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Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews 2020Microneedles (MNs) have been used to deliver drugs for over two decades. These platforms have been proven to increase transdermal drug delivery efficiency dramatically...
Microneedles (MNs) have been used to deliver drugs for over two decades. These platforms have been proven to increase transdermal drug delivery efficiency dramatically by penetrating restrictive tissue barriers in a minimally invasive manner. While much of the early development of MNs focused on transdermal drug delivery, this technology can be applied to a variety of other non-transdermal biomedical applications. Several variations, such as multi-layer or hollow MNs, have been developed to cater to the needs of specific applications. The heterogeneity in the design of MNs has demanded similar variety in their fabrication methods; the most common methods include micromolding and drawing lithography. Numerous materials have been explored for MN fabrication which range from biocompatible ceramics and metals to natural and synthetic biodegradable polymers. Recent advances in MN engineering have diversified MNs to include unique shapes, materials, and mechanical properties that can be tailored for organ-specific applications. In this review, we discuss the design and creation of modern MNs that aim to surpass the biological barriers of non-transdermal drug delivery in ocular, vascular, oral, and mucosal tissue.
Topics: Administration, Topical; Biological Transport; Drug Delivery Systems; Equipment Design; Humans; Microinjections; Microtechnology; Polymers; Prostheses and Implants
PubMed: 31837356
DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2019.11.010 -
European Endodontic Journal Aug 2021This systematic review compares polytetrafluoroethylene tape and cotton pellet when used as endodontic spacers underneath provisional restorations. The review followed...
This systematic review compares polytetrafluoroethylene tape and cotton pellet when used as endodontic spacers underneath provisional restorations. The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42020176555). Studies that compared the microbial contamination between polytetrafluoroethylene tape and cotton pellet, when used as spacers, were included. Literature searches of Pubmed, Embase, EBSCOHost Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, Scopus, and Open Grey databases were conducted from their inception until May 2020 for studies in English or other Latin script languages. Hand searching of reference lists was performed. Three laboratory and three clinical studies were included. The risk of bias of the component studies varied widely. Results from the laboratory studies showed higher bacterial counts for cotton pellets. Results from the clinical studies showed that polytetrafluoroethylene tape was associated with a significantly lower incidence of microbial contamination. Findings were consistent throughout the studies, though the evidence available is scarce and heterogeneous. Polytetrafluoroethylene tape was associated with less microbial contamination when compared with cotton pellets as endodontic spacers and therefore appears to be a more suitable material for the purpose.
Topics: Polytetrafluoroethylene
PubMed: 34650011
DOI: 10.14744/eej.2021.52244 -
BMC Oral Health Oct 2023Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for localized diseases such as peri-implantitis that may affect ideal implant treatment. This study was aimed to... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Evaluating the effect of mechanical debridement with adjunctive antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in comparison with mechanical debridement alone on the peri-implant parameters in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients with peri-implantitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
BACKGROUND
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major risk factor for localized diseases such as peri-implantitis that may affect ideal implant treatment. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of mechanical debridement (MD) + antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (a-PDT) in patients with peri-implantitis who have T2DM in terms of bleeding on probing (BOP) and probing depth (PD) as primary outcomes and plaque index (PI) and crestal bone loss (CBL) as secondary outcomes.
METHODS
Publications compared outcomes between MD + aPDT and MD alone in T2DM patients with peri-implantitis, containing more than 3-month follow-up duration, were involved in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Literature until July 2023 using MEDLINE (through PubMed), Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were collected.
RESULTS
Two randomized controlled trials (RCTs, 88 individuals) and one controlled clinical trial (CCT, 67 individuals) with follow-up periods ranged from 3 to 12 months were recruited. All studies used diode laser with wavelengths ranged from 660 to 810 nm. The results demonstrated that the MD + aPDT group showed significant benefits for BOP reduction after 6 months (SMD = -2.15, 95% CI: -3.78 to -0.51, p = 0.01). However, a great amount of heterogeneity was observed (I = 91.52%, p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant difference between MD + aPDT and MD alone groups in CBL (SMD = -0.69, 95% CI: -1.07 to -0.30, p < 0.001). In addition, homogeneity assumption was satisfied (I = 22.49%, p = 0.28). Significant differences in PD and PI reduction were not found except for PI reduction after 3 months (SMD = -0.79, 95% CI: -1.24 to -0.33, p < 0.001. Also, no heterogeneity was observed (I = 0.00%, p = 0.47).
CONCLUSION
Given that high heterogeneity in BOP and PD outcome was found in this systematic review, future long-term CTs with MD + aPDT should be examined to arrive at a firm conclusion.
