"Sustainable synthesis of Camellia sinensis-mediated silver nanoparticles (CsAgNP) and their anticancer mechanisms in breast cancer cells"

The present investigation focuses on synthesizing eco-friendly and cost-effective silver nanoparticles (CsAgNP) utilizing Camellia sinensis ethanolic extract (CsE) as a reducing agent and investigating the potential enhancement in its anticancer efficacy as compared to CsE. The CsAgNP formation was confirmed through the color change from pale green to dark brown and further validated using UV-visible spectroscopy in the 400-450 nm range. The optimal CsAgNP synthesis parameters include 1:4 ratio of CsE: 1 mM AgNO3, 60 min of duration and 50 °C reaction temperature. The morphology and the size of nanoparticles were estimated using AFM, SEM and TEM where the results showed a smooth topography with a size <100 nm. The CsAgNP crystalline form was confirmed through SAED pictures and silver's presence confirmed through EDX analysis. FTIR study ascertained the capping agents and distortion in functional groups compared to CsE. The anticancer potency of CsAgNP and crude extract (CsE) was assessed against the T-47D breast cancer cells by MTT assay. CsAgNP displayed strong activity towards T-47D cells (IC50 8 μg/ml) compared to CsE and relatively low activity towards the normal HEK-293 cells. Further, fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry data revealed that the CsAgNP promotes apoptosis and also induces G2-M phase cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, CsAgNP treatment decreases p53 and Bcl-2 protein expression, while increasing Bax, Cytochrome c and Caspase-3 levels, indicating mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathway activation. Thus, our research aims to investigate the potential of using Camellia sinensis to synthesize CsAgNP, a potent drug delivery system, to enhance anticancer effectiveness and advance cancer therapy in the future.

Polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan based oleanolic acid nanofibers against bacterial infection: In vitro studies and in vivo evaluation by optical and laser Doppler imaging modalities

The present work focuses on the fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol-chitosan-loaded oleanolic acid-nanofibers (PVA-CS-OLA-NFs) for bacterial infection. The prepared PVA-CS-OLA-NFs were characterized for contact angle, SEM, AFM, XRD, FTIR, and TGA. The solid-state characterization and in vitro performance evaluation of nanofibers reveal consistent interconnection and diameters ranging from 102 ± 9.5 to 386 ± 11.6 nm. The nanofibers have a flat surface topography and exhibit efficient drug entrapment. Moreover, the in vitro release profile of PVA-CS-OLA-NFs was found to be 51.82 ± 1.49 % at 24 h. Furthermore, the hemocompatibility study showed that the developed PVA-CS-OLA-NFs are non-hemolytic to human blood. The PVA-CS-OLA-NFs demonstrate remarkable antibacterial capabilities, as evidenced by their MBC and MIC values, which range from 128 and 32 μg/mL, against the strains of S. aureus. The in-vivo fluorescence optical imaging showed the sustained PVA-CS-OLA-NFs release at the wound site infected with S. aureus for a longer duration of time. Moreover, the PVA-CS-OLA-NFs showed superior wound healing performance against S. aureus infected wounds compared to the marketed formulation. Further, the laser Doppler imaging system improved oxygen saturation, blood supply, and wound healing by providing real-time blood flow and oxygen saturation information.

Content Analysis of Brief Telephonic Conversation with Parents of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate During Sustained Anticipatory Guidance Sessions

OBJECTIVES

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) represents complex congenital anomalies that necessitate a comprehensive approach to care, involving multiple healthcare disciplines. The primary aim of the study is to explore the content of periodic telephone support calls between parents/caregivers of children with CLP and pediatric dentist during sustained anticipatory guidance.

DESIGN

The qualitative analysis was conducted with the available telephonic recordings that was obtained from the STOP database. 40 recordings of 8 children were used for this study. The recorded interviews were translated and transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic content analysis method.

RESULTS

The four major themes that were addressed by the dentist were the general health of the baby, oral health and development, surgery-related concerns and emotional support. It was also observed that the parents demonstrated a positive shift in oral health related behaviour significantly improving their child's oral hygiene practices.

CONCLUSIONS

The telephonic support calls offer valuable insights into the concerns and topics the parents of children with CLP are eager to discuss. These calls not only address general concerns, receiving emotional support from the professionals, demonstrate the health related behavior shift that takes place during SAG and reassures parents of their support.

