Fourth Group Research Articles

ROLE OF INTERCELLULAR ADHESION MOLECULES (ICAM-1), VASCULAR CELL ADHESION (VCAM-1) AND CALPROTECTIN (MRP8/14) IN PATHOGENESIS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Aim of the research. The aim is to study the content of intercellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) and calprotectin in the blood serum of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and various stages of diabetic retinopathy. The aim is also to evaluate the role of these molecules in the pathogenesis of the disease. Materials and methods. Four groups of people were formed: first group (control group) included 21 healthy individuals; second group included 21 patients with prediabetes, third group 21 patients with type 2 diabetes. The fourth group included 63 patients with diabetic retinopathy, and this group was further divided into 3 groups of 21 people each: with non-proliferative stage of DR, with preproliferative stage, with proliferative stage.. The concentrations of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and calprotectin (MRP8/14) in blood serum were determined using Human Vascular Inflammation Panel 1 multiplex analysis kits from Biolegend (USA). The results were assessed using CytoFlex flow cytometer (USA). The results were calculated using Jamovi version 2.3. Results. In individuals with prediabetes, the content of MRP8/14 was increased by 111,7% (p < 0,001) relative to the control group. In type 2 diabetes without retinopathy, the values of MRP8/14 protein exceed the control group values by 2,7 times (p < 0,001) and those in individuals with prediabetes by 29,2% (p = 0,049). In the group of patients who had non-proliferative stage of DR, the levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and MRP8/14 are higher than control group values in the groups of people with prediabetes and patients with diabetes without complications. During the preproliferative stage, the number of adhesion molecules increases even more; during the proliferative stage, the concentrations of VCAM-1 and calprotectin remain high, and the level of ICAM-1 increases relative to the previous stages. Conclusion. Increasing of MRP8/14 level in diabetes and increasing of ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 concentrations in the initial stage of DR demonstrate the role of these molecules in the initiation of DR in type 2 diabetes. Researching the relationship between these markers and the development of DR can provide additional information to develop strategies for prevention and treatment of DR as well as predicting its complications.

Melatonin protects against chromium induced oxidative stress-mediated changes in energy metabolism of rat hepatic, cardiac and renal tissues

Chromium (Cr) is one of the most prevalent and potentially hazardous heavy metal found in the environment that can cause carcinogenic, genotoxic, and organ-specific irreversible complications. The most severe adverse outcome of Cr on humans involves oxidative stress. Melatonin was evidenced to alleviate such stress with various mechanisms including antioxidative potential and metal chelation. Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups and treated for 14 days. The first group (control) was treated with vehicle; the second group was orally administered with melatonin (20 mg/kg b.w./day); the third group was injected with sodium dichromate dihydrate (5 mg/kg bw, s.c. every alternate day); and the fourth group was administered with melatonin, 30 min before Cr administration. The treatment of rats with Cr (VI) was found to affect the metabolic pathways by altering the activities of enzymes possibly through uncompetitively binding with them. The current study also demonstrated that melatonin efficiently preserved the glucose levels and blood lipid profile. Moreover, melatonin was further found to protect the activities of glycolytic, Krebs’ cycle, and ETC enzymes. Further, melatonin pre-treatment reduced the production of O2.− anion free radical and Ca2+ overload to protect the mitochondria at the ultrastructural level and reduced DNA damage to some extent. Therefore, this research strongly recommends melatonin as a therapeutic molecule against Cr-induced oxidative stress-mediated liver, heart, and kidney disorders.

The Effects of Various Ethanolic Extracts on Some Microbiological Properties of Chicken Sausages

In this study, the antimicrobial effects of different levels (0%, 5%, 10%) of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP), sage (EES), lavender (EEL), yarrow (EEY), and yellow cantaron (EEC) on total psychrotroph aerobic bacteria (TPAB), total coliform and fecal coliform, yeast-mold in chicken sausage were investigated. The sausages were divided into 7 groups. The first and second groups were the control samples. The surface of second control group of chicken sausage was sprayed with only ethyl alcohol (70%). The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh groups were sprayed with EEP, EES, EEC, EEY and EEL at two levels respectively: 5%, 10%. Prior to each treatment, sausages were left to be stored at +4ºC for 10 days. All extracts significantly (P

Hydrologic source identification using stable isotope ratios of bottled drinking water in Egypt