Topics: Humans; Peri-Implantitis; Debridement; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Dental Implants; Photochemotherapy; Anti-Infective Agents
PubMed: 37828479
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03337-9 -
Laryngoscope Investigative... Jun 2024To establish audiological and other outcomes following cochlear implantation in humans and animals with eluting electrodes. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To establish audiological and other outcomes following cochlear implantation in humans and animals with eluting electrodes.
METHODS
Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Databases searched (April 2023): MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Web of Science. Studies reporting outcomes in either humans or animals following cochlear implantation with a drug-eluting electrode were included. No limits were placed on language or year of publication. Risk of bias assessment was performed on all included studies using either the Brazzelli or Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) assessment tools. The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 statement.
RESULTS
Searches identified 146 abstracts and 108 full texts. Of these, 18 studies met the inclusion criteria, reporting outcomes in 523 animals (17 studies) and 24 humans (1 study). Eluting electrodes included dexamethasone (16 studies), aracytine (1 study), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (1 study), the growth factors insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) (1 study), and neurotrophin-3 (1 study). All included studies compare outcomes following implantation with an eluting electrode with a control non-eluting electrode. In the majority of studies, audiological outcomes (e.g., auditory brainstem response threshold) were superior following implantation with an eluting electrode compared with a standard electrode. Most studies which investigated post-implantation impedance reported lower impedance following implantation with an eluting electrode. The influence of eluting electrodes on other reported outcomes (including post-implantation cochlear fibrosis and the survival of hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons) was more varied across the included studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Eluting electrodes have shown promise in animal studies in preserving residual hearing following cochlear implantation and in reducing impedance, though data from human studies remain lacking. Further in-human studies will be required to determine the clinical usefulness of drug-eluting cochlear implants as a future treatment for sensorineural hearing loss.
PubMed: 38855776
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.1263 -
International Journal of Environmental... Nov 2022The implementation of adjunctive antibiotics has been recommended for the therapy of peri-implantitis (PI). In this review, antibiotic resistance patterns in PI patients... (Review)
Review
The implementation of adjunctive antibiotics has been recommended for the therapy of peri-implantitis (PI). In this review, antibiotic resistance patterns in PI patients were assessed. A systematic scoping review of observational studies and trials was established in conjunction with the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews. The SCOPUS, PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCIELO, Web of Science, and LILACS databases were reviewed along with the gray literature. The primary electronic examination produced 139 investigations. Finally, four observational studies met the selection criteria. These studies evaluated 214 implants in 168 patients. and mainly presented high resistance to tetracycline, metronidazole, and erythromycin in PI patients. Similarly, was also highly resistant to clindamycin and doxycycline. Other microorganisms such as , , and also presented significant levels of resistance to other antibiotics including amoxicillin, azithromycin, and moxifloxacin. However, most microorganisms did not show resistance to the combination amoxicillin metronidazole. Although the management of adjunctive antimicrobials in the therapy of PI is controversial, in this review, the resistance of relevant microorganisms to antibiotics used to treat PI, and usually prescribed in dentistry, was observed. Clinicians should consider the antibiotic resistance demonstrated in the treatment of PI patients and its public health consequences.
Topics: Humans; Peri-Implantitis; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Fusobacterium nucleatum; Porphyromonas gingivalis; Amoxicillin; Metronidazole; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 36497685
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315609 -
Nutrition Reviews May 2024It is well known that the microbiome undergoes cyclical diurnal rhythms. It has thus been hypothesized that meal timing may affect gut microbial composition, function,...
CONTEXT
It is well known that the microbiome undergoes cyclical diurnal rhythms. It has thus been hypothesized that meal timing may affect gut microbial composition, function, and host health.
OBJECTIVE
This review aims to examine the effects of time-restricted eating (TRE) and Ramadan fasting (RF) on the composition of the gut microbiota in animal and human studies. The associations between composition of microbiota and host metabolic parameters are also examined.
DATA SOURCES
A search was performed on the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to December 31, 2022. The search strategy was performed using the Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms "intermittent fasting" and "gastrointestinal microbiome" and the key words "Ramadan fasting" and "microbes."
DATA EXTRACTION
Seven human studies (4 TRE and 3 RF) and 9 animal studies (7 TRE, 2 RF-like) were retrieved.
