Search Results (1,408)

Background: Biomimetic principles have gained significant traction in contemporary dentistry. For this reason, biomimetic restorative materials have been designed with the goal of recreating the mechanical and optical behavior of natural dental tissues. However, the level to which these materials resemble the properties of enamel and dentin remains uncertain. Methods: A systematic review was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed and Scopus to identify in vitro studies examining restorative materials promoted as biomimetic. These included polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) materials, resin matrix systems (RMS), and short fiber-reinforced composites (SFRCs). Natural enamel and dentin served as reference comparators. Target outcomes included mechanical properties (flexural strength, fracture toughness, Vickers hardness, elastic modulus) and optical properties (translucency parameter and color matching). Results: PICN achieved hardness and translucency values closely resembling the natural enamel, while RMS approached the mechanical properties of natural dentin. SFRC showed high fracture resistance, comparative to dentin. Conclusions: Current biomimetic restorative materials exhibit promising mechanical and optical performance. Nevertheless, no single material fully reproduces the multifaceted behavior of natural dental tissues. Further studies with standardized testing protocols are needed to determine their clinical relevance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Demineralization around orthodontic brackets may compromise enamel integrity and alter the mechanical stability of the bracket–adhesive–enamel interface, thereby influencing bond performance and clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of enamel demineralization on the fatigue-based shear bond strength (SBS) of different orthodontic brackets. Methods: Seventy-five extracted maxillary premolars subjected to demineralization were allocated into five groups (n = 15 per group). Victory metal (Group 1), APC Clarity Advanced ceramic (Group 2), Clarity Self-ligating ceramic (Group 3), Gemini metal (Group 4), and Clarity Advanced ceramic (Group 5) brackets were bonded to the tooth surfaces using Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, CA, USA). The mean demineralization values of the specimens were recorded before demineralization (T0) and after exposure to an artificial cariogenic environment (T1). Fatigue-based SBS was evaluated under cyclic loading (10 N, 0.5 Hz) at a crosshead speed of 300 mm/min using a closed-loop controlled, low-cycle fatigue testing machine and expressed as the number of shear strokes to failure. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: No significant differences in demineralization were observed among the groups at T0 (p > 0.05); however, all groups showed significant increases at T1 (p < 0.05), with Group 1 demonstrating significantly lower demineralization than the other groups (p < 0.05). Fatigue-based SBS was higher in Groups 1, 3, and 5 than in Groups 2 and 4, as indicated by a greater number of shear strokes to failure (p < 0.05). In Groups 2 and 4, a statistically significant negative correlation was observed between changes in enamel demineralization and the number of shear strokes to failure (p < 0.05). No hard tissue damage was observed in Group 5 during fatigue testing. Conclusions: Increased demineralization may adversely affect fatigue-based SBS and increase the risk of hard tissue damage. Under plaque-related demineralization conditions, Victory metal and Clarity Advanced ceramic brackets may demonstrate more favorable fatigue bond behavior; however, further in vitro and in vivo studies are required to confirm these findings. Full article

Background and objectives: Head and neck cancer patients frequently undergo radiotherapy, which can affect the properties of dental hard tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of root canal treatment, radiotherapy, and sonic activation during irrigation on the fracture resistance of mandibular anterior teeth. Methods: 80 extracted mandibular anterior teeth were randomly divided into five groups: untreated control (Group I); root canal treatment without radiotherapy or sonic activation (Group II); root canal treatment without radiotherapy but with sonic activation (Group III); root canal treatment with 70 Gray (Gy) radiotherapy and sonic activation (Group IV); and root canal treatment with radiotherapy but without sonic activation (Group V). Radiotherapy was administered in fractionated doses (2 Gy/day, 5 days/week) over 7 weeks. Following instrumentation, root canal obturation was performed accordingly. Fracture resistance was measured using a universal testing apparatus with vertical loading until fracture. Statistical analyses included Shapiro–Wilk normality testing followed by appropriate non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn’s post hoc test with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results: All root canal-treated groups exhibited significantly lower fracture resistance compared to the untreated control group [1572.3 (1217.0–1841.2) N, p < 0.05]. No statistically significant differences were observed between irradiated and non-irradiated groups (p > 0.05). Similarly, sonic activation during irrigation did not significantly affect the fracture resistance values (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Under the specific conditions of this in vitro protocol, fractionated radiotherapy and sonic activation did not demonstrate statistically significant effects on fracture resistance in mandibular anterior teeth, while endodontic procedures reduced fracture resistance. Full article

