Quality and quantity of bone at intraoral graft donor sites in type 2 diabetic patients versus healthy controls: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the quality and quantity of bone at intraoral autogenous graft donor sites in type II diabetes mellitus (DM) patients versus healthy controls using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted on CBCT scans of 50 DM patients and 50 healthy controls between 20-70 years. Maximum height, width, length, and volume of harvestable bone at the symphysis, ramus, palate, and tuberosity were measured bilaterally. The Hounsfield unit (HU) was also calculated to assess bone quality. The two groups were compared regarding the quality and quantity of harvestable bone using an independent t-test. The effect of confounders was analyzed by the regression model (alpha = 0.05). Results: DM patients had significantly lower harvestable bone volume at the symphysis, ramus, and tuberosity than healthy controls (p < 0.001) but this difference was not significant at the palate (p = 0.957). Also, bone quality was significantly lower at the symphysis, ramus, palate, and tuberosity in DM patients (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Diabetic patients had significantly lower bone quality and quantity at intraoral graft donor sites than healthy controls. Mandibular symphysis had higher bone volume and density than ramus, palate, and tuberosity for graft harvesting in diabetic patients

Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of a Pegylated Nano-Liposomal Formulation Containing Docetaxel

An improved pegylated liposomal formulation of docetaxel has been developed with the purpose of improving the docetaxel solubility without any need to use tween80 that is responsible for hypersensitivities following administration. Liposomes all had spherical shape with size of 130–160 nm. The most important finding of this study is that pegylated liposomes were prepared with significant increase in docetaxel encapsulation efficiency and stability of the formulation in comparison with last reports on docetaxel liposomes. In vitro release studies revealed that such a formulation could be stable in the blood circulation and meet the requirements for an effective drug delivery system

Toll-like receptor 2 regulates the barrier function of human bronchial epithelial monolayers through atypical protein kinase C zeta, and an increase in expression of claudin-1

We investigated the role of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 in maintaining the integrity of the airway epithelial barrier using the human bronchial epithelial cell line Calu-3. Activation of TLR2 by its ligands, Pam3CysSK4 and Peptidoglycan showed a concentration dependent increase in epithelial barrier function, as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). This was confirmed by a decrease in paracellular flux of fluorescein sodium. This TLR2 induced increase in TEER was significantly reduced by pretreatment with polyclonal anti-human TLR2-neutralizing antibody. TLR2 stimulation in Calu-3 cell monolayers resulted in an increased expression of the tight junction proteins claudin-1 and ZO-1, and a decreased expression of occludin, at both the mRNA and protein levels. A pseudosubstrate inhibitor to PKCζ significantly prevented the TLR2 mediated increase in barrier function. It also prevented the increase in claudin-1 in a concentration dependent manner up to 1 µM. TLR2 stimulation led to an increase in phosphorylation of atypical PKC ζ, which was prevented by the pseudosubstrate inhibitor in a concentration dependent manner. Taken together, our observations support a model whereby increased tight junction barrier function induced by activation of TLR2 occurs through increased expression of claudin-1, and through modulation of PKC ζ activity

Multifunctional PLGA-Based Nanoparticles Encapsulating Simultaneously Hydrophilic Antigen and Hydrophobic Immunomodulator for Mucosal Immunization

We describe here the development of nanoparticles made from poly­(lactic-<i>co</i>-glycolic acid) (PLGA) able to deliver an encapsulated antigen with a Toll-Like Receptor-7 (TLR-7) agonist as immunostimulatory signal and coated with a muco-adhesive chitosan-derivate layer. The potential to stimulate an immune response of these vaccine formulations in the absence or presence of the TLR-7 agonist at the systemic and mucosal level were evaluated in mice following subcutaneous or nasal administrations. Intranasally immunized mice developed a high systemic immune response equivalent to mice injected subcutaneously. However, mucosal immune responses were only induced at local and distal sites in mucosally immunized animals. The adjuvant effect of imiquimod on the polarization of the immune response was only detected at local sites, which tends to increase safety of this vaccine delivery system

