Stem Cells Derived from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth Functional Assessment: Exploring the Changes of Free Fatty Acids Composition during Cultivation.

The metabolic regulation of stemness is widely recognized as a crucial factor in determining the fate of stem cells. When transferred to a stimulating and nutrient-rich environment, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) undergo rapid proliferation, accompanied by a change in protein expression and a significant reconfiguration of central energy metabolism. This metabolic shift, from quiescence to metabolically active cells, can lead to an increase in the proportion of senescent cells and limit their regenerative potential. In this study, MSCs from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) were isolated and expanded in vitro for up to 10 passages. Immunophenotypic analysis, growth kinetics, in vitro plasticity, fatty acid content, and autophagic capacity were assessed throughout cultivation to evaluate the functional characteristics of SHEDs. Our findings revealed that SHEDs exhibit distinctive patterns of cell surface marker expression, possess high self-renewal capacity, and have a unique potential for neurogenic differentiation. Aged SHEDs exhibited lower proliferation rates, reduced potential for chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation, an increasing capacity for adipogenic differentiation, and decreased autophagic potential. Prolonged cultivation of SHEDs resulted in changes in fatty acid composition, signaling a transition from anti-inflammatory to proinflammatory pathways. This underscores the intricate connection between metabolic regulation, stemness, and aging, crucial for optimizing therapeutic applications.

Total Antioxidant Capacity of Saliva and Its Correlation with pH Levels among Dental Students under Different Stressful Conditions.

(1) Background: This cross-sectional study conducted at the Faculty of Dental Medicine, Timisoara, Romania, between December 2022 and February 2023 aims to assess salivary total antioxidant capacity and pH levels in dental students experiencing non-stressful and stressful situations and explore potential correlations between these factors. (2) Methods: Saliva samples were collected during two different periods: before an Oral Health course and before the Oral Health exam, under stressful conditions. Ethical principles were followed, and informed consent was obtained. Data on age, gender, health status, drug use, smoking habits, and anxiety levels were recorded. Saliva was collected using the draining method and pH was measured using indicator paper strips. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined using a commercial assay kit. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics, Student's t-test to compare pH and TAC between study groups, and Pearson's correlation coefficient to analyze the correlation between salivary pH and TAC within each group, with p < 0.05 indicating significance. (3) Results: This study involved 80 participants, comprising 26 males and 54 females, all enrolled in the 5th year of the Oral Health course, with ages ranging from 20 to 53 and a mean age of 23.62 (±4.19) years. Pearson's correlation results show a statistically significant negative relationship between the STAI test and TAC during the stress-free period (-0.02 **, N = 80, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusions: There are variations in saliva's antioxidant capacity in response to different stress conditions. Dental students experienced a higher level of stress before academic assessments compared to the non-stress period during the course.

In Vivo Performance of Visual Criteria, Laser-Induced Fluorescence, and Light-Induced Fluorescence for Early Caries Detection.

This study aims to compare the diagnostic reliability of ICDAS-II visual criteria, light-induced fluorescence (using the VistaCam iX, Dürr Dental, Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany), and laser-induced fluorescence (using the DIAGNOdent Pen, KaVo, Biberach, Germany) on occlusal caries. Permanent and temporary molars were selected according to the inclusion criteria. Out of 160 teeth that met the inclusion criteria, 139 were chosen and examined by two previously trained and calibrated examiners. The kappa value was 0.95 for both VistaCam iX and DIAGNOdent Pen. Results from visual examination and the readings of the two fluorescence devices were computed, lesions being divided into non-cavitated, enamel lesions, and lesions extended to dentin. All statistical analyses were performed using R (version 4.2.2). Spearman's rank correlation was computed to assess the relationship between the scores of diagnostics reliabilities of the three methods mentioned above. There was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.25, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II, and a positive, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.11, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Considering the temporary teeth, there was a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.52, between VistaCam iX and DiagnoDent Pen; a positive, statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.35, between VistaCam iX and ICDAS II; and the lowest, not statistically significant Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, ρ = 0.16, between DiagnoDent Pen and ICDAS II. Conclusions: In conclusion, ICDAS II and light-induced fluorescence are better diagnostic methods than the laser-induced fluorescence devices for detecting occlusal caries. Clinical Significance: This study may support clinicians in selecting the most efficient tool for diagnosing carious lesion in the earliest stages possible. Furthermore, such technologies raise the availability for more preventive approaches, as opposed to invasive procedures.

Carious status and socio-behavioral risk factors among 12 year-old children in South-Central region in Romania.