A convenient way to understand hydrologic source identification is to make use of a suitable tracer. Isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen provide that opportunity since the isotope ratios of the primary source, precipitation, can be modified by post precipitation processes. This approach has been tested by carrying out a comprehensive isotope ratios investigation of domestic and imported bottled water sourced and distributed across Egypt. Our collection of bottled water includes 33 samples distributed under 27 distinct brands. We compare the isotope ratios of the bottled water with the isotope ratios of the reported natural water source of this water. The bottled water isotope ratios preserve information about the water sources from which they were derived. The measured oxygen and hydrogen ratios of the studied bottled water samples range from −11.51‰ to 2.94‰, with an average value of −1.89‰ for δ18O and from −81.69‰ to 23.94‰, with an average value of −9.54‰ for δ2H. The observed variability of isotope ratios in the bottled water falls within the span of the natural groundwater resources in Egypt, such as shallow and deep groundwater aquifers as well as claimed non-Egyptian sources. In general, the bottled water samples in the data set can be divided into four distinct groups based on their isotope ratios. One group represents imported bottled water brands, and three groups include domestic brands. The first group represents the imported bottled water brands. Their measured isotopic compositions are similar to those of their claimed sources. The second group has the lowest δ18O and δ2H values and likely originated from the Nubian aquifer. The third and fourth groups appear to have been sourced from the Nile Valley and Delta aquifer. The third group isotopic content and d-excess values indicate a higher degree of mixing with evaporated return flow water. The results provided in this study indicate the diverse hydrogeology of the local bottled water brands. This promises extending the approach to several sites globally.

Implications of ammonia stress for the pathogenicity of Shewanella spp. in Oreochromis niloticus: effects on hematological, biochemical, immunological, and histopathological parameters

Environmental stressors (such as ammonia) in aquaculture could increase the risk of pathogenicity, posing a more severe threat to farmed fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ammonia stress on the pathogenicity of Shewanella spp. in Oreochromis niloticus. First, a 96-hour static test was used to determine the median lethal concentration (LC50) of unionized ammonia to Nile tilapia. After 96 h of exposure, the Un-ionized ammonia (UIA) LC50 was estimated to be 4.26 mg/L. Second, an experiment was conducted to test the effect of unionized ammonia stress on the pathogenicity of Shewanella spp. in O. niloticus for 30 days. A study involved 180 fish divided into six groups, with the first group serving as a control. The second group (AMN1/10) and the third group (AMN1/20) were not challenged and were exposed to 1/10 (0.42 mg/L) and 1/20 (0.21 mg/L) of the 96-hour LC50 of UIA, respectively. Then 0.2 mL (0.14 × 105) of Shewanella spp. was intraperitoneally injected into the fourth (SH), fifth (SH + AMN1/10), and sixth (SH + AMN1/20) groups, which were subjected to 0, 1/10 (0.42 mg/L), and 1/20 (0.21 mg/L) of the 96-hour LC50 of UIA, respectively. The survival rate, hematological indices, immunological parameters, and antioxidant activity of the fish significantly decreased when they were exposed to ammonia and Shewanella infection separately or together. Histopathological changes were also observed in the kidney and liver. Furthermore, both individual and combined exposures significantly altered renal and hepatic function, with notable increases in glucose and cortisol levels, as well as in the expression of proinflammatory cytokine genes (TNF-α and IL-1ß). However, the detrimental effects of co-exposure to ammonia stress and Shewanella infection were greater than those of separate exposures. As a result, we may say that increased ammonia concentrations enhance the infection of Shewanella spp. These findings could contribute to a better understanding of Shewanella infection in Nile tilapia.

Effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy in patients with severe COVID-19 and pulmonary embolism

