Cellular responses to 3D printed dental resins produced using a manufacturer recommended printer versus a third party printer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of different 3D dental resins, using a manufacturer recommended printer and a third-party printer, on cellular responses of human gingival cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three NextDent resins (Denture 3D+, C&B MFH and Crowntec) were used to produce specimens on printers NextDent 5100 (groups ND, NC and NT, respectively) and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K (groups PD, PC and PT, respectively). Human gingival fibroblasts were cultured and biocompatibility was evaluated on days 1, 3 and 7. IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations were evaluated at 3 days using ELISA. Surface roughness was evaluated by a contact profilometer. SEM and fluorescence micrographs were analyzed at days 1 and 7. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS and mean differences were tested using ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey tests (P < .05). RESULTS: There was an increase in cellular viability after 7 days in groups PC and PT, when compared to group PD. ND group resulted in higher concentration of IL-6 when compared to PT group. SEM and fluorescence micrographs showed less adhesion and thinner morphology of fibroblasts from group PD. No significant differences were found regarding surface roughness. CONCLUSION: The use of different printers or resins did not seem to influence surface roughness. NextDent 5100 and Phrozen Sonic Mini 4K produced resins with similar cellular responses in human gingival fibroblasts. However, Denture 3D+ resin resulted in significantly lower biocompatibility, when compared to C&B MFH and Crowntec resins. Further testing is required to support its long-term use, required for complete dentures.

Hyaluronic acid-based gels for oral application: Comparison of in vitro effects on gingival cells and bacteria.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of different topical hyaluronic acid-based gels on human gingival fibroblasts and oral bacteria. Methods: Four different hyaluronate gels - Bexident® Aftas (BA), GUM® AftaClear (AfC), Gengigel®(G), Aloclair® Plus (AlC) and a chlorhexidine gel - Bexident®Gums(BG) were selected. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) were seeded in 48-well plates with different gel/culture medium concentrations (v/v%) and cell viability was evaluated at 1 and 3 days of culture. Cell morphology was assessed, and alterations graded according to ISO 10993-5:2009(E). Streptococcus oralis CECT 907T colony was, seed on 48-well plate or spread onto the blood agar plates and exposed to the different gel's concentration. The optical density (OD) was assessed, and the diameter of the inhibition zone was measured (mm). Results: BA and G elicited reduced HGF cytotoxicity, followed by AfC. AlC and BG were cytotoxic at concentrations up to 3% for all exposure times. PCM images of HGF showed moderate-to-severe alterations for AlC and BG and slight to mild changes, for BA, AfC and G. The highest antibacterial activity against S.oralis was observed on AlC and AfC, and no antibacterial activity was observed for BA and G. Inhibitory effect in sessile colonies was only observed in AlC and BG. Conclusions: AlC demonstrated superior antibacterial activities against S.oralis but a higher cytotoxic potential in HGF. BA and G presented the lowest cytotoxicity with little to no antibacterial effect. AfC demonstrated bacteriostatic effects and low cytotoxicity on HGF.

Cell Biological and Antibacterial Evaluation of a New Approach to Zirconia Implant Surfaces Modified with MTA.

Peri-implantitis continues to be one of the major reasons for implant failure. We propose a new approach to the incorporation of MTA into zirconia implant surfaces with Nd:YAG laser and investigate the biological and the microbiological responses of peri-implant cells. Discs of zirconia stabilized with yttria and titanium were produced according to the following four study groups: Nd:YAG laser-textured zirconia coated with MTA (Zr MTA), Nd:YAG laser-textured zirconia (Zr textured), polished zirconia discs, and polished titanium discs (Zr and Ti). Surface roughness was evaluated by contact profilometry. Human osteoblasts (hFOB), gingival fibroblasts (HGF hTERT) and S. oralis were cultured on discs. Cell adhesion and morphology, cell differentiation markers and bacterial growth were evaluated. Zr textured roughness was significantly higher than all other groups. SEM images reveal cellular adhesion at 1 day in all samples in both cell lines. Osteoblasts viability was lower in the Zr MTA group, unlike fibroblasts viability, which was shown to be higher in the Zr MTA group compared with the Zr textured group at 3 and 7 days. Osteocalcin and IL-8 secretion by osteoblasts were higher in Zr MTA. The Zr textured group showed higher IL-8 values released by fibroblasts. No differences in S. oralis CFUs were observed between groups. The present study suggests that zirconia implant surfaces coated with MTA induced fibroblast proliferation and osteoblast differentiation; however, they did not present antibacterial properties.

