Search Results (1,158)

Severe early childhood caries (SECC) in preschool children is a progressive, multifactorial disease with far-reaching consequences for child health, family functioning, and health systems. Minimally invasive dentistry (MID), particularly 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF), is increasingly used to arrest lesions and “buy time” when definitive restorative care is delayed. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence-based guidelines and real-world utilization data to clarify the appropriate role and limits of SDF in SECC management. Professional guidance supports SDF for lesion arrest within an ongoing caries management plan, but does not endorse it as a universal long-term substitute for durable restorative care. Observational studies show that many SDF-treated primary teeth receive additional intervention within approximately 2 years, and any delay in sedation/general anesthesia is typically measured in weeks to months. A large recent private practice study found that 35% of children with caries progressed to higher-intensity treatment (restoration or extraction) over a median of 547 days, reinforcing the time-limited nature of interim stabilization. We propose a “preservation-to-precision” framework that prioritizes child-centered outcomes—freedom from pain and infection, durable function, and acceptable psychosocial impact—through risk-based, tooth- and child-specific planning, realistic follow-up assessment, and clear exit criteria for transition to definitive care. In high-income settings, the ethical value of “buying time” depends on whether systems use that time to advance children toward timely, definitive care rather than normalizing prolonged temporization as routine practice. Full article

Background: The development of Slow Transit Constipation (STC) is associated with intestinal barrier damage. Coreopsis tinctoria Nutt. (CT) is effective in treating STC, but the mechanisms are unclear. Methods: We investigated three CT extracts—traditional aqueous extract, and an aqueous extract from supercritical fluid extraction, with or without lipophilic components—on intestinal transit in a loperamide-induced STC rat model. The potential therapeutic targets of CT for STC were initially predicted using an integrated approach of network pharmacology and molecular docking. The therapeutic effect of CT was evaluated in a STC rat model by assessing defecation parameters (fecal count, water content, intestinal transit), colon histology (H&E and AB-PAS staining), inflammatory markers (ELISA), and target protein expression (Western blotting and immunohistochemistry). In parallel, an LPS-induced IEC-6 cell injury model was used to investigate intestinal barrier protection, analyzing cell viability (CCK-8), apoptosis (flow cytometry and Western blotting), migration (scratch assay), and protein expression (Western blotting). Results: Docking and enrichment analysis highlighted hub targets (TNF, AKT1, Caspase3, STAT3, and BCL-2) and the PI3K/AKT pathway. In vivo, CT treatment improved defecation function, reduced colonic damage, and decreased markers of inflammation and apoptosis in STC rats. It also up-regulated ZO-1 and Occludin, lowered serum markers of intestinal permeability D-lactate (D-LA) and Diamine oxidase (DAO), and restored intestinal barrier function. Furthermore, CT reduced Caspase3 expression and increased the expression of proteins such as BCL-2, PI3K, and P-AKT/AKT. These findings were further supported by in vitro experiments. Conclusions: CT improves STC and its associated intestinal barrier damage by activating the PI3K/AKT pathway and suppressing inflammation and apoptosis, among which the aqueous extract from supercritical fluid extraction combined with the lipophilic fraction exhibits the best efficacy. Full article

The direct involvement of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/serine threonine kinase (AKT) signaling pathway in the alleviation of the heat stress (HS)-induced damage to the integrity and barrier function of broiler jejunal organoids (JOs) by supplemental zinc (Zn) has not been confirmed. To verify it, two experiments were conducted in the present study. In experiment 1, the optimal concentrations of PI3K/AKT inhibitor (PI3K-IN-1) or agonist (YS-49) were screened. In experiment 2, the role of PI3K/AKT in Zn alleviation of HS-induced damage to JOs was evaluated with three JO types as control groups under baseline incubation temperature (40 °C) plus a 3 (JOs types) × 3 (Zn sources) factorial design under high temperature (44 °C). The results showed that the optimal concentrations of the PI3K-IN-1 and YS-49 for effectively inhibiting and promoting (p < 0.001) phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT were 16 μmol/L and 9 μmol/L, respectively. Adding Zn, especially Zn proteinate with moderate chelation strength (Zn-Prot M), alleviated (p < 0.001) the HS-induced increases in diamine oxidase content and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the media and the HS-induced decreases in JOs budding percentage, proportions of 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and proliferating cell nuclear antigen positive cells, and the phosphorylation of PI3K and AKT. PI3K/AKT inhibition or activation reduced or enhanced (p < 0.05) the above alleviating effect of Zn, especially Zn-Prot M. These results indicate that the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway mediated the alleviation of HS-induced damage to integrity and barrier function of broiler JOs by supplemental Zn, particularly Zn-Prot M via promotion of cell proliferation. Full article

