In situ analysis of usefulness of strontium-fluoride toothpaste for enamel remineralization

Aim. The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of an experimental fluoride toothpaste supplemented with Sr2+ for enamel remineralization. Material and methods. Two experimental groups comprised volunteers aged 20–30 years who had all the oral cavity sanation procedures carried out and all the primary and secondary caries lesions filled before undergoing investigations. The material included twenty healthy premolar teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons due to their abnormal position in the arch or to teeth crowding in 12–14 year old children. The teeth were sectioned into blocks and artificially demineralized. The samples were placed in the oral cavity on the buccal surfaces of the first molar teeth of volunteers who used toothpaste supplemented with Ca2+, P043-, F- (group I), toothpaste supplemented with Ca2+, P043-, F-, Sr2+ (group II) and control toothpaste supplemented with Ca2+, P043- (Hydroxyapatite-HAP). The content of calcium and phosphorus was analyzed on the lateral walls of the enamel lesions, at preselected depths of 15 Î1m and 100 Î1m, by using EDS microanalysis. Results. After three months, the content of calcium in both studied groups was significantly lower at 15 Î1m and 100 Î1m of enamel depth than at the baseline (immediately after enamel demineralization). After six months, the content of calcium was lower only at 15 Î1m in both groups. At 100 Î1m of depth the calcium content was significantly higher in group II and the reference group (HAP). After three months the phosphorus content was significantly lower in group II at 15 Î1m. After six months the content of phosphorous was significantly higher in group II at 15 Î1m and 100 Î1m of enamel depth. Conclusion. The results suggest that supplementation of fluoride toothpaste with strontium improved the effect of enamel remineralization

Monoclonal antibodies blocking CGRP for prevention of migraine

Introduction and purpose Monoclonal antibodies blocking calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are a novel treatment strategy developed specifically for prevention of migraine. Four drugs belong to this group: eptinezumab, fremanezumab and galcanezumab, which bind to the peptide; and erenumab, which blocks the CGRP receptor. CGRP is involved in nociception and plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of migraine, as it is released in the trigeminal ganglion as a response to local cerebral vasoconstriction in order to cause dilation of the vessels and maintain cerebral blood flow. Moreover, administration of CGRP, especially among migraineurs, induces a migraine-type headache. The aim of the paper is to discuss the potential of monoclonal antibodies blocking CGRP for the prevention of migraine and to outline their safety and efficacy profile. State of knowledge Several randomised clinical trials have shown a significant efficacy of these drugs compared to placebo in reducing monthly migraine affected days, among patients suffering from both episodic and chronic migraine. Incidence rate of side effects is low; the most common were mild to moderate (e.g. pain at the injection site, upper respiratory tract infections, nasopharyngitis, back pain and urinary tract infection). Anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies exhibit a superior benefit-to-risk ratio than established preventive treatments. Conclusions Randomized controlled trials are still needed in order to compare different anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies and asses their long-term safety profile. In conclusion, these drugs seem to provide promising prospects of improving the lives of migraineurs. As based on current knowledge, the benefits are superior to the likelihood of harm

Effects of atorvastatin dose and concomitant use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors on renal function changes over time in patients with stable coronary artery disease : a prospective observational study

