Tukey's Post-hoc Test Research Articles

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.

The evaluation of the effect of long-term antihypertensive drug usage on bone density with dental volumetric tomography.

HT is a systemic disease that presents with persistent high blood pressure, which has become an important health problem due to its cause of serious complications and high prevalence in the community. Aim: This study aims to examine the bone mineral density (BMD) of male patients using different groups of antihypertensive drugs for long terms with dental volumetric tomography. The study was carried out using the data of patients who applied to the Dicle University Faculty of Dentistry and underwent the Dental Volumetric Tomography (DVT) scan for any reason. The patients included in the study were divided into 4 groups according to their antihypertensive use; Group 1: 60 patients who never used hypertensive medication before, Group 2: 60 patients who received Calcium Channel Blocker treatment for over 5 years, Group 3: 60 patients who received Beta Blocker treatment for over 5 years, Group 4: 60 patients who received ACE inhibitor treatment for over 5 years. Radiomorphometric measurements were made on the DVT data and the DVT-Mandibular Index Inferior, DVT-Cortical Index, Hounsfield Unit-Cortical and Hounsfield Unit-Spongios values were calculated. The Kruskal-Wallis test, the Mann Whitney test with Bonferroni correction, the One-Way ANOVA and Post-Hoc Tukey test were used in the study. A significant increase in DVT-CI and a significant decrease in HU-CORTIKAL, HU-SPONGIOS and DVT-MII values were observed in the patients using Calcium Channel Blocker medication. These findings pointed to osteoporosis. In addition, no statistically significant difference in the use of antihypertensive drugs in the Beta Blocker and ACE Inhibitor groups compared to the Control Group were found. The long term use of Calcium Channel Blocker group antihypertensive drugs should be considered as a risk factor for osteoporosis in men. Key words:Antihypertensive drug, Osteoporosis, Radiomorphometric index, Mandible, Dental volumetric tomography, Bone mineral density.

Comparative Analysis Of Energy Expenditure Assessments From The Graded Exercise Test Vs. Galaxy Watch And Apple Watch In Korean College Students During A 30-minute Workout: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVES In the modern era, there is heightened interest in understanding energy expenditure during exercise. Consequently, wearable devices such as the Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch have emerged as pivotal tools for daily health monitoring, given their convenience and increasing popularity. This study aimed to compare the calculated energy expenditure derived from the graded exercise test with readings from Galaxy and Apple Watches during a 30-min exercise session among Korean university students. Through this, we anticipate offering both motivation and clear insights into energy expenditure, thereby potentially aiding in weight management strategies for contemporary individuals.METHODS This study involved 27 college students from Korea National University of Transportation in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea. We utilized COSMED's exercise load respiratory gas analysis system (Quark- CPET, COSMED, Rome, Italy), along with the Galaxy Watch (Galaxy Watch 5, Samsung, Seoul, Korea) and the Apple Watch (Apple watch series 5, Apple, Cupertino, USA) for measurements. Energy expenditure was monitored in real-time every 5 min throughout the 30-min exercise session. For statistical evaluations, we employed a one-way analysis of variance. Subsequent post-tests utilized the Tukey post-hoc test and Pearson correlation, with a significance level set at p&lt;0.05.RESULTS Initially, no statistically significant difference emerged between energy expenditure readings from the graded exercise test and those from the Galaxy Watch across all time intervals: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min (p&gt;0.05). Conversely, a notable difference was observed when comparing energy expenditure data from the graded exercise test to that of the Apple Watch for time intervals of 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min (p&gt;0.05), although the 5-min interval did not exhibit a significant difference (p&gt;0.05). Furthermore, a robust positive correlation was evident between the energy expenditure values derived from the graded exercise test and those from both the Galaxy Watch (r=0.952, p&lt;0.001) and the Apple Watch (r=0.917, p&lt;0.001).CONCLUSIONS Both devices demonstrated high reliability in calculating energy expenditure. Notably, the Galaxy Watch exhibited a more precise calculation compared to the Apple Watch, with a relative reliability margin of 3.5% higher. For individuals, especially those struggling with obesity, precise wearable devices that accurately reflect energy consumption can significantly boost motivation for exercise. Consequently, this study lays a foundation for future advancements in energy expenditure measurement tools, emphasizing enhanced convenience, reliability, and mobility.

