Transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) is a subfamily of ion channels that are involved in sensing taste, ambient temperature, low pH, osmolarity, and chemical ligands. Melastatin 1/TRPM1, the founding member, was originally identified as melanoma metastasis suppressor based on its expression in normal pigment cells in the skin and the eye but not in aggressive, metastasis-competent melanomas. The role of TRPM1 and its regulation in normal melanocytes and in melanoma progression is not understood. Here, we studied the relationship of TRPM1 expression to growth and differentiation of human epidermal melanocytes. TRPM1 expression and intracellular Ca(2+) levels are significantly lower in rapidly proliferating melanocytes compared to the slow growing, differentiated melanocytes. We show that lentiviral short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of TRPM1 results in reduced intracellular Ca(2+) and decreased Ca(2+) uptake suggesting a role for TRPM1 in Ca(2+) homeostasis in melanocytes. TRPM1 knockdown also resulted in a decrease in tyrosinase activity and intracellular melanin pigment. Expression of the tumor suppressor p53 by transfection or induction of endogenous p53 by ultraviolet B radiation caused repression of TRPM1 expression accompanied by decrease in mobilization of intracellular Ca(2+) and uptake of extracellular Ca(2+). These data suggest a role for TRPM1-mediated Ca(2+) homeostasis, which is also regulated by ultraviolet B, in melanogenesis.

There was a progressive reduction in SOD levels from healthy non-smokers to light smokers to heavy smokers. These findings highlight the need to augment the efforts of smoking-cessation programs. The benefits of reduced smoking and improved antioxidant levels may motivate smoking cessation.

Animal experimentation is carried out in consultation with the veterinary wing but it is essential that be familiar with experimental protocols of animal model to be able to design an approriate study. This is more so in place where the veterinary facilities are not easily available.Span Rabbits are commonly used as subjects for screening implant material. They have gained favour for their numerous advantages even though they should be ideally used prior to testing in a larger animal model. Though experimentation on rabbits seems to be easy there are many pitfalls. Our endeavor in this article is to integrate all the data about maintaining rabbits as a model and to critically analyze it on the basis of our experimentation.

Melastatin 1 (MLSN1), originally identified as melanoma metastasis suppressor, represents a TRPM subfamily of transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins which serve diverse biological roles in a wide variety of cell types. Down-regulation of MLSN1 expression in human cutaneous melanoma, as indicated by in situ hybridization, appears to be a prognostic marker for melanoma metastasis. However, the exact physiological function(s) of MLSN1, the mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of its expression and its role in melanoma tumour progression are not yet clear. In this study, we identified a 654 bp upstream sequence of MLSN1, containing four E boxes (E1-E4), including an 11 bp M box (E4), that is sufficient for melanocyte-specific transcription and activation by the melanocyte transcription factor MITF (a bHLH-zip factor). Deletion analysis showed that the two distal E boxes (E3 and E4) in the MLSN1 promoter are required for both its activation by MITF and its constitutive activity in melanoma cells. Western blot analysis using polyclonal rabbit anti-human MLSN1 antibodies identified several polypeptides, presumably generated by both alternative splicing of MLSN1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteolytic cleavage, in both melanocytes and metastatic melanoma cells. Thus, multiple mechanisms appear to regulate MLSN1 expression in melanocytes and melanoma cells.

Stress is an equated response to constant adverse stimuli. At one point or another everybody suffers from stress. Stress is compatible with good health, being necessary to cope with the challenges of everyday life. Problems start when the stress response is inappropriate to the intensity of the challenge. Psychological stress can down regulate the cellular immune response. Communication between the central nervous system and the immune system occurs via a complex network of bidirectional signals linking the nervous, endocrine, and immune systems. Stress disrupts the homeostasis of this network, which in turn, alters immune function. Direct association between periodontal disease and stress remains to be proven, which is partly due to lack of an adequate animal models and difficulty to quantifying the amount and duration of stress and also there are many factors influencing the incidence and severity of periodontal disease. Nevertheless, more recent studies indicate that psychosocial stress represents a risk indicator for periodontal disease and should be addressed before and during treatment. This paper discusses how stress may modulate host response to bacteria and influence the course and progression of periodontal disease.

It has been established that human dental pulp and periodontal ligament contain a population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). However, the phenotypic analysis in terms of putative stem cell markers expressed by these stem cell populations is incomplete. It is relevant to understand whether stem cells derived from closely related tissues are programmed differently. The aim of the present study is to analyze whether these stem cells depict distinct characteristics by gaining insight into differences in their immunophenotype. Dental pulp and periodontal ligament tissue samples were obtained from extracted impacted wisdom teeth. Cell cultures were analyzed for surface and intracellular markers by indirect immunoflourescence. Detailed immunophenotype analysis was carried out by flow cytometry using relevant markers. The present study data shows dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) expressed embryonic stem (ES) cell markers Oct-4, Nanog and mesodermal marker Vimentin by indirect immunoflourescence. PDLSCs, however, had a weak expression of Nanog. Immunophenotyping revealed strong expression of MSC markers (CD73, CD90) in DPSCs and PDLSCs. Differences were observed in expression of stemness-related markers. DPSCs displayed increased percentages of SSEA4, CD13 and CD166 and decreased CD9 expression compared to PDLSCs. Both stem cells express common MSC markers, different levels of expression suggests there might be more than one stem cell population existing within these tissues which differ in their embryonic status, and DPSCs are a more primitive stem cell population in comparison to PDLSCs.

Background: Membranes of human placentas have been used in the field of medicine for skin grafts, treatment of burns, and ulcerated skin conditions with great success. The use of placenta allografts in dentistry is a more recent development, with the first commercial product being made available in 2008. The unique inherent biologic properties in placenta allografts enhance wound healing and may propagate regeneration.Methods: Ten healthy adult patients presenting with 21 Miller Class I gingival recession (GR) defects (isolated or adjacent multiple) were surgically treated with a modified coronally advanced flap and chorion membrane for root coverage. Clinical parameters measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months were probing depth, clinical attachment level, GR height, width of keratinized gingiva, and assessment of gingival biotype. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the treatment outcomes at the follow‐up intervals.Results: The results showed statistically significant (P <0.001) improvements in all clinical parameters at the 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐ups. The mean percentage of root coverage at the end of 6 months was 89.92% ± 15.59%, and 14 of 21 treated GR defects showed 100% root coverage. The gingival biotype also showed a thick biotype in nine sites that had an initial thin biotype.Conclusions: Fetal membranes possess distinctive properties that can be harnessed to promote periodontal healing. The chorion membrane covered by a modified coronally advanced flap is a new approach that has shown promising results in terms of root coverage, increased width of keratinized tissue, and thickness of the gingival biotype.

The powered toothbrush may prove to be a good alternative to the manual toothbrush for this segment of the population, as it does not require any special dexterity to use.