The Evolving Field of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Dental sleep medicine is a dynamic field focused on the relationship between oral health and sleep disorders, particularly sleep apnea. Dentists play a crucial role in diagnosing and treating sleep-related breathing issues. As awareness of the impact of sleep on overall health grows, the field is evolving rapidly with advancements in technology, diagnostic tools, and treatment modalities. Interdisciplinary collaboration between dentists, sleep physicians, and other health care professionals is becoming increasingly important. The integration of innovative approaches and a patient-centric focus make dental sleep medicine a pivotal player in addressing the complex interplay between oral health and sleep quality.

Spotlight on mycobacterial lipid exploitation using nanotechnology for diagnosis, vaccines, and treatments.

Tuberculosis (TB), historically the most significant cause of human morbidity and mortality, has returned as the top infectious disease worldwide, under circumstances worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic's devastating effects on public health. Although Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causal agent, has been known of for more than a century, the development of tools to control it has been largely neglected. With the advancement of nanotechnology, the possibility of engineering tools at the nanoscale creates unique opportunities to exploit any molecular type. However, little attention has been paid to one of the major attributes of the pathogen, represented by the atypical coat and its abundant lipids. In this review, an overview of the lipids encountered in M. tuberculosis and interest in exploiting them for the development of TB control tools are presented. Then, the amalgamation of nanotechnology with mycobacterial lipids from both reported and future works are discussed.

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of chitosan and hemostatic gelatin in oral cell culture.

Chitosan is a biopolymer with bactericidal/bacteriostatic effect, biocompatible and biodegradable. It has been used in tissue engineering to replace tissues partially or completely by releasing bioactive materials or influencing cell growth, usually in regenerative medicine and dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effect of chitosan alone or with hemostatic gelatin (Spongostand®) in cultures of human pulp cells (HPC), human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and mouse pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1, ATCC). HPC and HGF were isolated from patients. Cells were subcultured in DMEM. Chitosan was inoculated at different concentrations (0-0.5%) and hemostatic gelatins impregnated with chitosan (0.19%) were placed directly in the presence of cells and incubated for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined by MTT method and mean cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was calculated from the dose-response curve. Anti-inflammatory effect was calculated from the in vitro gingivitis model induced with interleukin 1beta (IL-1ß) in HGF and protein detection. The data were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Experiments were performed in triplicate of three independent assays. Cell viability of HPC, HGF and MC3T3-E1 in contact with chitosan decreased significantly (p<0.05). The HPC were the most sensitive (CC50= 0.18%), followed by HGF (CC50= 0.18%) and MC3T3-E1 (CC50= 0.19%). The cytotoxicity of gelatins impregnated with chitosan decreased cell viability of HGF and HPC by 11% and 5%, respectively. The proinflammatory effect was reduced significantly in the gingivitis model. To conclude, chitosan induces moderate cytotoxic effects alone or with hemostatic gelatin at 0.19%, in dose-dependent manner, with anti-inflammatory effects on human gingival fibroblasts. The use of chitosan as a biomaterial can be an excellent choice for use in regenerative dentistry.

El quitosano es un biopolímero con efecto bactericida/bacteriostático, biocompatible y biodegradable. Se ha utilizado en ingeniería de tejidos con el fin de reemplazar parcial o completamente los tejidos como material bioactivo o influyendo en el crecimiento celular, comúnmente, para medicina y odontología regenerativa. Evaluar el efecto citotóxico y antiinflamatorio del quitosano solo o con gelatina hemostática (Spongostand®) en cultivos con células pulpares humanas (HPC), fibroblastos gingivales humanos (HGF) y preosteoblastos de ratón (MC3T3-E1, ATCC). HPC, HGF se aislaron de pacientes. Las células se subcultivaron en DMEM. Se inoculó quitosano a diferentes concentraciones (0-0,5%) y se colocaron gelatinas hemostáticas impregnadas con quitosano (0,19%) directamente en presencia de células y se incubaron durante 24 horas. La viabilidad celular se determinó mediante el método MTT y se calculó la concentración citotóxica media (CC50) a partir de la curva dosis-respuesta. El efecto antiinflamatorio se calculó a partir del modelo de gingivitis in vitro inducido con interleucina 1ß (IL-1ß) en HGF. Los datos se sometieron a las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis y Mann-Whitney. Los experimentos se realizaron por triplicado de tres ensayos independientes. La viabilidad celular de HPC, HGF y MC3T3-E1 en contacto con el quitosano disminuyó significativamente la viabilidad celular (p<0.05). Las HPC fueron las más sensibles (CC50= 0,18%) seguido de HGF (CC50= 0,18%) y MC3T3-E1 (CC50= 0,19%). Las gelatinas impregnadas con quitosano mostraron una disminución en la viabilidad celular para HGF, HPC de 11% y 5% respectivamente y se redujo significativamente el efecto pro-inflamatorio en el modelo de gingivitis humano. El quitosano induce efectos citotóxicos moderados solo o con gelatina hemostática a 0,19% de forma dosis-dependiente con efectos antiinflamatorios en fibroblastos gingivales humanos. El uso de quitosano como biomaterial puede ser una excelente opción para su uso en odontología regenerativa.

Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effects of chitosan and hemostatic gelatin in oral cell culture / Efectos citotóxicos y antiinflamatorios del quitosano y la gelatina hemostática en cultivo celular oral

ABSTRACT Chitosan is a biopolymer with bactericidal/bacteriostatic effect, biocompatible and biodegradable. It has been used in tissue engineering to replace tissues partially or completely by releasing bioactive materials or influencing cell growth, usually in regenerative medicine and dentistry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory effect of chitosan alone or with hemostatic gelatin (Spongostand®) in cultures of human pulp cells (HPC), human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and mouse pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1, ATCC). HPC and HGF were isolated from patients. Cells were subcultured in DMEM. Chitosan was inoculated at different concentrations (0-0.5%) and hemostatic gelatins impregnated with chitosan (0.19%) were placed directly in the presence of cells and incubated for 24 hours. Cell viability was determined by MTT method and mean cytotoxic concentration (CC50) was calculated from the dose-response curve. Anti-inflammatory effect was calculated from the in vitro gingivitis model induced with interleukin 1beta (IL-1β) in HGF and protein detection. The data were subjected to Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. Experiments were performed in triplicate of three independent assays. Cell viability of HPC, HGF and MC3T3-E1 in contact with chitosan decreased significantly (p<0.05). The HPC were the most sensitive (CC50= 0.18%), followed by HGF (CC50= 0.18%) and MC3T3-E1 (CC50= 0.19%). The cytotoxicity of gelatins impregnated with chitosan decreased cell viability of HGF and HPC by 11% and 5%, respectively. The proinflammatory effect was reduced significantly in the gingivitis model. To conclude, chitosan induces moderate cytotoxic effects alone or with hemostatic gelatin at 0.19%, in dose-dependent manner, with anti-inflammatory effects on human gingival fibroblasts. The use of chitosan as a biomaterial can be an excellent choice for use in regenerative dentistry.

RESUMEN El quitosano es un biopolímero con efecto bactericida/bacteriostático, biocompatible y biodegradable. Se ha utilizado en ingeniería de tejidos con el fin de reemplazar parcial o completamente los tejidos como material bioactivo o influyendo en el crecimiento celular, comúnmente, para medicina y odontología regenerativa. Evaluar el efecto citotóxico y antiinflamatorio del quitosano solo o con gelatina hemostática (Spongostand®) en cultivos con células pulpares humanas (HPC), fibroblastos gingivales humanos (HGF) y preosteoblastos de ratón (MC3T3-E1, ATCC). HPC, HGF se aislaron de pacientes. Las células se subcultivaron en DMEM. Se inoculó quitosano a diferentes concentraciones (0-0,5%) y se colocaron gelatinas hemostáticas impregnadas con quitosano (0,19%) directamente en presencia de células y se incubaron durante 24 horas. La viabilidad celular se determinó mediante el método MTT y se calculó la concentración citotóxica media (CC50) a partir de la curva dosis-respuesta. El efecto antiinflamatorio se calculó a partir del modelo de gingivitis in vitro inducido con interleucina 1β (IL-1β) en HGF. Los datos se sometieron a las pruebas de Shapiro-Wilk, Kruskal-Wallis y Mann-Whitney. Los experimentos se realizaron por triplicado de tres ensayos independientes. La viabilidad celular de HPC, HGF y MC3T3-E1 en contacto con el quitosano disminuyó significativamente la viabilidad celular (p <0.05). Las HPC fueron las más sensibles (CC50= 0,18%) seguido de HGF (CC50= 0,18%) y MC3T3-E1 (CC50= 0,19%). Las gelatinas impregnadas con quitosano mostraron una disminución en la viabilidad celular para HGF, HPC de 11% y 5% respectivamente y se redujo significativamente el efecto pro-inflamatorio en el modelo de gingivitis humano. El quitosano induce efectos citotóxicos moderados solo o con gelatina hemostática a 0,19% de forma dosis-dependiente con efectos antiinflamatorios en fibroblastos gingivales humanos. El uso de quitosano como biomaterial puede ser una excelente opción para su uso en odontología regenerativa.

Antifungal biomaterial for reducing infections caused by Candida albicans in edentulous patients.