This study aimed to assess how various remineralizing agents affect the demineralized enamel calcium/phosphorus ions (Ca/P) ratio and micro-tensile bond strength (μTBS) of orthodontic adhesive modified by Sepiolite nanoparticles (Sep-NPs). In addition, rheological properties and degree of conversion (DC) of the adhesive were investigated. One hundred and forty-four human premolars underwent a cariogenic challenge to induce artificial demineralization. Based on the remineralizing agents used, the samples were divided into four categories: silver diamine fluoride (SDF), rosmarinic acid (RMA), ROCS Medical Mineral Gel System (ROCS MMG), and control. The Ca/P ratio was evaluated using energy-dispersive X-rays. Thirty samples were divided into two subgroups: unmodified adhesive and 1% Sep-infiltrated adhesive. Brackets were bonded, and the μTBS was evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy was used to evaluate the resin–bracket interface. The modified and unmodified adhesives were subjected to DC and rheological testing. The Ca/P ion ratio was highest in the ROCS-MMG group and lowest in the no-remineralization group. Group 3B (ROCS MMG + SepNPs-Orthodontic adhesive) samples displayed the highest bond strength. The lowest μTBS was observed in Group 4A (no remineralization + orthodontic adhesive). ROCS MMG conferred the greatest improvement in µTBS and Ca/P ratio before bracket bonding, followed by SDF, whereas RMA did not enhance bonding outcomes. Sep-NP incorporation at 1% improved µTBS but compromised DC and rheological properties, necessitating concentration optimization before clinical application. Full article

Diacetylene monomers are known to undergo solid-state 1,4-addition polymerization when their crystal packing satisfies strict geometric criteria; however, the influence of bulky terminal protecting groups on the lattice adjustments required for bond formation remains insufficiently understood. Here, we synthesized amide derivatives of 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-diamine, crystallized them via antisolvent vapor diffusion, and evaluated their thermal and photochemical reactivity. Single-crystal analysis shows that Boc-protected monomers (Boc-DA) form hydrogen-bond-directed parallel stacks that align diyne units in geometries nominally consistent with topochemical polymerization, yet they exhibit negligible photoreactivity under ambient UV irradiation. Structural inspection indicates that steric congestion from the tert-butoxycarbonyl termini restricts the subtle axial contraction and molecular shifts required for bond formation. Reducing steric bulk or applying combined thermal and photochemical activation enables polymerization of these diacetylenes. These findings demonstrate that globally favorable packing arrangements can coexist with local steric barriers that impose kinetic constraints on reactivity. Modulating terminal-group size and applying multimodal activation therefore provide a simple and tunable strategy to control diacetylene polymerization, offering design principles for switchable polydiacetylene materials in crystal engineering. Full article

Polyamide thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes were fabricated through interfacial polymerization (IP), wherein trimesoyl chloride (TMC) and isomeric diamine monomers including o-phenylenediamine (OPD), m-phenylenediamine (MPD), p-phenylenediamine (PPD), and methyl-substituted monomers such as 2,3-diaminotoluene (MOPD), 2,4-diaminotoluene (MMPD), 2,5-diaminotoluene (MPPD), and 2,6-diaminotoluene (2,6-MMPD) were employed. The membranes with high permeation flux and rejection ratio were eventually applied in the desalination of brackish water. The regional effects of the amino and methyl substituent on the desalination performance of the RO membranes in terms of permeation flux and rejection ratio were investigated extensively. A molecular dynamics simulation based on the configuration of monomers was performed to theoretically explore the effects of amino and methyl groups of the monomer on the packing density of the aromatic molecular structure and, consequently, on the desalination performance of the corresponding RO membranes. The RO membranes with integrated monomers exhibited two times higher permeation flux than that of a pristine RO membrane while remaining the high rejection ratio. Moreover, a long-term desalination performance of the RO membrane was also demonstrated, where two times higher permeation flux than that of conventional and commercial RO membranes was achieved, while the rejection ratio was maintained at 97.6% which was comparable with that of the commercial RO membranes. Full article

Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is a key preservation-based intervention in pediatric dentistry. It can arrest many cavitated lesions, reduce treatment burden, and expand access for children who cannot receive conventional restorative care. This viewpoint article offers a reasoned, heuristic framework for calibrating SDF guidance to the strength of the underlying evidence. It does not present a systematic review or formal policy standards. Foundational trials support the clinical usefulness of 38% SDF. The 2017 AAPD guidelines provided conditional recommendations based on low-quality evidence. The current challenge is no longer whether to endorse SDF but how to calibrate guidance on its implementation. Later studies addressing intervals and implementation often have open-label designs, small samples, single centers, or overlapping data sources. Mechanistic and microbiome studies support biological plausibility, but policy should not treat them as definitive evidence. We propose a hypothesis-generating framework that separates claims about the existence of an effect (for which there is stronger directional support) from claims about its optimal conditions (which remain more uncertain), highlights dataset overlap, and matches recommendation strength to study quality. The framework supplements GRADE and provides illustrative upgrade pathways. The goal is to preserve SDF access while making guidelines more transparent, credible, and precise. Full article

This study presents unique polymeric materials applicable to plastic substrates for use in flexible-display devices that overcome the trade-off between low linear coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) and low thickness-direction birefringence (Δn_th) while combining a very high T_g, sufficiently high thermal stability, excellent optical transparency, good solubility, and minimum-required ductility. Polyimide (PI) films obtained from 1,2,3,4-cyclobutanetetracarboxylic dianhydride (CBDA) with 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB) under different conditions resulted in widely varying CTE values and provided a clear CTE–Δn_th correlation, which can be regarded as a virtual lower boundary in the CTE–Δn_th relationship for various PI systems. The pristine CBDA/TFMB and CpODA/TFMB (CpODA = norbornane-2-spiro-α-cyclopentanone-α′-spiro-2″-norbornane-5,5″,6,6″-tetracarboxylic dianhydride) systems were modified using numerous specifically designed monomers, i.e., a vertical-alignment-type liquid-crystalline diamine and cardo-type and spiro-type monomers. However, it was very challenging to overcome the trade-off between low CTE and low Δn_th, that is, to significantly exceed this lower boundary by modifying the pristine systems, while ensuring other target properties. One of the keys to achieving the present goal was compatibility with chemical imidization or one-pot polymerization processes (i.e., high solubility of the PIs), because these processes were more advantageous in reducing CTE and enhancing film transparency than the conventional two-step process. The modifications using phenyl-substituted xanthene-pendant 2,7-diaminofluorene and fluorene-pendant 2,3,6,7-xanthenetetracarboxylic dianhydride exhibited a prominent effect on overcoming the trade-off without the help of any fillers, while combining other excellent target properties. Polarized FT-IR difference spectra measured at varying incidence angles suggested that these side groups, which are connected perpendicularly to the PI main chains, align in the Z-direction, rationalizing the observed prominent effect. Thus, unique high-temperature transparent materials applicable to plastic substrates were successfully obtained in this study. Full article

Background: Diarrhea in suckling calves is associated with impaired growth, oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, and intestinal microbial dysbiosis. This study evaluated the effects of compound yeast culture (CYC) supplementation on growth performance, fecal characteristics, antioxidant capacity, immune function, and gut microbiota in diarrheic Holstein calves. Thirty-six approximately 7-day-old calves were enrolled, including 12 healthy calves (CON) and 24 diarrheic calves randomly assigned to a diarrhea group (DIA) or a CYC-supplemented group (DIA-YC; 50 g/d for 30 days). The experimental period lasted 60 days. Results: Compared with the DIA group, calves in the DIA-YC group showed significantly higher average daily feed intake and average daily gain (ADG) during days 31–60 and across the entire period (p < 0.05), with a trend towards increased body weight. Fecal scores were significantly elevated in diarrheic calves during the early and mid-stages but were markedly reduced by CYC supplementation from days 7 to 30; no significant difference was observed between DIA-YC and CON during days 16–30 (p > 0.05). Diarrheic calves exhibited oxidative stress, characterized by decreased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and increased malondialdehyde (MDA). CYC supplementation significantly increased T-AOC, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, while reducing MDA levels (p < 0.05). Immune analysis showed higher serum IgG and IL-10 levels and lower TNF-α levels in the DIA-YC group, along with improved intestinal barrier indicators, including diamine oxidase (DAO) activity and endotoxin levels. Metagenomic analysis revealed that diarrhea reduced microbial richness and diversity and altered community structure, whereas CYC partially restored microbial diversity and increased beneficial genera such as Prevotella, Coprococcus, Ruminococcus, and Parabacteroides. Functional analysis indicated that CYC enhanced pathways related to immune regulation, energy metabolism, and antioxidant function. Conclusion: CYC supplementation alleviates oxidative stress and immune dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota, thereby improving growth performance and reducing diarrheal severity in calves. Full article

