Changes In Mineral Content Research Articles

Efficacy of different remineralization agents on microhardness and chemical composition of enamel white spot lesion

Background White spot lesions (WSLs) are frequently linked with low microhardness and mineral content changes. several strategies have been employed to deal with these problems. This investigation aimed to analyze the microhardness and mineral content changes after remineralization with bioactive glass (BAG) and casein phospho-peptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF). Methods Twenty sound maxillary first premolars extracted were used to obtain a total of one hundred enamel samples. forty enamel slabs were split into four experimental groups (n = 10 each): Group I, BAG; Group II, BAG+CPP-ACPF; Group III, CPP-ACPF varnish; and Group IV, artificial saliva (negative control). To create artificial WSLs, all samples were preserved in a prepared demineralizing agent for 72 h before treatment with remineralizing agents. Vickers microhardness test was performed. Additionally, 60 enamel samples were selected for analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and assigned to six experimental groups; the first four groups were similar to that used in the microhardness test along with Group V: WSLs, and Group VI: baseline. The statistical analyses employed in this study included Tukey’s HSD (p<0.05), one-way ANOVA, and Shapiro-Wilk. Result Regarding surface microhardness, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group showed the most favorable recovery, which was better than the outcomes of the BAG and CPP-ACPF groups. A statistically significant change (p <0.05) was not observed between them. Similarly, for mineral content change, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group demonstrated the greatest result, The BAG group came next, and the CPP-ACPF group came last. Conclusion The BAG+CPP-ACPF group might be regarded as the best course of treatment for enhancing both the surface microhardness and mineral content (Ca, P), while the control group (Artificial saliva) showed the least satisfactory results in comparison. After demineralization, mineral content and microhardness decreased in all samples. Therefore, BAG+CPP-ACPF significantly improved the surface microhardness and mineral content.

Usability of a novel Hounsfield units measurement procedure to quantify intercorporal bone graft remodeling in patients after posterior lumbar interbody fusion: a case series

BackgroundThere is a lack of knowledge about the biological process of intercorporal bone graft remodeling after posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery and whether this process is associated with changes in back pain and intercorporal fusion status. As an alternative to the commonly used but unreliable fusion criteria, Hounsfield units can be used to quantify biological activity and changes in bone mineral content. However, studies assessing Hounsfield units conducted to date do not provide sufficient details about how the bone grafts were segmented to measure the Hounsfield units to allow for replication, and did not assess individual patient trends in graft changes over time. Using the data of nine patients after posterior lumbar interbody fusion, a novel Hounsfield units measurement procedure was developed and used to explore its usability to quantify the bone graft remodeling process.Case detailsWe report a case series of nine patients (six male, three female, mean age 64 years, all Caucasian) who all had computed tomography scans performed at 1 and 2 years after posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery. Overall, seven out of the nine (78%) cases had a 3–41% increase in their bone grafts’ Hounsfield units between 1 and 2 years after surgery. The cases showed large interindividual variability in their Hounsfield units values over time, which coincided with varying levels of back pain and intercorporal fusion status.ConclusionThe Hounsfield units measurement procedure used for this case series may be useful to quantify intercorporal bone graft remodeling in patients after posterior lumbar interbody fusion, and may be used as an adjunct diagnostic measure to monitor bone graft remodeling over time. Future research is warranted to explore how to interpret bone graft Hounsfield units-values and Hounsfield units trajectories in light of clinical variables or intercorporal fusion status.

Impact of dairy supplementation on bone acquisition in children's limbs: a 12-month cluster-randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis.

This study evaluated the impact of dairy supplementation on bone acquisition in children's limbs through a cluster-randomized controlled trial and a meta-analysis. The trial involved 315 children (4-6year) from Northwest China, randomized to receive either 390ml of milk daily (n = 215) or 20-30g of bread (n = 100) over 12months. We primarily assessed bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) changes at the limbs, alongside bone-related biomarkers, measured at baseline, the 6th and 12th months. The meta-analysis aggregated BMD or BMC changes in the forearm/legs/calcaneus from published randomized trials involving children aged 3-18years supplemented with dairy foods (vs. control group). Of 278 completed the trial, intention-to-treat analysis revealed significant increases in BMD (4.05% and 7.31%) and BMC (4.69% and 7.34%) in the left forearm at the 6th and 12th months in the milk group compared to controls (P < 0.001). The calcaneus showed notable improvements in BMD (2.01%) and BMC (1.87%) at 6months but not at 12months. Additionally, milk supplementation was associated with beneficial changes in bone resorption markers, parathyroid hormone (- 12.70%), insulin-like growth factor 1 (6.69%), and the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio (2.22%) (all P < 0.05). The meta-analysis, encompassing 894 children, indicated that dairy supplementation significantly increased BMD (SMD, 0.629; 95%CI: 0.275, 0.983) and BMC (SMD, 0.616; 95%CI: 0.380, 0.851) (P < 0.05) in the arms, but not in the legs (P > 0.05). Milk supplementation significantly improves bone health in children's forearms, underscoring its potential as a strategic dietary intervention for bone development. Trial registration NCT05074836.

Progressive alterations in mineral contents in citrus genotypes toward Alternaria citri causing brown spot of citrus.

Brown spot of citrus caused by Alternaria citri is one of the emerging threats to the successful production of citrus crops. The present study, conducted with a substantial sample size of 50 leaf samples for statistical reliability, aimed to determine the change in mineral content in citrus leaves after brown spot disease attack. Leaf samples from a diverse range of susceptible citrus varieties (Valentia late, Washington navel, and Kinnow) and resistant varieties (Citron, Eruka lemon, and Mayer lemon) were analyzed. Significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) in mineral contents were observed across reaction groups (inoculated and un-inoculated), types (resistant and susceptible), and varieties of citrus in response to infection of Alternaria citri. The analysis of variance showed significant changes in mineral levels of citrus leaves, including nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu). The results indicate that the concentration of N and P differed by 6.63% and 1.44%, respectively, in resistant plants, while susceptible plants showed a difference of 6.07% and 1.19%. Moreover, resistant plants showed a higher concentrations of K, Ca, Mg, Zn, Na, Fe, and Cu at 8.40, 2.1, 1.83, 2.21, 1.58, 2.89, and 0.36 ppm respectively, compared to susceptible plants which showed concentrations of 5.99, 1.93, 1.47, 1.09, 1.24, 1.81, and 0.31 ppm respectively. Amounts of mineral contents were reduced in both resistant as well as susceptible plants of citrus after inoculation. Amount of N (8.56), P (1.87) % while K (10.74), Ca (2.71), Mg (2.62), Zn (2.20), Na (2.08), Fe (3.57) and Cu (0.20) ppm were recorded in un-inoculated group of citrus plants that reduced to 3.15 and 0.76% and 3.66, 1.40, 0.63,0.42, 0.74, 1.13 and 0.13 ppm in inoculated group respectively. It was accomplished that susceptible varieties contained lower ionic contents than resistant varieties. The higher concentrations of ionic contents in resistant citrus varieties build up the biochemical and physiological processes of the citrus plant, which help to restrict spread of pathogens. Further research could explore the interplay between mineral nutrition and disease resistance in citrus, potentially leading to the development of new disease-resistant varieties.

Examining the Effectiveness of Polyamidoamine (PAMAM) Dendrimers for Enamel Lesion Remineralization: A Systematic Review.

White spot lesions (WSLs) and demineralized enamel surfaces are common dental issues that can lead to further complications if untreated. The potential of various remineralizing agents has been extensively studied, but the efficacy of polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers in promoting enamel remineralization remains to be fully elucidated. This systematic review aims to evaluate the remineralizing potential of PAMAM on WSLs and demineralized enamel surfaces.To identify relevant studies, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library. Inclusion criteria comprised in vitro and in vivo studies that assessed the effects of PAMAM on WSLs or demineralized enamel. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers. The primary outcomes measured were changes in enamel microhardness, surface morphology, and mineral content. Five studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising in vitro studies. The results indicated that PAMAM demonstrated a significant remineralizing effect on demineralized enamel surfaces, as evidenced by increased microhardness and improved surface morphology. The studies varied in their methodological approaches but collectively supported the potential of PAMAM in enamel remineralization. PAMAM dendrimers exhibit promising remineralizing properties for treating WSLs and demineralized enamel surfaces.