Current research provides insufficient data on the use of thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19. Existing studies present data on the efficacy of thrombolytic drug therapy for thrombotic complications in severe COVID-19. However, these studies either involve a very small number of observations or remain incomplete. This article aimed to assess systemic thrombolysis’s effectiveness in intravenous alteplase administration in this pathology. The medical records of 92 patients were analysed. Patients were divided into four groups depending on the therapy administered. Patients in the first group had complications in the form of pulmonary embolism but did not require thrombolytic therapy. Treatment of patients in the first group consisted of prescribing low-molecular-weight heparin at a therapeutic dose. Patients in the second and third groups had pulmonary embolism in the context of COVID-19 and required thrombolytic therapy. The third group differed from the second in the presence of a thrombus in the right heart. Patients in the fourth group had complications in the form of pulmonary embolism, and required thrombolytic therapy, but did not receive it due to a lack of funds. Patients in the second and third groups were immediately treated with unfractionated heparin and alteplase. Thrombolysis was not performed in the fourth group. Mortality rates were studied according to the assigned group. It was established that the risk of death increased (p<0.001) with increasing levels of D-dimer and decreased with increasing PaO2/FiO2 (p < 0.001). In the presence of a thrombus in the right heart chambers, the risk of death increased (p = 0.002), OR = 3.97 (95% CI 1.66-9.49). A trend towards reducing death risk with thrombolytic therapy was observed (p = 0.052). Data were summarised regarding the increased (p = 0.009) risk of death when thrombolytic therapy was delayed. Mortality in the fourth group was 100%. The obtained data indicate the significant effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy in the treatment of this pathology

Identifying city bus passenger ridership patterns: a mixed-method analysis

PurposeThis study uses big data analysis aimed at discovering city bus passenger ridership patterns. Hence, marketing managers can get sufficient insights to formulate effective business plans and make timely decisions about company operations.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a mixed-method analysis to analyze the results. First uses the RFM (recency, frequency, and monetary) model combined with a big data technique (K-means) to analyze bus passenger boarding behavior. In order to improve the validity and quality of the research, this study also conducted interviews with senior managers of the bus company from which the data was obtained.FindingsThe study identifies six distinct groups of passengers with different boarding behaviors, ranging from “general passengers” to “most valuable passengers”. General passengers constituted the largest group. As such, they should be the main target for municipal governments when promoting bus ridership as part of energy conservation and carbon-reduction activities. This group of passengers should be encouraged to take public transport vehicles more, instead of relying on personal vehicles. The fourth group identified included elderly passengers with hospitals as their destinations. Bus companies can cooperate with municipal government to provide morning “medical bus” services for the elderly. Interviews with bus company managers confirmed that the analytical results of this study correspond with the observations, experiences, and actual business operating plans of bus companies.Originality/valueOnly few studies have analyzed passengers' boarding behavior applying a mixed-method analysis.

Ellagic acid mitigates heat-induced testicular detriment in a mouse model

Heat stress has been shown to have a detrimental impact on testicular activity and spermatogenesis. Ellagic acid is a plant-derived organic compound that has a variety of biological functions. Thus, it is believed that ellagic acid may improve heat-stressed testicular dysfunction. There has been no research on the impact of ellagic acid on heat-stressed testicular dysfunction. The mice were divided into 4 groups. The first group was the normal control group (CN), and the second received heat stress (HS) by submerging the lower body for 15 min in a water bath with a thermostatically controlled temperature kept at 43°C (HS), and the third and fourth groups were subjected to heat-stress similar to group two and given two different dosages of ellagic acid (5 mg/kg (EH5) and 50 mg/kg (EH50) for 14 days. Ellagic acid at a dose of 50 mg/kg improved the level of circulating testosterone (increased 3βHSD) and decreases the oxidative stress. The testicular and epididymal architecture along with sperm parameters also showed improvement. Ellagic acid treatment significantly increases the germ cell proliferation (GCNA, BrdU staining) and Bcl2 expression and decreases active caspase 3 expression. Heat stress downregulated the expression of AR, ER-α and ER-β, and treatment with ellagic acid increased the expression of ER-α and ER-β markers in the 50 mg/kg treatment group. Thus, our finding suggests that ellagic acid ameliorates heat-induced testicular impairment through modulating testosterone synthesis, germ cell proliferation, and oxidative stress. These effects could be manifested by regulating androgen and estrogen receptors. However, the two doses showed differential effects of some parameters, which require further investigation.

Bioavailability of Bilastine Oral Self-nanoemulsion: Comparative Study with Commercial Formula in Rats

