Laponite Composites: In Situ Films Forming as a Possible Healing Agent.

A healing material must have desirable characteristics such as maintaining a physiological environment, protective barrier-forming abilities, exudate absorption, easy handling, and non-toxicity. Laponite is a synthetic clay with properties such as swelling, physical crosslinking, rheological stability, and drug entrapment, making it an interesting alternative for developing new dressings. This study evaluated its performance in lecithin/gelatin composites (LGL) as well as with the addition of maltodextrin/sodium ascorbate mixture (LGL MAS). These materials were applied as nanoparticles, dispersed, and prepared by using the gelatin desolvation method-eventually being turned into films via the solvent-casting method. Both types of composites were also studied as dispersions and films. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and rheological techniques were used to characterize the dispersions, while the films' mechanical properties and drug release were determined. Laponite in an amount of 8.8 mg developed the optimal composites, reducing the particulate size and avoiding the agglomeration by its physical crosslinker and amphoteric properties. On the films, it enhanced the swelling and provided stability below 50 °C. Moreover, the study of drug release in maltodextrin and sodium ascorbate from LGL MAS was fitted to first-order and Korsmeyer-Peppas models, respectively. The aforementioned systems represent an interesting, innovative, and promising alternative in the field of healing materials.

Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Variants and Their Implication in Surgery and Neck Pathologies, Using the Anatomical Quality Assurance (AQUA) Checklist.

INTRODUCTION: The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is the structure responsible for sensory and motor innervation of the larynx, and it has been shown that its lesion due to a lack of surgical rigor led to alterations such as respiratory obstruction due to vocal cords paralysis and permanent phonation impairment. The objectives of this review were to know the variants of the RLN and its clinical relevance in the neck region. METHODS: This review considered specific scientific articles that were written in Spanish or English and published between 1960 and 2022. A systematic search was carried out in the electronic databases MEDLINE, WOS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, SCIELO, and Latin American and Caribbean Center for Information on Health Sciences to compile the available literature on the subject to be treated and was enrolled in PROSPERO. The included articles were studies that had a sample of RLN dissections or imaging, intervention group to look for RLN variants, or the comparison of the non-recurrent laryngeal nerve (NRLN) variants, and finally, its clinical correlations. Review articles and letters to the editor were excluded. All included articles were evaluated through quality assessment and risk of bias analysis using the methodological quality assurance tool for anatomical studies (AQUA). The extracted data in the meta-analysis were interpreted to calculate the prevalence of the RLN variants and their comparison and the relationship between the RLN and NRLN. The heterogeneity degree between included studies was assessed. RESULTS: The included studies that showed variants of the RLN included in this review were 41, a total of 29,218. For the statistical analysis of the prevalence of the RLN variant, a forest plot was performed with 15 studies that met the condition of having a prevalence of less than 100%. As a result, the prevalence was shown to be 12% (95% CI, SD 0.11 to 0.14). Limitations that were present in this review were the publication bias of the included studies, the probability of not having carried out the most sensitive and specific search, and finally, the authors' personal inclinations in selecting the articles. DISCUSSION: This meta-analysis can be considered based on an update of the prevalence of RLN variants, in addition to considering that the results show some clinical correlations such as intra-surgical complications and with some pathologies and aspects function of the vocal cords, which could be a guideline in management prior to surgery or of interest for the diagnostic.

Accuracy of Eye and Hair Color Prediction in Mexican Mestizos from Monterrey City Based on ForenSeqTM DNA Signature Prep.

Forensic genomic systems allow simultaneously analyzing identity informative (iiSNPs), ancestry informative (aiSNPs), and phenotype informative (piSNPs) genetic markers. Among these kits, the ForenSeq DNA Signature prep (Verogen) analyzes identity STRs and SNPs as well as 24 piSNPs from the HIrisPlex system to predict the hair and eye color. We report herein these 24 piSNPs in 88 samples from Monterrey City (Northeast, Mexico) based on the ForenSeq DNA Signature prep. Phenotypes were predicted by genotype results with both Universal Analysis Software (UAS) and the web tool of the Erasmus Medical Center (EMC). We observed predominantly brown eyes (96.5%) and black hair (75%) phenotypes, whereas blue eyes, and blond and red hair were not observed. Both UAS and EMC showed high performance in eye color prediction (p ≥ 96.6%), but a lower accuracy was observed for hair color prediction. Overall, UAS hair color predictions showed better performance and robustness than those obtained with the EMC web tool (when hair shade is excluded). Although we employed a threshold (p > 70%), we suggest using the EMC enhanced approach to avoid the exclusion of a high number of samples. Finally, although our results are helpful to employ these genomic tools to predict eye color, caution is suggested for hair color prediction in Latin American (admixed) populations such as those studied herein, principally when no black color is predicted.

Characterization of 58 STRs and 94 SNPs with the ForenSeq™ DNA signature prep kit in Mexican-Mestizos from the Monterrey city (Northeast, Mexico).

BACKGROUND: STR allele frequency databases from populations are necessary to take full advantage of the increased power of discrimination offered by massively parallel sequencing (MPS) platforms. MATERIAL AND METHODS: For this reason, we sequenced 58 STRs (aSTRs, X-STRs, and Y-STRs) and 94 identity informative SNPs (iiSNPs) on 105 Mestizo (admixed) individuals from Monterrey City (Northeast, Mexico), with the Primer Set-A of the ForenSeq™ DNA Signature Prep Kit. RESULTS: Most of the STR markers were in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium, with a few exceptions. We found 346 different length-based alleles for these 58 STRs; nevertheless, they became 528 alleles when the sequence was assessed. The combined power of discrimination from autosomal STRs (aSTRs) was -virtually- 100% in both length and sequence-based alleles, while the power of exclusion was 99.9999999976065 and 99.9999999999494%, respectively. Haplotypes based on X-STRs and Y-STRs showed 100% of discriminatory capacity. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide -for the first time- forensic genomic population data from Mexico necessary for interpretation in kinship and criminal analyses.

Preenchimentos estéticos na cirurgia ortognática: há indicações? / Aesthetic augmentation in orthognathic surgery: are there indications?

Introdução: resultados estéticos na cirurgia ortognática são um dos principais objetivos dos pacientes, ortodontistas e cirurgiões. A correção da deformidade óssea maxilomandibular, geralmente, restabelece as funções do sistema estomatognático e a estética facial. No entanto, nem sempre obtém-se simetria e projeção desejada dos tecidos moles somente com a movimentação óssea. Nesse sentido, o preenchimento com o polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA) atua como coadjuvante na tentativa de se obter contornos faciais que alcancem as expectativas estéticas dos pacientes e profissionais. Objetivo: o presente artigo revisa a utilização do metilmetacrilato como material de preenchimento na região craniofacial, abordando a sua perspectiva histórica, vantagens e aspectos biológicos. As principais indicações são ilustradas com figuras e casos clínicos

Why segment the maxilla between laterals and canines?

INTRODUCTION: Maxillary surgery on a bone segment enables movement in the sagittal and vertical planes. When performed on multiple segments, it further provides movement in the transverse plane. Typical sites for interdental osteotomies are between laterals and canines, premolars and canines, or between incisors. Additionally, osteotomies can be bilateral, unilateral or asymmetric. The ability to control intercanine width, buccolingual angulation of incisors, and correct Bolton discrepancy are some of the advantages of maxillary segmentation between laterals and canines. OBJECTIVE: This article describes important features to be considered in making a clinical decision to segment the maxilla between laterals and canines when treating a dentoskeletal deformity. It further discusses the history of this surgical approach, the indications for its clinical use, the technique used to implement it, as well as its advantages, disadvantages, complications and stability. It is therefore hoped that this paper will contribute to disseminate information on this topic, which will inform the decision-making process of those professionals who wish to make use of this procedure in their clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Segmental maxillary osteotomy between laterals and canines is a versatile technique with several indications. Furthermore, it offers a host of advantages compared with single-piece osteotomy, or between canines and premolars.