This study compared intestinal polyamine metabolism and barrier function between Ningxiang (NX) and Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire (DLY) piglets under baseline conditions and following ETEC challenge. Experiment 1 (baseline, n = 12/breed) assessed colonic barrier integrity, immune status, polyamines, and microbiota. Experiment 2 (ETEC challenge, n = 8/group/breed) evaluated responses to oral ETEC (10⁹ CFU) over 3 days. Under baseline conditions, NX piglets showed superior barrier integrity, higher goblet cell numbers and mucin 2 (MUC2) protein expression, and lower plasma levels of intestinal permeability markers—diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactate (DLA), and endotoxin (ET)—compared with DLY piglets. NX piglets also exhibited reduced colonic pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-6 and IL-1β) and higher expression of immune-related markers (CD3, CD68, and IgA) versus DLY piglets. In contrast, DLY piglets displayed more active microbial polyamine metabolism in the colon, with higher concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, as well as increased ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) expression. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed greater microbial diversity and enrichment of taxa (Muribaculaceae_unclassified, Prevotella) in NX piglets, whereas DLY piglets showed enrichment of polyamine-associated genera (Collinsella, Veillonella). Following the ETEC challenge, DLY piglets displayed pronounced polyamine upregulation, including elevated polyamine levels and ODC1 expression. Conversely, NX piglets maintained more stable polyamine metabolism, higher expression of tight junction proteins (ZO-1 and occludin), lower plasma permeability markers, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-22), and increased anti-inflammatory IL-10 expression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NX piglets possess superior intestinal barrier integrity and immune maturity, while DLY piglets exhibit a more active but stress-responsive polyamine metabolic phenotype. The divergent metabolic and immune responses to ETEC challenge underscore the distinct strategies employed by these two breeds in maintaining gut homeostasis. These findings provide preliminary insights that may inform future breeding strategies aimed at enhancing intestinal health and disease resistance in pigs, pending validation in broader genetic backgrounds and mechanistic studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood, disproportionately affecting socially vulnerable populations. This scoping review aimed to analyze the clinical effects of selected minimally invasive materials and approaches, specifically mouthrinses, fluoride varnishes, silver diamine fluoride, and glass ionomer-based interventions, for the prevention and management of dental caries in pediatric patients, with emphasis on public health and community-based settings. Methods: This scoping review followed the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework. Electronic searches were conducted up to 23 January 2026, using tailored strategies for mouthrinses, fluoride varnishes, silver diamine fluoride (SDF), and glass ionomer cements (GICs). Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were included. Data extraction and qualitative synthesis focused on clinical outcomes and applicability in public health contexts. Results: Fifty-five RCTs were included. Fluoride- or chlorhexidine-based mouthrinses showed potential in controlling cariogenic biofilm, with evidence primarily based on microbiological outcomes. Fluoride varnishes were associated with enamel remineralization and control of early white spot lesions, particularly in supervised programs. SDF was reported to achieve high caries’ arrest rates in cavitated dentin lesions of primary teeth, while its preventive effect on sound surfaces appeared comparable to other fluoride-based interventions. GICs were associated with acceptable clinical performance as pit-and-fissure sealants and in atraumatic restorative treatment. Conclusions: Minimally invasive dentistry (MID) approaches show promise for the prevention and management of childhood dental caries in public health and community-based settings. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the heterogeneity of interventions and outcome measures, the predominance of short-term and surrogate (microbiological) outcomes, and the absence of a formal risk-of-bias assessment. As a scoping review, the synthesis is narrative in nature, which limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Further studies with standardized clinical outcomes and longer follow-up are needed to strengthen the evidence. Full article

Although prebiotics and postbiotics support gastrointestinal health, evidence for their combined effects in dogs remains limited. This study evaluated a novel prebiotic and postbiotic supplement in healthy dogs undergoing a dietary transition. Thirty-six healthy adult dogs were randomly assigned to control group (CON, high-protein basal diet with placebo chew) or treatment group (TRT, the same basal diet with chew containing prebiotics [baobab fruit pulp and acacia gum] and postbiotics [inactivated Lactobacillus acidophilus and selected yeast fractions]) for a 28-day formal trial following a 7-day adaptation period. The primary outcomes evaluated included clinical fecal scores, specific biomarkers of intestinal barrier function and inflammation, fecal short-chain fatty acids, and microbiota structure. Following the 7-day adaptation, formal trial baseline, fecal scores were already within the healthy range and remained optimal without differing between groups throughout the study. Compared with CON, the TRT group showed lower fecal calprotectin and serum diamine oxidase levels, and higher fecal butyrate (p < 0.05). Metagenomic analysis revealed increased abundances of Bacteroidota, Oscillospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Prevotella in TRT (p < 0.05). Overall, in healthy dogs, this supplementation was associated with favorable microbiota modulation and modulated biomarkers of intestinal barrier and inflammation within normal ranges, without altering clinical fecal endpoints. Full article

Two metallacyclic tetranuclear Fe(III) complexes, [{Fe₂(μ-O)(μ-RCOO)₂(tpon)}₂](BPh₄)₄ [R = Me (1), Ph (2)], where the flexible ditopic ligand tpon (N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)octane-1,8-diamine) links two μ-oxo-bis(μ-carboxylato) triple-bridged dinuclear units, have been prepared. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction establishes that both complexes adopt a 26-membered macrocyclic framework featuring an internal cavity capable of guest inclusion. Notably, incorporation of a monoatomic μ-oxo bridge enforces an outward orientation of the ligand alkyl chains, thereby suppressing the “zipper effect” observed in the previously reported Mn(II) analogue and facilitating the encapsulation of an acetone molecule. UV–vis absorption and diffuse-reflectance spectra confirm that the tetranuclear scaffold remains intact in both the solid state and in solution. These results demonstrate that modulating local coordination directionality via μ-oxo bridging is an effective strategy for controlling the global conformation and host–guest properties of large metallasupramolecular architectures. Full article

Weaning impairs intestinal function and growth performance in piglets. This study evaluated a fermented herbal formulation (FHF) composed of five bioactive herbal ingredients—Radix isatidis, Folium isatidis, Radix scutellariae, Fructus forsythiae, and Radix glycyrrhizae—fermented with Enterococcus faecium and Saccharomyces cerevisiae and characterized by flavonoids, phenolic acids, and hydroxylated fatty acids, using the porcine intestinal epithelial cell line (IPEC-J2) and weaned piglets. In vitro, IPEC-J2 cells were pretreated with FHF extract (100–1000 μg/mL) for 3 h prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. In vivo, 72 piglets were weaned at 32 days of age and, after a 3-day post-weaning adaptation period, entered a 35-day feeding trial. The piglets were then randomly assigned to three treatment groups: control (basal diet), A1 (basal diet + 0.4% FHF), and A2 (basal diet + 0.6% FHF during days 1–18, followed by 0.3% FHF during days 19–35). FHF dose-dependently alleviated the LPS-induced decrease in cell viability and suppressed IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression. In piglets, the A2 group showed higher final body weight, average daily gain (ADG), and average daily feed intake (ADFI), lower feed conversion ratio (FCR), and a lower diarrhea rate than the control group. FHF also improved intestinal morphology, reduced serum TNF-α and diamine oxidase (DAO) levels, increased jejunal tight junction protein expression, enriched Limosilactobacillus and Lactobacillus, and elevated acetic and butyric acids. FHF improved intestinal health and growth performance in weaned piglets, with the A2 group showing the best overall efficacy. Full article