Dental hard tissues, through their remarkable resistance to degradation, represent one of the most durable biological materials available for postmortem investigation. The preparation of undecalcified or ground sections allows microscopic visualization of enamel, dentin and cementum structures, which can preserve chronological, physiological, or environmental information. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the forensic applications of dental hard tissue ground sections, focusing on methodological principles, interpretive potential and practical constraints. The literature in forensic odontology highlights their relevance for age estimation through tooth cementum annulation, identification of neonatal and accentuated stress lines, and the assessment of thermal or chemical alterations. While these methods have proven scientific validity in anthropology and histology, their forensic implementation remains limited by heterogeneity in protocols and interpretative subjectivity. Standardization of preparation techniques, digital imaging, and integration with complementary analyses such as micro-CT or SEM could enhance the reliability and medico-legal relevance of this classical but underused approach. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated autologous platelet concentrates (APCs), including advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF+) and concentrated growth factors (CGFs), as biologically active matrices, and photobiomodulation (PBM) as a biophysical stimulus affecting soft and hard tissue regeneration following mandibular third molar extraction. Methods: A six-arm parallel randomised controlled trial was conducted including 135 patients. A total of 122 participants completed follow-up and were analysed: control (n = 22), photobiomodulation (n = 20), A-PRF+ (n = 19), CGF (n = 20), A-PRF+ plus photobiomodulation (n = 22), and CGF plus photobiomodulation (n = 19). The primary endpoint was postoperative pain intensity assessed on postoperative day 3 using an 11-point visual analogue scale (VAS). Secondary outcomes included swelling, trismus, wound healing assessed by the early healing index, and bone regeneration assessed by CBCT-based fractal dimension analysis at 4 months. Results: On postoperative day 3, mean VAS pain was 2.95 ± 2.65 in the control group and 1.00 ± 1.65 in the photobiomodulation group, corresponding to a mean difference of 1.95 VAS points. The overall between-group difference for day 3 pain was statistically significant. In swelling outcomes, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed at days 1, 3, or 7 across facial measurement lines. In CBCT fractal analysis, a significant group effect was detected for the mid socket region, with higher fractal dimension at 4 months in the CGF plus photobiomodulation group compared with the control. Conclusions: Both APCs and PBM positively influenced postoperative healing. Their combined application, particularly CGF with PBM, showed the most consistent regenerative effects, although not all outcomes differed significantly between groups. These minimally invasive strategies may support soft and hard tissue regeneration. Full article

Mechanical harvesting damage is a critical factor constraining potato quality and storage performance. Field curing is a commonly employed pre-treatment prior to mechanical picking of potatoes, which promotes skin suberization and reduces mechanical damage; however, the determination of optimal curing duration lacks a theoretical basis. This study investigated ‘Xisen No. 6’ potatoes at harvest maturity. Curing was performed by field sun-drying (open-air exposure) immediately after mechanical excavation, with five duration gradients (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h) established under the recorded meteorological conditions. Twenty-two physical–mechanical and damage parameters were measured, and principal component analysis (PCA) was employed for comprehensive evaluation. The results demonstrated that curing induced a transformation of tubers from “soft-elastic bodies” to “hard-brittle bodies”. This study first revealed the contradictory evolution pattern between skin abrasion damage and tissue impact damage, which exhibited a strong negative correlation (r = −0.89, p < 0.01). PCA indicated that a 3 h curing duration could effectively balance the control of both damage types. These findings provide a quantitative solution to the dilemma of reducing skin damage while controlling impact damage during mechanical potato harvesting, offering significant guidance for optimizing harvesting process parameters and reducing postharvest losses. Full article

