Gellan-Based Hydrogel as a Drug Delivery System for Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester in the Treatment of Oral Candida albicans Infections.

Candida albicans can cause various types of oral infections, mainly associated with denture stomatitis. Conventional therapy has been linked to high recurrence, toxicity, and fungal resistance, necessitating the search for new drugs and delivery systems. In this study, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and gellan gum (GG) were studied as an antifungal agent and carrier system, respectively. First, we observed that different GG formulations (0.6 to 1.0% wt/vol) were able to incorporate and release CAPE, reaching a controlled and prolonged release over 180 min at 1.0% of GG. CAPE-GG formulations exhibited antifungal activity at CAPE concentrations ranging from 128 to >512 µg/mL. Furthermore, CAPE-GG formulations significantly decreased the fungal viability of C. albicans biofilms at short times (12 h), mainly at 1.0% of GG (p < 0.001). C. albicans protease activity was also reduced after 12 h of treatment with CAPE-GG formulations (p < 0.001). Importantly, CAPE was not cytotoxic to human keratinocytes, and CAPE-GG formulations at 1.0% decreased the fungal burden (p = 0.0087) and suppressed inflammation in a rat model of denture stomatitis. Altogether, these results indicate that GG is a promising delivery system for CAPE, showing effective activity against C. albicans and potential to be used in the treatment of denture stomatitis.

Atividade antifúngica de nanofibras de policaprolactona/nistatina: estudo in vitro e in vivo / Antifungal activity of polycaprolactone/nystatin nanofibers: in vitro and in vivo study

Este estudo avaliou a eficácia in vitro e in vivo de mantas de nanofibras (NF) de policaprolactona (PCL) incorporadas com nistatina (NIS) no tratamento da estomatite protética (EP) em modelos animais. NF foram sintetizadas com diferentes concentrações de NIS, totalizando quatro soluções: PCL puro, PCL/NIS 0,045 g, PCL/NIS 0,090 g e PCL/NIS 0,225 g. A liberação da NIS foi analisada por espectroscopia Ultravioleta-Visível. A capacidade das mantas de inibirem o biofilme de Candida albicans, principal fator etiológico da EP, dividindo-se cinco grupos (N=5) compostos por um grupo com controle de células de C. albicans e com PCL puro, além das três concentrações de NIS. A seguir, foi analisada a viabilidade celular em queratinócitos humanos (HaCat) por meio do teste colorimétrico de resazurina. Cinco grupos foram divididos (N=10): controle celular, PCL puro e as três concentrações de NIS. Em modelos animais de ratos Wistar albinos (N=18), dispositivos palatinos (DP) de resina acrílica foram confeccionados simulando próteses totais e utilizados para a indução da EP. Para isso, DP contaminados com C. albicans foram cimentados na região molar da cavidade bucal dos animais e permaneceram em boca por 48 h. Após esse período, os DP foram removidos e os animais foram divididos em três grupos: (C) controle; (B1) com tratamento por mantas de PCL/NIS 0,045 g e (B2) PCL/NIS 0,225 g, com N=6. Então novos DP, livres de contaminação, foram cimentados na cavidade oral dos animais e permaneceu por mais 48 h. Após esse período, os animais foram eutanasiados, a contagem de UFC/ mL foi realizada e os palatos foram coletados para a análise histológica. A curva padrão de NIS obtida apresentou R2 de 0,99. As três concentrações de NF apresentaram liberação de NIS, com pico no tempo de 6 h e valores de 66,26 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,045 g, de 333,87 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,090 g e 436,51 µg/ mL para PCL/NIS 0,225 g, constantes até o fim do experimento. Os grupos com NIS reduziram em 2,5 log10 de crescimento do biofilme fúngico em relação aos grupos sem tratamento, Controle e PCL, sem diferença estatística significativa. Não foi observada citotoxicidade nas células HaCat, com viabilidade celular de 93,7% para PCL/NIS 0,045 g, 72,6% para PCL/NIS 0,090 g e 72,4% para PCL/NIS 0,225 g. A indução da EP nos três grupos foi possível e, porém, sem redução significativa na contagem de UFC/ mL de C. albicans nos grupos B1 e B2. Na análise histológica do grupo C pôde-se observar infiltração de hifas de Candida na camada queratinizada, presença de células inflamatórias formando micro abscessos e um discreto infiltrado inflamatório no tecido conjuntivo subjacente ao epitélio infectado. Nos grupos B1 e B2 não foram encontradas alterações epiteliais, concluindo-se que as NF demonstraram atividade antifúngica in vitro e foram efetivas na prevenção da penetração de hifas no tecido palatino de animais com DP (AU)

