Chronic lip edema and pain secondary to lip augmentation procedure: histological, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray microanalysis evaluation.

BACKGROUND: In parallel with the increase in requests for filler injections, reported complications (immediate or delayed and transient or permanent) increased too. CASE REPORT: In the presented case report, a patient reported a delayed complication of filler injection. The complaints of the patient and the objective evaluation revealed the presence of multiple lip nodules, that were painful both spontaneously and at the touch, after 10 years from a lip filler injection. The surgical excision of the neoformations permitted the complete healing of the lesions. The histological analysis showed a not specific pattern, showing a material encapsulated by a tissue reaction, confirming that the possible cause of the multiple injuries could be attributable to the injection received years earlier. CONCLUSIONS: The professional who intends to perform filler injections needs a complete training process, both from a theoretical and practical point of view. Also, the patients must be informed of the possible risks associated with each product.

Nurses' health beliefs about paper face masks in Japan, Australia and China: a qualitative descriptive study.

AIM: To explore the health beliefs of clinical and academic nurses from Japan, Australia and China regarding wearing paper masks to protect themselves and others, and to identify differences in participants' health beliefs regarding masks. BACKGROUND: The correct use of face masks and consensus among health professionals across the globe is essential for containing pandemics, and nurses need to act according to policy to protect themselves, educate the public and preserve resources for frontline health workers. Paper masks are worn by health professionals and the general public to avoid the transmission of respiratory infections, such as COVID-19, but there appear to be differences in health beliefs of nurses within and between countries regarding these. METHODS: This qualitative descriptive study used content analysis with a framework approach. FINDINGS: There were major differences in nurse participants' beliefs between and within countries, including how nurses use paper masks and their understanding of their efficacy. In addition, there were cultural differences in the way that nurses use masks in their daily lives and nursing practice contexts. CONCLUSION: Nurses from different working environments, countries and areas of practice hold a variety of health beliefs about mask wearing at the personal and professional level. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY: The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked much discussion about the critical importance of masks for the safety of health professionals, and there has been considerable discussion and disagreement about health policies regarding mask use by the general public. Improper use of masks may have a role in creating mask shortages or transmitting infections. An evidence-based global policy on mask use for respiratory illnesses for health professionals, including nurses, and the general public needs to be adopted and supported by a wide-reaching education campaign.

Effects of a novel gel containing 5-aminolevulinic acid and red LED against bacteria involved in peri-implantitis and other oral infections.

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem worldwide and the finding of alternative methods for eliminating bacteria is one of the prerogatives of medical research. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in dentistry, especially for the treatment of peri-implantitis, could lead to superinfections. Alternative methods, like photodynamic therapy mediated by the use of aminolevulinic acid and a red light has been largely described, especially in dentistry, but results were encouraging against Gram-positive bacteria, but limited against Gram-negative. The effectiveness of photodynamic therapy mediated by a novel product containing aminolevulinic acid, Aladent (ALAD) has been tested in this in vitro study, against different types of bacteria particularly involved in the infections of the oral cavity and peri-implantitis. The novelty of ALAD is the marked hydrophilicity that should increase the passage of the molecule through the membrane pores of Gram-negative bacteria. Considering the novelty of the product a preliminary experiment permitted to test the effectiveness against Enterococcus faecalis after 1 h of ALAD incubation at different concentrations, with or without different timings of LED irradiation. The count of CFUs and the live/dead observation with fluorescent microscopy showed a significant reduction and killing of bacterium. Then, in the second stage, that could meet the necessity of effectiveness and the clinician's requests to reduce the timing of treatment, ALAD, with and without irradiation, was tested on Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Veillonella parvula and Porphyromonas gingivalis. In particular, the efficiency of different concentrations of the product after a 25 min incubation was tested with and without the adjunctive LED irradiation for 5 min. A slight ALAD bactericidal effect was reported for all bacteria, also without LED irradiation, however, the most effective treatment was 25 min of 50% ALAD incubation followed by 5 min of a red LED. The in vitro tests demonstrated that ALAD gel with LED irradiation exerts a potent antibacterial activity on different bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative.

Microbiological evaluation of environmental cleanliness in haematopoietic cell transplant patient rooms: implementing JACIE standards.