INTRODUCTION: Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) acrylic resins are used to make dentures for edentulous patients. OBJECTIVE: To find out the prevalence of Candida species in patients with and without removable prostheses from a dental clinic in León, Guanajuato, as well as to assess the antifungal effect and biological behavior of an experimental PMMA with silver nanoparticles for its possible application in prostheses. METHOD: To identify Candida species, smear samples were obtained from the palatal mucosa of 140 patients aged ≥ 60 years. The experimental PMMA with silver nnoparticles was placed in Candida albicans cultures, which were stained with the Live/Dead® kit for analysis under confocal microscopy; subsequently, it was implanted in Wistar rats in order to know its behavior in the surrounding tissues. RESULTS: Candida albicans was the most prevalent species in the evaluated patients, followed by Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei. The acrylic resin with silver nanoparticles significantly decreased the presence of Candida albicans. In the animal model, a discrete and controlled inflammatory reaction was found, which indicated biocompatibility of the acrylic resin that was used. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible for the nanostructured material with antifungal effect to be used in order to promote the reduction of oral Candida infections in edentulous patients.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las resinas acrílicas de polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) son utilizadas para elaborar dentaduras para pacientes edéntulos. OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de las especies de Candida en pacientes con y sin prótesis removibles de una clínica de odontología en León, Guanajuato; así como valorar el efecto antifúngico y el comportamiento biológico de un PMMA experimental con nanopartículas de plata para su posible aplicación en prótesis. MÉTODO: Para identificar las especies de Candida se obtuvieron muestras para frotis de la mucosa palatina de 140 pacientes con edad ≥ 60 años. El PMMA experimental con nanopartículas de plata fue colocado en cultivos de Candida albicans, los cuales fueron teñidos con el kit Live/Dead® para su análisis bajo microscopia confocal; posteriormente, se implantó en ratas Wistar para conocer su comportamiento en los tejidos circundantes. RESULTADOS: Candida albicans fue la especie más prevalente en los pacientes valorados, seguida de Candida tropicalis y Candida krusei. La resina acrílica con nanopartículas de plata disminuyó significativamente la presencia de Candida albicans. En el modelo animal se encontró reacción inflamatoria discreta y controlada, lo cual indicó la biocompatibilidad de la resina acrílica utilizada. CONCLUSIONES: Es posible utilizar el material nanoestructurado con efecto antifúngico para promover la reducción de infecciones orales por Candida en pacientes edéntulos.

Mineral trioxide aggregate enriched with iron disulfide nanostructures: an evaluation of their physical and biological properties.

The purpose of this study was to characterize mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) enriched with iron disulfide (FeS2 ) nanostructures at different concentrations, and to investigate their storage modulus, radiopacity, setting time, pH, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial activity. Iron disulfide nanostructures [with particle size of 0.357 ± 0.156 µm (mean ± SD)] at weight ratios of 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt% were added to white MTA (wMTA). The radiopacity, rheological properties, setting time, and pH, as well as the cytotoxicity (assessed using the MTT assay) and antibacterial activity (assessed using the broth microdilution test) were determined for MTA/FeS2 nanostructures. The nanostructures did not modify the radiopacity values of wMTA (~6 mm of aluminium); however, they reduced the setting time from 18.2 ± 3.20 min to 13.7 ± 1.8 min, and the storage modulus was indicative of a good stiffness. Whereas the wMTA/FeS2 nanostructures did not induce cytotoxicity when in contact with human pulp cells (HPCs) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs), they showed bacteriostatic activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis. Adding FeS2 nanostructures to MTA might be an option for improving the root canal sealing and antibacterial effects of wMTA in endodontic treatments.

Effects of TiO2 NPs coating-titanium for fibroblast adhesion / Efectos del recubrimiento de NPs de TiO2 sobre placas de titanio para la adhesión de fibroblastos

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of coating nanoparticles of titanium dioxide (TiO2 NPs) and irradiation -UV on plates of titanium (Ti) for the adhesion and proliferation of human gingival fibroblasts (HGF). A total of 15 Ti plates were divided into three groups (n = 5); (i) control Ti, (ii) experimental: Ti+TiO2 NPs, (iii) experimental: Ti+TiO2 NPs+UV. The plates were analyzed with atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the roughness (Ra and Rmax) was determined. UV irradiation was performed for 20 min. HGF were subcultured in DMEM+10 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 37 °C with 5 % CO2. 2x106 cells/mL were inoculated on the plates and incubated for 1 h and washed with phosphate buffer saline (PBS). In the case of cell proliferation, cells were incubated for further 24 h more. Cell viability was determined with the MTT method, the formazan was dissolved with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and analyzed at 540 nm. Experiments were performed of three independent experiments and data were analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and multiple comparison of Mann-Whitney test. The surface topography of samples corresponded as follow: Ti (Ra= 0,492 µm y Rms= 0.640 µm), Ti+NPs TiO2, (Ra= 0.55 µm y Rms= 0.714 µm), respectively. The coating with TiO2 NPs significantly (p <0.05) increased the adhesion and proliferation of HGF compared with the group. The modification of Ti plates by coated with TiO2 NPs significantly increased adhesion and proliferation of HGF with the formation of a hydrophilic surface which favors the humectancy. This treatment may be reported here convenient to accelerate osseointegration of dental implants based titanium.