Gluten-free crackers using chickpea and pumpkin seed press cake blend: Effects of gastrointestinal digestion

The use of a blend of chickpea and pumpkin seed press cake flours in the production of gluten-free crackers represents a promising strategy to address nutritional gaps and meet the growing demand for healthier gluten-free options. To test this assumption, an in vitro digestion method was employed to assess changes in total phenolic content, antioxidant activity, protein composition, electrophoretic patterns, and mineral content of gluten-free crackers formulated using these raw materials before and after digestion. The crackers were produced substituting 20% and 35% of chickpea flour by using two types of pumpkin seed press cake flour, one from virgin oil pressing (VFC) and the other from cold-pressed oil pressing (CFC). This approach aimed to assess how the treatment history of the pumpkin seed press cake flour affected the tested parameters. All samples displayed a 3- to 4-fold increase in total phenolic content after in vitro digestion. A noticeable enhancement in antioxidant activity is observed, where CFC samples showed higher values compared to VFC samples. The control sample and 35CFC sample present similar protein digestibility values (%), 76.97 and 77.05 respectively, while other crackers showed significantly lower digestibility. Incorporation of pumpkin seed press cake flours leads to a substantial increase in mineral content, notably zinc (up to 2-fold), iron (up to 40%), and magnesium (up to 2.5 fold). Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the utilization of pumpkin seed press cake as a potential source of bioactive compounds, emphasizing its significance beyond its traditional role as a by-product.

To Study the Physico Chemical Characteristics and Mineral Contant of Pomegranate Arils Juice

Background: Pomegranate arils juice is renowned for its nutritional qualities, which are influenced by various storage conditions and varietal characteristics. This study explores the physico-chemical properties and mineral content of three distinct pomegranate varieties—Ghandhri, Bedana, and Tarnab Gulabi—under different storage conditions. Objective: The primary goal of the research was to examine the impact of storage on the TSS, pH, acidity, and mineral content (iron, zinc, and calcium) of pomegranate arils juice from three regional varieties. Methods: The study was conducted at the Human Nutrition and Agriculture Chemistry laboratory at the University of Agriculture, Peshawar, and the Food Science division of the Agriculture Research Institute Tarnab. Fresh and stored juices from the three varieties were analyzed to assess changes in physico-chemical properties and mineral content. Results: Storage led to an increase in the levels of zinc and iron, with recorded increases in zinc to 0.568±0.04 ppm in Ghandhri and iron peaking at 0.19±0.2 ppm in Tarnab Gulabi. However, calcium content decreased during storage, with a notable reduction to 3.13±2.93 ppm in stored juices. TSS was highest in Ghandhri and Tarnab Gulabi at 15.6±1.02, while acidity was highest in Ghandhri at 2.139±0.19. Conclusion: The study confirms that storage significantly alters the physico-chemical properties and mineral content of pomegranate arils juice, with detrimental effects on calcium levels but beneficial impacts on zinc and iron content. Notable varietal differences were observed, with Tarnab Gulabi displaying the highest phenolic content.

Efficacy of different remineralization agents on microhardness and chemical composition of enamel white spot lesion.

White spot lesions (WSLs) are frequently linked with low microhardness and mineral content changes. several strategies have been employed to deal with these problems. This investigation aimed to analyze the microhardness and mineral content changes after remineralization with bioactive glass (BAG) and casein phospho-peptide-amorphous calcium phosphate with fluoride (CPP-ACPF). Twenty sound maxillary first premolars extracted were used to obtain a total of one hundred enamel samples. forty enamel slabs were split into four experimental groups (n = 10 each): Group I, BAG; Group II, BAG+CPP-ACPF; Group III, CPP-ACPF varnish; and Group IV, artificial saliva (negative control). To create artificial WSLs, all samples were preserved in a prepared demineralizing agent for 72 h before treatment with remineralizing agents. Vickers microhardness test was performed. Additionally, 60 enamel samples were selected for analysis using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and assigned to six experimental groups; the first four groups were similar to that used in the microhardness test along with Group V: WSLs, and Group VI: baseline. The statistical analyses employed in this study included Tukey's HSD (p<0.05), one-way ANOVA, and Shapiro-Wilk. Regarding surface microhardness, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group showed the most favorable recovery, which was better than the outcomes of the BAG and CPP-ACPF groups. A statistically significant change (p <0.05) was not observed between them. Similarly, for mineral content change, the BAG+CPP-ACPF group demonstrated the greatest result, The BAG group came next, and the CPP-ACPF group came last. The BAG+CPP-ACPF group might be regarded as the best course of treatment for enhancing both the surface microhardness and mineral content (Ca, P), while the control group (Artificial saliva) showed the least satisfactory results in comparison. After demineralization, mineral content and microhardness decreased in all samples. Therefore, BAG+CPP-ACPF significantly improved the surface microhardness and mineral content.

