Human exposure to micro- and nanoplastics is increasingly recognized as a global concern, yet their long-term effects on human health remain poorly understood. Defining the cellular consequences of chronic exposure is essential for reliable risk assessment and informed environmental and public health strategies. Here, we investigated the impact of prolonged culture in presence of nanoplastics, using an in vitro hepatocyte model (HepG2) exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations (10⁴ and 10⁶ particles/mL). After 28 days, no significant changes in morphology or cell viability were observed. Despite this apparent tolerance, prolonged exposure produced marked metabolic alterations. Cellular lipid content increased in a dose-dependent manner after 120 h, peaked at day 14 (120% ± 16 and 133% ± 12), remained stable until day 21, and declined thereafter. This response was accompanied by altered expression of key lipid metabolism regulators, including SREBP-1C, FABP1, PPAR-α, and PPAR-γ. Lipidomic analysis further revealed a shift in lipid composition from day 14 onward, with increased saturated fatty acids and reduced unsaturated lipids. Although total lipid accumulation partially resolved by day 28, suggesting adaptive responses, the lipidome continued to remodel toward a potentially pathological profile. This metabolic shift was paralleled by an inflammatory signal, as indicated by increased TNF-α expression after 7 days. Together, these findings show that prolonged exposure to low nanoplastic concentrations elicits substantial lipid remodeling, potentially predisposing hepatocytes to lipotoxic and inflammatory states.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of enamel matrix derivatives (EMD) on the early healing biomarkers’ expression following flapless treatment. Thirty-eight patients with residual deep intrabony defects after steps 1 and 2 of periodontal therapy were randomly assigned to the test (flapless with EMD) or control group (flapless alone). Periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 months after treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was collected at baseline and 2 weeks after treatment to quantify the levels of biomarkers related to epithelial healing (epidermal growth factor, EGF), connective tissue healing (matrix metalloproteinase-8 [MMP-8], fibroblast growth factor [FGF], transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β]), and bone formation (osteoprotegerin [OPG]). The test group showed a significant reduction in MMP-8 levels (p = 0.039), along with significant increases in EGF (p < 0.01), FGF (p < 0.01), and OPG (p < 0.01). The control group demonstrated a significant decrease in MMP-8 (p = 0.010). No significant changes in TGF-β levels were observed in either group. At 6 months, the test group exhibited significantly greater reductions in probing pocket depth and clinical attachment level compared to the control group. This study is the first to characterize the biochemical changes following flapless treatment with EMD. These preliminary findings suggest that EMD may enhance early wound healing by modulating the expression of key regenerative biomarkers.

Background/objectives: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common rheumatic disease in childhood, leading to severe disability and negatively affecting patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the adoption, reporting and assessment methodology of HRQoL in phase III clinical trials involving children with JIA. Methods: An electronic and manual search was conducted to identify primary and secondary publications of pharmacological trials conducted between 2012 and 2023. Data were extracted and recorded in duplicate. Results: A total of 222 studies were screened and 24 articles (22 primary and 2 secondary publications) were included in the review. HRQoL was not listed among the endpoints in 10 trials (45.5%), while it was a secondary endpoint in 12 trials (54.5%). The proportion of trials that did not consider HRQoL was equally relevant in both for-profit and no-profit settings (44.4% versus 50.0%), but it was higher in studies on systemic JIA compared to other JIA subtypes (62.5%), and on IL inhibitor treatment (72.7%) with respect to other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Information on HRQoL was usually collected from parents/caregivers, and only three studies were categorized as “probably robust” with regard to HRQoL assessment. Conclusions: Systematic incorporation of HRQoL measures represents an urgent need in pediatric rheumatology, aiding clinicians in their decision-making in relation to treatment effectiveness and considering the children’s perspective.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common ulcerative disorder of the oral cavity, although its etiology is still unknown. The present study aimed to identify the proteomic profile associated with the RAS inflammatory process, thereby enhancing our understanding of its etiopathogenesis. We compared salivary protein profiles of RAS patients during an active episode of oral ulceration (30 patients, mean age 36.9) to those from healthy donors without a history of RAS (30 healthy subjects, mean age 37.9). Using 2D-electrophoresis and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) analysis, we identified 17 proteins that were differentially expressed in the two groups. Notably, Cystatin SN (CST1) appeared to be significantly downregulated in RAS patients. These findings were validated by Western blot analysis: CST1 was detected in only 3 of the 30 RAS cases, while it was strongly expressed in all the healthy subjects. Although preliminary, our results suggest a potential role for CST1 in the etiopathogenesis of RAS. Interestingly, the relative absence of CST1 in RAS patients seems to align with some clinical and molecular features of this disease.

Background and Objectives: Despite recent advancements in treatment, children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) continue to experience poor health-related quality of life, and data on patient and parent satisfaction with disease management remain limited. Thus, this cross-sectional study aimed to explore the factors influencing parental satisfaction with their child’s JIA care, using the juvenile arthritis parent acceptable symptom state (JA-PASS). Materials and Methods: Parents of 63 children (43 females and 20 males; mean age 12.2 ± 3.7 years) diagnosed with JIA completed the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR). The study analyzed JAMAR responses, along with demographic data, disease duration and activity, and current medication use, to identify clinical factors that influence JA-PASS. Results: According to the JAMAR, 55.6% of parents expressed satisfaction with their child’s current condition. In a multiple regression analysis, significant factors influencing JA-PASS included medication side effects (p = 0.033), current disease activity (p = 0.009), and the psychosocial well-being rating in the JAMAR questionnaire (p = 0.048). Conclusions: JA-PASS should be integrated into patient assessment protocols, as it provides valuable insight into parents’ perceptions of disease progression and effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.

Background/Objectives: With the growing number of cancer survivors receiving long-term endocrine therapy, understanding its potential effects on oral and periodontal health is of increasing clinical relevance. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the impact of hormone therapies used in cancer treatment on periodontal status. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across the Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify observational studies published up to June 2025 that evaluated the effects of endocrine therapy on periodontal parameters and tooth loss in cancer patients. Results: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, twelve involving breast cancer patients and one prostate cancer. Third-generation aromatase inhibitors (AIs) were the most frequently studied agents, either alone or in comparison with tamoxifen. Most studies reported that AI therapy was associated with a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis, increased bleeding on probing and more severe alveolar bone loss compared to healthy controls. In contrast, tamoxifen appeared to have a comparatively milder impact on periodontal health. The single study on prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy similarly indicated a higher prevalence of periodontitis with respect to controls. Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential link between endocrine therapy and periodontal status deterioration, particularly with AIs. This review highlights an important yet often neglected aspect of survivorship care and emphasizes the need for routine periodontal assessment and interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of patients undergoing hormone therapy for cancer.

AIM:Salivary content is regarded as a powerful diagnostic window for oral and systemic diseases and the proteomic profile could be useful to distinguish between different periodontal conditions. The aim of the present systematic review was to assess distinctive salivary proteins identified through untargeted proteomics in periodontitis patients compared to periodontally healthy and gingivitis subjects, as well as to provide a qualitative methodological assessment of the current literature. METHODS:Relevant studies identified from Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were retrieved to answer the following PECO question: "In systemically healthy individuals, are there any differences in salivary protein expression profiles assessed in proteomics studies between patients with periodontitis and periodontally healthy or gingivitis subjects?" Moreover, diagnostic utility of the identified markers was sought via a targeted literature search and further quantitative assessment. A modified version of the QUADAOMICS tool was used for the quality assessment of the included studies. RESULTS:After screening 461 relevant articles, a total of 13 studies were selected. The number of identified discriminant salivary proteins ranged from 2 to 4161. However, it was possible to identify proteins that were consistently over- or under-expressed in periodontitis patients in at least 3 studies. Among these, complement C3, profilin-1, SA100A8, and fibrinogen were consistently reported as increased in periodontitis, while cystatin-SN and leukocyte elastase inhibitor were more elevated in periodontally healthy controls. Only 4 studies reported diagnostic accuracy measures, with SA100A8 showing an area under the curve of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.66-0.75) in meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS:Untargeted proteomics techniques identified some key biological molecules which were consistently reported to be over- or under-expressed in periodontitis. These findings could be useful to support novel candidate biomarkers for periodontitis. The high level of heterogeneity in methods and reporting urge to develop standardized protocols to be implemented in this research field (PROSPERO CRD42022299826).

