Methotrexate Liposomes - A Reliable Therapeutic Option

Liposomes were proposed as drug vector systems in the treatment of many diseases. The following characteristics recommend the liposomes as attractive candidates for drug transportation: solubilisation, duration of action, targeting potential and internalisation. Methotrexate, a folate antagonist, was originally developed as an antineoplastic agent and subsequently used in inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive diseases. Its side effects have led researchers to direct their efforts to reduce toxicity, while maintaining efficacy of methotrexate. Liposomes with methotrexate as such, as well as its disodium salt, were prepared using two methods. The liposomes were characterized in terms of structure, size, degree of poly‐dispersion and encapsulation efficiency. The effect of methotrexate incorporated in liposomes has been investigated in vitro on human lymphoblastic cell line K562. Methotrexate incorporated into liposomes moderately reduces the proliferation of K562 cells, but significantly inhibits RNA synthesis. The cellular activation is probably the main target of the drug and not the neoplastic proliferation of cells. The methotrexate liposomes exhibited significant anti‐inflammatory activity and showed reduced toxicity. Given that the encapsulating of the drug in vector systems may result in the increasing concentration at the site of action, the methotrexate liposomes represent a targeted therapy with an optimized therapeutic efficacy—risk toxicity ratio

Management options in the sudden hearing loss of a diabetic patient

The aim of our paper is to highlight the main therapeutic principles and the management options in the case of a diabetic patient who has had a sudden hearing loss. Mainly, the aim is to underline the sudden hearing loss treatment adjustment of the diabetic patient compared to the non-diabetic patient. By understanding the mechanism of sudden hearing loss in a diabetic patient, namely the impact of glycemic variations and their implication on the microvascular structures of the inner ear, we try to underline the treatment principles and management options of the previously mentioned combined pathologies. Thus, it is necessary to adapt the classes of drugs used in the case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss of the diabetic patient in comparison with the non-diabetic patient, in order not to aggravate or complicate the patient’s functional status. Therefore, the treatment will need to be adapted both by classes of medication and by the type of administration used. Adequate control of the progression, treatment and complications of diabetes mellitus ensures optimal treatment management in case of a sudden hearing loss and therefore interferes with the favorable functional hearing outcomes. The role of this paper is not only to state the therapeutic principles in the case of sudden hearing loss in a diabetic patient, but also to analyze the impact on the management of potential local and systemic risk factors

Genetic analysis of populations of brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from the Romanian Carpathians

The Carpathian Mountains are one of the most complex orogenetic areas of Europe, with unique fauna, including the brown trout (Salmo trutta). In this study we performed population genetic analysis of 12 different S. trutta populations using two types of molecular markers: nine microsatellites and mitochondrial D-loop sequences. The following working hypothesis was considered: the Romanian Carpathians and their surrounding lowlands can be key relief units based on which the S. trutta genetic diversity, spread, distribution, connectivity, relative isolation and genetic divergence can be at least partially explained. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the majority of sequences were grouped in the Danubian clade. The high haplotype diversity of the 12 analyzed brown trout populations can be explained by the high nucleotide diversity. The microsatellite analysis revealed an inbreeding event for all the loci and for the populations analyzed. The Romanian Carpathians' shape and geographic orientation play a zoogeographical key role driving force in respect to the S. trutta populations

Variability and Change in Water Cycle at the Catchment Level

This study proposes a simple methodology for assessing future-projected evolution of water cycle components (precipitation, potential evapotranspiration, and potential runoff) based on the two-level Palmer model of the soil and their impact on drought conditions at basin level. The Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) is used as drought metric. The catchments of rivers Arges, Mures, Prut, Siret and Somes (mid- and lower Danube basin) have been chosen as case studies. The present climate data consist of Romanian gridded dataset, monthly precipitation and values of streamflow from Romania and Republic of Moldova and potential evapotranspiration-related data from the Climate Research Unit (University of East Anglia). We used as future projections five numerical experiments with regional models obtained through the EURO-CORDEX initiative, under two Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios. The correlations between observed streamflow at the river basin outlets and PDSI-related components of the water cycle show that PDSI represents reasonably well processes taking place in the selected catchments. Depending on the specific scenario and catchment, droughts that in the Palmer classification were deemed as incipient, mild or severe under present climate will become a normal summer feature toward the end of this century, especially over catchments situated in the lower Danube basin