BACKGROUND: Regular screenings at children population level are necessary in order to assess communities' need for education, prevention, as well as early detection and intervention programs The study aims to assess dental caries experience and oral health-related behaviors among Romania children from the South and Central region. METHODS: The cross-sectional study conducted in 2019-2020 is part of the national survey "Romanian Oral Health Survey", under the endorsement of the World Health Organization (WHO). The stratified, randomized and representative sample included 98 children of 12 years of age. The assessment included a clinical examination, using International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) and the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children recommended by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: Results revealed that the frequency of caries-free children among 12 year-olds was 36.7% and the mean DMFT was 2.89. Regarding the oral health-related habits, 38.8% of children brushed twice daily; the consumption of sugary foods multiple times per day has been frequently met and 11.2% at the age of 12 never visited the dental office. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that caries prevalence was high and behaviors negatively influence oral health. The presented data are of utmost importance for Romanian policy makers to promote oral health education among children, to support consistent preventive oral health campaigns and to stimulate dental attendance, irrespective of children' living areas or gender.

Link between Oral Health, Periodontal Disease, Smoking, and Systemic Diseases in Romanian Patients.

(1) Background: The link between oral and systemic health is becoming increasingly obvious. Oral diseases, particularly periodontitis, have been linked to various diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among others. This survey aimed to assess the oral health condition of individuals, considering both their overall health and periodontal status, by performing oral examinations and collecting data using questionnaires. (2) Methods: After obtaining approval from the University's Ethics Committee, the study was carried out from 2021 to 2022 at the Department of Oral Health, located in the Emergency Municipal Hospital in Timisoara, Timis County, Romania. Bivariate correlations were performed using nonparametric Spearman's Rho using SPPS software version 23. To assess the importance of smoking frequency related to the severity of periodontitis diagnosis, the ANOVA Simple test (one-way) and Hochberg GT2 post hoc analysis were utilized. The chi-squared test was employed for nominal variables. A significance level of 0.05 (alpha = 0.05) was adopted for all statistical tests. (3) Results: There is a significant positive association between the frequency of systemic disease and the severity of the periodontitis diagnosis taken as a total, Rho (242) = 0.151, p < 0.05, and taken as a stage, Rho (242) = 0.199, p < 0.01, thus as the severity of the diagnosis increases, the patient presents comorbidities. Hochberg GT2 post hoc analysis indicates that the non-smoking group has statistically significantly lower diagnostic severity (Mdif = -0.81, p = 0.01), with a strong effect size (Cohen's d = 0.73). (4) Conclusions: The findings are increasingly indicating a potential association between oral diseases and a range of systemic diseases. The impact of periodontal disease on the quality of life is significant, especially in individuals with associated systemic conditions and present risk factors.

Enhancing the Antimicrobial Effect of Ozone with Mentha piperita Essential Oil.

This study aimed to obtain and analyse Mentha piperita essential oil (MpEO) for the prospect of being used as an enhancement agent for the antimicrobial potential of ozone against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The research was done for different exposure times, and it gained time-dose relationships and time-effect correlations. Mentha piperita (Mp) essential oil (MpEO) was obtained via hydrodistillation and further analysed by using GC-MS. The broth microdilution assay was used to determine the strain inhibition/strain mass growth by using spectrophotometric optical density reading (OD). The bacterial/mycelium growth rates (BGR/MGR) and the bacterial/mycelium inhibition rates (BIR/MIR) after ozone treatment in the presence and absence of MpEO on the ATTC strains were calculated; the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and statistical interpretations of the time-dose relationship and specific t-test correlations were determined. The effect of ozone on the following tested strains at maximum efficiency was observed after 55 s of single ozone exposure, in order of effect strength: S. aureus > P. aeruginosa > E. coli > C. albicans > S. mutans. For ozone with the addition of 2% MpEO (MIC), maximum efficacy was recorded at 5 s for these strains, in order of effect strength: C. albicans > E. coli > P. aeruginosa > S. aureus > S. mutans. The results suggest a new development and affinity regarding the cell membrane of the different microorganisms tested. In conclusion, the use of ozone, combined with MpEO, is sustained as an alternative therapy in plaque biofilm and suggested as helpful in controlling oral disease-causing microorganisms in medicine.

Cephalometric assessment regarding craniocervical posture in orthodontic patients.

