3D-Printed Chitosan-Based Scaffolds with Extract for Dental Applications.

The plant material , which is rich in flavones (baicalin), possesses antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. This work aimed to develop a 3D-printed chitosan-based hydrogel rich in extract as an innovative approach for the personalized treatment of periodontal diseases. Chitosan-based hydrogels were prepared, and the printability of the prepared hydrogels was determined.

Composite PLGA-Nanobioceramic Coating on Moxifloxacin-Loaded Akermanite 3D Porous Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Regeneration.

Silica-based ceramics doped with calcium and magnesium have been proposed as suitable materials for scaffold fabrication. Akermanite (CaMgSiO) has attracted interest for bone regeneration due to its controllable biodegradation rate, improved mechanical properties, and high apatite-forming ability. Despite the profound advantages, ceramic scaffolds provide weak fracture resistance.

Poly(Glycerol Succinate) as Coating Material for 1393 Bioactive Glass Porous Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications.

Background: Aliphatic polyesters are widely used for biomedical, pharmaceutical and environmental applications due to their high biodegradability and cost-effective production. Recently, star and hyperbranched polyesters based on glycerol and ω-carboxy fatty diacids have gained considerable interest. Succinic acid and bio-based diacids similar to glycerol are regarded as safe materials according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

3D Bioprinted Chitosan-Based Hydrogel Scaffolds in Tissue Engineering and Localised Drug Delivery.

Bioprinting is an emerging technology with various applications in developing functional tissue constructs for the replacement of harmed or damaged tissues and simultaneously controlled drug delivery systems (DDSs) for the administration of several active substances, such as growth factors, proteins, and drug molecules. It is a novel approach that provides high reproducibility and precise control over the fabricated constructs in an automated way. An ideal bioink should possess proper mechanical, rheological, and biological properties essential to ensure proper function.

Evaluating the biological validity of European river typology systems with least disturbed benthic macroinvertebrate communities.

Humans have severely altered freshwater ecosystems globally, causing a loss of biodiversity. Regulatory frameworks, like the Water Framework Directive, have been developed to support actions that halt and reverse this loss. These frameworks use typology systems that summarize freshwater ecosystems into environmentally delineated types.

Electrospun PLGA Membranes with Incorporated Moxifloxacin-Loaded Silica-Based Mesoporous Nanocarriers for Periodontal Regeneration.

Engineered electrospun membranes have emerged as promising materials in guided tissue regeneration, as they provide an appropriate framework for the formation of new functional periodontal tissues. The development of multifunctional local drug delivery systems with sustained release of drugs for prolonged infection control can be used in periodontal surgical interventions to simultaneously prohibit epithelium downgrowth and ensure proper healing and regeneration of damaged periodontal tissues. The aim of the present study was the fabrication of novel composite membranes from PLGA/moxifloxacin-loaded mesoporous nanocarriers through electrospinning and the evaluation of their drug release profiles.

A new WFD-compliant littoral macroinvertebrate index for monitoring and assessment of Mediterranean lakes (HeLLBI).

A new multimetric index (HeLLBI) based on littoral benthic macroinvertebrates is presented in this paper for classification of Greek natural lakes, in compliance with the requirements of Water Framework Directive (WFD). The method was developed based on the collection of littoral benthic invertebrate fauna and environmental data from 109 sampling sites in 21 natural lakes of the Greek National Water Monitoring Network. We focused the analysis on the effects of shore morphological alterations and eutrophication to the littoral invertebrate fauna, identified to family level, except oligochaetes, which were identified as a class, and more particularly to taxonomic composition and abundance, to taxa sensitivity, and to richness/diversity.

Adsorption of Uranium, Mercury, and Rare Earth Elements from Aqueous Solutions onto Magnetic Chitosan Adsorbents: A Review.