Roles of microbiota in pancreatic cancer development and treatment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive disease with poor prognosis. This is due to the fact that most cases are only diagnosed at an advanced and palliative disease stage, and there is a high incidence of therapy resistance. Despite ongoing efforts, to date, the mechanisms underlying PDAC oncogenesis and its poor responses to treatment are still largely unclear. As the study of the microbiome in cancer progresses, growing evidence suggests that bacteria or fungi might be key players both in PDAC oncogenesis as well as in its resistance to chemo- and immunotherapy, for instance through modulation of the tumor microenvironment and reshaping of the host immune response. Here, we review how the microbiota exerts these effects directly or indirectly via microbial-derived metabolites. Finally, we further discuss the potential of modulating the microbiota composition as a therapy in PDAC.

Performance of non-formalin fixed paraffin embedded samples in hybrid capture and amplicon next-generation sequencing panels.

BACKGROUND: Genomic profiling using next-generation sequencing (NGS) is fundamental for driving prognostic and therapy in cancer. Formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue is the widely used material, whereas non-FFPE may represent an alternative. However, studies comparing the NGS performance of non-FFPE materials to FFPE are still lacking in the literature. The objective of this study was to characterize in non-FFPE preparations the nucleic acid yield and NGS performance on both a capture-based and an amplicon-based NGS platform. NGS quality metrics obtained from non-FFPE preparations were compared to FFPE. METHODS: We analyzed the cellularity and nucleic acid yield in 111 tumors from non-FFPE preparations. In addition, comprehensive hybrid capture panel sequencing metrics obtained from DNA and RNA libraries were compared between independent non-FFPE and FFPE samples. A paired comparison between non-FFPE and FFPE samples was performed to analyze concordance in mutant allele detection using an amplicon panel. RESULTS: The mean target coverage from DNA libraries was 2× higher in non-FFPE samples than in FFPE. The detection of exogenous DNA was 2.5× higher in non-FFPE than in FFPE. Conversely, a lower performance was observed in non-FFPE RNA libraries in comparison to FFPE DNA libraries with no impact in minimum standard cutoffs. The variant allele detection in non-FFPE was found to be comparable to that of FFPE tumor samples in matched samples. CONCLUSIONS: Non-FFPE was demonstrated to be a suitable material for DNA and RNA library preparations using a comprehensive NGS panel. This is the first study reporting library quality metrics according to the TSO500 analysis pipeline.

Sistematização da assistência de enfermagem: percepção de uma equipe multiprofissional na atenção primária à saúde / Sistematización de la atención de enfermería: la percepción de un equipo multiprofesional en atención primaria de la salud / Systematization of nursing care: the perception of a multiprofessional team within the primary health care scope

Objetivo: analisar a percepção da equipe multiprofissional acerca da sistematização da assistência de enfermagem na atenção primária à saúde. Método: estudo de análise temática reflexiva, com abordagem qualitativa, fundamentado no estudo de caso único, realizado no ano de 2021. O cenário constituiu-se de unidade básica de saúde, onde participaram 14 colaboradores da equipe multiprofissional. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, utilizando gravadores digitais, seguindo a análise de dados indutiva. O estudo foi aprovado eticamente. Resultados: foram extraídas duas categorias empíricas referindo-se ao conhecimento da equipe face as atribuições do enfermeiro na atenção primária, bem como as facilidades e as dificuldades enfrentadas pelo enfermeiro no cotidiano de trabalho na implementação da sistematização da assistência de enfermagem. Considerações finais: a sistematização da assistência de enfermagem ainda apresenta incipiente para a equipe multiprofissional, tornando inviável a aplicação desta ferramenta pelo enfermeiro no seu processo de trabalho.