Recent Advancement of Indocyanine Green Based Nanotheranostics for Imaging and Therapy of Coronary Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a vascular intima condition in which any part of the circulatory system is affected, including the aorta and coronary arteries. Indocyanine green (ICG), a theranostic compound approved by the FDA, has shown promise in the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis after incorporation into nanoplatforms. By integration of ICG with targeting agents such as peptides or antibodies, it is feasible to increase its concentration in damaged arteries, hence increasing atherosclerosis detection. Nanotheranostics offers cutting-edge techniques for the clinical diagnosis and therapy of atherosclerotic plaques. Combining the optical properties of ICG with those of nanocarriers enables the improved imaging of atherosclerotic plaques and targeted therapeutic interventions. Several ICG-based nanotheranostics platforms have been developed such as polymeric nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles, biomimetic systems, liposomes, peptide-based systems, etc. Theranostics for atherosclerosis diagnosis use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging, photoacoustic/ultrasound imaging, positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging techniques. In addition to imaging, there is growing interest in employing ICG to treat atherosclerosis. In this review, we provide a conceptual explanation of ICG-based nanotheranostics for the imaging and therapy of coronary atherosclerosis. Moreover, advancements in imaging modalities such as MRI, CT, PET, SPECT, and ultrasound/photoacoustic have been discussed. Furthermore, we highlight the applications of ICG for coronary atherosclerosis.

OXIS contacts of primary molars: do they change over time?

PURPOSE

Although a series of studies on OXIS contacts have been performed, studies regarding changes in OXIS contacts over time are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the change in contact type between primary molars after 3 years in children aged 3-7 years.

METHODS

This longitudinal study was conducted using 2922 sectional die models of 926 children. At baseline (T0), the contact type between the primary molars was scored using replication via the sectional die model method according to the OXIS criteria. After 3 years, the sectional die models of the same children were scored using the same criteria (T1).

RESULTS

McNemar's tests revealed a significant change in contacts from baseline to 3 years. The post hoc test explained specific changes in the contacts that were observed to be significant. These were O to X (p < 0.001), O to I (p < 0.001), O to S (p = 0.035), and I to X (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

A significant change in OXIS contact over time was observed. The O-type contact underwent the maximum change. The least and most stable contacts are the "O" and "I" types, respectively. This change in contact type with age may alter the risk of caries in children.

Clinical Implications of Proton Pump Inhibitors and Vonoprazan Micro/Nano Drug Delivery Systems for Gastric Acid-Related Disorders and Imaging

Excessive stomach acid or bacterial infection are the root causes of gastric acid-related disorders, such as peptic ulcer disease and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Proton pump inhibitors including lansoprazole, omeprazole, esomeprazole, rabeprazole, etc. are medications used to treat gastric acid-related diseases. One of the most effective drugs for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease is vonoprazan, owing to its ability to strongly inhibit gastric acid. Proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan work in distinct ways to prevent the production of stomach acid. Vonoprazan inhibits acid secretion by blocking the potassium-competitive acid blocker receptor, whereas proton pump inhibitors function by irreversibly blocking the proton pump in the parietal cells of the stomach. Delayed release tablets, delayed release capsules, minitablets, pellets, bilayer, floating, mucoadhesive tablets and nanoparticles, are some of the methods used in the development of micro/nano formulations with proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan. Diagnosis and therapy of gastric acid-related illnesses, particularly those treated with drugs such as vonoprazan and proton pump inhibitors, rely heavily on imaging modalities such as CT scans, X-rays, endoscopy, fluorescence and HRM imaging. This review provides a comprehensive update on various micro/nanoformulations of proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan. Moreover, we provide an outlook on clinical imaging of proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan formulation for gastric acid related diseases. We have limited our discussion to case studies and clinical trials on proton pump inhibitors and vonoprazan for gastric acid related disease.

Assessment of overall caries risk and mode of birth delivery in infants and children with and without ECC: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

 The study assessed the caries risk in infants and children with and without early childhood caries (ECC) using American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Caries Risk Assessment Tool (AAPD CRAT) and identified the association between caries risk and mode of birth delivery.

METHODS

 This cross-sectional study included 96 infants and children with all maxillary and mandibular primary anterior teeth and at least two primary molars erupted clinically in the oral cavity. The details on the mode of birth delivery were noted in a preformed template along with the demographic details, followed by caries risk assessment (CRA) to assess the caries risk of an individual. The outcome assessment for overall caries risk was performed for the ECC and non-ECC group and compared against the mode of birth delivery. Descriptive statistics were performed for all the study variables (gender, overall caries risk, mode of birth delivery, and term of delivery). The Chi-square test was used to compare the categorical variables between the two groups (ECC and non-ECC groups).

RESULTS

 The high caries risk category contributed to 52.1% and 68.8% in the ECC and non-ECC groups, respectively. The prevalence of vaginal mode of delivery was 41.7% and 52.1% in the ECC and non-ECC groups, respectively. Caries risk increases with increasing age and the non-ECC group shows more risk (68.8%) than the ECC group. In comparison with the variables against the groups (ECC and non-ECC), Chi-square test revealed that only the term of delivery (p value = 0.035) and overall caries risk (p = 0.045) showed statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSION

 The proportion of high caries risk subjects was significantly more in the non-ECC groups. Children delivered by the C-section mode showed high caries risk (66.7%) when compared with the vaginal mode of delivery (53.3%). A validated CRAT for predicting caries risk is required.

