide, Ladic De Souza","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.015","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Calcium silicate-based bioceramic materials are widely used in vital pulp therapy because of their favorable biological and sealing properties. Premixed formulations were introduced to reduce operator-dependent variability associated with manually mixed materials; however, their comparative clinical performance in irreversible pulpitis remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Objectives: </strong>To compare the clinical success of premixed versus manually mixed calcium silicate-based bioceramic materials used for pulpotomy procedures in permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251110977). Electronic databases were searched from inception to August 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing premixed and manually mixed calcium silicate-based materials in pulpotomy procedures for permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis were included. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate pooled risk differences (RDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Statistical equivalence was evaluated using the two one-sided tests procedure with a predefined equivalence margin of ±10%. Bayesian analysis and multiple sensitivity analyses were additionally performed. Risk of bias was assessed using risk of bias 2 tool, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Six randomized controlled trials involving 499 permanent teeth were included. No clinically meaningful differences were observed between premixed and manually mixed formulations at either 6 months (RD = 0.016; 95% CI: -0.039 to 0.071) or 12 months (RD = 0.004; 95% CI: -0.053 to 0.061), with negligible heterogeneity across analyses (I² = 0%). Two one-sided tests analyses confirmed statistical equivalence at both follow-up periods (P < .001), with confidence intervals remaining entirely within the predefined ±10% equivalence margin. Bayesian analysis demonstrated moderate evidence favoring the null hypothesis of no treatment difference (BF₀₁ = 4.20 at 6 months; BF₀₁ = 3.67 at 12 months). Certainty of evidence was rated as moderate.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Premixed and manually mixed calcium silicate-based bioceramic materials demonstrated clinically equivalent outcomes following pulpotomy in permanent teeth with irreversible pulpitis. Given their comparable clinical performance, material selection may reasonably be guided by practical considerations such as handling characteristics, clinician preference, availability, and cost rather than expectations of superior clinical effectiveness.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584459","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How Reliably Does Stoma Position Identify the Offending Tooth? A Prospective Study of 100 Odontogenic Sinus Tracts.","authors":"Ranj H Ahmed, Chro M Ameen, Darwn S Abdulateef","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.014","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study evaluated the spatial relationship between the clinical stoma site and the radiographic source of odontogenic sinus tracts, the distribution of stoma surface locations, and patient factors that predict shift.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This prospective study comprised 100 consecutive patients with draining intraoral sinus tracts. A size-25 gutta-percha cone was traced into each tract and a periapical radiograph obtained using the paralleling technique. Shift was measured in tooth units. Nonparametric and chi-square tests were applied (α = .05, two-tailed).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 100 patients, 80% showed shift. Only 20 (20%) had the stoma directly over the problematic tooth; among the 80 shifted cases, 49 (61.3%) showed 0.5-unit shift (stoma between 2 adjacent teeth), 26 (32.5%) showed 1-tooth-width shift, and 5 (6.2%) demonstrated 2-tooth-width shift. Buccal openings were most common (82%). Stoma surface location did not affect shift distance, direction, or occurrence (all P > .05). A moderate correlation was found between patient age and shift distance (Spearman r_s = 0.278, P < .05). Sex, jaw, tooth category, and stoma location did not predict the occurrence of the shift.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sinus tract stomas were misleading in 80% of cases. The most common pattern was a 0.5-unit shift (stoma between 2 adjacent teeth), occurring in 61.3% of displaced cases. Stoma surface location did not predict shift. Patient age was significant in predicting shift magnitude. Gutta-percha cone tracing remains mandatory; clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion in older patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148584503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Periapical Healing, Event-free Survival, and Associated Factors Following Non-surgical Endodontic Retreatment: An Ambispective Cohort Study.","authors":"Adam Sgro, Maziar Ebrahimi Dastgurdi, Mahshid Sheikhnezami, Yazdan Sabet, Maryam Zanjir, Gevik Malkhassian, Bettina Basrani, Amir Azarpazhooh","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite favorable outcomes of non-surgical endodontic retreatment (NS-ReTx), treatment decisions for previously treated posterior teeth with apical periodontitis remain inconsistent. This ambispective cohort study evaluated NS-ReTx outcomes in posterior teeth.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Permanent posterior teeth undergoing NS-ReTx in a residency program (2010-2023) with ≥24-month follow-up or an untoward event were included; otherwise, recall was attempted. Teeth were classified as healed, healing, or diseased. Periapical healing was defined using strict and loose criteria, and event-free survival as time to reintervention or last event-free follow-up. Analyses used logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier methods (α = 0.05).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Periapical healing analyses included 423 teeth (367 patients; median follow-up 3.7 years), comprising retrospectively (n = 276; median follow-up 3.4 years) and prospectively (n = 147; median follow-up 4.3 years) ascertained subgroups. Overall strict/loose periapical healing rates were 82.7%/89.8%, compared with 80.8%/87.0% and 86.4%/95.2% in the retrospective and prospective subgroups, respectively. Periapical healing rates were higher among teeth with longer follow-up. Absent or smaller preoperative periapical radiolucency and adequate-quality final restorations were associated with improved strict periapical healing. Survival analyses included 480 teeth (417 patients). Kaplan-Meier estimated event-free survival was 96.5%, 94.5%, and 92.7% at 2, 4, and 6 years, respectively. The overall crude event-free survival rate was 93.3% with a median follow-up of 3.3 years.