Tukey's Post-hoc Test Research Articles

Comparative Evaluation of Penetration of Various Nano-sized Intra-canal Medicaments: An In Vitro Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopic Study.

To assess and contrast the depth of penetration of conventional calcium hydroxide, nanoparticle calcium hydroxide, silver nanoparticles, and combination of nanoparticle calcium hydroxide and silver nanoparticles into dentinal tubules using confocal laser scanning microscope. Eighty human single-rooted teeth were decoronated and instrumented up to Protaper Universal F3. Teeth were separated into four groups at random (n = 20) following chemomechanical preparation. Group 1: Control Conventional Calcium Hydroxide; Group 2: Nanoparticle Calcium Hydroxide; group 3: Silver Nanoparticles; group 4: Combination of Nanoparticle Calcium Hydroxide and Silver Nanoparticles. With the use of lentulo spirals, medications were injected into the canals, stirred up with ultrasound, and then kept at 37°C for 24 hours. A 1 mm thick slice was obtained at 5 mm from the root apex by sectioning the root perpendicular to the long axis of the tooth and then put on a glass slide to measure the depth of penetration using a confocal laser microscope. To quantify the depth of penetration among the four groups, a one-way ANOVA was used and post hoc-Tukey's test was used to compare between groups. All of the groups were statistically significant, with group 4 showing the greatest depth of penetration, followed by group 2 and group 3. In contrast, all other groups in the intergroup comparison were statistically significant (P value 0.05) aside from the comparison of group 2 to group 3. Silver nanoparticles and nanoparticle calcium hydroxide together demonstrated greater penetration than calcium hydroxide, silver nanoparticles, and nanoparticle calcium hydroxide alone.

EFFECT OF WHITE SUGAR, BROWN SUGAR AND JAGGERY POWDER SYRUP ON BIOCHEMICAL AND HISTOPATHOLOGICAL MARKERS OF SPRAGUE-DAWLEY RATS

Hypertension accounts for 10% of the total annual health budget in developed countries.1 By 2025, the number of people living with hypertension is expected to reach 1.56 billion people.2Dietary factors that increase blood pressure (BP) are of interest to public health authorities.3,4Twenty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were taken. All groups received standard chow ad libitum. Controls (A), received plain drinking water, and the Sucrose treatment rats received 10% sucrose solution prepared daily for 12 weeks. Non-invasive blood pressure was recorded using computer based data recording system power lab model: M-ML 856, Australia with rat tail cuff attachment.Blood samples were collected. Serum aliquots were frozen at ?80°C for: ALT, AST, TG, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were determined using commercial enzymatic methods (CELM diagnosis, São Paulo, Brazil). The concentration of VLDL and low-density lipoprotein was measured. ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey tests were applied to determine statistical difference among the study groups. The results showed variable effects on biochemical and histopathological findings in rat liver, kidney and pancreas. The pancreas and kidneys of the rats showed adverse inflammatory histopathological changes maximally in rats taking jaggery syrup (Shakkar) flowed by white sugar and minimal in Shakkar. The adverse effects on liver cells were maximally seen on rats given brown sugar. This study enabled us to better understand the biochemical and histopathological effects of various types of sugars available in Pakistani market in order to create awareness regarding their effects on health.

Effect of toothbrushing on surface roughness, gloss, and topography of polished and glazed ultra-translucent zirconia.

This study evaluated the effect of toothbrushing cycles on surface roughness (Ra), gloss (GU), and morphology of two zirconia finishing and polishing protocols. An ultra-translucent zirconia disc was sectioned into rectangular plates (12mm × 7mm × 3mm) and divided into two groups according to the polishing and finishing system used (diamond rubber abrasive/DRA or glazing/GLA). Bovine enamel (BEN) plates with the same dimensions were used as a Control. Specimens of zirconia and enamel were analyzed for Ra and GU (n = 11) and surface morphology by scanning electron microscopy (n = 3) before toothbrushing (baseline) and after 15,000 and 30,000 toothbrushing cycles. Ra and GU data were analyzed by ANOVA two-way and post-hoc Tukey's test (α = 0.05), while the surface morphology was analyzed qualitatively. The Ra decreased significantly after 30,000 toothbrushing cycles for DRA and GLA zirconia ceramics. DRA showed a higher GU at the baseline, after 15,000 and 30,000 toothbrushing cycles than GLA and BEN. Toothbrushing polished the zirconia, creating a smooth surface, while no changes were observed for BEN. The increase in toothbrushing cycles (30,000) changed the surface roughness of DRA and GLA zirconia ceramics. DRA zirconia presented the highest GU, which did not change with toothbrushing.

