Please login first

List of accepted submissions

 
 
Show results per page
Find papers
 
  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Polymeric matrices for target delivery of mangiferin

Mangiferin is a bioactive substance extracted from the plant Mangifera indica. Mangiferin has many properties, such as antiviral, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral qualities, among others, so it has attracted much attention as a potential drug. However, one of the problems with using mangiferin for therapeutic purposes is its poor water solubility and, consequently, low bioavailability.

However, it has been found that drug matrices such as films or fibers significantly increase the bioavailability and stability of drugs and attenuate side effects. This is also true for mangiferin: several types of drug delivery matrices have been developed in recent years.

These include nanospheres made of biodegradable and biocompatible materials, lipid-based micelles, nanoemulsions of hyaluronic acid aqueous solution, and gold nanoparticles and other systems.

Some of the delivery systems have already been tested in preclinical in vivo and in vitro trials and have shown positive effects in the treatment of cancer, kidney disease, and inflammatory diseases.

The systematization of data on drug delivery systems will accelerate their study and may develop new matrices. In this work, we have compiled information on the major systems involving mangiferin and their efficacy in disease control.

This research was funded by the Russian Science Foundation, project number 24-23-00269. Link to information about the project: https://rscf.ru/en/project/24-23-00269/

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Precision Analysis of Prosthetic Abutment Couplings on Megagen® Dental Implants Using MicroCT

Dental implants have revolutionized dental restoration, offering unparalleled functionality and aesthetics. However, the longevity and success of these implants are critically dependent on the precision of prosthetic abutment couplings. Micro-computed tomography (microCT) has emerged as a vital tool in assessing these parameters, providing detailed insights into the structural integrity and fit of dental components. This study aims to evaluate the precision of the couplings between prosthetic abutments and healing screws on Megagen® AnyOne® dental implants using microCT.

The investigation utilized the microCT technique with specific parameters: an optical axis of 502, an object-to-source distance of 226.60 mm, a camera-to-source distance of 266.50 mm, a source voltage of 50 kV, a source current of 800 µA, and an image pixel size of 18.20 µm. The samples analyzed included Megagen® AnyOne® implants with dimensions of 4x10 mm and 4x5 mm, tightened at 5-8 Ncm using a digital torque gauge. This study focused on identifying the presence of air gaps and the precision of the couplings through detailed three-dimensional reconstructions and radiographic evaluations.

The microCT analysis revealed no presence of air gaps or radiographic discrepancies in the couplings between the prosthetic abutments and the healing screws. The fixture dimensions were consistent with the expected standards, with a length of 9.347 mm and a radiographic width of 3.914 mm. The three-dimensional reconstructions confirmed the absence of communication between the external and internal environments of the implant connection, underscoring the precision and reliability of the Megagen® AnyOne® implants.

This study confirms the high precision and reliability of the Megagen® AnyOne® dental implants in the coupling of prosthetic abutments and healing screws. The absence of air gaps and the congruence of fixture dimensions with expected standards highlight the exceptional quality of these implants. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies to assess the long-term clinical outcomes and potential improvements in microCT technology to further enhance diagnostic capabilities.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Comparative Evaluation of Composite Splinting and Thermoformed Removable Splints in Managing Dental Mobility Due to Periodontitis: A Clinical and Quality of Life Assessment

Periodontitis associated with dental mobility is an inflammatory disease of the periodontium that leads to the deterioration of the supporting tissues of the teeth, resulting in a loss of stability and subsequent dental mobility. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and patient-reported quality of life associated with replacing conventional composite splinting for dental mobility with removable thermoformed splints through a literature review of clinical studies. Conventional composite splinting, although mechanically stabilizing teeth, often exacerbates gingival conditions and complicates oral hygiene maintenance. This study hypothesizes that removable splints would improve periodontal health and hygiene practices while offering comparable esthetic and social benefits. Clinical assessments included periodontal status and dental mobility measurements, while patient-reported outcomes focused on oral hygiene, esthetic satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Patients using thermoformed splints reported significantly better oral hygiene practices due to the ease of removal and cleaning of the splints. Clinically, a reduction in periodontal inflammation and plaque accumulation was observed in patients using removable splints compared to those with composite splinting. The esthetic and social aspects of the thermoformed splints were rated higher by patients, with improved satisfaction in social interactions and phonation. Additionally, the composite splints showed a higher propensity for bacterial proliferation due to their material properties and deterioration over time. Thermoformed removable splints offer a viable alternative to conventional composite splinting for managing dental mobility due to periodontitis. They facilitate better oral hygiene, reduce periodontal inflammation, and enhance patient satisfaction in the esthetic and social domains.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
The Future of Dental Care: Integrating AI, Metaverse, Augmented Reality/Virtual Reality, Teledentistry, Computer-Aided Design, 3D Printing, Blockchain, and CRISPR Innovations

