Comprehensive in vitro and in ovo assessment of cytotoxicity: Unraveling the impact of sodium fluoride, xylitol, and their synergistic associations in dental products

Over the past several decades, dental health products containing fluoride have been widely employed to mitigate tooth decay and promote oral hygiene. However, concerns regarding the potential toxicological repercussions of fluoride exposure have incited continuous scientific inquiry. The current study investigated the cytotoxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) and xylitol (Xyl), both individually and in combination, utilizing human keratinocyte (HaCaT) and osteosarcoma (SAOS-2) cell lines. In HaCaT cells, NaF decreased proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner and induced apoptosis-related morphological changes at low concentrations, whereas Xyl exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxic effects. The combination of NaF and Xyl reduced cell viability, particularly at higher concentrations, accompanied by apoptosis-like morphological alterations. Sub-cytotoxic NaF concentrations (0.2%) significantly affected caspase activity and the expression of pro-apoptotic genes. Conversely, Xyl demonstrated no discernible effect on these biological parameters. In SAOS-2 cells, NaF increased proliferation at high concentrations, contrasting with Xyl's concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. The combination of NaF and Xyl had a minimal impact on cell viability. Sub-cytotoxic NaF concentrations did not influence caspase activity or gene expression, while Xyl induced dose-dependent morphological alterations, increased caspase activity, and upregulated pro-apoptotic gene expression. In ovo experiments on the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) revealed that only NaF induced irritant effects, suggesting potential vascular adverse outcomes. This study advocates for the combined use of NaF and Xyl, highlighting their cytotoxicity benefits in healthy cells while maintaining safety considerations for tumor cells.

A Preliminary Report Regarding the Morphological Changes of Nano-Enabled Pharmaceutical Formulation on Human Lung Carcinoma Monolayer and 3D Bronchial Microtissue

Background and Objectives: Nowadays, the development of enabled pharmaceutical nanoparticles of solid lipid type is continuously growing, because they have the potential to be used for targeted drug release leading to an increased effect of chemotherapy, being used in lung cancer nano-diagnosis and nano-therapy. The current study reports the preliminary results obtained regarding the biological effect of a new nano-enabled pharmaceutical formulation in terms of its cytotoxic and biosafety profile. Materials and Methods: The pharmaceutical formulations consist of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) obtained via the emulsification-diffusion method by loading green iron oxide nanoparticles (green-IONPs) with a pentacyclic triterpene (oleanolic acid-OA). Further, a complex biological assessment was performed, employing three-dimensional (3D) bronchial microtissues (EpiAirwayTM) to determine the biosafety profile of the SLN samples. The cytotoxic potential of the samples was evaluated on human lung carcinoma, using an in vitro model (A549 human lung carcinoma monolayer). Results: The data revealed that the A549 cell line was strongly affected after treatment with SLN samples, especially those that contained OA-loaded green-IONPs obtained with Ocimum basilicum extract (under 30% viability rates). The biosafety profile investigation of the 3D normal in vitro bronchial model showed that all the SLN samples negatively affected the viability of the bronchial microtissues (below 50%). As regards the morphological changes, all the samples induce major changes such as loss of the surface epithelium integrity, loss of epithelial junctions, loss of cilia, hyperkeratosis, and cell death caused by apoptosis. Conclusions: In summary, the culprit for the negative impact on viability and morphology of 3D normal bronchial microtissues could be the too-high dose (500 µg/mL) of the SLN sample used. Nevertheless, further adjustments in the SLN synthesis process and another complex in vitro evaluation will be considered for future research.

Changes in clinical and microbiological parameters of the periodontium during initial stages of orthodontic movement in patients with treated severe periodontitis: A longitudinal site-level analysis

