Background: Oral cancer is highly aggressive due to difficult diagnosis, therapy resistance and increasing frequency; thus finding prevention therapies is very important. Aim: This study evaluates the use of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs), phyto-synthesized with Cornus mas extract against oral dysplastic lesions. Methods: NPs were characterized by UV–Vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and laser Doppler microelectrophoresis. Biological testing employed two human oral cell lines: gingival fibroblasts and dysplastic keratinocytes and evaluated viability, cell death mechanisms and cellular uptake. Results: NPs induced selective toxic effects against dysplastic cells. p53/BAX/BCL2 activation and PI3K/AKT inhibition led to cell death through necrosis and apoptosis. NPs also induced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: NPs of gold and silver showed promising beneficial effects in the therapy of oral dysplasia.

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(1) Background: The study aimed to assess neurobehavioral, ultrastructural, and biochemical changes induced by silver nanoparticles synthesized with Cornus mas L. extract (AgNPs-CM) in rat brains. (2) Methods: The study included 36 male adult rats divided into three groups. Over a period of 45 days, AgNPs-CM (0.8 and 1.5 mg/kg b.w.) were administered daily by gavage to two of the groups, while the control group received the vehicle used for AgNP. After treatment, OFT and EPM tests were conducted in order to assess neurobehavioral changes. Six of the animals from each group were sacrificed immediately after completion of treatment, while the remaining six were allowed to recuperate for an additional 15 days. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), GFAP immunohistochemistry, and evaluation of TNFα, IL-6, MDA, and CAT activity were performed on the frontal cortex and hippocampus. (3) Results: Treated animals displayed a dose- and time-dependent increase in anxiety-like behavior and severe ultrastructural changes in neurons, astrocytes, and capillaries in both brain regions. Immunohistochemistry displayed astrogliosis with altered cell morphology. TNFα, IL-6, MDA, and CAT activity were significantly altered, depending on brain region and time post exposure. (4) Conclusions: AgNPs-CM induced neurobehavioral changes and severe cell lesions that continued to escalate after cessation of exposure.

The replacement of classical fillings, especially in the posterior area with different types of inlays has become a common solution used in order to improve all parameters which insure a long lasting treatment. Vrious ceramic materials and systems are available, but so far an ideal ceramic material suited for all clinical situations, has not been found. The range of ceramic materials as: lithium disilicate, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide and hybrid ceramics enhance the possibilities of using ceramic inalys in various clinical situations. Marginal adaptation is one of the most important conditions for long-term success for any type of material. The marginal discrepancy of fixed restorations is one of the main factors which lead to failure of the prosthetic treatment.The purpose of the present study is to compare a 2D and 3D method for evaluating the marginal fit for pressed lithium dislicate inlays (Emax). The two used methods were: SEM- electronic microscopy and micro CT.

The main goal of the present study is to compare the marginal fit of two different kind of pressed materials: a partially crystalline thermoplastic resin reinforced with ceramic particles (BioHPP) and lithium disilicate (EMax), through the use of the microCT technique. After extraction of four caries-free mandibular first molars, first class inlay cavities were prepared. For each tooth two inlays were manufactured- one by using BioHPP thermoplastic resin (n=4) and one by using Emax Press lithium disilicate (n=4). The marginal gap was analyzed circumferentially at the occlusal margin using a Bruker micro CT, by measuring the distance at the occlusal limit of the cavities, between the restoration and the tooth in several points for every surface of each tooth before cementing. Data were analyzed statistically using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Pearson�s correlation coefficient (a=0.05). A significant statistical difference was found between the marginal gap size obtained for BioHPP and Emax inlays (p[0.001). For the Emax inlays the marginal gap had an average of 72mm, while for BioHPP the average was 94 �m. Both types of used materials offer a good marginal adaptation. By summing up the gathered data we can conclude that the pressed ceramics shows a better marginal fit than the pressed resin, probably because of the different processing methods: sintering versus polymerizing with different shrinkage values.

Background and aim Recent studies have demonstrated the androgenic effects of Dracaena arborea in castrated and diabetic rats, but the cytoarchitectural mechanism at the level of Leydig cells (LCs) justifying this improvement in androgens production in diabetic rats has never been examined. We investigated the effects of aqueous and ethanol extracts of D. arborea on diabetes-induced cytoarchitectural impairments of LCs in rats. Experimental procedure Besides a normal group, 4 groups of diabetic rats were treated orally with Millipore water (10 ml/kg, diabetic), sildenafil citrate (1.44 mg/kg), aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanol (100 mg/kg) extracts of D. arborea for 21 days. On day 22, rats were sacrificed and the testes were removed and prepared for electron microscopic analyses of LCs ultrastructure. Results and conclusion The ultrastructure of LCs in control rats was normal, while that in diabetic rats exhibited large heterochromatization in the nuclei, reduced amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum with no lipid droplets in the cytoplasm, many autophagosomes and degenerated mitochondria containing lots of electron dense granules in the matrix. Interestingly, treatment with D. arborea especially its aqueous extract (500 mg/kg) alleviated these impairments, characterized by a rarification of heterochromatization in the nuclei coupled to an increase and the presence in the cytoplasm of prominent smooth endoplasmic reticulum and a reduction of electron dense granules in the matrix of mitochondria. These alleviating properties of D. arborea on LCs ultrastructure of diabetic rats could explain its androgenic potential. These results are useful for the management of patients suffering from diabetes-induced hypogonadism.

The goal of the present study is to compare the marginal fit using microCT of ceramic inlays obtained using two different technologies: pressing technique (lithium disilicate) and milling technique (milled leucite glass-ceramic). After extraction of four caries-free mandibular first molars, first class inlay cavities were prepared. For each tooth two inlays were manufactured- one by using pressed lithium disilicate (Emax) (n=4) and one by using milled leucite glass-ceramic (n=4). The marginal gap was analyzed circumferentially at the occlusal margin using a table-top Bruker micro CT, by measuring the distance at the occlusal limit of the cavities, between the restoration and the tooth in several points for every surface of each tooth before cementing. Data were analyzed statistically using One �way ANOVA with Tukey�s Multiple Comparison Test performed using 5.00 for Windows (GraphPad Prism 5.00 Software, San Diego, California USA). When the marginal gaps of the inlays made out of different materials on the same tooth were compared, only one result had no statistical significance. The program expressed also results by comparing the gaps of pressed vs milled restorations on different teeth. 11 out of 16 results had statistical significance. Although statistical significance between the two studied materials, we can conclude that both used materials offer a good marginal adaptation within the acceptable limits. By summing up the gathered data we can conclude that the milled ceramic shows a better marginal fit than the pressed ceramic.

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