Background: Dental stem cells, which originate from the neural crest, due to their easy accessibility might be good candidates in neuro-regenerative procedures, along with graphene-based nanomaterials shown to promote neurogenesis in vitro. We aimed to explore the potential of liquid-phase exfoliated graphene (LPEG) film to stimulate the neuro-differentiation of stem cells from apical papilla (SCAP). Methods: The experimental procedure was structured as follows: (1) fabrication of graphene film; (2) isolation, cultivation and SCAP stemness characterization by flowcytometry, multilineage differentiation (osteo, chondro and adipo) and quantitative PCR (qPCR); (3) SCAP neuro-induction by cultivation on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coated with graphene film; (4) evaluation of neural differentiation by means of several microscopy techniques (light, confocal, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy), followed by neural marker gene expression analysis using qPCR. Results: SCAP demonstrated exceptional stemness, as judged by mesenchymal markers’ expression (CD73, CD90 and CD105), and by multilineage differentiation capacity (osteo, chondro and adipo-differentiation). Neuro-induction of SCAP grown on PET coated with graphene film resulted in neuron-like cellular phenotype observed under different microscopes. This was corroborated by the high gene expression of all examined key neuronal markers (Ngn2, NF-M, Nestin, MAP2, MASH1). Conclusions: The ability of SCAPs to differentiate toward neural lineages was markedly enhanced by graphene film.

This study analyzed 2102 conjunctival lesions excised between 1981 and 2003 at a single tertiary center in Serbia, with the aim of evaluating their histopathological characteristics, anatomical localization, and demographic distribution. Of the total cases recorded, 55.1% were male, indicating a slight male predominance. The bulbar conjunctiva was the most commonly affected site (34.5%), with 39.3% of tumors extended to multiple regions of the conjunctiva, including areas such as the plica and caruncula. The most common benign lesion was compound conjunctival nevus (16.7%), while squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (11.4%) and melanoma (11.3%) were the most prevalent malignant tumors. Tumor incidence peaked in the 61–70 and 51–60 year age groups, with malignant tumors such as SCC being more frequent in males. Comparisons with similar global studies reveal that our findings align with worldwide trends, such as the predominance of SCC, which has been linked to UV exposure, and the frequency of melanoma in fair-skinned populations. However, the lower prevalence of fibrodegenerative lesions like pterygia and pinguecula in our cohort likely reflects Serbia’s cooler climate compared to regions with higher UV exposure. These findings underscore the diverse nature of conjunctival tumors, the critical role of histopathological examination for diagnosis, and the influence of environmental factors. This study provides valuable insights into the epidemiology of conjunctival tumors, contributing to global understanding and guiding future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Pterygium is a common ocular surface disorder linked to chronic ultraviolet exposure, local inflammation, and oxidative stress, yet no reliable circulating biomarker currently guides diagnosis, activity assessment, or recurrence risk. Peripheral-blood studies addressing this gap have produced inconsistent findings across hematological, inflammatory, and micronutrient domains, often using heterogeneous case definitions and isolated marker panels. In this prospective case–control study, 30 patients with newly diagnosed, clinically active primary pterygium and 17 healthy controls frequency-matched for age and sex underwent a comprehensive peripheral blood panel comprising 46 hematological, biochemical, iron-related, inflammatory, and vitamin/metabolic-bone parameters, including osteocalcin, ceruloplasmin, and immunoglobulin E. Lesions were graded using the Maheshwari and Tan classification systems, and group and severity-stratified comparisons were corrected for multiple testing using the Benjamini–Hochberg procedure. No parameter differed significantly between groups after correction. Nominal, uncorrected differences included higher total protein, albumin, and mean platelet volume in patients with pterygium, and severity-linked patterns of higher platelet count, plateletcrit, and ceruloplasmin, and higher vitamin B12, folic acid, and serum iron in less advanced lesions. None of these nominal differences survived correction, so no single marker distinguished pterygium from controls or tracked severity. Platelet indices and ceruloplasmin showed the most consistent severity-linked pattern, but this was nominal only and hypothesis-generating, warranting evaluation in larger, adequately powered cohorts.

Titanium remains the gold standard in dental implantology; however, its clinical drawbacks, such as hypersensitivity reactions, metallic particle release, and aesthetically compromising discoloration, have driven interest in metal-free alternatives. Yttria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Y-TZP) has emerged as a promising bioceramic candidate, offering favorable aesthetics, mechanical strength, and reduced bacterial plaque affinity. Its pristine surface is nonetheless bioinert, prompting extensive research into surface modification strategies, including sandblasting, acid-etching, femtosecond laser texturing, and bioactive coatings, to enhance osteoconductivity. This comprehensive narrative review synthesizes in vitro evidence on the behavior of key host cell populations—macrophages, mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, fibroblasts, and epithelial cells in response to Y-TZP surface and its modifications, relevant to osseointegration and soft-tissue sealing. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, supplemented by Google Scholar, concluding in March 2026. By integrating findings across multiple cell lineages, this review aims to clarify how engineered zirconia topographies modulate cell-specific pathways, thereby informing the development of next-generation implants optimized for biological integration.

The wettability is the tendency of a liquid to disperse or adhere to a solid surface. The aim of research was to evaluate and compare the wettability of newly synthesized calcium aluminate-based dental cement and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Two materials were examined: novel calcium aluminate cement with added zirconium dioxide (CaAl+ZrO2) and MTA (Cerkamed, Poland). The wettability of disc-shaped samples, produced by mixing and moulding of cement, was calculated through the contact angle between the disc and a drop of the reference liquid (glycerol, diiodomethane), using the ImageJ computer software. No significant difference in wettability was noted between CaAl+ZrO2 and MTA when glycerol was applied. CaAl+ZrO2 expressed significantly higher contact angle values compared to MTA (p<0.05) when diiodomethane was used. Both tested materials possess similar wettability properties when introduced to glycerol. MTA showed better wettability after the placement of diiodomethane.

The novel dental material, calcium aluminate with zirconium dioxide (CaAl+ZrO2) has good physical properties, but its biological effects need to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of implanted CaAl+ZrO2 on rat brain tissue. 24 adult male Wistar rats were implanted intraalveolarly with CaAl+ZrO2 or control material mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). The rats were weighed before implantation and before euthanasia. Cage-side observation for neurotoxicity signs was conducted. Animals were sacrificed after 30 and 180 days. Histological specimens of hippocampus revealed that perinuclear vacuolization and neuronal necrosis decreased over time, in both CaAl+ZrO2 and MTA. 180 days postimplantation, the percentage of necrotic cells and neurons with perinuclear vacuolization was significantly lower in CaAl+ZrO2 than in MTA group. Intraalveolar implantation of CaAl+ZrO2 did not induce neurotoxicity signs and significant changes in hippocampal morphology in rats. These results, together with its physicochemical properties, indicate that CaAl+ZrO2 possesses good biological properties and could be applied in the clinical studies/dentistry.