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Contemporary NS-ReTx in posterior teeth showed high periapical healing and event-free survival. Absent or smaller periapical radiolucency and adequate-quality final restorations were associated with improved periapical healing. These findings should be interpreted considering potential selection bias from incomplete long-term follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148578925","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Infected Dentin and Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis Share a Core Microbiome.","authors":"Brenda P F A Gomes, Rodrigo Arruda-Vasconcelos, Lidiane M Louzada, Ana B S Lopes, Maicon R Z Passini, Juliana D Bronzato, Erica M Lopes, Tsute Chen, Bruce J Paster","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The objective of this clinical study was to identify and compare the bacterial taxa in teeth with infected dentin (ID) and its associated root canals with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) using high-throughput next-generation sequencing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Teeth diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis were included, with samples collected from infected dentin adjacent to the pulp and from the root canal. A total of 20 samples were analyzed, comprising 10 from each site. The microbiomes were examined using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At the phylum level, Firmicutes predominated in ID and SIP, followed by Proteobacteria, with all samples showing consistent detection of these phyla. Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes were also frequently detected. At the genus level, both microbial communities were dominated by Lactobacillus, followed by Streptococcus and Olsenella. At the species level, however, the shared core microbiome was represented by individual taxa belonging to several predominant genera, including Lactobacillus ultunensis, Veillonella dispar, Streptococcus salivarius, Campylobacter rectus, Streptococcus parasanguinis clade 411, Oribacterium sp. HMT-078, and Fretibacterium fastidiosum. Notably, ID samples displayed a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria, accounting for 78.9% of the oral microbiota, whereas SIP samples showed a relative enrichment of Gram-negative anaerobes, which represented 31.5% of the community.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In conclusion, ID and SIP samples shared a substantial core microbiome, supporting ecological continuity along the dentin-pulp infection pathway.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Low-Dose Dexamethasone on Metabolic Readouts and Lineage-associated Gene Expression in Human Dental Pulp Cells: An In Vitro Study.","authors":"Simony H H Kataoka, Huey-Jiun Lin, Galib Ovik, Annayah Noorani, Asma Ban Owaiwid, Richard Hall, Te-Chung Lee, Camila Sabatini","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Injury to the dental pulp activates reparative responses involving dental pulp cells (DPCs). While dexamethasone (Dex) is widely used in differentiation protocols, its isolated effects on metabolic activity and lineage-associated gene expression in DPCs remain incompletely characterized, particularly when evaluated independently of conventional odontogenic supplements. The aim of this study was to explore Dex effects on human DPCs. We hypothesized that low-dose Dex would yield changes in metabolic profiles and modulate lineage-associated gene expression in vitro.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Primary human DPCs derived from 6 healthy human third molars (n = 3 donors) were treated with increasing concentrations of Dex. Cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Metabolic readouts were evaluated by measuring glucose, lactate, β-hydroxybutyrate, glutamate, and ammonium levels in conditioned medium. Gene expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and protein levels by Western blotting. Mineralization was assessed by Alizarin Red staining.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Dex exhibited a dose-dependent effect on DPC proliferation, with 10 nM associated with increased cell growth, while higher concentrations showed a nonsignificant trend toward reduced proliferation. At 10 nM, Dex was associated with increased total RNA and protein levels, an effect attenuated by rapamycin. Dex treatment was also associated with changes in metabolic readouts, including reduced glucose levels and increased lactate levels in conditioned medium. Increased expression of odontogenic-associated markers such as Osterix (2.5-fold) and DMP-1 (1.5-fold) and mineralization were observed. Additionally, Dex was associated with altered expression of genes previously associated with neurogenic-related and angiogenic-related processes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Within the limitations of this in vitro study, low-dose Dex is associated with changes in metabolic profiles and lineage-associated gene expression in human DPCs. These findings provide exploratory insight into the cellular responses of DPCs to Dex.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561958","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative Multiomics and Single-cell Profiling Identify Cell-type-resolved Inflammatory Drivers in Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis.","authors":"Yixin Chen, Jinsun Jeong, Hiran Perinpanayagam, Kee-Yeon Kum, Mengmeng Liu, Yu Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.joen.2026.07.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP) is a painful dental condition often diagnosed on the basis of subjective pain reports, which are frequently vague and poorly localized, leading to diagnostic uncertainty and potential overtreatment. Our study integrated multiomics data to identify objective molecular signatures related to pulp inflammation and pain modulation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Proteomic profiling of SIP and healthy pulp was conducted via liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Their transcriptional expression was examined in Gene Expression Omnibus dataset to determine consistency across omics levels. Then we used single-cell ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing data to map candidate expression to specific pulp cell types. We validated key proteins in pulp tissue by Western blotting. Finally, we quantified selected markers in saliva by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as a noninvasive, chairside-adjacent readout and evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Proteomics quantified 5057 proteins. Enrichment analyses highlighted activation of leukocyte-mediated immunity responses and pathways related to nociception. Cross-platform integration identified 6 consistently upregulated molecules (matrix metalloproteinase 9, neutrophil cytosolic factor 2, nuclear factor kappa-B subunit 1, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 1, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1, and Nucleus Accumbens-Associated Protein 1). Single-cell mapping showed cell-type‑specific expression across macrophages, osteoblast-lineage cells, fibroblasts, and dental pulp stem cells. Tissue validation confirmed upregulation of key candidates, and salivary enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed significantly high levels of nuclear factor kappa-B subunit 1 and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 1 in SIP.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings provide a cell-type‑resolved view of pulpitis-associated inflammatory drivers and may provide candidate molecular readouts for future studies of pulpitis-associated inflammatory activity.</p>","PeriodicalId":15703,"journal":{"name":"Journal of endodontics","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.9,"publicationDate":"2026-07-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148561980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}