A resonance frequency analysis to investigate the impact of implant size on primary and secondary stability.

Objective: Recent years have seen a rise in the usage of dental implants to restore lost teeth. The stability of a dental implant is the main factor in determining its success. Implant stability is influenced by various factors. Several approaches have been employed clinically to evaluate stability at different time intervals. One non-invasive way to assess implant stability is by resonance frequency analysis. Utilizing the resonance frequency analysis method, this study seeks to understand how implant length and diameter affect primary and secondary stability. Methods: The current prospective study was conducted in the Prosthodontics Department of Institute of Dentistry, CMH Lahore Medical College. The duration of the study was six months. A total of 90 implants of sizes 4.5 x 8.5 mm and 4 x 10mm were placed. Resonance frequency measurements were recorded using Osstell™ AB device for primary stability at implant insertion and at 12 weeks for secondary stability. All the measurements were carried out by only one of the researchers to minimize inter-observer bias. Results: The average primary stability was 70.33±6.60, and the average secondary stability was 71.43±5.44. The data was stratified for age, gender, and implant site, and the mean primary and secondary stability of both sizes didn't show any statistically significant differences. Conclusion: Without forfeiting implant stability, both implant sizes (4 x 10mm and 4.5 x 8.5mm) can be used interchangeably, depending on available space and anatomical constraints.

Comparing Prefabricated and 3D Printed Foot Orthoses for the Management of Flat Foot Condition: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effects of 3D-printed and prefabricated foot orthoses on the management of flat feet. DESIGN: In this single-blinded study, 63 patients with flat feet were enrolled via convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned to the control and experimental groups, receiving prefabricated and customized 3D-printed foot orthoses, respectively. The assessment tools included a Visual analog scale (VAS) and a modified Quebec User Evaluation of Satisfaction with Assistive Technology (QUEST) questionnaire. The patients scored their pain at weeks 0 and 4 using the VAS. At the end of week 4, patients completed the modified version of the QUEST questionnaire to record their satisfaction with the orthosis. RESULTS: VAS scores at week 0 for the two groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At week 4, the VAS scores of the experimental group reduced significantly (p < 0.001), whereas the VAS scores of the control group remained statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Modified QUEST questionnaire analysis revealed higher satisfaction with orthosis comfort and effectiveness in the experimental group than in the control, while factors like orthosis dimensions, weight, and durability did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Customized 3D-printed orthoses effectively reduced pain and enhanced patient satisfaction with comfort and effectiveness in 4 weeks.

Comparison of Efficacy of Autologous Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy With 5% Topical Minoxidil Spray in Treating Alopecia Areata: A Head-to-Head Assessment of Novel Approaches.

BACKGROUND: Alopecia areata (AA) remains one of the most challenging afflictions encountered in dermatology clinics. It is characterized by an autoimmune-mediated inflammatory process of and around hair follicles, causing reversible, non-scarring hair loss. With the ongoing search for optimal treatment strategies, the potentially positive role of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy as well as minoxidil has been reported in various studies; however, the comparison of the two treatment modalities is largely underexplored. This research aims to compare and assess the effectiveness of intralesional PRP with topical minoxidil therapy in AA to identify efficacious management options amongst the newly described treatment modalities. METHODOLOGY: The research work was conducted over four months and included 40 (31 males and 9 females) patients suffering from alopecia areata. They were divided into Group A, which was administered monthly autologous PRP injections, while Group B was given daily topical 5% minoxidil therapy. In group A, four treatments of PRP were given, each one month apart. While in group B, daily topical minoxidil spray was administered for the same duration. The alopecia areata severity grade was recorded by employing the "Severity of Alopecia Tool" (SALT) scoring system. The pre- and post-treatment SALT scores were noted and compared at each monthly visit. RESULTS: The study comprised nine (22.5%) female and 31 (77.5%) male patients. At the beginning of the study and after one month of treatment, the difference in the SALT score was not statistically significant between the two groups, suggesting that both interventions had similar effects during the early stages of the treatment. At two months, a statistically significant difference emerged (p-value 0.037), indicating that a more significant fall in the SALT score was observed with autologous PRP treatment compared to topical minoxidil. After four months, a highly significant difference was noted between the two groups (p-value <0.0001), implying that intralesional PRP therapy led to a far more significant decrease in the SALT score compared to topical minoxidil therapy. CONCLUSION: Monthly intralesional autologous PRP therapy for four months manifests better outcomes in alopecia areata than daily 5% topical minoxidil therapy.