Background: Bilastine (BL) is a novel non-sedating second-generation antihistamine, and its bioavailability is about 60%. Objective: To compare the bioavailability of prepared oral self-nanoemulsions of BL (BL-SNE) with that of pure BL and marketed tablets. Methods: Four groups of Wistar rats were used in this study, each with six rats weighing between 200 and 250 g. They were treated orally using a a gavage tube. The groups were fed either with conventional tablets ("Alerbix®") after being ground and dispersed with deionized water (DIW), treated with BL-SNE or fed with pure BL powder suspension. The fourth group did not receive any medication. The concentration of BL in the rat’s plasma was measured using HPLC. We used Trandolapril as an an internal standard. Results: The bioavailability results for the the prepared formula, tablet, and pure BL were 24289.91 ng/ml, 0.75 h, 12.81, 97844.7 ng.h/ml, and 98732.9 ng/ml, respectively, for the BL-SNE formula, and 15840.37, 1.0, 13.014, 66140.4, and 67088.3 for the tablets. Meanwhile, the BL suspension demonstrates 10830.12, 1.0 h, 12.96, 59397.12 ng/ml, and 60534.64 ng/ml, respectively. Conclusions: The relative bioavailability of BL-SNE was 1.47 and 1.6 times higher than that of marketed tablets and pure BL, respectively. This indicates an improvement in BL's bioavailability.

Defect detection of photovoltaic modules based on improved VarifocalNet

Detecting and replacing defective photovoltaic modules is essential as they directly impact power generation efficiency. Many current deep learning-based methods for detecting defects in photovoltaic modules focus solely on either detection speed or accuracy, which limits their practical application. To address this issue, an improved VarifocalNet has been proposed to enhance both the detection speed and accuracy of defective photovoltaic modules. Firstly, a new bottleneck module is designed to replace the first bottleneck module of the last stage convolution group in the backbone. This new module includes both standard convolution and dilated convolution, enabling an increase in network depth and receptive field without reducing the output feature map size. This improvement can help to enhance the accuracy of defect detection for photovoltaic modules. Secondly, another bottleneck module is also designed and used to replace the original bottleneck module used in the fourth stage convolution group of the backbone. This new module has smaller parameters than the original bottleneck module, which is useful to improve the defect detection speed of the photovoltaic module. Thirdly, a feature interactor is designed in the detection head to enhance feature expression in the classification branch. This helps improve detection accuracy. Besides, an improved intersection over union is proposed and introduced into the loss function to measure the difference between the predicted and ground truth boxes. This is useful for improving defect detection accuracy. Compared to other methods, the proposed method has the highest detection accuracy. Additionally, it also has a faster detection speed than other methods except for the DDH-YOLOv5 method and the improved YOLOv7 method.

Marginal Adaptation of BioRoot RCS, MTA-Fillapex, EpoxySeal, and Sealapex to Radicular Dentin: An In Vitro Study.

Introduction The primary goal of endodontic therapy is to achieve a three-dimensional filling of the root canal. The sealer plays a crucial role in filling the residual gaps between the gutta-percha and the canal wall, which prevents fluids and bacteria from entering the canal and causing complications. This study evaluates and compares the sealing ability of four root canal sealers to the root dentin. Methods and materials In this study, forty single-rooted mandibular premolar teeth with fully-formed apices were collected. The teeth were decoronated and instrumented. Later, the teeth were randomly divided into four groups, each comprising ten specimens, based on the sealer used for obturation. The first group was obturated with BioRoot RCS (Septodont, Septodont Holding, Paris, France), the second group with MTA-Fillapex (Angelus, Angelus Indústria de Produtos Odontológicos S/A, Brazil), the third group with EpoxySeal (Safe Endo, SafeEndo Dental India Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India), and the fourth group with Sealapex (Kerr, Kerr Corporation, Brea, CA). Following obturation, the teeth were sectioned vertically using a diamond disc, and the marginal adaptation of these sealers to the root dentin was assessed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The values were then statistically analyzed. Results EpoxySeal showed the maximum amount of marginal adaptation (5.22±0.47), followed by BioRoot RCS (5.48±0.58) and MTA-Fillapex (8.24±0.74), and the least amount of marginal adaptation was shown by Sealapex (11.64±1.35). Based on the analysis of variance (ANOVA), a statistically significant difference (p≤0.001) was observed. According to Tukey's post hoc test, the mean difference between all groups showed statistical significance (p≤0.05) except between BioRoot RCS and EpoxySeal. Conclusion Within the limitations of this in vitro study, it is concluded that EpoxySeal and BioRoot RCS exhibited superior marginal adaptation to the root dentin. BioRoot RCS can be recommended as a sealer of choice owing to its additional properties, such as antimicrobial and hydrophilic affinity during setting.