At-home bleaching with carbamide peroxide with concentrations below 10%: bleaching efficacy and permeability in the pulp chamber.

To evaluate the bleaching efficacy and permeability of hydrogen peroxide (HP) in the pulp chamber of human teeth bleached with lower concentrations of carbamide peroxide gel (4%, 5% and 7% CP). Bleaching gels with lower concentrations were formulated and a commercial standard gel, 10% CP, was used as a reference. Fifty-six human premolars were randomly divided into four groups. Applications of the bleaching gel were made for 3h for 21 days. The bleaching efficacy was evaluated by digital spectrophotometry on 1, 7, 14 and 21 days, with analysis in the ∆Eab, ∆E00 and WID color spaces. The concentration of HP in the pulp chamber was measured in the same periods by UV-Vis spectrophotometry (µg/mL). Two-way repeated analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined bleaching efficacy and HP permeability, followed by Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). All groups showed significant color changes, with no statistical differences after the second and third week of bleaching (p > 0.05). The 'time' factor was statistically different (p < 0.05), increasing the bleaching efficacy throughout the treatment. The 4% CP group had lower HP levels in the pulp chamber (p < 0.05). The results seem promising, revealing that low concentration gels are as effective as 10% CP with the benefit of reducing the amount of HP in the pulp chamber. Low concentration 4% PC and 5% PC maintains bleaching efficacy, reduces the penetration of HP peroxide into the pulp chamber, and may reduce tooth sensitivity.

Exploring Periostracum as an Alternative Root Canal Irrigant: Insights From Zebrafish Embryo Experiments.

Objectives Root canal treatments aim to eliminate biofilms effectively. Considering the limitations of chemical irrigants, there is growing interest in natural alternatives like periostracum due to their antibacterial and fouling-resistant properties. This study aimed to assess periostracum's toxicity as a root canal irrigant by investigating its effects on zebrafish embryos' heart rate, survival rate, and hatching rate, as well as inflammation studies using neutral red assays comparing it to standard irrigants like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), chlorhexidine (CHX), and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). Materials and methods Zebrafish embryos were exposed to varying concentrations of periostracum irrigant and standard irrigants. Heart rate, survival rate, and hatching rate were evaluated as indicators of developmental toxicity using microscopy. Statistical analysis, utilizing GraphPad Prism software (version 5.03, GraphPad Software, LLC, San Diego, California, United States), involved one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test to determine significance levels (p < 0.05) across control and other groups based on triplicate means and standard deviation. Results The periostracum irrigant demonstrated superior survival rates, heart rates, and hatching rates at specific concentrations compared to standard irrigants (p < 0.01), maintaining favorable heart rates and hatching rates at those concentrations. However, higher concentrations resulted in diminished hatching rates (p < 0.05). Additionally, this study revealed increased inflammation when larvae were treated with NaOCl, EDTA, and CHX. Conversely, no inflammation was observed when subjected to periostracum irrigants. These findings suggest potential advantages of periostracum as a root canal irrigant due to its increased biocompatibility. Conclusion Periostracum displayed promising attributes in zebrafish embryo experiments, such as stable heart rate, hatching rate, and survival rate, along with reduced developmental toxicity and inflammation, indicating potential advantages as a root canal irrigant, including reduced toxicity compared to conventional agents. Further research involving diverse demographics and long-term effects is crucial to validate periostracum's clinical applicability and safety in endodontic therapies.

FOXO1 regulates wound-healing responses in human gingival fibroblasts.