DATA ANALYSIS
TRE and RF in human studies lead to an increase in gut microbial community alpha-diversity. In animal studies (both TRE and RF-like), fasting is not associated with improved alpha-diversity, but enhancement of microbial fluctuation is observed, compared with high-fat diet ad libitum groups. Within Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla, no specific direction of changes resulting from fasting are observed in both animals and human. After TRE or RF, a greater abundance of the Faecalibacterium genus is observed in human studies; changes in Lactobacillus abundance are found in animal studies; and increases in Akkermansia are seen both in humans and in animals fed a feed-pellet diet. Only 2 human studies show a beneficial correlation between microbiota changes and host metabolic (HDL cholesterol) or anthropometric parameters (body mass index).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings support the importance of both regimens in improving the gut microbiota composition. However, based on results of animal studies, it can be suggested that diet remains the essential factor in forming the microbiota's environment.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021278918.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Humans; Fasting; Animals; Islam
PubMed: 37528052
DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuad093 -
The International Journal, Advanced... 2021This paper presents a systematic review on extrusion additive manufacturing (EAM), with focus on the technological development of screw-assisted systems that can be fed... (Review)
Review
This paper presents a systematic review on extrusion additive manufacturing (EAM), with focus on the technological development of screw-assisted systems that can be fed directly with granulated materials. Screw-assisted EAM has gained importance as an enabling technology to expand the range of 3D printing materials, reduce costs associated with feedstock fabrication, and increase the material deposition rate compared to traditional fused filament fabrication (FFF). Many experimental printheads and commercial systems that use some screw-processing mechanism can be found in the literature, but the design diversity and lack of standard terminology make it difficult to determine the most suitable solutions for a given material or application field. Besides, the few previous reviews have offered only a glimpse into the topic, without an in-depth analysis about the design of the extruders and associated capabilities. A systematic procedure was devised to identify the screw-assisted EAM systems that can print directly from granulated materials, resulting in 61 articles describing different pieces of equipment that were categorized as experimental printheads and commercial systems, for small- and large-scale applications. After describing their main characteristics, the most significant extruder modifications were discussed with reference to the materials processed and performance requirements. In the end, a general workflow for the development of 3D printers based on screw extrusion was proposed. This review intends to provide information about the state-of-the-art screw-assisted EAM and help the academy to identify further research opportunities in the field.
PubMed: 34092883
DOI: 10.1007/s00170-021-07365-z -
International Journal of Implant... Sep 2023This systematic review aimed to evaluate the incidence of microleakage events (IME) and to identify the potential factors influencing the sealing ability of the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
PURPOSE
This systematic review aimed to evaluate the incidence of microleakage events (IME) and to identify the potential factors influencing the sealing ability of the implant-abutment interface (IAI) under in vitro investigation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
An electronic search of MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science databases, combined with a manual literature search was conducted up to September 2022. In vitro studies that reported the degree of microleakage at IAI under dynamic loading conditions were included. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate the mean values of the incidence of microleakage events. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were conducted to further investigate the effect of different variables.
RESULTS
675 studies were identified following the search process and 17 in vitro studies were selected according to the eligibility criteria. The weighted mean incidence of microleakage events was 47% (95% confidence interval: [0.33, 0.60]), indicating that contamination was observed in nearly half of the samples. Concerning possible factors that may influence microleakage (e.g., loading condition, assessment method, implant-abutment connection design, types of abutment material, the use of sealing agents), loading condition (p = 0.016) was the only variable that significantly influenced IME in the meta-regression analysis.
CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrated that dynamic loading significantly increases the potential of bacterial penetration at the implant-abutment junction. The results should be interpreted carefully due to the data heterogeneity and further well-conducted in vitro studies with homogeneous samples are needed to standardize the methodologies.
Topics: Dental Implants; Databases, Factual; Drug Contamination; Electronics; Eligibility Determination
PubMed: 37733145
DOI: 10.1186/s40729-023-00494-y -
Cureus Jun 2023Adults can accidentally swallow foreign bodies (FBs) with food. In rare occasions, these can lodge in the appendix lumen causing inflammation. This is known as foreign... (Review)
Review
Adults can accidentally swallow foreign bodies (FBs) with food. In rare occasions, these can lodge in the appendix lumen causing inflammation. This is known as foreign body appendicitis. We conducted this study to review different types and management of appendiceal FBs. A comprehensive search on PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar was performed to detect appropriate case reports for this review. Case reports eligible for this review included patients above 18 years of age with all types of FB ingestion causing appendicitis. A total of 64 case reports were deemed to be eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. The patient mean age was 44.3 ± 16.7 years (range, 18-77). Twenty-four foreign bodies were identified in the adult appendix. They were mainly lead shot pellet, fishbone, dental crown or filling, toothpick, and others. Forty-two percent of the included patients presented with classic appendicitis pain, while 17% were asymptomatic. Moreover, the appendix was perforated in 11 patients. Regarding modalities used for diagnosis, computed tomography (CT) scans confirmed the presence of FBs in 59% of cases while X-ray only managed to detect 30%. Almost all of the cases (91%) were treated surgically with appendicectomy and only six were managed conservatively. Overall, lead shot pellets were the most common foreign body found. Fishbone and toothpick accounted for most of the perforated appendix cases. This study concludes that prophylactic appendicectomy is recommended for the management of foreign bodies detected in the appendix, even if the patient is asymptomatic.