Pertumbuhan tanaman bayam horenzo (Spinacia orelacea L.) dengan pemberian nutrisi menggunakan ekoenzim

Horenzo spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) is one of the vegetable commodities that is currently in great demand by the public, however the cultivation process is still very limited so it requires optimal cultivation methods. Ecoenzyme is an organic solution that can be used in horenzo spinach cultivation as a substitute for fertilizer, because it contains nutrients that plants need. The ecoenzymes used are sourced from vegetable waste (mustard greens and lemongrass) and fruit peels (pineapple, mango, banana, watermelon and orange). This research was conducted to examine the potential of ecoenzymes and obtain optimal concentrations of ecoenzyme administration for the growth of Horenzo spinach plants. There were 6 treatments in this study, namely without treatment as a negative control (E0), giving a mixture of white CNG and KNO3 fertilizer as a positive control (E1) and giving different doses of ecoenzymes, namely 1ml/l (E2), 5ml/l (E3), 10 /l (E4) and 15ml/l (E5). Observations were carried out for 42 days with the parameters observed, namely vegetative growth (plant height, leaf length, leaf width, number of leaves, root length, root volume and plant organ biomass) as well as the chlorophyll content of the leaves of the Horenzo spinach plant. The data that had been obtained was then analyzed by Post-Hoc Tukey test data which showed that treatment E1 had significantly different results from other treatments and treatment E5 was an ecoenzyme treatment that had the potential to increase the growth of horenzo spinach plants. The conclusion obtained from this research is that the highest dose of ecoenzyme is not optimal in increasing the growth of Horenzo spinach plants from all test parameters, however E5 treatment has the potential to increase the growth of Horenzo spinach.

The effect of speed sintering on the optical properties and microstructure of multi-layered cubic zirconia.

Speed sintering was introduced to fabricate time-efficient chairside restorations, however, its influence on the microstructure and optical properties of zirconia is still unclear. This study investigated the influence of speed sintering on the microstructure and optical properties of ultra-translucent multi-layered cubic zirconia. Ultra-translucent cubic zirconia (Katana™ UTML; Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Aichi, Japan) was cut into a total of 80 specimens, twenty within each layer of the blank. The specimens were divided into 2 groups: speed and conventional sintering. The translucency parameter, opalescence, chromaticity, and color difference were recorded using a spectrophotometer. Scanning electron microscope images were used for crystallographic analysis. One-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p < 0.05) were used for data analysis. Speed sintering significantly reduced the translucency and opalescence compared to conventional sintering excluding the opalescence of the dentin layer. Chromaticity significantly decreased with speed sintering in less chromatic layers and significantly increased in more chromatic layers. Mean color change ranged between 0.65 and 1.25 across different layers. Mean crystal size decreased with speed sintering. With speed sintering, translucency, and opalescence decrease while chromaticity increases in the more chromatic layers. Additionally, no clinically perceptible color change was found compared to conventional sintering.

The effect of the enzymes trypsin and DNase I on the antimicrobial efficiency of root canal irrigation solutions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy of using 2.5% NaOCl, 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), Irritrol, and chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (AgCNPs) alone or in combination with deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) and trypsin pre-enzyme applications in dentin samples contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) by CLSM. 144 dentin blocks with confirmed E. faecalis biofilm formation were divided randomly according to the irrigation protocol (n = 12): NaOCl, CHX, Irritrol, AgCNPs, trypsin before NaOCl, CHX, Irritrol, AgCNPs, and DNase I before NaOCl, CHX, Irritrol, AgCNPs. Dentin blocks were stained with the Live/Dead BacLight Bacterial Viability Kit and viewed with CLSM after irrigation applications. The percentage of dead and viable bacteria was calculated using ImageJ software on CLSM images. At a significance level of p < 0.05, the obtained data were analyzed using one-way Anova and post-hoc Tukey tests. In comparison with NaOCl, CHX had a higher percentage of dead bacteria, both when no pre-enzyme was applied and when DNase I was applied as a pre-enzyme (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the percentage of dead bacteria between the irrigation solutions when trypsin was applied as a pre-enzyme (p > 0.05). AgCNPs showed a higher percentage of dead bacteria when trypsin was applied as a pre-enzyme compared to other irrigation solutions (p < 0.05), while the pre-enzyme application did not affect the percentage of dead bacteria in NaOCl, CHX, and Irritrol (p > 0.05). No irrigation protocol tested was able to eliminate the E. faecalis biofilm. While the application of trypsin as a pre-enzyme improved the antimicrobial effect of AgCNPs, it did not make any difference over other irrigation solutions.

