Public attitudes towards health after COVID-19 pandemic according to healthcare professionals

Introduction: The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in all aspects of life have affected not only the public attitudes towards health authorities and bodies, but also towards health as a basic human value.Purpose: To determine public attitudes 2 years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic according to practicing healthcare professionals.Materials and Methods: An anonymous online survey using Google Forms was conducted in April 2022 among healthcare professionals who were students in “Management of  health care” program.Results and discussion: According to health care professionals, there is low public trust between clients and health care providers. More than 1/5 of the respondents disagreed with the statement that "Our society has realized that health is the most important value", and 10.9% hesitated and answered "neither agree nor disagree". This attitude of the pledge to health as a value after 2 (two) years in conditions of a severe pandemic, may prove to be a great obstacle in the imposition of future measures by the health authorities related to the protection of public health.Conclusion: Actions are needed on the part of the health authorities in the country to build public trust in them. Adherence to measures imposed by health authorities are key in the event of a pandemic

Denatonium benzoate decreases the effect of histamine in vitro and in rats

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of denatonium benzoate (DB) in histamine-induced model of inflammation and the effect of the selective H1 receptor agonist (2-(2-Pyridyl) ethylamine) on rat gastric smooth muscle strips pretreated with DB.Methods: The anti-inflammatory effect of DB was evaluated in vivo on histamine-induced rat paw edema. In vitro studies on spontaneous muscle contraction were performed on smooth muscle strips isolated from rat gastric corpus.Results: The results showed a well-defined anti-inflammatory effect of DB (15 mg/kg) during the early stage of rat paw edema at the 15th (p < 0.001), 30th (p < 0.01) and 60th min (p < 0.001) compared to control. In vitro experiments indicated reduced spontaneous contractile activity of smooth muscle strips to H1 receptor agonist in the presence of DB (0.5 μM). The vascular effects of histamine are mediated by H1 receptors. Substances, which reduce the effect of histamine on the H1 receptors could influence the early stage of histamine-induced inflammation.Conclusion: The results show that the anti-inflammatory activity of DB probably is related to its antagonistic activity on histamine H1 receptors. The results would contribute to the search for new antiinflammatory drugs. Keywords: Denatonium benzoate, Inflammation, Histamine, Muscle contractio

Sem analysis of the endodontic cavity wall after removal of restorative materials used as temporary restoration

Aim: The aim of the present in vitro study was to analyze the endodontic cavity walls for presence of remnants of conventional glass ionomer cement and flowable light cure composite used as temporary restorative materials of endodontically treated teeth. The dentine surface of the access cavity was observed with scanning electron microscopy after the final removal of the temporary restoration using high-speed turbine and diamond bur or ultrasonic device and diamond tip.Materials and methods: Twenty-one extracted intact human molars were selected for this study. Endodontic access, enlargement of the coronal one third of the root canals and standard irrigation were performed. Teeth were then restored with two different materials – conventional glass ionomer cement (Ketac Molar Easymix, 3M ESPE, USA) and flowable light cure composite (Vertise flow, KERR, USA) and divided in four groups according to the method of removal and type of material used for temporary restoration. One sample, positive for temporary material remnants, was used as a control group. After the removal of the restorative material, all specimens were prepared for SEM examination. Scanning Electron Microscopy (Prisma E SEM, Thermo Scientific, Eindhoven, The Netherlands) was used to examine the surface morphology of the samples. The samples were sputter-coated with gold using vacuum evaporator (JEOL JFC-1200). The images were recorded at 20 kV acceleration using various magnifications (×150, ×500, and ×1000).Results and conclusions: Remnants were detected in all specimens, regardless of the material for temporary restoration or method of removal

In vivo investigation of antihyperalgesic and antinociceptive effects of peat formulations

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

Alzheimer’s disease: the hypotheses, known and unknown connections between UV-radiation, mtDNA haplotypes and life span – a review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease with controversial etiology. One theory claims that AD is due to brain aging affecting mainly the functions of mitochondria, therefore, the factors leading to mitochondrial ageing should lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Another theory is that different mitochondrial DNA haplogroups can be predisposition for the onset of the condition. Here we focused on the possible connection between AD and UV radiation using the data on the monthly UV index in Europe, its correlation with mortality rate due to AD and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups distribution. If a link between the two theories is proved, it will mean that UV radiation is a risk factor not only for skin cancer but also for a large group of neurodegenerative diseases amongst which is the Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease: the hypotheses, known and unknown connections between uv-radiation, mtdna haplotypes  and life span – a review

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease with controversial etiology. One theory claims that AD is due to brain aging affecting mainly the functions of mitochondria, therefore, the factors leading to mitochondrial ageing  hould lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Another theory is that different mitochondrial DNA haplogroups can be predisposition for the onset of the condition. Here we focused on the possible connection between AD and UV radiation using the data on the monthly UV index in Europe, its correlation with mortality rate due to AD and mitochondrial DNA haplogroups distribution. If a link between the two theories is proved, it will mean that UV radiation is a risk factor not only for skin cancer but also for a large group of neurodegenerative diseases amongst which is the Alzheimer’s disease.&nbsp

Casein-Based Nanoparticles: A Potential Tool for the Delivery of Daunorubicin in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

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

Casein-Based Nanoparticles: A Potential Tool for the Delivery of Daunorubicin in Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

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

The Photobiomodulation of MAO-A Affects the Contractile Activity of Smooth Muscle Gastric Tissues

Nowadays, the utilized electromagnetic radiation (ER) in modalities such as photobiomodulation (PBM) finds broader applications in medical practice due to the promising results suggested by numerous reports. To date, the published data do not allow for the in-depth elucidation of the molecular mechanisms through which ER impacts the human organism. Furthermore, there is a total lack of evidence justifying the relation between the enzymatic activity of monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) and the effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) on the spontaneous contractile activity of smooth muscle gastric tissues exposed to various light sources. We found that exposure of these tissues to lamps, emitting light with wavelengths of 254 nm and 350 nm, lasers, emitting light with 532 nm and 808 nm, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with ER at a wavelength of 660 nm, increased the 5-HT effect on the contractility. On the other hand, LEDs at 365 nm and 470 nm reduced it. The analysis of MAO-A enzymatic activity after exposure to the employed light emitters endorsed these findings. Furthermore, MAOA gene expression studies confirmed the possibility of its optogenetic regulation. Therefore, we concluded that the utilized emitters could alternate the functions of significant neuromediators by modulating the activity and gene transcription levels of enzymes that degrade them. Our investigations will help to disclose the selective conditions upon which PBM can effectively treat gastrointestinal and neurological disorders