Cyanine Dyes for Photo-Thermal Therapy: A Comparison of Synthetic Liposomes and Natural Erythrocyte-Based Carriers.

Cyanine fluorescent dyes are attractive diagnostic or therapeutic agents due to their excellent optical properties. However, in free form, their use in biological applications is limited due to the short circulation time, instability, and toxicity. Therefore, their encapsulation into nano-carriers might help overcome the above-mentioned issues. In addition to indocyanine green (ICG), which is clinically approved and therefore the most widely used fluorescent dye, we tested the structurally similar and cheaper alternative called IR-820. Both dyes were encapsulated into liposomes. However, due to the synthetic origin of liposomes, they can induce an immunogenic response. To address this challenge, we proposed to use erythrocyte membrane vesicles (EMVs) as "new era" nano-carriers for cyanine dyes. The optical properties of both dyes were investigated in different biological relevant media. Then, the temperature stability and photo-stability of dyes in free form and encapsulated into liposomes and EMVs were evaluated. Nano-carriers efficiently protected dyes from thermal degradation, as well as from photo-induced degradation. Finally, a hemotoxicity study revealed that EMVs seem less hemotoxic dye carriers than clinically approved liposomes. Herein, we showed that EMVs exhibit great potential as nano-carriers for dyes with improved stability and hemocompatibility without losing excellent optical properties.

Use of Exposure Data to Establish Causality in Drug-Adverse Event Relationships: An Example with Desvenlafaxine.

Causality algorithms help establish relationships between drug use and adverse event (AE) occurrence. High drug exposure leads to a higher likelihood of an AE being classified as an adverse drug reaction (ADR). However, there is a knowledge gap regarding what concentrations are predictive of ADRs, as this has not been systematically studied. In this work, the Spanish Pharmacovigilance System (SEFV) algorithm was used to define the relationship between the AE occurrence and drug administration in 178 healthy volunteers participating in five desvenlafaxine single-dose clinical trials, a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor that may cause dizziness, headache, nausea, dry mouth, constipation and hyperhidrosis. Eighty-three subjects presented 172 AEs that were classified as possible (101), conditional (31), unrelated (24) and probable (16). AUC∞ and Cmax were significantly higher in volunteers with vs. without ADRs (5981.24 ng·h/mL and 239.06 ng/mL and 4770.84 ng·h/mL and 200.69 ng/mL, respectively). Six of 19 subjects with conditional AEs with an SEFV score of 3 points presented an AUC∞ ≥ 6500 ng·h/mL or a Cmax ≥ 300 ng/mL (i.e., above percentile 75) and were summed one point on their SEFV score and classified as "possible" (4 points), improving the capacity of ADR detection.

Spanish-speaking Mexican-American parents' experiences while navigating the dental care system for their children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe Mexican-American parents' experiences navigating the dental care system for their children. METHODS: Thirty in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with Spanish-speaking caregivers of young children in an urban county of Northern California, asking about their experiences navigating dental care for their children. Interviews were digitally recorded, translated, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using standard qualitative procedures. RESULTS: Caregivers reported challenges that highlight how various aspects of navigating the health care system are elemental to oral health literacy. These included making appointments, finding a provider they trust, using their dental insurance, and communicating with the dental care provider. CONCLUSIONS: When addressing oral health literacy, it is important to consider the navigational components to improve children's oral health literacy.

Effects of Flap Design on the Periodontal Health of Second Lower Molars after Impacted Third Molar Extraction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the envelope flap and triangular flap for impacted lower third molar (M3) extraction and their effects on the periodontal health of adjacent second molars (M2). A population of 60 patients undergoing M3 extraction with the envelope flap (Group A) or triangular flap (Group B) was analyzed, comparing probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and gingival recession (REC) recorded at six sites (disto-lingual, mid-lingual, mesio-lingual, disto-vestibular, mid-vestibular, and mesio-vestibular) before (T0) and 6 months after extraction (T1). There was a statistically significant mean difference in PPD and CAL at two sites, disto-vestibular (dv) and disto-lingual (dl), between values recorded before and 6 months after surgery for either Group A or Group B. Furthermore, for the same periodontal records, at 6 months after surgery, a statistically significant difference was recorded between younger and older patients, implying that the healing process was more beneficial for younger patients. No significant differences were found between the two groups (A and B) in PPDdl, PPDdv, CALdl, and CALdv, confirming that the mucoperiosteal flap design does not influence the periodontal healing process of second molars.

The Treatment of Peri-Implant Diseases: A New Approach Using HYBENX® as a Decontaminant for Implant Surface and Oral Tissues.

