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• Photobiomodulation therapy effectively relieves the symptoms of oral lichen planus. • Erosive lesions improve better than keratotic ones after Photobiomodulation therapy. • Expression of bcl-2 is weaker in oral lichen planus lesions compared to normal mucosa. • PBM therapy can increase the expression of bcl-2 in oral lichen planus. Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory disease, in which T-Lymphocytes induce apoptosis of basal keratinocytes, leading to the formation of symptomatic lesions. It is assumed that blocking the cell death program and enhancing cell proliferation would be crucial to the healing process. The aim of the study was to verify the efficacy of Photobiomodulation (PBM) in OLP management, by evaluating the effects of laser irradiation on the processes of apoptosis and cell proliferation. Twenty patients with OLP underwent PBM with 810 nm diode laser (0.5 W, 30 s, 1.2 J/cm2), 3 times a week for one month. The size and clinical scores of the lesions and pain level were recorded and compared before and after therapy using Thongprasom sign scoring system and Visual Analogue Scale, respectively. Biopsies were taken before and after therapy and analyzed immunohistochemically for bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression. Tissue sections from 10 healthy volunteers were used as controls for the levels of these markers in normal oral mucosa. PBM significantly reduced patients' pain intesity and improved the clinical signs of the lesions. OLP tissue sections demonstrated lower staining for bcl-2 and Ki-67 compared to healthy controls. After therapy the expression of bcl-2 increased significantly. An enhance in Ki-67 immunoreactivity was revealed predominantly in the atrophic-erosive epithelium. PBM is an effective treatment modality for OLP patients. Erosive forms of the disease responded better to laser irradiation than keratotic subtypes. At the molecular level, PBM is likely to recover the impaired cell cycle mechanisms and keratinocyte proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuscuta campestris Yunck. is a stem holoparasitic flowering plant, wide-spread and currently considered invasive worldwide. It has both ecological and agricultural significance. However, little is known on how the conditions of the environment, and abiotic stresses in particular, could affect the success of this parasite. A total of 22 potential host plants, belonging to 10 species and 4 families, were tested as C. campestris hosts under different saline regimes. The changes in survival rate (number of successful infections) and growth (as cm day−1) of the parasite were studied. Salinity did significantly change the survival and growth rate of C. campestris , which effect was species- and cultivar-dependent. While generally the survival of the parasite decreased with increasing salinization, the opposite effect was observed on several host plants. However, survival rate did not always coincide with higher growth rate. This suggests that salinity produces different effects on the parasite depending on the host plant and these depend strongly not only on the species, but also on the cultivar. These results strongly suggest that under salt stress the suitability of various crop plants as hosts for C. campestris may change significantly, thus affecting the overall success of the parasite. In the light of the increased salinization of soils, this may have a significant effect on the spread of C. campestris and its agricultural impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of medical errors implies the existence of a problem in the entire health care system, not only from medical, but also from economic, legal, ethical and societal points of view. They are an indicator of the level of quality in health care, requiring improvements in all aspects of medical care with minimal risk of medical errors. There is extreme diversity in the regulation of a legal definition for the concept of "medical or doctor's error" or the absence of such a legally regulated definition at all. In the medical literature, medical error refers to a collective concept that encompasses a variety of essentially different causes, manifestations and outcomes of medical malpractices. The legal doctrine, however, does not define the concept that indicates an improper action or inaction or a combination of such actions of a medical professional, which could affect or negatively affect the patient's health. To the alarming fact that "there is no defined concept, but there are convicted doctors" and to the fact that often criminal decrees are defined as violations of the rules of good medical practice, which in practice do not exist, the author presents the differences in the concepts of "medical/systemic/error" and "medical/personal/error". The lack of understanding and acceptance by institutions protecting the rights of patients and doctors is at the root of the continuing imbalance in these relationships. A real factor in solving this problem can only be the class organization - Bulgarian Medical Union. The presentation examines the steps that should be taken and implemented to achieve this balance. They require both a normative change in the Law on Professional Organizations of Doctors and Dentists with a change in the currently regulated limited rights of the Bulgarian Medical Union and the Central Commission on Professional Ethics, as well as the identification of specific measures, thoroughly discussed in the this presentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous inflammatory disease aff ecting 1-2% of the general population with maximum prevalence of the disease in women above the age of 40. Its aetiology remains unclear and the pathogenesis is still the object of much speculation. It is considered to be an autoimmune disorder mediated mainly by the T-lymphocytes. The present paper presents the most well-known external agents (viruses in particular), internal agents like stress, and the heat shock protein thought to be trigger factors and describes the action of diff erent cells and proteins associated with the development of that disease. Diagnosis is based on clinical and histopathologic evidence; direct and indirect immunofluorescence techniques can also be of use. Despite the wide variety of therapeutic modalities, treatment outcomes are often insufficient. Currently, topical corticosteroids are widely accepted as a standard therapy, but also retinoids, calcineurin inhibitors and other immunosuppressants can be administered. Because of the aspect relevant to these drugs, priority is given to alternative harmless methods such as LLLT and PDLT. There is an ongoing controversy in the literature about the possible premalignant character of oral lichen planus, however, periodic followup is recommended.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the antihyperalgesic and antinociceptive effects of two formulations containing peat water extracts using a model of carrageenan-induced hyperalgesia, combined with a test with a mechanical stimulus, and a hot plate test. Rats were divided into seven groups (n = 6) and received local treatment with two peat formulations and two diclofenac formulations dissolved in carbopol gel and Wolff® basis creme, respectively. Carbopol gel, Wolff® basis creme and 0.9 % NaCl without tested substances were used as controls. Both peat formulations exerted an unambiguous antihyperalgesic effect 60 minutes after the treatment. In the hot plate test, the rats treated with the Wolff® basis creme peat formulation showed a tendency to prolonged latency on the first hour. The results could be explained by partial activation of peripheral α2-adrenoceptors and the possible COX-2 suppressive activity.

Background: The erosive-atrophic form of oral lichen planus (OLP) is associated with severe pain and burning sensation and is often unresponsive to treatment. Topical corticosteroids are considered as a medication of first choice but they can produce adverse effects. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are required.

The article discusses the role of truncated plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 protein (rPAI-123) in the growth of atherosclerotic plaque. The rPAI-123 inhibits the growth of vasa vasorum and vessels within the adjacent plaque and vessel wall through inhibition of fibroblast growth factor-2, leading to reduced plaque growth in atherogenic female LDLR ApoB-48-deficient mice.

Abstract: A new hand-held laser range scanner is introduced that can capture multi-view range images of an object and integrate the images without registering them. The scanner uses a reference double-frame that acts as the coordinate system of the object. Range images captured from different views of the object are in the coordinate system of the double-frame and, thus, automatically come together. A single-view image is obtained by sweeping a laser line over the object while keeping the camera fixed and analyzing the acquired laser stripes. The laser line generator and the camera can move independently, making it possible to conveniently scan an object just like painting over it with a paintbrush while viewing it from different views. The hardware and software organization of the scanner are described, the characteristics of the scanner are investigated, and example images captured by the scanner are presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aim: To assess temperature changes at specified time intervals during Er:YAG laser scaling and root planing of surfaces with dental calculus.

Fragaria pentaphylla is a perennial herb with two morphs that produce either white or red fruit. A combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis of the red and white fruits was conducted to reveal the different accumulated metabolites and differentially expressed genes between the red and white fruits. Red fruits of F. pentaphylla had higher quality with abundant flavonoids, free amino acids, and vitamins, compared with white fruits. Four anthocyanins, one procyanidin and 15 flavonoids in red morphs were significantly higher than in white morphs. The low level of pelargonin O-hexosyl-O-hexoside, pelargonidin O-hexoside and petunidin O-rutinoside might contribute to the white color of the F. pentaphylla flesh. Eighteen amino acids, except glycine or glutamine, were found in both the red and white morphs. Red fruits had a higher content of amino acids than white fruits. No DEG was involved in the pathway for amino acids synthesis, indicating that the higher levels of amino acids in red fruits than in white were not due to an increased amino acid biosynthesis. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic data suggested that COR , CHI , DFR , PKS and COMT genes might be related to the synthesis of flavonoids. Besides, 7OMT and PKS genes were shown to be closely associated with alkaloid and polyphenol synthesis. These results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the color and nutrients in strawberries. • The white flesh of F. pentaphylla has low levels of flavonoids and anthocyanins. • The red fruits of F. pentaphylla are rich in free amino acids and vitamins. • No DEG is involved in amino acids biosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Бетагистин дигидрохлорид представляет собой гистаминовый аналог, широко применяемый для облегчения симптомов, сопутствующих синдром Мениера. По данным фармакокинетических исследований бетагистамин имеет краткую плазменную полужизнь - 3.4 ч. В таких случаях, чтобы поддерживать концентрацию плазмы во время терапевтического „окна”, приходится вводить лекарственное вещество часто, через небольшие интервалы. Это может привести к отсутствию содействия при проведении лечения со стороны пациента, как и к ухудшению его комфорта. Современный подход достижения удлиненного освобождения лекарства заключается в его включении в частицы-носители. ЦЕЛЬ: Разработать лекарство-доставляющую систему с удлиненным освобождением бетагистина, что способствовало бы уменьшению частоты приема и снижению риска появления нежелательных лекарственных реакций. МАТЕРИАЛЫ И МЕТОДЫ: Микросферы получены через W/О эмульсионную технику с испарением растворителя и охарактеризованы по отношению к их размеру, оличественному содержанию бетагистина и эффективности нагрузки. Освобождение с бетагистином, приготовленные через эмульсионную технику с испарением растворителя, показывают склонность к удлиненному освобождению и имеют потенциал лекарствено-освобождающих систем при лечении синдрома Мениера

In the present work, we studied the interactions of three types of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with human serum albumin (HSA) by fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The determined binding parameters of the reactions and the thermodynamic parameters, including ΔHo, ΔSo, and ΔGo indicated that electrostatic forces play a major role in the interaction of IONPs with HSA. These measurements indicate a fluorescent quenching mechanism based on IONPs-HSA static complex formation. Our study shows that the interaction between HSA and IONPs depends on the nanoparticle structure. The interaction between IONPs and HSA was found to be spontaneous, exothermic, and entropy-driven. HSA was shown to interact moderately with IONPs obtained with plant extracts of Uncaria tomentosa L. (IONP@UT) and Clinopodium vulgare L. (IONP@CV), and firmly with IONPs prepared with Ganoderma lingzhi (Reishi) extract (IONP@GL), via ground-state association. Analysis by modified Stern-Volmer approximation indicates that the quenching mechanism is static. Our study significantly improves our understanding of the mechanisms of interaction, distribution, and transport involved in the interaction between proteins and IONPs. It provides crucial insights into the functional perturbations of albumin binding capacity and the effects of IONPs on the stability and structural modifications of plasma carrier proteins.

Elevated brain iron levels are characteristic of many neurodegenerative diseases. As an iron chelator with short biological half-life, deferiprone leads to agranulocytosis and neutropenia with a prolonged therapeutic course. Its inclusion in sustained-release dosage forms may reduce the frequency of administration. On the other hand, when administered by an alternative route of administration, such as the nasal route, systemic exposure to deferiprone will be reduced, thereby reducing the occurrence of adverse effects. Direct nose-to-brain delivery has been raised as a non-invasive strategy to deliver drugs to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier. The aim of the study was to develop and characterize nanocomposite microspheres suitable for intranasal administration by combining nano- and microparticle-based approaches. Nanoparticles with an average particle size of 213 ± 56 nm based on the biodegradable polymer poly-ε-caprolactone were developed using the solvent evaporation method. To ensure the deposition of the particles in the nasal cavity and avoid exhalation or deposition into the small airways, the nanoparticles were incorporated into composite structures of sodium alginate obtained by spray drying. Deferiprone demonstrated sustained release from the nanocomposite microspheres and high iron-chelating activity.