Forkhead box-O 1 (FOXO1) is a transcription factor actively involved in oral wound healing at the epithelial barrier. However, less is known regarding the role of FOXO1 during the tissue repair response in the connective tissue compartment. This study explored the involvement of FOXO1 in the modulation of fibroblast activity related to wound healing. Primary cultures of human gingival fibroblasts were obtained from four healthy young donors. Myofibroblastic differentiation, collagen gel contraction, cell migration, cell spreading, and integrin activation were evaluated in the presence or absence of a FOXO1 inhibitor (AS1842856). Variations in mRNA and proteins of interest were evaluated through qRT-PCR and western blot, respectively. Distribution of actin, α-smooth muscle actin, and β1 integrin was evaluated using immunofluorescence. FOXO1 and TGF-β1 expression in gingival wound healing was assessed by immunohistochemistry in gingival wounds performed in C57BL/6 mice. Images were analyzed using ImageJ/Fiji. ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Tukey's or Dunn's post-hoc test was performed. All data are expressed as mean ± SD. p < .05 was considered statistically significant. FOXO1 inhibition caused a decrease in the expression of the myofibroblastic marker α-SMA along with a reduction in fibronectin, type I collagen, TGF-β1, and β1 integrin mRNA level. The FOXO1 inhibitor also caused decreases in cell migration, cell spreading, collagen gel contraction, and β1 integrin activation. FOXO1 and TGF-β1 were prominently expressed in gingival wounds in fibroblastic cells located at the wound bed. The present study indicates that FOXO1 plays an important role in the modulation of several wound-healing functions in gingival fibroblast. Moreover, our findings reveal an important regulatory role for FOXO1 on the differentiation of gingival myofibroblasts, the regulation of cell migration, and collagen contraction, all these functions being critical during tissue repair and fibrosis.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of an experimental dental adhesive containing synthesized quaternary ammonium compound: in vitro study

BackgroundDental adhesives with immobilized antibacterial agents are formulated to combat bacterial invasion along the tooth-restoration interface. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effect of synthesized quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) incorporated into commercial dental adhesive.MethodsQAC was synthesized from 2-(Dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate and 1-Bromobutane and characterized using CHN (Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) and H+NMR (Proton nuclear magnetic resonance) analyses. The synthesized QAC was assessed for its cytotoxicity and its antibacterial activity against S. mutans using disc diffusion method, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time-kill kinetics test, and TEM imaging. The QAC was added to the primer of a commercially available adhesive (OptiBond XTR) at two concentrations; 20 and 40 mg mL−1 representing the MIC and MBC, respectively. The antibacterial properties of the experimental adhesives, commercial antibacterial adhesive Clearfil SE Protect containing 12-methacryloyloxydodecylpyridinium bromide (MDPB), and commercial vehicle (OptiBond XTR) were compared using time-kill kinetics test. Statistical analysis by ANOVA followed by tukey post-hoc test (P < 0.05).ResultsDisc diffusion and time-kill kinetics tests showed potent antibacterial action of QAC, both in the unpolymerized and the cured forms. MIC and MBC were 20 and 40 mg mL−1 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between experimental adhesives and Clearfil Protect with more than 99% reduction in bacterial count, while OptiBond XTR showed no bacterial killing up for up to 10 h.ConclusionsThe synthesized QAC added to a commercially available adhesive imparted antibacterial properties, thus providing an affordable adhesive system to the local market.

Simultaneous Effect of Eight Weeks High-fat Diet, Continuous Moderate-intensity Training, and High-intensity Intermittent Training on the Gene Expression Levels of PLIN2 and ATGL in the Twin Muscle of Male Wistar Rats

Background: A high-fat diet can cause obesity and endanger health. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high-fat diet, continuous moderate-intensity training, and high-intensity intermittent training on the gene expression levels of PLIN2 and ATGL in the twin muscles of male Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=8): 1- control group with a standard diet (ND) 2- control group with a high-fat diet (HFD) 3- high-fat diet and continuous aerobic training with Moderate intensity (HFD+MICT) 4- high-fat diet and intermittent aerobic training (HFD+HIIT). For one training group, eight weeks of moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT), and for the other group, eight weeks of high-intensity intermittent aerobic training (HIIT) were performed on the treadmill. Then, 48 hours after the last training session, the twin muscle tissue was isolated to check the expression of PLIN2 and ATGL genes. Gene expression analysis was done by Real-time PCR technique. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test were used to analyze the collected data. Results: After eight weeks of training, the level of PLIN2 gene expression in the two training groups was significantly lower than in the HDF group, and the level of ATGL gene expression was significantly higher in both groups than in the HDF group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: It was shown that two exercises had a modulating effect on the expression of genes that are effective in the process of autophagy and the formation of fat cells.

Effect of various staining beverages on the color stability of CAD/CAM PMMA denture teeth: An in vitro study.