Why segment the maxilla between laterals and canines?

Introduction: Maxillary surgery on a bone segment enables movement in the sagittal and vertical planes. When performed on multiple segments, it further provides movement in the transverse plane. Typical sites for interdental osteotomies are between laterals and canines, premolars and canines, or between incisors. Additionally, osteotomies can be bilateral, unilateral or asymmetric. The ability to control intercanine width, buccolingual angulation of incisors, and correct Bolton discrepancy are some of the advantages of maxillary segmentation between laterals and canines. Objective: This article describes important features to be considered in making a clinical decision to segment the maxilla between laterals and canines when treating a dentoskeletal deformity. It further discusses the history of this surgical approach, the indications for its clinical use, the technique used to implement it, as well as its advantages, disadvantages, complications and stability. It is therefore hoped that this paper will contribute to disseminate information on this topic, which will inform the decision-making process of those professionals who wish to make use of this procedure in their clinical practice. Conclusions: Segmental maxillary osteotomy between laterals and canines is a versatile technique with several indications. Furthermore, it offers a host of advantages compared with single-piece osteotomy, or between canines and premolars.

Introdução: a cirurgia de maxila em um segmento ósseo possibilita sua movimentação nos planos sagital e vertical. Quando realizada em múltiplos segmentos, contempla também o plano transversal. A localização das osteotomias interdentárias pode ser: entre incisivos laterais e caninos, entre pré-molares e caninos, ou entre os incisivos centrais - podendo ser bilateral, unilateral ou assimétrica. A possibilidade de controle da distância intercaninos, da angulação vestibulolingual dos incisivos e da correção da discrepância de Bolton é uma das vantagens da segmentação da maxila entre incisivos laterais e caninos. Objetivo: o presente artigo descreve aspectos importantes, no tratamento das deformidades dentoesqueletais, a serem considerados na decisão clínica de segmentar-se a maxila entre os incisivos laterais e os caninos. Serão discutidas, também, a história dessa abordagem cirúrgica, as indicações para seu emprego clínico, a técnica para sua utilização, bem como suas vantagens, desvantagens, complicações e estabilidade. Desse modo, espera-se contribuir para o aumento das informações disponíveis sobre o assunto, subsidiando a decisão dos profissionais que queiram considerar o uso dessa técnica em suas atividades clínicas. Conclusão: a osteotomia segmentar de maxila entre os incisivos laterais e os caninos corresponde a uma técnica versátil com diversos tipos de indicações, e apresenta uma série de vantagens, quando comparada com as osteotomias em um segmento ou entre caninos e pré-molares.

(-)-Tarchonanthuslactone exerts a blood glucose-increasing effect in experimental type 2 diabetes mellitus.

A number of studies have proposed an anti-diabetic effect for tarchonanthuslactone based on its structural similarity with caffeic acid, a compound known for its blood glucose-reducing properties. However, the actual effect of tarchonanthuslactone on blood glucose level has never been tested. Here, we report that, in opposition to the common sense, tarchonanthuslactone has a glucose-increasing effect in a mouse model of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effect is acute and non-cumulative and is present only in diabetic mice. In lean, glucose-tolerant mice, despite a slight increase in blood glucose levels, the effect was not significant.

Coibacins A and B: total synthesis and stereochemical revision.

The interface between synthetic organic chemistry and natural products was explored in order to unravel the structure of coibacin A, a metabolite isolated from the marine cyanobacterium cf. Oscillatoria sp. that exhibits selective antileishmanial activity and potent anti-inflammatory properties. Our synthetic plan focused on a convergent strategy that allows rapid access to the desired target by coupling of three key fragments involving E-selective Wittig and modified Julia olefinations. CD measurements and comparative HPLC analyses of the natural product and four synthetic stereoisomers led to determination of its absolute configuration, thus correcting the original assignment at C-5 and unambiguously establishing those at C-16 and C-18. Additionally, we synthesized coibacin B on the basis of the assignment of configuration for coibacin A.