El objetivo fue determinar los efectos del recubrimiento con nanopartículas de dióxido de titanio (TiO2 NPs) e irradiación UV sobre placas de titanio (Ti) para la adhesión y proliferación de fibroblastos gingivales humanos (FGH). Un total de 15 placas de Ti se dividieron en tres grupos (n= 5); (i) control Ti, (ii) experimental Ti+NPs TiO2, (iii) experimental: Ti+NPs TiO2+UV. Las placas fueron analizadas en microscopía de fuerza atómica (MFA) y se determinó la rugosidad (Ra y Rmax). La irradiación con UV se realizó durante 20 min. FGH fueron subcultivados en DMEM+10 % de suero fetal bovino a 37 °C con 5 % de CO2. 2x106 células/mL fueron inoculadas sobre las placas e incubadas durante 1 h, se lavaron con solución salina de buffer fosfato. En el caso de la proliferación celular, las células se incubaron por 24 h más. La viabilidad celular se determinó con el método de MTT, el formazan fue disuelto con dimetilsulfoxido y se analizó a 540 nm. Los experimentos se realizaron a partir de tres experimentos independientes y los datos se analizaron por Kruskall-Wallis y por comparación múltiple de Mann-Whitney. La topografía de la superficie de las muestras correspondio de la siguiente manera: Ti (Ra= 0,492 µm y Rms= 0,640 µm), Ti+NPs TiO2, (Ra= 0,55 µm y Rms= 0,714 µm), respectivamente. El recubrimiento con NPs TiO2 aumentó significativamente la adhesión y proliferación de HGF en comparación con el grupo de Ti control (p <0,05). La modificación de la superficie de las placas de Ti recubiertas con NPs TiO2 aumentó significativamente la adhesión y proliferación de HGF con la formación de una superficie hidrófila que favorece la humectancia. Este tratamiento aquí informado tal vez sea un método conveniente para acelerar el proceso de la osteointegración de los implantes dentales a base de titanio.

Therapeutic proteins and nanotechnology: immune response and stealth bioengineered constructs.

With unique potentials for organ drug delivery and targeting, intravenous administration of drugs has represented a key tool in biomedicine. A major concern of this route is the rapid capture and destruction of foreign substances by circulating immune cells. Knowledge about the inter-relationships between drugs and blood cells is essential for a better control in drug stability and bioavailability. In this review, both classical pathways and novel insights into the immune mechanisms leading to drug clearance after systemic delivery are described. Drug surface chemistry and size have been identified as critical factors for the activation of host immune responses, and their modification has been extensively explored in order to evade immune surveillance. Common strategies to camouflage drug surfaces through polymer-grafting are presented, with special emphasis on Poly(Ethylene Glycol) (PEG) linkages, one of the most diverse strategies for modifying biomolecular surfaces. Finally, the use of "smart shields", such as PEG attachments shed at particular intracellular conditions, is briefly overviewed as an interesting approach for balancing circulation half lives VS bioavailability in polymer-grafted formulations.

Biocompatibility of crystalline opal nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Silica nanoparticles are being developed as a host of biomedical and biotechnological applications. For this reason, there are more studies about biocompatibility of silica with amorphous and crystalline structure. Except hydrated silica (opal), despite is presents directly and indirectly in humans. Two sizes of crystalline opal nanoparticles were investigated in this work under criteria of toxicology. METHODS: In particular, cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused by opal nanoparticles (80 and 120 nm) were evaluated in cultured mouse cells via a set of bioassays, methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium-bromide (MTT) and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU). RESULTS: 3T3-NIH cells were incubated for 24 and 72 h in contact with nanocrystalline opal particles, not presented significant statistically difference in the results of cytotoxicity. Genotoxicity tests of crystalline opal nanoparticles were performed by the BrdU assay on the same cultured cells for 24 h incubation. The reduction of BrdU-incorporated cells indicates that nanocrystalline opal exposure did not caused unrepairable damage DNA. CONCLUSIONS: There is no relationship between that particles size and MTT reduction, as well as BrdU incorporation, such that the opal particles did not induce cytotoxic effect and genotoxicity in cultured mouse cells.