Background and Objectives: Gingival retraction is a critical pre-impression procedure in fixed prosthodontics, crucial for exposing tooth margins and ensuring accurate impressions for restorations like crowns and bridges. This study aimed to evaluate the absorptive capacity of different gingival retraction cords. Materials and Methods: Ninety samples each of Ultrapak (Ultradent, South Jordan, UT, USA) #00, braided cord, coreless thread, and monofilament thread (totaling 270 samples) were immersed in 0.9% NaCl, 10% aluminum chloride, and 12.7% ferrous sulfate solutions for 120, 300, and 1200 s. The liquid absorption capacity was measured using a gravimetric method, and the data were analyzed using an F-test, setting the significance threshold at p < 0.05. Results: The results revealed statistically significant differences in absorption, particularly for aluminum chloride and ferric sulfate ( p < 0.001). Ultrapak demonstrated the highest absorption, followed by the coreless cotton thread, while the monofilament thread absorbed the least, especially at 1200 s. Conclusions: These findings indicate that Ultrapak's superior absorption could enhance moisture control during procedures, highlighting the importance of selecting an appropriate retraction cord for optimal clinical outcomes. Further research is needed to confirm these findings in a clinical setting.

Background: Alzheimer's disease results in neurodegeneration and is characterized by an accumulation of abnormal neuritic lesions and intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins in the cerebrum. That leads to progressive decline in memory, thinking, and learning skills. Oxidative stress has been shown to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants are identified as part of therapeutic strategy to prevent or reduce the disease. Idebenone is a synthetic analogue of coenzyme Q 10 with potent antioxidant properties, originally developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disorders. After oral administration idebenone undergoes excessive first-pass metabolism and has a very low bioavailability of only about 1%. The use of an alternative route of administration such as the nasal and its incorporation into a novel carrier (nanocomposite microspheres) will eliminate the problems associated with reduced absorption, stability, and rapid biotransformation and will increase the opportunity for idebenone to realize its therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease., Methods: Idebenone-loaded nanocomposite microspheres were obtained by spray drying. The structures were characterized using laser diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The ability of nanocomposite microspheres to bind human serum albumin was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. The mucoadhesive properties of the carrier were also determined., Results: Bioadhesive nanocomposite microparticles with spherical shape, smooth surface, size of 7.37 ± 2.4 μm, and with high production yield, good drug entrapment efficiency, and loading values were obtained. Infrared spectra demonstrated no chemical interactions between idebenone and structure-forming polymers. The ability of particles to bind to human serum albumin depends on their drug loading., Conclusions: Nanocomposite microspheres were developed as the novel delivery system of idebenone for target nose-to-brain delivery. The obtained carrier may increase the therapeutic potential of idebenone by providing higher concentrations in brain tissue and reducing systemic exposure and side effects.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) can overcome cancer treatment resistance by enhancing the cell membrane permeability, facilitating drug accumulation, and promoting drug release within the tumor tissue. Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have emerged as effective agents for PTT due to their unique properties and biocompatibility. Approved for the treatment of anemia, as MRI contrast agents, and as magnetic hyperthermia mediators, IONPs also offer excellent light-to-heat conversion and can be manipulated using external magnetic fields for targeted accumulation in specific tissue. Optimizing parameters such as the laser wavelength, power density, shape, size, iron oxidation state, functionalization, and concentration is crucial for IONPs' effectiveness. In addition to PTT, IONPs enhance other cancer treatment modalities. They improve tumor oxygenation, enhancing the efficacy of radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy. IONPs can also trigger ferroptosis, a programmed cell death pathway mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. Their magneto-mechanical effect allows them to exert a mechanical force on cancer cells to destroy tumors, minimizing the damage to healthy tissue. This review outlines strategies for the management of the photothermal performance and PTT efficiency with iron oxide nanoparticles, as well as synergies with other cancer therapies.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects approximately 1% of people over the age of 60 and 5% of those over the age of 85. Current drugs for Parkinson's disease mainly affect the symptoms and cannot stop its progression. Nanotechnology provides a solution to address some challenges in therapy, such as overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB), adverse pharmacokinetics, and the limited bioavailability of therapeutics. The reformulation of drugs into nanoparticles (NPs) can improve their biodistribution, protect them from degradation, reduce the required dose, and ensure target accumulation. Furthermore, appropriately designed nanoparticles enable the combination of diagnosis and therapy with a single nanoagent. In recent years, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been studied with increasing interest due to their intrinsic nanozyme activity. They can mimic the action of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. The use of 13-nm gold nanoparticles (CNM-Au8®) in bicarbonate solution is being studied as a potential treatment for Parkinson's disease and other neurological illnesses. CNM-Au8® improves remyelination and motor functions in experimental animals. Among the many techniques for nanoparticle synthesis, green synthesis is increasingly used due to its simplicity and therapeutic potential. Green synthesis relies on natural and environmentally friendly materials, such as plant extracts, to reduce metal ions and form nanoparticles. Moreover, the presence of bioactive plant compounds on their surface increases the therapeutic potential of these nanoparticles. The present article reviews the possibilities of nanoparticles obtained by green synthesis to combine the therapeutic effects of plant components with gold., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2024, Grancharova et al.)