Advancements in technology are revolutionizing the field of dental care, offering unprecedented improvements in diagnostic accuracy, treatment planning, and patient outcomes. This paper explores the transformative potential of integrating cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Metaverse, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Teledentistry, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), 3D Printing, Blockchain, and CRISPR in dentistry. AI enhances diagnostic precision, particularly in detecting dental caries and periodontitis and planning orthodontic treatments, by analyzing vast datasets and enabling the early identification of oral health issues. AR and VR are reshaping dental education and clinical practice, providing immersive and interactive environments for both training and patient care, thereby improving educational methodologies and reducing patient anxiety. Teledentistry extends dental services to underserved populations, overcoming access barriers and reducing healthcare costs. CAD and 3D Printing streamline the production of dental prosthetics, ensuring precision, efficiency, and customization. Blockchain technology secures patient data, enhancing privacy and enabling seamless information sharing across platforms. CRISPR, a groundbreaking genome editing tool, offers the potential to treat genetic disorders, combat oral cancers, and prevent dental caries. This comprehensive review underscores the importance of balancing these technological advancements with traditional oral hygiene practices to maintain overall oral health. The integration of these technologies heralds a new era in dental care, promising enhanced diagnostic capabilities, efficient treatment processes, and improved patient satisfaction. Dental professionals must stay abreast of these developments and consider their implications for future practice.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
"Dentomics": Current State of the Literature on Omics in Dentistry

'Omics' technologies provide a comprehensive understanding of biological systems by analyzing the collective characterization and quantification of pools of biological molecules that translate into the structure, function, and dynamics of an organism. The integration of ‘omics’ technologies in dentistry has opened new avenues for personalized medicine, particularly in bone regeneration and osseointegration. This review synthesizes the current literature on the application of genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics in dental research to evaluate their impact on understanding molecular mechanisms and improving clinical outcomes in dental implantology. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing on studies published in the last decade. Key findings highlight the significant potential of omics to personalize treatment strategies based on individual genetic and proteomics profiles, optimize implant surface properties, and elucidate critical signaling pathways involved in bone healing. The review underscores the transformative impact of omics on dental research, driving innovations that enable more precise diagnostics and tailored therapeutic approaches. Six studies meeting all criteria were included for detailed discussion, revealing the critical role of omics in personalizing treatments and enhancing bone regeneration and osseointegration outcomes. By leveraging these technologies, personalized treatment strategies can be better tailored to individual healing profiles, potentially enhancing clinical outcomes. This review concludes that the transformative impact of omics on dental research holds promise for the future of personalized dental medicine.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
The Treatment of sea turtle shell fractures: a novel approach using Bis-GMA-free dental composites
, , , , , , ,

Aim/Introduction: This paper aims to investigate the use of Bis-GMA-free dental composite as a valid method of repairing Sea Turtle shell fractures.

Materials and methods: One shell with multiple fractures from a Caretta caretta (Linnaeus, 1758) turtle, donated by the Veterinary Department of University of Messina, was used to perform the investigation. An expert operator repaired the shell using Bis-GMA-free ENAMEL plus HRi® BIO FUNCTION composites, MICERIUM S.p.A., Avegno (GE).
The repairing protocol consisted of six stages: preparation, adhesion, composite layering, polymerization, finishing and polishing, and immersion. Microscopic and macroscopic analysis was performed after polishing (T0) and after 24h immersion in sea water (T1) using a SEM microscope and a Canon EOS 90D photographic device.

Results and Discussion: The SEM analysis shows a good interface between the composite and the shell at both T0 and T1, with no relevant differences being noted in adhesion. The macroscopy at T0 demonstrates the good memetic ability of the BIS-GMA-free composite. At T1, the repaired area looks a little bit different in colour (different value, same hue and chroma). This change is due to the rehydration process. Current guidelines for shell repair recommend resins, adhesives, synthetic materials, and biocompatible fabrics. Repair methods range from mechanical fixation to adhesive use, or a combination, depending on the damage’s severity and nature. The complete healing of the chelonian shell requires long periods of time (1-2 y.), so the role of covering materials is to protect the underlying granulation bed, ensuring a longer healing process.

Conclusions: Using Bis-GMA-free composites offers an aesthetically pleasing and safe alternative to traditional materials. The combination of the physical and optical properties of Bis-GMA-free composites allows for long-lasting and natural results, faithfully reproducing the structure and colour of the chelonian shell. These results require further and in vivo investigations to optimise shell repair and to ensure the survival of these fascinating creatures.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Intelligent Microrobots for versatile applications in Biomedicine.
,