Occlusal interventions for managing temporomandibular disorders

BACKGROUND

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are conditions related to the musculoskeletal structure of the temporomandibular joint, which may lead to muscle or joint pain and other health issues. TMD may present in muscles only (myogenous), joints only (arthrogenous), or both (mixed), and may affect one side or both sides of the face. Myogenous TMD may present with or without limited mouth opening. Arthrogenous TMD may present as disc displacement with or without reduction ('reduction' meaning the articular disc resumes its normal position when the jaw is moving). Occlusal interventions change the occlusal relationship of maxillary and mandibular teeth to improve the alignment of the tooth contact, with the aim of relieving pain, and improving psychosocial functioning and quality of life. Occlusal interventions include splints and adjustments. Occlusal splints are specially designed mouth guards; they are generally classified as stabilisation, reflex or repositioning splints. Occlusal adjustment is the grinding down of teeth to improve occlusion.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of occlusal interventions in people diagnosed with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), compared to other interventions or no treatment, on joint pain, muscle pain at rest and when chewing, quality of life, discomfort, and recurrence.

SEARCH METHODS

Cochrane Oral Health's Information Specialist searched following sources up to 9 August 2022: Cochrane Oral Health's Trials Register, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE via Ovid, Embase via Ovid, and two trials registers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of occlusal interventions (splints or adjustment) for managing TMD compared with no treatment, placebo, occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action, or other active treatments.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We adopted standard Cochrane methods to select studies, extract and analyse data, assess the risk of bias in the studies, and judge the certainty of the evidence. We reported outcomes as short term (three months or less) or long term (more than three months).

MAIN RESULTS

We included 57 studies (2846 participants) that compared occlusal splints with no treatment, placebo, or another treatment. Most of the studies evaluated full hard stabilisation splint (FHSS) as the occlusal splint. We judged only one study to be at low risk of bias. Our key outcomes of interest were self-reported joint pain when chewing, muscle pain at rest and when chewing, discomfort, severity and frequency of joint noise, and recurrence rate. The duration of the studies ranged from 5 weeks to 84 months. The key results presented below were measured between 4.4 weeks and 4 months. It is important to note that we have very low certainty in the evidence for all comparisons and outcomes assessed. There may be little to no difference in self-reported joint pain when chewing between occlusal splint (FHSS) and placebo (non-occlusal splint) (RR 1.88, 95% CI 0.94 to 3.75; 1 study, 60 participants with mixed TMD), or pharmacological therapy (diclofenac) (RR 2.10, 95% CI 0.83 to 5.30; 1 study, 29 participants with osteoarthritis), but the evidence is very uncertain. Occlusal splint (FHSS) may reduce muscle pain when chewing compared to no treatment (MD -1.97, 95% CI -2.37 to -1.57; 1 study, 84 participants with disc displacement without reduction), but may have little to no effect when compared to physical therapy (low-level laser) (RR 0.17, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.26; 1 study, 40 participants) or acupuncture (with needles) (MD 0.10, 95% CI -0.80 to 1.00, 1 study, 40 participants) in people with myofascial pain TMD, but the evidence is very uncertain. There may be little to no difference in muscle pain at rest when occlusal splint (FHSS) is compared to no treatment (MD -11.63, 95% CI -29.37 to 6.11; 1 study, 37 participants) or physical therapy (physiotherapy) (MD -0.19, 95% CI -1.25 to 0.87; 1 study, 72 participants) in myofascial pain TMD, but the evidence is very uncertain. There may be little to no difference in severity of joint noise when occlusal splint (FHSS) is compared to no treatment, but the evidence is very uncertain (MD -0.58, 95% CI -7.09 to 5.93; 1 study, 20 participants). When FHSS is compared to physical therapy (specifically, orofacial myofunctional therapy), physical therapy may reduce severity of joint noise, but the evidence is very uncertain (MD 5.92, 95% CI 0.18 to 11.66; 1 study, 20 participants with mixed TMD). There may be little to no difference in frequency of joint noise when occlusal splint (FHSS) is compared to placebo (non-occlusal splint) (RR 1.18, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.20; 1 study, 60 myofascial pain TMD participants), occlusal splint with a different mechanism of action (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.07 to 9.18; 1 study, 9 participants with disc displacement with reduction), or physical therapy (jaw exercise) (RR 1.50, 95% CI 0.32 to 6.94; 1 study, 18 participants with myofascial pain TMD), but the evidence is very uncertain. Discomfort and recurrence rate were not reported in any study. We judged the certainty of the evidence to be very low for all outcomes in all comparisons due to limitations in study design and imprecision.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