This study aimed to compare the color change of computer-aided design (CAD)/computer-aidedmanufacturing (CAM)polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)denture teeth and conventional acrylic teeth after immersion in three staining beverages (coffee, red tea, and cola) for a day, 7 days, and 30 days. Group 1: Conventional acrylic teeth (n = 32). Group 2: Milled CAD/CAMteeth out of PMMA disc (n = 32). The specimens of each material were further divided into four subgroups: (1) Control group, distilled water (n = 16). (2) Red tea solution (n = 16). (3) Coffee solution (n = 16). (4) Cola (n = 16). The color change ( ) was assessed using a spectrophotometer at four time points: at the baseline (t0 ), on the 1st day (t1 ), on the 7th day (t2 ), and the 30th day (t3 ) of immersion. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied, followed by performing independent samples t test, one-way analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey tests to compare the color change values at different time points. The mean score of NBS values of the coffee solution indicates perceivable color change at the end of the 30th day in the conventional acrylic teeth group. It was 0.843 ± 0.395 at t1 , then increased to 1.017 ± 0.477 at t2 and to 2.259 ± 1.059 at t3 . There is a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in color change values between both tooth types at the end of the 30th day of immersion in red tea solution and a statistically significant difference at the end of the 7th day (p < 0.05) and the 30th day (p < 0.05) of immersion in coffee solution. CAD/CAMPMMA teeth are more color stable than conventional acrylic teeth after 30 days of immersion in coffee and red tea solution.

Optimizing fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with preheated thermos-viscous composite post-thermocycling, a comparative study. Part I

PurposeThis research aimed to investigate fracture resistance of endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored using preheated thermo-viscous and fiber-reinforced bulk fill resin composite, in vitro.MethodologySixty sound human maxillary premolars were selected and divided randomly into 6 groups of ten teeth each (n = 10). Group 1; is the positive control with sound unprepared teeth (P), Group 2; is the negative control in which Mesio-occluso-distal (MOD) cavities were left unrestored (N), Group 3; includes the teeth restored by incremental packing with conventional nanohybrid composite (ChP), Group 4; includes teeth restored with short fiber reinforced bulk fill composite (EF), Group 5; includes teeth restored with preheated thermo-viscous bulk fill composite (VB), and Group 6; includes teeth restored using packable bulk fill composite (XF) Tested restorative materials were bonded with a universal adhesive in self-etch mode. Teeth were kept in distilled water for 24 h at 37 °C proceeded by thermocycling (5- 55 °C, 1200×). Teeth were then exposed to compressive load till fracture at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. One-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc test was implemented to compare between more than two groups in non-related samples. The significance level was established at α = 0.05 for both tests.ResultsIntact teeth significantly recorded the highest fracture resistance values among all groups. A significant difference was recorded among all the tested groups, with the EF recording the highest values, followed by the VB group then the XF group and ChP that recorded the lowest data. Negative control premolars significantly recorded the lowest fracture.ConclusionsAfter thermocycling, endodontically treated maxillary premolars restored with pre-heated thermos-viscous composite did not exhibit an increase in fracture resistance. Notably, our findings indicate that short fiber-reinforced composite demonstrated significantly higher fracture resistance compared to other types of composites assessed in this study. This suggests the potential superiority of short fiber-reinforced composite in enhancing the overall structural integrity of endodontically treated teeth subjected to occlusal forces.

Antifungal activity of Durio zibethinus Murray peel extract against Candida albicans: A preliminary study.

The incidence of antifungal resistance to Candida albicans infections has been growing over the past years; therefore, innovations are required to develop medicinal plants with antifungal properties such as durian fruit peels (Durio zibethinus Murray) that contain significant of bioactive compounds with antifungal properties. The aim of this study was to determine the antifungal activity of D. zibethinus fruit peel extract against C. albicans by analyzing the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). A post-test only control group experiment was conducted from July to October 2020. D. zibethinus peel was collected from Simalungun Regency, Medan, Indonesia, and extracted by maceration technique using 70% ethanol to obtain D. zibethinus peel ethanol extract (DPEE). Samples of C. albicans were obtained from the Laboratory of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia. The diffusion method was used to determine the antifungal activity. Six groups with different concentrations of DPEE (6.25%, 12.5%, 25%, and 50%), ketoconazole (positive control) and dimethyl sulfoxide (negative control) were exposed to C. albicans in six replicates. Six lower concentrations (12.5%, 6.25%, 3.12%, 3%, 1.56%, and 0.78%) were divided to perform the liquid dilution method to obtain the MIC and affirmation test for MBC. The diameter of the inhibition zone was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Tukey post-hoc test for differences between concentrations. Our data indicated that the DPEE 6.25% had the largest inhibition zone (17.26±5.64 mm) and the inhibition zones were significant different among concentrations of DPEE (p<0.05). Furthermore, the DPEE had a MIC of 0.78% and MBC of 3.125% against C. albicans. This study highlights that the ethanol extract of D. zibethinus has potential antifungal activity against C. albicans. However, a further study is needed to determine its antifungal activities in more precise manner.