Dendrimers as nanoscale vectors: unlocking the bars of cancer therapy

Chemotherapy is the first choice in the treatment of cancer and is always preferred to other approaches such as radiation and surgery, but it has never met the need of patients for a safe and effective drug. Therefore, new advances in cancer treatment are now needed to reduce the side effects and burdens associated with chemotherapy for cancer patients. Targeted treatment using nanotechnology are now being actively explored as they could effectively deliver therapeutic agents to tumor cells without affecting normal cells. Dendrimers are promising nanocarriers with distinct physiochemical properties that have received considerable attention in cancer therapy studies, which is partly due to the numerous functional groups on their surface. In this review, we discuss the progress of different types of dendrimers as delivery systems in cancer therapy, focusing on the challenges, opportunities, and functionalities of the polymeric molecules. The paper also reviews the various role of dendrimers in their entry into cells via endocytosis, as well as the molecular and inflammatory pathways in cancer. In addition, various dendrimers-based drug delivery (e.g., pH-responsive, enzyme-responsive, redox-responsive, thermo-responsive, etc.) and lipid-, amino acid-, polymer- and nanoparticle-based modifications for gene delivery, as well as co-delivery of drugs and genes in cancer therapy with dendrimers, are presented. Finally, biosafety concerns and issues hindering the transition of dendrimers from research to the clinic are discussed to shed light on their clinical applications

Nanostructures for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral respiratory infections: from influenza virus to SARS-CoV-2 variants

Abstract Viruses are a major cause of mortality and socio-economic downfall despite the plethora of biopharmaceuticals designed for their eradication. Conventional antiviral therapies are often ineffective. Live-attenuated vaccines can pose a safety risk due to the possibility of pathogen reversion, whereas inactivated viral vaccines and subunit vaccines do not generate robust and sustained immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of strategies that combine nanotechnology concepts with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infectious diseases. The present review provides a comprehensive introduction to the different strains of viruses involved in respiratory diseases and presents an overview of recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections based on nanotechnology concepts and applications. Discussions in diagnostic/therapeutic nanotechnology-based approaches will be focused on H1N1 influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza virus type 3 infections, as well as COVID-19 infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant and new emerging Omicron variant. Graphical Abstrac

Priprava pegiliranih nano-liposomskih formulacija sa SN-38: In vitro karakterizacija i in vivo biodistribucija u miševa

7-Ethyl-10-hydroxy-camptothecin (SN38), a metabolite of irinotecan × HCl, is poorly soluble in aqueous solutions and practically insoluble in most physiologically compatible and pharmaceutically acceptable solvents. Formulation of SN38 in concentrated pharmaceutical delivery systems for parenteral administration is thus very difficult. Due to their biocompatibility and low toxicity, liposomes were considered for the delivery of SN38. In this study, pegylated liposomes with distearoylphosphatidylcholine, distearoylphosphatidylethanolamine containing SN38 were prepared and their characteristics, such as particle size, encapsulation efficiency, in vitro drug release and biodistribution, were investigated. The particle size of liposomes was in the range of 150200 nm. The encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release rate of pegylated liposomes was higher than those of non-pegylated liposomes. As expected, the distribution of pegylated liposomes in body organs such as liver, kidney, spleen and lung was considerably lower than that of non-pegylated liposomes. Also, their blood concentration was at least 50 % higher than that of non-pegylated liposomes.7-Etil-10-hidroksi-kamptotecin (SN38), metabolit irinotekan hidroklorida, vrlo je slabo topljiv u vodenim otopinama i praktički netopljiv u većini fiziološki kompatibilnih i farmaceutski prihvatljivih otapala. Poradi toga je veoma teško formuliranje supstancije SN38 u koncentrirane sustave za parenteralnu primjenu. Liposomi se zbog svoje biokompatibilnosti i niske toksičnosti čine pogodnim za isporuku SN38. U ovom radu opisana je priprava pegiliranih liposoma sa SN38 pomoću distearoilfosfatidilkolina i distearoilfosfatidiletanolamina. Pripravljenim liposomima određena je veličina čestica, sposobnost inkapsuliranja, in vitro oslobađanje i biodistribucija. Veličina čestica liposoma bila je u rasponu 150200 nm. Sposobnost kapsuliranja i in vitro oslobađanje pegiliranih liposoma bila je veća nego nepegiliranih liposoma. Kao što se očekivalo, distribucija pegiliranih liposoma u jetri, bubregu, slezeni i plućima bila je značajno niža nego nepegiliranih liposoma. Njihova koncentracija u krvi bila je najmanje 50 % viša od nepegiliranih liposoma