An updated review and recent advancements in carbon-based bioactive coatings for dental implant applications.

BACKGROUND: Surface coating of dental implants with a bioactive biomaterial is one of the distinguished approaches to improve the osseointegration potential, antibacterial properties, durability, and clinical success rate of dental implants. Carbon-based bioactive coatings, a unique class of biomaterial that possesses excellent mechanical properties, high chemical and thermal stability, osteoconductivity, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, have been utilized successfully for this purpose. AIM: This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of the structure, properties, coating techniques, and application of the various carbon-based coatings for dental implant applicationswith a particular focuson Carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), which is an advanced class of biomaterials. KEY SCIENTIFIC CONCEPTS OF REVIEW: Available articles on carbon coatings for dental implants were reviewed using PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar resources. Carbon-based coatings are non-cytotoxic, highly biocompatible, chemically inert, and osteoconductive, which allows the bone cells to come into close contact with the implant surface and prevents bacterial attachment and growth. Current research and advancements are now more focused on carbon-based nanomaterial (CNMs), as this emerging class of biomaterial possesses the advantage of both nanotechnology and carbon and aligns closely with ideal coating material characteristics. Carbon nanotubes, graphene, and its derivatives have received the most attention for dental implant coating. Various coating techniques are available for carbon-based materials, chosen according to substrate type, application requirements, and desired coating thickness. Vapor deposition technique, plasma spraying, laser deposition, and thermal spraying techniques are most commonly employed to coat the carbon structures on the implant surface. Longer duration trials and monitoring are required to ascertain the role of carbon-based bioactive coating for dental implant applications.

Impact of acidic beverages on composition and surface characteristics of human teeth: scanning electron microscopic, stereomicroscopic and energy dispersive x-ray analyses.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of acidic beverages on the surface topography and elemental composition of human teeth. METHODS: A total of five highly acidic beverages (Red Bull, Pepsi, Apple Cidra, Tang Mosambi, and Tang Orange) were investigated. The tooth specimens of experimental groups were submerged in each beverage and incubated at 37 °C for 7 days, whereas, the tooth specimens of control groups were placed in distilled water. Afterwards, tooth specimens were analyzed using scanning electron microscopic (SEM), stereomicroscopic, and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) techniques. RESULTS: All experimental groups revealed a decline in the tooth elements compared to controls, however, such decline was not statistically significant. Nevertheless, comparing the experimental groups, the Red Bull beverage caused a marked reduction in the percentage of both calcium and phosphorus elements compared to the Pepsi, Apple Cidra, Tang Mosambi, and Tang Orange beverages but it was insignificant as well in contrast to its control counterpart. All five acidic beverages demonstrated erosive potential under SEM analysis; however, each group of specimens showed a diverse amount of demineralization. In addition, all experimental groups exhibited significant discoloration of tooth specimens compared to their respective control counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of study, all five acidic beverages demonstrated erosive potential in the simulated in vitro conditions under SEM analysis; however, each group of specimens exhibited a different extent of demineralization. In addition, the overall effect of all beverages was insignificant under EDX analysis as no substantial difference was revealed between the elemental composition of experimental and control group specimens.