Association of short-term changes in HbA1c with body composition and the importance of muscle maintenance in patients with Type 2 diabetes

AimsThis study aimed to investigate the relationship between changes in glucose metabolism and body composition in patients with diabetes. MethodsWe included 380 patients with type 2 diabetes, who underwent bioelectrical impedance analysis, in this longitudinal study. Changes in HbA1c (ΔHbA1c) levels and body composition indices were compared between baseline and 6 months. A multivariate analysis was performed to examine the relationship between ΔHbA1c and changes in body composition. ResultsHbA1c levels were significantly decreased at 6 months (P < 0.01), but there was no significant change in BMI. A linear multiple regression analysis showed that ΔHbA1c was negatively correlated with changes in muscle mass (β = −0.18; P = 0.047) and bone mineral content (β = −0.28; P < 0.001), but there was no significant association between ΔHbA1c levels and a change in body fat percentage. ConclusionsThis study shows a limited association between short-term changes in glucose metabolism and changes in body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes. Therefore, interventions aimed at reducing adiposity may not affect glucose metabolism in the short term, while interventions focused on maintaining or enhancing muscle mass and bone mineral content may play an important role in diabetes management.

Experimental simulation of water-coal interactions during liquid CO2 injection into coal beds

Injection of liquid CO2 (LCO2) into coal reservoirs is an extremely effective way to enhance coalbed methane recovery and storage. This study aimed to investigate the changes in mineral composition and content during the chemical reaction between coal samples and weakly acidic fluids dissolved in LCO2. Therefore, in this study, simulating the formation temperature (30 °C), three types of coal samples with different metamorphic degrees (lignite, anthracite, and bituminous coal) were selected for CO2–H2O-coal interaction leaching experiments under various pressure conditions (1 MPa, 3 MPa, 5 MPa). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was used to test coal samples' mineral composition and content before and after LCO2 injection under different pressure conditions. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was used to observe the evolution pattern of surface characteristics before and after the dissolution of the coal body by LCO2. The results showed that minerals such as kaolinite, illite, quartz, and potassium feldspar in the three coal samples underwent mineral transformation during the reaction process at different dissolution pressures, and the content changed significantly in the early stage of the reaction. The initial content of kaolinite in the bituminous coal (16.5%) increased to 23.8%, 26.7%, and 25.2% respectively under different leaching pressures of 1 MPa, 3 MPa, and 5 MPa. Carbonate minerals dissolved rapidly in the initial stages of the reaction, the initial content of calcite, a carbonate mineral in the anthracite (9.8%), decreased to 4.2%, 3.8%, and 2.4% respectively under different leaching pressures of 1 MPa, 3 MPa, and 5 MPa. Similarly, the initial content of siderite decreased from 6.8% to 2.8%, 2.3%, and 1.6% respectively. LCO2 pressure had a significant influence on the reaction. These results advance our understanding of LCO2 dissolution of minerals in coal.

Effect of different reheating processes and conditions on the nutritional, functional, and microbiological properties of cow meat.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different reheating methods and conditions on the proximate composition, mineral content, oil quality, and functional and microbiological properties of cow meat. For this, a survey was carried out to identify the reheating methods used in the community. For this study, 8.6 kg of raw beef was used and group 1 (500 g) served as raw control. The remaining 8.1 kg was boiled for 30 min in 5 L of water. Four hundred grams of boiled beef was removed and served as cooked control (group 2). The remaining 3688 g was divided into four groups of 922 g, which were, respectively, divided into subgroups of 307 g. The four sets of subgroups were, respectively, reheated by boiling, frying, microwaving and oven roasting for 3 days. Reheating was done three times a day and samples were collected at the end of each day for further analysis. Changes in proximate composition, mineral content, oil quality, functional properties, and microbiological count were evaluated using standard methods. Results showed that frequent reheating of food was the most used preservation method of cooked food, and boiling and steaming were the most used methods. Reheating time significantly reduces the protein, mineral content, and oil quality of cow meat in general. For the functional properties, reheating methods/conditions generally increased the water-holding capacity, loose and packed bulk densities as well the pH of the meat. Reheating by frying increased the porosity and Hausner ratio of the meat powder while all the reheating treatments reduced the swelling capacity and titratable acidity of cow meat powder. Generally, the reheating methods and duration significantly reduced the bacterial count of cow meat powder. Cow meat should not be reheated for more than 2 days in order to preserve its physiochemical properties.

