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Background: Non‐syndromic orofacial cleft (NSOC) is a complex phenotype, involving multiple genetic and environmental factors. Association studies exploring the genetic susceptibility to this prevalent oral malformation show variability of results in different populations. Using a candidate gene approach, we aimed to verify the role of four single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the susceptibility to NSOC in Portuguese patients. Methods: A total of 254 non‐consanguineous individuals of Portuguese were recruited, including 120 patients with NSOC and 134 controls. About 92% of these patients had non‐syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P) and 8% had only non‐syndromic cleft palate (NSCP). SNPs in the MTHFR (rs1801133), IRF6 (rs642961), PAX7 (rs742071) and TP63 (rs9332461) genes were studied, using a real‐time approach with TaqMan probes. Allelic, genotypic, dominant, recessive and over‐dominant models were explored using a chi‐squared test. Adjusted p‐value was calculated for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR). Results: All SNPs were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. For MTHFR, IRF6, and PAX7 SNPs, no statistically significant difference was highlighted for any of the evaluated models. For TP63 SNP, data fitted an over‐dominant model, with a protective effect for heterozygotes (OR 1.897; CI 95% [1.144–3.147]; p <.016, when comparing controls vs. cases), but significance was lost when applying adjusted p‐value for multiple comparisons (4 × 5 tests). Conclusion: In this Portuguese population, there was no evidence of an association between the evaluated SNPs and NSOC. For TP63 SNP, the possibility of a protective effect of heterozygotes should be further investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodontal disease affects about 80% of dogs, highlighting the importance of addressing periodontitis in veterinary dental care. The periodontal ligament (PDL) is a key structure holding the potential to regenerate the entire periodontal complex. This work presents an in vitro model of canine PDL-derived cell cultures that mimic the PDL's regenerative capacity for both mineralised and soft tissues. Explant outgrowth-derived PDL cells were cultured under standard conditions in osteoinductive medium and with hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Hap NPs). Cell behaviour was assessed for viability/proliferation, morphology, growth patterns, and the expression of osteogenic and periodontal markers. Osteogenic conditions, either achieved with osteoinducers or an osteoconductive biomaterial, strongly promoted PDL-derived cells' commitment towards the osteogenic phenotype and significantly increased the expression of periodontal markers. These findings suggest that cultured PDL cells replicate the biological function of the PDL, supporting the regeneration of both soft and hard periodontal tissues under normal and demanding healing conditions. This in vitro model will offer a platform for testing new regenerative treatments and materials, ultimately contributing to canine dental care and better outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is a well-established biomaterial for bone regeneration, highly regarded for its biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, its clinical efficacy is often compromised by susceptibility to bacterial infections. In this study, we address this limitation by integrating femtosecond (fs)-laser processing with the concurrent synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) mediated by Azorean green tea leaf extract (GTLE), which is known for its rich antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The fs laser was employed to modify the surface of β-TCP scaffolds by varying scanning velocities, fluences, and patterns. The resulting patterns, formed at lower scanning velocities, display organized nanostructures, along with enhanced roughness and wettability, as characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), optical profilometry, and contact angle measurements. Concurrently, the femtosecond laser facilitated the photoreduction of silver ions in the presence of GTLE, enabling the efficient synthesis of small, spherical AgNPs, as confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopy, Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The resulting AgNP-embedded β-TCP scaffolds exhibited a significantly improved cell viability and elongation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs), alongside significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). This study underscores the transformative potential of combining femtosecond laser surface modification with GTLE-mediated AgNP synthesis, presenting a novel and effective strategy for enhancing the performance of β-TCP scaffolds in bone-tissue engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone substitutes are widely employed for applications in orthopedic surgery for the replacement of injured bone. Among the diverse methods that are used to design 3D bioceramic matrices, Freeze Foaming has gained attention, since it provides the ability to tune the shape of the created structures. One of the major problems related to these constructs is the lack of porosity at the outwards sides (holder) of the scaffold, thus reducing the cellular affinity and creating a rejection of the implant. In this research, we aimed to develop a bone scaffold with enhanced surface properties and improved cellular affinity. The main aim was to alter the biocompatibility characteristics of the 3D bioceramic constructs. We have produced three-dimensional, complex-shaped hollow shell structures, manufactured by Additive Manufacturing processes and as a second step, filled with a ceramic suspension by the Freeze-Foaming process. 