With the recent advancements in biomaterials and biomanufacturing, the concept of miniaturized yet minimally invasive surgical procedures has emerged in biomedicine. In this regard, microrobots have been transforming the natural ways of diagnosis, treatments, and real-time monitoring of biosignals even from intricate organs (such as the Brain and the Gastrointestinal Tract) of the human body. However, due to the available scientific studies being limited, there has been a significant research gap in exploring the different types and applied clinical areas of intelligent microrobots. Therefore, herein, artificial, biological, and biohybrid microrobots are systematically categorized to develop the theoretical background for diversified medical procedures. A well-comprehended discussion on the design and fabrication of these miniaturized agents is considered to explore the practicality of micro-engineered biomedical solutions. These microrobots are controlled by applying different mechanisms, primarily including but not limited to external magnetic fields, acoustic waves, electrical fields, and optical tweezers. Furthermore, self-propelled, untethered, and autonomous features of the microrobots contribute to intelligent yet targeted biomedical operations (such as navigating through complex bio-fluidic environments, locating tumors, and delivering drugs). The utility of these microrobots has also been seen in several in vitro as well as in vivo applications, aiding medical scientists to transform precision surgery and lab-on-chip diagnostics. Based on the findings, this article provides the scientific community with a micro-robotics foundation to explore their well-connected theoretical interpretations, design, manufacturing, intelligent control, and utility in several areas of biomedicine. It is highly recommended to further explore the practical limitations of these biocompatible robots to optimize futuristic medical Interventions.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
3D STS Motion Analysis Using MocapMe DeepLabCut-Based Approach

The Sit-to-Stand (STS) motion is a critical functional activity often analyzed in clinical and biomechanical studies. This research examines the application of MocapMe (DeepLabCut-Based approach), a robust pose estimation tool, trained with data processed through OpenPose, for accurate STS motion analysis. By employing a two-camera setup, the author achieves a more comprehensive three-dimensional reconstruction of the movement, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of the kinematic data. OpenPose provides initial pose estimations, which are subsequently refined and filtered to eliminate noise and improve landmark detection accuracy. These refined data sets are then used to train MocapMe (DeepLabCut-based approach), leveraging its capability to adapt to specific datasets for more precise tracking. The dual-cameras system captures the STS motion from different angles, allowing for a more complete understanding of the biomechanical nuances involved in the transition. This setup significantly improves the robustness of the pose estimation by reducing occlusions and providing a fuller representation of body movements. The combined approach improves the accuracy of movement analysis and facilitates the identification of subtle variations in motor patterns, which are crucial for clinical assessments and rehabilitation monitoring. The results demonstrate that integrating OpenPose and DeepLabCut with a two-camera system can offer an effective, low-cost solution for detailed biomechanical analysis in both research and clinical settings, advancing the accuracy of human movement studies.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Phenol degradation and production of PHA using phenol degradation products as substrates
,

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), which are alternatives to plastics, are derived from microorganisms and are environmentally friendly due to their biodegradable nature. However, they typically have high production costs. Therefore, the conversion of low-cost harmful substances into high-value-added products such as PHA represents a promising approach to potentially reducing production costs. Phenol is one of the organic pollutants found in industrial wastewater. It is discharged by producers in industries such as textile processing, petroleum, pharmaceuticals, and resins. Even at low concentrations, phenol exhibits strong toxicity to all forms of life and is classified as a priority pollutant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Therefore, this study targeted phenol as the substance of interest. This study employed a two-stage process for PHA production. In the first stage, phenol degradation by the phenol-degrading bacterium Comamonas sp. C1 was conducted, and in the second stage, PHA was produced by Bacillus sp. CYR1 using phenol degradation products as substrates. Phenol (500 mg/L) was repeatedly added three times in a conical flask, resulting in the production of 2000 mg/L of phenol degradation products. These degradation products were added to the media, adjusted to pH 7, sterilized, and used as PHA production media. Results showed an increase in pH under all conditions, possibly due to the consumption of organic acids such as cis,cis-muconic acid, which is generated during phenol degradation. PHA production of 54.5 mg/L with a PHA yield of 30.2% was observed, suggesting that the conversion of harmful phenol degradation products to PHA is feasible.

  • Open access
  • 0 Reads
Effect of catheter contact force on lesion volume in pulsed field ablation: A computational study
, , ,

Cardiac arrhythmia is one of the most common disorders affecting millions of people globally. More recently, pulsed-field ablation (PFA) has received FDA approval and emerged to be a safe and effective treatment modality for treating different types of cardiac arrhythmia. Unlike other ablative techniques like radiofrequency ablation, PFA is non-thermal-energy approach based on irreversible electroporation phenomena for attaining highly selective cellular injury by administering microsecond-scale, high-voltage electrical pulses. Despite numerous feasibility studies highlighting PFA’s safety and efficacy, the exact mechanisms of action remain elusive. Substantial research efforts are essential to comprehensively understand PFA technology, leveraging its potential for sustainable health improvements. The objective of the present study is to quantify the relationship between the electrode–tissue proximity and the applied contact force on the shape and size of lesions induced during PFA. A coupled computational model was developed, incorporating electrical, thermal, mechanical, and fluid dynamics, simulating cardiac tissue as a hyper-elastic material. This study examined both the monopolar and bipolar electrode configurations. The outcomes were analyzed on the basis of ablation volume, as well as maximum temperature rise within the cardiac tissue and blood. It was found that the lesion dimensions induced during PFA are strongly correlated to the contact force at the electrode–tissue interface. Statistical correlations were developed to predict the lesion volume based on contact depth for monopolar and bipolar electrode configurations.

Top