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and statins are widely used in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Our aim was to compare changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) over time in subjects with stable CAD according to atorvastatin dose and concomitant use of ACEI. We studied 78 men with stable CAD referred for an elective coronary angiography who attained the then-current guideline-recommended target level of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol below 2.5 mmol/L in a routine fasting lipid panel on admission and were receiving atorvastatin at a daily dose of 10–40 mg for ≥3 months preceding the index hospitalization. Due to an observational study design, atorvastatin dosage was not intentionally modified for other reasons. GFR was estimated during index hospitalization and at about one year after discharge from our center. Irrespective of ACEI use, a prevention of kidney function loss was observed only in those treated with the highest atorvastatin dose. In 38 subjects on ACEI, both of the higher atorvastatin doses were associated with increasing beneficial effects on GFR changes (mean ± SEM: −4.2 ± 2.4, 1.1 ± 1.6, 5.2 ± 2.4 mL/min per 1.73 m2 for the 10-mg, 20-mg and 40-mg atorvastatin group, respectively, p = 0.02 by ANOVA; Spearman’s rho = 0.50, p = 0.001 for trend). In sharp contrast, in 40 patients without ACEI, no significant trend effect was observed across increasing atorvastatin dosage (respective GFR changes: −1.3 ± 1.0, −4.7 ± 2.1, 4.8 ± 3.6 mL/min per 1.73 m2, p = 0.02 by ANOVA; rho = 0.08, p = 0.6 for trend). The results were substantially unchanged after adjustment for baseline GFR or time-dependent variations of LDL cholesterol. Thus, concomitant ACEI use appears to facilitate the ability of increasing atorvastatin doses to beneficially modulate time-dependent changes in GFR in men with stable CAD

Specyfika i miejsce eksponatów „prywatnych” w procesie narracyjnym — na przykładzie doświadczeń Domu Kuncewiczów w Kazimierzu Dolnym

The Kuncewicz House — a part of the Vistula Museum in Kazimierz Dolny is a literary museum established in the former villa of Maria and Jerzy Kuncewicz. It is a very special place with unusual exhibits. The collection consists of objects collected by the Kuncewicz family. These are souvenirs, gifts, personal belongings, even Maria Kuncewiczowa’s wardrobe. Each exhibit is a unique, separate narrative trail for the museum staff. These exhibits are related to the Kuncewicz’s history, but also to the creators or donors of these objects (e.g. paintings furniture etc). However, the stories of some objects are often unknown. The museum staff reconstructs the narrative of the exhibits, and uses them not only to prepare popular science and educational texts enriching the knowledge of the Kuncewicz family and their friends, but also to discover facts about Kazimierz Dolny and the art colony existing in this town in the 20s. and 30s.Dom Kuncewiczów – oddział Muzeum Nadwiślańskiego w Kazimierzu Dolnym to muzeum literackie, stworzone w dawnej willi Marii i Jerzego Kuncewiczów. To specyficzna przestrzeń, w której znajdują się nietypowe eksponaty. Kolekcję tworzą przedmioty gromadzone przez rodzinę Kuncewiczów. To pamiątki z podróży, prezenty od przyjaciół, rzeczy osobiste, a nawet garderoba Marii Kuncewiczowej. Każdy eksponat jest dla pracowników muzeum osobnym tropem narracyjnym. Z tymi eksponatami są związane historie rodziny Kuncewiczów, ale także twórców tych przedmiotów (np. obrazy, meble). Często są to nieznane historie. Rekonstruujemy narrację eksponatów, a następnie wykorzystujemy je do przygotowania tekstów popularno-naukowych oraz edukacyjnych, wzbogacając tym samym wiedzę o dawnych mieszkańcach Domu Kuncewiczów i ich przyjaciołach, ale także odkrywamy interesujące fakty, związane z Kazimierzem Dolnym i istniejącą tu w latach 20. i 30. XX wieku kolonią artystyczną.Dom Kuncewiczów – oddział Muzeum Nadwiślańskiego w Kazimierzu Dolnym to muzeum literackie, stworzone w dawnej willi Marii i Jerzego Kuncewiczów. To specyficzna przestrzeń, w której znajdują się nietypowe eksponaty. Kolekcję tworzą przedmioty gromadzone przez rodzinę Kuncewiczów. To pamiątki z podróży, prezenty od przyjaciół, rzeczy osobiste, a nawet garderoba Marii Kuncewiczowej. Każdy eksponat jest dla pracowników muzeum osobnym tropem narracyjnym. Z tymi eksponatami są związane historie rodziny Kuncewiczów, ale także twórców tych przedmiotów (np. obrazy, meble). Często są to nieznane historie. Rekonstruujemy narrację eksponatów, a następnie wykorzystujemy je do przygotowania tekstów popularno-naukowych oraz edukacyjnych, wzbogacając tym samym wiedzę o dawnych mieszkańcach Domu Kuncewiczów i ich przyjaciołach, ale także odkrywamy interesujące fakty, związane z Kazimierzem Dolnym i istniejącą tu w latach 20. i 30. XX wieku kolonią artystyczną

