The incorporation of functional monomers in dental adhesive systems promotes chemical interaction with dental substrates, resulting in higher adhesion forces when compared to micromechanical adhesion only. The 10-MDP monomer, whose chemical structure allows for a polar behavior which is favorable to adhesion, also promotes the protection of collagen fibers through the formation of MDP-calcium salts. This systematic review aimed to characterize the interface created by 10-MDP containing adhesive systems through an evaluation of the following parameters: Formation of nano-layered structures, capacity to produce an acid-base resistant zone, and adhesion stability. The research was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Embase, limited to English, Spanish, and Portuguese articles. The research was done according to the PICO strategy. The 10-MDP monomer has the capacity to produce an acid-base resistant zone on the adhesive interface, which increases the response to acid-base challenges. The adhesion established by these systems is stable over time. To have the best of these adhesive solutions, a scrubbing technique must be used to apply the adhesive system on dental substrates, in order to improve monomers infiltration and to create a stable bond. Time must be given for the solution to infiltrate, hybridize and form the MDP-Ca, improving adhesive stability.

Dental caries is a disease of dental hard tissues, considered the most common non-communicable disease worldwide. Conventional treatments for caries removal are often associated with pain and fear, so different therapeutic approaches have been developed towards more conservative and pleasant treatments. This systematic review aimed to assess the efficacy and patient’s acceptance of alternative methods for caries removal compared to conventional methods. The Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline/Pubmed, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials databases were searched. Clinical trials of primary dental caries treated with alternative methods were included. The last search was performed on 5 August 2020. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome (PICO) strategy was followed. Thirty-seven clinical trials were included, reporting caries removal using alternative (chemomechanical—Brix 3000, Carie-care, Carisolv and Papacarie, laser—Er:YAG (Erbium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet) and Er,Cr:YSGG (Erbium, Chromium-doped Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium and Garnet), and a system combining air and sono-abrasion—Vector^® System) and conventional methods. Alternative methods tended to prolong treatment time and lessen anesthesia need. All treatments were effective in reducing cariogenic flora, and the restoration’s performance did not differ significantly. Chemomechanical solutions seemed to be the best option towards minimally invasive treatments, with good control during application and action and good treatment experiences for patients. Papacarie was demonstrated to be an effective method for caries removal with less pain, and superior acceptance by patients when compared to conventional treatments.

Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and common causes of cancer death in women. Recent studies suggest that environmental exposures to certain chemicals, such as 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), a chemical present in tobacco, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. The first-line treatments for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both) are generally invasive and frequently associated with severe side effects and high comorbidity. Consequently, novel approaches are strongly required to find more natural-like experimental models that better reflect the tumors’ etiology, physiopathology and response to treatments, as well as to find more targeted, efficient and minimally invasive treatments. This study proposes the development and an in deep biological characterization of an experimental model using DMBA-tumor-induction in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Moreover, a photothermal therapy approach using a near-infrared laser coupled with gold nanoparticles was preliminarily assessed. The gold nanoparticles were functionalized with Epidermal Growth Factor, and their physicochemical properties and in vitro effects were characterized. DMBA proved to be a very good and selective inductor of breast cancer, with 100% incidence and inducing an average of 4.7 tumors per animal. Epigenetic analysis showed that tumors classified with worst prognosis were hypomethylated. The tumor-induced rats were then subjected to a preliminary treatment using functionalized gold nanoparticles and its activation by laser (650–900 nm). The treatment outcomes presented very promising alterations in terms of tumor histology, confirming the presence of necrosis in most of the cases. Although this study revealed encouraging results as a breast cancer therapy, it is important to define tumor eligibility and specific efficiency criteria to further assess its application in breast cancer treatment on other species.

