Objective: To assess the erosive potential of various soft drinks by measuring initial pH and titratable acidity (TA) and to evaluate enamel surface roughness using different exposure times. Materials and Methods: The initial pH of the soft drinks (group 1: Coca-Cola; group 2: orange juice; group 3: Cedevita; group 4: Guarana, and group 5: strawberry yoghurt) was measured using a pH meter, and TA was measured by titration with NaOH. Enamel samples (n = 96), cut from unerupted human third molars, were randomly assigned to 6 groups: experimental (groups 1-5) and control (filtered saliva). The samples were exposed to 50 ml of soft drinks for 15, 30 and 60 min, 3 times daily, during 10 days. Between immersions, the samples were kept in filtered saliva. Enamel surface roughness was measured by diamond stylus profilometer using the following roughness parameters: R_a, R_q, R_z, and R_y. Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc tests. Results: The pH values of the soft drinks ranged from 2.52 (Guarana) to 4.21 (strawberry yoghurt). Orange juice had the highest TA, requiring 5.70 ml of NaOH to reach pH 7.0, whereas Coca-Cola required only 1.87 ml. Roughness parameters indicated that Coca-Cola had the strongest erosion potential during the 15 min of exposure, while Coca-Cola and orange juice were similar during 30- and 60-min exposures. There were no significant differences related to all exposure times between Guarana and Cedevita. Strawberry yoghurt did not erode the enamel surface regardless of the exposure time. Conclusion: All of the tested soft drinks except yoghurt were erosive. Erosion of the enamel surfaces exposed to Coca-Cola, orange juice, Cedevita, and Guarana was directly proportional to the exposure time.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in the tissue of chronic periapical lesions, and to compare the results in relation to the symptoms of patients and the size of the lesion. Methods: Periapical lesions analyzed in the study were collected from the roots of the teeth indicated for extraction. Samples were divided according to the symptoms into groups of symptomatic and asymptomatic, and according the size into groups of small and large lesions. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect HCMV and EBV. The amplification was performed in a DNA Thermal Cycler (Hybaid). Results: Symptomatic lesions were 7.68 times more likely to be infected with HCMV than asymptomatic lesions (p < 0.001). Large symptomatic lesions were 73.50 times more likely to harbor HCMV than small symptomatic lesions (p < 0.001). Large symptomatic lesions were 7.64 times more likely to be infected with EBV than small symptomatic lesions (p = 0.05). Large symptomatic lesions were 5.38 times more likely to harbor dual HCMV/EBV infection than small symptomatic lesions (p = 0.115). Conclusion: Detection of HCMV and EBV in the samples of periapical lesions suggests an important role of herpesviruses in periapical tissue destruction.

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Background/Aim. Proinflammatory cytokines can act like endogenous pyrogen interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF ?) which regulate the synthesis of secondary mediators and other proinflammatory cytokines through macrophages and mesenchymal cells. They stimulate acute-phase proteins and attract inflammatory cells. The aim of this study was to determine interleukin 1-? (IL-1 ?) concentrations in chronically inflamed and healthy dental pulps. Methods. A total of 41 pulps (19 from patients with pulpitis chronic causa and 22 from patients with pulpatis chronic aperta), divided into two groups, were obtained from teeth with chronic pulp inflammation. The control group consisted of 12 teeth with healthy pulp. After extirpation, pulp samples were immediately placed in sterile Eppendorf tubes and frozen. After that, homogenisation was performed by a Teflon? pestle in ice-cold phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4 whose volume was adjusted according to the weight of tissue. The supernatant was then frozen at -70?C until the performance of appropriate biochemical analyses. Cytokine IL-1 ? value was determined by a commercial enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA test). We applied the high sensitivity system technique, which may register low levels of cytokines, ranging from 0.125 to 8.0 pg/mL for IL-1 ?. Results. By comparing the mean value of IL-1?, in the pulps we can see a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) among them. The highest value of IL-1 ? was in the subjects with pulpitis chronica clausa and it was 6.21 ? 2.70 pg/mL. Conclusion. Proinflammatory cytokine IL-1 ? is present in detectable quantities in the pulp tissue of all vital pulps. Its highest concentrations were found in the sample group with pulpitis chronica clausa.

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Abstract:Recovering valuable compounds from waste streams of bio-based production processes is in line with the circular economy paradigm, and is achievable by implementing "simple-to-use" and well-established process separation technologies. Such solutions are acceptable from industrial, economic and environmental points of view, implying relatively easy future implementation on pilot-and full-scale levels in the bio-based industry. Reviewing such technologies is therefore the focus here. Considerations about technology readiness level (TRL) and Net Present Value (NPV) are included in the review, since TRL and NPV contribute significantly to the techno-economic evaluation of future and promising process solutions. Based on the present review, a qualitative guideline for resource recovery from bio-based production processes is proposed. Finally, future approaches and perspectives toward identification and implementation of suitable resource recovery units for bio-based production processes are discussed.

The chemical process industry is paying significant attention to the intensification of processes with the main aim of achieving increased productivity, improved economic status, and enhanced sustainability. The pharmaceutical industry is moving in the same direction and, therefore, dozens of processes are in a state of change. However, it is important to note that not all processes can be intensified easily, such as slow chemical reactions, processes with solids, slurries, and on the like. This review summarizes applications of promising tools for achieving process intensification in the small‐scale pharmaceutical manufacturing of so‐called small molecules. The focus is on microwave radiation, microreactors, ultrasounds, and meso‐scale tubular reactors.

Background/purpose Tooth extraction is often followed by a number of different complications that demand additional treatment. In order to accelerate healing processes and decrease the complication occurrence various agents, growth factors, natural and synthetic antioxidants (e.g coenzyme Q 10 -CoQ 10 ), are applied. Due to the partially known health-promoting effects of CoQ 10 we decided to assess potential of it's encapsulated in nanoliposomes form on wound healing process following tooth extraction. Materials and methods Effects of free and encapsulated form of CoQ 10 on wound healing processes after tooth extraction in rats, 3 and 7 days following surgical procedure, was studied by means of tissue biochemical (myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations) and pathohistological analysis. Results The obtained results indicate that the encapsulated form of CoQ 10 compared to control and CoQ 10 treated animals statistically significantly decreases inflammatory process estimated through myeloperoxidase activity and NO concentrations, as well as based on histopathological analysis 3 and 7 days following surgery. Conclusion The results of this study unequivocally prove that the encapsulation of CoQ 10 in nanoliposomes enhances CoQ 10 activity by accelerating wound healing process after tooth extraction.