Comparison of discoloration of ceramic containing 3D printable material and CAD/CAM blocks.

This study aimed to clarify aspects of the color and translucency of 3D printed dental material with CAD/CAM blocks. Three different ceramic-containing, resin-based CAD/CAM blocks and a 3D printable resin were evaluated after thermocycled and assessed for their degree of discoloration based on colorant types and storage times. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. All materials in red wine had ∆E00 values higher than the clinically accepted threshold value. At 1 week and 1 month, the 3D material was statistically significantly more discolored than the other 3 materials (p<0.05). None of the materials exceeded the acceptable threshold value at any time point. The color changes increased over time in resin-based CAD/CAM blocks and 3D printable dental materials. After 1 week and 1 month, there was a statistically significant difference in the color change between the 3D printed material and the CAD/CAM blocks.

The role of continuous moderate-intensity exercise on increasing collagen density after tooth extraction

Background: The wound healing process post-extraction is expected to be quick, which can reduce the risk of complications and restore normal tissue function. A minimum oxygen supply needs to be met so that acceleration of the wound healing process can occur. Wound healing can be accelerated by continuous moderate-intensity exercise with increasing tissue oxygenation. Collagen requires oxygen in the procollagen formation process to support wound healing. Purpose: This study aimed to prove the role of continuous moderate-intensity exercise in increasing collagen density in the dental sockets of Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) after tooth extraction. Methods: Four groups of Wistar rats were created: control groups K1 (on day 3) and K2 (on day 7), and treatment groups K3 (on day 3) and K4 (on day 7). K1 and K2 were submerged in a bucket of water, and K3 and K4 received daily moderate-intensity exercise for a duration of two weeks. The rats’ incisors were extracted on the day 15. Post-extraction collagen density was measured on day 3 (K1 and K3) and on day 7 (K2 and K4). The one-way ANOVA test and post-hoc Tukey test were used in the statistical analysis of the data. Results: There was a significant difference between all groups (p: 0.0001; p&lt;0.05). Group K4 had a higher collagen density than the other groups. Conclusion: Continuous moderate-intensity exercise played a role in increasing the density of collagen in the rat tooth socket after tooth extraction.

Likelihood of Young Adult Engagement in Protective Behavioral Strategies for Alcohol Use across Drinking Contexts: Implications for Adaptive Interventions

Objective This study examined how young adults’ likelihood to engage in protective behavioral strategies (PBS) to reduce alcohol harms varies across physical and social contexts for drinking. Method We conducted an online survey with 514 heavy drinking young adults (Mage = 22.4 years, 52% women, 30% Hispanic/Latin(x), 40% non-White). Participants were asked to rate their likelihood to engage in 26 PBS generally, and specifically in six physical contexts (e.g., bar/club), and six social contexts (e.g., in a large group). We conducted regression analyses to examine the overall effect of context on the likelihood to engage in each PBS and post-hoc Tukey tests to assess pairwise comparisons of the differences in likelihood to engage in each PBS across response options for physical and social context. Analyses were conducted using the full sample, and for men and women separately. Results There were significant differences in six strategies across physical contexts; likelihood to engage in PBS varied across public and private spaces for different strategies. We also found significant differences in five strategies across social contexts; participants were more likely to engage in PBS among larger numbers of people and those who are intoxicated. There were numerous differences in pairwise comparisons of PBS engagement across physical and social contexts for women, while men demonstrated only two differences in PBS across physical context. Conclusions Results suggest that alcohol interventions for young adults that include PBS should consider tailoring strategies to the individual and the specific context of the drinking event.

