Carmen-Larisa Nicolae

Using nanostructured drug delivery systems has attracted increasing interest in immunotherapeutic approaches. The intrinsic immunomodulatory properties and versatility of nanoparticles used as carriers were consistently reported to augment treatment efficiency as nanoscaled materials increase drug accumulation at the desired site, enhance cell internalization, and improve therapeutic outcomes. Thus, numerous studies have exploited the potential use of nanostructured drug delivery vehicles in delivering different cargo as a promising alternative for treating conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, and allergic and immune disorders. In this context, this paper presents nanostructured drug delivery systems as a solid basis for immunotherapeutic innovations, highlighting their advantages for improving treatment strategies, reviewing their clinical applications, and discussing existing challenges and ways to overcome them.

Bone grafting in oral and maxillofacial surgery has evolved significantly due to developments in materials science, offering innovative alternatives for the repair of bone defects. A few grafts are currently used in clinical settings, including autografts, xenografts, and allografts. However, despite their benefits, they have some challenges, such as limited availability, the possibility of disease transmission, and lack of personalization for the defect. Synthetic bone grafts have gained attention since they have the potential to overcome these limitations. Moreover, new technologies like nanotechnology, 3D printing, and 3D bioprinting have allowed the incorporation of molecules or substances within grafts to aid in bone repair. The addition of different moieties, such as growth factors, stem cells, and nanomaterials, has been reported to help mimic the natural bone healing process more closely, promoting faster and more complete regeneration. In this regard, this review explores the currently available bone grafts, the possibility of incorporating substances and molecules into their composition to accelerate and improve bone regeneration, and advanced graft manufacturing techniques. Furthermore, the presented current clinical applications and success stories for novel bone grafts emphasize the future potential of synthetic grafts and biomaterial innovations in improving patient outcomes in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

The dentistry industry has been modernized by nanotechnology, as this emerging field has opened up new doors for dental treatment, restoration, and tissue regeneration. The potential applications of nanomaterials in dentistry are reviewed in this paper, ranging from advanced restorative materials to targeted drug delivery systems. Due to their unique characteristics (e.g., high surface area-to-volume ratios and tunable physicochemical properties), nanomaterials allow for the precise control of material behavior at the nanoscale. The ability of nanostructured materials to promote tissue regeneration offers the prospect of developing new approaches in bone and periodontal regeneration. Therefore, this review thoroughly analyzes nanomaterials’ characteristics and biomedical applications, highlighting how they can aid in overcoming challenges in dental care and create possibilities for more individualized and less-invasive dental treatments.

The intersection of immunology and nanotechnology has provided significant advancements in biomedical research and clinical applications over the years. Immunology aims to understand the immune system’s defense mechanisms against pathogens. Nanotechnology has demonstrated its potential to manipulate immune responses, as nanomaterials’ properties can be modified for the desired application. Research has shown that nanomaterials can be applied in diagnostics, therapy, and vaccine development. In diagnostics, nanomaterials can be used for biosensor development, accurately detecting biomarkers even at very low concentrations. Therapeutically, nanomaterials can act as efficient carriers for delivering drugs, antigens, or genetic material directly to targeted cells or tissues. This targeted delivery improves therapeutic efficacy and reduces the adverse effects on healthy cells and tissues. In vaccine development, nanoparticles can improve vaccine durability and extend immune responses by effectively delivering adjuvants and antigens to immune cells. Despite these advancements, challenges regarding the safety, biocompatibility, and scalability of nanomaterials for clinical applications are still present. This review will cover the fundamental interactions between nanomaterials and the immune system, their potential applications in immunology, and their safety and biocompatibility concerns.

This paper explores the latest advancements in aerogel technology for antimicrobial therapy, revealing their interesting capacity that could improve the current medical approaches for antimicrobial treatments. Aerogels are attractive matrices because they can have an antimicrobial effect on their own, but they can also provide efficient delivery of antimicrobial compounds. Their interesting properties, such as high porosity, ultra-lightweight, and large surface area, make them suitable for such applications. The fundamentals of aerogels and mechanisms of action are discussed. The paper also highlights aerogels’ importance in addressing current pressing challenges related to infection management, like the limited drug delivery alternatives and growing resistance to antimicrobial agents. It also covers the potential applications of aerogels in antimicrobial therapy and their possible limitations.

Background and Objectives: Lichen planus of the lip (LPL) is a chronic inflammatory condition that resembles actinic cheilitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, graft-versus-host disease, and lichenoid reaction to dental materials or drugs. The purpose of this study was to conduct a literature review on lichen planus lip involvement and to report a retrospective observational study that characterises and explores the clinical, histopathological, and evolution of the lesions in a group of patients with unique involvement of LPL. Materials and Methods: Clinical data of patients diagnosed with LPL was retrieved from the medical charts of the patients referred to the Oral Pathology Department of the “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy. A concurrent electronic literature research was carried out using PubMed and Web of Science from 2003 to 2023. Results: Eleven patients diagnosed with unique LPL were analysed (male/female ratio was 1.75, mean age 63.64 years ± 12.52). All patients presented lesions of the lower lip; the clinical forms were atrophic (six cases) and erosive (five cases), and the histopathological exam confirmed the diagnosis. After topical treatment with corticosteroids, most of the patients had complete remission. The literature review revealed 24 studies (sixteen case reports and eight case series) which comprised 84 patients. Isolated lip involvement was reported in 17 studies, and five articles with concomitant oral lichen planus, while two articles did not mention this criterion. Conclusions: Our study brings new data on isolated lichen planus of the lip that primarily affects the lower lip with predominance in male patients. It was reported worldwide in patients between 22 and 75 years old. Topical corticosteroids were the main treatment prescribed and they usually brought remission of the lesions. Lichen planus of the lip is a challenging diagnosis for oral health practitioner providers as well as for dermatologists.