Applying orthodontic braces makes oral hygiene difficult and increases plaque accumulation, frequently resulting in gingival inflammation. In patients with previous severe periodontitis, this inflammation overlaps with the pre-existing inflammatory challenge and can lead to further progression of periodontal attachment loss. The aim of this study was to assess longitudinal site-level changes as mirrored by clinical and microbiological parameters during the initial remodeling of alveolar bone and the periodontal ligament, produced as an effect of light orthodontic forces in adult patients with severe periodontal disease that underwent standard (non-surgical and conventional surgical) periodontal therapy. Thirteen patients with previously treated severe generalized periodontitis were given fixed orthodontic appliances for re-alignment of teeth misaligned or displaced during the course of periodontitis. Before insertion of orthodontic appliances and at 2, 4, and 6 months of treatment, periodontal clinical parameters were recorded in the same deepest residual pocket of at least 3 mm in each patient. The same pocket was sampled at baseline and after 6 months of orthodontic treatment for the frequency of positive detection of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tanerella forsythia (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td). An average reduction in Pocket Depth by 0.2 mm at the end of the assessment period was identified. The only clinical parameter with statistically significant improvement was bleeding on probing. The frequency of detection of Aa, Pg, Pi, and Tf was not significantly different between baseline and 6 months of treatment, while a marginally significant increase of Td was found. There were no significant differences in the clinical parameters or microflora in the initial phase of orthodontic treatment in patients with reduced periodontal support. By correlating clinical and microbiological data, we concluded that the presence of periopathogens do not negatively influence periodontal health during orthodontic treatment in adult patients treated for severe periodontitis.

Assessment of Giardia lamblia Infection Prevalence Using Lugol�s Iodine Staining Technique

Parasitic diseases have a worldwide distribution and represent an important public health problem. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in a Child Day Care Center from Western Romania using direct wet mount and concentration procedures of stool samples. One hundred sixty-four children aged 2-8 years were investigated. Stool examinations were performed using the iodine staining for the identification of protozoan cysts and the Willis-Hung concentration method for the identification of helminth eggs. Routine laboratory investigations were also conducted to evaluate the eosinophil count in the infected children. Intestinal parasitic infections were diagnosed in 47 cases (28.6%). Giardia lamblia (25%), Entamoeba coli (5.5%), Blastocystis hominis (1.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.6%) and Trichuris trichiura (0.6%) were the only parasites identified. Among the children with parasitic infections we have determined association of two parasites in 7 (14.9%). We have found that in children with giardiasis the eosinophil values were increased (5.54�4.21%) compared to controls (3.69�1.48%) (p[0.01). Our findings suggest that giardiasis may be significantly prevalent in children attending day care centers in Western Romania. Efficient educational programs should be timely implemented in child care centers with the aim of providing appropriate infection control measures.

Critical Overview of HER2 Assessement in Bladder Cancer: What Is Missing for a Better Therapeutic Approach?

BACKGROUND/AIM

To assess the concordance between IHC and FISH and its influence on tumor type, grade and lympho-vascular invasion (LVI).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC) to 45 cases of bladder carcinoma, followed by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) were applied.

RESULTS

31.12% cases were IHC positive. Less than 35% of HER2-negative cases presented LVI and this percent increased to 54.54% for +1 HER2 cases. LVI increases up to 57.14% for +2 HER2 cases and slightly decreased for +3 HER2 cases to 42.85%. IHC/FISH concordance was found for 73.34% cases but 31.57% were previously negative and 36.36% scored as +1 by IHC had gene amplification as shown by FISH analysis. T3 was correlated with HER2-IHC (p=0.05) and HER2-FISH (p=0.01).

CONCLUSION

Improved HER2 assessement is needed for urothelial carcinomas. HER2-IHC scored as 0-2 should be validated by and reclassified according to FISH analysis.

Hartman Perdok Method Applied to A2BSi2O7 and AB2O6 Types of Microcrystals and the Concept of Fractional Charges

Using the concept of Fractional Charges were calculate the attachment energies and was simulated the growth form of quartz crystals in the past. In this paper , by using the concept of normal and fractional charges in the system for A2BSi2O7 and AB2O6 types of crystals, will be computed the attachment energies and it will be done the conclusions of influences of fractional charges in the system for energies calculations the first step in Hartman Perdok Method applied to microcrystals.

Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity of Plant Extracts Using Flow Cytometry

This study is aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of natural extracts on reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human red cells (RBCs) under oxidative stress and to demonstrate the importance of using natural extracts from plants in the fight against oxidative stress. Therefore, seven nonalcoholic extracts were tested at several dilutions, in order to prove their antioxidant activity using flow cytometry. The level of intracellular hydrogen peroxide significantly decreased when the cells were coincubated with different extracts, the values of the Mean Fluorescence Intensity (MFI) ranging from 206 to 3702, compared with 3872, the value obtained in case of H2O2-treated cells (RBCs + H2O2). All the tested extracts demonstrated a good inhibition, Melissa officinalis L. extract showed a greater percentage of hydrogen peroxide inhibition even at the last dilution (94.70% (D-a)�.85.76% (D-e)). The results suggest the importance of the investigated natural extracts to combat oxidative stress.