BACKGROUND: Environmental hygiene is one of the most important strategies to prevent hospital-acquired infections by reducing pathogens in haematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patient rooms. This study was designed in response to JACIE requirements for microbiological monitoring, and aimed to assess environmental hygiene in protective isolation rooms. METHODS: Environmental cleanliness was assessed by measuring microbial loads in at-rest and operational conditions sampled from target surfaces, and in passive and active air from rooms occupied by patients with different grades of neutropenia. The study also evaluated whether microbial loads were influenced by isolation precautions. RESULTS: The failure rate of cleanliness on target surfaces in at-rest conditions was 0% compared with 37% for surfaces and 13% for passive and active air samples in operational conditions. Differences in failure rates were observed in the rooms of patients with different levels of neutropenia (P=0.036 for surfaces, 0.028% for passive air). No relationship was found between infections and microbial loads. CONCLUSIONS: Microbiological assessment integrated with an enhanced monitoring programme for hospital hygiene provides invaluable information to drive infection control policies in HCT patients. These results highlight the need to set and validate strict standards for the assessment of cleanliness in a clinical setting.

Assessment of response to therapy in multiple myeloma by multiparameter flow cytometry. Usefulness of an eight-color single tube with monoclonal antibodies in dried formulation.

OBJECTIVE: Multiparameter flow cytometry is considered the gold standard to evaluate minimal residual disease in multiple myeloma (MM) and patients in complete remission can achieve "Flow MRD-negative" status (i.e. immunophenotypically abnormal plasma cells not detectable). In the current study we report the usefulness of an eight-color flow cytometric method with a 10-5 sensitivity, using monoclonal antibodies in dried formulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-six patients with MM were treated with bortezomib-based regimens and, when eligible, with autologous stem cell transplantation. Response to therapy was assessed according to the criteria validated by the International Myeloma Working Group. Multiparameter flow cytometry was carried out with an 8-color panel validated by the Euroflow Consortium. A commercially available single 8-color tube in dried formulation was used and almost 2,000,000 events were acquired, in order to obtain a 10-5 sensitivity. RESULT: Sixteen patients achieved stringent complete remission and another three patients achieved complete remission. In these groups of patients, the "Flow MRD-negative" status was achieved in sixteen cases. In patients who had a different degree of response (very good partial response, partial response, minimal response) immunophenotypically abnormal plasma cells were always detected. CONCLUSION: Using a single eight-color tube in dried formulation, and an acquisition strategy able to obtain a 10-5 sensitivity, not only is it possible to detect a deep response to modern therapy in patients who obtained at least complete remission, but it is also always possible to detect minimal residual disease in patients with either complete remission or stringent complete remission.

Experiences from Southeast Asia on nursing education, practice, mobility and influencing policy.

In this report from the field, we describe the challenges and opportunities for nursing practice and education, and ways to improve nurse mobility across Asia. We also explain the collaboration within the Southeast and East Asian Nursing Education and Research Network to influence policy development and review. The collaborative process was supported by evidence drawn from discussions at Network meetings, and with nursing and other leaders, an examination of literature and policy documents, and member surveys. We reviewed the region's regulatory statutes which all support diversity in the nursing workforce. The Southeast Asian Nursing Education and Research Network was established in 2015 to support policy development around the upgrading of nurse education, clinical competencies and research capacity, in hospital and primary health care; and facilitating the movement of nurses across national boundaries. Most countries have tried to address policy gaps and their efforts to implement changes are seen in policy expansion and development at the national level. We focus on two policies from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations from 2006 and 2012, that cover nurse mobility, information exchange, nurse capacity building and education and mutual professional recognition of nurses' credentials. However, we found significant variances in education, regulatory policies and clinical competencies that have restricted, and continue to restrict policy implementation. Nursing in South-East Asia has made significant progress in upgrading standards for education by increasing bachelor degree bridging programs, master and doctoral degrees. Participating countries have passed legislation on licensure, competencies and credentialing of internationally qualified nurses wishing to practice in various contexts. However, much work remains to be done. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY, EDUCATION AND PRACTICE: Governing bodies determine entry into practice law which requires dialogue to enhance policies for domestic and international practitioners for mutual exchange and recognition. Nursing practice and education are under government regulatory bodies but require new policies and laws to ensure adequate educational requirements for safe quality practice.

The correlation between different techniques for the evaluation of oral malodour in children with and without orthodontic treatment.

