Proteomics analysis of human serum of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer reveals proteins as diagnostic biomarker candidates.

Non-small-cell lung carcinomas (NSCLC) is the most common type of lung cancer and it has a poor prognosis, because overall survival after 5 years is 20-25% for all stages. Thus, it is extremely important to increase the survival rate in the early stages NSCLC by focusing on novel screening tests of cancer identifying specific biomarkers expression associated with a more accurate tumor staging and patient prognosis. In this study, we focused our attention on quantitative proteomics of three heavily glycosylated serum proteins: AMBP, α2 macroglobulin, and SERPINA1. In particular, we analyzed serum samples from 20 NSCLC lung adenocarcinoma cancer patients in early and advanced stages, and 10 healthy donors to obtain a relative quantification through the MRM analysis of these proteins that have shown to be markers of cancer development and progression. AMBP, α2 macroglobulin, and SERPINA1 were chosen because all of them possess endopeptidase inhibitor activity and play key roles in cancer. We observe a variation in the expression of these proteins linked to the stage of the disease. Therefore, we believe that proteins like α2 macroglobulin, αmicroglobulin/bikunin, and SERPINA1 could be useful biomarkers for early detection of lung cancer and in monitoring its evolution.

The Role of Sulfhydryl (Thiols) Groups in Oral and Periodontal Diseases.

AIM: The sulfhydryl (thiols) group of glutathione plays an important role in the neutralization of foreign organic compounds and the reduction in peroxides. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the concentration of sulfhydryl groups in the gingival tissue of healthy individuals and those with gingivitis or periodontitis, and to examine the differences between these groups. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the concentration of sulfhydryl groups (thiols) in the gingival tissue of healthy individuals and those with gingivitis or periodontitis, we used spectrophotometric analysis using dithionitrobenzoate (DTNB) as a reagent to measure the accessible sulfhydryl groups present in gingival tissue proteins. The sample was divided into three distinct groups: individuals with periodontal health, gingivitis, and periodontitis, and different indices were used to assess the periodontal status of the participants. Next, a statistical analysis was conducted to compare the concentrations of sulfhydryl groups among the different groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed significantly decreased levels of sulfhydryl (thiols) groups in gingival tissue from patients with gingivitis and periodontitis, compared with healthy people (control group). These results confirm the role of sulfhydryl (thiols) groups in defense against free radicals. They share a significant role in detoxification, signal transduction, apoptosis, and various other functions at the molecular level.

Diagnosis and Orthodontic Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome Children-A Systematic Review.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a respiratory illness that is associated with recurrent episodes of either partial or full obstruction of the upper airways, or apnea, among other sleep disorders. This study aims to analyze, through a literature review, whether orthodontic treatment can be a good treatment strategy for this type of disorder. We performed a database search on Scopus, Web of Science, and Pubmed with the keywords OSA(S) and orthodontics to select the papers under evaluation. The criteria for inclusion were articles related to OSA(S) children undergoing an orthodontic treatment and clinical studies or case series, excluding systematic reviews, narrative reviews, meta-analyses, adult studies, animal models, and in vitro studies. The screening phase ended with the selection of 16 publications for this work. RME, or rapid maxillary expansion, turned out to be the preferred orthodontic treatment in cases of pediatric OSAS. The goal of this orthodontic procedure is to increase the hard palate's transverse diameter by reopening the mid-palatal suture. Children with maxillary contraction and dental malocclusion typically undergo such a procedure and have excellent results. However, OSAS is a multifactorial disorder; it does not seem related to the morphology of the oral cavity, and therefore, it is not always possible to cope with this problem exclusively through orthodontic treatment.

Titanium Functionalized with Polylysine Homopolymers: In Vitro Enhancement of Cells Growth.

In oral implantology, the success and persistence of dental implants over time are guaranteed by the bone formation around the implant fixture and by the integrity of the peri-implant mucosa seal, which adheres to the abutment and becomes a barrier that hinders bacterial penetration and colonization close to the outer parts of the implant. Research is constantly engaged in looking for substances to coat the titanium surface that guarantees the formation and persistence of the peri-implant bone, as well as the integrity of the mucous perimeter surrounding the implant crown. The present study aimed to evaluate in vitro the effects of a titanium surface coated with polylysine homopolymers on the cell growth of dental pulp stem cells and keratinocytes to establish the potential clinical application. The results reported an increase in cell growth for both cellular types cultured with polylysine-coated titanium compared to cultures without titanium and those without coating. These preliminary data suggest the usefulness of polylysine coating not only for enhancing osteoinduction but also to speed the post-surgery mucosal healings, guarantee appropriate peri-implant epithelial seals, and protect the fixture against bacterial penetration, which is responsible for compromising the implant survival.

The Role of Oxidative Stress and Hormones in Controlling Obesity.

The accumulation of adipose tissue in the body occurs because the energy introduced with food and drink exceeds that expense, but to understand why this imbalance is established and why it is maintained over time, it is important to consider the main causes and risk factors of excess weight. In this review, we will refer to the main factors linked to obesity, starting from oxidative stress to hormonal factors including the role of obesity in breast cancer. Among the many hypotheses formulated on the etiopathology of obesity, a key role can be attributed to the relationship between stress oxidative and intestinal microbiota. Multiple evidences tend to show that genetic, epigenetic, and lifestyle factors contribute to determine in the obese an imbalance of the redox balance correlated with the alteration of the intestinal microbial flora. Obesity acts negatively on the wound healing, in fact several studies indicate morbid obesity significantly increased the risk of a post-operative wound complication and infection. Currently, in the treatment of obesity, medical interventions are aimed not only at modifying caloric intake, but also to modulate and improve the composition of diet with the aim of rebalancing the microbiota-redox state axis.