Frequency of Restless Legs Syndrome in Pakistani Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Objective To determine the frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among Pakistani patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods This observational cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Medicine at Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Quaid-e-Azam Medical College, Bahawalpur, Pakistan, from January 2024 to May 2024. The National Institute of Health (NIH) diagnostic criteria were used to diagnose RLS. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was defined as patients with an HbA1c greater than 7.0%, two random blood glucose readings of ≥200 mg/dL, a previous history of diabetes diagnosis, or those taking anti-hyperglycemic medicines. Patients with a history of leg surgery or amputation, iron deficiency anemia, alcoholism, end-stage kidney disease, chronic liver disease, those on hemodialysis, and pregnant women were excluded from the study. After ethical approval and informed consent were obtained, 255 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study using a non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Demographic information including age, gender, and duration of diabetes was noted, and patients were assessed for diabetes control, peripheral neuropathy, retinopathy, and RLS Patient records were assessed for HbA1c levels and urine examination to diagnose nephropathy. All data were entered into SPSS version 23. A Chi-Square test was applied post-stratification using a p-value of less than 0.05 as significant. Results The mean age was 53.5 ± 12.8 years with 140 (54.9%) females. The mean duration of the disease and mean HbA1c were 6.8 ± 5.4 years and 9.8 ± 2.5%, respectively, with 191 (74.9%) patients having poor control of diabetes. Peripheral neuropathy was seen in 131 (51.4%) patients, retinopathy in 58 (22.7%), and nephropathy in 23 (9.0%). RLS was present in 34 (13.3%) patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, showing a significant association with diabetes control (p-value = 0.001), peripheral neuropathy (p-value = 0.016), retinopathy (p-value = 0.006), and nephropathy (p-value = 0.011), but not with age (p-value = 0.122), gender (p-value = 0.217), or duration of diabetes (p-value = 0.922). Conclusion RLS was not an uncommon finding in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, being more common among those with poor diabetes control and the presence of other complications such as neuropathy, nephropathy, and retinopathy.

Prevalence and associated factors of last dental visit and teeth cleaning frequency in Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal: Findings from nationally representative surveys.

This study evaluated the prevalence and frequency of teeth cleaning and last dental visits, along with associated socio-demographic factors, among residents of Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS) survey data from Bangladesh (N = 8,164), Bhutan (N = 5,374) and Nepal (N = 5,371) were analyzed. After descriptive analysis, a multivariable multilevel logistic regression was conducted to identify the factors associated with oral hygiene. The following variables were considered as outcomes of interest: daily teeth cleaning frequency and visitation to the oral healthcare providers in the last six/twelve months at the time of data collection. Bangladesh had the highest proportion of respondents who cleaned their teeth at least once or twice a day, while Nepal had the lowest. Bhutan had the highest proportion of respondents who visited a dentist within the last six months (10.5%) or 12 months (16.0%). Almost 94.5% of Nepalese participants never visited a dentist. Participants of older age, who were females and had increased educational attainment, were more likely to follow oral hygiene measures. The populations of all the countries included in the study show poor adherence to oral hygiene practices. Health promotion programs should raise awareness regarding the advantages of regular teeth cleaning and dental check-ups.