AIM: The aim of this work was to evaluate the correlation between different methods (organoleptic evaluation, gas chromatography, salivary ?-galactosidases activity) for the evaluation of halitosis in children. The secondary purpose was to investigate the influence of orthodontic treatment on halitosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Study Design: Oral malodour was detected with different methods in 50 children in the Paediatric Dentistry Unit, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. During the dental visit, level of oral hygiene, tongue coating scores and presence of an orthodontic device, fixed or mobile, were recorded. Two trained and calibrated operators performed the organoleptic evaluation; the Oral ChromaTM device was used for the volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) quantification and salivary ?-galactosidases (S?-g) activity was evaluated through the spectrophotometric method. STATISTICS: The Cohen's Kappa score was used to evaluate the level of agreement between the operators. The Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the linear relationship between continuous variables (e.g. S?-g vs. VSCs values) and the Spearman's correlation coefficient was calculated for ordinal variables (e.g. organoleptic scores) vs. other parameters. The LSD test was used to compare the parameters analysed in the study. RESULTS: A positive and significant correlation between the organoleptic evaluation, the S?-g, the levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) was found. The Spearman's correlation has shown that organoleptic scores were significantly correlated with S?-g (0.664, p<0.001) and the Oral ChromaTM measurements of H2S (0.538, p<0.001) and Ch3SH (0.316, p=0.026). The Pearson's correlation showed that S?-g was statistically significantly correlated with the Oral ChromaTM measurements of H2S (0.379 p=0.007) and Ch3SH (0.299, p=0.0035). Stratifying results for orthodontic treatment, it was possible to show that children under orthodontic treatment, both fixed or removable, were characterised by higher level of S?-g. The organoleptic evaluation and Oral ChromaTM measurements showed that children wearing fixed orthodontic were characterised by higher scores. CONCLUSIONS: There was a significant correlation between the three different techniques for the evaluation of oral malodour in children. Like in the adult population, the increase of S?-g activity was associated with oral malodour. The presence of fixed orthodontic appliances was correlated to increased scores of all methods for the evaluation of halitosis.

Near-infrared LEDS provide persistent and increasing protection against E. faecalis.

In a previous study, we have shown that non-coherent light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are able to significantly decrease Enterococcus faecalis viability, in vitro. In particular, the concurrent treatment for 5 min with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) 1.0% and LED permitted to obtain the total inactivation of the culture. The primary outcome of this study was to verify if the photoinactivation was only temporary or stable over 1 week. The secondary outcome was to verify if using a minor concentration of NaOCl together with LED irradiation, it was possible to reach the total inactivation of the culture. Bacterial suspensions were subjected to different protocols. NaOCl samples were treated with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min; LED 5 were subjected to 880-nm LED irradiation for 5 min and LED+NaOCl were contemporary subjected to LED irradiation and 0.5% sodium hypochlorite for 5 min. Then the colony forming units per milliliter (CFU/mL) were analyzed and recorded at 5 min, 24 h, 48 h and 1 week. The data were submitted to ANOVA and LSD post hoc tests at a level of significance of 0.05. Live dead assay and fluorescent microscope observations were also performed for all group at all timing points. The results showed that the 3 protocol treatments were able to decrease significantly the bacterial count respect controls, however, after 5 min, 24 h and 48 h the most effective reduction was measured for NaOCl and NaOCl+LED 5. In the first 48 h LED 5 alone reduced significantly the bacterial count respect controls, but it was higher respect the other tested groups. On the contrary, after 1 week we found an interesting result: samples treated with LED were characterized by a decrement of bacterial count, independently from the addition of sodium hypochlorite. Samples treated with NaOCl alone were characterized by a mild increment of bacterial count, although results were still significant respect C+. The secondary outcome was not confirmed: a concentration of NaOCl 0.5% together with LED irradiation did not permit to reach the total inactivation of the culture.