Limited utility of salivary mineral content in prediction of fragility fractures among postmenopausal women.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic disease characterized by increased bone fragility. As it is characterized as a general skeletal disease, changes can also be seen in the stomatognathic system (edentulism, wrong fitting of dentures, etc.). The question is whether early changes in the salivary mineral content and acid-base balance may reflect skeletal status and risk of bone fracture. The objective of the study was to evaluate whether minerals in the saliva were associated with skeletal fractures in a population of postmenopausal women. In this observational study, dental examinations along with the collection of saliva were conducted in 117 randomly recruited women (mean age 64.6 ±5.9 years). The study group included 23 study participants with fractures, of which 10 had a history of osteoporotic fractures. Saliva samples for mineral content including copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (P), as well as salivary pH were collected and analyzed to determine associations between salivary mineral content and fracture risk. As a result, the median pH value was 6.8, and the median levels for Cu (0.35 μmol/L), Zn (0.61 μmol/L), Ca (0.7 mmol/L), and P (6.64 mmol/L) were observed. No differences were noted in salivary mineral content and acid-basic balance between the fractured and non-fractured participants. The results of our study suggest that salivary mineral content has limited usability in predicting skeletal fragility in postmenopausal women when used alone.

Glacial‐Interglacial Circulation and Climatic Changes in the South Indian Ocean (Kerguelen Plateau Region) Recorded by Detrital and Biogenic Magnetic Minerals

AbstractThe Southern Ocean (SO) plays a fundamental role in global climate due to the presence of the intense eastward‐flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), one of the most important ocean current systems. The configuration of the frontal systems of the ACC is controlled by the orbital‐ and millennial‐scale variations of the Southern Hemisphere westerly winds (SHWW) and the SO upwelling. However, the reconstruction of paleoclimate and paleocurrent in the SO remains controversial possibly because of the complex interpretation of paleo‐proxies and the regional variations. Here, we present results from rock magnetic measurements and electron microscopic analyses on marine core MD11‐3353 over the past 150 Kyr, which is located in the Polar Front Zone, west of the Kerguelen Plateau. Our data sets indicate that magnetic mineral assemblages in the core are dominated by detrital magnetic minerals mixed with biogenic magnetic minerals (i.e., magnetofossils formed by magnetotactic bacteria) during the interglacial periods. Changes in the detrital magnetic mineral content indicate a strong modulation of the ACC intensity and the SHWW stress at the orbital scale over the last climatic cycle with an enhanced activity during the glacial periods. The increase in magnetofossils content during the interglacial periods indicates an enhanced nutrient supply from the SO upwelling resulting from the southward migration of the Antarctic Polar Front. Our results suggest that the variations of concentration and assemblage of magnetic minerals can be used as faithful proxies for reconstructing ocean circulation and upwelling changes in the South Indian Ocean over the past 150 Kyr.

The Study of the Caudal Vertebrae of Thick-Toed Geckos after a Prolonged Space Flight by X-ray Phase-Contrast Micro-CT.

The proximal caudal vertebrae and notochord in thick-toed geckos (TG) (Chondrodactylus turneri, Gray, 1864) were investigated after a 30-day space flight onboard the biosatellite Bion-M1. This region has not been explored in previous studies. Our research focused on finding sites most affected by demineralization caused by microgravity (G0). We used X-ray phase-contrast tomography to study TG samples without invasive prior preparation to clarify our previous findings on the resistance of TG's bones to demineralization in G0. The results of the present study confirmed that geckos are capable of preserving bone mass after flight, as neither cortical nor trabecular bone volume fraction showed statistically significant changes after flight. On the other hand, we observed a clear decrease in the mineralization of the notochordal septum and a substantial rise in intercentrum volume following the flight. To monitor TG's mineral metabolism in G0, we propose to measure the volume of mineralized tissue in the notochordal septum. This technique holds promise as a sensitive approach to track the demineralization process in G0, given that the volume of calcification within the septum is limited, making it easy to detect even slight changes in mineral content.

