Search Results (48)

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently arising from platelet hyperactivation and subsequent thrombus formation. Although conventional antiplatelet therapies are available, challenges, such as drug resistance and bleeding complications, require the development of novel agents. In this study, dihydrogeodin (DHG) was isolated from Fennellia flavipes and evaluated using platelets derived from Sprague–Dawley rats. Platelet aggregation induced by collagen, adenosine diphosphate, or thrombin was assessed by light transmission aggregometry; DHG significantly reduced aggregation in a dose-dependent manner. Further assays demonstrated that DHG suppressed intracellular calcium mobilization, adenosine triphosphate release, and integrin αIIbβ₃-dependent fibrinogen binding, thereby impairing clot retraction. Western blot analysis revealed that DHG reduced the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK, JNK, p38) and PI3K/Akt, indicating inhibition across multiple platelet-signaling pathways. Additionally, SwissADME-assisted pharmacokinetics predicted favorable properties without violations of the Lipinski (Pfizer) filter, Muegge (Bayer) filter, Ghose filter, Veber filter, and Egan filter, and network pharmacology revealed inhibition of calcium and MAPK pathways. These results highlight the potential of DHG as a novel antiplatelet agent with broad-spectrum activity and promising drug-like characteristics. Further studies are warranted to assess its therapeutic window, safety profile, and potential for synergistic use with existing antiplatelet drugs. Full article

Taraxacum coreanum Nakai (T. coreanum) is a traditional Korean plant widely consumed for its health benefits, but its role in thrombosis prevention remains unclear. This study examined the inhibitory effects of T. coreanum extract (TCE) on platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Using washed human platelets and platelet-rich plasma stimulated with collagen, thrombin, ADP, or TPA, TCE significantly inhibited platelet aggregation without cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, TCE reduced serotonin release, ATP release, calcium mobilization, P-selectin expression, integrin α_IIbβ₃ activation, and thromboxane A₂ production. These actions involved the inhibition of cyclooxygenase-1 activity and modulation of PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling. TCE also enhanced the cAMP pathway, increasing PKA, VASP, and IP₃R₁ phosphorylation, and delayed thrombin-induced clot retraction. These results suggest that TCE exerts potent anti-platelet and anti-thrombotic effects by modulating key pathways involved in platelet activation and thrombus formation. Thus, TCE may represent a promising natural therapeutic agent for preventing thrombotic diseases. Full article

Background: Hydrostatic pressure in the periodontal ligament (PDL) plays a critical role in orthodontic treatment, influencing tooth movement and remodeling of periodontal tissue. The relationship between alveolar cortical bone density and the risk of root resorption due to excessive stress in the PDL has not been clearly defined. Objective: This study aimed to analyze hydrostatic pressure in the periodontal ligament of the tooth roots during en-masse retraction of the maxillary incisors using temporary skeletal anchorage devices (TISADs) after the first premolar extractions, as well as during full arch retraction. Methods: A numerical model was used, varying the Young’s modulus of cortical bone from 12.5 GPa to 27.5 GPa in increments of 3.0 GPa. Extreme values for bone stiffness were derived from the literature. In all the cases analyzed, the hook height was fixed at 6 mm, and the cranial surface was constrained. Results: Doubling the stiffness of the cortical bone approximately reduced the hydrostatic pressure in the PDL by 1.5 times for both full-arch retraction and post-first premolar extraction retraction. A critical hydrostatic pressure of 4.7 kPa was exceeded in full-arch retraction for low Young’s modulus of 12.5 Gpa values at forces as low as 600 g. On the contrary, for cortical bone with a high Young’s modulus of 27.5 GPa, this critical pressure was reached only at forces around 960 g, approximately 1.6 times higher. Conclusions: The density of the alveolar cortical bone significantly influences the hydrostatic pressure in the PDL of most tooth roots during orthodontic treatment. This parameter can be a critical factor in the risk of root resorption when optimal forces are exceeded. Further research is necessary to better understand these dynamics. Individual protocols for orthodontic treatment and CBCT imaging are necessary to minimize complications in the form of root resorption. Full article