New hard tissue formation helps create a more stable seal in endodontic treatment. To achieve this, a novel class of endodontic sealers containing the pro-osteogenic element, strontium (within a BG), embedded in a polydimethylsiloxane matrix (Sr-PDMS) was produced. The properties of this sealer were compared with a commercially available bioactive endodontic sealer, Guttaflow Bioseal (GFBS). Glass was prepared via the melt quench method and incorporated into the GFBS matrix. Its physical properties were tested against the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 6876. For biocompatibility assessment, dose–response proliferation of OCCM-30 cells was quantified by measuring DNA levels in varying concentrations of exogenous calcium and strontium, in culture media conditioned with the novel BG powder, and in sealer discs of the GFBS and novel Sr-PDMS. Two-way ANOVA followed by one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc test were applied to the cell viability data. Both the GFBS and novel Sr-PDMS sealants demonstrated physical properties that met ISO 6876, but Sr-PDMS displayed greater radiopacity (p < 0.05), lower solubility, and increased setting time. Both sealants released ions into the immersion solution, with the additional release of Sr from the novel sealer. GFBS displayed evidence of apatite formation. As expected, high concentrations of BG-conditioned media were cytotoxic, but the levels released by the BG in the Sr-PDMS were not cytotoxic with 1:000 dilution and resulted in significantly increased (p < 0.01) cell proliferation compared to the control group. Full article

While the sturgeon farming industry is renowned for its valuable caviar, sturgeon muscle tissue remains an underutilized byproduct. The present investigation evaluated the physiological profiles and meat quality attributes of hybrid sturgeon (Acipenser baerii ♀ × Acipenser schrenckii ♂) cultivated in freshwater (FW) and seawater (SW) in terms of conventional nutritional components, color, amino acid, texture, fatty acid, as well as volatile flavor substances. Results revealed that the SW group demonstrated significantly higher muscle whiteness and hardness. The SW group showed significantly higher contents of crude protein, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.01). Although there was no significant difference in the total hydrolyzed amino acids between the SW and FW groups (p > 0.05), the SW group exhibited significantly higher levels of umami free amino acids, such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid (p < 0.01). Flavor profiling indicated that the SW group exhibited lower levels of several off-flavor compounds, including 1-octen-3-ol, (E,E)-2,4-decadienal, and 3,5-octadien-2-one. Notably, the contents of geosmin (GSM) and 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB), responsible for earthy off-flavors, were significantly lower in the SW group (p < 0.05). Overall, seawater-cultured hybrid sturgeons offer superior nutritional value and sensory characteristics compared to their freshwater counterparts. These findings provide important scientific insights for enhancing the value-added processing of sturgeon products and the sustainable development of the aquaculture industry. Full article

Biocompatible thin films are essential for advancing biomedical devices, as they enhance integration with biological tissues, improve device longevity, and reduce complications. The rapid evolution of both medical needs and materials science has led to a diverse array of deposition techniques, each offering unique advantages and challenges for tailoring surface properties without compromising the bulk characteristics of implants and sensors. While laser-based methods—such as pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and Matrix-Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE)—are renowned for their precision, ability to preserve complex material stoichiometry, and suitability for low-temperature processing, the broader landscape includes several other important approaches. Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques, including magnetron sputtering and pulsed electron deposition, are widely used for their ability to create uniform, adherent coatings with controlled thickness and composition, making them suitable for both hard and soft biomedical substrates. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and its plasma-enhanced variant (PECVD) offer conformal coatings and excellent control over film chemistry, which is particularly valuable for functional polymer and ceramic films. Other methods, such as sol–gel processing, ion beam deposition, and electrophoretic deposition, provide additional flexibility in terms of coating composition, adhesion, and processing temperature, allowing for the fabrication of films with tailored mechanical, chemical, and biological properties. Despite these advances, the field faces ongoing challenges in optimizing film properties for specific clinical applications, ensuring reproducibility, and scaling up production for widespread use. The necessity of this review lies in its comprehensive comparison of laser-based techniques with alternative deposition methods, providing critical insights into their respective strengths, limitations, and suitability for different biomedical scenarios. By synthesizing recent developments and highlighting current gaps, this review aims to guide researchers and clinicians in selecting the most appropriate thin-film deposition strategies to meet the evolving demands of next-generation biomedical devices. Full article