Changes in occlusal plane through orthognathic surgery / Alteração do plano oclusal na cirurgia ortognática

INTRODUCTION: A conventional ortho-surgical treatment, although with good clinical results, does not often achieve the desired functional outcomes. Patients with dentofacial deformities, especially those with increased occlusal planes (OP), are also affected by muscle, joint and breathing functional disorders, as well as facial esthetic involvement. The surgical manipulation of the OP in orthognathic surgery is an alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional treatment. OBJECTIVE: To report the importance of assessing the occlusal plane during diagnosis, planning and ortho-surgical treatment of patients with facial skeletal deformities and its main advantages. CONCLUSION: Although both philosophies of ortho-surgical treatment (conventional and by surgical manipulation of the OP) have presented good results, the selective correction of the OP allows a full treatment of these patients, providing better esthetic and functional results.

INTRODUÇÃO: o tratamento ortocirúrgico convencional, embora apresente bons resultados clínicos, muitas vezes não alcança resultados funcionais desejáveis. Os pacientes com deformidades dentofaciais, principalmente os que possuem plano oclusal (PO) aumentado, são acometidos também por distúrbios funcionais musculares, articulares e respiratórios, além do comprometimento estético facial. A manipulação cirúrgica do PO na cirurgia ortognáticaé uma alternativa para suprir as limitações do tratamento convencional. OBJETIVO: relatar a importância da avaliação do plano oclusal nas fases de diagnóstico, planejamento e tratamento ortocirúrgico de pacientes com deformidades esqueléticas faciais, e suas principais vantagens. CONCLUSÃO: apesar de ambas as filosofias de tratamento ortocirúrgico (convencional e pela manipulação cirúrgica do PO) apresentarem bons resultados, a correção seletiva do PO permite um tratamento integral desses pacientes, propiciando melhores resultados estéticos e funcionais.

Structure-based design and biological profile of (E)-N-(4-Nitrobenzylidene)-2-naphthohydrazide, a novel small molecule inhibitor of IκB kinase-ß.

In this study, we describe the rational design, molecular modeling and pharmacological profile of a novel IKK-ß inhibitor (E)-N-(4-nitrobenzylidene)-2-naphthohydrazide (LASSBio-1524). The design based on the IKK-ß active site, and a privileged structure template yielded a novel IKK-ß inhibitor scaffold with significant selectivity over IKK-α and CHK2, as assessed by an in vitro kinase assay. For a better understanding of the structural requirements of IKK-ß inhibition, molecular dynamics simulations of LASSBio-1524 (3) were performed. The NAH derivative LASSBio-1524 (3), was able to suppress arachidonic acid-induced edema formation in a dose-dependent manner, demonstrating an in vivo anti-inflammatory effect. The molecular architecture of this novel, low-molecular weight IKK-ß inhibitor is encouraging for further lead optimization toward the development of innovative anti-inflammatory drug candidates.

Structural insights into IKKbeta inhibition by natural products staurosporine and quercetin.

This Letter describes the results of two combined approaches: homology modeling and molecular docking studies, in order to propose the molecular basis of IKKbeta inhibition by staurosporine and quercetin as ATP-competitive inhibitors. The results provides a rationale and structural frameworks for designing potent ATP binding-site inhibitors of IKKbeta, which is an attractive drug target for inflammatory diseases and has been found to be responsible for some of the already observed pharmacological effects for marketed drugs.

Development of new CoMFA and CoMSIA 3D-QSAR models for anti-inflammatory phthalimide-containing TNFalpha modulators.

In the present study, we describe a new 3D-QSAR analysis of 42 previously reported thalidomide analogues, with the ability to modulate the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNFalpha, by using comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) and comparative molecular similarity indices analysis (CoMSIA). Three statistically significant models were obtained. The best resulting CoMFA and CoMSIA models have conventional r(2) values of 0.996 and 0.983, respectively. The cross-validated q(2) values are 0.869 and 0.868, respectively. The analysis of CoMFA and CoMSIA contour maps provided insight into the possible sites for structural modification of the thalidomide analogues for better activity and reduced toxicity.