A major factor that contributes to dental malocclusions is represented by the positioning of the mandible. Considering the existing interconnections between the craniocervical and craniomandibular systems it is interesting to assess how changes in one system can influence the other, thus establishing a pattern in terms of certain cephalometric landmarks that orthodontists could consider when diagnosing and evaluating an orthodontic case. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the connections between cervical posture, head position, hyoid bone position in orthodontic patients with different skeletal patterns. 45 lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. Skeletal class and vertical growth were the main elements that were considered when classifying patients. Craniofacial and Cervical landmarks were determined on the cephalograms, from which lines and angles resulted which were considered relevant in our study. Correlations between cephalometric variables of the patients were determined. there were some statistically significant changes identified concerning craniocervical posture and hyoid bone position between the patients in the following parameters: H-Rgn, OPT/HOR, CVT/HOR, OPT/SN, CVT/SN, H-SN. The results obtained allowed us to conclude that there were some differences at the skeletal level of the sample of patients studied. The findings are indicating that there is a close relationship between, mandible position, cervical- and head posture and the hyoid bone. The information obtained in this study could help to better understand the development of malocclusions, and to improve the orthodontic diagnostic and treatment plan.

Impact of Dentistry Materials on Chemical Remineralisation/Infiltration versus Salivary Remineralisation of Enamel-In Vitro Study.

The aim of this study is to evaluate salivary remineralisation versus chemical remineralisation/infiltration of enamel, using different dentistry materials. The enamel changes were studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and the depth of lesions and demineralisation/remineralisation/infiltration percentage were calculated. Additionally, the macro elemental composition of the teeth was performed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Two studies were performed: (i) demineralisation of enamel in 3% citric acid and infiltration treatment with infiltration resin (Icon, DMG), remineralisation with Fluor Protector (Ivoclar Vivadent) and artificial saliva pH 8; and (ii) enamel demineralisation in saliva at pH 3 and remineralisation at salivary pH 8. The results showed that, firstly, for the remineralisation of demineralised enamel samples, Fluor Protector (Ivoclar Vivadent) was very effective for medium demineralised lesions followed by saliva remineralisation. In cases of deep demineralisation lesions where fluoride could not penetrate, low viscosity resin (Icon, DMG, Hamburg) effectively infiltrated to stop the demineralisation process. Secondly, remineralisation in salivary conditions needed supplementary study over a longer period, to analyse the habits, diet and nutrition of patients in detail. Finally, demineralisation/remineralisation processes were found to influence the macro elemental composition of enamel demineralisation, with natural saliva proving to be less aggressive in terms of decreasing Ca and Mg content.

The Impact of Parental Education on Schoolchildren's Oral Health-A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study in Romania.

The present study is part of the first national oral health survey for children in Romania. The aim of this study was to determine caries prevalence in correlation with the level of the parents' education, preventive behavior, and socioeconomic parameters in 11-14-year-old schoolchildren in Romania. A cross-sectional epidemiological survey was designed and conducted in 2019-2020. The sampled children were selected from 49 schools distributed in rural and urban areas of Romania, including its capital. Data were collected using the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children developed by the World Health Organization and described in the WHO Oral Health Surveys-Basic Methods, 5th edition, 2013, after positive informed consent. To express prevalence and severity of carious lesions, International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) criteria were recorded in school for 814 schoolchildren (388 boys and 426 girls) aged between 11 and 14 years old (mean age 12.29 ± 0.6). Elements regarding the specificity of the child (gender, age, and parental education) were tabulated against preventive behavior. The parents' education was correlated with three clinical indices in order to assess the existence or lack of certain significant differences among schoolchildren in Romania. In terms of correlation between the mother's education and preventive behavior, results showed a significant positive correlation in case of dental check-ups (rs = 0.08 *, p < 0.05), brushing (rs = 0.02 **, p < 0.01), and use of different types of dental hygiene aids (rs = 0.06 **, p < 0.01) and a negative correlation with tooth pain or discomfort (rs = -0.01 **, p < 0.01). A statistically significant positive relationship was highlighted between the mother's education and the presence of restorations (rs = -0.09 **, p < 0.01). Regarding the father's education, there was a positive relationship with oral hygiene behavior (rs = 0.18 **, p < 0.01) but a negative relationship with the D3T index (rs = -0.18 **, p < 0.01). In conclusion, there was a strong correlation between the parents' education, preventive behavior, and oral health status of Romanian schoolchildren.

Dental Caries, Oral Health Behavior, and Living Conditions in 6-8-Year-Old Romanian School Children.