Investigation of quantitative changes in bioactive compounds, colour properties, phenolic constituents and mineral contents of fresh, boiled and dried‐pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds

SummaryIn this study, the changes in bioactive properties, phenolic compound profile and mineral results of fresh, boiled and dried pea seeds were investigated. It was observed that the total phenol, flavonoid and antioxidant capacity results of heat‐treated peas were decreased when compared to the control. Total carotenoid result of peas dried in oven and microwave were significantly increased compared to control and boiled peas (P &lt; 0.05). Oven or microwave heating treatments increased the L* values of samples, while boiling caused a decrease in L* results. As with the bioactive properties of peas, the phenolic component amounts of peas were also low in the dried samples, and a linear correlation was obtained between the phenolic components and bioactive properties of the treated pea seeds. The highest protein content was detected in the peas dried in the conventional heater. Both fresh and dried peas are rich in K, P, Ca, Mg, S, Fe and Zn. K results of fresh and dried pea samples ranged from 19 258.50 (boiling) to 23 820.31 ppm (dw; oven).

Relationship Between Stunting and Caries In Children Aged 2-5 Years Old Systematic Review

Introduction: Stunting is a chronic nutritional deficiency caused by a deficiency of macronutrients and micronutrients. Nutritional deficiency in stunting children affects the occurrence of salivary gland atrophy, changes in saliva composition, and changes in mineral content in teeth that are at risk for dental caries. Purpose: To determine the relationship between stunting and dental caries in children aged 2-5 years old. Methods: The type of research is a systematic review with qualitative analysis. Result: This study involved five journals that were selected from the PUBMED journals database and Google Scholar. Cross-sectional and experimental journals within the last 15 years discussing relationship between stunting and dental caries in children aged 2-5 years old. Conclusion: There is a relationship between stunting and dental caries (n=5).

Evaluation of remineralizing efficiency of two calcium-based non-fluoridated remineralizing agents for the prevention of white spot lesions (WSL): A comparative FESEM &amp; EDS in-vitro study

This research work was designed to appraise and equate the remineralizing efficiency of two calcium-based phosphate delivery agents, Casein Phosphopeptide-Amorphous Calcium Phosphate (CPP-ACP) and Calcium Sucrose Phosphate (CaSP) for preventing the development of White Spot Lesions (WSL) around the orthodontic brackets. Forty orthodontically removed premolar teeth were randomly allocated to Group 1(n=20) - (CPP-ACP) and Group 2(n=20) - (CaSP). All the specimens were subjected to FESEM and EDS analysis before the initial demineralization phase and after 14 days of the pH cycling phase, to observe and record changes in surface topography and mineral content (Ca/P ratio % wt.). Statistical data for the Intragroup comparison were analyzed by using Paired sample t-test, whereas for the Intergroup comparison, an Unpaired t-test was performed. Furthermore, the One-way ANOVA test was applied for comparing Intragroup data and the Post-hoc Tukey test was applied to compare Intergroup data. Group 1 samples showed an 11.3%increase in remineralization and Group 2 samples showed a 21.3%increase in remineralization, indicating a statistically significant (p &amp;#60; 0.05) 11% of greater remineralizing efficiency of CaSP. The use of Calcium Sucrose Phosphate (CaSP) tooth cream around the orthodontic brackets seems to produce significantly better remineralization effects.

Regional and temporal variation in bone loss during the first year following spinal cord injury.