Mesoporous bioactive glasses in cancer diagnosis and therapy: stimuli-responsive, toxicity, immunogenicity, and clinical translation

Cancer is one of the top life-threatening dangers to the human survival, accounting for over 10 million deaths per year. Bioactive glasses have developed dramatically since their discovery 50 years ago, with applications that include therapeutics as well as diagnostics. A new system within the bioactive glass family, mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs), has evolved into a multifunctional platform, thanks to MBGs easy-to-functionalize nature and tailorable textural properties—surface area, pore size, and pore volume. Although MBGs have yet to meet their potential in tumor treatment and imaging in practice, recently research has shed light on the distinguished MBGs capabilities as promising theranostic systems for cancer imaging and therapy. This review presents research progress in the field of MBG applications in cancer diagnosis and therapy, including synthesis of MBGs, mechanistic overview of MBGs application in tumor diagnosis and drug monitoring, applications of MBGs in cancer therapy (particularly, targeted delivery and stimuli-responsive nanoplatforms), and immunological profile of MBG-based nanodevices in reference to the development of novel cancer therapeutics

Effects of home confinement on physical activity, nutrition, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 outbreak in amateur and elite athletes

IntroductionDespite the progress in the management of the pandemic caused by COVID-19, it is necessary to continue exploring and explaining how this situation affected the athlete population around the world to improve their circumstances and reduce the negative impact of changes in their lifestyle conditions that were necessitated due to the pandemic. The aim of this study was to analyze the moderating influence of physical activity (PA) and dietary habits on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experience on sleep quality in elite and amateur athletes.Materials and methodsA total of 1,420 elite (40.1%) and amateur (59.9%) athletes (41% women; 59% men) from 14 different countries participated in a cross-sectional design study. Data were collected using a battery of questionnaires that identified sociodemographic data, sleep quality index, PA levels, dietary habits, and the athletes' perception of their experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Means and standard deviations were calculated for each variable. The analysis of variances and the correlation between variables were carried out with non-parametric statistics. A simple moderation effect was calculated to analyze the interaction between PA or dietary habits on the perception of the COVID-19 experience effect on sleep quality in elite and amateur athletes.ResultsThe PA level of elite athletes was higher than amateur athletes during COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.001). However, the PA level of both categories of athletes was lower during COVID-19 than pre-COVID-19 (p &lt; 0.01). In addition, amateurs had a higher diet quality than elite athletes during the pandemic (p = 0.014). The perception of the COVID-19 experience as controllable was significantly higher (p = 0.020) among elite athletes. In addition, two moderating effects had significant interactions. For amateur athletes, the PA level moderated the effect of controllable COVID-19 experience on sleep quality [F(3,777) = 3.05; p = 0.028], while for elite athletes, the same effect was moderated by dietary habits [F(3,506) = 4.47, p = 0.004].ConclusionElite athletes had different lifestyle behaviors compared to amateurs during the COVID-19 lockdown. Furthermore, the relevance of maintaining high levels of PA for amateurs and good quality dietary habits by elite athletes was noted by the moderating effect that both variables had on the influence of the controllable experience during the COVID-19 pandemic on sleep quality