Dental caries still have a high prevalence in Romania. The aim of this paper is to determine the prevalence of caries in children (aged 6 to 8 years) correlated with individual-level predictors and socio-economic variables. A stratified, randomized nationally representative sample was established, taking into consideration the total number of preschool children and based on administrative units and residence. Self-assessment was performed by means of the Oral Health Questionnaire for Children (WHO). Examinations were conducted by 10 standardized examiners, with International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS) caries codes higher than 3 considered as dentinal caries, missing teeth as MT, and restorations as FT. DMFT and SiC indexes were calculated accordingly. The dataset for each outcome variable was analyzed by the Hurdle approach analyzed. The gender distribution was similar (47.22% male and 52.78% female), with 42.65% residing in rural areas. The mean DMFT value for the sample was 4.89 and SiC index 9.83. A negative association could be seen between DMFT and the father's level of education (ß = −0.33, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01) as well as the mother's education (ß = −0.25, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01). In conclusion, caries prevalence is very high in Romania as compared to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation for this age group in correlation with socio-economic factors and oral health behavior.

In Vitro Assessment of the Cytotoxic and Antiproliferative Profile of Natural Preparations Containing Bergamot, Orange and Clove Essential Oils.

Medicinal plants and essential oils (EOs), in particular, were intensively studied in recent years as viable alternatives for antiproliferative chemical synthetic agents. In the same lines, the present study focuses on investigating the effects of natural preparations (emulsions) based on EOs obtained from Citrus bergamia Risso (bergamot-BEO), Citrus sinensis Osbeck (orange-OEO), and Syzygium aromaticum Merill et L. M. Perry (clove-CEO) on different healthy (human immortalized keratinocytes-HaCaT and primary human gingival fibroblasts-HGF) and human tumor cell lines (human melanoma-A375 and oral squamous carcinoma-SCC-4) in terms of the cells' viability and cellular morphology. The obtained results indicate that the CEO emulsion (ECEO) induced a dose-dependent cytotoxic in both healthy (HaCaT and HGF) and tumor (A375 and SCC-4) cells. OEO emulsion (EOEO) increased cell viability percentage both for HaCaT and A375 cells and had an antiproliferative effect at the highest concentration in HGF and SCC-4 cells. BEO emulsion (EBEO) decreased the viability percentage of SCC-4 tumor cells. By associating OEO with CEO as a binary mixture in an emulsified formulation, the inhibition of tumor cell viability increases. The E(BEO/OEO) binary emulsion induced an antiproliferative effect on oral health and tumor cells, with a minimal effect on skin cells. The non-invasive tests performed to verify the safety of the test compound's emulsions at skin level indicated that these compounds do not significantly modify the physiological skin parameters and can be considered safe for human skin.

Ozone and microstructural morphological changes of tooth enamel.

The paper aims to study the impact of ozone (O3) treatment on the microstructural changes of the tooth enamel after the treatment at different time intervals. The ozonation was performed with gaseous O3 produced by HealOzone X4, the demineralization level was measured with the DiagnoDent Pen 2190 device, and the microstructure changes of enamel surface were observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The results showed the exposure to O3 for 40-50 seconds enhanced enamel micro-hardness and ensures a rate of remineralization between 96.82-97.38%. In conclusion, in search of new minimally invasive solutions in the treatment of caries and to offer antimicrobial support of the oral cavity, the use of O3 as an alternative therapy to classical solutions may be a viable solution in dentistry.

Caries Prevalence Associated with Oral Health-Related Behaviors among Romanian Schoolchildren.

Oral health-related behaviors and living conditions play an important role in general and oral health. This study aimed to evaluate caries prevalence and severity in schoolchildren residing in rural and urban areas of Romania, and to correlate these with oral health-related behaviors. An estimation of the required sample size was conducted (sampling error of ±3% at a 95% confidence level), followed by the stratification of administrative units and then the selection of 49 schools. The Hurdle approach was used to analyze the dataset, requiring two sets of analyses for each outcome variable: a multilevel binary model to predict prevalence, and a multilevel Poisson analysis using only non-zero values. The mean and standard deviation (SD) for the dentinal caries index was 4.96 (5.33). Girls were more likely to have non-zero restoration codes (ß = 0.14, SE = 0.08, p < 0.05). Low education levels of each parent were associated with an increased likelihood of having non-zero carious tooth surfaces (ß = 0.23, SE = 0.06, p = 0.01; ß = 0.22, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01). The presence of cavities was predicted by the consumption of carbonated soft drinks (ß = 0.19, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01), candies (ß = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p < 0.01), sweetened milk (ß = 0.12, SE = 0.06, p < 0.05), tea (ß = 0.16, SE = 0.08, p < 0.05), or cocoa (ß = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the non-zero values of the dentinal caries index were more likely in rural schools (ß = -0.37, SE = 0.11, p < 0.01), and a negative association between the county development index and the fillings/restorations index (ß = -0.01, SE = 0.01, p < 0.05) was also established. The outcome of this research highlights that the presence of caries (dentinal caries index) in Romanian schoolchildren is influenced by their socioeconomic background, as well as their specific consumption behaviors.