LncRNA NEAT1 promotes angiogenesis of retinoblastoma cells through regulation of the miR-106a/HIF-1α axis

ObjectiveTo explore the role and mechanisms of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in angiogenesis of retinoblastoma (RB) cells. MethodsThis study investigated the roles of NEAT1 in RB progression. The RNA expression levels of NEAT1, miR-106a, and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) examined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were compared between RB cells and normal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. The binding sites between NEAT1 and miR-106a, and between miR-106a and HIF-1α were predicted by the TargetScan database and verified using the dual-luciferase reporter assay. By transfection of overexpression plasmid or shRNA of NEAT1, and/or treatment of miR-106a inhibitor or mimics, proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of RB cells (measured by the MTT assay, the Transwell assay, and the tube formation assay, respectively) were compared between groups. Group comparisons were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Tukey's post-hoc test was employed for further statistical assessment. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsThe RNA expression levels of NEAT1 and HIF-1α were upregulated in RB cells, whereas the expression level of miR-106a was downregulated compared with RPE cells. NEAT1 overexpression or miR-106a knockdown advanced proliferation, invasion, and tube formation of RB cells. As a target of NEAT1, miR-106a could sponge HIF-1α to downregulate HIF-1α expression level. Functional analyses indicated that miR-106a knockdown reversed the inhibitory effects of NEAT1 silencing on the proliferation, invasion, and tube formation of RB cells. Furthermore, miR-106a overexpression suppressed RB cell angiogenesis by downregulating HIF-1α expression level. ConclusionNEAT1 promoted proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis of RB cells through upregulation of HIF-1α expression level by sponging miR-106a, demonstrating that NEAT1 may be a novel target for RB treatment.

Comparison of subcritical growth parameters of a Y-TZP obtained via cyclic or dynamic fatigue tests

ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to 1) compare the stress corrosion coefficient (n) of a Y-TZP obtained by two fatigue tests: cyclic and dynamic and 2) evaluate the effect of frequency in the characteristic lifetime and the existence of interaction between the cyclic fatigue and slow crack growth. MethodsA total of 145 Y-TZP specimens were produced in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. These specimens, measuring 4.0 × 3.0 × 25.0 mm, were used for dynamic (n = 70) and cyclic fatigue tests (n = 75). The specimens were obtained from CAD/CAM blocks, sectioned, and sintered in a furnace at 1530 °C with a heating rate of 25 °C/min. They were tested in their "as-sintered" form without any additional surface treatment. The fatigue tests were conducted using a four-point bending to obtain the slow crack growth parameters (n). The cyclic fatigue test was also conducted in two frequencies (2 and 10 Hz), using stress levels between 350 and 600 MPa. Data from these tests were analyzed using ASTM C 1368–00 formulas and Weibull statistics. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used for fracture surface analysis to identify the origin of the fracture. Critical defect size was measured and used, along with flexural strength values, to estimate fracture toughness. Dynamic fatigue test data were used to obtain subcritical crack growth (SCG) parameters and perform Weibull statistical analysis. The cyclic fatigue data were used in the General Log-linear Model equation using the ALTA PRO software. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey post-hoc tests and Student's t-test at a significance level of p ≤ 0.05. ResultsIn the dynamic fatigue test, the values obtained for σfo and n were 667 and 54, respectively. This parameter indicates how the strength of the material diminishes over time due to internal cracks. The Weibull parameters obtained from the same test results were m = 7.9, σ0 = 968, 9 and σ5% = 767, which indicates the reliability of the material. The Weibull parameters obtained by cyclic fatigue were statistically similar for the two frequencies used, the m* was 0.17 (2 Hz) and 0.21 (10 Hz); characteristic lifetimes (η) were 1.93 × 106 and 40,768, respectively. The n values obtained by cyclic fatigue were 48 and 40 at frequencies of 2 and 10 Hz, respectively. There was no effect of the frequency, the stress level or the interaction of the two in the Y-TZP lifetime, when analysed by General Log Linear Model. Significancethe n values obtained by cyclic and dynamic fatigue tests showed no statistically significant difference and the effect of frequency in the characteristic lifetime and the existence of interaction between the cyclic fatigue and subcritical growth were not observed in the tested specimens.

