This study aimed to investigate the effects of radiotherapy on the mechanical, chemical, and surface properties of two recently introduced restorative dental materials (a glass hybrid and an alkasite), while two conventional restorative materials served as references. Material specimens of the experimental groups (irradiated) were compared to the specimens of the control groups that underwent the same preparation procedure but without irradiation. The experimental groups of restorative material specimens were irradiated with a total of 70 Gy over 35 days (2 Gy/day × 35 days), while the control groups received no treatment. The following properties were evaluated: surface microhardness (Vickers), surface roughness, color change, flexural strength, flexural modulus, material reliability, and infrared spectra. For the experimental groups, measurements were performed 24 h after specimen preparation, i.e., before radiotherapy and after the completion of the irradiation protocol. For the control groups, measurements were performed after the corresponding periods of no treatment. A statistically significant increase in microhardness (p = 0.001–0.004) and surface roughness (p = 0.013) was observed as a result of material aging/maturation in both the control and experimental groups. However, the only statistically significant difference between the control and experimental groups was observed in the discoloration of the conventional reference material (p < 0.001). In conclusion, no statistically significant negative effects of a therapeutic dose of radiotherapy on any of the tested properties of the alkasite and glass hybrid materials were observed, whereas only a minor negative effect of radiotherapy in terms of discoloration was found for a conventional resin composite that was used as a reference material.

Cancer cachexia is a syndrome characterized by weight and muscle loss and functional impairment, strongly influencing survival in cancer patients. In this study, we aimed to establish the role of saliva cytokine measurement in cancer cachexia investigation and define two potential independent salivary biomarkers of the condition. Methods: serum and saliva specimens were obtained from 78 patients. Forty-six patients were non-cachectic, and 32 patients were cachectic (per SCRINIO group criteria), all with metastatic solid tumors. Commercial ELISA kits were used to determine the salivary and serum concentrations of interleukin 13 (IL-13) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in two patient groups and healthy controls. Laboratory values were obtained from the hospital information system, and weight and height were measured at the time of sampling. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between the groups in saliva IL-13 concentrations but no difference in serum concentrations. Statistically significant differences were also observed between the groups in saliva and serum concentrations of TGF-β. Logistic regression analysis has identified salivary IL-13 and TGF-β as independent factors for cancer cachexia. Conclusions: We demonstrated saliva as a valuable specimen for cachexia investigation and established IL-13 and TGF-β as potential cancer cachexia biomarkers. Further research is needed to evaluate these findings.

Background: Radiotherapy is a key treatment for head and neck cancers but often compromises oral health, partly through its impact on restorative materials. A specific concern is whether ionizing radiation alters the water absorption and solubility of fluoride-releasing restoratives, potentially affecting their durability. This study aimed to evaluate these properties following clinically relevant radiation exposure. Methods: Seven contemporary fluoride-releasing restorative materials (Fuji IX, Equia Forte HT, Fuji Triage, Activa Presto, Cention, Luminos, and Beautifil II) were tested (n = 10 per group). Specimens were either irradiated with 70 Gy in 35 fractions using a clinical linear accelerator or maintained as non-irradiated controls. Water absorption and solubility were measured over 35 days according to ISO 4049 protocols, and data were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA. Results: Across all materials, irradiated specimens exhibited slightly higher water absorption and solubility values compared to controls; however, differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Material-specific trends were observed, with Fuji IX, Fuji Triage, Beautifil II, and Equia Forte showing relatively higher absolute values. Conclusions: Clinically relevant ionizing radiation did not significantly affect the water absorption or solubility of the tested fluoride-releasing restorative materials, suggesting preserved physicochemical stability under therapeutic conditions.

To examine the effect of ionizing radiation on fluoride release from restorative dental materials, samples of Equia Forte HT, Fuji Triage, Fuji IX, Cention Forte, Activa Presto, Beautifil II, and Luminos (n = 10) were made in Teflon molds and divided into a control group and an experimental group. The experimental group was exposed to ionizing radiation for a total of 35 days (70 Gy, 2 Gy per day). The fluoride release was measured with a fluorine-selective electrode. The median recorded fluoride values were higher with Equia Forte HT, Fuji Triage, and Fuji IX compared to others during the entire period in both groups. With Activa Presto, a higher release of fluoride was recorded in the experimental group on the first day of irradiation, while a higher release was recorded in the control group, as well as with Luminos and Beautifil II. With Cention Forte, there was no significant difference in fluoride release between the experimental and control groups except on the sixth day. With Fuji Triage and Fuji IX, the release of fluoride was higher in the experimental group compared to the control group, while with Equia Forte HT, there was no difference between the groups. In conclusion, ionizing radiation has no major effect on fluoride release in all the tested materials.