Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background Many eukaryote cells produce membrane-enclosed extracellular vesicles (EVs) to establish cell-to-cell communication. Plant-derived EVs (P-EVs) contain proteins, RNAs, lipids, and other metabolites that can be isolated from the juice, the flesh, and roots of many species. Methods In the present review study, we studied numerous articles over the past two decades published on the role of P-EVs in plant physiology as well as on the application of these vesicles in different diseases. Results Different types of EVs have been identified in plants that have multiple functions including reorganization of cell structure, development, facilitating crosstalk between plants and fungi, plant immunity, defense against pathogens. Purified from several edible species, these EVs are more biocompatible, biodegradable, and extremely available from many plants, making them useful for cell-free therapy. Emerging evidence of clinical and preclinical studies suggest that P-EVs have numerous benefits over conventional synthetic carriers, opening novel frontiers for the novel drug-delivery system. Exciting new opportunities, including designing drug-loaded P-EVs to improve the drug-delivery systems, are already being examined, however clinical translation of P-EVs-based therapies faces challenges. Conclusion P-EVs hold great promise for clinical application in the treatment of different diseases. In addition, despite enthusiastic results, further scrutiny should focus on unravelling the detailed mechanism behind P-EVs biogenesis and trafficking as well as their therapeutic applications. 9v-VNtNbnjCzzqKe27cFGX Video Abstract

Purpose Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology for simultaneous treatment of biodegradable organic matter of municipal solid waste (MSW) and production of renewable energy. Mixing modes and temperature have influences on biogas production in anaerobic digesters treating MSW. Therefore, in this study, digester was operated at different modes of mixing and temperatures to obtain design criteria. Methods The experiments were carried out in a semi-continuous digester. In the first part of the investigation, temperature was set at 25, 28, 31 and 34 °C. During this step, digester content was mixed in an intermittent mode by mechanical mixers. In the second part of the study, mixing condition of the digester was set at various modes: continuous, intermittent (15 min on and 30 min off) and minimal (twice in a batch). Results Digestion with a temperature in this range resulted in biogas yield of 0.23–0.33 m 3 biogas/kg VS, with a methane content of 60.2–71.8% in biogas. The methane content and yield decreased with reduction of digestion temperature. However, this reduction was almost negligible from 34 to 31 °C. In addition, in comparison to intermittent mixing, continuous and minimal mixing modes reduced the biogas production by 40% and 50%, respectively. Therefore, in this digester greatest biogas yield of 0.33 ± 0.02 m 3 biogas/kg VS were obtained at 34 °C and intermittent mixing mode. Conclusions Based on the data obtained from this study, temperature in the range of 31–34 °C and intermittent mixing is suggested as a base for design purposes.

Objectives This study aimed to assess the association of maternal oral health literacy (OHL) with dental caries status of 6-9-year-old children according to the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index. Methods This cross-sectional study evaluated 223 mothers and their 6-9-year-old children who were selected by convenience sampling. The OHL of the mothers was evaluated by the Oral Health Literacy-Adults Questionnaire (OHL-AQ) while the dental caries status of the children was assessed by the CAST index. Data were analyzed by the independent t-test, linear and logistic regression, and Spearman and Pearson’s correlation coefficients (alpha = 0.05). Results Of 223 children, 51.6% were males. The mean age of the children was 7.25 ± 1.02 years. Mothers with a higher educational level ( P  = 0.01) and socioeconomic status ( P  = 0.02) had higher OHL. Optimal oral health behavior of the mothers was significantly associated with their higher OHL, and a lower rate of caries in their children ( P  < 0.05). The mean OHL score of the mothers was 12.42 ± 2.78, and their OHL had a significant inverse association with primary molar ( P  < 0.00) and permanent first molar ( P  = 0.01) caries in their children. Also, the rate of primary molar ( P  = 0.01 and P  = 0.00, respectively) and permanent first molar ( P  = 0.02 and P  < 0.00, respectively) caries was significantly lower in children of working mothers, and those with a higher educational level. Conclusion The maternal OHL was significantly associated with the dental caries status of 6-9-year-old children according to the CAST index.

In this work, microalgae cultivation trials were carried out in a membrane bioreactor to investigate fouling when the cultures of Chlorellavulgaris were grown under mixotrophic, heterotrophic, and phototrophic cultivation regimes. The Chlorella cultures were cultivated in wastewater as a source of nutrients that contained a high concentration of ammonium. In mixotrophic cultivation trials, the results showed that the elevated contents of carbohydrates in the soluble microbial product and proteins in extracellular polymeric substances probably initiated membrane fouling. In this case, the highest protein content was also found in extracellular polymeric substances due to the high nitrogen removal rate. Consequently, transmembrane pressure significantly increased compared to the phototrophic and heterotrophic regimes. The data indicated that cake resistance was the main cause of fouling in all cultivations. Higher protein content in the cake layer made the membrane surface more hydrophobic, while carbohydrates had the opposite effect. Compared to a mixotrophic culture, a phototrophic culture had a larger cell size and higher hydrophobicity, leading to less membrane fouling. Based on our previous data, the highest ammonia removal rate was reached in the mixotrophic cultures; nevertheless, membrane fouling appeared to be the fundamental problem.