Predictors for poor daily weight gain in preterm neonates exposed to different dose regimens of caffeine in ICU- a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: With a wide therapeutic index, efficacy, ease of use, and other neuroprotective and respiratory benefits, caffeine citrate(CC) is currently the drug of choice for preterm neonates (PTNs). Caffeine-induced excessive energy expenditure, diuresis, natriuresis, and other CC-associated potential side-effects (CC-APSEs) result in lower daily-weight gain (WG) in premature neonates. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for daily-WG in neonates exposed to different dose regimens of caffeine in ICU. METHOD: This retrospective cohort study included neonates of ≤ 36weeks gestational age (GA) and received CC-therapy. The same participants were followed for data analysis in two postnatal phases: 15-28 and 29-42 days of life (DOL). Based on daily CC-dose, formed group-I (received; standard-doses = 5 mg/kg/day), group-II (received;>5-7 mg/kg/day), and group-III (received;>7 mg/kg/day). Prenatal and postnatal clinical characteristics, CC-regimen, daily-WG, CC-APSEs, and concomitant risk-factors, including daily-caloric intake, Parenteral-Nutrition duration, steroids, diuretics, and ibuprofen exposure, were analyzed separately for group-II and group-III using group-I as standard. Regression analysis was performed to evaluate the risk factors for daily-WG. RESULTS: Included 314 PTNs. During 15-28 DOL, the mean-daily-WG(MD-WG) was significantly higher in group-I than group-II [19.9 ± 0.70 g/kg/d vs. 17.7 ± 0.52 p = 0.036] and group-III [19.9 ± 0.70 g/kg/d vs. 16.8 ± 0.73 p < 0.001]. During 29-42 DOL the MD-WG of group-I was only significantly higher than group-III [21.7 ± 0.44 g/kg/d vs. 18.3 ± 0.41 g/kg/d p = 0.003] and comparable with group-II. During 15-28 DOL, observed CC-APSEs was significantly higher in group-II and III but during 29-42 DOL it was only significant in group-III. In the adjusted regression analysis for daily-WG during 15-28DOL, with respect to standard-dose, 5-7 mg/kg/day (ß=-1.04; 95%CI:-1.62,-0.93) and > 7-10 mg/kg/day (ß=-1.36; 95%CI:-1.56,-1.02) were associated with a lower daily-WG. However, during 29-42DOL, this association was present only for > 7-10 mg/kg/day (ß=-1.54; 95%CI:-1.66,-1.42). The GA ≤ 27weeks (ß=-1.03 95%CI:-1.24, -0.88) was associated with lower daily-WG only during 15-28DOL. During both periods of therapy, higher cumulative-caffeine dose and presence of culture proven sepsis, tachypnea, hyponatremia, and feeding intolerance were significantly associated with lower daily-WG. Conversely, daily kcal intake was found to be linked with an increase in daily-WG in both periods. CONCLUSION: In this study cohort exposure to higher caffeine daily and cumulative doses is associated with lower postnatal daily-WG in PTNs than standard-daily doses, which may be due to its catabolic effects and CC-APSEs.

Transcutaneous Delivery of Dexamethasone Sodium Phosphate Via Microneedle-Assisted Iontophoretic Enhancement - A Potential Therapeutic Option for Inflammatory Disorders.

AIM: This study aimed to fabricate dexamethasone sodium phosphate loaded microneedle arrays (MNA) and investigate their efficiency in combination with iontophoresis for the treatment of hind paw oedema in rats. METHODS: Drug loaded polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and D-sorbitol-based MNA11 were fabricated by vacuum micromolding. Physicochemical, morphological, thermal, in-silico, in-vitro insertion ability (on parafilm) and drug release studies were performed. Ex-vivo permeation, in-vivo insertion and anti-inflammatory studies were performed in combination with iontophoresis. RESULTS: MNA11 displayed sharp-tipped projections and acceptable physicochemical features. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that drug loaded MNA11 were amorphous solids. Drug interacted with PVP and PVA predominately via hydrogen bonding. Parafilm displayed conspicuously engraved complementary structure of MNA11. Within 60 min, 91.50 ± 3.1% drug released from MNA11. A significantly higher i.e., 95.06 ± 2.5% permeation of drug was observed rapidly (within 60 min) from MNA11-iontophoresis combination than MNA11 i.e., 84.07 ± 3.5% within 240 min. Rat skin treated using MNA11 and MNA11-iontophoresis showed disruptions / microchannels in the epidermis without any damage to underlying anatomical structures. MNA11-iontophoresis combination led to significant reduction (83.02 ± 3.9%) in paw oedema as compared to MNA11 alone (72.55 ± 4.1%). CONCLUSION: MNA11-iontophoresis combination can act as a promising candidate to deliver drugs transcutaneously for treating inflammatory diseases.

Utilization of organic-residues as potting media: Physico-chemical characteristics and their influence on vegetable production.