Scaffold-Type Structure Dental Ceramics with Different Compositions Evaluated through Physicochemical Characteristics and Biosecurity Profiles.

The design and development of ceramic structures based on 3D scaffolding as dental bone substitutes has become a topic of great interest in the regenerative dentistry research area. In this regard, the present study focuses on the development of two scaffold-type structures obtained from different commercial dental ceramics by employing the foam replication method. At the same time, the study underlines the physicochemical features and the biological profiles of the newly developed scaffolds, compared to two traditional Cerabone® materials used for bone augmentation, by employing both the in vitro Alamar blue proliferation test at 24, 48 and 96 h poststimulation and the in ovo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The data reveal that the newly developed scaffolds express comparable results with the traditional Cerabone® augmentation masses. In terms of network porosity, the scaffolds show higher pore interconnectivity compared to Cerabone® granules, whereas regarding the biosafety profile, all ceramic samples manifest good biocompatibility on primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs); however only the Cerabone® samples induced proliferation of HGF cells following exposure to concentrations of 5 and 10 µg/mL. Additionally, none of the test samples induce irritative activity on the vascular developing plexus. Thus, based on the current results, the preliminary biosecurity profile of ceramic scaffolds supports the usefulness for further testing of high relevance for their possible clinical dental applications.

Natural Preparations Based on Orange, Bergamot and Clove Essential Oils and Their Chemical Compounds as Antimicrobial Agents.

Since ancient times complementary therapies have been based on the use of medicinal plants, natural preparations and essential oils in the treatment of various diseases. Their use in medical practice is recommended in view of their low toxicity, pharmacological properties and economic impact. This paper aims to test the antimicrobial effect of natural preparation based on clove, orange and bergamot essential oils on a wide range of microorganisms that cause infections in humans including: Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Haemophilus influenza. Three natural preparations such as one-component emulsions: clove (ECEO), bergamote (EBEO), and orange (EOEO), three binary: E(BEO/CEO), E(BEO/OEO), E(CEO/OEO) and a tertiary emulsion E(OEO/BEO/CEO) were obtained, characterized and tested for antimicrobial effects. Also, the synergistic/antagonistic effects, generated by the presence of the main chemical compounds, were studied in order to recommend a preparation with optimal antimicrobial activity. The obtained results underline the fact that the monocomponent emulsion ECEO shows antimicrobial activity, while EOEO and EBEO do not inhibit the development of the analyzed strains. In binary or tertiary emulsions E(BEO/CEO), E(CEO/OEO) and E(OEO/ BEO/CEO) the antimicrobial effect of clove oil is potentiated due to the synergism exerted by the chemical compounds of essential oils.

Synergistic/Antagonistic Potential of Natural Preparations Based on Essential Oils Against Streptococcus mutans from the Oral Cavity.

The present paper addresses a thematic of interest in preventive dental medicine, namely the possibility of using essential oils (EOs) for the inhibition of the development of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in the oral cavity, as a viable alternative to chemical products with protective role in oral health. For this purpose, four EOs (cinnamon, clove, bergamote, and orange) were chemically characterized by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in vitro tested against S. mutans (ATCC 25175). The results obtained revealed the antibacterial effect on S. mutans exercised by the essential oils of clove (CLEO), bergamote (BEO), and orange (OEO), which were included in the production of natural emulsion-type preparations with application in dental medicine. In order to highlight the synersistic/antagonistic effects generated by the chemical constituent of essential oils, binary and tertiary emulsions were prepared and used in saliva-enhanced medium against S. mutans. The saliva tests proved the synergistic effect exercised by the active components of EOs tested from tertiary emulsions, which cause an inhibition of the development of S. mutans in oral cavities.

Oral Health Knowledge, Perceptions, and Habits of Adolescents from Portugal, Romania, and Sweden: A Comparative Study.

