Zinc is a group IIB heavy metal. It is an important regulator of major cell signaling pathways in most mammalian cells, functions as an antioxidant and plays a role in maintaining genomic stability. Zinc deficiency leads to severe diseases in the brain, pancreas, liver, kidneys and reproductive organs. Zinc loss occurs during tumor development in a variety of cancers. The prostate normally contains abundant intracellular zinc and zinc loss is a hallmark of the development of prostate cancer development. The underlying mechanism of this loss is not clearly understood. The knowledge that excess zinc prevents the growth of prostate cancers suggests that zinc-mediated therapeutics could be an effective approach for cancer prevention and treatment, although challenges remain. This review summarizes the specific roles of zinc in several cancer types focusing on prostate cancer. The relationship between prostate cancer and the dysregulation of zinc homeostasis is examined in detail in an effort to understand the role of zinc in prostate cancer.

Objective: To develop a hard coating for stainless surfaces based on silver (Ag)-platinum (Pt) alloys. Materials and Methods: Ag-Pt alloys, which have high degree of biocompatibility, excellent resistance to sterilization conditions, and antibacterial properties to different bacteria, are associated with long-term antibacterial efficiency. Approximately 1.03-µm to 2.34-µm–thick coatings, as determined by scanning electron microscopy, were deposited on stainless surfaces by the simultaneous vaporization of both metals (Ag and Pt) in an inert argon atmosphere. The coating was done by physical vapor deposition. Microorganisms and eukaryotic culture cells were grown on these surfaces. Results: The coatings released sufficient Ag ions when immersed in phosphate-buffered saline and showed significant antimicrobial potency against Streptococcus mutans and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans strains. At the same time, human gingival fibroblast cells were not adversely affected. Conclusion: Ag-Pt coatings on load-bearing orthodontic bracket surfaces can provide suitable antimicrobial activity during active orthodontic treatment.

Objectives: To evaluate maxillary and mandibular alveolar and basal bone widths using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to verify the correlation between CBCT images and posteroanterior (PA) cephalograms. Materials and Methods: The CBCT scans and PA cephalograms were obtained from 20 men (age range = 24.0–29.1 years; mean age = 27.2 years; SD = 2.8 years) and 20 women (age range = 20.3–28.1 years; mean age = 26.4 years; SD = 3.2 years) with normal occlusion. On CBCT images, maxillary and mandibular bone widths were measured at three posterior sites and five bone levels. The differences between maxillary and mandibular bone widths were calculated and compared with conventional transverse width of PA cephalograms. Results: Statistically significant differences in maxillary and mandibular bone widths were detected at different levels and sites. Bone widths were significantly increased from the alveolar crest toward the basal bone in the maxillary molar and mandibular second premolar and molar areas. A statistically significant correlation was only found between CBCT images and PA cephalograms for maxillomandibular width at the first molar area. Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that three-dimensional assessment of maxillomandibular width is mandatory for the transverse analysis.