This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Clinical studies on recurrent OSCC treated with PDT alone were included. Combined treatment strategies were excluded. The search was performed on Medline/Pubmed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science and ClinicalTrials.gov, manual search, and grey literature. The eleven included studies were observational. The risk of bias and methodological quality were evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The studies reported the use of hematoporphyrin derivative, Photofrin^Ⓡ, Foscan^Ⓡ and 5-aminolevulinic acid. Data on treatment response and survival was collected. Secondarily, postoperative courses and patient's quality of life/acceptance were reported whenever available. Photofrin^Ⓡ and Foscan^Ⓡ were the most used photosensitisers, with more complete responses. Lesions responding less favourably were on posterior regions or deep-seated in the tissue. Although treatment response differs between treatment protocols, PDT stands as a viable treatment option to be considered, as it can achieve therapeutic results and disease-free, long-lasting periods. Partial treatment responses may be of interest when achieving eligibility for other treatment strategies. Despite this study's limitations, which considered four photosensitisers, Photofrin^Ⓡ was the most used but more recent photosensitisers like Foscan^Ⓡ have greater chemical stability, tissue penetration, and may be more efficacious on recurrent OSCC.

This study aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of commercially available adhesive strategies—etch-and-rinse (Adper^™ Scotchbond^™ 1 XT, 3M ESPE, St. Paul, MN, USA, SB1), self-etch (Clearfil^™ SE Bond 2, Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Tokyo, Japan, CSE), and universal (Scotchbond^™ Universal, 3M Deutschland GmbH, Neuss, Germany, SBU). MDPC-23 cells were exposed to adhesives extracts in different concentrations and exposure times. To access cell metabolic activity, viability, types of cell death, and cell cycle, the MTT assay, SRB assay, double labeling with annexin V and propidium iodide, and labeling with propidium iodide/RNAse were performed, respectively. Cultures were stained with May-Grünwald Giemsa for qualitative cytotoxicity assessment. The SB1, CSE, and SBU extracts determined a significant reduction in cell metabolism and viability. This reduction was higher for prolonged exposures, even for less concentrated extracts. CSE extracts significantly reduced the cell’s metabolic activity at higher concentrations (50% and 100%) from 2 h of exposure. After 24 and 96 h, a metabolic activity reduction was verified for all adhesives, even at lower concentrations. These changes were dependent on the adhesive, its concentration, and the incubation time. Regarding cell viability, SBU extracts were the least cytotoxic, and CSE was significantly more cytotoxic than SB1 and SBU. The adhesives determined a reduction in viable cells and an increase in apoptotic, late apoptosis/necrosis, and necrotic cells. Moreover, on cultures exposed to SB1 and CSE extracts, a decrease in the cells in S and G2/M phases and an increase in the cells in G0/G1 phase was observed. Exposure to SBU led to an increase of cells in the S phase. In general, all adhesives determined cytotoxicity. CSE extracts were the most cytotoxic and were classified as having a higher degree of reactivity, leading to more significant inhibition of cell growth and destruction of the cell’s layers.

Direct pulp capping consists of a procedure in which a material is directly placed over the exposed pulp to maintain dental vitality. Although still widely used in clinical practice, previous in vitro studies found that the biomaterial Life^® presented high cytotoxicity, leading to cell death. This study aimed to identify the Life^® constituents responsible for its cytotoxic effects on odontoblast-like cells (MDPC-23). Aqueous medium conditioned with Life^® was subjected to liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate. After solvent removal, cells were treated with residues isolated from the organic and aqueous fractions. MTT and Trypan blue assays were carried out to evaluate the metabolic activity and cell death. The organic phase residue promoted a significant decrease in metabolic activity and increased cell death. On the contrary, no cytotoxic effects were observed with the mixture from the aqueous fraction. Spectroscopic and spectrometric methods allowed the identification of the toxic compounds. A mixture of the regioisomers ortho, para, and meta of N-ethyl-toluenesulfonamide was identified as the agent responsible for the toxicity of biomaterial Life^® in MDPC-23 cells. These findings contribute to improving biomaterial research and development.