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Silicone implants are frequently used for breast augmentation and reconstruction. However, late complication, such as capsular contracture, remain the most important side effect. In this study we compare different methods for reducing the inflammatory reaction around the silicone implant by introducing one microtextured breast implant in wistar rats. The rats were dividing in 4 groups: the first one was the control group that received untreated implant; in the second we used silicone implants impregnated with rifampin solution, the third one had implant combined with intramuscular dexamethasone injection and the last one had silicone implant associated with autologous centrifuged fat introduced in the implant pocket. The implants and the capsular tissue surrounding were removed after eight weeks. Capsule samples were submitted to histological evaluations. The present study demonstrated that fat grafting may have a role in reducing and preventing capsular contractures after breast augmentation with silicone implants by decreasing the inflammatory process.

Aim: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the surface properties, roughness, skewness, and wettability of three CAD/CAM-processed ceramic materials: zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (Celtra Duo), feldspathic ceramic (CEREC Blocs), and lithium disilicate (CEREC Tessera). Materials and Methods: Thirty specimens (10 per group) were fabricated (10 × 10 × 2 mm) using the CEREC Omnicam AC system with the MC XL milling unit and SpeedFire furnace. Surface characterization included computed tomography (CT) for dimensional accuracy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) for microstructure and composition, profilometry for roughness parameters (Ra, Rq, Rsk), and contact angle measurements with water, ethylene glycol, and diiodomethane for wettability. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA (p < 0.05). Results: No dimensional or compositional changes occurred after processing. Mean Ra values were 2.8647 µm for lithium disilicate, 1.9715 µm for zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate, and 1.9148 µm for feldspathic ceramic. All materials exhibited negative skewness, with zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate showing the smoothest morphology. Contact angle results indicated greater hydrophilicity for lithium disilicate (31.41°), followed by feldspathic ceramic (38.31°) and zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (42.48°). Conclusions: Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate demonstrated a favorable combination of surface topography, roughness, and wettability, suggesting superior long-term clinical performance.

This study aimed to evaluate the pathological factors and anatomical variations in the maxillary sinus in patients undergoing dental implant treatment using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). CBCT, as a key imaging technique in dentistry, offers high-resolution images to assess bone morphology and quality, crucial for preoperative dental implant planning. Material and methods: The study included a cohort of 200 patients recommended for CBCT as part of their preoperative evaluation. The methodology involved detailed CBCT image analysis to identify and document various anatomical variations due to pneumatization, exostosis, hypoplasia, polyps, cysts, foreign bodies, and anthroliths within the maxillary sinus. Results: Pneumatization was the most common variation, present in 77.5% of subjects. Polypoid lesions were found in 17.5% of patients, with a higher prevalence in younger age groups (57.1% in ages 20–35). Cysts and polyps affected 17.5% of subjects, predominantly males (65.7%). Anthroliths were observed in a minimal percentage (2%), and foreign bodies were found in 1.5% of the patients. Positive correlations were observed between the patient’s age and both mucosal thickness and polypoid lesions and between the patient’s gender and bone thickening (p-values < 0.05). Conclusions: The study concluded that CBCT is essential in the preoperative assessment of the maxillary sinus in dental implant candidates due to its superior imaging capabilities, allowing for the identification of critical anatomical variations and pathologies. This thorough evaluation is imperative to ensure the success of implant placement and to mitigate potential complications. However, further research with larger, more diverse populations is recommended to confirm these findings.

Background/Objectives: Oral health is a complex concept involving physical, psychological, emotional, and social components. A key factor in maintaining oral tissue integrity is redox balance, which is disrupted by oxidative stress (OS) through an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses. This study examines the contribution of endogenous and exogenous sources to OS and explores the therapeutic potential of medicinal plants from the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families in restoring redox homeostasis and improving oral health. Methods: A literature review was conducted, analyzing the role of OS in oral diseases and the antioxidant mechanisms of selected Asteraceae species. Special attention was given to their phytochemical contents—polyphenols, flavonoids, and essential oils—and their biological relevance to oral health. Results: OS plays a critical role in the onset and progression of oral conditions such as caries, periodontitis, gingivitis, aphthous ulcers, abscesses, precancerous lesions, and oral cancers. ROS and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) cause inflammation, tissue breakdown, and salivary gland dysfunction. Asteraceae plants like Matricaria chamomilla, Calendula officinalis, Cichorium intybus, Taraxacum officinale, Arctium lappa, Achillea millefolium, and Solidago virgaurea demonstrate notable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties that help counteract OS and support oral homeostasis. Conclusions: Asteraceae and Lamiaceae species show high therapeutic potential in addressing OS-related oral disorders. Their bioactive compounds aid in restoring redox balance and protecting oral tissues. These findings support the integration of phytotherapeutic agents into oral healthcare and call for further clinical validation of plant-based strategies for disease prevention and management.

Background: This study aimed to compare the accuracy of linear measurements obtained using the classical (manual) method versus cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in craniofacial anthropometry, specifically targeting the infraorbital foramen (IOF). Methods: This study involved two sample groups: one of 40 dry skulls measured manually using digital calipers, and the other of 40 CBCT 3D images digitally measured. Measurements included IOF height, distances between the IOF and nasion (N), IOF and frontomalar orbital (FMO), and between the two IOFs. Statistical analysis was performed using an ANOVA, t-test, and Fisher’s test with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The manual method recorded a mean IOF height of 2.1 mm, while CBCT showed a mean of 3.52 mm. Significant differences were recorded between the two methods when measuring IOF height, with a p < 0.001. However, CBCT measurements generally yielded higher accuracy and lower variance due to the absence of significant differences (p > 0.05). The distance between the two IOFs measured by both methods differed significantly (p = 0.03157), with CBCT measurements showing higher values. Conclusions: In conclusion, although no significant differences were found in the overall accuracy of the two methods, CBCT proved to be a more reliable tool for detailed craniofacial measurements due to its higher accuracy and reproducibility. CBCT demonstrated superior consistency in measurements, offering enhanced precision in assessing craniofacial structures. These findings support the growing preference for CBCT in maxillofacial surgery, where precision is critical for successful outcomes. Nonetheless, manual techniques remain valuable in settings where advanced imaging is not accessible.

Background: Biodegradable magnesium-based alloys are increasingly explored as emerging biomaterials for dental and maxillofacial applications due to their osteoconductive properties and potential to reduce long-term implant-related complications. However, early-stage evaluation requires predictive diagnostic screening methods capable of assessing cytocompatibility and cellular response under clinically relevant extract conditions. Objectives: In this study, Mg–0.5Ca alloys modified with increasing strontium concentrations (0.5–3 wt.%) were investigated through an in vitro diagnostic framework using MG-63 osteoblast-like cells. Methods: Cell viability was quantitatively assessed via MTT assays after 24 and 72 h of exposure, while fluorescence-based live-cell imaging provided complementary morphological insights. Results: demonstrated a composition-associated cytocompatibility profile, with Sr-enriched compositions showing improved cellular metabolic activity and adhesion patterns compared to lower-Sr compositions. Conclusions: These findings support the role of strontium as a functional alloying element and highlight the importance of standardized diagnostic screening workflows for emerging dental biomaterials. Overall, this study proposes a simplified predictive platform for early biocompatibility diagnostics, contributing to the integration of biomaterial evaluation into future digitalized dental regeneration workflows.

Thrombophilia, also called hypercoagulability or prothrombotic condition, usually reflects a certain imbalance that occurs either in the coagulation cascade or in the anticoagulation/fibrinolytic system. A similar imbalance may be induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Thrombotic complications are associated with multiorgan failure and increased mortality. In this context, activation of coagulation and thrombocytopenia appeared as prognostic markers in COVID-19. Our work provides a structured and updated analysis of inherited thrombophilia and its involvement in COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of diagnosing and initiating thromboprophylaxis. Since the state of hypercoagulation is directly correlated with COVID-19, we consider that studies on the genetic profiles of proteins involved in thrombophilia in patients who have had COVID-19 and thrombotic events are of great importance, both in treating and in preventing deaths due to COVID-19.

Background and Objectives. Being an enterically transmitted pathogen with a growing prevalence in developed countries, hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection remains an underdiagnosed disease in Eastern Europe. As far as Romania is concerned, only a few studies address this issue. Our goal was to estimate the prevalence of serum anti-HEV IgA/IgM/IgG antibodies in a group of patients admitted to the Clinical Hospital for Infectious Diseases “St. Parascheva” Iasi. Materials and Methods. The cross-sectional study consisted of enrollment of 98 patients admitted to the clinic for COVID-19 over a period of three months in 2020. Results. The median age in our study was 73 years, with an equal gender ratio and with a predominance of people from the urban environment (75%). The overall HEV antibody seroprevalence was 12.2%. The main risk factors associated with HEV infection were consumption of water from unsafe sources (58.3% HEV-positive patients vs. 26.7% HEV-negative patients, p = 0.026) and improperly cooked meat (58.3% HEV-positive patients vs. 23.2% HEV-negative patients, p = 0.01). Zoonotic transmission was an important criterion in our study, with patients reporting contact with pigs, poultry, rats, or other farms animals, but no significant differences were found between HEV antibody positive and negative groups. Conclusions. The seroprevalence rate of HEV antibodies was similar to other previous reports from our area but higher than in most European countries. The fact that HEV antibodies were detected in patients without identifiable risk factors for hepatitis E is evidence of subclinical infection as a silent threat.

Unilateral hypertrophy of the masseter muscle is a very rare pathological entity in children. Its etiology is uncertain and it requires a high degree of suspicion, as it must be differentiated from other conditions of the masseter area. As there are few pathological studies to elucidate this condition, we report a rare case of unilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy in a 16-year-old female patient with gradual onset of a painless swelling in the posterior left cheek which caused facial asymmetry with repercussions on the patient’s self-image. The diagnosis of unilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy was suggested by clinical examination, ultrasound scanning, and nuclear magnetic resonance, and was confirmed by histologic examination two years later when the patient returned for the surgical correction. The pathological findings report showed fragments of skeletal muscle with hypertrophic fibers associated with normal-sized muscle fibers in both longitudinal and transverse sections. The postoperative evaluation was favorable as both the adolescent and her family were satisfied with her look on the 14th day, 1st year, and 3rd year follow-ups. In conclusion, unilateral masseter muscle hypertrophy in adolescence is a sensitive problem due to the psychological implications of facial appearance. Definite diagnosis and treatment of the hypertrophied muscle is the ideal solution.

Pediatric sialolithiasis is a rare condition causing tumefaction, induration, redness, and pain of the affected gland. When the submandibular gland is involved, the lesion can be mistaken for an adenopathy. As there are few studies to elucidate this condition in children, we present a rare case of a 16-year-old female with suggestive symptoms, in which initial clinical examination and two ultrasound examinations mistook the lesion for an adenopathy. A computed tomography examination was performed and the correct diagnosis was established. The patient was sent for oro-maxilo-facial examination and sialolithotomy was performed. A 10-mm yellow calculus was extracted and postoperative case evolution was favorable under wide spectrum antibiotherapy, oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory therapy and silagog alimentation. Although submandibular adenopathies are much more frequent in the pediatric age group, when faced with a firm, immobile submandibular lesion, the pediatrician should consider the sialolithiasis diagnosis.