Objetivo: analizar la percepción del equipo multiprofesional acerca de la Sistematización de la Atención de Enfermería en Atención Primaria de la Salud. Método: estudio de análisis temático reflexivo con enfoque cualitativo, fundamentado en el estudio de un único caso y realizado en el año 2021. El escenario de la investigación fue una unidad básica de salud en la que participaron 14 trabajadores del equipo multiprofesional. Los datos se recolectaron por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, utilizando grabadoras digitales y siguiendo la técnica de análisis inductivo de datos. El estudio contó con la debida aprobación ética. Resultados: se extrajeron dos categorías empíricas referidas al conocimiento del equipe frente a los deberes de los enfermeros en Atención Primaria, al igual que las facilidades y dificultades enfrentadas por los enfermeros en la rutina de trabajo al implementar la Sistematización de la Atención de Enfermería. Consideraciones finales: la Sistematización de la Atención de Enfermería sigue siendo incipiente para el equipo multiprofesional, lo que impide que los enfermeros apliquen esta herramienta en su proceso de trabajo.

Objective: to analyze the multiprofessional team perception regarding the Systematization of Nursing Care in Primary Health Care. Method: a reflective thematic analysis study with a qualitative approach based on a single case study carried out in 2021. The scenario consisted of a basic health unit and the participants were 14 staff members from its multiprofessional team. Data collection was carried out through semi-structured interviews using digital recorders and following an inductive data analysis. The study was ethically approved. Results: two empirical categories were extracted, one referring to the team's knowledge about nurses' duties in Primary Health Care and the other related to the facilitating factors and difficulties faced by nurses in their daily effort to implement the Systematization of Nursing Care. Final considerations: the Systematization of Nursing Care still proved to be incipient for the multiprofessional team, making it unfeasible for nurses to apply this tool in their work process.

COVID-19 y Enfermedades Autoinmunes Sistémicas ¿cuál es la relación y sus consecuencias?

Introducción: Los pacientes portadores de enfermedades autoinmunes sistemas constituyen una población vulnerable para el desarrollo de infección por COVID-19. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de infección por COVID-19 en los pacientes asistidos en la policlínica, su severidad y su relación con el tratamiento inmunosupresor. Conocer el número de brotes y la tasa de vacunación de nuestra población. Metodología: Estudio transversal de pacientes asistidos en una unidad de enfermedades autoinmunes sistémicas en el período abril 2020-julio 2021. Resultados: Se analizaron 59 pacientes, 19 tuvieron brote de la enfermedad en el último año. 12 tuvieron infección por COVID-19, uno ingresó a cuidados moderados. La mediana de edad de los pacientes infectados fue de 35 años. 55 recibieron vacunación completa. Conclusiones: No se encontró una asociación entre la infección por COVID-19 y brotes de la enfermedad así como tampoco una mayor tasa de hospitalización ni muerte. Los pacientes con Lupus fueron los más vulnerables. La tasa de controles media (presencial/telefónica) fue alta para la totalidad de la población así como la tasa de vacunación.

Introduction: Patients with autoimmune system diseases constitute a vulnerable population for the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Objectives: To determine the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients seen at the polyclinic. Methodology: Cross-sectional study patients assisted in an autoinmune disease center in the period April 2020-July 2021. Results: 59 patients were analyzed, 19 had flares of the disease in the last year. 12 had SARS CoV-2 infection, 1 was admitted to moderate care. The median age of infected patients was 35 years. 55 received full vaccination. Conclusions: No association was found between COVID-19 infection and diseases flares as well as an increased rate of hospitalization or death. Lupus patients were the most vulnerable. The controls rate (face-to-face/telephone) was high for the entire population as well as the vaccination rate.