Promoting schoolchildren’s oral health is important, particularly in developing countries. This study was conducted to monitor the oral health of schoolchildren aged 6–7 years old following the implementation of an oral health promotion program in Tehran, Iran. The protocol was registered in the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (Code: IRCT20090307001749N4). A cluster random sampling method was applied, and the schools were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. An intervention package consisting of a one-day workshop for parents and supervised toothbrushing for children was employed. In both groups, the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) and Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) were evaluated at baseline and at one-year follow-up in addition to the questionnaire data. Clinical data were collected by calibrated examiners at both intervals (Kappa = 89.8%, 87.68%) and analyzed using the SPSS software ver. 22.0. Of 739 children included at baseline, 593 were re-examined after one year (response rate = 74%). According to the Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis, considering the confounding effect of time, significantly more children in the control group had deciduous molars with a score of 3 and higher compared to the intervention group (OR = 1.79; 95% CI:1.17–2.73, p = 0.007). The oral hygiene status of the children significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the controls (B = -0.27; 95% CI: -0.45 –-0.08, p = 0.005). After one year, the improvement in the oral health-related attitude of parents and children’s oral health behavior was marginally significant in the intervention group compared to the control group [0.2 (0.17) vs. -0.13 (0.05), p = 0.096] and [0.06 (0.06) vs. -0.05 (0.04), p = 0.09], respectively. However, the impact on the oral health-related knowledge and self-reported behavior of the parents was not significant. In the intervention group, children had less caries and a better oral hygiene status compared to the controls after one year.

Objectives Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit a higher prevalence of oral health diseases. These oral health issues significantly impair quality of life and increase caregiver burden. Despite emerging interventions like specialized behavioral guidance and caregiver training, a comprehensive evaluation of their effectiveness remains absent. This systematic review and meta‐analysis was designed to pool the effectiveness of Oral health interventions in children with ASD. Materials and Methods In this systematic review, some international databases, including PubMed, ISI/WOS, CENTRAL, and Scopus, were searched via appropriate keywords until January 1, 2025. All clinical trials that assessed the effect of interventions on oral health indices including Simplified Oral Hygiene Index (OHI‐S), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) without any language or time restrictions were included in the study. Search strategy process, screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed by two experts independently. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using I2 and Q‐Cochrane test. Random effect meta‐analysis was performed to pool the standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Overall, 27 studies with 1918 participants were included in this study. Interventions are categorized into the educational (visual, verbal, booklet/leaflet) and procedural approaches. Random effect meta‐analysis showed significant improvements for PI (SMD = −0.73, 95% CI: [−1.02 to −0.44]) and OHI‐S (SMD = −1.44, 95% CI: [−2.79 to −0.08]), with video interventions notably effective for PI (SMD = −0.69, 95% CI: [−1.2 to −0.14]). The GI index also improved (SMD = −0.74, 95% CI: [−1.34 to −0.14]). Conclusions Visual pedagogy, particularly videos, and parental involvement significantly improved oral health in children with ASD. Video‐based interventions should be added to traditional methods such as verbal or picture‐based approaches to improve oral health interventions in ASD.

Background Chlorhexidine (CHX) is the most widely used synthetic antibacterial mouthwash to decrease the count of certain microorganisms. However, considering its side effects, this study aimed to compare the antibacterial effects of Zataria multiflora ( Z. multiflora ) and Eucalyptus camaldulensis ( E. camaldulensis ) extracts with 0.2% CHX on Streptococcus mutans ( S. mutans ) count. Methods In this in vitro experimental study, Z. multiflora and E. camaldulensis extracts were first obtained. The diameter of the growth inhibition zones of S. mutans in the presence of 10,000 and 50,000 ppm concentrations of the extracts and 0.2% CHX was then recorded in an agar well diffusion test; 0.2% CHX mouthwash served as the positive control, and distilled water served as the negative control. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts, and 0.2% CHX were also determined against S. mutans . Moreover, the S. mutans count was measured before and after exposure to the extracts, and 0.2% CHX was compared. Data were analyzed by SPSS 26.0. Results The agar well diffusion test revealed that the diameter of the growth inhibition zones caused by Z. multiflora and E. camaldulensis extracts, and 0.2% CHX was 10 mm, 10 mm, and 13 mm, respectively for 10,000 ppm concentration, and 18 mm, 22 mm, and 23 mm for 50,000 ppm concentration, respectively. The MIC of 0.2% CHX, E. camaldulensis extract, and Z. multiflora extract was 2500, 2500, and 5000 ppm, respectively, and their MBC was 20,000, 10,000 and, 10,000 ppm, respectively. E. camaldulensis extract caused a greater reduction in S. mutans colony count than Z. multiflora and 0.2% CHX. Conclusions The results revealed significant antibacterial activity of Z. multiflora and E. camaldulensis extracts against S. mutans . It appears that E. camaldulensis may be suitable for incorporation in the formulation of mouthwashes given that its optimal biocompatibility and lack of cytotoxicity are confirmed in future studies.

Introduction: Cell transplantation with hydrogel-based carriers is one of the advanced therapeutics for challenging diseases, such as spinal cord injury. Electrically conductive hydrogel has received much attention for its effect on nerve outgrowth and differentiation. Besides, a load of neuroprotective substances, such as lithium chloride can promote the differentiation properties of the hydrogel. Methods: In this study, alginate/collagen/reduced graphene oxide hydrogel loaded with lithium chloride (AL/CO/rGO Li+) was prepared as an injectable cell delivery system for neural tissue regeneration. After determining the lithium-ion release profile, an MTT assay was performed to check neural viability. In the next step, real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression of cell adhesion and neurogenic markers. Results: Our results showed that the combination of collagen fibers and rGO with alginates increased cell viability and the gene expression of collagen-binding receptor subunits such as integrin α1, and β1. Further, rGO contributed to the controlled release of lithium-ion hydrogel in terms of its plenty of negatively charged functional groups. The continuous culture of NSCs on AL/CO/rGO Li+ hydrogel increased neurogenic genes’ expressions of nestin (5.9 fold), NF200 (36.8 fold), and synaptophysin (13.2 fold), as well as protein expression of NF200 and synaptophysin after about 14 days. Conclusion: The simultaneous ability of electrical conduction and lithium-ion release of AL/CO/rGO Li+ hydrogel could provide a favorable microenvironment for NSCs by improving their survival, maintaining cell morphology, and expressing the neural marker. It may be potentially used as a therapeutic approach for stem cell transplantation in a spinal cord injury.

Uterine scar defects after cesarean sections are increasingly common and elevate the risk of life-threatening complications in subsequent pregnancies. From various sonomorphological measurement parameters, the residual myometrial thickness (RMT) is crucial for predicting an obstetric complication in a subsequent pregnancy. A low RMT can be improved by surgical correction. The purpose of this paper is to present our technique for robotic-assisted laparoscopic niche repair (RALNR), to sonomorphologically characterize the niches pre- and postoperatively and to surveil subsequent symptoms and pregnancies. A cohort study of 35 patients with a niche and the wish to conceive, who had undergone RALNR between 05/2019 and 09/2023 at the university hospital of Zurich, was conducted. Sonomorphological parameters before and 6 weeks after surgery, as well as surgical, clinical and obstetrical outcomes were assessed. The mean widths and depths of the niche were significantly reduced ( p  < 0.001), width from 10.0 ± 3.5 mm preoperatively to 2.6 ± 3.4 mm postoperatively, and depths from 9.1 ± 3.7 mm preoperatively to 1.8 ± 2.6 mm postoperatively. RMT was significantly improved after RALNR ( p  < 0.001) with mean 1.5 ± 1.5 mm preoperatively compared to 8.3 ± 2.9 mm postoperatively. The pregnancy rate was 13 of 18 (77%), and 7 re-cesarean sections were performed at term. Following surgery, RMT is improved, and subsequent pregnancy rates are high. Larger prospective studies with different long-term obstetric outcomes are needed to determine the clinical significance of RALNR in subsequent pregnancies. This effort advances the field`s state of the art by demonstrating a successful technique for RALNR and its clinical feasibility in a symptomatic cohort.

Background There are limited information on caries incidence, especially from developing countries, the aim of the present study was to explore caries incidence in the first permanent molar teeth according to the CAST index in 7- to 8-year-old-children and its socio-demographic, oral health related and diet determinants. Methods A multi-stage cluster random sample of 7–8 years old children was applied in Tehran, Iran. The oral examination using the CAST index and the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) performed by trained dentists in 2017 and 2019 calibrated with an expert (Kappa of 0.89 and 0.76, respectively). A 3-day food record was used to record sugary snacks consumption. Oral health related knowledge of the parents was assessed using a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 23.0 and descriptive and analytical statistics including the negative binomial regression was applied. Results Two hundred and ninety schoolchildren aged 7–8 years old were followed up for two years. All of them had complete data obtained via oral examination and questionnaires. The annual caries incidence rate was 0.16 and 53% (95% CI 47.4–58.9) of the children developed at least one new dental caries (enamel or dentine) during two years. Multi-variate analysis revealed that the children of mothers with high school education or diploma (IRR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.02–2.12; p = 0.04) and those with low socio-economic status (IRR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.27–2.73; p < 0.001) were more likely to develop caries. There was no significant association between gender, father’s educational level, child birth order, housing area per person, OHI-S score, oral health knowledge of parents, and sugary snacks consumption per day and caries increment at an individual level. Conclusion This 2-year longitudinal study on 7- to 8-year-old children showed that caries incidence according to the CAST index was associated with socio-economic status and mother education but not associated with having 2 or more sugary snack per day and oral hygiene status.