This study assessed the cell viability, cytokine production, and mineralization potential of human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) after exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and application of calcium silicate-based materials (CSBM). Characterization of the CSBM was performed by infrared spectroscopy (n = 3). Extracts of Bio-C Repair, Biodentine, Cimmo HD, and MTA Repair HP were prepared and diluted (1:1, 1:4, and 1:16). Culture of hDPCs was established and treated or not with 1 µg/mL of LPS from Escherichia coli for 7 days. MTT assay was used to assess cell viability at 24, 48, and 72 h (n = 6). Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assayed on day 7 (n = 4). Il-10 and TNF-α were quantified by ELISA at 24 h (n = 6). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Cell viability of LPS-activated hPDCs was higher than untreated control in 48 and 72 h (p < 0.05). Differences between non-treated and LPS-activated hPDCs were observed for Biodentine and Cimmo HP (p < 0.05). The CSBM influenced the cell viability (p < 0.05). ALP activity was higher in LPS-activated hDPCs (p < 0.05). No changes in the concentration of TNF-α were observed between groups (p > 0.05). The CSBM increased the Il-10 production (p < 0.05). LPS-activated hDPCs presented increased cell viability and ALP activity. The CSBM showed mild toxicity and was able to enhance the cell viability and mineralization potential of untreated and LPS-activated hDPCs. The CSBM also induced anti-inflammatory mechanisms without compromising pro-inflammatory ones.
This study outlines the profile of research productivity grant holders of the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico [CNPq (National Council for Scientific and Technological Development)] in the field of pediatric dentistry. A cross-sectional study with data collected from the Brazilian academic curriculum vitae database. The eligibility criterion was being a research productivity grant holder in pediatric dentistry from 2018 to 2020. In the period of interest, 215 individuals were research productivity grant holders in the field of dentistry, 33 of whom had graduate degrees (specialization, master's or doctorate) in pediatric dentistry. The period of scientific production and work concluded of advising of scientific initiation, master, doctoral and post-doctoral degrees was 2010 to 2020. Descriptive analysis was performed and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze associations (5% significance level) between productivity grant level (2, 1D, 1C, 1B or 1A) and year of obtainment of the doctoral degree. The VOSviewer (version 1.6.17) was used to present graphically the interinstitutional collaborations. The sample was composed of Level 2 researchers (66.7%), women (66.7%), researchers linked to institutions in the southeastern region of Brazil (81.8%), with a doctoral degree concluded prior to 2002 (51.5%), began working as a professor at a higher education institution prior to 2007 (78.8%) and the title of full professor (45.5%). No significant association was found between productivity grant level and year of conclusion of the doctoral degree (p = 0.10). Median (interquartile range) of scientific articles was 119 (37-312). The prevalence of citations (57.52%) and JCR articles (62.76%) was higher among female researchers. In conclusion, CNPq research productivity grant holders in pediatric dentistry are essentially represented by females from the southeast region of the country (UFMG and USP). However, males have proportionally greater productivity.