The improvement of the mucosal sealing around the implant represents a challenge, one that prompted research into novel materials. To this purpose, a printable poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL)-based composite loaded with alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) at increasing rates of 10, 20, and 40 wt.% was prepared, using a solvent casting method with chloroform. Disks were produced by 3D printing; surface roughness, free energy and optical contact angle were measured. Oral fibroblasts (PF) and epithelial cell (SG) tests were utilized to determine the biocompatibility of the materials through cell viability assay and adhesion and spreading evaluations. The highest level of ATZ resulted in an increase in the average roughness (Sa), while the maximum height (Sz) was higher for all composites than that of the unmixed PCL, regardless of their ATZ content. Surface free energy was significantly lower on PCL/ATZ 80/20 and PCL/ATZ 60/40, compared to PCL and PCL/ATZ 90/10. The contact angle was inversely related to the quantity of ATZ in the material. PF grew without variations among the different specimens at 1 and 3 days. After 7 days, PF grew significantly less on PCL/ATZ 60/40 and PCL/ATZ 80/20 compared to unmixed PCL and PCL 90/10. Conversely, ATZ affected and improved the growth of SG. By increasing the filler amount, PF cell adhesion and spreading augmented, while PCL/ATZ 80/20 was the best for SG adhesion. Overall, PCL/ATZ 80/20 emerged as the best composite for both cell types; hence, it is a promising candidate for the manufacture of custom made transmucosal dental implant components.

The aim of this study was to test the molecular expression profile (senescence-associated secretory phenotype; SASP) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) prior to surgery in relation to the distribution of clinical success of periodontal regeneration. Forty consecutive patients presenting sites with residual probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 6 mm and intrabony defects ≥ 3 mm were treated through a minimally invasive surgical technique. Pre-operatively, GCF was sampled for inflammatory biomarker analysis related to SASP [interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-12; matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP)-8 and -9]. Better or worse responders were classified depending on the achievement of a composite outcome measure at 1-year [COM; PPD ≤ 4 mm and clinical attachment gain (CAL) gain ≥ 3 mm]. Correlation analyses and logistic regression models were performed. Periodontal regeneration led to significant improvements in mean clinical and radiographic parameters. Teeth achieving COM presented significantly lower amounts of SASP factors compared with non-successful teeth. Higher CAL gain, PPD reduction, and radiographic bone fill were negatively correlated with IL-1β and MMP-8 and -9 (p < 0.001), while IL-12 showed a direct relationship with CAL gain (p = 0.005) and PPD reduction (p = 0.038). Sites expressing higher SASP expression in the GCF before periodontal regeneration achieved worse clinical and radiographic outcomes.

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity poses a significant threat to human health and the environment due to its widespread occurrence and persistence. In recent years, considerable attention has been directed towards exploring natural compounds with potential protective effects against Cd-induced toxicity. Among these compounds, resveratrol (RV) has emerged as a promising candidate, demonstrating a range of beneficial effects attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This literature review systematically evaluates the protective role of RV against Cd toxicity, considering the various mechanisms of action involved. A comprehensive analysis of both in vitro and in vivo studies is conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of RV efficacy in mitigating Cd-induced damage. Additionally, this review highlights the importance of phytoremediation strategies in addressing Cd contamination, emphasizing the potential of RV in enhancing the efficiency of such remediation techniques. Through the integration of diverse research findings, this review underscores the therapeutic potential of RV in combating Cd toxicity and underscores the need for further investigation to elucidate its precise mechanisms of action and optimize its application in environmental and clinical settings.