This study evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of nanofiber (NF) mats of polycaprolactone (PCL) incorporated with nystatin (NIS) in the treatment of denture stomatitis (DS) in animal models. NFs were synthesized with different concentrations of NIS, totaling four solutions: pure PCL, PCL/NIS 0.045 g, PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and PCL/NIS 0.225 g. The release of NIS was analyzed by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy. The ability of the mats to inhibit Candida albicans biofilm, the main etiological factor of DS, was assessed by dividing five groups (N=5) composed of a group with C. albicans cell control and with pure PCL, in addition to the three concentrations of NIS. Next, cell viability in human keratinocytes (HaCat) was analyzed using the resazurin colorimetric test. Five groups were divided (N=10): cell control, pure PCL, and the three concentrations of NIS. In albino Wistar rat animal models (N=18), palatal devices (PD) made of acrylic resin were fabricated to simulate total prostheses and used to induce DS. For this, PD contaminated with C. albicans were cemented in the molar region of the animals' oral cavity and remained in the mouth for 48 hours. After this period, the PDs were removed, and the animals were divided into three groups: (C) control; (B1) treated with PCL/NIS 0.045 g mats, and (B2) PCL/NIS 0.225 g, with N=6. Then new, uncontaminated PDs were cemented in the animals' oral cavity and remained for another 48 hours. After this period, the animals were euthanized, UFC/ mL counts were performed, and the palates were collected for histological analysis. The standard NIS curve obtained showed an R2 of 0.99. The three concentrations of NF showed NIS release, with a peak at 6 h and values of 66.26 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.045 g, 333.87 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and 436.51 µg/ mL for PCL/NIS 0.225 g, remaining constant until the end of the experiment. The groups with NIS reduced fungal biofilm growth by 2.5 log10 compared to the untreated groups, Control and PCL, with no significant statistical difference. No cytotoxicity was observed in HaCat cells, with cell viability of 93.7% for PCL/NIS 0.045 g, 72.6% for PCL/NIS 0.090 g, and 72.4% for PCL/NIS 0.225 g. Induction of DS in the three groups was possible; however, there was no significant reduction in UFC/ mL counts of C. albicans in groups B1 and B2. Histological analysis of group C revealed infiltration of Candida hyphae in the keratinized layer, presence of inflammatory cells forming micro abscesses, and a discreet inflammatory infiltrate in the connective tissue underlying the infected epithelium. No epithelial alterations were found in groups B1 and B2, concluding that NFs demonstrated in vitro antifungal activity and were effective in preventing hyphal penetration into palatal tissue in animals with PD.(AU)

Fatigue strength of 5Y-FSZ: glazing and polishing effects.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of four different finishing procedures on the fatigue strength of a fully stabilized zirconia (5Y-FSZ) material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Disc-shaped specimens of a 5Y-FSZ (Katana UTML, Kuraray Noritake) were made (ISO 6872-2015), grinded with 600- and 1200-grit silicon carbide paper, sintered as recommended, and randomly assigned into four groups according to the finishing technique: C (control, as-sintered), P (polished with polishing rubbers), G (glaze application - powder/liquid technique), and PG (polished with polishing rubbers + glaze application - powder/liquid). Then fatigue strength (staircase method), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were performed. RESULTS: The C group presented the lowest fatigue strength, while the PG group presented the highest. The P and G groups presented intermediate behavior, presenting similar statistical results. XRD showed similar crystalline phase patterns for all groups. SEM images revealed some changes in the zirconia surface, with the P group presenting some scratches on the surface, while the scratches in the PG group were filled with the glaze material. CONCLUSION: None of the techniques analyzed in this study impaired the fatigue strength of fully stabilized zirconia. Importantly, the polishing rubbers combined with glaze application (PG group) improved its fatigue strength. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The polishing rubbers followed by glaze application improve the fatigue strength in ultra-translucent zirconia.

