The purpose of this study was to predict the color change of different layers of composites, in cases of complex stratified dental restorations.

Anthocyanins are water soluble pigments which have been proved to exhibit health benefits. Several studies have investigated their effects on several types of cancer, but little attention has been given to melanoma. The phytochemical content of nine different berry samples was assessed by liquid chromatography followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Twenty-six anthocyanins were identified, after a previous C Sep-pak clean-up procedure. Chokeberry and red grape anthocyanins rich extracts (C-ARE and RG-ARE) were selected to be tested on normal and melanoma cell lines, due to their different chemical pattern. C-ARE composition consists of cyanidin aglycone glycosylated with different sugars; while RG-ARE contains glucosylated derivatives of five different aglycones. Both C-ARE and RG-ARE anthocyanins reduced proliferation, increased oxidative stress biomarkers and diminished mitochondrial membrane potential in melanoma cells, having no negative influence on normal cells. A synergistic response may be attributed to the five different aglycones present in RG-ARE, which proved to exert greater effects on melanoma cells than the mixture of cyanidin derivatives with different sugars (C-ARE). In conclusion, C-ARE and RG-ARE anthocyanins may inhibit melanoma cell proliferation and increase the level of oxidative stress, with opposite effect on normal cells. Therefore, anthocyanins might be recommended as active ingredients for cosmetic and nutraceutical industry. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Background and aimsTo evaluate the staining effects of two brands of coffee and the bleaching efficiency of two in-office bleaching methods, upon different opacities of a commercial nanocomposite.MethodsTwenty four specimens of each opacity, A3 Dentin, A3 Body and A3 Enamel, were fabricated from Filtek Supreme (3MEspe). The specimens were further divided into two groups (n=12) and were immersed in two coffee solutions (Bio Organic Coffee Bellarom, 100% Arabica, and Iulius Meinl Coffee), for 24 hours. Between the staining sessions, the specimens were stored in sterile water, at 37°C. Each group was further divided into three (n=4), in order to be bleached, as follows: Group 1 - Beyond 35% in office, for 4 applications of 15 minutes each, Group 2 – Zoom Day White 6% in office, for 4 applications of 15 minutes each, Group 3 – Control Group, stored in sterile water. Color values were measured with a dental spectrophotometer Vita EasyShade 4.0 and five measurements were recorded for each sample at a time. Lightness L*, color coordinates a* and b* were recorded, at baseline, after staining in coffee and after bleaching. Whiteness index (WID) of the three composite resins (A3D, A3B, A3E) in the three moments were calculated, as well as the color difference Delta E* correspondent to the staining and bleaching process. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA and the WID index was calculated WID (p<0.05). Univariate analysis of variance was performed for assessing the influence of staining solution upon composite resins, as well as for testing the effect of bleaching agents. The significance level was set at α=0.05 and pairwise comparisons were adjusted by the Least Significant Difference method.ResultsThe pairwise comparisons showed no significant difference between the effects of the two bleaching agents upon the WID, meaning that they induce almost similar color changes. The results of the univariate ANOVA test indicated a significant effect of the composite resin and the staining solution upon the WID (p<0.05). However, no significant interaction effect was found between the composite resin and the staining solution (p=0.095). There was a significant difference in the staining effect of the two coffee solutions only for A3B and A3E composite resins (p<0.05).ConclusionsThe chromatic changes of the nanocomposite resin could be evaluated by the variation of the whiteness index. The staining effect induced by the two types of coffee was similar. The most effective protocol was the in-office bleaching method based on Beyond 35%.

Red berries are important sources of bioactive compounds and they are known to provide unique health benefits. Lately, it has been proved that anthocyanins have health benefits against degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer or diabetes. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to characterize the anthocyanin content of anthocyanins pure extracts (APEs) obtained from raspberries (Rubus sp.) and mulberries (Morus sp.) and to evaluate their antiproliferative effect in vitro. Upon chromatographic analysis, three anthocyanins were identified in purified extracts of mulberries (M-APEs), with cyanidin-3-O-glucoside being more abundant. On the other hand, purified extracts of raspberries (R-APEs) contained 2 anthocyanins, both identified as cyanidin-derivatives. The in vitro test demonstrated that APEs decreased the proliferation on both HeLa and A2780 human cancer cell lines in a dose dependent manner, demonstrating that these two different berries are both rich sources of anthocyanins and are able to exert antiproliferative proprieties toward cervical and ovarian cancer.

Eye exposure to high light intensities can produce a photochemical damage to retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), leading to severe pathologies. RPE D407 cells treated with Resveratrol (RSV, 100 µM, 24h) +/-photosensitizer Rose Bengal (RB, 500 nM, 1h) were exposed to green LED light. Cell viability and level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced after exposure to green light +/-RB were evaluated by MTT, respectively ROS assays. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine GSH level and enzyme activities (CAT, SOD, GPx). Green LED light alone reduced cell viability with 30%, but a 40% reduction was observed in the presence of RB. RSV proved to have a strong positive impact, with a 20% increase in the viability of D407 cells exposed to green LED light. Viability of D407 cells exposed to green LED light +/+ RB in the presence of RSV remained unchanged comparing to corresponding control. RSV blocked the intracellular ROS production, stimulated or restored the antioxidant enzymes activities and increased the level of reduced GSH in cells exposed to green LED light +/-RB. Our data came to support the potential use of RSV as protecting agent of retina's antioxidant defence system in light-induced stress.