Macro, Micro, and Nano-Inspired Bioactive Polymeric Biomaterials in Therapeutic, and Regenerative Orofacial Applications

Introducing dental polymers has accelerated biotechnological research, advancing tissue engineering, biomaterials development, and drug delivery. Polymers have been utilized effectively in dentistry to build dentures and orthodontic equipment and are key components in the composition of numerous restorative materials. Furthermore, dental polymers have the potential to be employed for medication administration and tissue regeneration. To analyze the influence of polymer-based investigations on practical medical trials, it is required to evaluate the research undertaken in this sector. The present review aims to gather evidence on polymer applications in dental, oral, and maxillofacial reconstruction.

Nootkatone Mitigated Melamine-Evoked Hepatotoxicity by Featuring Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Interconnected Mechanisms: In Vivo and In Silico Approaches

Melamine (ML) is a common environmental contaminant, commonly used in food fraud, representing a serious health hazard and jeopardizing human and animal health. Recently, nootkatone (NK), a naturally occurring sesquiterpenoid, has garnered considerable attention due to its potential therapeutic advantages. We investigated the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of NK against ML-induced liver injury in rats. Five groups were utilized: control, ML, NK10, ML-NK5, and ML-NK10. ML induced substantial hepatotoxicity, including considerable alterations in biochemical parameters and histology. The oxidative distress triggered by ML increased the generation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) and decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities. In addition, decreased expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) expression levels were observed in hepatocytes, which indicated the occurrence of inflammatory changes following ML exposure. These alterations were alleviated by NK supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. The data revealed that the favorable effects of NK were attributed, at least in part, to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, our results were supported by molecular docking studies that revealed a good fit and interactions between NK and antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the current study demonstrated that NK is a potential new food additive for the prevention or treatment of ML-induced toxicity.

Recent advances in biosensor devices for HER-2 cancer biomarker detection

The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) protein is a member of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR or ErbB) family and is a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor. HER-2 is highly regulated in ovarian, lung, gastric, oral, and breast cancers. The low specificity, complexity, expensiveness and the lack of sensitivity are essential restrictions in traditional diagnosis methods such as FISH, immunohistochemistry and PCR and these disadvantages led to the need for more studies on alternative methods. Biosensor technology has greatly affected the quality of human life owing to its features including, sensitivity, specificity, and rapid diagnosis and monitoring of different patient diseases. In this review article, we examine various biosensors, considering that they have been categorized based on the transducers used including piezoelectric biosensors, optical sensors such as fluorescence and surface plasmon resonance, and electrochemical types for the diagnosis of HER-2 and the effectiveness of some drugs against that. Attention to developing some types of biosensor devices such as colorimetric biosensors for HER-2 detection can be an important point in future studies.

Prediction of Successful Induction of Labor using Ultrasonic Fetal Parameters

Background:

Induction of labor (IOL) is a common obstetrical procedure. Bishop's score was the single predictor element used by practitioners to assess the risk of failure, which led to an increase in cesarean sections (CS). Ultrasound (US) examination was proposed since the variability limitations of Bishop score warranted alternative assessment tools.

Objective:

This study verifies how the US and other maternal parameters are used in the transperineal approach as an indication and as a predictor of successful induction.

Material and methods:

A prospective clinical study of 100 participants with term singleton pregnancy referred for IOL and who fit the criteria of this study. Their maternal parameters and fetal head to perineum distance (HPD), measured by the transperineal US, were calculated before the induction. After the induction, the patients were stratified into two groups, which are vaginal delivery (68%) and CS (32%). The estimated time interval to delivery was also recorded.

Results:

None of the maternal parameters was significant; the P-values of maternal age, parity, body mass index (BMI), gestational age, and weight of the fetus is 0.75, 0.75, 0.69, 0.81, and 0.81, respectively. One-way ANOVA test estimated the most significant factors for inducing labor. Fetal HPD and induction to delivery interval were remarkably significant in both groups <0.0001.

Conclusion:

The shorter the HPD (<47.65±1.66 mm), the higher the possibility of vaginal delivery and a shorter delivery interval. By contrast, the longer HPD (>52.56±1.93mm), the lower the possibility of vaginal delivery and a longer delivery interval. These promising results may serve as a valuable tool in predicting a mode of delivery.

Catalytic filtration: efficient C-C cross-coupling using Pd(II)-salen complex-embedded cellulose filter paper as a portable catalyst

A new platform has been developed for environmentally friendly C–C cross-coupling reactions via filtration of reactants through a portable Pd(II)-salen complex-embedded filter paper.

The Value of Serum Adiponectin in Osteoporotic Women: Does Weight Have an Effect?

Osteoporosis (OP) has been observed to have a deleterious effect on postmenopausal women's life quality by increasing the risk of fragility fractures. The current research was adopted to verify the role of serum adiponectin, a cytokine released by adipose tissue, as a marker for OP across different body mass index groups, for a better understanding of fatty tissue role in OP. A case-control study recruited 210 eligible postmenopausal women and subgrouped into three groups based on their DEXA scan results: osteoporotic group, osteopenia group, and healthy controls; each includes 70 patients. Three datasets were collected: anthropometric, age, menopause duration, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and fat percentage. Radiological examination estimated the bone mineral density (BMD) for the femoral neck and lumbar spines with their respective T-score. From blood, we measured alkaline phosphatase and calcium by a spectrophotometer and serum adiponectin, phosphate, CTX, and PICP by ELIZA. Total BMD, T-score, serum phosphate, and PICP were significantly higher among healthy controls. Serum adiponectin, CTX, and ALP scored higher levels among OP cases. A strong inverse relationship was proved between serum adiponectin and T-score in osteoporotic and osteopenia groups (-0.427, -0.301). A strong negative relationship was found between serum adiponectin and total BMD in healthy controls (-0.204). All correlations were statistically significant, P value <0.001. Serum adiponectin can be a valuable marker for reduced bone mineral density among the general populace, irrespective of the body mass index. Further research is warranted to explore therapeutic and preventive applications for this adipocytokine.

Ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blocks in pediatric anesthesia: non-systematic review

Background: The ultrasound guidance for regional anesthesia has gate a widespread as a recent technique to identify, visualize, and monitoring targeted nerves, needle insertion local anesthetic injection and distribution, catheters and adjacent anatomical structures, and helps to avoid complications such as inadvertent intravascular or intrafascicular injection in comparison to other traditional techniques.

Purpose of review: To show and explain if any superiority has added to brachial plexus approaches with this sonography guidance for the pediatric population over other traditional techniques in terms of increasing the success rate or reducing the complications.

Methods: Three authors1 independently searched the literature using MEDLINE and EMBASE bibliographic databases, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and manually in either the title or abstract, we also searched Google Scholar, Web of Science and reviewed the references of included trials for potentially relevant trials.

Results: Reviewed literature suggests that ultrasound-guided peripheral blocks reduce block performance time in comparison with nerve stimulation, increase the success rate, reduced intended LA agent, and increase the quality of the block (as measured by analgesic consumption, block duration, and pain scores).

Conclusion: The introduction of ultrasound imaging improved the safety profile, reduced performance time, and advanced the upper limbs block approach.