Due to their high entrapment efficiency, anodized titanium nanotubes (TiO2-NTs) are considered effective reservoirs for loading/releasing strong antibiotics whose systemic administration is associated with diverse and severe side-effects. In this study, TiO2-NTs were synthesized by anodic oxidation of titanium foils, and the effects of electrolyte percentage and viscosity on their dimensions were evaluated. It was found that as the water content increased from 15 to 30%, the wall thickness, length, and inner diameter of the NTs increase from 5.9 to 15.8 nm, 1.56 to 3.21 µm, and 59 to 84 nm, respectively. Ciprofloxacin, a highly potent antibiotic, was loaded into TiO2-NTs with a high encapsulation efficiency of 93%, followed by coating with different chitosan layers to achieve a sustained release profile. The prepared formulations were characterized by various techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and contact measurement. In vitro release studies showed that the higher the chitosan layer count, the more sustained the release. Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the formulation against two endodontic species from Peptostreptococcus and Fusobacterium revealed minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1 µg/mL for the former and the latter. To summarize, this study demonstrated that TiO2-NTs are promising reservoirs for drug loading, and that the chitosan coating provides not only a sustained release profile, but also a synergistic antibacterial effect.

In this research, silver-doped zinc oxide (SdZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized in an environmental-friendly manner. The synthesized NPs were identified by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the antimicrobial activity of synthesized ZnO and SdZnO NPs was performed. It was observed that by doping silver, the size of ZnO NPs was changed. By adding silver to ZnO NPs, the antimicrobial effect of ZnO NPs was improved. Antibacterial test against gram-positive bacterium Streptococcus mutants showed that SdZnO NPs with a low density of silver had higher antibacterial activity than ZnO NPs; Therefore, SdZnO NPs can be used as a new antibacterial agent in medical applications.

Oro‐antral communication (OAC) is an opening between the maxillary sinus and the oral cavity, which can provide a pathway to cause an infection of the maxillary sinus. Although surgical techniques propose many advantages, several drawbacks have been reported in the previous studies. Bioactive modifiers such as platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) are widely being used in oral surgery. Various studies have been conducted for closure of OACs using PRF. Due to the heterogeneity of the techniques found, we opted for a literature review to highlight the variety of techniques discussed in the literature. A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Google Scholar and Cochrane databases was performed for published articles between 2014 and 2021. Keywords for OAC management and repair and inclusion criteria were used to screen articles for final review. Out of 195 articles found, 12 articles were included to the study. Eight studies performed simple direct application of PRF clots, 2 studies used PRF in combination with collagen membrane and in 2 studies the treatment plan was to use buccal advancement flap reinforced by PRF. There were several variations among approaches to the closure of OAC using PRF in terms of treatment planning, pre‐ and post‐operative medication and preparation of PRF. Despite the mentioned variations, review of recent studies showed that all of the cases experienced full epithelialisation of OAC. This technique, without manipulation of any additional flaps and auto‐grafts, has several advantages. However, further research, both experimental and clinical, is necessary to unravel the success rate of using PRF in the management of OACs.

MicroRNA‐34 (miR‐34) is one the most important tumor suppressor miRNAs involving in the various aspects of oral cancer. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of miR‐34 restoration in OECM‐1 oral cancer resistant to paclitaxel (OECM‐1/PTX) and its underlying mechanisms through p53‐mediated DNA damage and apoptosis. OECM‐1 and OECM‐1/PTX were transfected with miR‐34 mimic and inhibitor. Cellular proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated through MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of p53, p‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 were assessed through qRT‐PCR and western blotting. Rhodamin123 uptake assay was used to measure the P‐gp activities. P53 expression was also suppressed by sing a siRNA transfection of cells. The expression levels of miR‐34 were downregulated in OECM‐1/PTX. Restoration of miR‐34 led to increase in cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel in cells. In addition, the expression levels and activities of P‐gp were reduced following miR‐34 transfection. miR‐34 transfection upregulated the p53, ATM, ATR, CHK1, and CHK2 expression levels in OECM‐1/PTX cells. Furthermore, cells transfected with miR‐34 showed higher levels of apoptosis. miR‐34 restoration reverses paclitaxel resistance in OECM‐1 oral cancer. The chemosensitive effects of miR‐34 is mediated through increasing DNA damage and apoptosis in a p53 depended manner.