Background: Chronic postoperative pain (CPOP) is among the main consequences of surgical procedures, directly affecting the quality of life. Although many strategies have been used to treat this symptom, they are often ineffective. Thus, studies investigating CPOP-associated mechanisms may help to develop more effective treatment strategies. Therefore, the present study investigated the spinal participation of the transient potential receptor vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway activation during CPOP. Methods: In this study C57BL/6 male mice were used, and CPOP was induced by muscle retraction and incision. The nociceptive threshold was measured by the von Frey filament test. For pharmacological evaluation, TRPV1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors were administered intrathecally. TRPV1 and PI3K/AKT/mTOR protein levels were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: The results showed that CPOP increased TRPV1 and mTOR protein levels, and pretreatment with the specific inhibitors alleviated CPOP. In addition, pretreatment with the TRPV1 antagonist SB-366791 attenuated mTOR protein levels. Conclusions: The results suggest that TRPV1 and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway are involved in CPOP at the spinal level, and TRPV1 may activate mTOR during this process. Full article

Existing support systems for thermal pipeline trenches often fail to meet the specific needs of narrow strips, tight timelines, and short construction periods in urban environments. This study introduces a novel recyclable, non-embedded support system composed of corrugated steel plates, retractable horizontal braces, angle steel, and high-strength bolts designed to address these challenges. The system’s effectiveness was validated through prototype testing and optimized using Abaqus finite element simulations. The research hypothesizes that this new support structure will enhance construction efficiency, reduce installation costs, and provide adaptable and sustainable solutions in urban trench applications. Prototype tests demonstrated that the proposed support had maintained safety and stability in trenches of 2 m and 3 m depth under a 58 kPa load and rainfall, as well as the 4 m deep trenches under asymmetric loading of 80 kPa. Optimization of the proposed system included installing two screw jacks on each horizontal brace and adjusting the corrugated plates, resulting in reduced weight, improved node strength, and enhanced screw jack adjustability. Numerical simulations confirmed the optimized system’s reliability in trenches up to 3 m deep, with caution required for deeper applications to avoid structural failure. The proposed support system offers notable advantages over traditional methods by improving construction efficiency, flexibility, and adaptability while also reducing costs, ensuring safety, and promoting environmental sustainability. Its modular design allows for rapid installation and disassembly, making it suitable for projects with strict deadlines and diverse construction conditions. The findings uphold the initial hypotheses and demonstrate the system’s practicality in urban trench projects. Full article

Background: The aim was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of DECT in diagnosing Achilles tendon tears, using MRI as the reference for diagnosis. Methods: This feasibility study conducted prospectively at a single center included consecutive patients suffering from ankle pain who underwent DECT and MRI between April 2023 and October 2023. A total of three radiologists, blinded to the patient’s clinical data, assessed the images. Achille Tendon injuries were diagnosed in case of thickened and inflamed tendons or in case of a partial or complete tear. Diagnostic accuracy values of DECT were calculated using a multi-reader approach. Inter-observer agreement was calculated using k statistics. Results: The final study population included 22 patients (mean age 48.5 years). At MRI, Achille’s tendon lesion was present in 12 cases (54.5%) with 2 cases of complete rupture, 8 cases of partial tear (5 with tendon retraction), and 2 cases of tendon thickening. The mean thickness of injured tendons was 10 mm. At DECT, R1 was allowed to correctly classify 20/22 cases (90.9%), R2 19/22 cases (86.4%), and R3 18/22 cases (81.8%). At DECT, the mean thickness of the positively scored tendon was 10 mm for R1, 10.2 mm for R2, and 9.8 mm for R3. A very good agreement was achieved with regard to the evaluation of tears (k = 0.94), thickness (k = 0.96), and inflammatory changes (k = 0.82). Overall agreement was very good (k = 0.88). Conclusions: DECT showed a good diagnostic performance in identifying Achille’s tendon tears, with respect to MRI. Full article

Ultrasonic welding (USW) of thermoplastics plays a significant role in the automobile industry. In this study, the effect of the welding time on the joint strength of ultrasonically welded acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) and the weld formation mechanism were investigated. The results showed that the peak load firstly increased to a maximum value of 3.4 kN and then dropped with further extension of the welding time, whereas the weld area increased continuously until reaching a plateau. The optimal welding variables for the USW of ABS were a welding time of 1.3 s with a welding pressure of 0.13 MPa. Interfacial failure and workpiece breakage were the main failure modes of the joints. The application of real-time horn displacement into a finite element model could improve the simulation accuracy of weld formation. The simulated results were close to the experimental results, and the welding process of the USW of ABS made with a 1.7 s welding time can be divided into five phases based on the amplitude and horn displacement change: weld initiation (Phase I), horn retraction (Phase II), melt-and-flow equilibrium (Phase III), horn indentation and squeeze out (Phase IV) and weld solidification (Phase V). Obvious pores emerged during Phase IV, owing to the thermal decomposition of the ABS. This study yielded a fundamental understanding of the USW of ABS and provides a theoretical basis and technological support for further application and promotion of other ultrasonically welded thermoplastic composites. Full article