The serendipitous discovery of nanobodies (NBs) around two decades ago opened the door to new possibilities for innovative strategies, particularly in cancer treatment. These antigen-binding fragments are derived from heavy-chain-only antibodies naturally found in the serum of camelids and sharks. NBs are an appealing agent for the progress of innovative therapeutic strategies because they combine the advantageous assets of smaller molecules and conventional monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Moreover, the possibility to produce NBs using bacterial systems reduces manufacturing expenses and speeds up the production process, making them a feasible option for the development of new bio-drugs. Several NBs have been developed over the past 10 years and are currently being tested in clinical trials for various human targets. Here, we provide an overview of the notable structural and biochemical characteristics of NBs, particularly in their application against HER2, an extracellular receptor that often gets aberrantly activated during breast cancer tumorigenesis. The focus is on the recent advancements in diagnostic and therapeutic research up to the present date.

Supplementary Table and Figure Legends from A DNA Vaccine against ERBB2 Impairs Chemical Carcinogenesis in Random-Bred Hamsters

Metformin (Met) is a drug commonly prescribed in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Its efficacy is due to the suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis, enhancement of peripheral glucose uptake and lower glucose absorption by the intestine. Recent studies have reported Met efficacy in other clinical applications, such as age-related diseases. Despite the wide clinical use of Met, its mechanism of action on muscle and its effect on muscle performance are unclear. We investigated the effects of Met combined with training on physical performance (PP) in healthy rats receiving Met for 8 weeks while undergoing daily moderate exercise. We evaluated the following: PP through graded endurance exercise test performed before the beginning of the training protocol and 48 h before the end of the training period; blood ALT, AST, LDH and CK-MB levels in order to address muscle damage; and several blood and muscle myokines and the expression of factors believed to be involved in muscle adaptation to exercise. Our data demonstrate that Met does not improve the positive effects of exercise on performance, although it protects myocytes from exercise-induced damage. Moreover, given that Met positively affects exercise-induced muscle adaptation, our data support the idea of the therapeutic application of Met when muscle function and structure are compromised.

Background and Objectives: Sexual violence (SV) is a major global public health concern. While socioeconomic factors and familial relationships have been widely reported to contribute to SV, the role of alcohol consumption should not be ignored. Indeed, alcohol can impair cognition, distort reality, increase aggression, and ease drug-facilitated sexual assault. This retrospective study aims to explore the relationship between alcohol consumption and SV by examining the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of violence episodes. Materials and Methods: A total of 1481 women accessed the Rape Centre “Centro Soccorso Violenza Sessuale” in Turin, Italy between 2008 and 2019, with 223 reporting alcohol consumption before the assault. Results: The alcohol group had a younger age profile, predominantly within the 18–25-year-old category. SV incidents involving alcohol consumers were more likely to occur in public places or in someone else’s home, while the non-alcohol-consuming group experienced more violence in their own homes. Acquaintances and unknown individuals were primarily responsible, whereas partners were the most common perpetrators of violence against non-alcohol-consuming women. Alcohol consumers sought medical attention sooner after the assault and exhibited more symptoms and injuries, particularly of neurological origin. Concurrent use of recreational drugs was higher among alcohol consumers. The logistic regression analysis revealed higher odds of injury for Italian women and those in the 18–35 age groups after consuming alcohol. Conclusions: This study contributes to the understanding of the relationship between alcohol consumption and SV. The prevalence of alcohol-related sexual aggression is lower compared to that shown in previous studies. Nationality, age, and assailant identity influence SV dynamics. These findings can guide well-targeted interventions and prevention strategies to address SV and inform communities facing similar challenges.

