The Influence of Beverages on Resin Composites: An In Vitro Study

Dental composites, through their structural diversity, represent the biomaterials frequently used in dental reconstructive therapy. The aim of our study was to observe the influence of different beverage environment conditions on seven types of obturation dental materials with different compositions. Our research focused on the surface modification analysis of the materials after the immersion in the different beverages; in this regard, we used the EDAX technique correlated with the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The pH of the drinks and that of the simulated saliva solution were determined by the titrimetric method, a sodium hydroxide solution 0.1 mol/dm3 was prepared and used for the titration. An amount of 5 mL of each analyzed solution was added to 15 mL of distilled water to obtain a dilution, to which 3 drops of phenolphthalein (as a color indicator-Phenolphthalein, 3,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1(3H)-isobenzofuranone, C20H14O4 Mw: 318.32, purchased from Merck) were added for each analysis. For each solution, the experiment was repeated three times in order to obtain accurate results. The results of our study materialized into a real plea for modifying the patients' behavior in terms of diet and preferences for acidic drinks, so that their quality-of-life valence can be improved by keeping the composite materials in a long-term unalterable state on the one hand; on the other hand, systemic damage can be prevented as well.

Risk Predictors of Advanced Fibrosis in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The assessment of fibrosis in chronic liver diseases using non-invasive methods is an important topic in hepatology. The aim of this study is to identify patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and advanced liver fibrosis by establishing correlations between biological/ultrasound markers and non-invasively measured liver stiffness. This study enrolled 116 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which were evaluated clinically, biologically, and by ultrasound. Liver fibrosis was quantified by measuring liver stiffness by shear wave elastography (SWE). Multiple correlation analysis of predictors of liver fibrosis identified a number of clinical, biological, and ultrasound parameters (BMI, blood glucose, albumin, platelet count, portal vein diameter, bipolar spleen diameter) that are associated with advanced liver fibrosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The correlations between the degree of liver fibrosis and the risk values of some serological and ultrasound markers obtained in our study could be useful in clinical practice for the identification of advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.

The tumour volume influence on tumour recurrence and progression-free survival in the case of atypical meningiomas

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate a possible relation between the volume of atypical meningiomas (AMs) and the risk of tumour recurrence, as well as progression-free survival (PFS). Material and methods: We evaluated 81 patients diagnosed with AMs (WHO grade II meningioma) who have undergone surgery at the "Prof. Dr. N. Oblu" Emergency Clinical Hospital Iasi between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2019. The recorded data were demographic and imagistic (MRI, contrast-enhanced T1WI). We calculated the tumour volume prior to the surgery and evaluated the tumour recurrence using MRI at 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after the surgery. Results: 50.6% of patients had meningioma volume < 26.4 cm3. Women had larger tumour volumes than men (52.6%). Patients of age ? 60 years old, had tumour volumes ? 26.4 cm3 in 58.5% of cases and meningiomas with volumes ? 26.4 cm3 recurred earlier (p=0.010). Also, patients who had tumour volumes ? 26.4 cm3, had a shorter PFS (40.976 months), compared to patients with tumour volumes < 26.4 cm3, who had better PFS (53.4 months). Conclusions: the tumour volume of AMs ? 26.4 cm3 represents a negative prognostic factor for both early tumour recurrence and reduced PFS.

INSIGHTS ON AROMATASE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY: VARIATIONS BETWEEN INTRINSIC MOLECULAR SUBTYPES OF BREAST CANCERS

Context

Aromatase is a key enzyme in local estrogen production by androgen conversion, especially in women post-menopause. There have been controversies concerning aromatase localization in breast carcinomas and its association with current histopathological variables.

Material and Methods

Using polyclonal antibody immunohistochemistry we assessed (by intensity and percentage scores) the immunolocalization of aromatase in 70 tissue samples, and described particularities within the molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Results

Aromatase was found in all tissue compartments: tumor (95.7%), stroma (58.6%) and adipose tissue (94.3%). Aromatase expression in tumor cells correlated inversely with tumor grading (p=-0.361, p=0.027), and positively with estrogen receptor status (ER, p=0.143, p<0.001). Dividing the study group by intrinsic subtypes, a strongly inversely association between tumor aromatase and grading (p=-0.486, p<0.001), and between stromal aromatase and Ki67-index (p=-0.448, p=0.048) was observed in luminal A breast cancer. Tumor aromatase and ER percentage scores had stronger correlations in luminal B HER2 negative (p=0.632, p=0.002), and positive (p=0.324, p=0.026) tumors. In contrast, in triple negative tumors, a positive association stromal aromatase and Ki67 index (p=-0.359, p=0.007) was observed.