Clinical Assessment of the Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Efficacy in Mild to Moderate Periodontal Affections: A Simple Randomised Trial

Background and Objectives: Gum disease represents the condition due to the dental plaque and dental calculus deposition on the surfaces of the teeth, followed by ulterior destruction of the periodontal tissues through the host reaction to the pathogenic microorganisms. The aim of study was to present aspects regarding the efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of periodontal disease, started from the already certified benefits of HBOT in the general medicine specialties. Materials and Methods: The participant patients in this study (71) required and benefited from specific periodontal disease treatments. All patients included in the trial benefited from the conventional therapy of full-mouth scaling and root planing (SRP) within 24 h. HBOT was performed on the patients of the first group (31), in 20 sessions, of one hour. The patients of the control group (40) did not benefit from HBO therapy. Results: At the end of study, the included patients in HBOT group presented significantly better values of oral health index (OHI-S), sulcus bleeding index (SBI), dental mobility (DM), and periodontal pocket depth (PD) than the patients of the control group. Conclusions: HBOT had beneficial effects on the oral and general health of all patients, because in addition to the positive results in periodontal therapy, some individual symptoms of the patients diminished or disappeared upon completion of this adjuvant therapy

CLINICAL-STATISTICAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY ON THE PREVALENCE OF GINGIVAL RECESSION

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine, în a group of patients, the prevalence of gingival recession (GR) and to assess its risk factors by making correlations between GR and demographic, dental, etiological items. Material and method. The study was carried ouţ on a batch of 422 patients, aged 20-59 years, who showed up at a private practice în Bucharest during 2016-2018. Data collection was performed by questionnaire method and clinical examination with mirror and periodontal probe; the presence of GR was measured în mm, from cementum-enamel junction (CEJ) to the gingival margin on facial and oral surfaces of all teeth and was reported according to Miller's classification, into 4 classes. The Silness-Löe plaque index (PI) and the degree of evolution by determining the extension în the surface, according to Marini's criteria were calculated. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20, and Chi-Square test for the comparative analysis. Results and discussions. GR prevalence was 66%, with greater impairment în older patients (19% în the 20-29 age group to 30% în the 50-59 age group), în males (55%) and lower incisors. Statistical analysis showed the presence of statistical significance between GR and the analyzed etiological factors (presence of plaque, type of brushing, dental changes (position, location, shape), biotype, history of orthodontic treatments, endocrine changes and premenopause). Smoking and drinking alcohol were also considered predisposing factors. The study showed that there îs a statistically significant correlation between smoking and the presence of hygiene, brushing and dental malpositions and also an association between the degree of education and analyzed etiologic factors. Conclusions. More than half of the examined patients shows GR. Plaque, brushing type, dental changes, biotype, orthodontic treatments, endocrine and premenopausal changes, smoking and alcohol consumption are etiological factors significantly associated with GR appearance

The Benthic Trophic Corner Stone Compartment in POPs Transfer from Abiotic Environment to Higher Trophic Levels—Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera Pre-Alert Indicator Role

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been at the forefront of environmental contamination research even before their ban in 2001 at the Stockholm Convention. Their relation to different compartments of the environment (biotic and abiotic) has been thoroughly investigated. This article aims to identify whether the benthos could represent a reliable indicator of environmental contamination with POPs and to highlight its potential transfer role between abiotic and upper trophic compartments—benthos feeders. In this regard, we determined that the Ephemeroptera samples have higher concentrations (p p < 0.05) only in the case of ΣPCB and ΣDDT. This, along with the fact that the frequency of detection for POPs is similar between the sample types (sediments, Trichoptera, and Ephemeroptera), makes the benthos samples valuable indicators of contamination with sediment samples working as complementary information about how recent the contamination is

