Search

Background: Approximately 50% of dental amalgam is elemental mercury by weight. Accumulating body of evidence now shows that not only static magnetic fields (SMF) but both ionizing and non-ionizing electromagnetic radiations can increase the rate of mercury release from dental amalgam fillings. Iranian scientists firstly addressed this issue in 2008 but more than 10 years later, it became viral worldwide. Objective: This review was aimed at evaluating available data on the magnitude of the effects of different physical stressors (excluding chewing and brushing) on the release of toxic mercury from dental amalgam fillings and microleakage. Material and Methods: The papers reviewed in this study were searched from PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus (up to 1 December 2019). The keywords were identified from our initial research matching them with those existing on the database of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). The non-English papers and other types of articles were not included in this review. Results: Our review shows that exposure to static magnetic fields (SMF) such as those generated by MRI, electromagnetic fields (EMF) such as those produced by mobile phones; ionizing electromagnetic radiations such as X-rays and non- Ionizing electromagnetic radiation such as lasers and light cure devices can significantly increase the release of mercury from dental amalgam restorations and/or cause microleakage. Conclusion: The results of this review show that a wide variety of physical stressors ranging from non-ionizing electromagnetic fields to ionizing radiations can significantly accelerate the release of mercury from amalgam and cause microleakage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) are primary techniques for rectal cancer treatment. In radiotherapy planning, collimator rotation is a crucial parameter, and its adjustments can lead to dosimetric variations. This study examined the influence of collimator rotation on dosimetric outcomes for different IMRT and VMAT plans for rectal cancer. Methods: CT images from 20 male rectal cancer patients were used for IMRT and VMAT treatment planning with varying collimator angles. Nine IMRT techniques (5, 7, and 9 coplanar fields with collimator angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°) and six VMAT techniques (1 and 2 full coplanar arcs with collimator angles of 0°, 45°, and 90°) were planned for each patient. Dosimetric results for target tissue (conformity index [CI] and homogeneity index [HI]) and sparing of organs at risk (OARs) (parameters from OARs dose - volume histograms [DVH]) were analyzed and compared, along with radiobiological findings. Results: The 7-fields IMRT technique showed lower bladder doses (V40Gy, V45Gy) unaffected by collimator rotation. The 9 - fields IMRT and 2 - arcs VMAT (excluding the 90 - degree collimator) exhibited the lowest V35Gy and V45Gy. A 90 - degree collimator rotation in 2 - arcs VMAT significantly increased small bowel and bladder V45Gy, femoral head doses, and HI values. Radiobiologically, the 90 - degree rotation adversely affected small bowel NTCP (normal tissue complication probability). No superiority was observed for a 45 - degree collimator rotation over 0 or 30 degrees in VMAT techniques. Conclusions: Collimator rotation minimally impacted dosimetric parameters in IMRT planning but significantly affected VMAT techniques. A 90 - degree rotation in VMAT, especially in a 2 - full arc technique, negatively impacted PTV homogeneity index, bladder dose, and small bowel NTCP. Other evaluated collimator angles did not significantly affect VMAT dosimetrical or radiobiological outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry eye disease (DED) is a common ocular condition characterized by chronic inflammation and tear film disruption. It affects millions of people worldwide, causing significant eye discomfort and vision disturbances. Despite its prevalence, DED remains a complex condition that is not yet fully understood. It can arise from various ocular pathologies, including endocrinological disorders such as diabetes and Graves' orbitopathy. Natural products, including plant- and blood-based therapies, have shown promise in alleviating DED symptoms and may represent effective therapeutic approaches. In this study, we review recent research on natural product treatments for DED, focusing on blood-derived therapies (e.g., autologous serum, albumin serum, and allogeneic serum) and plant-based compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA), omega-6 fatty acids (O6FA), antioxidants, polyphenols, and flavonoids. Additionally, we examine the efficacy, mechanisms of action, and delivery systems of these treatments, highlighting the potential of blood-derived therapies, polyphenols, and flavonoids to improve or treat DED through multiple mechanisms. However, the use of these natural products as instilled