This review included 57 RCTs with 2846 participants, but the final results are inconclusive, so the research questions remain unanswered. Occlusal splints of the FHSS type may reduce muscle pain when chewing compared to no treatment, but the evidence is very uncertain. Orofacial myofunctional therapy may reduce severity of joint noise compared to occlusal splint (FHSS), but the evidence is very uncertain. For all other comparisons and outcomes, there may be little or no difference between groups, although the evidence is also very uncertain for these findings. Overall, we found insufficient evidence to reach conclusions regarding the effectiveness of occlusal interventions for managing symptoms of TMD, despite the available studies including almost 3000 participants. To make a useful contribution to the debate about the best way to treat TMD, any further research must be well-designed, with enough participants to reach the optimal information size for meaningful results; it requires recruitment from primary care, consensus around key outcomes and measures, and, ideally, long-term follow-up of three to five years, plus inclusion of a cost-effectiveness component.

Bleaching techniques in primary teeth: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

Discolouration of primary teeth, often attributed to trauma and pulpal infection, is a prevalent concern that can significantly impact the esthetics and self-esteem of children. To address this issue, bleaching techniques have emerged as a viable treatment option. This systematic review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the effectiveness of bleaching agents in managing discoloured primary teeth.

METHODS

Two reviewers independently conducted an electronic database search using PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL via EBSCO, Scopus, and Web of Science until September 26,2023. In vitro studies and case reports that assessed the quantifiable success were included. The present review utilized Distiller SR software for data extraction. The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews) (CRD42022329831). The quality of studies was analysed with Cochrane tool and the JBI checklist.

RESULTS

The search retrieved 1845 references of which 14 studies were included for qualitative analysis. There were 8 in vitro studies and 6 case reports included in this systematic review. There were 299 teeth samples in the in vitro studies and 18 teeth were assessed in the case reports. All the 18 teeth (6 case reports) showed considerable shade improvement within 7-14 days. However, only 3 teeth were followed up for a period of 12-24 months. Substantial shade improvement was also observed in samples in the in vitro studies.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review has comprehensively examined the various bleaching agents and methods for the management of discoloured primary teeth. However, it is crucial to recognize that the available evidence is from case reports and is insufficient to make a clinical recommendation.

Proposal for a grading system to determine the clinical status and sequence of permanent teeth eruption: A pilot study

Objectives

The objective of the study was to propose and test a new grading system to quantify the clinical eruption of teeth into the oral cavity. In addition, the study also aimed to apply the grading system to a sample population to determine the chronology and sequence of permanent tooth eruptions, comparing the results with an existing standard table.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was designed, and 1220 children aged 5-18 years were selected from five schools in Chennai. The clinical status of permanent tooth eruption was graded using the newly proposed system. The sequence and chronology of permanent tooth eruptions were determined using Probit analysis and compared with those established by Logan and Kronfeld. The difference in stages of eruption between the sexes was analyzed using the ANOVA test.

Results

The study sample included 515 boys and 705 girls. A total of 23,218 permanent maxillary and mandibular teeth were examined and graded. Of the 11,085 maxillary teeth, 367 were classified as grade 1, 660 as grade 2, and 10,058 as grade 3. Similarly, of the 12,133 mandibular teeth, 497 were grade 1, 793 were grade 2, and 10,843 were grade 3. The eruption of the maxillary canines, second molars, and mandibular second premolars was observed to have occurred earlier than in the traditional table of tooth eruption. The most significant differences in the stages of eruption between the sexes were observed in the 9-12 age group.

Conclusions

The newly proposed grading system was found to be simple, objective, less confusing, and more robust, compared with the existing systems in determining the clinical status of tooth eruptions. The ages of eruption of maxillary canines, second molars, and mandibular second premolars were earlier.

PLGA Nanoplatform for the Hypoxic Tumor Delivery: Folate Targeting, Therapy, and Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Imaging

Effective targeting of breast tumors is critical for improving therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer treatment. Additionally, hypoxic breast cancers are difficult to treat due to resistance toward chemotherapeutics, poor vascularity, and enhanced angiogenesis, which complicate effective drug delivery and therapeutic response. Addressing this formidable challenge requires designing a drug delivery system capable of targeted delivery of the anticancer agent, inhibition of efflux pump, and suppression of the tumor angiogenesis. Here, we have introduced Palbociclib (PCB)-loaded PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of chitosan-folate (CS-FOL) for folate receptor-targeted breast cancer therapy. The developed NPs were below 219 nm with a smooth, spherical surface shape. The entrapment efficiencies of NPs were achieved up to 85.78 ± 1.8%. Targeted NPs demonstrated faster drug release at pH 5.5, which potentiated the therapeutic efficacy of NPs due to the acidic microenvironment of breast cancer. In vitro cellular uptake study in MCF-7 cells confirmed the receptor-mediated endocytosis of targeted NPs. In vivo ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging studies on rats with hypoxic breast cancer showed that targeted NPs significantly reduced tumor growth and hypoxic tumor volume, and suppressed angiogenesis.