Osteoporosis is a consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI) that leads to fragility fractures. Visual assessment of bone scans suggests regional variation in bone loss, but this has not been objectively characterised. In addition, substantial inter-individual variation in bone loss following SCI has been reported but it is unclear how to identify fast bone losers. Therefore, to examine regional bone loss, tibial bone parameters were assessed in 13 individuals with SCI (aged 16-76years). Peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans at 4% and 66% tibia length were acquired within 5weeks, 4months and 12months postinjury. Changes in total bone mineral content (BMC), and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed in ten concentric sectors at the 4% site. Regional changes in BMC and cortical BMD were analysed in thirty-six polar sectors at the 66% site using linear mixed effects models. Relationships between regional and total loss at 4months and 12months timepoints were assessed using Pearson correlation. At the 4% site, total BMC (P=0.001) decreased with time. Relative losses were equal across the sectors (all P>0.1). At the 66% site, BMC and cortical BMD absolute losses were similar (all P>0.3 and P>0.05, respectively) across polar sectors, but relative loss was greatest in the posterior region (all P<0.01). At both sites, total BMC loss at 4months was strongly positively associated with the total loss at 12months (r=0.84 and r=0.82 respectively, both P<0.001). This correlation was stronger than those observed with 4-month BMD loss in several radial and polar sectors (r=0.56-0.77, P<0.05). These results confirm that SCI-induced bone loss varies regionally in the tibial diaphysis. Moreover, bone loss at 4months is a strong predictor of total loss 12months postinjury. More studies on larger populations are required to confirm these findings.

Effect of Whitening Toothpastes with Different Active Agents on the Abrasive Wear of Dentin Following Tooth Brushing Simulation.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the abrasive dentin wear that can be induced by three commercial whitening toothpastes following a tooth-brushing simulation (TBS) corresponding to a three-month period. Sixty human canines were selected, and the roots were separated from the crowns. Then the roots were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10) and were submitted to TBS using the following slurries: Group 1-deionized water (RDA = 5); Group 2-ISO dentifrice slurry (RDA = 100); Group 3-a regular toothpaste (RDA = 70); Group 4-a charcoal-containing whitening toothpaste; Group 5-a whitening toothpaste containing blue covasorb and hydrated silica; and Group 6-a whitening toothpaste containing microsilica. Following TBS, surface loss and surface roughness changes were evaluated using confocal microscopy. Additionally, surface morphology and mineral content changes were observed using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The deionized water group presented the lowest surface loss (p < 0.05), while the charcoal-containing toothpaste presented the highest surface loss, followed by ISO dentifrice slurry (p < 0.001). Blue-covasorb-containing and regular toothpastes did not present statistically significant differences (p = 0.245), and neither didmicrosilica-containing toothpaste or ISO dentifrice slurry (p = 0.112). The surface height parameters and surface morphology changes of the experimental groups followed the surface loss patterns, while no differences were detected in mineral content after TBS.Although the charcoal-containing toothpaste exhibited the highest abrasive wear to dentin, according to ISO 11609, all the tested toothpastes exhibited appropriate abrasive behavior towards dentin.

Catalytic and char-promoting effects of potassium on lignocellulosic biomass torrefaction and pyrolysis

Torrefaction is a potential pretreatment method to produce biochar used as a solid fuel or as an environmentally friendly construction material. However, the torrefaction performance varies when wood composition and mineral content change. Potassium (K) is an abundant mineral present in plants and is claimed to influence the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass. Therefore, a full understanding of the role of potassium is required to predict torrefaction behavior. Samples of beech, celluloses, hemicelluloses, and lignin were impregnated with different potassium carbonate K2CO3 concentrations (0.004, 0.008, and 0.012 M). Thermogravimetric analysis was utilized to analyze their thermal degradation characteristics under different temperatures. At 250 °C, the catalytic effect of potassium was weak. At 300 °C, potassium acted as a catalyst until a precise mass loss (65 wt%) and torrefaction duration (105 min) promoted char formation. The changed effect of this weight loss was possibly related to the relative increase in lignin content compared to cellulose and hemicelluloses While at a higher temperature (380 °C), the catalytic effect of potassium was rapid, and the increased char content was better observed. The potassium was found to act mainly on cellulose and hemicelluloses. After pyrolysis, the char weight increased with K up to 25.86 and 15.23 % for heating rates of 10 and 20 K min−1, respectively. FTIR and XRD showed that potassium did not significantly impact the structure or the crystallinity of wood at ambient conditions. The obtained results provide a novel insight into the role of potassium in the thermal treatment of biomass, with a better understanding of the thermal degradation mechanisms. This information could help to reduce the operating time and/or temperature, thus rendering torrefaction a green method for waste wood valorization.