The present study reports tongue configuration data recorded with ultrasound for two sets of consonant sequences uttered by five native Catalan speakers. Articulatory data for the onset cluster pairs [kl]-[ɣl] and [kɾ]-[ɣɾ], and also for [l#k]-[l#ɣ] and [r#k]-[r#ɣ], analyzed in the first part of the investigation revealed that, as a general rule, the (shorter) velar approximant is less constricted than the (longer) voiceless velar stop at the velar and palatal zones while exhibiting a more retracted tongue body at the pharynx. These manner of articulation-dependent differences may extend into the preceding liquid. Data for [k#l]-[kl] and [k#r]-[kɾ] dealt with in the second part of the study show that the velar is articulated with more tongue body retraction for [k#l] vs. [kl] and for [k#r] vs. [kɾ], and with a higher tongue dorsum for [k#l] vs. [kl] and the reverse for [k#r] vs. [kɾ]. Therefore, clusters are produced with a more extreme lingual configuration across a word boundary than in syllable-onset position, which at least in part may be predicted by segmental factors for the [k#r]-[kɾ] pair. These articulatory data are compared with duration data for all sequence pairs. Full article

Background and Objectives: Low-flow vascular lesions are commonly encountered in the oral cavity and may require removal due to aesthetic concerns, repeated bleeding or a cluttering sensation. Laser devices represent an excellent aid due to their affinity with blood and to their biostimulating properties and have been substituting traditional excision in selected cases. Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 patients presenting with low-flow oral vascular lesions were included. The lesions were clinically evaluated as follows: lesion’s site, reason for treatment, lesion’s dimensions, confirmation of positive diascopy via compression with a glass slide and photograph. The lesions were treated with laser forced dehydration (LFD) and then followed-up after 3 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. The laser source was a K-Laser Blu Derma (Eltech, K-Laser S.r.l., Via Castagnole, 20/H, Treviso, Italy). In the case of incomplete healing, a further protocol was performed at the three-week follow-up, and a further follow-up was scheduled for three weeks after. The following aspects were evaluated at each appointment: pain, using a Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) from 0 to 10 (0 = no pain, 10 = worst pain ever); the need to take painkillers (day of intervention and during follow-up); bleeding (yes/no); scar formation. Results: Complete regression was obtained in all patients, with no side effects. Only one patient required a second LFD protocol. NRS was 0 for all patients for the whole duration of the follow-up. None of the patients took painkillers on the day of the intervention and during the follow-up. One patient declared slight bleeding the day of the intervention, which she easily managed at home. One patient showed a small non-retracting and non-painful scar at the three-week follow-up. No recurrences were found after six months and one year. Conclusions: LFD targets endogenous chromophores, minimizing damage to adjacent tissue and limiting side effects. LFD is effective and could be considered a conservative alternative to traditional excision in low-flow lesions. Full article

Excessive orthodontic force can induce inflammatory tooth root resorption due to sustained high stresses within the periodontal ligament (PDL). This study aimed to analyze the PDL pressures during upper incisor retraction using the en masse method with TISAD. The finite element method (FEM) ensured consistent conditions across cases. The models included bone geometry, adjacent teeth, PDL, and orthodontic hardware, analyzed with LS-Dyna. The pressure ranged from 0.37 to 2.5 kPa across the dental arch, with the central incisors bearing 55% of the load. The pressure distribution remained consistent regardless of the force or hook height. The critical pressure (4.7 kPa) was exceeded at 600–650 g force, with notable pressure (3.88 kPa) on the palatal root wall of the right central incisor. Utilizing 0.017 × 0.025 SS archwires in MBT 0.018 brackets provided good torque control and reduced the root resorption risk when forces of 180–200 g per side were applied, maintaining light to moderate stress. Triple forces may initiate resorption, highlighting the importance of nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) for accurate oral cavity simulations. Full article