Synthesis of star-shaped poly(lactide)s, poly(valerolactone)s and poly(caprolactone)s ROP catalyzed by N-donor tin(ii) cations and comparison of their wetting properties with linear analogues.

In this study, we report the use of N-coordinated tin(ii) cations [L→Sn(HO)][OTf]·THF (1) and [L→SnCl][SnCl] (2) (L = 1,2-(CHN-2-CH = N)CHCH) as efficient ROP catalysts, which, in combination with benzyl alcohol, afford well-defined linear poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(δ-valerolactones) (PVL) an activated monomer mechanism (AMM). Thanks to the versatility of complexes 1 and 2 as catalysts, star-shaped PCL, PVL and PLA were also prepared using three-, four-, five- and six-functional alcohols. The number of arms was determined by SEC-MALS-Visco analysis.

Bio-based unsaturated polyester resin from post-consumer PET.

This study explores the utilization of post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) as a material in the synthesis of styrene-free unsaturated polyester (UP) resin. The process involves glycolysis of PET waste with diethylene glycol and condensation polymerization with bio-based itaconic acid. The resulting unsaturated polyester possesses reactive methylidene functions that, in contrast to commonly employed fumarates/maleates, facilitate copolymerization with non-styrene reactive diluents.

Metal hypersensitivity and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in patients with failed orthopedic implants: A case-control study.

Orthopedic implants heal well without complications in most patients but fail for unclear reasons in some individuals. This study determined the relevance of metal hypersensitivity in patients with failed orthopedic implants and those requiring orthopedic implant surgery. The study included 35 patients with failed orthopedic implants and 15 subjects scheduled for orthopedic implant surgery.

Photobiomodulation Therapy After Mesiodens Surgery: Evaluation of Immunological Markers and Three-Dimensional X-Ray Analysis-Placebo-Controlled Study.

Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) applies therapeutic lasers or light-emitting diodes radiation to the surface of the body. From the medical point of view, PBMT systems have been employed for reducing pain, inflammation, and edema, promoting healing of wounds, deeper tissues and nerves, preventing tissue damage, etc. PBMT or biostimulation has a wide range of applications in maxillofacial surgery.

Modification of Poly(lactic acid) by the Plasticization for Application in the Packaging Industry.

Plastic products, especially in the packaging industry, have become the main commodities penetrating virtually every aspect of our lives. Unfortunately, their omnipresence is not neutral to the natural environment. Pollution in the form of microplastics is a global problem.

N-Donor stabilized tin(II) cations as efficient ROP catalysts for the synthesis of linear and star-shaped PLAs the activated monomer mechanism.

α-Iminopyridine ligands L (2-(CHN(CH-2,4,6-Ph))CHN), L (2-(CHN(CH-2,4,6-Bu))CHN) and L (1,2-(CHN-2-CHN)CHCH) differing by the steric demand of the substituent on the imine CHN group and by the number of donating nitrogen atoms were utilized to initiate a Lewis base mediated ionization of SnCl in an effort to prepare ionic tin(II) species [L → SnCl][SnCl]. The reaction of L and L with SnCl led to the formation of neutral adducts [L → SnCl] (2) and [L → SnCl] (3). The preparation of the desired ionic compounds was achieved by subsequent reactions of 2 and 3 with an equivalent of SnCl or GaCl.

Titanium and Other Metal Hypersensitivity Diagnosed by MELISA® Test: Follow-Up Study.

This study is aimed at proving the clinical benefit of the MELISA® test in the minimization or complete elimination of health problems in patients with confirmed hypersensitivity to metals used for tissue replacements. A group of 305 patients aged 20-75 years with previously proven metal hypersensitivity (initial MELISA® test), mainly to titanium and then to another fifteen metals, was chosen from the database at the Institute of Dental Medicine. From these patients, a final group of 42 patients agreed to participate in the study, 35 of which were female and 7 were male.

R/G Value-A Numeric Index of Individual Periodontal Health and Oral Microbiome Dynamics.