Morphological characteristics of the patellar tendon in runners, cyclists, triathletes, and physically active individuals.

The objective of the study was to compare measurements of length, thickness, and cross-section area (CSA) of the patellar tendon (PT) among cyclists, runners, triathletes, and physically active individuals (control group). Forty healthy individuals (10 cyclists, 10 runners, 10 triathletes, and 10 physically active individuals) aged between 18 and 45years (30.3 ± 8.6years) participated in the study. PT was measured by a B-mode ultrasound system. To measure the length and thickness (in 5, 10, 15, and 20mm of the PT length) the probe was positioned parallel to the tendon and to measure the CSA the probe was positioned perpendicularly in 25, 50, and 75% of the PT length. PT length data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to compare between groups and PT CSA and thickness were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA (group vs. position) to compare the variables among the groups with the post-hoc Tukey test. All statistical analyses were performed considering p < 0.05. We observed a significant difference, where cyclists had smaller PT thickness (regardless of the location measured) compared to the group of triathletes (p = 0.001) and the physically active group (p = 0.043). All other variables (length, thickness, and CSA) and interactions (local and position) were not significant. We concluded that regardless of the position where PT thickness is measured, cyclists have smaller PT thickness compared to triathletes and physically active individuals but similar when compared to runners. And no differences in the length and CSA of the PT between groups.

Comparative analysis of cytotoxicity effects of two denture hard lining materials on human gingival fibroblasts: an in vitro study

BackgroundThe objective of this study was to compare the cytotoxicity of TDV and Rebase II denture hard liners on human gingival fibroblasts, aiming to address issues associated with incomplete polymerization and free monomers that affect material properties. MethodsSeventy-two specimens (24 each of TDV, Rebase II, and controls) were prepared under aseptic conditions according to factory instructions. Cytotoxicity was determined using the MTT test with methyl tetrazolium salt added to the cell culture medium. A two-way ANOVA and a post-hoc Tukey test was used to evaluate the results of incubation before mitochondrial activity was measured using Multiscan spectrophotometry (570 nm). ResultsThere were significant differences in cell viability between the groups after 24 hours (P < 0.001), with TDV having higher viability than Rebase II. The difference between Rebase II and TDV, however, was not significant at 48 and 96 hours (P > 0.131). At 24 hours, Rebase II exhibited significantly lower viability than TDV liner, with a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.001). ConclusionDue to the maximum monomer release in the early hours of incubation, the amount of cytotoxicity decreased with increasing incubation time.

Medical students’ attitudes and perceived competence regarding medical cannabis and its suggestibility

IntroductionThe global trend of legalizing medical cannabis (MC) is on the rise. In Germany, physicians have prescribed MC at the expense of health insurers since 2017. However, the teaching on MC has been scant in medical training. This study investigates medical students’ attitudes and perceived competence regarding MC and evaluates how varying materials (videos/articles) impact their opinions.MethodsFourth-year medical students were invited to participate in the cross-sectional study. During an online session, students viewed a video featuring a patient with somatoform pain discussing her medical history, plus one of four randomly assigned MC-related materials (each an article and a video depicting a positive or negative perspective on MC). Students’ opinions were measured at the beginning [T0] and the end of the course [T1] using a standardized questionnaire with a five-point Likert scale. We assessed the influence of the material on the students’ opinions using paired-sample t-tests. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey post-hoc tests were conducted to compare the four groups. Pearson correlations assessed correlations.Results150 students participated in the course, the response rate being 75.3% [T0] and 72.7% [T1]. At T0, students felt a little competent regarding MC therapy (M = 1.80 ± 0.82). At T1, students in groups 1 (positive video) and 3 (positive article) rated themselves as more capable in managing MC therapy \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ (\ ext{t}\\left(28\\right)=-3.816,\ ext{p}<0.001; \ ext{t}\\left(23\\right)=-4.153,\ ext{p}<0.001)$$\\end{document}, and students in groups 3 (positive article) and 4 (negative article) felt more skilled in treating patients with chronic pain \\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$ (\ ext{t}\\left(23\\right)=-2.251,\ ext{p}=0.034;\ ext{t}\\left(30\\right)=-2.034;\ ext{p}=0.051)$$\\end{document}. Compared to the other groups, group 2 students (negative video) felt significantly less competent. They perceived cannabis as addictive, hazardous and unsuitable for medical prescription.DiscussionThis study showed that medical students lack knowledge and perceived competence in MC therapy. Material influences their opinions in different ways, and they seek more training on MC. This underlines that integrating MC education into medical curricula is crucial to address this knowledge gap.

