Hydroxyapatite from Mollusk Shells: Characteristics, Production, and Potential Applications in Dentistry.

Modern dentistry is turning towards natural sources to overcome the immunological, toxicological, aesthetic, and durability drawbacks of synthetic materials. Among the first biomaterials used as endosseous dental implants, mollusk shells also display unique features, such as high mechanical strength, superior toughness, hierarchical architecture, and layered, microporous structure. This review focusses on hydroxyapatite-a bioactive, osteoconductive, calcium-based material crucial for bone healing and regeneration.

Application of the susceptible-infected-recovered deterministic model in a GII.P17 emergent norovirus strain outbreak in Romania in 2015.

Purpose: This study shows the epidemiological profile of the first gastroenteritis outbreak of GII.P17 in the Romanian territory. An outbreak with such large amplitude in a European territory was previously undocumented.

Diagnosing tuberculosis with a novel support vector machine-based artificial immune recognition system.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, which has been ranked as the second leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide. Diagnosis based on cultured specimens is the reference standard, however results take weeks to process. Scientists are looking for early detection strategies, which remain the cornerstone of tuberculosis control.

Betulinic acid in complex with a gamma-cyclodextrin derivative decreases proliferation and in vivo tumor development of non-metastatic and metastatic B164A5 cells.

Betulinic acid, a very promising anti-melanoma agent, has very low water solubility that causes low bioavailability. To overcome this inconvenience, a highly water-soluble cyclodextrin was used (octakis-[6-deoxy-6-(2-sulfanyl ethanesulfonic acid)]-γ-cyclodextrin). The complex was physico-chemically analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) methods and then in vitro tested for its antiproliferative activity by the MTT assay and by cell cycle analysis.

Assessement of angiogenesis reveals blood vessel heterogeneity in lung carcinoma.

Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis for lung cancer patients remains poor. Angiogenesis appears to be a promising target for lung cancer therapy; however, the clinical significance of vascular changes are not completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the types and morphology of blood vessels in various lung carcinomas.

[Visceral leishmaniasis--surgical aspects].

Visceral Leishmaniasis is a multi-organic parasitic disease caused by an intracellular protozoon named Leishmania Donovani; the mean signs are: weight loss, cough, fever, hepatosplenomegaly, adenopathy and cutaneous lesions; death without treatment is the rule. The main treatment is a conservative one. Surgical treatment is necessary for complications, especially for those intra-abdominally.

[Fournier's gangrene--atypical onset for lower rectal cancer].

The onset for rectal cancer is often revealed by one of its complications. With lower frequency, for the rectum below peritoneal reflexion, the perforative-suppurative onset is possible. We wish to expose a 64 years old woman's case, presenting with Fournier's gangrene as a unique sign of a lower rectal adenocarcinoma.