Vascular morphometry and micrometry of the orbital region of the human optic nerve

The study aims at providing data on the vascular morphometry and micrometry of the orbital region of the human optic nerve. The disposition of the microcirculatory trunk in the orbital region has been studied on 40 samples taken post-mortem, as well as on 10 pieces from subjects having undergone enucleation. Histological specimens were prepared from the optic nerves using eosinhematoxylin dye-staining, the Romhany-Bârzu staining and the Gomory trichromic staining. Functionally active capillaries make up 19.380 per cent (7-14 micro group), respectively 21.318 per cent (15-20 micro group) of the total vessels in the area, having an average diameter of 10.01 +/- 0.0826085 p, respectively 17.9272 +/- 0.0651995 micro, for P = 0.05. There are 169 reserve capillaries (with a diameter between 2-6 micron), representing 32.752 of the total of vessels counted. The existence of reserve capillaries allows, at a certain point, for the supplying of the obstruction or of the vasospasm on the territory of the functionally active capillary

The adult coeliac ganglion: a morphologic study

The coeliac plexus is located on the sides of the coeliac trunk and nearby the origins of the superior mesenteric and renal arteries. Afferent branches get to this plexus from the vagus nerve, splanchnic nerves and the right phrenic nerve; efferents leave for viscera through periarterial plexuses and the retroportal nerves. The coeliac plexus ganglia - coeliac, superior mesenteric, aorticorenal - are prevertebral ganglia that receive the preganglionic sympathetic fibers brought by the splanchnic nerves from the thoracic spinal cord. For studying the adult coeliac ganglia dissections were performed then pieces were drawn for silver staining by the method of Bielschowsky on blocks and HE stains. The adult coeliac ganglia consist of well-defined ganglionic subunits, of a varying number of neurons with somata ranging from 14 to 48 microns and characteristically involved in extensive dendritic fields. Individual degrees of coalescence may justify the macroscopic appearance of the coeliac ganglion but its structure keeps distinctive subunits.

Benign gastric tumors. Anatomopathological aspects of the gastric wall

Benign tumours of the stomach are quite rare and are discovered accidentally during routine endoscopy or necroscopy. They represent less than 20 per cent of gastric tumours, and their clinical picture consists in pain, bleeding and antropyloric stenosis.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

The cases were studied retrospectively over a 10-year period (1995 - 2005) and consist of patients that underwent needle biopsies and surgery in the Timiş County Hospital.

RESULTS

Benign tumoural pathology was present in 73 cases, 43 (58.9%) in women, 30 (42.1%) in men. The age of the patients ranged between 36-88 years in women, and 31-87 years in men. The material for study consisted in gastric resection pieces and specimens of needle biopsy. In order to establish the histopathological diagnosis and to define the specific type of the damage, the first specimens were stained using morphological methods. Routine morphological investigation was carried out through Hematoxylin-Eosine staining, which was the standard technique used for all the cases.

[Neovascularization in rat optic nerve]

The study aims at assessing possible age-induced alterations in the nervous vascular network by examining the microcirculation of the optic nerve in rats grouped by age. Histological specimens were stained with hematoxiline-eosine, the Romhany-Barzu dye staining and the Gomory tri-chromic dye staining. The volume, section surface and total surface of 2-6 micro and 7-14 micro vessels were determined on a total of 960 vessels of this group, over a five square millimeter area. The tables show the increase of vascular parameters from birth to adulthood, and the fact that not all the vessels were injected in old animals. The density of the vessels per square millimeter, their average length and average diameters, error calculus, variation coefficient, Student test and chi2 allow assessing the differences between animals belonging to the same species but to different age groups, or under the influence of medication.