drugs is limited by challenges such as solubility, stability, and biological barriers. Finally, we discuss drug delivery systems and structural modifications designed to enhance the therapeutic effects of these treatments, emphasizing their potential in managing DED., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this article., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The biosynthesis of tumor-associated sialoglycans involves Sialyltransferases expressed in cancer cells differentially. The current review aspires to bridge the existing knowledge gaps by consolidating evidence regarding the role of Sialyltransferases in gynecological malignant tumors (ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast)., Methods: In this systematic review, we searched databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library. Twenty-two high-quality articles were selected out of 559 researched studies using radiomics quality score (RQS) tools., Results: Our findings indicated that 7 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in ovarian cancer, in which 6 studies was examined only ST6Gal-I and one study examined the ST3Gal-I, ST3Gal-II, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, ST3Gal-VI, and ST3Gal-6. In addition, 5 articles were related to Sialyltransferases in cervix cancer (ST6Gal-I), 3 articles to endometrial cancer (ST6Gal-I, ST3Gal-III, ST3Gal-IV, and ST3Gal-6), and 7 articles to breast cancer (ST6Gal-I gene in 5 studies, ST6GAL-II gene in one study, and ST8SIA1 and ST3GAL-V genes in one study)., Conclusion: ST6Gal-I gene expression occurs at a high speed in ovarian, cervix, endometrial, and breast cancers, leading to metastasis to distant cells, cell destruction, cell invasion, and reduced patient survival., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Although cancer treatment with cisplatin is effective, dose-dependent adverse effects such as ototoxicity occurs often, which limits its clinical use. The use of resveratrol may alleviate the cisplatin-induced ototoxic effects. This study is aimed to review the potential otoprotective effects of resveratrol against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity., Method: According to the PRISMA guideline, a systematic search was accomplished to identify all relevant scientific papers on "the role of resveratrol against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity" in different electronic databases up to May 2021. Fifty-five articles were screened based on a predefined set of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eight eligible studies were finally included in the current systematic review. The in-vitro findings revealed that cisplatin administration significantly decreased the HEI-OC1 cell viability compared to the untreated cells; however, resveratrol co-treatment (in a dose-dependent manner) could protect HEI-OC1 cells against cisplatin-induced decrease in cell viability., Results: Furthermore, the in-vivo finding showed a decreased value of DPOAE, and increased values of ABR threshold, ABR-I, ABR-IV, and ABR I-IV interval in cisplatin-treated animals; in contrast, resveratrol co-administration demonstrated an opposite pattern on these parameters., Conclusion: Thus, it can be mentioned that resveratrol co-treatment alleviates cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. Mechanically, resveratrol exerts its otoprotective effects through various mechanisms such as anti-oxidant, anti-apoptosis, and anti-inflammatory., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The reproductive system is extremely vulnerable to chemotherapy drugs, ionizing radiation, toxic heavy metals, chemicals, and so on. These harmful stimuli are able to induce oxidative damage, apoptosis, inflammation, and other mechanisms in the reproductive organs, leading to different adverse reproductive effects. It was shown that using medicinal plants (medicinal herbs) can be an effective medication for the prevention and treatment of multiple health conditions. Silymarin is a medicinal herb extract, obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum. This herbal agent is a nontoxic agent even at relatively high physiological dose values, which suggests that it is safe for use in the treatment of different diseases. The hepato-, neuro-, cardio- and nephro-protective effects of silymarin have been assessed previously. The protective activities of silymarin can point to anti-oxidant, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, immunomodulatory, and membrane-stabilizing properties. In this review, we aim to summarize current studies on the protective potentials of silymarin against reproductive toxicity. The molecular mechanisms of silymarin protection against cellular toxicity are also studied. Moreover, the findings obtained from improved formulations and delivery systems of silymarin have been addressed., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)