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Background and Objectives: Over the past few decades, a substantial body of evidence has linked periodontitis to systemic diseases—including hypertension—but the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. This study aims to identify the factors that may mediate this relationship, including an analysis of the inflammatory biomarker NLRP3 and IL-1β levels in serum and saliva in patients with both diseases. Materials and Methods: This study included 108 individuals (mean age, 47.8 years, SD 12.8), 38.9% male and 61.1% female. The participants were divided into four groups: Group I—26 healthy participants; Group II—24 participants with periodontitis; Group III—26 participants with hypertension; and Group IV—32 participants with both periodontitis and hypertension. Clinical examinations were performed to diagnose hypertension and periodontitis, including a survey and blood tests in all patients. NLRP3 and IL-1β levels in serum and saliva were measured using ELISA. Results: Patients with periodontitis and hypertension were significantly older than those without these conditions (respectively, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001) and had more missing teeth (respectively, p < 0.001 and p = 0.037). Higher values were found in the periodontitis and hypertension group than in healthy individuals for VLDL (p = 0.001), triglycerides (p = 0.001), CRP (p = 0.003), WBC (p = 0.007), blood sugar (p = 0.002), total cholesterol (p = 0.003), and LDL (p = 0.010). Significantly higher levels of NLRP3 in saliva (p = 0.038) and serum (p = 0.021) were observed in patients with periodontitis than in those without periodontitis. Significant correlations were found between serum NLRP3 levels and the presence of hypertension (p = 0.001) and between saliva IL-1β levels and the presence of hypertension (p = 0.010). Serum NLRP3 levels demonstrated a predictive value for hypertension (AUC 0.693, 95% CI 0.590–0.796, and p = 0.001), with an established cutoff value of 0.68 ng/mL (sensitivity 0.623, specificity 0.630). Conclusions: The higher levels and correlations of pro-inflammatory markers in serum and saliva observed in patients with periodontitis and hypertension support the hypothesis of a relationship between these diseases, likely mediated by low-grade systemic inflammation. Full article

The development of fluorescence-based methods for bioassays and medical diagnostics requires the design and synthesis of specific markers to target biological microobjects. However, biomolecular recognition in real cellular systems is not always as selective as desired. A new concept for creating fluorescent biomolecular probes, utilizing a fluorogenic dye and biodegradable, biocompatible nanomaterials, is demonstrated. The synthesis of a new dicationic asymmetric monomethine cyanine dye with benzo[d]thiazolium-N-propionamide and chloroquinoline end groups is presented. The photophysical properties of the newly synthesized dye were examined through the combined application of spectroscopic and theoretical methods. The applicability of the dye as a fluorogenic nucleic acid probe was proven by UV-VIS spectroscopy and fluorescence titration. The dye–nucleic acid interaction mode was investigated by UV-Vis and CD spectroscopy. The newly synthesized dicationic dye, like other similar fluorogenic structures, limited permeability, which restricts its use as a probe for RNA and DNA. To enhance cellular delivery, we utilized a patented technology that employs solid, insoluble lipid nanoparticles. This method ensures the complete introduction of the dye into cells while minimizing activity outside the cells. In our study involving two human cell lines, we observed improved penetration through the cell membrane and distinctive selectivity in visualizing nucleic acids within the cytoplasm and nucleus. Full article

Polymeric nanoparticles have been introduced as a delivery vehicle for active compounds in a broad range of medical applications due to their biocompatibility, stability, controlled release of active compounds, and reduced toxicity. The oral route is the most used approach for delivery of biologics to the body. The homeostasis and function of oral cavity tissues are dependent on the activity of stem cells. The present work focuses, for the first time, on the interaction between two types of polymeric nanoparticles, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) or PLGA and PLGA/chitosan, and two stem cell populations, oral keratinocyte stem cells (OKSCs) and stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). The main results show that statistical significance was observed in OKSCs uptake when compared with normal keratinocytes and transit amplifying cells after 24 h of incubation with 5 and 10 µg/mL PLGA/chitosan. The CD117⁺ SHED subpopulation incorporated more PLGA/chitosan nanoparticles than nonseparated SHED. The uptake for PLGA/chitosan particles was better than for PLGA particles with longer incubation times, yielding better results in both cell types. The present results demonstrate that nanoparticle uptake depends on stem cell type, incubation time, particle concentration, and surface properties. Full article

(E)-3-Methyl-2-(4-thiomorpholinostyryl)benzo[d]thiazol-3-ium iodide 1 was prepared by a convenient and reliable reaction procedure. The slight molar excess of the starting benzaldehyde and the mixture of ethanol: ethyl acetate in the ratio 3:1 as a solvent afforded a pure reaction product. The photophysical properties of the dye in a TE buffer in the absence and presence of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) were elucidated. The low intrinsic fluorescence of 1 in TE buffer is followed by an increase in the fluorescence after dsDNA binding. The dye is nontoxic for stem cells from apical papilla and the most concentrated fluorescence is detected in the cell nucleoli. Full article