The mechanical properties of cells are important in tissue homeostasis and enable cell growth, division, migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Mechanical properties are determined to a large extent by the cytoskeleton. The cytoskeleton is a complex and dynamic network composed of microfilaments, intermediate filaments and microtubules. These cellular structures confer both cell shape and mechanical properties. The architecture of the networks formed by the cytoskeleton is regulated by several pathways, a key one being the Rho-kinase/ROCK signaling pathway. This review describes the role of ROCK (Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase) and how it mediates effects on the key components of the cytoskeleton that are critical for cell behaviour.

The oral microbiota is an essential microbial community within the human body, playing a vital role in maintaining health. In older adults, age-related changes in the oral microbiota are linked to both systemic and oral health impairments. The use of various medications for systemic diseases in the elderly can also contribute to the development of oral diseases. Oral microbiota dysbiosis refers to an imbalance in the composition of oral microbial communities. This imbalance, along with disruptions in the host immune response and prolonged inflammation, is closely associated with the onset and progression of several diseases. It contributes to oral conditions such as dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis. It is also linked to systemic diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. This review aims to explore how oral microbiota influences specific health outcomes in older individuals, focusing on Alzheimer's disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and aspiration pneumonia. The oral microbiota holds promise as a diagnostic tool, therapeutic target, and prognostic biomarker for managing cardiovascular disease, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases. Emphasizing proper oral health care and instilling an understanding of how drugs prescribed for systemic disease impact the oral microbiome, is anticipated to emerge as a key strategy for promoting the general health of older adults.

AimThis study aims to evaluate and compare the profilometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM) for characterization of biomaterial surfaces. MethodThe clinically commonly used titanium (Ti) was used as the specimen. Each of the specimen was prepared by different grits of sandpapers, including 2000, 1000, 800, 600, 400, 220, 180, and 100 grits. An unpolished Ti plate served as the control. Surface characterization of the Ti specimens was examined using profilometry and AFM. ResultsBoth profilometry and AFM were capable of producing two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) topography. The scanning speed of profilometry (12 ± 5 s/image) was faster than that of AFM (250 ± 50 s/image) (p < 0.01). The resolution of AFM was relatively higher than profilometry. AFM produced more precise value, especially at nano-scale. When the Ti surface roughness was less than 0.2 μm, the results of surface roughness measured by profilometry and AFM were similar (mean difference = 0.01 ± 0.03, p = 0.81). When the Ti surface roughness was more than 0.3 μm, the surface roughness measured by profilometry was slightly higher than that by AFM (mean difference = 0.43 ± 0.15, p = 0.04). ConclusionProfilometry and AFM are both useful techniques for the characterization of biomaterial surfaces. Profilometry scanned faster than the AFM but produced less detailed surface topography. Both technologies provided similar measurement when the roughness was less than 0.2 μm. When the Ti surface roughness was more than 0.3 μm, the surface roughness measured by profilometry was slightly higher than that by AFM.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has become a significant global public health concern. Since the announcement of the Public Health Emergency of International Concern, many countries have implemented lockdown and restrictive quarantines; therefore, routine dentistry, as well as oral medicine practise, have been suspended in several countries. However, urgent oral cares and emergencies are still operated and delivered by on-call dental practitioners. The objective of this study was to investigate the management of oral medicine emergency during a viral pandemic such as COVID-19. During the lockdown period, digital technologies, such as video conferencing with Zoom, Google Meeting or WhatsApp, are useful and efficient tools that oral medicine practitioners could consider to use for patient triage, managing emergencies, reassure, and follow patients remotely. Oral medicine emergencies can be carefully evaluated and triaged via video conferencing and sometimes phone contact, to avoid life-threatening risks while realising the limitations by both patient and clinician.

Nanobiotechnology such as atomic force microscopy (AFM) has a great application in various regimes of cell biology, offering an excellent avenue to study cellular nanotopography, nanomechanics, and nanointeraction. AFM nanotopography can provide a high resolution of nano-architectures of different cells. AFM nanomechanics have shed new light in characterizing mechanical properties of cellular structures and biological materials as well as monitoring the physiopathological processes. AFM nanointeraction measurement helps the understanding of the molecular interaction forces at a nanoscale.