Therapeutic gene delivery by mesenchymal stem cell for brain ischemia damage: Focus on molecular mechanisms in ischemic stroke.

Cerebral ischemic damage is prevalent and the second highest cause of death globally across patient populations; it is as a substantial reason of morbidity and mortality. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have garnered significant interest as a potential treatment for cerebral ischemic damage, as shown in ischemic stroke, because of their potent intrinsic features, which include self-regeneration, immunomodulation, and multi-potency. Additionally, MSCs are easily obtained, isolated, and cultured. Despite this, there are a number of obstacles that hinder the effectiveness of MSC-based treatment, such as adverse microenvironmental conditions both in vivo and in vitro. To overcome these obstacles, the naïve MSC has undergone a number of modification processes to enhance its innate therapeutic qualities. Genetic modification and preconditioning modification (with medications, growth factors, and other substances) are the two main categories into which these modification techniques can be separated. This field has advanced significantly and is still attracting attention and innovation. We examine these cutting-edge methods for preserving and even improving the natural biological functions and therapeutic potential of MSCs in relation to adhesion, migration, homing to the target site, survival, and delayed premature senescence. We address the use of genetically altered MSC in stroke-induced damage. Future strategies for improving the therapeutic result and addressing the difficulties associated with MSC modification are also discussed.

The efficacy of L-carnitine in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and concomitant obesity.

BACKGROUND: In light of the high prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, treatment options for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are of particular interest. The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of L-carnitine and its effects on the functional state of the liver, as well as on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and concomitant obesity. METHODS: People in the control group followed a hypocaloric diet and received 1 tablet of simvastatin 20 mg once a day and 2 capsules of essential phospholipids 600 mg three times a day for 90 days. People in the experimental group followed a hypocaloric diet and received 1 tablet of simvastatin 20 mg once a day and L-carnitine 10 mL orally two times a day for 90 days. RESULTS: L-carnitine normalized the blood lipid profile of subjects, as demonstrated by a significant decrease in the blood levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, atherogenic index, and insulin resistance. The use of L-carnitine in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and concomitant obesity contributes to the steady reduction of the main clinical and biochemical symptoms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: L-carnitine produces positive effects on the blood lipid profile and carbohydrate metabolism.

The emerging microbiome-based approaches to IBD therapy: From SCFAs to urolithin A.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a group of chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions which can be life-threatening, affecting both children and adults. Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main forms of IBD. The pathogenesis of IBD is complex and involves genetic background, environmental factors, alteration in gut microbiota, aberrant immune responses (innate and adaptive), and their interactions, all of which provide clues to the identification of innovative diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and the development of novel treatments. Gut microbiota provide significant benefits to its host, most notably via maintaining immunological homeostasis. Furthermore, changes in gut microbial populations may promote immunological dysregulation, resulting in autoimmune diseases, including IBD. Investigating the interaction between gut microbiota and immune system of the host may lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of IBD as well as the development of innovative immune- or microbe-based therapeutics. In this review we summarized the most recent findings on innovative therapeutics for IBD, including microbiome-based therapies such as fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, live biotherapeutic products, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and urolithin A.

Clinical efficacy of hydroxyapatite toothpaste containing Polyol Germanium Complex (PGC) with threonine in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity.

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a hydroxyapatite toothpaste containing a Polyol Germanium Complex with threonine in treating dentine hypersensitivity. The study also seeks to monitor the quality of life of the treated dentine hypersensitivity sufferers. Materials and methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial with a total of 120 patients with dentine hypersensitivity. All participants were divided into three groups: patients assigned to the GARDA SILK toothpaste; patients receiving the conventional fluoride toothpaste for comparison purposes, and patients asked to brush their teeth without toothpaste. The modified Quigley-Heine Plaque Index was assessed at the baseline and after treatment. Sensitivity was assessed at baseline, 3, 7 and 14 days using the air stimulus (Schiff Index). The impact of dentine hypersensitivity on the quality of life was assessed before and after the treatment with the Russian version of the Dentine Hypersensitivity Experience Questionnaire (DHEQ). Results: After 14 days of treatment, the mean Plaque Index scores in Groups 1 and 2 did not exceed 1 and averaged 0.72 ± 0.249 and 0.86 ± 0.213, respectively. In Group 3, the mean Plaque Index was significantly higher (1.04 ± 0.070, p < 0.05). The mean Schiff sensitivity scores in Group 1 decreased to 2.45 ± 0.42 at 3 days, 1.84 ± 0.26 at 7 days, and 1.02 ± 0.34 at 14 days. Group 2 exhibited smaller reductions in the Schiff index at all time points. In this group, Schiff scores dropped to 2.67 ± 0.28 after 3 days, 2.34 ± 0.44 after 7 days, and 1.93 ± 0.36 after 14 days. Conclusion: The GARDA SILK hydroxyapatite toothpaste with a threonine-containing Polyol Germanium Complex (PGC) is effective in maintaining good oral hygiene, reducing dentine hypersensitivity, and improving the quality of life of dentine hypersensitivity sufferers.

Factors associated with insomnia among frontline nurses during COVID-19: a cross-sectional survey study.

BACKGROUND: Research predominantly suggests that nurses are at high risk of developing psychopathology. The empirical data show that the occurrence rate of problem-related sleep quality among clinical nurses is high. Therefore, this study was conducted to address the lack of information on the relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and insomnia. METHODS: A convenience sample of nurses (n = 680) completed an online survey that included the Insomnia severity index, the COVID-19-related psychological distress scale, the general health questionnaire, neuroticism, dysfunctional beliefs, attitudes about sleep scale, and difficulties in emotion regulation scale. RESULTS: The results showed that 35.8% (n = 253) of nurses were classified as individuals with moderate to severe clinical insomnia. The results showed that the psychological distress generated by COVID-19 predicted insomnia (ß = .47, SE = 0.02, P < .001, t = 13.27, 95% CI 0.31-0.46). Additionally, the association is mediated by psychopathology vulnerabilities, emotion dysregulation, dysfunctional beliefs about sleep, and neuroticism. Moreover, female nurses exhibited higher levels of insomnia (Cohen's d = .37), neuroticism (Cohen's d = 30), psychopathology vulnerability (Cohen's d = .26), and COVID-19-related psychological distress (Cohen's d = .23). CONCLUSION: The present study's findings help to explain how pandemic consequences can be associated with insomnia. Additionally, the findings make a significant contribution to better understanding the role of neuroticism, emotion dysregulation, beliefs, and psychopathology vulnerability in the development of insomnia among nurses. The findings suggest the potential influence of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) and transdiagnostic integrated therapies that could be incorporated into therapeutic programs designed to develop as a way of inhibiting or preventing insomnia among clinical nurses.

Influence of Professional Teeth Whitening on Oral Hygiene: Long-term Results.

AIMS: The aim of this article is to estimate the long-term influence of professional dental bleaching on quality of oral hygiene (year after procedure). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled prospective clinical repeated study was carried out 6 months after the previous one, i.e., 1 year after the oral hygiene procedure, among 60 patients divided into two groups. In the first group, professional oral hygiene and bleaching using 25% hydrogen peroxide were performed. In the second group only, oral hygiene was performed. Dynamics of hygienic index of Quigley-Hein modified by S. Turesky was estimated. RESULTS: In the first group, the average value of the hygienic index of Quigley-Hein modified by S. Turesky was significantly lower a year after procedure than before (1.33±0.09 and 2.34±0.14, respectively). In the second group, this index exceeded 2.45 and nearly returned to the initiated level (2.45±0.07 and 2.44±0.08, respectively). Patients underwent professional teeth whitening in the long-term period, and the level of oral hygiene was significantly higher than that in the control group. CONCLUSION: Professional dental bleaching has good long-term influence on the level of oral hygiene and serves as a significant motivation factor for maintaining health of oral cavity.