Prevalence of different types of interproximal contacts in the permanent dentition - a study cast evaluation

Background

A new classification called OXIS was proposed for categorizing the interproximal contacts of primary molars, modified for the primary canines and its prevalence was established. No such information is available for the permanent dentition. Hence, the aim was to establish the variations in interproximal contacts of the permanent dentition and thereby modify the OXIS classification of primary molars and primary canines to the permanent dentition.

Methods

We propose a study-cast-based classification of interproximal contacts of the permanent dentition. Three hundred and forty-three pretreatment casts of patients based on an inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. Contacts of posterior teeth were classified based on OXIS classification of interproximal contacts, and its modification was used for anterior teeth.

Results

Among the posterior contacts, the 'O' type of contact was least prevalent, while most prevalent was the 'S' type for second molar-first molar contact, 'I' type for the first molar-second premolar contact, and 'X' type for the second premolar-first premolar contact. Among the anterior contacts, least prevalent was 'S1' type for the first premolar-canine contact, and I type for the canine-lateral incisor and the lateral incisor-central incisor contacts. There was no statistical significance between right- and left-side contacts ( P > 0.05) while significance was seen between maxillary and mandibular contacts ( P < 0.05). Similarity of contacts ranged from 5.17% to 10.05%.

Conclusion

The OXIS classification is applicable to posterior permanent teeth, and its modification is representative of anterior permanent teeth.

Association of parent-reported timing of first tooth emergence and ECC: a secondary analysis of a case-control study

PURPOSE

Tooth eruption is a dynamic process. Appearance of any part of the cusp through gingiva may be a clinical marker of eruption. Early childhood caries (ECC) is a public health problem globally. This study aimed to assess the relationship between parent-reported timing of first tooth emergence and ECC in toddlers.

METHODS

This study is a secondary data analysis of 627 toddlers involved in a case-control study on sleep-time feeding practises in children. The children were categorised into four groups based on the parent-reported timing of first primary tooth emergence (G1-when the first primary tooth emerged before 6 months of age, G2-between 7 and 9 months; G3-10 to 12 months and G4-when the first primary tooth emerged after 12 months of age). Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association between timing of first tooth emergence and ECC.

RESULTS

The mean age of the children was 24.4 ± 7.3 months (cases, that is children with ECC-25.4 ± 6.9 months, controls, that is children without ECC-23.6 ± 7.5 months). Of 60 children, whose first tooth erupted before 6 months of age, 35 (12%) were cases compared to 25(8%) controls. Amongst the cases, boys had more caries than girls (p < 0.05). Of the anterior teeth, 22% of the emerged teeth were decayed in the first group, followed by 19%, 16% and 10% in the second, third and fourth groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Analysis of the posterior teeth showed a lower percentage of decayed teeth with delayed emergence of the first primary tooth (p < 0.05). Children whose teeth emerged before 6 months of age had an odds ratio of 3.5 (95% CI 1.49, 8.42) (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

This study concluded that the early emergence of the first primary tooth, as reported by the parent, was associated with an increased risk of developing ECC.

Global variations in eruption chronology of permanent teeth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVES

Population-based variations have been reported in permanent teeth eruption but only sparse literature exists on the same. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to assess the global variations in eruption chronology of permanent teeth in children and adolescents and the role of sexes, jaws and classes of socio-economic status (SES) on timing of eruption was explored.

METHODS

The protocol for the systematic review was registered in PROSPERO. An extensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, EBSCO, Cochrane library, and anthropology databases was carried out until April 2023. Additionally, grey literature search and hand-searching of relevant key journals was done.

RESULTS

Overall, 3797 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies were retrieved from multiple databases. A total of 939, 191 participants were included from 80 studies of which, 41 were carried out in Asia, 26 in Europe, 5 in Africa, 4 in North America, and 4 in Oceania. The mandibular first molar eruption was found to be as early as 4.09 years while the maxillary second molar erupted as late as 13.45 years. Using a random effects model, 28 forest plots were generated. Meta-regression interpreted tooth eruption to be earlier in females and in the mandible.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study show that the ages of permanent teeth eruption was advanced in the European population followed by Africa and Asia.