The value of radio-imaging methods in the diagnosis of chest wall metastases

The aim of the study was to reveal the value of radio-imaging methods in the diagnostic assessment of chest wall metastases. We retrospectively reviewed 48 cases of chest wall metastases examined clinically, radiologically, by ultrasound, CT-scan and MRI. All cases were histologically assessed by surgical biopsies. Plain chest radiography (X-ray) was in all cases a prerequisite for any evaluation of the chest wall being of great value in demonstration of the displaced rib fractures, localized bony destruction and the detection of most soft tissue lesions. The ultrasound examination (US) allowed real time analysis and thus the functional imaging of the chest wall metastases with special interest in vascular impairment being limited by relatively small field of view with more difficulties in anatomical orientation. With involvement of bone marrow and spinal cord, MRI became the most sensitive and the most specific imaging method, successfully diagnosing intramedullar lesions in three cases. In the detection of chest wall infiltration by primary malignancies from the lung, pleura, pericardium, breast and spinal cord we preferred the CT-scan, which revealed the presence of the lesions in 29 cases with typically obtuse angles against the adjacent chest wall and pleura. In the imaging evaluation of malignant lymphoma the CT-scan demonstrated chest wall extension in five cases. CT-scan and MRI revealed chest wall localization for distant metastases in 14 cases. The imaging methods clearly showed the number, the extent, the anatomic reports and the aggressive characteristics of chest wall metastases being of great value in the decision of adequate therapy.

Anatomic and pathological aspects in the pathology of malignant gastric tumors

Efforts in perfecting the methods of early diagnosis, in trying to assess premalignant conditions, and in properly staging malignant tumors are still in trend. The geographic area around Timişoara (Banat Region) is situated on the first place in the country as far as the gastric location of cancer is concerned. The authors aimed to deal with the initial stage in the development of gastric cancer, a stage which has been oncologically termed "precancerous damage", and with the neoplastic invasion of the gastric wall. The present paper is based on the 1995-2005 statistics of the IInd Surgical Department of the Timişoara County Hospital, the study group consisting of 802 patients admitted for gastric disorders, 522 of which being later diagnosed with a tumoral pathology. Routine morphological tests were conducted on biopsy pieces dye stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin, standard technique, the van Gieson trichromic staining, the Giemsa staining, the AA-PAS staining and the immunoreaction methods. The age for gastric tumoral pathology ranged between 36-88 years in females, and 31-87 years in males. Most gastric carcinomas are adenocarcinoma, 404 (90%) cases--could be classified as follows: 167 cases of tubular adenocarcinoma; 39 cases of papillary adenocarcinoma; 24 cases of mucinous or colloid adenocarcinoma; 141 "signet ring"-cell carcinoma; 33 cases of undifferentiated carcinoma. Currently there is an increase of the incidence of the "diffuse"-type in women and at younger ages. Attention should be given to precancerous conditions; there was a large number of premalignant or potentially malignant gastric damage: atrophic chronic gastritis (54 cases), intestinal metaplasia (104 cases), and gastric dysplasia (104 cases).

Correlations between anomalies of jugular veins and areas of vascular drainage of head and neck

The study conducted on 60 human cadavers preserved in formalin, in the Anatomy Laboratory of the "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, during 2000-2006, observed the internal and external jugular veins from the point of view of their origin, course and affluents. The morphological variability of the jugular veins (external jugular that receives as affluents the facial and lingual veins and drains into the internal jugular, draining the latter's territory--3.33%; internal jugular that receives the lingual, upper thyroid and facial veins, independent--13.33%, via the linguofacial trunk--50%, and via thyrolinguofacial trunk--33.33%) made possible the correlation of these anomalies with disorders in the ontogenetic development of the veins of the neck. Knowing the variants of origin, course and drainage area of jugular veins is important not only for the anatomist but also for the surgeon operating at this level.

Variation of cephalometric parameters in peri-puberty cephalometric aspects of sexual dymorphism

The data regarding the global and segmental growth and development of the child are useful in pluri-disciplinary studies which view the human body as an entity where the biological aspects (both the normal and the pathological ones) interlace with the socio-cultural ones, thus offering the possibility to any specialist in the field of humanities and morphological studies to cover a wide range in contemporary anthropological research. The development of the skull takes place in two active stages separated by a stage of relative quiet during the age of seven and puberty when the skull has a dolicocephalic aspect. During the second stage of active growth (which starts with puberty) there is a transversal growth of the basis of the cranium followed by an anteroposterior growth. The degree of gender-related differences as far as the dimensions and proportions of the skull are concerned vary greatly according to race, therefore we may say that general ethnic differences are more pronounced than gender-related ones.

The importance of CT scan in the clinical-morphological and anatomical assessment of mediastinal lymphomas

The study points out the value of CT scan in the investigative algorithm of mediastinal lymphomas. Thirty-eight cases of mediastinal malignant lymphoma were evaluated in a statistical retrospective study. CT scan was used for staging the disease in 25 cases and for post-therapeutic evaluation in the other 13 cases. The CT scan for staging purpose has shown the presence of significant isolated and confluent enlarged lymph nodes in the mediastinum in all 25 cases. Post-therapeutic evaluation of the 13 cases examined by CT showed six remissions, five reductions of lymph node masses and two extra nodal extensions. CT scan is the imaging method of choice in the clinico-morphological and anatomical assessment of mediastinal lymphomas.