Introdução: Pacientes com doenças autoimunes constituem uma população vulnerável ao desenvolvimento da infecção por COVID-19. Objetivo: Determinar a frequência da infecção por COVID-19 em pacientes atendidos na policlínica, sua gravidade e sua relação com o tratamento imunossupressor. Conheça o número de surtos e a taxa de vacinação da nossa população. Metodologia: Estudo transversal. Apresenta 59 pacientes atendidos em unidade EAS no período de abril de 2020 a julho de 2021. Resultados: Foram analisados ​​59 pacientes, 19 tiveram surto da doença no último ano. 12 tiveram infecção por COVID-19, 1 foi internado em cuidados moderados. A idade média dos pacientes infectados foi de 35 anos. 55 receberam vacinação completa. Conclusões: não foi encontrada associação entre infecção por covid-19 e surtos da doença, nem maior taxa de hospitalização ou morte. Pacientes com lúpus eram os mais vulneráveis. A taxa média de controlo (presencial/telefone) foi elevada para toda a população, bem como a taxa de vacinação.

Pembrolizumab and trastuzumab in combination with FLOT in the perioperative treatment of HER2-positive, localized esophagogastric adenocarcinoma-a phase II trial of the AIO study group (AIO STO 0321).

Background: Esophagogastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) presents a substantial global health challenge as the number of cases continues to rise. The current standard approach for treating localized EGA involves a combination of triplet chemotherapy, which consists of a platinum compound, a fluoropyrimidine, and a taxane (known as FLOT), followed by surgery. In cases of metastatic EGA with HER2-positive status or in certain studies with localized EGA, the use of HER2-targeted antibodies such as trastuzumab has shown improved responses. Recently, the addition of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, such as pembrolizumab, when combined with 5-FU, platinum-based chemotherapy, and trastuzumab, has demonstrated significant enhancements in response rates for HER2-positive metastatic EGA. However, there is currently insufficient evidence regarding this treatment approach in localized HER2-positive disease. Methods: The PHERFLOT study is an open-label, single-arm, multicenter, exploratory phase II trial designed to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of perioperative pembrolizumab, FLOT, and trastuzumab in patients with previously untreated localized HER2-positive EGA. In total, 30 patients will be recruited. The co-primary end points are pathological complete response rate and disease-free survival rate after 2 years. Secondary objectives include safety and tolerability, efficacy in terms of progression-free survival and objective response rate and translational markers, such as blood-based signatures (e.g., immune repertoire changes or emergence of anti-HER2 resistance variants) or microbiota signatures that may correlate with immune activation and therapy response. Discussion: Recent evidence from phase II clinical trials demonstrated improved efficacy through the addition of trastuzumab to perioperative FLOT. Furthermore, in advanced or metastatic EGA, the combination of trastuzumab, FLOT, and the PD1-inhibitor pembrolizumab significantly improved treatment response. The PHERFLOT study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of this treatment approach in HER2-positive-localized EGA, potentially identifying a promising new perioperative regimen for localized EGA, which then needs to be confirmed within a randomized trial. Furthermore, the accompanying translational program of the study might help to improve the stratification of suitable patients and to identify potential translational targets for future clinical trials. Clinical trial registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT05504720.

Bio-Piezoelectric Ceramic Composites for Electroactive Implants-Biological Performance.