Conclusion

Local aromatase was linked to better tumor differentiation and proliferation in luminal breast subtypes, and not in triple negative cases, suggesting a potential prognostic role of aromatase in breast carcinomas.

NT-proBNP and Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Chronic Liver Disease

Plasma NT-proBNP levels are elevated in heart disease, especially in the presence of ascites-edema syndrome and left ventricular overload. Previous studies have reported cardiovascular dysfunction correlated with the severity of liver damage. This prospective study enrolled 65 subjects with the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis, 82 with chronic hepatitis and 65 healthy subjects in the control group. In chronic hepatitis, NT-proBNP has been shown to be an early marker of diastolic dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling, while in liver cirrhosis it also correlated with portopulmonary hypertension.

Studies Regarding the Architectural Design of Various Composites and Nanofibres Used in Dental Medicine

The aim of this study was represented by the definition and testing of a new formulation strategy and the functionality of composite materials, while ensuring the optimization of the relevant properties for the dental restoration processes through the use of precise techniques of characterization, the modification and functionality of the components in view of obtaining results that are characterized by an optimum biomechanical and bioactive relation, in full agreement with the particularities of the dental structure that requires restoration. In view of obtaining new resistant composite structures we made a number of 10 samples including extracted teeth with various losses of dental substance and the structural modifications included 3 types of composites, whose structure was improved by the introduction of inorganic fillings based on hydroxyapatite and silver nanoparticles. All these structures were reinforced with two types of fibers, Reforpost fiber glass kit (Angelus) and Fiber post Schulzer Pre-silanized; With regard to the use of composite structures improved by HA addition, we notice a slight lacunary structure on the SEM images due to the properties of HA, an aspect present at much smaller dimensions in the silver � HA mix. The size of the grains associated with their continuous uniformity and adherence for the fibrillar structure stands out at the samples with hydroxyapatite, the first place as uniformity and adherence going to the composite of the nanofiller technology category.

Implications of Digital Image Processing in the Paraclinical Assessment of the Partially Edentated Patient

The application of certain digital processing techniques offers the possibility of extra accuracy in the interpretation of paraclinical examinations of this type, with profound implications in the diagnosis as well as in the hierarchy of the treatment plan. The purpose of this study is to identify the type of imaging processing for the identification of pathological elements from orthopantomographies and articular tomographies. A number of 20 orthopantomographies and 15 temporo-mandibular joint tomography have undergone through various image enhancement techniques. Various methods of image enhancement (enhancement) have been used for those procedures whereby it becomes more useful in the following aspects: specific details are highlighted; noise is eliminated; the image becomes more visually attractive. The workings were done in Corel PhotoPaint 7.0, using the automatic procedures available.The choice of a particular type of image enhancement technique has been selected for each type of pathology found in orthopantomographies or articular tomography, providing the best accuracy for an optimal imaging interpretation that underpins a precision diagnosis.Of the most useful imaging processing in the optimization of the orthopantomographic image accuracy the point-to-point transformations are to be noted. The image processing proposed in this article focused primarily on improving the radiological image attributes to highlight specific anatomical structures, and secondly, the contour detection, where it was necessary for the diagnostic purposes as well.

Uric Acid and NT-proBNP as Biomarkers of Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism

The various thyroid axis dysfunctions have cardiovascular consequences both in hyperthyroidism and in hypothyroidism. This cross-sectional study included hyperthyroid and hypothyroid female patients in whom uric acid and NT-proBNP were determined in relation to changes in clinical findings and some echocardiographic parameters. The results of our study suggest that NT-proBNP is a better predictor than uric acid, correlating with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and systolic blood pressure variations.

Physicochemical Properties of Advanced Nanostructured Materials for Dental Microimplant Coatings

An important aspect of orthodontic microimplants is represented by biocompatibility and avoidance of infection development at living tissue surrounding it. Therefore, nanotechnology has the ability to improve this issue by coating microimplants with metal oxides type nanomaterials possessing antimicrobial effect. Some features of advanced nanostructured materials used as implant coatings, such as composition, structure, specific surface area, porosity, shape and size are factors that make them suitable as antimicrobial agents. The present work deals with the structural and morphological studies of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles used to combat oral diseases. Coating microimplants with nanosized titanium oxide (TiO2) and zinc oxide (ZnO) may improve conditions for osseointegration in accordance with preventing oral infection. These metal oxides nanopowders were synthesized using sol-gel method. Structural and morphological investigation were carried out by XRD and FTIR spectra, SEM-EDX and TEM images respectively. XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed metal oxides crystallization and metal oxide bonds. SEM-EDX and TEM features confirmed elemental composition of these nanoparticles and their textural characteristics such as shape, size, porosity and agglomeration degree.