In Vivo Validation of a Nanostructured Electrospun Polycaprolactone Membrane Loaded with Gentamicin and Nano-Hydroxyapatite for the Treatment of Periodontitis.

The aim of this research was to validate the use of a gentamicin (GEN) and nano-hydroxiapatite (nHAP)-loaded polycaprolactone nanostructured membrane (NM) as an innovative, highly efficient, low-cost treatment for periodontitis. We conducted an in vivo study on Wistar rats, in which we induced periodontitis by placing silk ligatures around the first right and left upper molars. The subjects were divided into three groups; the first group received no periodontal treatment, the second group received open flap debridement, and the third group received open flap debridement, together with the positioning of the GEN and nHAP-loaded nanostructured membrane as a treatment. The extent of periodontal regeneration was assessed by the periodontal pocket depth, bleeding on probing, tooth mobility, dental plaque, microbiological analysis, concentration of MMP-8 in saliva, plasma levels of CRP, and histological analysis. The results showed that using open flap debridement with the NM is more efficient, and it significantly reduces the probing depth, extent of bleeding on probing, dental mobility, bacterial plaque, and pathogenic flora. The concentrations of MMP-8 and CRP decrease. The histological analysis demonstrated that NM leads to bone regeneration. Our study indicates that gentamicin and nano-hydroxyapatite embedded in the fiber of the biodegradable membranes might be a promising therapeutic option for periodontitis treatment.

Prevalence and genotype distribution of caprine papillomavirus in peripheral blood of healthy goats in farms from three European countries.

Caprine papillomaviruses (ChPVs, Capra hircus papillomaviruses) were detected and quantified for the first time using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) in blood samples of 374 clinically healthy goats from farms located in Italy, Romania, and Serbia. Overall, ddPCR revealed ChPV DNA in 78 of the 374 examined samples, indicating that ~21% of the goats harbored circulating papillomavirus DNA. In particular, in Italian goat farms, ChPV genotypes were detected and quantified in 58 of 157 blood samples (~37%), 11 of 117 samples from Serbian farms (~9.4%), and 9 of 100 from Romanian blood samples (9%). Blood samples from Italian goat farms showed a high prevalence of ChPV1, which was detected in 45 samples (28.6%). The ChPV2 genotype was detected in 13 samples (~8.3%). Therefore, significant differences in prevalence and genotype distributions were observed. On Serbian and Romanian farms, no significant differences were observed in the genotype prevalence of ChPVs. Molecular findings are consistent with ChPV prevalence, characterized by a territorial distribution similar to that of papillomaviruses in other mammalian species. Furthermore, this study showed that ddPCR is a very sensitive and accurate assay for ChPV detection and quantification. The ddPCR may be the molecular diagnostic tool of choice, ultimately providing useful insights into the molecular epidemiology and field surveillance of ChPV.

Hemorrhage and Sudden Death in a Cat with Pancreatic Hemangiosarcoma.

A 15-year-old female, indoor, spayed, domestic shorthair cat was presented for post-mortem evaluation with a history of sudden death. A red-brown 3 cm x 4 cm neoplastic mass was identified within the body of the pancreas, along with multiple similar nodular structures within the omentum and liver. Associated lesions included hemoperitoneum, yellow discoloration of the peritoneal wall, and severe anemia. Spindle-shaped neoplastic cells exhibiting malignancy features, which occasionally contained within the cytoplasm haematoidin crystals and/or red blood cells, were observed during cytological examination. Histologically, the neoplastic cells were organized in short streams forming vascular spaces filled with erythrocytes. Immunohistochemically, the neoplastic cells were immunolabeled for vimentin and CD31, supporting the diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma. This report offers a complete post-mortem and histological evaluation of a rare tumor in cats with an unusual location and a comparative assessment of 3 anti-CD31 antibodies.

Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Activity and Oxidative Stress Reduction of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Shoots Tincture in Rats with Experimentally Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Rosmarinus officinalis L. is a widely known species for its medicinal uses, that is also used as raw material for the food and cosmetic industry. The aim of the present study was to offer a novel perspective on the medicinal product originating from this species and to test its hepatoprotective activity. The tested sample consisted in a tincture obtained from the fresh young shoots. Compounds that are evaluated for this activity are polyphenols and terpenoids, that are identified and quantified by HPLC-UV-MS and GC-MS. Antioxidant activity was assessed in vitro, using the DPPH, FRAP and SO assays. Hepatoprotective activity was tested in rats with experimentally-induced hepatotoxicity. In the chemical composition of the tincture, phenolic diterpenes (carnosic acid, carnosol, rosmanol, rosmadial) and rosmarinic acid were found to be the majority compounds, alongside with 1,8-cineole, camphene, linalool, borneol and terpineol among monoterpenes. In vitro, the tested tincture proved significant antioxidant capacity. Results of the in vivo experiment showed that hepatoprotective activity is based on an antioxidant mechanism. In this way, the present study offers a novel perspective on the medicinal uses of the species, proving significant amounts of polyphenols and terpenes in the composition of the fresh young shoots tincture, that has proved hepatoprotective activity through an antioxidant mechanism.

Origanum vulgare ssp. vulgare: Chemical Composition and Biological Studies.

The biological properties and main phenolic compounds of the O. vulgare L. ssp. vulgare extract are described in the present paper. The polyphenolic compounds were analyzed by chromatographic and spectrophotometric techniques. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using several methods: CUPRAC (cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity), FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma), inhibition of lipid peroxidation catalyzed by cytochrome c, and superoxide (SO) scavenging assays. The antimicrobial activity of the oregano extract was evaluated by means of agar-well diffusion assay. The hepatoprotective effect of the O. vulgare extract on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated in rats. Liver injury was estimated by determination of alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase GGT, total protein and albumin concentrations, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA). These values were improved by the administration of oregano extract. A specific phenolic profile was evidenced by these data, with large amounts of rosmarinic and chlorogenic acids. The oregano extract showed very strong antioxidant activity in good agreement with the phenolic content. Antimicrobial activity was good, especially against Salmonella enteritidis and Aspergillus niger strains. The high hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antimicrobial activity, along with polyphenol-rich content, can support the use of O. vulgare in therapy. We also expect our results to open new research directions for designing important new drug products, using indigenous plant material.

Neoadjuvant Radiochemotherapy for Patients with Locally Advanced Esophagogastric Junction Adenocarcinoma.

SCOPE: neoadjuvant RCT influence on early and long term postoperative outcomes in patients with locally advanced esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sixty two patients with locally advanced esophagogastric junction adenocarcinomas were treated at the Center of Excellence in Esophageal Surgery at St. Mary Hospital between 2010-2017. According to the Siewert classification, the group comprised of type I - 11 patients, type II - 18 patients and type III - 33 patients. Only 17 patients received preoperative RCT. The surgical treatment for the 62 resected patients was: abdominal extended gastrectomy - 40 patients, Ivor-Lewis - 13 patients, McKeown esophagogastrectomy (3 incisions) - 5 patients and transhiatal esophagectomy - 4 patients. Results: Postoperative morbidity was 46.77% and was mainly represented by fistulas in 17 patients and pulmonary complications such as pleurisy,pneumonia and ARDS in 12 patients. Fistula occurred in 15 cases: grade 1 - 2 patients, grade 2 - 10 patients, grade 3 - 5 patients. Postoperative mortality was 4.8% (p_value = 0.017980 Fisher's Exact Test). Downstaging was observed in 7 patients. I did not encounter statistically significant differences in long term survival. Conclusions: Neoadjuvant RCT had no impact on postoperative morbidity, but statistically influenced postoperative mortality.