AIMS: The study aimed to assess and compare the self-reported oral health knowledge, habits, and perceptions of adolescents in Portugal, Romania, and Sweden and the factors that may affect them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An oral health questionnaire with 25 questions was put together in English language and translated into Portuguese, Romanian, and Swedish language to investigate and compare oral health-related knowledge, habits, and perceptions of adolescents from the different countries. A voluntary sample of 879 teenagers completed it, mean aged 14.9 (±1.83) years, from Romania (n = 455), Portugal (n = 200), and Sweden (n = 224) as part of the EuHyDens project. The survey took place between November 2015 and June 2016. RESULTS: It showed some differences between the countries studied but more similarities between Portuguese and Romanian adolescents as related to perceptions of oral health and the use of oral services. Sweden and Portugal are more similar regarding oral health habits (toothbrushing and diet) as compared to Romanian adolescents. Portuguese adolescents have a higher oral health-related knowledge. CONCLUSION: Assessment of knowledge, perceptions, and habits of a population is essential for the adequate understanding of the oral health-care needs of the society. From the data collected, several differences were found. These differences can be used for tailor interventions to minimize inequalities between countries.

Self-reported oral health-related habits, attitudes and knowledge in adults from Portugal, Romania and Sweden-A comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to compare the self-reported oral health knowledge, habits and attitudes of adults in Portugal, Romania and Sweden, each benefitting from a different oral health system. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1081 adults in the three countries, using an adapted version of the WHO oral health questionnaire. This survey took place between November 2015 and June 2016. RESULTS: The mean age of the respondents was 46.85 with 95% CI (45.84, 47.86). Over 85% of the Portuguese and the Swedish, but only 55% of the Romanians, reported having 20 or more teeth left (P < 0.001). Most Swedes visit the dental office regularly, but only 50.5% of the Portuguese and 20.6% of the Romanians do so (P < 0.001). Interdental cleaning aids and fluoridated toothpaste were used the most in Sweden and the least in Romania. Daily consumption of sweets was lowest for Portugal and highest for Romania (P < 0.001), and daily intake of fresh fruits and vegetables was lowest for Sweden (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There is a difference between the three countries regarding oral health, diet, dental attendance and oral health-related quality of life, with Romania being in most need of improvement in these areas. The differences could be explained by the distinct healthcare systems adopted by the countries.

Phytochemical screening and biological activity of Lamiaceae family plant extracts.

The current study aimed to investigate ethanolic extracts from the following medicinal plant species cultivated in western Romania: Melissa officinalis L., Rosmarinus officinalis L. (RO) and Salvia officinalis L. (SO). Antioxidant activity, total phenolics content and a profile of the main hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), including caffeic, ferulic, coumaric and rosmarinic acids, was determined for each plant extract. The in vitro antimicrobial activity against four bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Listeria-, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus), and the effect on cell viability in two melanoma cell lines (B164A5 murine melanoma and A375 human melanoma) was also assessed. The results indicated that total phenolics content was 73.76-274.73 mg GAE·g-1 and the antioxidant activity was 2.32-2.87 mM Fe2+·100 g-1. There was found a strong positive correlation (R=0.9691) between total phenolics content and the antioxidant activity in the investigated samples. Regarding the HCA profile obtained by high performance liquid chromatography, the results demonstrated that rosmarinic acid represents the main identified compound. The ethanolic extracts of RO and SO exhibited antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. RO was the most effective in terms of decreasing the cell viability of murine and human melanoma cell lines, while the HCAs did not exhibit any effect on cell viability. These findings suggest that plant extracts from the Lamiaceae family may used in the clinic as natural antibacterial agents.

Influence of emulsifiers on the characteristics of polyurethane structures used as drug carrier.

BACKGROUND: Emulsifiers have a significant role in the emulsion polymerization by reducing the interfacial tension thus increasing the stability of colloidal dispersions of polymer nanostructures. This study evaluates the impact of four emulsifiers on the characteristics of polyurethane hollow structures used as drug delivery system. RESULTS: Polyurethane (PU) structures with high stability and sizes ranging from nano- to micro-scale were obtained by interfacial polyaddition combined with spontaneous emulsification. The pH of PU aqueous solutions (0.1% w/w) was slightly acidic, which is acceptable for products intended to be used on human skin. Agglomerated structures with irregular shapes were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The synthesized structures have melting points between 245-265°C and reveal promising results in different evaluations (TEWL, mexametry) on murine skin. CONCLUSIONS: In this study hollow PU structures of reduced noxiousness were synthesized, their size and stability being influenced by emulsifiers. Such structures could be used in the pharmaceutical field as future drug delivery systems.