Morphological changes in dental pulp after the teeth preparation procedure

The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate changes in the pulp-dentin complex that result from crown preparation, and their correlation with the thickness of remaining dentin and the preparation technique (with or without water spray cooling). Thirty upper intact premolars scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons were high speed prepared, extracted immediately after preparation and divided in 5 groups. The analysis of the pulp morphology demonstrated that there are several differences according with the preparation technique. The most severe changes appear after the profound preparation without water-cooling, the odontoblastic layer being extremely affected. Also, vascular reactions and inflammatory infiltrate (in the absence of bacteria) were present. Our study revealed that the histologic changes in the pulp and dentin following complete crown preparation occur anyway and they are considered difficult to avoid, even if an adequate technique of preparation is used.

Aspects referring to the morphological variability of the abdominal branches of pneumogastric nerve (nervus vagus)

Terminal part and the abdominal branches of pneumogastric nerve were and still is an up-to-date problem not only through the anatomic importance but also through its implications in surgical practice. The study was done on 50 corpses using the dissection method. We are looking after torsion variants of pneumogastric nerves around the esophagus, morphological variability of the periesophageal pnemogastric plexus among witch the pnemogastric nerves loose theirs individuality through the mixture and the anastomoses of the fibers and the morphological variability of abdominal branches of the nerve, grouped by us in anterior and posterior branches.

The construction of human body--from model to reality

The human body building represented a complex research topic for the scientist in the most diverse domains. Although their interests and reasons were different, the goal was always the same: establishing a relation to verify the ratio between the dimensions of the constituent segments It appears that the mystery was solved out in the XIX-th century by Adolf Zeising, a German, who, using the statistic calculus, defined the division of a segment by the gold section. This purely mathematic logic confirms the human body's integration in proportion to the finest segments, thus providing the technical instrument of building a fully harmonious human body. The present study aims to compare the ideal, the calculated perfection to the reality, namely the theoretically obtained values to the average values of an 18-year-old male. It appears that the differences refer especially to the limbs; both the superior ones and the inferior ones being longer comparing to the ideal pattern while the bust is shorter and broader.

[Computer tomography in primary orbital tumors]

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to observe the anatomical changes that occur in the tumoral pathology of the orbit, as well as to underline the importance of computed tomographic examination in the investigation of the orbital tumoral pathology.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

This study has been conducted in the Military Hospital of Timisoara by a team made of anatomists, radiologists and ophthalmologists. A number of 215 patients were examined over a period of six years, between 1998-2002. The computed tomography examinations were made with Picker IQ Premier equipment, using contiguous native axial sections of 2 to 5 mm thick, after intravenous injection of non-ionic contrast-enhancing substance for vascular identification and iodophilic quantification specific to each structure.

RESULTS

From the 215 patients that had undergone a CT examination of the orbits, 41 cases had positive orbital tumoral pathology. The primary tumors of the optic nerve had the highest incidence being present in 12 cases, of which 9 with glioma and 3 with meningioma. The second most frequent were the vascular tumors revealed in 11 cases.

CONCLUSION

Due to its diagnosis performances CT has to be considered as a routine investigation method, recommended as a method of choice in orbital tumoral pathology.

Oligoelements in dog's chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis through dimethylnitrosamine

By the emission spectrographic analysis, we have searched the following oligoelements: Mn, Cd, Cu, Be, Cr, Ge, Nb, Ga, Zr, W, Pb, Sn, As, Zn, Ag, Sb, Ni, Bi, Co, Mo, and V, in the aortic arterial blood, in the caval, portal and suprahepatic vein blood, in ascite and in the bile, in control and in intoxicated dogs with dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA). Be, Ge, Nb, Ga, W, As, Sb were never found. Increased values of Cu, Mn, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mo and V were noticed. The differences between the values obtained at intoxicated dogs against the control dogs were sometimes clear; at other times they were equal. This is the case of Ag in the aortic and suprahepatic vein blood and in the bile. In the portal vein blood Zn exceeds almost two times the values obtained in the intoxicated dogs. Also in the portal vein blood, Mo is almost three times more in the control dogs than in the intoxicated ones. But, generally, the values of the controls are below those found by the intoxicated dogs.