BACKGROUND: Peri-implantitis is a pathological condition characterized by an inflammatory process involving soft and hard tissues surrounding dental implants. The management of peri-implant disease has several protocols, among which is the chemical method HYBENX®. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis and to compare HYBENX® with other chemical agents used in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. METHODS: The present study included a population of ten subjects with severe peri-implantitis. The procedure used in the study involves the application of HYBENX® after open-flap debridement. Each patient has been followed for 12 months after a single application of the decontaminant agent. Clinical and radiographical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 months, and 12 months after treatment completion. RESULTS: At baseline, a mean pocket probing depth (PPD) of 7.3 ± 0.5 mm and a mean clinical attachment level (CAL) of 8.8 ± 0.8 mm was recorded. An average residual PPD of 4.2 ± 0.5 mm and a mean CAL of 5.2 ± 0.8 mm were observed after 1 year. Additionally, the average of bone gain was about 3.4 mm, with a mean marginal bone level (MBL) change from 5.8 mm (baseline) to 2.4 mm (12 months). In total, 90% of the treated implants reached the success rate after the 1-year follow-up. Only in one case out of ten treated implants was resolution of the disease not achieved. CONCLUSION: Clinical improvements highlight that the procedure of open-flap debridement (OFD) + HYBENX® may be considered an effective technique in the treatment of peri-implantitis. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that the use of HYBENX® in the surgical treatment of peri-implantitis is promising. Overall, this protocol demands further studies to better understand the role and potential benefits of HYBENX® in the treatment of peri-implantitis.

Cambios en el pH salival de pacientes con ortodoncia fija, tras la aplicación de dos tipos de enjuagues bucales / Changes in salivary pH in patients with fixed orthodontics following the use of two types of mouthwashes

Introducción: Los enjuagues bucales contribuyen a la inhibición de la formación de la placa bacteriana y, por tanto, pueden ayudar a mantener el pH salival cercano a neutro. Objetivo: Identificar cambios en el pH salival de pacientes portadores de aparatología ortodóncica fija, después del enjuague con una solución de Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni y un enjuague comercial de aceites esenciales. Métodos: Se realizó un experimento clínico con un diseño factorial mixto en pacientes portadores de aparatología ortodóncica fija. Una vez firmado el consentimiento informado, treinta y dos pacientes fueron asignados aleatoriamente a uno de 2 grupos: la solución de S. rebaudiana B. al 2 por ciento o un enjuague comercial de aceites esenciales. Se utilizaron 15 ml de enjuague durante 60 s en todos los pacientes. El pH salival fue medido por dos observadores independientes calibrados, utilizando papel medidor de pH antes del enjuague (medición basal) y después del enjuague, a los 5 y 20 min. Los datos fueron analizados mediante el ANOVA mixto. Resultados: Se encontró una interacción estadísticamente significativa entre el tipo de tratamiento y el momento de medición del pH. Los pH medio de los grupos S. rebaudiana y aceites esenciales fueron respectivamente en la medición basal: 6,61 y 6,52 (p = 0,72); a los 5 min: 7,61 y 7,77 (p = 0,40); y a los 20 min: 7,72 y 6,82 (p < 0,001). Conclusiones: Ambos enjuagues tenían el efecto de aumentar el pH salival a niveles alcalinos a los 5 min, pero solo el enjuague de S. rebaudiana B. al 2 por ciento mantuvo el pH básico a los 20 min(AU)

Introduction: Mouthwashes contribute to the inhibition of bacterial plaque formation and, therefore, may help to maintain salivary pH close to neutral. Objective: To identify changes in salivary pH in patients with fixed orthodontics after using a Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni solution and a commercial essential oil mouthwash. Methods: A clinical experiment with a mixed factorial design was carried out in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances. Once informed consent was signed, thirty-two patients were randomly assigned to one of 2 groups: 2 % S. rebaudiana B. solution or a commercial essential oil mouthwash. Fifteen ml of mouthwash was used for 60 s in all patients. Salivary pH was measured by two independent calibrated observers using pH-measuring paper before rinsing (basal measurement) and after rinsing, after 5 and 20 min. The data were analyzed by mixed ANOVA. Results: A statistically significant interaction was found between the type of treatment and the time of pH measurement. The medium pH of the S. rebaudiana and essential oil groups were respectively as per basal measurement: 6.61 and 6.52 (p = 0.72); after 5 min: 7.61 and 7.77 (p = 0.40); and after 20 min: 7.72 and 6.82 (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both mouthwashes had the effect of increasing salivary pH to alkaline levels after 5 min, but only the 2 percent S. rebaudiana B. mouthwash maintained the basic pH after 20 min(AU)

Impacto de la caries dental en escolares de 12 años Yanuncay, Cuenca, Ecuador / Impact of dental caries in Yanuncay 12 year old school children Yanuncay, Cuenca, Ecuador

Objetivos: El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el impacto de la caries dental en los desempeños diarios en escolares de 12 años de la parroquia Yanuncay, Cuenca ­ Ecuador, 2016. Materiales y Métodos: Fue un estudio descriptivo, de corte transversal donde la muestra estudiada fueron 132 escolares de ambos sexos; el investigador fue calibrado, y posteriormente asistió a las unidades educativas de la parroquia y aplicó la ficha epidemiológica, la cual constó del Índice CPOD y Self Report de caries dental. Resultados: Los resultados obtenidos determinaron que la prevalencia de caries dental fue baja representada por el 18,2 %, siendo el impacto en los desempeños diarios de un 36,4 %; los desempeños más afectados fueron el comer, seguido del lavarse los dientes con un 24,0 % y 21,5 % respectivamente y la severidad del impacto tuvo su mayor porcentaje en el nivel leve con el 40,3 %. Conclusiones: En conclusión, la autopercepción de los impactos en los desempeños diarios fue mayor con relación a la prevalencia de caries dental. (AU)

Objectives: To determine the impact of dental caries on daily performance in 12 - year - old schoolchildren from the Yanuncay parish, Cuenca - Ecuador, 2016. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross - sectional study where the sample studied Were 132 schoolchildren of both sexes; the researcher was calibrated, and later attended the educational units of the parish and applied the epidemiological record, which consisted of the CPOD Index and Self Report of dental caries. Results: The results obtained determined that the prevalence of dental caries was low represented by 18.2%, with the impact on daily performance of 36.4%; The most affected performances were eating, followed by brushing teeth with 24.0% and 21.5% respectively and the severity of the impact had its highest percentage in the mild level with 40.3%. Conclusions: In conclusion, the self-perception of impacts on daily performance was greater in relation to the prevalence of dental caries. (AU)

Estado bucodental en gestantes de la ciudad de Armenia, Colombia / Buco-dental health status on pregnant women in Armenia city, Colombia

Objetivo: La salud bucodental en las gestantes es hoy por hoy un tema de mucha relevancia social cultural y académica, por todos los procesos y cambios que intervienen y se manifiestan en este estado, igualmente la salud bucodental hace parte esencial del bienestar que se debe tener en la gestación para un desarrollo y resultado exitoso de este proceso, por eso el objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el estado bucodental de las gestantes de Armenia. Materiales y Métodos: Se realizo un estudio observacional descriptivo de corte transversal, en el municipio de Armenia (Quindío), se tomaron las gestantes que asisten al control prenatal en la Red de salud del municipio, se incluyeron en total 186 gestantes que cumplieron con los criterios de selección y desearon participar voluntariamente en la investigación. Resultados: El promedio de edad fue de 22 años, la mayoría (58.3%) con procedencia del Quindío, El 65.9% (122) habían visitado al odontologo durante la actual gestación, Al examen clínico se encontró en el 34.59% de las gestantes presentaban lesiones en tejidos blandos, el 94.05% caries y el 70.27% enfermedad periodontal. Conclusiones: El estado de salud bucodental en las gestantes es alterado con prevalencias altas de enfermedades como caries que se puede decir que es una enfermedad que existe antes de la gestación y adicionalmente la asistencia a consulta odontológica dentro de época de gestación no es en la proporción ideal a las necesidades evidenciadas.

Objective: The pregnant oral health is nowdays a very important issue of socialcultural and academic matter due to chances that can be seen. The oral health is essential for the well-being of pregnant woman. The objective was: To determinate the bucodental status of pregnantwomen in Armenia City.Methods: It was made a observational descriptive study, at the city of Armenia, Quindio. We take the pregnant who assisted to pre-birth control at the city’s services of health. We include 186 pregnants who could meet the selection characteristic and wish to be part of the research. Results: Age average was 22 years, mostly 58.3% From quindio. 65.9% have been at the dentist during the pregnancy. In the clinical examination we found that 34.5% of pregnants showed soft tissue injuries, 94.05% tooth decay and 70.2% periodontal disease. Conclusions: Oral health is pregnants is modificad with prevalences of disease such as tooth decay, the mother did not go for dental care during their pregnancy.