The compound of chitin is the second most important and abundant natural biopolymer in the world. The main extraction and exploitation sources of this natural polysaccharide polymer are mainly crustaceans species, such as shrimps and crabs. Chitosan (CS) (poly-β-(1 → 4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-d-glucose) can be derived from chitin and can be mentioned as a compound that has high value-added applications due to its wide variety of uses, including pharmaceutical, biomedical, and cosmetics applications, food etc.

Super absorbent chitosan-based hydrogel sponges as carriers for caspofungin antifungal drug.

Novel chitosan copolymers (CS-g-SBMA) grafted with [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SBMA) in various molar ratio 1.5:1, 5:1, 11.5:1 and 20:1, were synthesized in the present study.

Synthesis and Characterization of Mesoporous Mg- and Sr-Doped Nanoparticles for Moxifloxacin Drug Delivery in Promising Tissue Engineering Applications.

Mesoporous silica-based nanoparticles (MSNs) are considered promising drug carriers because of their ordered pore structure, which permits high drug loading and release capacity. The dissolution of Si and Ca from MSNs can trigger osteogenic differentiation of stem cells towards extracellular matrix calcification, while Mg and Sr constitute key elements of bone biology and metabolism. The aim of this study was the synthesis and characterization of sol-gel-derived MSNs co-doped with Ca, Mg and Sr.

Innovative Skin Product Emulsions with Enhanced Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and UV Protection Properties Containing Nanoparticles of Pure and Modified Chitosan with Encapsulated Fresh Pomegranate Juice.

In the present study, a chitosan (CS) derivative with the 2-(Methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (SDAEM) zwitterionic monomer was prepared through chemical modification. The successful synthesis of CS-SDAEM was confirmed by Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR) spectroscopies. Its crystallinity was studied by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), while in vitro cytotoxicity and cell viability assays established its biocompatibility.

Chitosan and its Derivatives for Ocular Delivery Formulations: Recent Advances and Developments.

Chitosan (CS) is a hemi-synthetic cationic linear polysaccharide produced by the deacetylation of chitin. CS is non-toxic, highly biocompatible, and biodegradable, and it has a low immunogenicity. Additionally, CS has inherent antibacterial properties and a mucoadhesive character and can disrupt epithelial tight junctions, thus acting as a permeability enhancer.

Chitosan Derivatives with Mucoadhesive and Antimicrobial Properties for Simultaneous Nanoencapsulation and Extended Ocular Release Formulations of Dexamethasone and Chloramphenicol Drugs.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of neat chitosan (CS) and its derivatives with 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AAMPS) and [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]dimethyl-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide (MEDSP) as appropriate nanocarriers for the simultaneous ocular administration of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (DxP) and chloramphenicol (CHL). The derivatives CS-AAMPS and CS-MEDSP have been synthesized by free-radical polymerization and their structure has been proved by Fourier-Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Both derivatives exhibited low cytotoxicity, enhanced mucoadhesive properties and antimicrobial activity against () and ().

Formulation and In-Vitro Characterization of Chitosan-Nanoparticles Loaded with the Iron Chelator Deferoxamine Mesylate (DFO).

The objective of this study was to develop chitosan (CS) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with deferoxamine mesylate (DFO) for slow release of this iron-chelating drug. Drug nanoencapsulation was performed via ionic gelation of chitosan using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linker. Nanoparticles with a size ranging between 150 and 400 nm were prepared for neat CS/TPP with a 2/1 molar ratio while their yield was directly dependent on the applied stirring rate during the preparation process.

Minimizing human error in macroinvertebrate samples analyses for ensuring quality precision in freshwater monitoring programs.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are often used in ecological quality monitoring. However, due to the large number of samples and specimens, sample processing (sorting/identification) is a labor-intensive task that is susceptible to errors. These errors can consequently lead to biased assessment results.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) arising from angiosarcoma: a rare case report.

Purpose: An extremely rare case of divergent differentiation of a cutaneous angiosarcoma to a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is presented.