Soilless agriculture is acknowledged worldwide because it uses organic leftovers as a means of supporting intensive and efficient plant production. However, the quality of potting media deteriorates because of lower nutrient content and excessive shrinkage of most organic materials. A current study was undertaken to identify the optimal blend of locally available organic materials with desirable qualities for use as potting media. Therefore, different ingredients, viz., Pinus roxburghii needles, sugarcane bagasse, and farmyard manure were used alone or in combination as potting media to test their suitability by growing spinach as a test crop. Results showed that an increase in Pinus roxburghii needles and sugarcane bagasse decreased medium pH and electrical conductivity. Higher pH and electrical conductivity were recorded for the treatments having a higher farmyard manure ratio (≥50%) in combination. Except for pine needles 100%, pH and electrical conductivity were in the recommended range. The growth attributes include, leaves plant-1, shoot length, fresh- and dry shoot weight along with plant macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium) and micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) content were higher in treatment pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% followed by pine needles 25%+farmyard manure 50%+sugarcane bagasse 25%. Moreover, the particular treatment of pine needles 50%+farmyard manure 50% exhibited the highest concentrations of macro- (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) as well as micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, and zinc) in the potting media following the harvest. This study highlights the potential of utilizing agro-industrial litter/waste as a soilless growing medium for spinach production under greenhouse conditions. When employed in appropriate proportions, this approach not only addresses disposal concerns but also proves effective for sustainable cultivation. Further research is needed to investigate the use of these wastes as potting media by mixing various particle-size ingredients.

Efficacy of Combination Therapies for Autoimmune Hepatitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a hepatocellular disorder thought to be caused by an immune system that cannot tolerate autoantigens specific to hepatocytes. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of using corticosteroids (prednisolone and azathioprine) as a combination therapy in treating AIH. This study aims to synthesize and analyze existing evidence to inform clinical practices concerning the overall clinical efficacy of this treatment approach in managing AIH. A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple online databases and search engines, including PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Medline, and Embase. RevMan 5.4 software was used for meta-analysis, with forest plots created for each outcome. Thirteen studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The results indicate that the combination of prednisolone and azathioprine for treating AIH leads to less recurrence and better disease control.

Alpha lipoic acid mitigates adverse impacts of drought stress on growth and yield of mungbean: photosynthetic pigments, and antioxidative defense mechanism.

Context: Exogenous use of potential organic compounds through different modes is a promising strategy for the induction of water stress tolerance in crop plants for better yield. Aims: The present study aimed to explore the potential role of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) in inducing water stress tolerance in mungbean lines when applied exogenously through various modes. Methods: The experiment was conducted in a field with a split-plot arrangement, having three replicates for each treatment. Two irrigation regimes, including normal and reduced irrigation, were applied. The plants allocated to reduced irrigation were watered only at the reproductive stage. Three levels of ALA (0, 0.1, 0.15 mM) were applied through different modes (seed priming, foliar or priming+foliar). Key results: ALA treatment through different modes manifested higher growth under reduced irrigation (water stress) and normal irrigation. Compared to the other two modes, the application of ALA as seed priming was found more effective in ameliorating the adverse impacts of water stress on growth and yield associated with their better content of leaf photosynthetic pigments, maintenance of plant water relations, levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants, improved activities of enzymatic antioxidants, and decreased lipid peroxidation and H2O2 levels. The maximum increase in shoot fresh weight (29% and 28%), shoot dry weight (27% and 24%), 100-grain weight (24% and 23%) and total grain yield (20% and 21%) in water-stressed mungbean plants of line 16003 and 16004, respectively, was recorded due to ALA seed priming than other modes of applications. Conclusions: Conclusively, 0.1 and 0.15 mM levels of ALA as seed priming were found to reduce the adverse impact of water stress on mungbean yield that was associated with improved physio-biochemical mechanisms. Implications: The findings of the study will be helpful for the agriculturalists working in arid and semi-arid regions to obtain a better yield of mungbean that will be helpful to fulfill the food demand in those areas to some extent.

Enhancing Methane Gas Sensing through Defect Engineering in Ag-Ru Co-doped ZnO Nanorods.