Extending the shelf-life of refrigerated chicken fillets by using polymeric coating layer composed of ginger Zingiber officinale essential oil loaded-chitosan nanoparticles

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the effect of coating chicken fillets with chitosan nanoparticles (CHN) loaded with ginger (Zingiber officinale) essential oil (GEO) on sensory characteristics, microbiological safety, and deterioration criteria; refrigerated at 4 °C. Furthermore, to determine whether different coatings could increase the storage period of chilled chicken fillets. Consequently, about 6 kg of chicken fillet were equally distributed into six groups. The first group being control (C), the second and third groups being ginger essential oil 0.5% (GEO 0.5%) and 1% (GEO 1%), the fourth group being chitosan nanoparticles alone (NCH 1%), the fifth and sixth groups were chitosan nanoparticles loaded with ginger essential oil 0.5% (NCHGO 0.5%), and 1% (NCHGO 1%). All groups were examined on the initial day of treatment (0-day) and every 4 days until the visible deterioration process appeared in each group. Results revealed that, coating chicken fillet with chitosan nanoparticles and ginger essential oil (NCHGO 1%) produced a powerful synergetic effect during refrigerated storage, as it could significantly inhibit microbial growth, decrease the rate of fat and protein deterioration, and improve sensory attributes. Interestingly, coated chicken fillet in refrigerator could last 28 days instead of 4 days. Ginger loaded-chitosan nanoparticles were employed to produce edible coatings as an efficient natural preservative and flavoring agent in poultry processing.

Black radish root extract alleviates sodium valproate-induced liver damage via inhibiting mitochondrial membrane potential collapse and oxidative stress in mice

Objective: To explore the effect of black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var niger) root extract on liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations in mice with sodium valproate-induced hepatotoxicity. Methods: Thirty-two mice were divided into four groups: the control group received drinking water by gavage, the second group was administered with 100 mg/kg of sodium valproate, the third group received 300 mg/kg of black radish root extract, and the fourth group was given both sodium valproate (100 mg/kg) and black radish root extract (300 mg/kg). After 28 days, the mice were euthanized, and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), along with liver malondialdehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial parameters, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene expression, and histopathological changes were assessed. Results: Sodium valproate caused hepatic damage in mice, characterized by elevated serum levels of liver enzymes, increased MDA and ROS levels and TNF-α gene expression, as well as histopathological alterations. The black radish root extract significantly alleviated sodium valproate-caused hepatic injury by decreasing the serum levels of ALT and AST, MDA, ROS, TNF-α gene expression, as well as mitochondrial impairment, but did not have a significant effect on sodium valproate-induced histopathological changes. Conclusions: The black radish root extract demonstrates protective effects against sodium valproate-induced liver injury, possibly through mitigating oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, and inflammatory mediator expression.

Laminar Architecture and Morphometry of Developing Human Fetal Cerebellum

Abstract Background: One of the organs in the human fetus that starts to differentiate extremely early and keeps doing so throughout the postnatal period is the cerebellum. The goal of this study was to create a nomogram using the chronological events that were occurring and the relationship with progressing gestational age. Granule cells and Purkinje cells play a crucial role in the normal development of the cerebellum. Any disruption at the cellular level can lead to abnormal migration of these cells, potentially resulting in hypoplasia of the cerebellar vermis. Methodology: Tissue specimens from 60 human fetuses were studied for histological changes after being grouped into four from 13th week to 32nd week. Fetuses with any neurological deficit were excluded from the study. Different layers were identified, and the thickness of each layer was noted. Results: The first two groups had three layers, but the composition was different in both. The marginal and mantle layers in the second group disappeared completely. The third group showed presence of five layers, with addition of lamina dissecans, appearing for a transient period. The fourth group had four layers. The thickness of external granular layer and internal granular layer (IGL) increased throughout, except that the IGL made an appearance from the second group only. Lamina dissecans appeared, causing a significant shift between 23 and 27 weeks. The fetus has a four-layered structure near term, with an external granular layer persisting throughout the early postnatal stage of life. Progression of pregnancy was positively connected with the molecular and Purkinje cell layer (PCL) thickness. Conclusion: Progression of pregnancy was positively connected with the molecular and PCL thickness. Age determination and neuropsychiatric disorders of the developing fetus may benefit from such a link.