Background and Objectives: Soft tissue regeneration in oral surgery has undergone remarkable progress in the last decade, supported by the development of innovative laser technologies, advanced biomaterials, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and three-dimensional (3D) printing. Lasers are increasingly used not only for incision and coagulation but also for photobiomodulation, promoting cellular proliferation, angiogenesis, and tissue healing. The purpose of this review is to analyze the current advances in soft tissue regeneration, with a particular focus on the clinical use of lasers and their integration with other regenerative strategies. In parallel, hard tissue regeneration has evolved through the synergistic use of bioactive scaffolds, recombinant human growth factors (rhBMP-2, rhPDGF-BB), MSCs, and 3D-printed constructs. These innovations have enhanced alveolar bone regeneration, implant osseointegration, and periodontal tissue repair, offering predictable clinical outcomes. Materials and Methods: A review of the literature published between 2015 and 2025 was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar. Clinical and preclinical studies on the use of CO₂, Nd:YAG, Er:YAG, diode, and 445 nm lasers, biomaterials, PRP, MSCs, growth factors, and 3D-printed scaffolds were included. Results: Laser applications demonstrated significant benefits in epithelialization, biostimulation, and reduction in postoperative discomfort in soft tissues. For hard tissues, the combined use of MSCs, bioactive scaffolds, and growth factors promoted osteogenic differentiation, bone volume preservation, and improved mechanical stability. Photobiomodulation enhanced osteoblastic activity and accelerated bone remodeling, while 3D-printed scaffolds provided personalized architecture for optimal integration. Conclusions: Regenerative approaches integrating lasers, biomaterials, PRP, MSCs, growth factors, and 3D printing represent safe, minimally invasive, and effective strategies for the regeneration of both soft and hard oral tissues. These multidisciplinary techniques improve healing quality, functional recovery, and esthetic outcomes, reflecting the growing trend toward precision and technology-driven regenerative oral surgery. Full article

Background: Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are now common in land and water ecosystems. Their spread is an increasing issue from a One Health perspective. These particles end up in soils, water, air, and farm inputs. This poses direct risks to animal health and indirect risks to people who eat animal-derived food. There are also risks from plastic additives and pesticides migrating with these particles in animal-based food. Scope and Approach: This review summarizes how MPs and NPs move in agroecosystems and livestock production. It covers their main sources, such as agricultural plastics, sludge-amended soils, plastic-lined storage, and environmental fallout. It explains how farm animals are exposed, including through feed, water, soil contact, and inhalation. Evidence is condensed for occurrence in manure, tissues, and animal products. The review also highlights key analysis challenges, especially those limiting the assessment of nanoplastic exposure. Key Findings: Field surveys show very different contamination levels in the environment. Agricultural soils range from 0.36 to 42,960 particles/kg. Livestock indicators, like contaminated feed and manure, range from 10² to 10⁵ particles/kg. In free-roaming systems, chicken feces have very high loads, showing trophic transfer in land food chains. A pilot study found plastic particles in pig and cow blood, suggesting some particles cross the gut into the blood. Experimental models link MPs/NPs to oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic disturbance, and potential reproductive toxicity in livestock and poultry. Conclusions and outlook: Animal-based foods provide a major source of human exposure. MPs and NPs have been observed in milk and poultry products, such as packaged meat and eggs (mean 11.67 ± 3.98 particles/egg). There is still a research gap on raw milk taken directly from the teat and on raw eggs that have not been handled or packaged. This gap makes it hard to identify real contamination sources and control strategies. The review stresses the need for harmonized detection methods (especially for NPs), monitoring from farm to fork, and practical ways to reduce plastic use on farms and minimize contamination during processing, feed handling, and packaging. Full article

In implant treatment in the aesthetic zone, high aesthetic quality is required in addition to functionality and long-term stability when reconstructing defects in peri-implant tissues. Post-traumatic cases often present with extensive loss of both hard and soft tissues, making the selection of an appropriate grafting method essential. This report describes a case in which an interpositional gingival graft (IGG) and a strip gingival graft (SGG) were combined to regenerate peri-implant soft tissue following guided bone regeneration (GBR), maintaining favorable tissue morphology and aesthetics for six years. The patient was a 53-year-old woman who suffered trauma after falling down stairs, resulting in a fractured bridge in the right maxillary canine region and crown fracture. The traumatized tooth was extracted, and GBR was performed to restore hard tissue volume. Subsequently, IGG and SGG were used to improve soft tissue thickness, interproximal papilla height, and a healthy mucogingival junction (MGJ). A cantilever implant prosthesis was selected as the final restoration. Over six years, no gingival recession or marginal bone loss was observed, and excellent aesthetic stability was maintained. A mini-review of published reports on IGG and SGG demonstrated their efficacy in enhancing soft tissue volume. The findings of this case suggest that a comprehensive approach—including bone augmentation, soft tissue grafting, and prosthetic design—can provide predictable, long-term aesthetic and functional outcomes in complex post-traumatic cases (223). Full article

The biological variability of apatites in different hard tissues of organisms was the starting point for this investigation. Materials such as whale rostrums, ganoine, and some fish bones were analyzed. It has been proven that different organisms select specific kinds of apatites for the construction of their hard organs at the level of the crystal cell. This probably results from the long-lasting adaptation of the construction to their environmental needs. The materials are characterized by the parameters Δd and ΔE, being the real and apparent deviations from Bragg’s dimension d and the energy of excitation in XRD—E. This study is based on previously published, verified results from a number of researchers and research groups. The derivation of expressions was possible due to an original approach to Bragg’s equation, finally finished in the reformulation of the law, which describes the interplay between the absolute value of the probing excitation energy E and the crystal cell’s internal volume V. It enabled the classification of apatite biomaterials in living and fossil organisms, as well as the classification of the apatite excretions. In addition, the following different possible modes of changes in Bragg’s dimension d were illustrated—spontaneous geometrical expansion, thermal action, pressurization, and single- and multiple-ion exchanges. The contributions of such expansions were estimated. We can steer the cell volume of apatites in various ways. It has been proven that the volume expansion is linearly coupled with the expansion of Bragg’s d parameter in the hexagonal system. Full article

Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) are considered the most common histological type of head and neck cancer. This study aims to develop a drug delivery system based on zein protein nanoparticles (Zein NPs) to enhance the therapeutic effect of the anticancer peptide, Pistacia zardin1 (PZ1), for the treatment of maxillofacial cancers. PZ1-Zein NPs were synthesized by the desolvation method. These spherical nanoparticles (size: 162.8 nm, PDI: 0.27) showed high encapsulation efficiency (89%) and pH-responsive release (with higher drug release in the acidic tumor microenvironment). In vitro cytotoxicity assays showed that PZ1-Zein NPs significantly reduced IC50 values in HNSCC cell lines (e.g., SCC-25: 7.5 µM vs. 19.3 µM for free peptide, p < 0.001) while exhibiting improved selectivity for cancer cells over normal HaCaT cells. Mechanistic investigations confirmed that PZ1-Zein NPs significantly increased apoptosis, as shown by increased caspase-3/7 activity (5.8-fold vs. 2.6-fold). These findings highlight PZ1-Zein NPs as a promising nanomedicine strategy and a candidate functional component for future dual-functional scaffolds aimed at targeted hard tissue engineering and surgery in HNSCC management. Full article

Guided bone regeneration (GBR) relies on barrier membrane integrity to prevent soft-tissue ingrowth. Although collagen membranes are widely used, their limited longevity can compromise space maintenance, underscoring the need for strategies that enhance membrane stability without impairing the regenerative potential. We hypothesized that thermal denaturation of platelet-poor plasma (PPP), combined with heat-induced modifications of collagen fibrils, could generate a volume-stable, plasma-rich composite that preserves membrane structure and restricts cellular penetration. To test this proof-of-principle concept, collagen membranes were soaked in PPP and either kept at room temperature or subjected to thermal treatment (75 °C/10 min) prior to implantation in rat calvarial defects. Bone regeneration and membrane behavior were evaluated after three weeks using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and histology. Micro-CT suggested only minor numerical differences in mineralized tissue between groups; however, these data should not be overinterpreted because micro-CT cannot differentiate mineralization formed within the collagen membrane from mineralization adjacent to it. Consistent with this limitation, histology demonstrated that mineral deposition and early bone formation extended into the structure of room-temperature PPP membranes, whereas mineralized tissue in the thermally treated group was predominantly located outside the membrane, indicating reduced osteoconductive integration within the membrane. Together, these findings support that thermal denaturation of PPP shifts early composite membrane behavior toward barrier-dominant characteristics at the expense of intramembranous mineralization. Full article