Síntese, Caracterização e propriedades mecânicas de nanofibras utilizadas para reforço de restaurações protéticas / Synthesis, characterization and mechanical properties of nanofibers used for reinforcement of prosthetic restorations

Este estudo visou sintetizar e caracterizar mantas não tecidas de nanofibras (NFs) do acrilonitrila butadieno estireno (ABS), poliamida 6 (PA6) e poliestireno (PS), e avaliar sua capacidade de ser utilizada como reforço no polimetilmetacrilato (PMMA). O ABS foi dissolvido em diclorometano e acetona, a PA6 pelo 1,1,1,3,3,3- Hexafluoro-2-propanol e o PS pela dimetilformamida, em uma concentração definida em estudo piloto. Após determinados os melhores parâmetros de eletrofiação (tensão contínua, razão de fluxo e distância agulha/anteparo) as amostras de cada grupo foram analisadas em microscopia eletrônica de varredura, análise de molhabilidade, análise de difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier, diâmetro das fibras e resistência a tração. As NFs produzidas foram incluídas na área de tração dos corpos de prova em resina acrílica ativada termicamente (RAAT) conforme ISO1567, perfazendo 4 grupos (n=20), 1 controle (Grupo 1) e 3 experimentais (Grupo 2, RAAT+NF/ABS; Grupo 2, RAAT+NF/PA6; Grupo 4, RAAT+NF/PS), para ensaio de flexão três pontos para analisar suas propriedades mecânicas, como: módulos de elasticidade e resistência a flexão. De acordo com os testes de caracterização, as mantas se apresentaram hidrofóbicas, não houve mudança de sua estrutura polimérica, concluindo-se então que a técnica da eletrofiação foi promissora na síntese de mantas de NFs. A variação dos parâmetros afetou diretamente a morfologia, resultando em fibras uniformes, volumosas e sem defeitos (beads). Os Grupos 3 e 4 (RAAT+NF/PA6 e RAAT+NF F/PS) apresentaram um maior módulo elástico, conferindo maior rigidez ao material (AU)

This study aimed to synthesize and characterize non-woven blankets of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide 6 (PA6) and polystyrene (PS) nanofibers (NFs), and to evaluate their ability to be used as reinforcement in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). ABS was dissolved in dichloromethane and acetone, PA6 by 1,1,1,3,3,3- hexafluoro-2-propanol and PS by dimethylformamide at a concentration defined in a pilot study. After determining the best electrospun parameters (continuous voltage, flow rate and needle/shield distance) the samples from each group were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, wettability analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, fiber diameter and tensile strength. The NFs produced were included in the tensile area of the thermally activated acrylic resin (RAAT) specimens according to ISO1567, making up 4 groups (n = 20), 1 control (Group 1) and 3 experimental (Group 2, RAAT+NF/ABS; Group 3, RAAT+NF/PA6 and Group 4 (RAAT+NF/PS), for three point bending test to analyze their mechanical properties, as: modules of elasticity and flexural strength. According to the characterization tests, the blankets were hydrophobic, there was no change in their polymeric structure, concluding that the electrospinning technique was promising in the synthesis of NFs blankets. The parameters variation affected directly in the morphology, resulting in uniform, bulky and without defects (beads) NFs blankets. The Groups 3 and 4 (NF/PA6+RAAT and NF/PS+RAAT) presented a superior elastic modulus, therefore a superior rigidity(AU)