Effect of Parasteron on In Vivo Atherosclerotic model with Functional and Tissue Damage Mitigation

Background: Atherosclerosis, a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases, involves the buildup of plaques within arterial walls, leading to functional and tissue damage. Animal models, particularly rabbits, have been instrumental in studying this disease due to their lipoprotein metabolism and sensitivity to a cholesterol diet, similar to humans. The current study aims to evaluate the effects of the steroid hormone parasteron on the functional and tissue damage caused by atherosclerosis in adult female rabbits. Methods: The study was conducted over six weeks on four groups of adult female rabbits. The first group served as the control, while the second group was administered cholesterol to induce atherosclerosis. The third and fourth groups were treated with both cholesterol and the steroid hormone parasteron. Various parameters related to atherosclerosis, including functional metrics and tissue damage, were monitored and analyzed. Results: The control group showed no signs of atherosclerosis or tissue damage. The cholesterol-only group exhibited significant functional impairments and tissue damage characteristic of atherosclerosis. In the groups treated with parasteron, there was a notable reduction in both functional impairments and tissue damage compared to the cholesterol-only group. The extent of protection provided by parasteron was assessed through histological and biochemical analyses, which revealed a marked improvement in arterial health and function. Conclusion: The administration of parasteron significantly mitigates the functional and tissue damage associated with atherosclerosis in adult female rabbits. These findings suggest the potential of parasteron as a therapeutic agent in the management of atherosclerosis. Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of parasteron in larger clinical settings.

Effect of chewing simulation in different Ph solutions on flexural strength of monolithic zirconia

Abstract Aim In vitro study is to evaluate the effect of chewing simulation in different ph solutions on flexural strength of monolithic zirconia. Patients and methods Forty zirconia bars (N = 40) were cut off zirconia disc using IsoMet. Each bar was 2 mm thickness, 25 mm length and 5 mm width. Specimens were divided into four groups (n = 10). The first group (control) was ready for universal test of flexural strength. Second, third, and fourth group were ready for chewing simulation but in different PH solutions acidic, neutral, and alkaline respectively. These solutions were collected from the lab (acidic-PH = 4, alkaline PH = 10). Twenty extracted human premolars (divided vertically into two halves by IsoMet) were collected for study as antagonist material for chewing simulation. After chewing simulation of these groups, the flexural strength was measured for them and SEM. Results Group 1 (control) showed the highest flexural strength with the mean value (745.21 ± 69.47) followed by group 3 (neutral) (720.40 ± 92.47), then group 2 (acidic) (507.56 ± 111.99), and finally group 4 (alkaline) (497.26 ± 172.90) with the least flexure of strength. There was significance between group 1 (control) and group 2 (acidic) and highly significant with group 4 (alkaline). There was no significance with group 3 (neutral). SEM showed that no cracks in control group. Group (2) surfaces were very smooth with amorphous structure showing disperessed small pores. Group (3) air voids were found entrapped between zirconia grains. Group (4) the surface was rough showing large compact flacks’ fragmentation and branched cracks. Conclusions This study clearly illustrates the significance of flexural strength in different pH of an aqueous solution in terms of the chewing of zirconia ceramics. Cyclic loading decreases flexural strength of 4% yttrium zirconia in neutral but not significantly. In alkaline and in neutral there were significant decrease in flexural strength with chewing due to degradation of stabilizers and transformation tetragonal phase to monoclinic phase. This degradation was in alkaline group more than in acidic group.

J-Shaped Relationship Between Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index and Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Hypertensive Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Cohort Study.

A newly introduced obesity-related index, the weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI), emerges as a promising predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Given the known synergistic effects of hypertension and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on cardiovascular risk, we aimed to explore the relationship between the WWI and CVD risk specifically within this high-risk cohort. A total of 2265 participants with hypertension and OSA were included in the study. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CVD events. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to further evaluate the nonlinear dose-response relationship. During a median follow-up period of 6.8 years, 324 participants experienced a CVD event. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that compared to the reference group, the HRs for the second, third, and fourth groups were 1.12 (95% CI, 0.79-1.59), 1.35 (95% CI, 0.96-1.89), and 1.58 (95% CI, 1.13-2.22), respectively. Moreover, RCS analysis illustrated a clear J-shaped relationship between the WWI and CVD risk, particularly notable when WWI exceeded 11.5 cm/√kg, signifying a significant increase in CVD risk. There was a J-shaped relationship between WWI and CVD in hypertensive patients with OSA, especially when the WWI was greater than 11.5 cm/√kg, the risk of CVD was significantly increased.

