Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a heterogeneous malignancy in which molecular biomarkers may support tumor detection and clinically relevant subgrouping, including differences by human papillomavirus (HPV) status. DAN domain BMP antagonist family member 5 (DAND5) encodes a secreted cerberus/DAN family protein reported to antagonize extracellular transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily signaling, including bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and NODAL-related pathways, and is best known for developmental roles such as left-right axis specification. In this study, we performed an in silico assessment of DAND5 expression in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cohort (TCGA-HNSC), a publicly available cancer genomics dataset, using Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis 2 (GEPIA2) and University of Alabama at Birmingham CANcer data analysis Portal (UALCAN), open-access web-based tools for transcriptome and clinical subgroup analysis of TCGA data. GEPIA2 analysis showed higher DAND5 expression in HNSC tumors than in normal tissues and no significant association between DAND5 expression and overall survival (OS) using a median cutoff (log-rank p = 0.4; Hazard Ratio (HR) (high) = 0.89). DAND5 exhibited a statistically significant but weak positive correlation with tumor protein p53 (TP53) mRNA expression (Pearson r = 0.097; p = 0.022). UALCAN subgroup analyses demonstrated higher DAND5 expression in tumors across stages and grades compared with normal tissue, with limited differences among tumor stages, and significantly higher expression in HPV-positive tumors than HPV-negative tumors. Collectively, these findings suggest that DAND5 may serve as a tumor-associated and HPV-associated expression marker in HNSC, but not a prognostic biomarker for OS in unstratified TCGA-HNSC under the current analysis approach.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC) is a heterogeneous malignancy in which molecular biomarkers may aid tumor detection and clinically relevant subgrouping, including by human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Influenza virus NS1A binding protein (IVNS1ABP; NS1-BP) encodes a Kelch family protein involved in RNA processing and proteostasis-related pathways and has been implicated by human genetics in early-onset neuropathy syndromes.

We performed an in silico analysis of IVNS1ABP in the TCGA-HNSC cohort using the UALCAN and TIMER3 platforms. IVNS1ABP expression was significantly higher in HNSC tumors (n = 520) than in normal tissues (n = 44) and remained elevated across stages and grades. HPV-stratified analyses were definition-dependent: readcount-based stratification showed higher expression in HPV− than HPV+ tumors (p = 9.53×10^{- 9}), whereas p16/ISH-based grouping showed no significant difference. IVNS1ABP expression was higher in TP53-mutant tumors than in TP53-nonmutant tumors (p = 3.43×10^{- 6}) but did not correlate with TP53 mRNA levels. Overall survival was not significant in UALCAN, while TIMER3 stage-adjusted Cox analysis revealed a significant association in HPV+ disease (HR = 1.861, p = 0.015) but not in HPV− disease.

These findings indicate that IVNS1ABP is a tumor- and context-associated expression marker in HNSC, with potential relevance to HPV-stratified risk biology and future diagnostic or translational applications.

In this study, we morphologically and chemically examined microstructural changes on the surface of bovine enamel demineralized with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) , as well as changes induced when acidulated phosphate fluoride solution (APF) was reacted with the demineralized enamel. When enamel was exposed to 5% EDTA for 15 or 30 min, the interprismatic substance in the superficial enamel layer disappeared, and enamel prisms composed of needle or rod-shaped hydroxyapatite crystals were exposed. When APF was reacted for 2 or 20 min, cuboid-like or spherical-like calcium fluoride-like structures were formed and filled the voids that had disappeared due to EDTA. As the reaction time with APF increased, these structures became larger cuboid-like or spherical-like crystals, which was morphologically observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) showed fluorine binding with a heterogeneous distribution on the enamel surface; regardless of APF reaction time, it was observed that calcium fluoride-like structures were not formed uniformly over the entire enamel surface. From the morphological and chemical observations, it was suggested that the APF used in this study repaired microscopic substance defects in enamel with a 2 min application.

We compared the cytotoxicity of ultrasmall (6.6 nm) and larger (27.0 nm) silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in RAW264 cells. Cell viability was assessed using the WST-8 assay, and morphological changes were evaluated by fluorescence microscopy (Hoechst, phalloidin, and live/dead staining) and scanning electron microscopy. The ultrasmall AgNPs reduced cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited significantly higher toxicity than the larger AgNPs. Furthermore, fluorescence microscopy revealed nuclear deformation and cytoskeletal disruption. These findings indicate that ultrasmall AgNPs exert greater cytotoxic effects than larger AgNPs. In conclusion, biosafety assessments that consider particle size are essential for medical and dental applications of AgNPs.

Peri-implantitis is characterized by inflammation and progressive bone loss around dental implants. Because bacterial contamination of complex implant surfaces makes re-osseointegration difficult after conventional debridement, surface treatment methods that achieve both decontamination and biofunctionalization are required. This study aimed to investigate a novel approach using bio-apatite particle peening to simultaneously clean and transfer bio-apatite onto pure titanium surfaces. Bio-apatite particles derived from eggshells were peened onto commercially pure titanium under controlled conditions (pressure: 0.6 MPa, particle mass flow rate: 1 g/s, nozzle distance: 20 mm). The transfer behavior, cleaning efficiency, and biological responses were evaluated using mass measurements, EDS analysis, optical microscopy, and cell culture experiments. The results showed that bio-apatite was successfully peened onto titanium surfaces, and the transfer amount increased with increasing particle peening quantity. Artificial plaque was effectively removed, while bio-apatite transfer occurred simultaneously. EDS analysis confirmed increased Mg content, indicating successful transfer of bio-apatite. Cell experiments revealed enhanced osteoblast adhesion, ALP activity, DNA content, and calcium deposition on bio-apatite-transferred surfaces, especially with higher peening amounts. These findings suggest that bio-apatite particle peening is a promising technique for implant surface modification, enabling simultaneous cleaning and biofunctionalization to enhance osteogenic potential.

This study evaluated the bioactivity of commercially pure titanium surfaces modified by anodic oxidation in phosphoric acid. Anodic oxidation produced a characteristic oxide layer, changed the surface morphology, reduced carbon contamination, and increased phosphorus and nitrogen incorporation. Rat bone marrow cell experiments demonstrated enhanced cell adhesion, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and osteogenesis-related gene expression, including Runx2, ALP, BMP-2, and Bglap, on the anodized titanium surface. These results suggest that phosphate-based anodic oxidation is an effective surface modification technique for improving titanium bioactivity and may contribute to early osseointegration in dental implant applications.