The dysbiosis of oral microbiome (OM) precedes the clinical signs of periodontal disease. Its simple measure thus could indicate individuals at risk of periodontitis development; however, such a tool is still missing. Up to now, numerous microbial taxa were associated with periodontal health or periodontitis.

Retention Mechanism of Branched Macromolecules in Size Exclusion Chromatography.

The theory of Stockmayer in the modifications of Thurmond and Zimm has been used for the description of the size exclusion chromatography separation of randomly branched molecules with tetrafunctional branch points. It is assumed that free chain ends, created by the branching process, cause the molecules to be entrapped in the pores of the column packing with the time of their release given by the exponential law characteristic for the monomolecular reactions. Using this assumption, the anomalous elution behavior of such molecules can be modeled.

Branched PLGA derivatives with tailored drug delivery properties.

Despite several shortcomings such as extreme hydrophobicity, low drug capacity, characteristic triphasic drug release pattern with a high burst effect, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid derivatives are widely used in drug delivery. Most frequent attempts to improve their properties are blending with other polymers or synthesis of block copolymers. We introduce a new class of branched poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) derivatives as promising biodegradable carriers for prolonged or targeted drug release systems, employed as thin adhesive films, solid dispersions, in situ forming implants or nanoparticles.

Side Effects of Dental Metal Implants: Impact on Human Health (Metal as a Risk Factor of Implantologic Treatment).

Dental implants are often made of titanium alloys. Implant therapy currently promises a good long-term result without impacting health; however, its success depends on many factors. In this article, the authors focus on the most common risk factors associated with metallic surgical implants.

Getting Closer to Absolute Molar Masses of Technical Lignins.

Determination of molecular weight parameters of native and, in particular, technical lignins are based on size exclusion chromatography (SEC) approaches. However, no matter which approach is used, either conventional SEC with a refractive index detector and calibration with standards or multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detection at 488 nm, 633 nm, 658 nm, or 690 nm, all variants can be severely erroneous. The lack of calibration standards with high structural similarity to lignin impairs the quality of the molar masses determined by conventional SEC, and the typical fluorescence of (technical) lignins renders the corresponding MALS data rather questionable.

C-reactive protein in patients with aggressive periodontitis.

Background/purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the systemic levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) in peripheral blood samples of patients with aggressive periodontitis during the first twelve months of periodontal treatment, at exactly six month interval measurements, and compare them with clinical periodontal parameters.

Materials And Methods: All patients (N = 45) were examined prior to the initiation of periodontal treatment. Patients were divided into two groups GAgP (Generalised form of aggressive periodontitis, N = 23) and group LAgP (Localised form of aggressive periodontitis, N = 22).

Low-Level Laser Therapy After Wisdom Teeth Surgery: Evaluation of Immunologic Markers (Secretory Immunoglobulin A and Lysozyme Levels) and Thermographic Examination: Placebo Controlled Study.

Objective: The goal of this investigation is to analyze the effect of therapeutic low-level laser therapy (LLLT) to have a possibility to check pain and inflammation connected with surgical removal of impacted lower third molars in general anesthesia or even phobia [not accompanied by pain or fear of dental treatment, using immunologic markers-secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) and lysozyme]. The healing process was also monitored by infrared thermography.

Background Data: LLLT can accelerate the proliferation phase of healing and decrease the inflammatory reaction, but the effect is not really clear.

Salivary Markers for Periodontal and General Diseases.

The determination of biomarkers in saliva is becoming an important part of laboratory diagnostics and the prediction of not only periodontal, but also other tissue and organ diseases. Biomarkers in saliva (e.g.

Periodontal Diseases and Dental Caries in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease of an autoimmune origin with early manifestation predominantly in the childhood. Its incidence has been rising in most European countries. Diabetes has been intensively studied by all branches of medicine.

C-Reactive Protein in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis, Gingivitis, and Gingival Recessions.