Unstructured Data Analysis Research for Vegan Beauty Trends and Consumer Awareness Survey

This study used unstructured data to analyze the various factors and relationships that influence consumers’ perception and behavior on vegan beauty, and predicted the future prospects of vegan beauty. The analysis results are as follows: First, in the keyword analysis related to vegan beauty, clean beauty and beebeuty appeared as the top main words, and cosmetics, ampoule, skin, double cream, animal raw material experiment, dalba, raw material use, etc. were followed. Second, as a result of performing TF-IDF analysis, ampoule, clean beauty, double cream, dalba, collagen, beebeuty, animal raw material experiment, and cosmetics appeared in order. Third, as a result of analyzing 50 keywords related to vegan beauty through centrality analysis and semantic network analysis, clean beauty, beebeuty, cosmetics, double cream, recommendation, ampoule, skin, animal raw material experiment, and dalba showed the most influence, and in the eigenvector centrality analysis, clean beauty, beebeuty, cosmetics, and double cream showed high values in order. Fourth, as a result of grouping 50 keywords related to vegan beauty derived through CONCOR analysis, the first group was keywords related to the attributes of vegan beauty, the second group was keywords related to vegan beauty products, the third group was keywords related to vegan beauty marketing, and the fourth group was keywords related to beauty care. Through these analysis results, we present the current situation and future possibilities of vegan beauty, and hope that it will help strengthen the competitiveness of vegan beauty brands and establish marketing strategies for vegan beauty brands.

Evaluation of Fiber Post Exposure on Coronal Microleakage of Endodontically Treated Teeth: An In Vitro Study

Background: Coronal leakage is a significant cause of failure in endodontically treated teeth, and studies have reported the different effects of aqueous environments and occlusal forces on fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) materials. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of fiber post exposure on coronal microleakage in endodontically treated teeth restored with fiber post and composite core. Methods: Forty-five extracted maxillary incisors were sectioned at the CEJ, endodontically treated, and randomly divided into five groups. The specimens in the first group were restored with fiber post and core, but the post was not exposed and was covered with composite. The fiber posts were exposed in the second and fourth groups, while the fiber posts and luting cement were exposed in the third and fifth groups. The first, second, and third groups were varnished up to one millimeter below the CEJ, and the fourth and fifth groups up to the highest level of the composite core. The specimens were cut into two halves longitudinally with a diamond disc, and the depth of dye penetration was measured using a stereo microscope at the incisal and cervical interfaces. The Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed to determine the significance of differences between the microleakage of different groups, with a significance level of 0.05. Results: The microleakage values of the groups with exposed fiber posts (fiber post-cement composite) did not differ. Due to the varnish coverage, the microleakage values in the cervical interface showed no significant difference in groups 1, 2, and 3, unaffected by post exposure at the incisal region. Conclusion: Fiber post exposure did not influence the microleakage values of endodontically treated teeth restored with fiber post-composite core buildup.

Timing of Umbilical Cord Clamping in Preterm Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: The optimal timing for clamping the umbilical cord remains controversial. This study aimed to assess the optimal timing of umbilical cord clamping and its effect on preterm neonates. Methods: The study was a randomized controlled trial with the registration number: NCT06000800. It was conducted at Kasr Al Ainy Maternity Hospital, Cairo University Hospital, where a total of 80 pregnant women were randomly pooled and randomly divided into four groups with each group comprising 20 pregnant women. Umbilical cord clamping was performed in the first group immediately (5 sec after birth), after 30 sec in the second group, after 60 sec in the third group, and after 90 sec in the fourth group. After birth, clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed and recorded at the 1st, 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours for all preterm neonates. Results: Delayed cord clamping at 90 sec was linked to improved preterm neonatal outcomes including heart rate at the 1st and the 6th hours; respiratory rate at the 12th hour; oxygen saturation at the 1st hour; hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood glucose levels at the 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours; but also linked to increase in bilirubin levels at the 12th, 24th, and 48th hours (P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference concerning APGAR score; respiratory rate at the 12th hour, temperature at the 1st, 6th, 12th, 24th, and 48th hours; hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood glucose at the 1st hour; and bilirubin at the 1st, 6th, and 12th hours in all groups (5, 30, 60, and 90 sec) (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Better levels of blood glucose and hemoglobin were seen in preterm neonates whose cord clamping was delayed. Further studies should be carried out to determine the optimal timing of umbilical cord clamping with larger samples, for extended delay of clamping for more than 90 sec, and with recording of parameters for an extended period of follow-up even past the neonatal period.