Comparative evaluation of liquid-liquid extraction and nanosorbent extraction for HPLC-PDA analysis of cabazitaxel from rat plasma

A precise, sensitive, accurate, and validated reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method with a bioanalytical approach was utilized to analyze Cabazitaxel (CBZ) in rat plasma. Comparative research on extraction recoveries was performed between traditional liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) and synthesized graphene oxide (GO) based magnetic solid phase extraction (GO@MSPE). The superparamagnetic hybrid nanosorbent was synthesized using the combination of iron oxide and GO and subsequently applied for extraction and bioanalytical quantification of CBZ from plasma by (HPLC-PDA) analysis. Fourier- transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), particle size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were employed in the characterization of synthesized GO@MSPE nanosorbent. The investigation was accomplished using a shim pack C18 column (150 mm×4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a binary gradient mobile phase consisting of formic acid: acetonitrile: water (0.1:75:25, v/v/v) at a 0.8 mL/min flow rate, and a λmax of 229 nm. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) have been determined to be 50 and 100 ng/mL for both LLE and SPE techniques. The linearity range of the approach encompassed from 100 to 5000 ng/mL and was found to be linear (coefficient of determination > 0.99) for CBZ. The proposed method showed extraction recovery of 76.8-88.4% for the synthesized GO@MSPE and 69.3-77.4% for LLE, suggesting that the proposed bioanalytical approach was robust and qualified for all validation parameters within the acceptable criteria. Furthermore, the developed hybrid GO@MSPE nanosorbent with the help of the proposed RP-HPLC method, showed a significant potential for the extraction of CBZ in bioanalysis.

Marginal Gingival Thickness Assessment in Three- To Six-Year-Old Preschool Children

Purpose: Although gingival thickness has been extensively studied in permanent dentition, the literature regarding marginal gingival thickness in primary dentition is insufficient. The purpose of this study was to assess the variations in marginal gingival thickness in preschool-age children. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 4,109 primary teeth was conducted. Using a reamer, the transgingival probing method was employed to assess marginal gingival thickness in healthy preschoolers. Inter-examiner and intra-examiner reproducibility were assessed via the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: Descriptive statistics revealed that primary maxillary left second molars had the highest mean marginal gingival thickness (1.06 mm), whereas primary mandibular right central incisors had the lowest mean marginal gingival thickness (0.74 mm). Gender-based independent sample t-tests revealed significant differences in the values of primary maxillary right canines (females had greater values than males; P=0.03) and primary mandibular right first molars (males had greater values than females; P=0.01). An inter-arch comparison revealed significant differences between the primary second molars (maxillary more than mandibular; P=0.001). Conclusions: This study reports the first documented marginal gingival thicknesses of primary dentition. It reveals substantial variations in the values of primary maxillary right canines and primary mandibular right first molars and between primary maxillary and mandibular second molars.

Identifying Needs and Preparing for Curriculum Changes in Indian Dental Education

The aims of dental professional courses are to prepare dental healthcare providers to manage common dental diseases, perform surgeries, and offer prevention. They should also be equipped to understand the needs of the society they are serving and willing to amend their skills. As they are expected to be a part of a team providing health care, they should have the requisite leadership and managerial skills for leading the team to serve its objectives in the best possible way. Thus, with changing times, there is a need to bring reforms in dental curricula. Traditional classroom teaching is now shifting to a competency-based education system across the globe. The Dental Council of India (DCI), as a dental health regulator in the country, implements reforms periodically in an attempt to further strengthen the training process and bring quality improvement in dental education. A process of redesigning the curriculum started a couple of years ago. The technical team supporting this work brainstormed the need for such reforms and studied the existing pattern of undergraduate curricula in other developed countries. It was found that many countries are following outcome-based teaching-learning methods. There are several institutions and professional associations proposing recommendations on curricular reforms, and India also suggests following the same. The new education policy (NEP) of the Government of India (GoI) is also in sync with the changes proposed to the DCI. Though such changes are challenging and require time to strategize and implement, it is essential to have reforms in curriculum, especially related to methods of teaching-learning and assessment, and for this, the dental faculty needs to be trained.

How to cite this article

Deshpande AN, Mathur VP, Lele GS, et al. Identifying Needs and Preparing for Curriculum Changes in Indian Dental Education. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(7):842-850.