STUDY ON THE DEGREE OF ENAMEL DAMAGE ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT ETCHING PROTOCOLS USED FOR FIXED ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCES

Along with whitening techniques, fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) is currently one of the patients' favorite maneuvers looking for aesthetic appearance. Most of the time, FOA results are spectacular, but the appearance of demineralization and white spot lesions (WSL) around brackets is one of the great challenges for both the clinician and the patient. So it is important not to act to ease their appearance, by applying inappropriate enamel demin-eralization techniques to the FOA adhesion process. Material and method. For this study, 20 lower incisors were used and braces were bonded in the middle third of the vestibular aspect. For the application of the brackets, the bonding protocol and the manufacturers' indications have been respected. Only the enamel etching time was modified to allow the teeth to be divided into 3 groups: the first group, the etching time was 30 seconds, for the second 45 seconds and 60 seconds respectively for the third group. The teeth were kept in distilled water for one month and then the brackets were removed. The remaining composite areas on the teeth were kept. For SEM evaluation of the enamel / hybrid layer, the teeth were longitudinally sectioned using a diamond disk under water cooling and at low speed. Results. Increasing the etching time with phosphoric acid of the enamel over 30 sec, value that gives a favorable etching pattern for adhesion, has the consequence of forming a thicker hybrid layer after application of the primer. Conclusions. Etching of the enamel for 60 seconds with phosphoric acid is followed by the formation of a thick hybrid layer and the settlement of an unfavorable etching pattern. After brackets removing, the etched enamel surfaces can be remineralized with saliva ions, but the more aggressive the etching, the more incomplete the remineralization, favoring the installation of white spot lesions

OPTICAL MICROSCOPY STUDY ON THE MARGINAL ADAPTATION OF TUNNEL RESTAURATIONS WITH RESINS COMPOSITE

Minimally invasive restoration is the modern way of treatment in dental therapy. Tunneling / tunnel preparation is a viable option for minimally invasive restoration of proximal caries located on the posterior teeth, with approach from the occlusal aspect of the tooth. The aim of this study is to check by means of optical microscopy the ability of marginal adaptation to dental structures of the tunnel type restorations. Material and method. For this study, 36 extracted teeth were used, on which tunnel preparations were performed both on the mesial and the distal aspects of the teeth. The preparations took into account the protocol and principles of minimally invasive therapy. For all restorations, a combination of composite resins was used. The tunnel preparation was restored using flow composites and a normal consistency composite was used to restore occlusal morphology. Depending on the restoration materials and the adhesive system used, the teeth were divided into 3 groups with 12 teeth each. Group 1: Fine Etch 37%, Adper Single Bond 2, 3M Espe, Beautifil Flow Plus, Shofu, Beautifil II, Shofu. Group 2: Fine Etch 37%,Zmack Bond, Zhermack, Es Flow,Zmack Comp, Zhermack. Group 3: Opti Bond XTR, Kerr, SDR, Dentsply, Premise, Kerr. To highlight marginal microleakage, the teeth were isolated using a nail polish applied across the entire dental surface except for the 2 mm area surrounding the proximal restorations.They were then immersed for 24 hours in 2% methylene blue. Finally, the teeth were washed and cut in mesio-distal direction at low speed by means of a diamond disk, under cooling with water. Results and discussions. The optical microscope examination revealed marginal microleakage in all three restored groups. The results of the study showed that the lowest microleakage was revealed in restorations that used giomers and single-step adhesive system. Conclusions. The combination of flow and high-consistency composite resins seems to be a viable solution for tunneling restorations