Efficacy of hyaluronic acid for recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a systematic review of clinical trials

Clinical Oral Investigations - Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a very common oral mucosal disease, and its management is quite challenging with no definitive cure being available so far....     

Genotoxic impact of long-term cigarette and waterpipe smoking on DNA damage and oxidative stress in healthy subjects

Although a plethora of studies have examined tobacco smoke-cancer disease association, the involvement of cellular genetic toxicity remains unclear. Therefore, the present study provides molecular evidence for a pathway involved in the DNA damage induced by long-term cigarette and waterpipe smoke in human subjects. The study population consisted of 45 subjects who were divided into three groups; healthy nonsmokers group, cigarette smokers group, and waterpipe smokers group. A questionnaire and consent form was distributed and signed by all participants. Total RNA was extracted from the blood using PAXgene Blood RNA Kit and mRNA expression levels of target genes were quantified by RT-PCR. Our results showed that 80% of the participants smoke 20–39 cigarettes/day, whereas 12% smoke more than 40 cigarettes/day. With regard to waterpipe smoke, the majority (46%) smoke more than 5 times/week. Both cigarette and waterpipe smokers showed increased the plasma levels 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), of DNA damage marker. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of DNA repair genes (OGG1 and XRCC1) were significantly inhibited in both cigarette and waterpipe smokers groups by 30% and 60%, respectively. This was associated with a marked decrease (50%) in the expression of detoxifying genes (NQO1 and GSTA1) with an increase in CYP1A1 mRNA expression, a cancer-activating gene. Both cigarette and waterpipe smokers increased in the plasma concentrations of several toxic heavy metals such as Cd (130%), Pb (47%), and Ni (30%). In conclusion: the present findings clearly explore the genotoxic effect of cigarette and waterpipe smoking on human DNA.     

Probing inhibition effect of novel biopolymer based composite for the inhibition of P110 steel corrosion in 15% HCl under dynamic condition

The present work shows the chitosan composite development using Salicylaldehyde (Sali-Cht). The developed composite was used as P110 steel corrosion inhibitor in 15% HCl under dynamic condition at 1500 rpm using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), electrochemical frequency modulation (EFM), and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP). The EIS results disclosed that Sali-Cht inhibits corrosion via charge transfer process. The PDP data indicated that Sali-Cht suppresses both the cathodic and anodic corrosion process. The maximum inhibition efficiency of Sali-Cht is 89.23% (400 mg/L). The adsorption of Sali-Cht over the steel surface was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphological changes on the steel surface were monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The thermodynamic parameters such as the adsorption equilibrium constant (K_ads) and the free energy of adsorption (ΔG_ads) were calculated and discussed. Several adsorption isotherms were tested and the experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Density functional theory (DFT) suggests that protonated forms of Sali-Cht have more adsorption ability than neutral forms. Molecular dynamic simulation (MD) study revealed that protonated form adsorbed flatly over the P110 steel surface, while neutral form adsorbed in a twisted manner.     

Technology evaluation: Kollicoat IR

INTRODUCTION: Developments in industrial pharmacy are often linked to the discovery of pharmaceutical excipients. Although recently introduced as a material for immediate release coatings, Kollicoat IR already has other applications. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the different properties and pharmaceutical applications of Kollicoat IR as an excipient are discussed. In the first part, the chemical structure and the physicochemical characteristics are examined. The second part is a presentation of the available Kollicoat IR products followed by a brief overview of the preclinical studies completed for its use as an instant release coating material. EXPERT OPINION: Although the polymer was intended as an immediate release coating material for tablets, grafting PEG with polyvinyl alcohol to form this polymer provides physicochemical properties that lead to ever-broadening applications. Understanding its properties can lead to the development of a new use for Kollicoat IR. The addition of Kollicoat IR to an ethylcellulose or polyvinyl acetate tablet coat was successful at modifying the drug release rate. Designing a successful controlled release coat simply requires acknowledgment of the drug release mechanism from the mixture of polymers that includes Kollicoat IR. Moreover, the interaction between Kollicoat IR and poorly soluble drugs produces fast-dissolving solid dispersions prepared using hot stage extrusion, spray drying, or freeze drying.     

Cardiovascular complications of Salmonella enteritidis infection

Salmonella has the ability to adhere to damaged endothelium, predisposing individuals to complications rarely seen with other Gram-negative organisms. Potential complications include endocarditis, infected atheroma or aneurysms, myocarditis and pericarditis. The present report describes two cases of Salmonella enteritidis-associated cardiovascular disease. Patient 1 is a young adult who presented with myopericarditis complicated by recurrent cardiac arrests following return from a tropical climate. This patient was successfully treated with a 14-day course of ciprofloxacin. Patient 2 is an elderly man who developed a pseudoaneurysm of the ascending aorta complicating S enteritidis bacteremia, and died of this complication. Recognition of potential complications of salmonellosis, especially in individuals with risk factors, is paramount in correctly diagnosing and managing these patients.     

Choroidal thickness measurements in young Saudi adult population: a cross-sectional study

AIM: To determine the choroidal thickness (CT) in young healthy Saudi adults using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) with an automated CT segmentation software. METHODS: Fifty-eight young adults (total of 116 eyes), 39 males and 19 females participated in this study between the ages of 18 and 38y (mean 22.65±3.9y). All participants underwent ophthalmic screening examination, including the SD-OCT for measurements of CT in each quadrant egmented into five eccentric regions starting from the foveal region up to 4.5 mm towards the periphery. RESULTS: The choroid was thickest in the foveal region (central 1 mm, 300±60 µm) and began to progressively thinner beyond the parafovea (1.5–2.5 mm, 284±67 µm) towards the peripheral region (3.5–4.5 mm from the fovea, 254±83 µm). The superior choroid showed the thickest profile (309±57 µm), while the nasal choroid exhibited the thinnest (229±76 µm). The rate of the thinning with increasing eccentricity was more predominant in the nasal choroid, which thinned from the foveal region (294±58 µm) to the peripheral region (158±55 µm). The superior and inferior choroid did not show a statistically significant thinning with eccentricity (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the CT between gender, age, and laterality of the eyes (all P>0.05). A significant association of myopia with thinner subfoveal choroid was observed (Pearson’s, r=0.37), and regression analysis showed that a 10.3 µm choroidal thinning for each diopter increase of myopia. CONCLUSION: CT profile depends on eccentric and the quadrant. The CT profile across the measured area in the young Saudi adult population is comparable to other previous reports. Refractive error is critical for CT evaluation.