Association of exposures to environmental chemicals estimated through primary teeth biomatrix and health outcomes in children and adolescents - A systematic review

Children's heightened susceptibility to environmental exposure arises from their underdeveloped detoxification mechanisms and augmented per-unit body-weight absorption capacity for chemical compounds. Primary teeth are an emerging biomatrix, which aid in storing crucial data on early exposure to harmful substances and developmental illnesses. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the association between environmental chemical exposure and health outcomes in children and adolescents using primary teeth as a matrix. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023428013). The review spanned studies published between 1974 and 2023, identified through an extensive literature search on databases like MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, CINAHL, the Cochrane Oral Health Group Specialized Register, Scopus, and Web of Science. Distiller SR software was used to assess study quality and extract the outcome data. The NTP-OHAT scale assessed evidence quality, and case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies in English were included. Comprehensively reviewing 5287 articles resulted in 29 studies being included in the final analysis, comprising 15 cross-sectional, seven case-control, and seven cohort studies. All 29 studies qualified for qualitative analysis. Eleven studies analyzed lead (Pb) effects on health outcomes, four analyzed manganese (Mn), and 14 investigated other element groups. Primary teeth biomatrix assessed various health outcomes: neurobehavior, childhood behaviour, ADHD, birth outcomes, fetal alcohol syndrome disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and dental caries. This study contributes to existing evidence, reinforcing a link between environmental metal exposure and health consequences. The evidence extends to prenatal and postnatal periods, substantiated by primary teeth biomatrix analysis. Lead level fluctuations can influence neuropsychological functioning, potentially causing cognitive impairments. Altered manganese levels correlate with behavioral issues, adverse effects on visuospatial development, and birth weight changes. Primary teeth biomatrices aid fetal alcohol spectrum disorders diagnosis, and correlations between organo-chemical exposure and autism were observed.

Nanomedicine And Nanotheranostics: Special Focus on Imaging of Anticancer Drugs Induced Cardiac Toxicity

Cardiotoxicity, the often-overlooked second leading cause of death in cancer patients, has been associated with certain anticancer drugs. These drugs can induce cardiac damage through various pathways, and their adverse effects on the heart are not fully understood. Cardiotoxicity is a major issue in cancer treatment, particularly with chemotherapeutics, because it can cause cardiac dysfunction such as hypotension, heart failure, and even death. Doxorubicin, 5-fluorouracil, and trastuzumab, all of which are very potent anticancer drugs, are known to cause cardiotoxicity. When it comes to lowering cardiotoxicity and alleviating the harmful effects of chemotherapy medications, nanomedicine has the potential to transport therapeutic molecules. Nanotheranostics offers novel options for identifying and treating cardiotoxicity resulting from a wide range of substances, including anticancer medications. Additionally, theranostics platforms such as micellar systems, carbon-based nanomedicine, solid lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, and liposomes can transport chemotherapeutic medications while minimising their cardiotoxicity. The present level of understanding of the molecular and cellular processes that lead to cardiotoxicity in reaction to both traditional chemotherapy and targeted drug delivery systems is summarised in this article. This review delves into nanomedicine and nanotheranostics, with an emphasis on reducing anticancer medication-induced cardiac toxicity. Nanotheranostics provide potential solutions for early diagnosis and tailored therapy of heart injury by combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities into nanomedicine.

Redox-Sensitive Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Nanoparticles of Palbociclib: Development, Ultrasound/Photoacoustic Imaging, and Smart Breast Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality in women globally. The efficacy of breast cancer treatments, notably chemotherapy, is hampered by inadequate localized delivery of anticancer agents to the tumor site, resulting in compromised efficacy and increased systemic toxicity. In this study, we have developed redox-sensitive poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles for the smart delivery of palbociclib (PLB) to breast cancer. The particle size of formulated PLB@PLGA-NPs (nonredox-sensitive) and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs (redox-sensitive) NPs were 187.1 ± 1.8 nm and 193.7 ± 1.5 nm, respectively. The zeta potentials of nonredox-sensitive and redox-sensitive NPs were +24.99 ± 2.67 mV and +9.095 ± 1.87 mV, respectively. The developed NPs were characterized for morphological and various physicochemical parameters such as SEM, TEM, XRD, DSC, TGA, XPS, etc. The % entrapment efficiency of PLB@PLGA-NPs and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs was found to be 85.48 ± 1.29% and 87.72 ± 1.55%, respectively. RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs displayed a rapid drug release at acidic pH and a higher GSH concentration compared to PLB@PLGA-NPs. The cytotoxicity assay in MCF-7 cells suggested that PLB@PLGA-NPs and RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs were 5.24-fold and 14.53-fold higher cytotoxic compared to the free PLB, respectively. Further, the cellular uptake study demonstrated that redox-sensitive NPs had significantly higher cellular uptake compared to nonredox-sensitive NPs and free Coumarin 6 dye. Additionally, AO/EtBr assay and reactive oxygen species analysis confirmed the superior activity of RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs over PLB@PLGA-NPs and free PLB. In vivo anticancer activity in dimethyl-benz(a)anthracene-induced breast cancer rats depicted that RS-PLB@PLGA-NPs was highly effective in reducing the tumor size, hypoxic tumor, and tumor vascularity compared to PLB@PLGA-NPs and free PLB. Further, hemocompatibility study reveals that the developed NPs were nonhemolytic to human blood. Moreover, an in vivo histopathology study confirmed that both nanoparticles were safe and nontoxic to the vital organs.

