Dysregulated growth and loss of podocytes are important features of HIV-associated nephropathy. Recently, HIV was reported to induce a new type of programed cell death, pyroptosis, in T lymphocytes through induction of Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complexes. We evaluated the role of HIV in podocyte NLRP3 inflammasome formation both in vivo and in vitro. Renal cortical sections of HIV-transgenic mice (Tg26) displayed increased expression of NLRP3, ASC (a CARD protein), caspase-1, and IL-1b proteins, confirming NLRP3 inflammasome complex formation in podocytes of Tg26 mice. Renal tissues of Tg26 mice also displayed enhanced mRNA levels and protein expressions of inflammasome markers (NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1, and IL-1b). Serum of Tg26 mice also showed elevated concentrations of IL-1b cytokine compared with FVBN mice. HIV induced pyroptosis in a dose-and time-dependent manner within podocytes, a phenotype of inflammasome activation. Caspase-1 inhibitor not only attenuated podocyte expression of caspase-1 and IL-1b but also provided protection against pyroptosis, suggesting that HIV-induced podocyte injury was mediated by caspase-1 activation. Interestingly, HIV-induced podocyte pyroptosis could be partially inhibited by Tempol (a superoxide dismutase-mimetic agent) and by glyburide (an inhibitor of potassium efflux). These findings suggest that generation of reactive oxygen species and potassium efflux contribute to HIV-induced pyroptosis and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in podocytes.

In conclusion, probiotic ice-cream containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 ATCC27536 and Lactobacillus acidophilus La-5 can reduce the levels of certain caries-associated micro-organisms in saliva.

Background Dental professionals are the primary care providers for traumatic dental injuries (TDI). The dental traumatology literature has a number of studies evaluating the knowledge of dental professionals from different parts of the world but its global status is unknown. Hence, the aim of this systematic review was to assess the global status of knowledge for the prevention and emergency management of TDI in dental professionals and to provide recommendations for future research. Materials and Methods The protocol was designed as per the PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020192381). A broad‐based search using text words and MeSH terms was performed in established databases as per a pre‐defined strategy without any distinction of language and year of publication. Studies without details of the questionnaire, knowledge score, validity and reliability were excluded. Data extraction was performed, risk of bias assessment was done using the Joanna Briggs Institute's critical appraisal tool, and a meta‐analysis was performed. Results Sixteen studies, which had been published between 2008 and 2020, were included for qualitative synthesis. Most of them were cross‐sectional, used convenience sampling and evaluated knowledge for avulsion. Previous dental trauma training was undertaken by <50% of the participants of five studies, <50% knew about the correct approach in management of complicated crown fractures in three studies and ≤60% in four studies knew the critical time for replantation. There was insufficient level of knowledge in >50% of the included studies. High risk of bias was found in three studies. Conclusion The knowledge level in several areas of the world was unknown. The studies lacked uniformity in methods and well‐designed questionnaires and they revealed insufficient levels of knowledge among dental professionals.

Aim To investigate the correlation between the concentration of active‐matrix metalloproteinases‐9 (aMMP‐9) in pulpal blood and the outcome of pulpotomy in mature permanent teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). Methodology Forty permanent molar teeth with a clinical diagnosis of SIP and normal apical tissues with periapical index (PAI) score ≤ 2 and ten permanent teeth (8 molars and two premolars) with a diagnosis of normal pulp that required root canal treatment for prosthetic reasons from patients between the ages of 15–35 years were recruited. All clinical procedures were performed under local anaesthesia and rubber dam isolation. After access opening, the coronal pulp tissue was amputated up to the canal orifice. A 100 μL volume of the pulpal blood was collected using a micropipette and transported to the laboratory. Sodium hypochlorite (2.5 %) was used as a haemostatic agent, and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was used as the pulp capping material. The tooth was restored with composite at the same visit. Teeth with normal pulps were treated with single‐visit root canal treatment. Patients with pulpotomy were recalled at 6 and 12 months. Outcome assessment of teeth with pulpotomy was carried out at 12 months and was categorized as success (asymptomatic patients with PAI score ≤ 2) or failure (symptomatic patients or PAI score ≥ 3). Quantification of aMMP‐9 in pulpal blood was achieved using a fluorometric assay. The following statistical analyses were performed to assess the data: t‐test, Fisher's exact test, kappa coefficient, non‐parametric test, Wilcoxon rank‐sum test, Spearman rank correlation test and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Result The success rate of pulpotomy was 88 % at 12‐months. There was a significant difference between the median concentrations of aMMP‐9 in pulpal blood of teeth with normal pulps (52 (12–96) ng mL−1:) and SIP (193.3 (25.8–607.7) ng mL−1:) (P = 0.0003) and successful (132.3 (25.8–548.3) ng mL−1:) and failed cases (512.4 (334.8–607.7 ng mL−1:) (P = 0.0015) of MTA pulpotomy. A significant association was established between aMMP‐9 concentration and outcome of pulpotomy. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (0.9484, 95%CI) suggested excellent discriminatory power of aMMP‐9 concentration in pulpal blood to predict the pulpotomy outcome. Conclusion The pulpal blood concentration of aMMP‐9 was significantly associated with the outcome of pulpotomy in teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis, where it may be used as a potential prognostic biomarker.

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