Barium titanate (BaTiO3) piezoelectric ceramic may be a potential alternative for promoting osseointegration due to its piezoelectric properties similar to bone electric potentials generated in loading function. In this sense, the aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the cellular response of human osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts as well as the impact on S. oralis when in contact with BaTiO3 functionalized zirconia implant surfaces with piezoelectric properties. Zirconia discs with BaTiO3 were produced and contact poling (piezo activation) was performed. Osteoblasts (hFOB 1.19), fibroblasts (HGF hTERT) and S. oralis were culture on discs. Cell viability and morphology, cell differentiation markers, bacterial adhesion and growth were evaluated. The present study suggests that zirconia composite surfaces with the addition of piezoelectric BaTiO3 are not cytotoxic to peri-implant cells. Also, they seem to promote a faster initial osteoblast differentiation. Moreover, these surfaces may inhibit the growth of S. oralis by acting as a bacteriostatic agent over time. Although the piezoelectric properties do not affect the cellular inflammatory profile, they appear to enable the initial adhesion of bacteria, however this is not significant over the entire testing period. Furthermore, the addition of non-poled BaTiO3 to zirconia may have a potential reduction effect on IL-6 mediated-inflammatory activity in fibroblasts.

Use of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Dermatology: A Narrative Review.

Finasteride and dutasteride are 5-alpha reductase selective inhibitors (5ARIs). They were introduced as therapeutic agents for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia in 1992 and 2002, respectively; finasteride has also been approved for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia since early 2000. These agents inhibit the conversion of testosterone (T) to 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT), limiting steroidogenesis and playing a crucial role in the physiological function of the neuroendocrine system. Therefore, it has been proposed that blocking androgen synthesis with the use of 5ARIs would be beneficial in the treatment of various diseases related to states of hyperandrogenism. This review describes the dermatological pathologies in which 5ARIs have been used as part of the treatment, evaluation of the efficacy, and knowledge of the safety profile. Specifically, we discuss the application of 5ARIs in androgenetic alopecia, acne, frontal fibrosing alopecia, hirsutism, and the implications of adverse events associated with its use to inform about the applications of 5ARIs in general dermatology practice.

20-HETE/GPR75 pairing modulates the expression and transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor in androgen-sensitive prostate cancer cells.

The androgen receptor (AR) and AR-driven genes are crucial in normal and neoplastic prostate tissue. Previous results showed a link between 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) production and AR-driven prostate cancer (PCa) progression. This study aims to describe the contribution of GPR75, 20-HETE membrane receptor, in 20-HETE-mediated expression and transcriptional activity of AR in PCa. In LNCaP cells, 20-HETE increased AR expression, nuclear localization, and its transcriptional activity. Also, 20-HETE enhanced dihydrotestosterone (DHT) induced effects. All was abrogated by chemical antagonism of GPR75 (19-HEDE) or its transient knockdown. In human PCa, the expression of AR-driven genes correlated with GPR75. In LNCaP xenografts, tumors from castrated animals expressed higher levels of AR, this was impaired by inhibition of 20-HETE synthesis. These data suggest that 20-HETE, through the GPR75 receptor, regulates transcriptionally active AR in PCa cells, thus making 20-HETE/GRP75 potential targets to limit the expression of AR-driven phenotype in PCa cells.

The early evolution of COVID-19 incidence and mortality among people aged under 80 years or 80 years and above after COVID-19 vaccine implementation in the state of Bahia, Brazil.

This study evaluates the early effects of COVID-19 vaccine implementation in the number of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 among those aged < 80 years or ≥ 80 years in the state of Bahia, Brazil. For that, we used data from the Bahia state Secretary of Health platform of cases and deaths due to COVID-19 in all age groups, between March 2020 and May 2021, when 82% of COVID-19 vaccines were CoronaVac. Overall, there were 1,012,200 cases and 21,241 deaths due to COVID-19, of which, respectively, 2.3% and 25.3% occurred in patients aged ≥ 80 years. The median proportion of deaths in those ≥ 80 years decreased from 29.8% (27.8%-30.4%) in the pre- to 18.8% (15.6%-18.8%) in the post-vaccine periods (p = 0.04). Significant reduction in the median proportion of deaths from COVID-19 among those aged ≥ 80 years after COVID-19 vaccine implementation was found, which suggests CoronaVac effectiveness against death from COVID-19 in the elderly.