Genetic variations in exon 10 of ENAM and their association with early childhood caries

OBJECTIVE

Enamelin is the largest enamel matrix protein encoded by the ENAM gene. The primary purpose of this study was to identify genetic variants in ENAM exon 10 that can alter susceptibility to early childhood caries (ECC).

METHODS

This case-control study included 248 children aged 3-6 years, with 124 children diagnosed with ECC in the case group and 124 children without caries in the control group. Questionnaires were used to record demographic data, socioeconomic status, hygienic practices, and feeding practices, and a 24-h diet diary was kept. Seven polymorphisms (rs7671281, rs1738668322, rs3796703, rs3796704, rs759376039, rs775159311, and rs1738678483) in ENAM exon 10 were sequenced.

RESULTS

The heterozygous CT genotype of rs7671281 was significantly more common in the case group compared to the control group (odds ratio [OR], 6.1765; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-18.58; P = 0.0006). Under the dominant model, the TT genotype of rs7671281 was significantly more common in the control group (OR, 6.47; 95% CI, 2.15-19.39; P < 0.001). The AG genotype of rs3796704 was significantly more common in the case group than in the control group (OR, 5.705; 95% CI, 1.60-20.25; P = 0.006). Under the dominant model, the GG genotype of rs3796704 was significantly more common in children without caries than in children with caries (OR, 6.84; 95% CI, 1.96-23.90; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The C allele of rs7671281 and the A allele of rs3796704 can increase susceptibility to ECC.

Three-dimensional evaluation of interproximal contacts of permanent dentition: a cone beam computed tomography study

PURPOSE

To assess the various patterns of the inter-proximal contact areas of the permanent dentition using the available cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.

METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on existing CBCT images from a University hospital and teaching department. Three thousand two hundred and fifty inter-proximal contacts were assessed from 125 existing CBCT scans of patients (age range: 14 years 3 months-29 years 9 months) who had matched the eligibility criteria. The types of inter-proximal contacts of the permanent dentition were scored at occlusal, middle, and cervical thirds, according to the OXIS inter-proximal contacts classification. Chi-square test was used to assess the contacts and gender/arches.

RESULTS

The most prevalent contact was type I for the posterior teeth contacts, and types S1 and S2 for the anterior teeth contacts. Statistical significance was not observed between the contacts on the left and right sides (P > 0.05), while statistical significance was observed between the inter-proximal contacts of the maxilla and mandible (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The CBCT-based three-dimensional assessment of the inter-proximal contact areas of the permanent dentition is representative of the OXIS classification. The occlusal level contact was predominantly representative of the overall type of the contact.

AS1411 aptamer/RGD dual functionalized theranostic chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles for brain cancer treatment and imaging

Conventional chemotherapy and poor targeted delivery in brain cancer resulting to poor treatment and develop resistance to anticancer drugs. Meanwhile, it is quite challenging to diagnose/detection of brain tumor at early stage of cancer which resulting in severity of the disease. Despite extensive research, effective treatment with real-time imaging still remains completely unavailable, yet. In this study, two brain cancer cell specific moieties i.e., AS1411 aptamer and RGD are decorated on the surface of chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles to improve targeted co-delivery of docetaxel (DTX) and upconversion nanoparticles (UCNP) for effective brain tumor therapy and real-time imaging. The nanoparticles were developed by a slightly modified emulsion/solvent evaporation method. This investigation also translates the successful synthesis of TPGS-chitosan, TPGS-RGD and TPGS-AS1411 aptamer conjugates for making PLGA nanoparticle as a potential tool of the targeted co-delivery of DTX and UCNP to the brain cancer cells. The developed nanoparticles have shown an average particle size <200 nm, spherical in shape, high encapsulation of DTX and UCNP in the core of nanoparticles, and sustained release of DTX up to 72 h in phosphate buffer saline (pH 7.4). AS1411 aptamer and RGD functionalized theranostic chitosan-PLGA nanoparticles containing DTX and UCNP (DUCPN-RGD-AS1411) have achieved greater cellular uptake, 89-fold improved cytotoxicity, enhanced cancer cell arrest even at lower drug conc., improved bioavailability with higher mean residence time of DTX in systemic circulation and brain tissues. Moreover, DUCPN-RGD-AS1411 have greatly facilitated cellular internalization and higher accumulation of UCNP in brain tissues. Additionally, DUCPN-RGD-AS1411 demonstrated a significant suppression in tumor growth in brain-tumor bearing xenograft BALB/c nude mice with no impressive sign of toxicities. DUCPN-RGD-AS1411 has great potential to be utilized as an effective and safe theranostic tool for brain cancer and other life-threatening cancer therapies.