Digital dentistry has witnessed significant advancements in recent years, driven by extensive research following the introduction of cutting-edge technologies such as CAD/CAM and 3D oral scanners. Until now, 2D images obtained via x-ray or CT scans were critical to detect anomalies and for decision-making. This review describes the main principles and applications of supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning in medical applications. In this context, we present a diverse range of artificial intelligence networks with potential applications in dentistry, accompanied by existing results in the field.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors but can be life-threatening. Although most PPGLs are benign, approximately 10% have metastatic potential. Approximately 40% cases are reported as harboring germline mutations. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of PPGLs is crucial. For more than 130 years, clinical, molecular, biochemical, radiological, and pathological investigations have been rapidly advanced in the field of PPGLs. However, performing diagnostic studies to localize lesions and detect metastatic potential can be still challenging and complicated. Furthermore, great progress on genetics has shifted the paradigm of genetic testing of PPGLs. The Korean PPGL task force team consisting of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Korean Society of Pathologists, and the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine has developed this position statement focusing on the comprehensive and updated diagnosis for PPGLs.

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGLs) are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors but can be life-threatening. Although most PPGLs are benign, approximately 10% have metastatic potential. Approximately 40% cases are reported as harboring germline mutations. Therefore, timely and accurate diagnosis of PPGLs is crucial. For more than 130 years, clinical, molecular, biochemical, radiological, and pathological investigations have been rapidly advanced in the field of PPGLs. However, performing diagnostic studies to localize lesions and detect metastatic potential can be still challenging and complicated. Furthermore, great progress on genetics has shifted the paradigm of genetic testing of PPGLs. The Korean PPGL task force team consisting of the Korean Endocrine Society, the Korean Surgical Society, the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Korean Society of Pathologists, and the Korean Society of Laboratory Medicine has developed this position statement focusing on the comprehensive and updated diagnosis for PPGLs.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to identify and partially purify antibacterial compounds against Streptococcus mutans from Galla Rhois extract. METHODS: Galla Rhois was extracted with n-hexane or ethanol and concentrated in a rotary evaporator. The antibacterial effect of the Galla Rhois extract against S. mutans was determined by the paper discdiffusion method with n-hexane, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetone, and distilled water as the solvents. The active compounds were purified by partition chromatography, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). RESULTS: The antibacterial effect of the n-hexane extract was more effective against S. mutans than the ethanol extract (P<0.05). The antibacterial component of Galla Rhois was partially purified using partition chromatography and HPLC, and the antibacterial activity was confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The partially purified component of Galla Rhois showed strong antibacterial effect against S. mutans. These results confirm that the antibacterial compounds of Galla Rhois can be used for the prevention of dental caries.
Acetone ; Chromatography ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Chromatography, Thin Layer ; Dental Caries ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ethanol ; Methanol ; Solvents ; Streptococcus mutans* ; Streptococcus* ; Water

BACKGROUND: Core needle biopsy is a relatively new technique used to diagnose salivary gland lesions, and its role in comparison with fine needle aspiration cytology needs to be refined. METHODS: We compared the results of 228 ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy and 371 fine needle aspiration procedures performed on major salivary gland tumors with their postoperative histological diagnoses. RESULTS: Core needle biopsy resulted in significantly higher sensitivity and more accurate tumor subtyping, especially for malignant tumors, than fine needle aspiration. No patient developed major complications after core needle biopsy. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend ultrasoundguided core needle biopsy as the primary diagnostic tool for the preoperative evaluation of patients with salivary gland lesions, especially when malignancy is suspected.
Biopsy, Fine-Needle* ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Gland Neoplasms ; Salivary Glands* ; Submandibular Gland

OBJECTIVES: In this study, the growth inhibition effect of Rubus coreanus Miquel on Candida albicans (C. albicans) was observed. METHODS: The Rubus coreanus Miquel was extracted with 70% methanol and concentrated with a rotary evaporator. Antifungal effect of Rubus coreanus Miquel extract on C. albicans was determined by paper disc diffusion method and standard plate count method. Seven different concentrations (2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 120 mg/ml) of the extract were tested by paper disc diffusion method. Two kinds of concentration (8, 60 mg/ml) of the extract were tested using standard plate count method on C. albicans with different incubating time (for 6, 12, 24 hours immediately after the cultivation). Morphological changes of C. albicans cells after exposure to the extract were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. RESULTS: The Rubus coreanus Miquel extract showed an antifungal effect on C. albicans in 8, 15, 30, 60, 120 mg/ml of concentrations (P<0.05). The extract with 8 mg/ml of concentration showed about 30% of growth inhibition at 6 h and with 60 mg/ml it showed about 90% of growth inhibition at 24 h. SEM analysis showed damaged surfaces of C. albicans cells when treated with Rubus coreanus Miquel extract. CONCLUSIONS: The Rubus coreanus Miquel might have the potential as a nobel growth inhibitory agent against C. albicans that causes oral infection.
Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Diffusion ; Methanol ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning

Xylitol is a sugar alcohol with a variety of functions including bactericidal and anticariogenic effects. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the role of xylitol in bone metabolism are not yet clarified. In our present study, we exploited the physiological role of xylitol on osteoclast differentiation in a co-culture system of osteoblastic and RAW 264.7 cells. Xylitol treatment of these co-cultures reduced the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells induced by 10 nM 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 in a dose-dependent manner. A cell viability test revealed no marked cellular damage by up to 100 mM of xylitol. Exposure of osteoblastic cells to xylitol decreased RANKL, but not OPG, mRNA expression in the presence of 10(-8) M 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, bone resorption activity, assessed on bone slices in the co-culture system, was found to be dramatically decreased with increasing xylitol concentrations. RANKL and OPG proteins were assayed by ELISA and the soluble RANKL (sRANKL) concentration was decreased with an increased xylitol concentration. In contrast, OPG was unaltered by any xylitol concentration in this assay. These results indicate that xylitol inhibits 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastogenesis by reducing the sRANKL/OPG expression ratio in osteoblastic cells.
Acid Phosphatase ; Bone Resorption ; Cell Survival ; Coculture Techniques ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Isoenzymes ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Proteins ; RNA, Messenger ; Vitamins ; Xylitol

INTRODUCTION: Bone resorption is a unique function of osteoclasts. Osteoclasts are a specialized macrophage polykaryon whose differentiation is regulated principally by macrophage colony-stimulating factors, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANK) ligand, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and interleukins (IL). Reflecting the integrin-mediated signals, osteoclasts develop a specialized cytoskeleton that allows it to establish an isolated micro-environment between itself and the bone, wherein matrix degradation occurs by a process involving proton transport. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, OPG, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) expression were evaluated to study the correlations between dental implant teeth and the adjacent teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The exudate of the gingival crevice acquired from dental implants, adjacent teeth, opposite teeth and contralateral teeth of 24 patients. RESULTS: 1. The levels of IL-1, IL-6, OPG and PGE2 expression in dental implant teeth were higher than those of the contralateral teeth. 2. IL-1 revealed a higher expression level in the adjacent teeth than in dental implant teeth. 3. The dental implant teeth and adjacent teeth did not show a remarkable difference in the level of IL-1 expression. 4. All the other cytokines were strongly expressed in the dental implant compared to the adjacent teeth. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that there might be close correlation between dental implant teeth and adjacent teeth in terms of the expressions of cytokines that affect the development and regulation of osteoclasts.
Bone Resorption ; Cytokines ; Cytoskeleton ; Dental Implants ; Dinoprostone ; Exudates and Transudates ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Macrophages ; Osteoclasts ; Osteoprotegerin ; Protons ; RANK Ligand ; Tooth

The hyperosmotic stimulus is regarded as a mechanical factor for bone remodeling. However, whether the hyperosmotic stimulus affects 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25(OH)2D3)-induced osteoclastogenesis is not clear. In the present study, the effect of the hyperosmotic stimulus on 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastogenesis was investigated in an osteoblast-preosteoclast co-culture system. Serial doses of sucrose were applied as a mechanical force. These hyperosmotic stimuli significantly evoked a reduced number of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced bone-resorbing pit area in a co-culture system. In osteoblastic cells, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) and Runx2 expressions were down-regulated in response to 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Knockdown of Runx2 inhibited 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced RANKL expression in osteoblastic cells. Finally, the hyperosmotic stimulus induced the overexpression of TonEBP in osteoblastic cells. These results suggest that hyperosmolarity leads to the down-regulation of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-induced osteoclastogenesis, suppressing Runx2 and RANKL expression due to the TonEBP overexpression in osteoblastic cells.
Bone Remodeling ; Coculture Techniques ; Down-Regulation ; Osteoblasts ; RANK Ligand ; Sucrose

Tooth movement is a result of mutual physiologic responses between the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone stimulated by mechanical strain. The PDL cell and osteoblast are known to have an influence on bone formation by controlling collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activation. Moreover, recent studies have shown that the PDL cell and osteoblast release osteoprotegerin (OPG) and the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) to control the level of osteoclast differentiation and activation which in turn influences bone resorption. In this study, progressively increased, continuous tensional force was applied to PDL cells. The objective was to find out which kind of biochemical reactions occur after tensional force application and to illuminate the alveolar bone resorption and apposition mechanism. Continuous and progressively increased tensile force was applied to PDL cells cultured on a petriperm dish with a flexible membrane. The amount of PGE2 and ALP synthesis were measured after 1, 3, 6 and 12 hours of force application. Secondly, RT-PCR analysis was carried out for OPG and RANKL which control osteoclast differentiation and MMP-1, -8, -9, -13 and TIMP-1 which regulate the resolution of collagen and resorption of the osteoid layer. According to the results, we concluded that progressively increased, continuous force application to human PDL cells reduces PGE2 synthesis, and increases OPG mRNA expression.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Bone Resorption ; Collagen ; Dinoprostone ; Humans ; Membranes ; Osteoblasts ; Osteoclasts ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoprotegerin* ; Periodontal Ligament ; RANK Ligand* ; Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; Tooth Movement