Objective: To investigate the efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on cervical myofascial pain following neck dissection in reducing pain and improving cervical range of motion (ROM). Methods: Forty-six patients with cervical myofascial pain following neck dissection surgery were recruited and subdivided at random into two equal groups. The ESWT group received ESWT once a week for 4 weeks (0.25 mL/mm2, 1,000 shocks) and a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (3 times/day for 4 weeks). The control group received only topical NSAID. The pain assessment was done by using the visual analog scale (VAS) and pressure algometry. A cervical ROM device was used for the assessment of the lateral flexion and rotation of the neck ROM on both sides. All measurements were collected at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks. Results: The ESWT group revealed a significant improvement in all parameters at post I and post II than did the control group (p>0.001), that revealed a statistical decrease only in the VAS score at post I without any statistical difference in the pain threshold and neck ROM. However, there were statistical differences in all parameters at post II compared to those at pre-treatment and post I (p<0.001). Conclusion As a confirmation of the efficacy of ESWT in cervical myofascial pain control following neck dissection, we observed better results with no side effects in the ESWT group (Clinical Trial Registry No. PACTR202002648274347).

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the accuracy of digitally designed removable partial denture (RPD) frameworks, constructed by additive and subtractive methods castable resin patterns, using comparative 3D analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Kennedy class III mod. 1 educational maxillary model was used in this study. The cast was scanned after modification, and a removable partial denture framework was digitally designed. Twelve frameworks were constructed. Two groups were defined: Group A: six frameworks were milled with castable resin, then casted by the lost wax technique into Co-Cr frameworks; Group B: six frameworks were printed with castable resin, then casted by the lost wax technique into Co-Cr frameworks. Comparative 3D analysis was used to measure the accuracy of the fabricated frameworks using Geomagic Control X software. Student's t-test was used for comparing data. P value ≤ .05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Regarding the accuracy of the occlusal rests, group A (milled) (0.1417 ± 0.0224) showed significantly higher accuracy than group B (printed) (0.02347 ± 0.0221). The same results were found regarding the 3D comparison of the overall accuracy, in which group A (0.1501 ± 0.0205) was significantly more accurate than group B (0.179 ± 0.0137). CONCLUSION In indirect fabrication techniques, subtractive manufacturing yields more accurate RPDs than additive manufacturing.

Objective To investigate the antifibrotic role of rosmarinic acid (RA), a natural polyphenolic compound, on HSCs activation/proliferation and apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. Methods The impact of RA on stellate cell line (HSC-T6) proliferation, activation and apoptosis was assessed along with its safety on primary hepatocytes. In vivo, rats were divided into: (i) normal; (ii) thioacetamide (TAA)-intoxicated rats for 12 weeks; (iii) TAA + silymarin or (iv) TAA + RA. At the end of experiment, liver functions, oxidative stress, inflammatory and profibrogenic markers, tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases type-1 (TIMP-1) and hydroxyproline (HP) levels were evaluated. Additionally, liver histopathology and immunohistochemical examinations of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), caspase-3 and proliferation cellular nuclear antigen (PCNA) were determined. Results RA exhibited anti-proliferative effects on cultured HSCs in a time and concentration dependent manner showing an IC

Considering the great potential of natural products as anticancer agents, the present study was designed to explore the molecular mechanisms responsible for anticancer activities of Mesua ferrea stem bark extract against human colorectal carcinoma. Based on MTT assay results, bioactive sub-fraction (SF-3) was selected for further studies using HCT 116 cells. Repeated column chromatography resulted in isolation of less active α-amyrin from SF-3, which was identified and characterized by GC-MS and HPLC methods. α-amyrin and betulinic acid contents of SF-3 were measured by HPLC methods. Fluorescent assays revealed characteristic apoptotic features, including cell shrinkage, nuclear condensation, and marked decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential in SF-3 treated cells. In addition, increased levels of caspases-9 and -3/7 levels were also observed in SF-3 treated cells. SF-3 showed promising antimetastatic properties in multiple in vitro assays. Multi-pathway analysis revealed significant down-regulation of WNT, HIF-1α, and EGFR with simultaneous up-regulation of p53, Myc/Max, and TGF-β signalling pathways in SF-3 treated cells. In addition, promising growth inhibitory effects were observed in SF-3 treated HCT 116 tumour spheroids, which give a hint about in vivo antitumor efficacy of SF-3 phytoconstituents. In conclusion, these results demonstrated that anticancer effects of SF-3 towards colon cancer are through modulation of multiple molecular pathways.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ErbB Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; HCT116 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; genetics ; metabolism ; Magnoliopsida ; chemistry ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; prevention & control ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Wnt Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism