Review on regenerative endodontics: Past concepts, current protocols and future strategies

Till last few decades, a necrosed tooth with immature apex was an indication for apexogenesis. With advances in dentistry such as improved irrigation protocols, better visibility to the operating site and increased skills of endodontists, regenerative endodontic procedures have come into the limelight. The alongside research in tissue engineering also have been beneficial for researchers and endodontists to open new horizons in regenerative endodontics. This review paper involves the triad of tissue engineering, concepts of regenerative endodontics applied in past, current protocols according to American Association of Endodontists and future concepts of tooth tissue regenerations which are being researched.

Biocompetent nanorobots can transfer chemical energy into mechanical work even in ionic environments

Since enzyme-powered micro/nanomotors have demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and bioavailability, as well as the ability to transform chemical energy into mechanical work even in ionic settings, they have sparked considerable interest in the field of hybrid micro/nanomotors. They have enabled active targeting, cargo loading and release, and biosensing, all of which are made feasible by the complex design and functionalization of their devices. Comprehensive understanding of structural complementary domains and synergistic interactions will provide unique characteristics for the bottom-up self-assembling of numerous enzymes in the development of bioinspired biomolecular machines in future concepts, such as the development of bioinspired biomolecular machines. The movement of enzyme-powered nanorobots will be controlled by a concentration gradient in a certain direction. If they are used in medical applications, they will move in reaction to a chemical gradient generated at the site of tissue damage or inflammation. CAT-powered poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) micromotors that move in response to a hydrogen peroxide concentration gradient for the delivery of a periodontal disease treatment were recently published in a study by Wilson and colleagues. 64 In an in vitro model of inflammatory periodontitis, a phorbol ester activated macrophage cell was employed to investigate the chemotactic self-propulsion of micromotors.

Future concepts in bronchodilation for COPD: dual- versus monotherapy

Most patients with COPD are recommended to initiate maintenance therapy with a single long-acting bronchodilator, such as a long-acting muscarinic antagonist or long-acting β2-agonist. However, many patients receiving mono-bronchodilation continue to experience high symptom burden, suggesting that patients are frequently not receiving optimal treatment. Treatment goals for COPD are often broad and not individually tailored, making initial treatment response assessments difficult. A personalised approach to initial maintenance therapy, based upon an individual's symptom burden and exacerbation risk, may be more appropriate.An alternative approach would be to maximise bronchodilation early in the disease course of all patients with COPD. Evidence suggests that dual bronchodilation has greater and consistent efficacy for lung function and symptoms than mono-bronchodilation, whilst potentially reducing the risk of exacerbations and disease deterioration, with a similar safety profile to mono-bronchodilators. Improvements in lung function and symptoms between dual- and mono-bronchodilation have also been demonstrated in maintenance-naïve patients, who are most likely to resemble those at first presentation in a clinical setting. Despite promising results, there are several evidence gaps that need to be addressed to allow decision makers to evaluate the merits of a widespread earlier introduction of dual bronchodilation.

An Evolutionary Perspective for Network Centric Therapy through Wearable and Wireless Systems for Reflex, Gait, and Movement Disorder Assessment with Machine Learning

Wearable and wireless systems have progressively evolved to achieve the capabilities of Network Centric Therapy. Network Centric Therapy comprises the application of wearable and wireless inertial sensors for the quantification of human movement, such as reflex response, gait, and movement disorders, with machine learning classification representing advanced diagnostics. With wireless access to a functional Cloud computing environment Network Centric Therapy enables subjects to be evaluated at any location of choice with Internet connectivity and expert medical post-processing resources situated anywhere in the world. The evolutionary origins leading to the presence of Network Centric Therapy are detailed. With the historical perspective and state of the art presented, future concepts are addressed.