Direct nose-to-brain drug delivery offers the opportunity to treat central nervous system disorders more effectively due to the possibility of drug molecules reaching the brain without passing through the blood-brain barrier. Such a delivery route allows the desired anatomic site to be reached while ensuring drug effectiveness, minimizing side effects, and limiting drug losses and degradation. However, the absorption of intranasally administered entities is a complex process that considerably depends on the interplay between the characteristics of the drug delivery systems and the nasal mucosa. Various preclinical models ( in silico , in vitro , ex vivo , and in vivo ) are used to study the transport of drugs after intranasal administration. The present review article attempts to summarize the different computational and experimental models used so far to investigate the direct delivery of therapeutic agents or colloidal carriers from the nasal cavity to the brain tissue. Moreover, it provides a critical evaluation of the data available from different studies and identifies the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

Introduction: Peri-implantitis is a relatively new and difficult disease that is becoming more common. Of the different therapeutic options to manage this condition, lasers show certain advantages over other therapeutic alternatives because of their antibacterial potential., Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the temperature rise of implant surfaces, soft tissues, and bone during irradiation with diode, CO2, and Er:YAG lasers., Materials and Methods: Ten implants inserted in biological models were irradiated with three laser systems with different parameters: a diode laser (980 nm) with power levels of 0.75 W and 1.6 W; a CO2 laser (10600 nm) with power levels of 252 W and 241 W; and an Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) with power levels of 1.5 W, 6.8 W, and 7.5 W. The temperature rise was measured using a specially designed thermal probe (type K thermocouple) with accuracy of ±0.1°C over the range from 20°C to 80°C. The temperature was measured at 5 points - in the implant body, in the mucosa, in the middle part of the implant, in the implant apex, and in the bone around the implant apex. Measurements were obtained at 1 minute working interval., Results: Diode and CO2 lasers with both parameters used increased significantly the temperature of more than 46°C, whereas the temperature in the Er:YAG laser group was less than 30°C. There was a statistically significant difference between diode, CO2, and Er:YAG lasers in favor of the erbium laser., Conclusions: The Er:YAG laser demonstrates the best thermal properties during irradiation of the implant surface. The three working modes tested - 1.5 W, 6.8 W, and 7.5 W - provide safe intervention on both the soft and bone tissues of the implant interface and on the implant itself., (This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

The aim of this study was to develop casein-based nanoscale carriers as a potential delivery system for daunorubicin, as a pH-responsive targeting tool for acute lymphocytic leukemia. A coacervation technique followed by nano spray-drying was used for the preparation of drug-loaded casein nanoparticles. Four batches of drug-loaded formulations were developed at varied drug-polymer ratios using a simple coacervation technique followed by spray-drying. They were further characterized using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, FTIR spectroscopy, XRD diffractometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Drug release was investigated in different media (pH 5 and 7.4). The cytotoxicity of the daunorubicin-loaded nanoparticles was compared to that of the pure drug. The influence of the polymer-to-drug ratio on the nanoparticles' properties such as their particle size, surface morphology, production yield, drug loading, entrapment efficiency, and drug release behavior was studied. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the drug-loaded nanoparticles was investigated confirming their potential as carriers for daunorubicin delivery.