Implant insertion torque value in immediate loading: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to verify if the Insertion Torque Value (ITV) of 32 Ncm for immediate loading protocol (ILP), as indicated by literature, is still, with the advance in implant research, a real significant cut-off for long-term implant survival. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, data from 224 patients that during three years of clinical practice, were submitted to the insertion of 322 implants with immediate loading protocol, have been recorded, pooled and analyzed. Data were organized based on Insertion Torque Value (ITV): > 32 Ncm (CG) and < 32 Ncm (LTG) and two different groups of equal sample size, 161 implants each, were distinguished. Crestal bone reabsorption, and the implant failure rate were evaluated after 2-years of follow-up. RESULTS: The bone reabsorption in LTG (0.49 ± 0.11 mm ) was significantly greater than CG (0.22 ± 0.04 mm), p<0.001. However, the survival rate after 2-years of follow-up was quite high and similar for both groups: 96.89% for LTG and 97.52% for CG and no statistically significant differences have been found among the two groups for the implant failure rate (p=0.455).The Odds Ratio (OR) of implant failure was of 1.258 (95% CI 0.332, 4.772), but results were not statistical significant, p=0.740. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that although implants with ITV> 32 Ncm are still characterized by a lower crestal bone resorption, there are no statistically significant differences among the two groups for what concerning the failure rate during the 2 years of follow-up and OR. These results permit us to suppose that the cut-off of ITV >32 Ncm for immediate loading implants, could be reduced to inferior values. However further studies are necessary to indicate precise clinical guidelines.

Epicardial adipose tissue volume in patients with coronary artery disease or non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy: evaluation with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

AIM: To compare the amount of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or non-ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NIDCM) with that in patients with negative cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients (median age 57 years, interquartile range [IQR] 46-66 years) who underwent CMR were evaluated retrospectively: 50 with CAD, 50 with NIDCM, and 50 with negative CMR. For each patient, the EAT mass index (EATMI) to body surface area, end-diastolic volume index (EDVI), end-systolic volume index (ESVI), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF) for both ventricles, and left ventricle (LV) mass index were estimated. Intra and inter-reader reproducibility was tested in a random subset of 30 patients, 10 for each group. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Spearman's correlation, and Bland-Altman statistics were used. RESULTS: The EATMI in CAD patients (median 15.7 g/m2, IQR 8.3-25.7) or in NIDCM patients (15.9 g/m2, 11.5-18.1) was significantly higher than that in negative CMR patients (9.1 g/m2, 6-12; p<0.001 both). No significant difference was found between CAD and NIDCM patients (p=1.000). A correlation between EATMI and LV mass index was found in NIDCM patients (r=0.455, p=0.002). Intra- and inter-reader reproducibility were up to 80% and 72%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with NIDCM or CAD exhibited an increased EATMI in comparison to negative CMR patients. CMR can be used to estimate EAT with good reproducibility.

Correlation between halitosis, oral health status and salivary ß-galactosidases and time spent in physical activities in children.

AIM: The aim of this work was to evaluate the oral health status in children and to correlate it with time spent in physical activity per week. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty children (mean age 9±2 years) attending the first visit at the Paediatric Dental Unit of the University of Rome "Tor Vergata" have been included in the study. The parents of all patients were interviewed about the medical history of the children and specific data, in particular, the time spent in physical activity per week. A trained dentist examined the oral cavity of the patients and the following clinical parameters were recorded: number of deciduous and permanent teeth, caries (on deciduous and permanent teeth), presence of gingivitis (0=no; 1=yes), tongue coating score (from 0=none to 3= > 2/3 tongue dorsum surface covered)", oral infections (0=no; 1=yes), oral hygiene index (0=insufficient, 1=sufficient, 2=good), presence of at least one incongruous restoration (0=no, 1=yes), oral breathing (0=no; 1=yes), fissured tongue (0=no, 1=yes), presence of aftous ulcers, herpetic lesions or candidiasis (0=no, 1=yes), food stagnation (0=no; 1=yes). The level of salivary ?-galactosidases activity was measured spectrophotometrically. The subjects were classified into "Group 0": children who did not practice any sports beside physical education class; "Group 2": 2 hours per week; "Group 3": 3 hours; and "Group 4": 4 hours. STATISTICS: Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 21 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The Pearson's correlation coefficient (P) was used to evaluate the linear relationship between continuous variables, and the Spearman's correlation coefficient (S) was calculated for ordinal variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Fischer's Least Significant Difference (LSD) test were used to compare the parameters analysed in the study. Data were analysed using linear regression and descriptive statistics. The significance threshold was set at 0.05. RESULTS: A more physically active lifestyle was significantly associated with a better oral hygiene and a reduced level of salivary ?-galactosidases, halitosis, gingivitis and tongue coating. Results of the organoleptic evaluation of halitosis performed by the parents and sport hours/week practiced have shown that Group 0 and 2 were characterised by statistically significant higher scores with respect to the other groups (Group 0 vs. Group 3, p=0.014; Group 2 vs. Group 3, p=0.030; Group 0 vs. Group 4, p=0.001; Group 2 vs. Group 4, p=0.002) (P= -0.458). The spectrophotometric quantification of salivary ?-galactosidases has shown that increasing the hours of sports, the enzyme activity significantly decreases (S= -0,330); similar levels were found with 0 and 2 hours of sports, but an important decrease has been recorded with both 3 (Group 0 vs. Group 3, p=0,011; Group 2 vs. Group 3, p=0,006) and 4 hours of sports practiced (Group 0 vs. Group 4, p=0,014; Group 2 vs. Group 4, p=0,008). The level of significance between children who did not practice sport and those who did for 3 and 4 hours a week was 0.005 (Group 0 vs. Group 3) and 0.0018 (Group 2 vs. Group 4) with respect to tongue coating scores (P= -0,511) and 0.012 for both groups with respect to gingivitis (Group 0 vs. Group 3; Group 0 vs. Group 4) (P=-0,427). CONCLUSION: Children who practiced sport showed a better oral hygiene level and lower halitosis, with respect to those who did not.

Interdental plaque reduction after use of different devices in young subjects with intact papilla: A randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of 4 different oral hygiene regimens involving adjunctive interdental cleaning devices in unsupervised young subjects with intact interdental papilla. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty periodontally healthy subjects were randomly allocated to 4 groups following different oral hygiene regimens (T-7): use of manual toothbrush alone; manual toothbrush plus dental floss; manual toothbrush plus interdental brushes; and manual toothbrush plus rubber interdental picks. Oral hygiene instructions (OHI) were given. One week after (T0), professional supragingival scaling and polishing was performed, and subjects were then reseen every 2 weeks (T14 and T28). At T-7, T0, T14 and T28, full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), full-mouth bleeding score (FMBS) and angulated bleeding index (AngBI) were taken. RESULTS: During the first week (T-7/T0 unclean phase), FMPS decreased significantly in all groups except the group using dental floss. At T28, a significant decrease in FMPS (P < .001, all groups) and FMBS (P < .05, all groups except the group using flossing P < .001) was noted. Interdental FMPS showed significantly lower values in subjects treated with interdental brushes or rubber interdental picks vs toothbrushing alone (P < .05). The use of interdental picks was associated with reduced interdental FMBS when compared to flossing (P < .05). CONCLUSION: In young subjects, with no interdental attachment loss, toothbrushing or toothbrushing and adjunctive interdental cleaning devices such as dental floss, interdental brushes or interdental rubber picks can significantly reduce both plaque and gingival inflammation. Use of interdental brushes or rubber picks reduces more interdental plaque in comparison with toothbrushing alone.

Nurses' perceptions of health beliefs and impact on teaching and practice: a Q-sort study.

AIM: To understand Chinese nurses' perceptions of health beliefs, their content, origin and the influence of sociocultural factors, as a basis of their evidence-based practice. This study contributes to a larger study to establish the health beliefs of Japanese, Australian, Chinese, South Korean and Thai nurses. BACKGROUND: Registered nurses teach patients and students about maintaining or attaining health are subject to the same range of influences and their health beliefs may be antithetical to current health evidence. METHODS: Q-method design using q-sort and interview was used to explore the perspectives on a range of health beliefs of 60 nurses in four cities in China. FINDINGS: Three factors arose from the perceptions of the participants about health and accounted for 50.2% of the total variance: (1) social impact, (2) 'the importance of evidence', and (3) beliefs rooted in culture. DISCUSSION: Influence on nurses' health beliefs was explored in terms of the internalized and frequently unconscious beliefs, values and norms tying them to their communities, reflecting the need for nurses to be aware of their health beliefs and behaviours. CONCLUSIONS: Education for nurses in practice needs to acknowledge that individual practitioners' beliefs strongly influence health teaching for patients and families. In order to implement evidenced-based practice and teach in line with current evidence nurses need to critically examine and reflect on the impact of culture, society and the media on their own health beliefs. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY: Education policy needs to consider that culture and societal pressures affect nurses' health beliefs and practice. Critical thinking, reflective and evidence-based practice need to be emphasized in clinical training and nurse education. China also needs to develop policies to allow nurses to be able to assess the reliability of health information on the Internet and to make quality health research more available.

Systemic Inflammation after Third Molar Removal: A Case-Control Study.

Third molar extraction is one of the most frequent interventions in dentistry. Nevertheless, there is scarce evidence on the host response of individuals with impacted or semi-impacted third molars and the possible effects of surgical removal. A case-control study of 40 patients was designed to evaluate 1) the differences in biomarkers of systemic inflammation, vascular function, and metabolism (high-sensitive C-reactive protein, lipids, fibrinogen, oxidative stress, and endothelial function analysis) and 2) the acute and short-term effects of surgical removal in patients with bilateral impacted or semi-impacted third molars compared to controls with no third molars. Patients undergoing third molar extraction exhibited greater levels of systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and triglycerides than controls. Raised white blood cell counts as well as peaks of serum levels of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen were noticed in the first postoperative week. Three months after the extraction, all markers returned to baseline values. Malondialdehyde, an indicator of oxidative stress indicator, was significantly reduced after third molar removal. Semi-impacted or impacted third molars are associated with higher systemic inflammation, and their removal may represent a useful human model to study acute inflammation and determine beneficial systemic effects ( ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03048175).

Effect of pre-operatory low-level laser therapy on pain, swelling, and trismus associated with third-molar surgery.

BACKGROUND: The extraction of impacted third molars is commonly associated to pain, edema, trismus, limited jaw opening and movements. The aim of this retrospective study is to verify if pre-surgical low-level laser therapy (LLLT) associated with the extraction of impacted lower third molars could add benefits to the postoperative symptoms respect LLLT performed only after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from 45 patients subjected to a surgical extraction of lower third molars were pooled and divided into three groups. Patients that received only routine management were inserted in the control group. Group 1, were patients that received LLLT immediately after surgery and at 24 hours. In group 2 were included patients treated with LLLT immediately before the extraction and immediately after the end of the procedure. Data were analyzed using linear regression and descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Both laser-treated groups were characterized by minor events of post-surgery complications of pain, edema, trismus. The use of NSAIDs in the first 24 hours was significantly inferior in Group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-surgical LLLT treatment seems to increase the analgesic effect of LLLT. However, trismus and edema were reduced in both laser treated groups, independently from the period of irradiation.

Gold nanoparticles as scaffolds for poor water soluble and difficult to vehiculate antiparkinson codrugs.

We report the facile and non-covalent preparation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized by an antiparkinson codrug based on lipoic acid (LA). The obtained AuNPs appear stable in both dimethyl sulfoxide and fetal bovine serum and able to load an amount of codrug double the weight of gold. These NPs were demonstrated to be safe and biocompatible towards primary human blood cells and human neuroblastoma cells, one of the most widely used cellular models to study dopaminergic neural cells, therefore are ideal drug carriers for difficult to solubilize molecules. Very interestingly, the codrug-stabilized AuNPs were shown to reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in SH-SY5Y cells treated with LD and did not change total oxidant status levels in cultured human blood cells, thus confirming the antioxidant role of LA although bound to AuNPs. The characterization of AuNPs in terms of loading and stability paves the way for their use in biomedical and pharmacological applications.

Does cyclic guanosine monophosphate induce autophagy in thyroid malignant carcinoma through down-regulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase?

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether or not the expression of cGMP- phosphodiesterases (cGMP-PDE) varies in different thyroid pathologies and to elucidate the relationship between the expression of cGMP-PDE, cGMP, and autophagy. Fifty-four thyroid biopsy samples, excised to perform the biopsy, were split into two parts and randomly assigned: one part was microscopically examined and histological classified, and the other was frozen and analysed in order to evaluate the cGMP-PDE activity. Intracellular cGMP was also measured. A strong expression of intracellular cGMP and cGMP-PDE activity was observed in carcinoma in respect to controls and benign pathologies. The level of cGMP-PDE in papillary carcinoma without lymph node involvement (N-) was approximately four-fold higher compared to those with lymph node invasion (N±). On the contrary, the cGMP was one and a half times higher in N± than N-. Our results are promising, although further epigenetical studies are needed to confirm this association. A correlation between the cGMP-degrading activity and the severity of thyroid pathology has been shown. The decrease of cGMP-PDE and the increase of cGMP in N± papillar carcinoma could be an autophagic stimulus, a defence mechanism of the body, against the cancer that is expanding and invading other tissues and organs.