Methods: A 62-year-old male patient presented with an angiosarcoma of the left buccal region, which was excised with wide surgical margins. Four months after the operation, the tumor recurred locally as a MPNST.

The use of mineralized bone allograft as a single grafting material in maxillary sinus lifting with severely atrophied alveolar ridge (1-3 mm) and immediately inserted dental implants. A 3- up to 8-year retrospective study.

Objective: The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of mineralized bone allograft alone in sinus floor augmentation with simultaneous implant placement in cases with severe atrophy of the residual maxillary bone (bone height < 4 mm).

Methods: Thirty-five dental implants were placed in 29 patients who underwent sinus augmentation via traditional lateral window technique from 2008 to 2013. Patients with residual alveolar height between 1 and 3 mm at the site of implantation were included in the study.

Pulpal and Periodontal Tissues Changes Associated with Le Fort I and Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomies: A review.

Introduction: Le Fort I and sagittal split ramus osteotomies are the most commonly performed orthognathic surgery procedures on the maxilla and mandible, respectively.

Techniques: Despite progress in the techniques, these procedures may still be associated with morbidity, expressed as inflammation, inadequate bony union, periodontal damages or in extreme cases even total bone loss.

Discussion: Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the influences of maxillary and mandibular surgery on Pulpal Blood Flow (PBF), pulp sensitivity and pulp vitality are examined.

Histological Changes in Nasolabial Cutaneous Flaps Employed in Intraoral Reconstruction.

Introduction: Nasolabial cutaneous flaps have been routinely used to reconstruct intraoral defects. The purpose of this study was to study histological changes that may occur in the skin flap as a result of its exposure to a new environment.

Patients And Methods: Thirteen patients took part in this study.

Nasolabial pedicled compared with island flaps for intraoral reconstruction of oncological defects: complications, recovery of sensitivity, and assessment of quality of life.

Our aim was to compare pedicled and island nasolabial flaps used for reconstruction of oral defects in terms of postoperative complications, recovery of sensitivity, and quality of life. We organised a retrospective cohort study of 49 patients who had had intraoral reconstruction with nasolabial pedicled (n-=13) and island (n=36) flaps. Twenty- two patients filled in a validated quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire and we did sensitivity tests (sharp discrimination with the aid of a Semmes-Weinstein™ aesthesiometer).

Metastatic Tumours to the Oral Cavity: Report of Three Cases.

Background: Metastatic tumours to the oral cavity from distant organs are uncommon and represent approximately 1 - 3% of all oral malignancies. Such metastases can occur to the bone or to the oral soft tissues. Almost any malignancy from any site is capable of metastasis to the oral cavity and a wide variety of tumours have been reported to spread to the mouth.

Carotid-Cavernous Fistula as a Complication of Facial Trauma: A Case Report.

Posttraumatic carotid-cavernous fistula is a very rare complication that can occur in patients with craniomaxillofacial trauma. Symptoms involve headache, diplopia, ptosis of the upper lid, conjunctival chemosis, pulsating exophthalmos, and ophthalmoplegia. Diagnosis can be challenging because various pathologic entities can present with similar symptoms such as superior orbital fissure syndrome, orbital apex syndrome, retrobulbar hematoma, and cavernous sinus syndrome.

Controlled release formulations of risperidone antipsychotic drug in novel aliphatic polyester carriers: Data analysis and modelling.

In the present study a series of biodegradable and biocompatible poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly(propylene glutarate) (PCL/PPGlu) polymer blends were investigated as controlled release carriers of Risperidone drug (RISP), appropriate for transdermal drug delivery. The PCL/PPGlu carriers were prepared in different weight ratios. Miscibility studies of blends were evaluated through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD).

Salivary gland trauma: a review of diagnosis and treatment.

Salivary gland trauma is uncommon. Parotid gland and duct injuries are far more common than injuries to submandibular and sublingual glands due to anatomic position. Several methods of treating salivary duct injuries and their complications have been advocated.