Empirical comparison of deep learning models for fNIRS pain decoding.

Pain assessment is extremely important in patients unable to communicate and it is often done by clinical judgement. However, assessing pain using observable indicators can be challenging for clinicians due to the subjective perceptions, individual differences in pain expression, and potential confounding factors. Therefore, the need for an objective pain assessment method that can assist medical practitioners. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has shown promising results to assess the neural function in response of nociception and pain. Previous studies have explored the use of machine learning with hand-crafted features in the assessment of pain. In this study, we aim to expand previous studies by exploring the use of deep learning models Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and (CNN-LSTM) to automatically extract features from fNIRS data and by comparing these with classical machine learning models using hand-crafted features. The results showed that the deep learning models exhibited favourable results in the identification of different types of pain in our experiment using only fNIRS input data. The combination of CNN and LSTM in a hybrid model (CNN-LSTM) exhibited the highest performance (accuracy = 91.2%) in our problem setting. Statistical analysis using one-way ANOVA with Tukey's (post-hoc) test performed on accuracies showed that the deep learning models significantly improved accuracy performance as compared to the baseline models. Overall, deep learning models showed their potential to learn features automatically without relying on manually-extracted features and the CNN-LSTM model could be used as a possible method of assessment of pain in non-verbal patients. Future research is needed to evaluate the generalisation of this method of pain assessment on independent populations and in real-life scenarios.

Comparative Analysis of Physiochemical Properties and In Vitro Antioxidant Potency Among Morphotypes of Centella asiatica Grown in Sri Lanka

Centella asiatica commonly referred as Gotukola, is recognized for its extensive application in traditional medicine owing to its remarkable health benefits. This study investigated the differences in pH, ash content, moisture content, and in vitro antioxidant potential among three prevalent vine- type morphotypes of C. asiatica: Wel Gotukola, Meerigima Gotukola, and Yodha Gotukola, indigenous to Sri Lanka. C. asiatica plants of the same age (100 days) at their first harvestable matured stage, were randomly collected from domestic gardens in Gampaha District, Sri Lanka. Three replicates of each morphotype were sampled. Moisture and ash content were analysed using the standard AOAC method, and pH was measured using the potentiometric method. DPPH (2,2- Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging capacity assay was used to determine the antioxidant activity. To thoroughly compare antioxidant potential among morphotypes, the ANOVA test was utilized followed by post-hoc Tukey HSD tests. Following results were obtained for the average moisture content of Wel Gotukola (83.41%±1.16%), Yodha Gotukola (74.33%±2.23%), and Meerigama Gotukola (79.46%±1.89%), alongside average ash content of Wel Gotukola (11.60%±1.02%), Yodha Gotukola (13.12%±2.57%), and Meerigama Gotukola (12.17%±2.01%). Additionally, an average pH of Wel Gotukola (6.00±0.21), Yodha Gotukola (5.75±0.25), and Meerigama Gotukola (5.98±0.14) was observed. The antioxidant activity of C. asiatica extracts exhibited concentration dependent increases in radical scavenging capacity. Notably, the DPPH radical scavenging potency, denoted by the minimum IC50 value, exhibited significant variations across different Gotukola varieties (p&lt;0.05): Wel Gotukola (6.4 ± 0.54 µg/mL), Yodha Gotukola (8.56±0.35 µg/mL), and Meerigama Gotukola (7.0±0.75 µg/mL). Post-hoc Tukey tests showed antioxidant activity was significantly higher in Wel Gotukola compared to that of Meerigama and Yodha Gotukola morphotypes (p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, Wel Gotukola demonstrated the highest average pH, moisture content, and the lowest mineral content. Conversely, Yodha Gotukola exhibited the lowest pH, moisture content, and the highest ash content. These findings underscore the potential of chemical parameters in elucidating the distinctive attributes of the three Gotukola varieties. Specifically, the significantly higher antioxidant potential observed in Wel Gotukola suggests its potential as an optimal candidate for herbal product development. This study imparts valuable insights into optimizing the therapeutic efficacy of formulations based on the specific C. asiatica employed in such endeavours.&#x0D; &#x0D; Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Centella asiatica, Morphotypes, Proximate analysis