Patients and healthcare professionals perspectives on creating a chronic pain support line in Portugal: A qualitative study protocol.

Chronic pain affects almost 38% of the Portuguese adult population, with high costs for both patients and society. Those who suffer with chronic pain frequently complain of feeling misunderstood and of lack of support. These complaints are the main reason why support telephone lines for chronic pain were created in some countries. However, there is no scientific data supporting their creation or evaluating their performance. This paper presents a qualitative study protocol to assess patients and healthcare professionals' perspectives on the creation of a telephone support line for chronic pain. It constitutes the first step to attain the main goal of developing and implementing a functioning support line for chronic pain in Portugal. The methodology to assess patients and healthcare professionals' perspectives and needs is presented. In order to gather information as close to reality as possible, focus groups interviews were chosen as data sources. Given the present context of the COVID-19 pandemic, meetings will take place online, using a digital platform. All interviews will be transcribed verbatim, coded and synthesised into categories and main themes. Thematic analysis will be conducted using NVivo® V12 software, employing an iterative and reflexive approach. Finally, comparative and relational analysis will be performed in order to identify topics where patients and professionals converge or greatly diverge. The findings will be useful for grounding the creation of a telephone support line for chronic pain patients. Results dissemination will be important for policy-makers to develop a new perspective towards chronic pain services available.

The NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to inflammation-induced morphological and metabolic alterations in skeletal muscle.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammation is associated with skeletal muscle atrophy and metabolic dysfunction. Although the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome contributes to cytokine production in immune cells, its role in skeletal muscle is poorly understood. Here, we studied the link between inflammation, NLRP3, muscle morphology, and metabolism in in vitro cultured C2C12 myotubes, independent of immune cell involvement. METHODS: Differentiated C2C12 myotubes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0, 10, and 100-200 ng/mL) to induce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome with and without MCC950, a pharmacological inhibitor of NLRP3-induced IL-1ß production. We assessed markers of the NLRP3 inflammasome, cell diameter, reactive oxygen species, and mitochondrial function. RESULTS: NLRP3 gene expression and protein concentrations increased in a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. Intracellular IL-1ß concentration significantly increased (P < 0.0001), but significantly less with MCC950 (P = 0.03), suggestive of moderate activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes upon LPS stimulation. LPS suppressed myotube growth after 24 h (P = 0.03), and myotubes remained smaller up to 72 h (P = 0.0009). Exposure of myotubes to IL-1ß caused similar alterations in cell morphology, and MCC950 mitigated these LPS-induced differences in cell diameter. NLRP3 appeared to co-localize with mitochondria, more so upon exposure to LPS. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species were higher after LPS (P = 0.03), but not after addition of MCC950. Myotubes had higher glycolytic rates, and mitochondria were more fragmented upon LPS exposure, which was not altered by MCC950 supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: LPS-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in cultured myotubes contributes to morphological and metabolic alterations, likely due to its mitochondrial association.

Acceptance and Adherence to COVID-19 Vaccination-The Role of Cognitive and Emotional Representations.

