Faculty Bibliography

This study analyzed the association between self-perceived bullying and self-reported toothache among Brazilian students and evaluated the moderating role of school-based health actions, including participation in the School Health Program, oral health promotion, and bullying prevention. A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2019 National School-based Health Survey, including 53,711 students aged 13-17 years. The outcome was self-reported toothache and the main exposure was self-perceived bullying. Moderating variables included school participation in the School Health Program, oral health promotion actions, and bullying prevention actions. Poisson regression models with robust variance were fitted, with standard errors adjusted for clustering by school. Overall, 23.6% of students reported toothache and 13.7% reported bullying. Moderation analyses showed no evidence that school health actions influenced the association between bullying and toothache. For bullying once or ≥2 times, prevalence ratios were: School Health Program participation (PR_once = 0.92, 95%CI 0.77-1.09; PR_ ≥ 2 = 1.07, 95%CI 0.81-1.41), bullying prevention (PR_once = 0.98, 95%CI 0.76-1.25; PR_ ≥ 2 = 0.82, 95%CI 0.72-1.09), and oral health promotion (PR_once = 1.13, 95%CI 0.96-1.33; PR_ ≥ 2 = 1.19, 95%CI 0.94-1.52). These findings indicate that school-based health actions alone may be insufficient to mitigate the impact of bullying on adolescents' oral health.

BACKGROUND:Meningitis remains the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities globally, disproportionately affecting children younger than 5 years and populations in the African meningitis belt. Whereas previous global estimates focused on ten pathogen categories, this study presents the most comprehensive analysis to date, assessing the meningitis burden attributable to 17 causative pathogens based on the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023 framework. METHODS:GBD is a systematic, scientific effort aimed at quantifying the comparative magnitude of health loss caused by diseases, injuries, and risk factors across age groups, sexes, and geographical locations over time. We estimated meningitis mortality using the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm) and morbidity using DisMod-MR 2.1, incorporating data from vital registration, verbal autopsy, surveillance, hospital data, and systematic reviews. Aetiology-specific estimates were generated with pathogen-linked case-fatality ratios and splined binomial regression models. Risk factor attribution was based on established risk-outcome pairs and population attributable fractions. FINDINGS/RESULTS:In 2023, there were 259 000 (95% uncertainty interval 202 000-335 000) global deaths and 2·54 million (2·20-2·93) incident cases of meningitis. Children younger than 5 years accounted for more than a third of deaths (86 600 [53 300-149 000]). Streptococcus pneumoniae, Neisseria meningitidis, non-polio enteroviruses, and other viruses were the leading causes of death, while non-polio enteroviruses caused the most cases. The four WHO-defined preventable meningitis pathogens of interest (S pneumoniae, N meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Group B streptococcus) contributed to 98 700 deaths (77 000-127 000) and 594 000 cases (514 000-686 000). Low birthweight, short gestation, and household air pollution were the top risk factors for meningitis-related mortality. INTERPRETATION/CONCLUSIONS:Although mortality and incidence have declined significantly since 1990, progress is insufficient to meet WHO 2030 targets. Despite marked progress in reducing bacterial meningitis via global vaccination campaigns, a substantial meningitis burden persists, attributable both to common pathogens such as S pneumoniae and N meningitidis and to emerging non-bacterial pathogens such as Candida spp and drug-resistant fungi. Achieving WHO goals will require sustained investment in surveillance, vaccination, maternal screening, and health-system strengthening, especially in high-burden settings. FUNDING/BACKGROUND:Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and UK Department of Health and Social Care.

This review highlights major advances in neurogastroenterology since Rome IV, offering a condensed summary of a comprehensive document to appear in the forthcoming Rome V book. Prepared by an international team of experts, it emphasizes pivotal studies that have deepened understanding of the physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI). These disorders are inherently complex and multifactorial, shaped by interactions among neuronal, epithelial, immune, smooth muscle, interstitial, and microbial populations. The review outlines cutting-edge technologies advancing the field and explores key themes, including brain-gut interactions, neurobiology, and neuroplasticity of the enteric nervous system, neuroimmune function, microbiome influences, and abnormalities of the gut-brain axis in DGBI. Risk factors for DGBI are considered, with serotonergic signaling presented as a conceptual framework for linking symptomatology and pathophysiology. Finally, we discuss how these scientific advances can translate into novel therapeutic strategies to improve patient care.

Dental surgeries are among the most common outpatient procedures, yet the temporal aspects of pain resolution and the relation to longer term pain outcomes remains poorly understood. Furthermore, the risk factors for long lasting pain after common dental surgeries remain largely unknown. This prospective cohort study identified subgroups of individual pain trajectories of acute (7-day) post-operative pain after root-end resection surgery and their associated risk factors. Ninety-three patients were included in this study. Latent class mixed modeling identified seventy-nine patients (85%) in the resolving pain group, while fourteen (15%) patients were in the non-resolving pain group. Multivariate logistic regression model revealed that higher pain catastrophizing scale (PCS) score (odds ratio: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.20), chronic bodily pain (odds ratio: 7.56, 95% CI: 1.35-63.89) and pre-operative pain at the surgical site (odds ratio: 5.95, 95% CI: 1.08-42.64) associate with an increased likelihood of having non-resolving acute pain (p < 0.05). Validity of the trajectory groups was supported by the observation that the frequency of pain with neuropathic characteristics at 1 week and the frequency of ongoing pain at 1 month were higher in patients with non-resolving pain trajectories. Finally, it was found that the presence of perioperative pain and the anatomical location of the tooth were significant predictors of ongoing pain at 1 month (sub-acute pain). This study sheds light on crucial determinants of delayed pain resolution following a common dental surgery, which provides insight for future efforts at the management and prevention of prolonged post-surgical dental pain. PERSPECTIVE: Recognizing acute post-operative pain trajectories with non-resolving patterns, individual risk factors, and neuropathic qualities can identify patients needing tailored pain management strategies after routine dental surgery to prevent prolonged acute and subacute post-surgical pain.

Dentistry has witnessed a steady expansion of technological advancements and innovations throughout its history. Today, over 250 names are associated with oral and dental eponyms. In this paper, we highlight 21 eponyms and 24 names that are specific to the field of orthodontics. Each entry briefly presents the individual's name, educational background, notable contribution, and primary references to the original descriptions. This study aims to commemorate these pioneers-many of whom have been forgotten decades or even centuries after their significant contributions to the field.

This article, the seventh in an eight-part special issue on dental eponyms, focuses on 18 key eponyms in restorative dentistry contributed by 19 innovative dentists, scientists, and engineers. Eponyms serve as historical reminders of the legacy of individuals whose innovations have shaped clinical practice. In this paper, we explore contributions ranging from the Toffelmire matrix systems to Hollanbeck carvers and Morrison adjustable chairs. This paper underscores the importance of remembering the foundational figures in dentistry. In doing so, it reinforces the value of historical continuity and honors the lasting impact of those who advanced the field of restorative care.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Dental-derived mesenchymal stem cells show considerable variability in their differentiation potential due to the use of nonspecific surface markers and technical limitations in isolation protocols. This study aimed to employ single-cell RNA sequencing to compare the cellular composition of cultured stem cells from apical papilla (SCAPs) and dental pulp (DPSCs), with the goal of detecting subpopulations underlying their divergent regenerative behaviour and identifying markers that can facilitate future isolation and functional targeting. METHOD/METHODS:SCAP and DPSC tissues were obtained from 3 human donors and cultured to passage 2. Single-cell suspensions were sequenced to generate gene expression profiles. Dimensionality reduction and clustering were performed using the Seurat package and visualised using uniform manifold approximation and projection. Cluster-specific differential gene expression was computed as log2 fold change, followed by gene set enrichment analysis. Pseudotime trajectory analysis was used to map lineage progression based on transcriptional gene expression. RESULTS:Transcriptomic analysis identified 12 distinct clusters shared across DPSC and SCAP cultures. While both cell types contributed comparably to overall biological processes, key differences emerged within specific clusters. Clusters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9 expressed high levels of proliferative markers (MKI67, TOP2A, and TYMS), suggesting active proliferating populations. Cluster 9 was notable for the coexpression of pericyte-associated markers (NOTCH3, PDGFRB) alongside canonical mesenchymal stromal cell markers (MCAM, THY1, DCN), identifying a previously uncharacterised progenitor-like subset. NOTCH3 and PDGFRB were also present in a more mature fibroblast-enriched population in cluster 7, dominated by collagen-related genes. IGFBP3 and IGFBP5 were selectively enriched in SCAP-derived clusters 7 and 9, whereas IGFBP4, 6, and 7 were expressed across both DPSC and SCAP populations. Clusters 10 and 11, primarily derived from DPSCs, were enriched in stress-response, heat shock, and apoptotic genes, which may reflect culture-induced adaptations. Pseudotime trajectory inference positioned cluster 9 at a putative progenitor-like node; however, this represents a hypothesis-generating model based on transcriptional similarity in cultured cells rather than validated lineage relationships. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:and functional in vitro and in vivo validation are needed to establish their regenerative potential and translational relevance.

Do you ever wonder who is behind the names, diseases, structures, procedures, or syndromes often taught in dental or medical school? For instance, the Cusp of Carabelli on a maxillary molar, the Wharton duct of the submandibular gland, or the Eustachian tube that gives the perception of a stuffed ear before landing are three structures named after individuals who first described them centuries ago. This is a long-overdue exploration of 60 names for 53 of the most relevant eponyms, many of whom have likely been forgotten.^I.