Detection of leaks of flammable methane (CH4) gas in a timely manner can mitigate health, safety, and environmental risks. Zinc oxide (ZnO), a polar semiconductor with controllable surface defects, is a promising material for gas sensing. In this study, Ag-Ru co-doped into self-assembled ZnO nanorod arrays (ZnO NRs) was prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. The Ag-Ru co-doped sample shows a good hydrophobic property as a result of its particular microstructure, which results in high humidity resistance. In addition, oxygen vacancy density significantly increased after Ag-Ru co-doping. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed an exceptionally high charge density accumulated at the Ru sites and the formation of a localized strong electric field, which provides additional energy for the CH4 reaction with •O2- at the surface at room temperature. Optimized AgRu0.025-ZnO demonstrated an outstanding CH4 sensing performance, with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 2.24 ppm under free-heat and free-light conditions. These findings suggest that introducing defects into the ZnO lattice, such as oxygen vacancies and localized ions, offers a promising approach to improving the gas sensing performance.

The Quest for Two-Dimensional MBenes: From Structural Evolution to Solar-Driven Hybrid Systems for Water-Fuel-Energy Generation and Phototherapy.

The field of 2D materials has advanced significantly with the emergence of MBenes, a new material derived from the MAX phases family, a novel class of materials that originates from the MAX phases family. Herein, this article explores the unique characteristics and morphological variations of MBenes, offering a comprehensive overview of their structural evolution. First, the discussion explores the evolutionary period of 2D MBenes associated with the several techniques for synthesizing, modifying, and characterizing MBenes to tailor their structure and enhance their functionality. The focus then shifts to the defect chemistry of MBenes, electronic, catalytic, and photothermal properties which play a crucial role in designing multifunctional solar-driven hybrid systems. Second, the recent advancements and potentials of 2D MBenes in solar-driven hybrid systems e.g. photo-electro catalysis, hybrid solar evaporators for freshwater and thermoelectric generators, and phototherapy, emphasizing their crucial significance in tackling energy and environmental issues, are explored. The study further explores the fundamental principles that regulate the improved photocatalytic and photothermal characteristics of MBenes, highlighting their promise for effective utilization of solar energy and remediation of the environment. The study also thoroughly assesses MBenes' scalability, stability, and cost effectiveness in solar-driven systems. Current insights and future directions allow researchers to utilize MBenes for sustainable and varied applications. This review regarding MBenes will be valuable to early researchers intrigued with synthesizing and utilizing 2D materials for solar-powered water-energy-fuel and phototherapy systems.

Aqueous humour interleukin-6 and vision outcomes with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy.

BACKGROUND: This analysis evaluated aqueous humour (AH) interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations and the association between AH IL-6 and visual outcomes in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) or diabetic macular oedema (DMO) receiving anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monotherapy. METHODS: Post hoc analysis of the multicentre, double-masked, randomised HARBOR (NCT00891735) and READ-3 (NCT01077401) trials. HARBOR enrolled treatment-naïve nAMD patients. READ-3 enrolled treatment-naïve/previously treated DMO patients. HARBOR patients received ranibizumab 0.5 or 2.0 mg monthly or as needed; AH samples were collected at month 2, after two previous intravitreal injections. READ-3 patients received ranibizumab 0.5 or 2.0 mg as needed; AH samples were collected at baseline and months 3, 6, 9, and 12. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: association between AH IL-6 concentrations and month 24 best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). RESULTS: In both trials (HARBOR, N = 36; READ-3, N = 137), patients with higher AH IL-6 concentrations had worse visual outcomes. HARBOR patients with low AH IL-6 concentrations at month 2 had a mean (95% CI) BCVA change at month 24 of +2.9 (-2.6, 8.3) letters, whereas patients with high AH concentrations had a mean (95% CI) BCVA change of -9.0 (-22.7, 4.7) letters. READ-3 patients with low AH concentrations at baseline had a mean (95% CI) BCVA change at month 12 of +9.3 (7.4, 11.3) letters, whereas patients with high AH concentrations had a mean (95% CI) BCVA change of +5.6 (2.2, 9.1) letters. CONCLUSIONS: Higher IL-6 AH concentrations may predict suboptimal visual responses to anti-VEGF monotherapy in patients with nAMD/DMO.

Chitosan-based materials for dental implantology: A comprehensive review.

Chitosan, a versatile biopolymer, has gained recognition in the discipline of dental implantology due to possessing salient properties. This comprehensive review explores the potential of chitosan in dental implants, focusing on its biocompatibility, bioactivity, and the various chitosan-based materials that have been utilized for dental implant therapy. The review also highlights the importance of surface treatment in dental implants to enhance osseointegration and inhibit bacterial biofilm formation. Additionally, the chemical structure, properties, and sources of chitosan are described, along with its different structural forms. The characteristics of chitosan particularly color, molecular weight, viscosity, and degree of deacetylation are discussed about their influence on its applications. This review provides valuable insights into the promising utilization of polymeric chitosan in enhancing the success and functionality of dental implants. This study highlights the potential applications of chitosan in oral implantology. Chitosan possesses various advantageous properties, including muco-adhesiveness, hemostatic action, biocompatibility, biodegradability, bioactivity, and antibacterial and antifungal activities, which enhance its uses in dental implantology. However, it has limited aqueous solubility at the physiological pH, which sometimes restricts its biological application, but this problem can be overcome by using modified chitosan or chitosan derivatives, which have also shown encouraging results. Recent research suggests that chitosan may act as a promising material for coating titanium-based implants, improving osteointegration together with antibacterial properties.

Solid Self-Nanoemulsifying Drug Delivery Systems of Furosemide: In Vivo Proof of Concept for Enhanced Predictable Therapeutic Response.

Liquid self-nano emulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) of furosemide (FSM) have been explored as a potential solution for enhancing solubility and permeability but are associated with rapid emulsification, spontaneous drug release, and poor in vivo correlation. To overcome the shortcoming, this study aimed to develop liquid and solid self-emulsifying drug delivery systems for FSM, compare formulation dynamics, continue in vivo therapeutic efficacy, and investigate the advantages of solidification. For this purpose, liquid SNEDDS (L-SEDDS-FSM) were formed using oleic acid as an oil, chremophore EL, Tween 80, Tween 20 as a surfactant, and PEG 400 as a co-surfactant containing 53 mg/mL FSM. At the same time, solid SNEDDS (S-SEDDS-FSM) was developed by adsorbing liquid SNEDDS onto microcrystalline cellulose in a 1:1 ratio. Both formulations were evaluated for size, zeta potential, lipase degradation, and drug release. Moreover, in vivo diuretic studies regarding urine volume were carried out in mice to investigate the therapeutic responses of liquid and solid SNEDDS formulations. After dilution, L-SEDDS-FSM showed a mean droplet size of 115 ± 4.5 nm, while S-SEDDS-FSM depicted 116 ± 2.6 nm and zeta potentials of -5.4 ± 0.55 and -6.22 ± 1.2, respectively. S-SEDDS-FSM showed 1.8-fold reduced degradation by lipase enzymes in comparison to L-SEDDS-FSM. S-SEDDS-FSM demonstrated a sustained drug release pattern, releasing 63% of the drug over 180 min, in contrast to L-SEDDS-FSM, exhibiting 90% spontaneous drug release within 30 min. L-SEDDS-FSM exhibited a rapid upsurge in urine output (1550 ± 56 µL) compared to S-SEDDS-FSM, showing gradual urine output (969 ± 29 µL) till the 4th h of the study, providing sustained urine output yet a predictable therapeutic response. The solidification of SNEDDS effectively addresses challenges associated with spontaneous drug release and precipitation observed in liquid SNEDDS, highlighting the potential benefits of solid SNEDDS in improving the therapeutic response of furosemide.