Vaccine hesitation is a topic of utmost importance, with the COVID-19 pandemic serving as a clear reminder of its timeliness. Besides evaluating COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in a sample of Portuguese people, this study aims at understanding cognitive and emotional representations related to vaccination, and their influence on vaccination hesitation. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 27 December 2020 and 27 January 2021. It assessed cognitive and emotional COVID-19 representations; vaccination status; cognitive and emotional representations of vaccination and perceived necessity and concerns about vaccines. Of 31 × 58 participants, 91% accepted taking a COVID-19 vaccine. Among several other significant findings, women (71.3%) more often considered that the pandemic affected their lives (p < 0.001) and were more often concerned with being infected (p < 0.001). Likewise, there were significantly more female participants concerned about taking a COVID-19 vaccine and its possible effects, when compared to the number of male participants (p < 0.001). The number of participants with a higher education level that were more worried about becoming infected was greater (p = 0.001), when compared with those less educated. Regarding age groups, people aged 18 to 24 had fewer concerned participants (9.6%), while the number of individuals aged 55 to 64 had the most (p < 0.001). Somewhat surprisingly, perceiving oneself as extremely informed about COVID-19 was not associated with greater vaccine acceptance (OR = 1.534 [1.160−2.029]; (p = 0.003)). Moreover, people aged 25 to 64 years old and with lower education level were more likely not to accept vaccination (OR = 2.799 [1.085−7.221]; (p = 0.033)). Finally, being more concerned about taking a vaccine lowers its acceptance (OR = 4.001 [2.518−6.356]; (p < 0.001)). Cognitive and emotional representations have a great impact and are reliable predictors of vaccine acceptance. Thus, it is of extreme importance that public health messages be adapted to the different characteristics of the population.

Prediction of the Phase Composition Profile of Three-Compound Mixtures in Liquid-Liquid Equilibrium: A Chemoinformatics Approach.

Machine-learning models were developed to predict the composition profile of a three-compound mixture in liquid-liquid equilibrium (LLE), given the global composition at certain temperature and pressure. A chemoinformatics approach was explored, based on the MOLMAP technology to encode molecules and mixtures. The chemical systems involved an ionic liquid (IL) and two organic molecules. Two complementary models have been optimized for the IL-rich and IL-poor phases. The two global optimized models are highly accurate, and were validated with independent test sets, where combinations of molecule1+molecule2+IL are different from those in the training set. These results highlight the MOLMAP encoding scheme, based on atomic properties to train models that learn relationships between features of complex multi-component chemical systems and their profile of phase compositions.

Human iNKT Cells Modulate Macrophage Survival and Phenotype.

CD1d-restricted invariant Natural Killer T (iNKT) cells are unconventional innate-like T cells whose functions highly depend on the interactions they establish with other immune cells. Although extensive studies have been reported on the communication between iNKT cells and macrophages in mice, less data is available regarding the relevance of this crosstalk in humans. Here, we dove into the human macrophage-iNKT cell axis by exploring how iNKT cells impact the survival and polarization of pro-inflammatory M1-like and anti-inflammatory M2-like monocyte-derived macrophages. By performing in vitro iNKT cell-macrophage co-cultures followed by flow cytometry analysis, we demonstrated that antigen-stimulated iNKT cells induce a generalized activated state on all macrophage subsets, leading to upregulation of CD40 and CD86 expression. CD40L blocking with a specific monoclonal antibody prior to co-cultures abrogated CD40 and CD86 upregulation, thus indicating that iNKT cells required CD40-CD40L co-stimulation to trigger macrophage activation. In addition, activated iNKT cells were cytotoxic towards macrophages in a CD1d-dependent manner, killing M1-like macrophages more efficiently than their naïve M0 or anti-inflammatory M2-like counterparts. Hence, this work highlighted the role of human iNKT cells as modulators of macrophage survival and phenotype, untangling key features of the human macrophage-iNKT cell axis and opening perspectives for future therapeutic modulation.

Emoji as promising tools for emotional evaluation in orthodontics.