3D constructs from HAP-derived TCP and TCP/ZrO2 were synthesized by freezefoaming method and subsequently irradiated with a fs-laser (λ = 800 nm) spanning a range of parameters for achievement of optimal surface processing conditions. The designed scaffolds demonstrated enhanced topographical properties with improved porosity examined by SEM, EDX, and 3D profilometry after laser treatment. Wettability and computer tomography (CT) evaluation was also performed. The results from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and micro-Raman analysis did not show photochemical and surface or volume defects and changes after laser processing of the ceramic samples. Preliminary results from MG-63 osteoblast-like cell tests showed good cell affinity on the processed surfaces and no cytotoxic effect on the cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical and mycological effectiveness of mucoadhesives as vehicles for drugs or natural products in the treatment of oral candidiasis. Materials and methods: The search for articles was carried out in the Medline/PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and SciELO databases before August 2023. We selected the studies, extracted the data, evaluated the study quality, graded the evidence, performed the risk of bias, and carried out meta‐analysis. Results: A total of 389 potentially relevant articles were identified, and 11 studies (1869 participants) met the inclusion criteria of the systematic review. The overall risk of bias was considered low. The most common presentation of mucoadhesives was tablets, with miconazole being the most frequently drug used in the delivery system. Mucoadhesives demonstrated comparable efficacy with topical or systemic antifungal agents, with no significant differences between treatments in terms of clinical (RR = 0.907; 95CI = 0.3–1.297; p = 0.591; I2 = 64.648) or mycological (RR = 0.95; 95CI = 0.667–1.360; p = 0.789; I2 = 73.271) efficacy. Conclusions: Mucoadhesives may be a suitable alternative to conventional treatments, with the advantage of reducing the frequency of application by up to 5 times and the daily dosage by up to 20 times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chip morphology is an intrinsic characteristic of the machining process that determines the quality of the process. When machining low machinability materials, the chips formed are usually long, continuous, and difficult to break. Due to the negative effect of the accumulation of the chip along the process, chip breakage and the correct extraction out of the machining area have become indispensable requirements. Although numerous chip-breaking methodologies have been proposed, modulation-assisted machining (MAM) is one of the most promising approaches, due to its independence from the workpiece material, tool geometry, and cutting conditions. In this work, a comparison of different modulation-assisted machining strategies, based on the modulation of the feed (F-MAM) or the depth of cut (D-MAM), were experimentally evaluated and compared to conventional turning in terms of chip morphology, surface roughness, and tool wear. Results showed that both MAM strategies enabled chip breakage and improved chip evacuation in comparison to conventional turning; however, D-MAM showed a better performance in terms of tool wear and surface roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasonically and sonically activated irrigation in terms of extrusion risk, root canal debridement, and biofilm removal, considering distinct apical preparation sizes, through an ex vivo study in human teeth. Instrumented teeth, to an apical size of 35/.06 or 50/.06, were assigned to three different irrigation procedures: ultrasonically activated irrigation, sonically activated irrigation, and conventional manual irrigation. Apical extrusion risk was evaluated by quantifying irrigant and debris extrusion (n = 10/group). Debris evaluation and smear layer removal from the root canal wall were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n = 5/group), and the elimination of a mature biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis was assessed through resazurin assay and SEM (n = 10/group). For statistical analyses, Student's paired t-test and the ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey were used. Activated irrigations exhibited a higher risk of extrusion for the larger apical size, while the risk for manual irrigation remained independent of the apical size. Substantially fewer residual debris and smear layers were observed after the activation of the irrigant, and there was a notable enhancement in biofilm elimination compared to manual irrigation (p < 0.05). Notably, the effectiveness of both activated irrigations was more pronounced in root canals prepared to a size 50/.06, with ultrasonic activation showing enhanced improvements. The findings of this study underscore the substantial impact of both ultrasonically and sonically activated irrigation on the effectiveness of root canal disinfection and debridement. This impact is especially prominent with larger apical size, albeit accompanied by an increased risk of extrusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aims to carry out a reading of the experience of a transvestite body resistant to the norms of the colonial “CISteme” of gender in the short story: “The night will not allow you to dawn”, present in the work “Sou uma tola por te quer” (2022), by Argentine author, Camila Sosa Villada. The narrative portrays aspects of the life of a brown transvestite, whose means of survival is prostitution, in the city of Córdoba, Argentina, and brings aspects of her experience on a work night, where four rich young men appear and take her for a house in a gated community. In this space, various situations are presented, in which issues of gender, class and race can be perceived. From this, we intend to contribute to the relationship between the existence and resistance of the transvestite body and literary art, within a perspective that aims to recognize the experiences of femininity and womanhood. To do so, we based ourselves on the concept of Transfeminism, by Letícia Nascimento (2021) and the representation of the body by Berenice Bento (2017). Within these aspects, in Villada’s story, we can reflect on society’s lack of recognition in relation to transvestite women, who often have the status of humanity denied, as the plurality that encompasses women and femininities is not taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]