CRP is a plasma protein that reflects a measure of the acute phase response to inflammation and is one of the markers of choice in monitoring this response. CRP can be used for the prediction and early detection of periodontal disease. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate the systemic levels of CRP in the peripheral blood samples of patients with chronic and aggressive periodontitis, gingivitis, and gingival recessions and compare them with periodontal clinical parameters.

The effect of IL-4 gene polymorphisms on cytokine production in patients with chronic periodontitis and in healthy controls.

Chronic periodontitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease of the teeth-supporting tissues in which genetic predisposition, dental plaque bacteria, and immune mechanisms all play important roles. The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of IL-4 gene polymorphisms in chronic periodontitis and to investigate the association between polymorphisms and cytokines production after bacterial stimulation. Sixty-two subjects (47 CP patients and 15 healthy controls) with detected two polymorphisms in the IL-4 gene (-590C/T and intron 3 VNTR) were examined.

Enhanced multiparametric hyaluronan degradation for production of molar-mass-defined fragments.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) is known to serve as a dynamic mediator intervening in many physiological functions. Its specific effect has been repeatedly confirmed to be strongly influenced by the molecular size of hyaluronan fragments. However common technological approaches of HA fragments production have their limitations.

Periodontitis as a risk factor of atherosclerosis.

Over the last two decades, the amount of evidence corroborating an association between dental plaque bacteria and coronary diseases that develop as a result of atherosclerosis has increased. These findings have brought a new aspect to the etiology of the disease. There are several mechanisms by which dental plaque bacteria may initiate or worsen atherosclerotic processes: activation of innate immunity, bacteremia related to dental treatment, and direct involvement of mediators activated by dental plaque and involvement of cytokines and heat shock proteins from dental plaque bacteria.

Porphyromonas gingivalis: major periodontopathic pathogen overview.

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative oral anaerobe that is involved in the pathogenesis of periodontitis and is a member of more than 500 bacterial species that live in the oral cavity. This anaerobic bacterium is a natural member of the oral microbiome, yet it can become highly destructive (termed pathobiont) and proliferate to high cell numbers in periodontal lesions: this is attributed to its arsenal of specialized virulence factors. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of one of the main periodontal pathogens-Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Immune markers in oral discomfort patients before and after elimination of oral galvanism.

Background: An enhanced release of metals in the mouth due to galvanic cell formation is considered to be one of the causes of oral discomfort. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of galvanic cell on salivary immune defense factors.

Material And Methods: The levels of IgA1, IgA2, sIgA, lysozyme and antiIgA/HSP60 were evaluated in representative samples from 159 patients with galvanism, from 177 patients without galvanism and in two control groups.

Severe allergic dermatitis after closure of foramen ovale with Amplatzer occluder.

Allergic reaction to nitinol is rarely reported, and its incidence, symptoms, and course have not been clearly defined. We report an occurrence of severe progressive generalized exanthema 3 days after the implantation of an Amplatzer occluder for a patent foramen ovale, with symptoms disappearing immediately after surgical removal of the device 3 months later. The risks and possible prevention of allergic reaction to nickel and especially to titanium are discussed.

Influence of metals on cytokines production in connection with successful implantation therapy in dentistry.

Objectives: In most of patients in need of implantation treatment in the oral cavity, implants heal well, nevertheless, there are some individuals, in whom titanium implants fail for reasons, which remain unclear.

Design: The aim of our study was to determine if there is a difference between metal influenced IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ cytokines production in patients with successfully healed implants compared to those, whose implant therapy was unsuccessful.

Setting: The two study groups included 12 patients with failed dental titanium implants and 9 patients with successfully healed implants.

In vivo effects of dental casting alloys.

Objective: Corrosion products of different metallic alloys used in prosthetic dentistry often cause the development of a bluish-grey pigmentation of gingiva and oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine the content of metals in metallic pigmentations and evaluate the immune response to metals found in the oral cavity.

Material And Methods: The local tissue reactions were investigated clinically by electron microscopy and by energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis.