Cytotoxicity, Differentiation, and Biocompatibility of Root-End Filling: A Comprehensive Study.

Assessing the biocompatibility of endodontic root-end filling materials through cell line responses is both essential and of utmost importance. This study aimed to the cytotoxicity of the type of cell death through apoptosis and autophagy, and odontoblast cell-like differentiation effects of MTA, zinc oxide-eugenol, and two experimental Portland cements modified with bismuth (Portland Bi) and barium (Portland Ba) on primary cell cultures. Material and methods: The cells corresponded to human periodontal ligament and gingival fibroblasts (HPLF, HGF), human pulp cells (HPC), and human squamous carcinoma cells from three different patients (HSC-2, -3, -4). The cements were inoculcated in different concentrations for cytotoxicity evaluation, DNA fragmentation in electrophoresis, apoptosis caspase activation, and autophagy antigen reaction, odontoblast-like cells were differentiated and tested for mineral deposition. The data were subject to a non-parametric test. Results: All cements caused a dose-dependent reduction in cell viability. Contact with zinc oxide-eugenol induced neither DNA fragmentation nor apoptotic caspase-3 activation and autophagy inhibitors (3-methyladenine, bafilomycin). Portland Bi accelerated significantly (p < 0.05) the differentiation of odontoblast-like cells. Within the limitation of this study, it was concluded that Portland cement with bismuth exhibits cytocompatibility and promotes odontoblast-like cell differentiation. This research contributes valuable insights into biocompatibility, suggesting its potential use in endodontic repair and biomimetic remineralization.

Evaluation of the biological responses of silver nanoparticles synthesized using Pelargonium x hortorum extract.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are one of the widely studied nanomaterials for diverse biomedical applications, in particular, as antimicrobial agents to kill bacteria, fungi, and viruses. In this report, AgNPs were synthesized using a geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum) leaves extract and tested for their antimicrobial and cytotoxic activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Using green biosynthesis, the leaves extract was employed as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Synthesis parameters like reaction time and precursor (silver nitrate AgNO3) volume final were modified, and the products were tested against Streptococcus mutans. For the first time, the metabolomic analysis of extract, we have identified more than 50 metabolites. The UV-Vis analysis showed a peak ranging from 410-430 nm, and TEM confirmed their nearly spherical morphology for all NPs. The antimicrobial activity of the NPs revealed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 10 µg mL-1. Concerning cytotoxicity, a dose-time-dependent effect was observed with a 50% cellular cytotoxicity concentration (CC50) of 4.51 µg mL-1 at 24 h. Interestingly, the cell nuclei were visualized using fluorescence microscopy, and no significant changes were observed. These results suggest that synthesized spherical AgNPs are promising potential candidates for medical applications.

Identificación de la ingesta de azúcares en la dieta de niños mexicanos en edad preescolar / Identificação do consumo de açúcar na dieta das crianças mexicanas dos pré-escolares / Identification of sugar intake in the diet of Mexican preschool children

Introducción: El consumo incrementado de alimentos de alta densidad energética y la falta de actividad física han provocado un aumento de la obesidad infantil, presentando México una de las tasas más elevadas en América Latina. Objetivo: Identificar los principales alimentos que los padres de familia ofrecen a niños de edad preescolar en México, su frecuencia a la semana y la cantidad de azúcar añadida a la dieta. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, observacional y transversal. Se aplicó la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (ENANUT), considerando sexo, edad y escolaridad de los padres, lugar de procedencia, alimentos ofrecidos a los niños incluyendo: leche y productos lácteos, frutas, verduras y alimentos industrializados. Se realizó estadística descriptiva resumida en frecuencias y porcentajes. La asociación de variables (consumo de azúcar y caries) se realizó mediante Chi2 de Pearson considerando p≤0,05 como estadísticamente significativo. Resultados: n=98 encuestas. El 83,7% de los padres que respondieron fueron mujeres. El 37,8% se encontraba en edades entre los 36 y 40 años. La edad promedio de los niños fue de 4,4±0,76 años. El consumo de frutas y verduras se reportó de 5 a 6 veces a la semana, la fruta de consumo más frecuente fue el plátano y de las verduras la zanahoria. La comida rápida, cereales y dulces los consumen de 2 a 4 veces a la semana. Conclusiones: Esta encuesta indicó un aumento en el consumo de aguas frescas con azúcar y de jugos industrializados.

Introdução: O aumento do consumo de alimentos energéticos e a falta de atividade física têm causado um aumento da obesidade infantil, com o México apresentando uma das maiores taxas da América Latina. Objetivo: Identificar os principais alimentos que os pais oferecem às crianças pré-escolares no México, sua frequência semanal e a quantidade de açúcar adicionada à dieta. Material e métodos: Estudo descritivo, observacional e transversal. Aplicou-se a pesquisa ENSANUT, considerando sexo, idade e escolaridade dos pais, procedência, alimentos oferecidos às crianças, incluindo leite e derivados, frutas, verduras e alimentos industrializados. Foram realizadas estatísticas descritivas resumidas em frequências e percentuais. A associação das variáveis (consumo de açúcar e cárie) foi realizada por meio do Pearson's Chi2 considerando p≤0,05 como estatisticamente significante. Resultado (n=98 pesquisas): 83,7% dos pais que responderam eram mulheres, 37,8% tinham entre 36 e 40 anos e a média de idade das crianças foi de 4,4±0,76 anos. O consumo de frutas e hortaliças foi relatado de 5 a 6 vezes na semana, tendo a banana como a fruta mais consumida e a banana e a cenoura dentre as hortaliças. Comida rápida, cereais e doces são consumidos 2 a 4 vezes por semana. Conclusões: Esta pesquisa indicou um aumento no consumo de água doce com açúcar e sucos industrializados.

Introduction: Increased consumption of energy dense food and the lack of physical activity have led to an increase in child obesity. Mexico ranks one of the highest rates in Latin America. Objective: Identify the main foods that parents offer to preschool children in Mexico. Frequency to the week and the quantity of added sugar to diet. Method: Descriptive, observational, and cross-sectional study. A poll ENSANUT was applied, considering, sex, age, parent's school grade, place of origin, foods offered to children, including milk and milk product, fruits and vegetables and processed food. Descriptive statistics summarized in frequencies and percentages were performed. The association of variables (sugar intake vs cavities) was done using Chi2 considering p≤0.05 as statistically significant. Results: n= 98 surveys. 83.7% of the parents who responded were women. 37.8% was between the ages of 36 and 40. The average age of the children was 4.4±0.76 years. Fruit and vegetable consumption was reported 5-6 times a week, banana was the fruit more frequent consumption and the carrot of the vegetable. The fast food, cereal and candies were consumed 2-4 times a week. Conclusions: This survey indicated an increase in the consumption of fresh water with sugar and industrialized juices.

2D Nanosheets-A New Class of Therapeutic Formulations against Cancer.

Researchers in cancer nanomedicine are exploring a revolutionary multifaceted carrier for treatment and diagnosis, resulting in the proposal of various drug cargos or "magic bullets" in this past decade. Even though different nano-based complexes are registered for clinical trials, very few products enter the final stages each year because of various issues. This prevents the formulations from entering the market and being accessible to patients. In the search for novel materials, the exploitation of 2D nanosheets, including but not limited to the highly acclaimed graphene, has created extensive interest for biomedical applications. A unique set of properties often characterize 2D materials, including semiconductivity, high surface area, and their chemical nature, which allow simple decoration and functionalization procedures, structures with high stability and targeting properties, vectors for controlled and sustained release of drugs, and materials for thermal-based therapies. This review discusses the challenges and opportunities of recently discovered 2D nanosheets for cancer therapeutics, with special attention paid to the most promising design technologies and their potential for clinical translation in the future.

Correlation between interleukin-1ß and matrix metalloproteinase-1 levels in crevicular fluid with a proposed periodontal disease index in children.

BACKGROUND: The crevicular fluid contains biomarkers that allow the identification of periodontal disease, anticipation of its risk, and prediction of its progression. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to correlate interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) levels in crevicular fluid with periodontal disease severity in schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 82 schoolchildren between 9 and 12 years. The biofilm percentage, attachment level, gingival recession, dental calculus, and bleeding on probing were measured in the teeth 16, 26, 36, 41, and 46. These five parameters obtained were considered to propose a disease score between 0 and 10 points. In crevicular fluid from the tooth with the highest score, IL-1ß and MMP-1 levels were measured. RESULTS: According to the proposed score, mild gingivitis was identified in 20 schoolchildren, moderate gingivitis in 30, and severe gingivitis in 32. Biofilm percentage, IL-1ß, and MMP-1 levels increased as the severity of the disease increase. The mean and 95% confidence interval were 23.2 pg/µl (18.6-27.7), 37.3 pg/µl (27.8-46.9), and 44.6 pg/µl (34.4-58.8) (P = 0.01) for IL-1ß and 2.69 mol/min (2.51-2.87), 4.43 mol/min (3.9-4.95), and 5.59 mol/min (4.81-6.38) (P < 0.001) for MMP-1 in each group, respectively. The proposed clinical score correlated with biofilm percentage (r = 0.63), IL-1ß (r = 0.50), and MMP-1 (0.45) levels, P < 0.001 in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed clinical score for periodontal disease in children correlated with percentage of biofilm, IL-1ß, and MMP-1 levels.