Novel antidiabetic drugs in diabetic kidney disease accompanying type 2 diabetes : a minireview

Intensive hypoglycemic treatment is the strongest preventive strategy against the development of microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), including diabetic nephropathy. However, some antidiabetic drugs, i.e. sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i) and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1-RA) have an additional renoprotective effect beyond glucose control by itself. Similar, both SGLT-2i and GLP1-RA have been demonstrated to decrease the risk of adverse cardiovascular (CV) events in CV outcome trials. Nevertheless, there are relevant differences in CV and renal effects of SGLT-2i and GLP1-RA. First, SGLT2i reduced the incidence and progression of albuminuria and prevented loss of kidney function, while predominant renal benefits of GLP1-RA were driven by albuminuria outcomes. Second, the risk of heart failure (HF) hospitalizations decreased on SGLT2i but not on GLP1-RA, which gives priority to SGLT2i in T2DM and HF, especially with depressed EF. Third, either GLP1-RA (reducing predominantly atherosclerosis-dependent events) or SGLT-2i, should be used in T2DM and established atherosclerotic CV disease (ASCVD) or other indicators of high CV risk. In this review, we have briefly compared clinical practice guidelines of the American Diabetes Association (2020 and 2021 versions), Polish Diabetes Association (2020) and the European Society of Cardiology/European Association for the Study of Diabetes (2019), with a focus on the choice between SGLT-2i and GLP1-RA in patients with diabetic kidney disease

Gilbert’s syndrome as a protection against the development of other diseases

Introduction and purpose Gilbert's syndrome is a condition caused by a mutation in the gene responsible for the enzyme UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 1A1, which conjugates bilirubin in hepatocytes. Its less efficient functioning results in disorder of bilirubin metabolism which leads to increased level of this compound. It has been observed that there is interesting correlation between elevated levels of bilirubin and the risk of developing certain diseases in patients with this condition. The aim of this review is to understand the correlation between elevated bilirubin levels and the risk of developing selected diseases in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome and how to use this knowledge in innovative therapeutic options.  State of knowledge Bilirubin was considered a non-functional waste product of heme breakdown, used to be seen as a concerning indicator of liver disease or even a potentially harmful substance for the nervous system. However, lately it turns out that bilirubin has strong antioxidant properties, which help to scavenge free radicals and inhibit lipid oxidation. Recent studies have shown that even slightly elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood, such as those commonly found in individuals with Gilbert's syndrome may protect these patients against diseases associated with increased oxidative stress, an overactive immune response and metabolic dysfunction.  Conclusions As a result, individuals with Gilbert's syndrome are observed to have a lower risk of developing diseases related to oxidative stress, such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In these patients mortality rate compared to the population with normobilirubinemia is decreased. Based on available studies, it has also been concluded that inducing mild hyperbilirubinemia - iatrogenic Gilbert's syndrome - using appropriate substances may have health benefits.&nbsp

Non-carious tooth loss in terms of erosion – a literature review

The loss of tooth structure caused by the process of chemical dissolution and mechanical abrasion is becoming a great problem in modern dentistry. Patient awareness as well as diagnostic alertness of a dentist are crucial for proper prevention and treatment. Late diagnosis and treatment of extensive loss of tooth structure caused by erosion, abrasion or abfraction poses many difficulties for clinicians. Chronically progressive loss of tooth structure can cause loss of vertical dimension of the bite, secondary orthodontic complications and also aesthetic and functional problems. The treatment is often associated with long-term diagnosis and interdisciplinary, expensive rehabilitation of the entire stomatognathic system. The aim of this study was to review current publications on the prevalence of tooth wear in developmental age, with focus on etiology, risk factors, prevention and treatment methods