Protein intake affects erythrocyte glutathione synthesis in healthy adults aged ≥60 years in a repeated-measures trial

BackgroundProtein recommendations for older adults are based on nitrogen balance data from young adults. Physiological studies using the indicator amino acid oxidation method suggest they need 30% to 50% more protein than current recommendations. We herein present glutathione (GSH) as a physiological estimate of protein adequacy in older adults. ObjectivesThe objective was to measure GSH kinetics in response to varying protein intakes in a repeated-measures design in healthy adults aged ≥60 y using the precursor-product method. MethodsSixteen healthy older adults (n = 8 male and n = 8 female; body mass index ≤30 kg/m2) were studied. Each received 4 of 6 protein intakes in random order (0.66, 0.8, 0.9, 1.1, 1.3 and 1.5 g⋅kg−1⋅d−1). At each intake level, participants underwent isotope infusion studies of 7 h duration following a 3-d adaptation to the test level of protein. On the fourth day, GSH fractional (FSR) and absolute synthesis (ASR) rates were quantified by measuring the incorporation of U-[13C2-15N]glycine into GSH at isotopic steady state. A mixed-effect change-point regression model was used to determine a breakpoint in FSR and ASR. Secondary outcomes included plasma concentrations of oxidative stress markers, homocysteine, 5-L-oxoproline (5-OP), and urinary sulfate. The effect of secondary outcomes on GSH kinetics was analyzed using a joint linear mixed-effect model and Tukey’s post hoc test. ResultsA protein intake of 1.08 g⋅kg−1⋅d−1 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.83, 1.32; Rm2 = 0.207; Rc2 = 0.671; P < 0.001) maximized GSH FSR. There was no effect of protein intake on concentrations of erythrocyte GSH, plasma homocysteine, oxidative stress markers, or 5-OP (P > 0.05). Protein intake had a positive effect on urinary sulfate excretion (P < 0.0001). ConclusionA protein intake of 1.08 g⋅kg−1⋅d−1 from a high-quality protein maximized GSH synthesis in adults ≥60 y. This lends support to data suggesting a requirement higher than the current recommendation.This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02971046.

Abstract WMP75: Neurobehavioral Outcomes Following Left- and Right-Sided Intracerebral Hemorrhage in Mice

Background: Injury location is an established outcome predictor in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), with most studies focusing on outcomes relating to motor deficits. However, location may also affect other neurobehavioral deficits following ICH, such as mood and cognitive decline. To address this gap, we studied neurobehavioral outcomes following left and right-sided ICH in mice. Methods: Three-month-old male mice (C57BL/6) were given a left (n=5) or right-sided (n=5) ICH. In short, type VII collagenase was injected into the left or right striatum (0.0 mm anterior, +/- 2.3 mm lateral, and 3.6 mm deep from bregma). Naïve mice (n=5) were used as controls. Behavior was assessed at day 28 post-ICH using a video-recorded three-chamber sociability task in which one chamber had an enclosed male stranger mouse. Distance traveled, time in each chamber, and time exploring the stranger mouse were quantified using automated software (AnyMaze). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. Results: ICH location had differential effects on behavioral outcomes. Compared to naïve and right-sided ICH mice, left-sided ICH mice traveled a greater overall distance exploring the chambers (both p&lt;0.05), spent a greater overall time immobile in the stranger mouse zone (both p&lt;0.001) and less time oriented towards the stranger mouse (both p&lt;0.05). Furthermore, when comparing naive and left-sided ICH mice, left-sided mice had a higher frequency of investigations of the empty cage (p&lt;0.05). No significant differences were found between the naïve and right-sided ICH mice. Conclusions: These results reveal differences in behavioral phenotypes associated with left- and right-sided ICH.