BACKGROUND: Emoji are pictograms frequently used in social networks capable of expressing emotions. These tools can provide insights into people's behavior that could not be obtained with the use of textual communication. Recently, emoji have been introduced to various research fields as successful alternatives to word-based questionnaires for measure emotional responses. The objective of this study was to preliminarily evaluate the discriminating ability and relationship of these tools with different occlusal conditions/malocclusions. METHODS: Online surveys were applied to adult individuals (n = 201; mean age = 27.4 ± 5.7; 37.3% males, 62.7% females). Subjects issued acceptance scores (10-point scale) and expressed their emotional status using a 30-emoji list in relation to nine occlusal conditions: C1-crowding, C2-anterior open bite, C3-interincisal diastema, C4-increased overjet + deep bite (Class II div. 1), C5-anterior crossbite (Class III), C6-ideal occlusion, C7-unilateral posterior crossbite, C8-anterior open bite plus bilateral posterior crossbite plus crowding, and C9-deep bite (Class II div. 2). Cochran's Q and McNemar tests were used to compare the frequencies of choice of emoji between conditions. Correspondence analyses were applied to assess the association between occlusal conditions and emoji. Kendall's correlation coefficient was calculated to evaluate the relationship between mean acceptance scores and frequency counts of each emoji. RESULTS: The frequency of choice between conditions showed a significant difference for 25 of the 30 emoji (P < 0.05), indicating an adequate discriminating ability of these tools. Emoji were grouped predominantly based on their emotional valence (positive/negative) and arousal/activation (high/low). Positive emoji were associated with the most accepted conditions (i.e., C6, C3), while negative emoji with the most rejected ones (i.e., C8, C1, C2). Although only weak, positive correlations between acceptance and positively valenced emoji, and negative correlations between acceptance and negatively valenced emoji were observed (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Emoji have an adequate discriminatory ability and would allow determining emotional profiles in the face of different occlusal conditions. Further research is necessary to consolidate the use of these tools in an instrument that allows measuring emotional responses.

Modification of Zirconia Implant Surfaces by Nd:YAG Laser Grooves: Does It Change Cell Behavior?

The aim of this study was to evaluate gingival fibroblasts and human osteoblasts' response to textured Nd:YAG laser microgrooves, with different dimensions, on zirconia implant surfaces. A total of 60 zirconia disks (8 mm in diameter and 2 mm in thickness) were produced and divided between four study groups (N = 15): three laser-textured (widths between 125.07 ± 5.29 µm and 45.36 ± 2.37 µm and depth values from 50.54 ± 2.48 µm to 23.01 ± 3.79 µm) and a control group without laser treatment. Human osteoblasts and gingival fibroblasts were cultured on these surfaces for 14 days. FEG-SEM (Field Emission Gun-Scanning Electron Microscope) images showed cellular adhesion at 24 h, with comparable morphology in all samples for both cell types. A similar cell spreading within the grooves and in the space between them was observed. Cell viability increased over time in all study groups; however, no differences were found between them. Additionally, proliferation, ALP (Alkaline phosphatase) activity, collagen type I, osteopontin and interleukin levels were not significantly different between any of the study groups for any of the cell types. Analysis of variance to compare parameters effect did not reveal statistically significant differences when comparing all groups in the different tests performed. The results obtained revealed similar cell behavior based on cell viability and differentiation on different microtopographic laser grooves, compared to a microtopography only established by sandblasting and acid-etching protocol, the reference surface treatment on zirconia dental implants.

Biomimetic Implant Surfaces and Their Role in Biological Integration-A Concise Review.

BACKGROUND: The increased use of dental implants in oral rehabilitation has been followed by the development of new biomaterials as well as improvements in the performance of biomaterials already in use. This triggers the need for appropriate analytical approaches to assess the biological and, ultimately, clinical benefits of these approaches. AIMS: To address the role of physical, chemical, mechanical, and biological characteristics in order to determine the critical parameters to improve biological responses and the long-term effectiveness of dental implant surfaces. DATA SOURCES AND METHODS: Web of Science, MEDLINE and Lilacs databases were searched for the last 30 years in English, Spanish and Portuguese idioms. RESULTS: Chemical composition, wettability, roughness, and topography of dental implant surfaces have all been linked to biological regulation in cell interactions, osseointegration, bone tissue and peri-implant mucosa preservation. CONCLUSION: Techniques involving subtractive and additive methods, especially those involving laser treatment or embedding of bioactive nanoparticles, have demonstrated promising results. However, the literature is heterogeneous regarding study design and methodology, which limits comparisons between studies and the definition of the critical determinants of optimal cell response.