Perspective on This Article from A DNA Vaccine against ERBB2 Impairs Chemical Carcinogenesis in Random-Bred Hamsters

Identification of biomarkers could help in assessing periodontal health status and monitoring treatment outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify potential innovative salivary biomarkers for the diagnosis of periodontitis using an untargeted proteomic approach. Forty-five healthy non-smoker participants diagnosed as having periodontally healthy conditions (H), severe periodontitis (P), and healthy but reduced periodontium after active periodontal treatment (T) were consecutively enrolled (15 per each group) in the study. A higher number of spots were identified in the proteome of unstimulated whole saliva collected from H and T subjects compared with P group, mainly within the range of 8-40 kDa. Protein spots of interest were analysed by MALDI-TOF-MS, allowing the identification of cystatin SN (CST1) isoform, as confirmed by Western blot. CST1 was markedly expressed in the H group, while it was absent in most P samples (p < 0.001). Interestingly, a distinct CST1 expression was observed in saliva from T patients. CST1 was negatively correlated with the percentage of pathological sites (p < 0.001) and was effective in discriminating active periodontitis from healthy periodontal status (whether H or T). Therefore, salivary CST1 may be a promising non-invasive biomarker for periodontal disease diagnosis and monitoring.

OBJECTIVES To test the effect of locally delivered doxycycline (DOX) administered 2 weeks prior to minimally invasive periodontal regeneration in terms of presurgical inflammatory status and cytokine expression profile in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Secondary aim was to assess the early wound healing index (EHI) at 2 weeks after surgery. BACKGROUND It is hypothesized that healing after periodontal regeneration is dependent on preoperative soft tissue condition, and that local antibiotics may improve the site-specific inflammatory status at short time. METHODS Sites associated with periodontal intrabony defects requiring regenerative surgery and showing bleeding on probing (BoP) were included. At T0, experimental sites were randomly treated with subgingival instrumentation with or without topic DOX application. After 2 weeks (T1), defects were approached by means of minimally invasive surgical technique. GCF was sampled at both T0 and T1 for inflammatory biomarker analysis. Two weeks after surgery, the EHI was evaluated (T2). RESULTS Forty-four patients were included. At T1, the number of BoP+ sites was statistically significantly less in the test group (27.3% vs. 72.7%; p < .01). The total amount of interleukin (IL)-1β (p < .001), matrix-metalloproteinases (MMP)-8 (p < .001), and MMP-9 (p = .010) in the GCF significantly decreased in the test group at T1, with relevant differences compared to controls. At T2, the EHI had an average value of 1.45 ± 0.86 in the test group while in the control, it was 2.31 ± 1.43 (p = .027). A statistically significantly positive correlation was observed between the amount of IL-1β and MMP-9 and EHI scores. CONCLUSIONS Within the limitations of this study, sites treated with DOX showed improved clinical and molecular inflammatory parameters before surgery, as well as soft tissue healing 2 weeks after surgery.

Supplementary Figure 2 from A DNA Vaccine against ERBB2 Impairs Chemical Carcinogenesis in Random-Bred Hamsters

Although increasing evidence is emerging on the contribution of chemical elements in periodontal health, no studies have concomitantly evaluated the ionic profile in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and saliva in relation to the underlying periodontal status. Our hypothesis is that these biofluids have distinctive ionic content. Therefore, the aim of this cross-sectional study was to analyze the elemental composition of GCF and saliva in order to explore which biological matrix and which combination of elements could discriminate between periodontitis and periodontal health. Twelve ions were analyzed in GCF and unstimulated saliva from 54 subjects (18 periodontally healthy, 18 untreated severe periodontitis and 18 treated severe periodontitis) using inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). These analytical techniques were able to determine levels of sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg), while the other elements were below the detection threshold. Na and K ions were detected at elevated concentration in untreated periodontitis compared with treated periodontitis and healthy periodontium. Ca was increased in untreated periodontitis, but the difference was not significant. In saliva, only Na was significantly associated with periodontitis. The combination of Na and K in GCF enabled the correct assignment of a subject to the periodontitis or healthy group. Based on these preliminary results, GCF demonstrated higher clustering potential than saliva.