Biomolecules and material-tissue interactions in regenerative dentistry

Periodontal disease is a prevalent condition affecting a substantial proportion of the global population. It has a significant impact on the quality of life and its incidence is projected to increase as the population ages. This habilitation work focuses on various aspects of periodontal regeneration, personalized periodontics, and the influence of materials and interventions on periodontal and peri-implant health. The first part of the research explores the role of biomolecules in periodontal regeneration and repair. While common periodontal treatments result in tissue repair, the ultimate objective is achieving complete regeneration. Regenerative procedures that aim to restore lost or injured tissues in periodontal disease are being extensively studied. Two specific biomolecules, amelogenin (component of EMD) and hyaluronic acid (HA), were examined for promoting the regeneration of periodontal tissues. The studies evaluated the effects of these biomolecules on cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, highlighting their potential in improving periodontal tissue regeneration. One study specifically focused on a recombinant version of the main protein found in EMD, amelogenin, investigating the effects of the full-length protein on periodontal wound healing and its interaction with oral keratinocytes. The results show that amelogenin inhibits the motility and proliferation of keratinocytes, suggesting its potential in preventing the occupation of periodontal ligament space by these cells. Another study explored the influence of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid on periodontal ligament cells. Hyaluronic acid fragments induce osteogenic differentiation in these cells, with medium molecular weight hyaluronic acid showing the most significant effects. The study highlights the importance of considering the molecular weight of hyaluronic acid in its clinical application for periodontal therapy. The second part of the research focuses on the use of biomolecules in the diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of periodontal conditions. It discusses the potential of cytokines, such as interleukin-8 (IL-8), as diagnostic markers for periodontitis. The study showed a strong correlation between IL-8 levels in gingival crevicular fluid and the clinical severity of periodontitis. The research also investigated the correlation between IL-8 levels and smoking habits, revealing that for this group IL-8 cannot serve as a biomarker of periodontitis. Additionally, the research explored the effects of prostaglandins E2 (PGE2) and D2 (PGD2) on cell proliferation and osteogenic capacity of human mesenchymal stem cells. It demonstrated that both PGE2 and PGD2 negatively affect osteogenic differentiation and metabolism, suggesting their involvement in periodontitis-induced tissue damage. The third part of the research examines the influence of materials and iatrogenic interventions on periodontal and peri-implant health. One study investigated the ultrastructural changes of titanium implant surfaces caused by metal and plastic periodontal probes. Although slight changes in surface roughness were observed, they did not reach statistical significance. Further studies need to investigate how routine probing might affect the reattachment of osteoblasts after peri-implant defect treatment. Two other studies focused on the cytotoxicity of 3D printed resin materials used for temporary dental restorations. The research evaluated the effects of these materials on human periodontal ligament cells and gingival keratinocytes. The results indicate a higher cytotoxicity of 3D printed resin materials compared to conventional and subtractive manufacturing materials. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into the biological principles of regenerative materials, the potential of biomolecules in periodontal therapy, the use of molecules as diagnostic markers, and the influence of materials and interventions on periodontal and peri-implant health. The findings contribute to the advancement of periodontal treatment and personalized dentistry, aiming to improve patient care and outcomes in the field of periodontology

Parallel Processing For Gravity Inversion

Proceedings of: Second International Workshop on Sustainable Ultrascale Computing Systems (NESUS 2015). Krakow (Poland), September 10-11, 2015.In this paper results of recent updates of a simple algorithm for the inversion of gravity anomalies for 3D geosections in parallel computer systems are presented. A relaxation iterative principle was used updating step by step the geosection distribution of mass density. Selection of updates was done on basis of least squares error match of the update effect with the observed anomaly. Locally weighted least squares combined with the linear trend were used to obtain good inversion results for two-body geosections

Transition without Transformation: Legal Reform in the Democratization and Development Processes

Modernization relies on law as the means of transformation. Democratization and development strategies of the last 20 years, such as the Washington consensus and its successor: good governance and institution building, have embraced the instrumentalization of law in order to create democratic societies and market economies. In these great processes of transformation, from regime changes in Eastern Europe to state building across Central Asia, the process of lawmaking rests upon premises that have a tendency to perpetuate transition without transforming the relationship of the individual to power. This alienizing feature of transition is reflected in lawmaking practices. In this paper, I argue that a wider participation in the lawmaking process enhances the legitimacy of the democratic regime, and it helps to fill the gap between the law in the book and the law in action. I rest my thesis on the premise that the reformation of laws, and therefore the system, is characterized by a dichotomy between the legality and the legitimacy of the lawmaking process. I analyze and expose two different and contradictory patterns that are inherent in lawmaking processes in countries in transition. On the one hand, a rule of law society presupposes clear, transparent and predictable rules, a certain formalism associated with modern states and societies. On the other hand, the flexible nature of transition demands solutions outside the legal framework. I use dichotomies such as legality and legitimacy, expertise and wider participation to analyze the contents of lawmaking practices as well as the role of international actors and elites in the democratization and development process. Juxtaposing transformation with participation, this paper elucidates the practices of modern lawmaking in societies in transition

Factors That Influences Mental Health Policy In Albania

Mental health policy is a major challenge in every government engagement. Human wellbeing is threatened by mental health issue, and this is why it is necessary to position mental health as a health priority (WHO, 2001). The reduction of human and economic cost of mental health problems can be achieved by providing equitable and evidence-based mental healthcare and treatment. In Albania, the organization of mental health policy has experienced changes in the past half century, especially after the 90’s. This was driven by political commitment at national and intergovernmental levels in response to the challenges posed by mental health problems. The purpose of this paper is to analyze, present factors, and circulates what affects and prepossess the adoption of new mental health policy. The methodology used for this paper was based on two main elements. The first was the analyzing of Albanian conceptual framework, which is derived from two grounded elements: policy content and health policy process. The second element involves data collection using semistructured interview (12) with three levels of policy: policymakers, health policy administrator, and mental health care provider. Also, we consulted a wide range of electronic databases before underpinning the research with additional search. This search includes the scanning of a range of websites, reference lists of included studies, the legal mental health framework, and the respective documents. The activities stipulated in the First Component of the South-Eastern European Mental Health Project under the Stability Pact urged the process of a new mental health policy formulation and adoption of mental health legislation stressing human rights of patients. The WHO has influenced the whole mental health policy framework. They have instructed the National Policy Document for the Mental Health and the recpective action plans. In addition, they have supervised the impemention of this Documents and has trained mental health experts at all levels. Albanian policymaker are concerned with having an adequate map of mental health facilities. This is because many of the dedicated program are far way to be reached from persons in need. All policymaker actors are focused on the need for identification. In this trend of increase in the number of persons with mental health problems and their need for a more holistic care, finances has a crucial role to play