PubMed: 37425596
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.40133 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2020Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an optic neuropathy with high intraocular pressure (IOP) that manifests within the first few years of a child's life and is not... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) is an optic neuropathy with high intraocular pressure (IOP) that manifests within the first few years of a child's life and is not associated with other systemic or ocular abnormalities. PCG results in considerable morbidity even in high-income countries.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the effectiveness and safety of different surgical techniques for PCG.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (2020, Issue 4); Ovid MEDLINE; Embase.com; PubMed; metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) (last searched 23 June 2014); ClinicalTrials.gov; and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic search. We last searched the electronic databases on 27 April 2020.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs comparing different surgical interventions in children under five years of age with PCG.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
We used standard Cochrane methodology.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 16 trials (13 RCTs and three quasi-RCTs) with 587 eyes in 446 children. Eleven (69%) trials were conducted in Egypt and the Middle East, three in India, and two in the USA. All included trials involved children younger than five years of age, with follow-up ranging from six to 80 months. The interventions compared varied across trials. Three trials (on 68 children) compared combined trabeculotomy and trabeculectomy (CTT) with trabeculotomy. Meta-analysis of these trials suggests there may be little to no evidence of a difference between groups in mean IOP (mean difference (MD) 0.27 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.74 to 1.29; 88 eyes; 2 studies) and surgical success (risk ratio (RR) 1.01, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.14; 102 eyes; 3 studies) at one year postoperatively. We assessed the certainty of evidence as very low for these outcomes, downgrading for risk of bias (-1) and imprecision (-2). Hyphema was the most common adverse outcome in both groups (no meta-analysis due to considerable heterogeneity; I = 83%). Two trials (on 39 children) compared viscotrabeculotomy to conventional trabeculotomy. Meta-analysis of 42 eyes suggests there is no evidence of between groups difference in mean IOP (MD -1.64, 95% CI -5.94 to 2.66) and surgical success (RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.78) at six months postoperatively. We assessed the certainty of evidence as very low, downgrading for risk of bias and imprecision due to small sample size. Hyphema was the most common adverse outcome (38% in viscotrabeculotomy and 28% in conventional trabeculotomy), with no evidence of difference difference (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.63 to 2.83). Two trials (on 95 children) compared microcatheter-assisted 360-degree circumferential trabeculotomy to conventional trabeculotomy. Meta-analysis of two trials suggests that mean IOP may be lower in the microcatheter group at six months (MD -2.44, 95% CI -3.69 to -1.19; 100 eyes) and at 12 months (MD -1.77, 95% CI -2.92 to -0.63; 99 eyes); and surgical success was more likely to be achieved in the microcatheter group compared to the conventional trabeculotomy group (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.14 to 2.21; 60 eyes; 1 trial at 6 months; RR 1.54, 95% CI 1.20 to 1.97; 99 eyes; 2 trials at 12 months). We assessed the certainty of evidence for these outcomes as moderate due to small sample size. Hyphema was the most common adverse outcome (40% in the microcatheter group and 17% in the conventional trabeculotomy group), with greater likelihood of occurring in the microcatheter group (RR 2.25, 95% CI 1.25 to 4.04); the evidence was of moderate certainty due to small sample size (-1). Of the nine remaining trials, no two trials compared the same two surgical interventions: one trial compared CTT versus CTT with sclerectomy; three trials compared various suturing techniques and adjuvant use including mitomycin C, collagen implant in CTT; one trial compared CTT versus Ahmed valve implant in previously failed surgeries; one trial compared CTT with trabeculectomy; one trial compared trabeculotomy to goniotomy; and two trials compared different types of goniotomy. No trials reported quality of life or economic data. Many of the included trials had limitations in study design, implementation, and reporting, therefore the reliability and applicability of the evidence remains unclear.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
The evidence suggests that there may be little to no evidence of difference between CTT and routine conventional trabeculotomy, or between viscotrabeculotomy and routine conventional trabeculotomy. A 360-degree circumferential trabeculotomy may show greater surgical success than conventional trabeculotomy. Considering the rarity of the disease, future research would benefit from a multicenter, possibly international trial, involving parents of children with PCG and with a follow-up of at least one year.
Topics: Child, Preschool; Glaucoma; Glaucoma Drainage Implants; Humans; Hyphema; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Intraocular Pressure; Mitomycin; Postoperative Complications; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Sclera; Trabecular Meshwork; Trabeculectomy; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32816311
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD008213.pub3