PROSOCIAL AND ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIORS OF ATHLETES IN MARTIAL ARTS

This study aims to investigate martial art athletes' prosocial and antisocial behaviors (judo, taekwondo, and kickboxing) and determine the differences. The study group consists of a total of 394 athletes aged 14-23 from judo (n=94), taekwondo (n=150), and kickboxing (n=150), who were selected through purposive sampling among the athletes who participated in the tournaments held throughout Ankara and had various regional, national, or international degrees. The Prosocial and Antisocial Behavior in Sport Scale (PABSS), developed by Kavussanu and Boardley (2009) and translated into Turkish by Sezen Balçıkanlı (2013), was used to collect data. A t-test, one-way ANOVA analysis, and post-hoc Tukey test were conducted in the research analysis. As a result, it was found that the prosocial and antisocial behaviors of martial art athletes differed depending on the variables of gender, nationality, having practiced sports with a license for 6 years or longer, sports type, and educational status, but there was no significant difference in terms of age and belt level of athletes.

In Vitro Model to Evaluate the Development of Discolorations on Human Enamel Caused by Treatment with Mouth Rinses and Black Tea Considering Brushing.

The study aimed to develop and test an in vitro model to investigate the staining potential of mouth rinses on human enamel, considering alternating intake of black tea and tooth brushing, thus mimicking the situation in the oral cavity more realistically. Eight mouth rinses with six different active ingredients (benzydamine hydrochloride [BNZ], polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride [PHMB], chlorhexidine digluconate [CHX], hexetidine gluconate [HEX], octenidine dihydrochloride [OCT] and octenidine dihydrochloride + 2-phenoxyethanol [OCTP]) and concentrations were tested. Sets of six halved human molar crowns were initially pretreated by soaking in artificial saliva (30 min). Afterward, the cyclic treatment was started by soaking in artificial saliva (2 min), staining with black tea (1 min), brushing with toothpaste (5 s), and soaking in the mouth rinse (30 s). Samples were rinsed with distilled water after each treatment step. The cyclic treatment was repeated 30 times, mimicking the consumer behavior after 15 days. Photographic images were taken after 0, 10, 20, and 30 cycles. Color measurements were conducted after each staining and brushing step using a VITA-Easyshade spectrophotometer to determine the difference in lightness ∆L and the total color difference ∆E. Analysis of variance and post-hoc Tukey test (α = 0.05) were applied. The new testing model with included brushing sequences allowed to assess the staining behavior on human teeth and provided a clear differentiation between the different investigated products. In detail, up to cycle 10, ΔE values increased for all mouth rinses with each additional cycle number. However, while ΔE values continued to increase for 0.15% BNZ, 0.1% PHMB, and 0.2% CHX between treatment cycle 10 and 30, ΔE values only slightly increased after treatment with 0.08% OCTP, 0.1% OCTP, 0.1% OCT, and 0.1% HEX. After 20 and 30 cycles, significantly less staining was found for 0.08% OCTP, 0.1% OCT, 0.1% HEX as compared to 0.2% CHX, 0.15% BNZ, and 0.1% PHMB (p < 0.05). ΔE-values were significantly lower after treatment with 0.1% OCTP as compared to 0.2% CHX1 and 0.2% CHX2 (p < 0.05). The proposed new methodology was found to be appropriate for assessing the staining progression of mouth rinses over a simulated application period of 15 days. The model allows differentiation of products with different active ingredients and concentrations.

Microleakage Under Orthodontic Brackets Bonded Using a Conventional Adhesive System, Nanocomposites, and Nanoionomers: A Comparative Study.

Background Microleakage under orthodontic brackets has a role in early bracket debonding and white spot lesions due to the ingress of oral fluids in the bracket-adhesive-tooth interface. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate and compare the microleakage under orthodontic brackets bonded with the conventional adhesive system, nanocomposites, and nanoionomers. Materials and methods Forty-five human premolars were extracted for therapeutic reasons and collected for this study. Teeth were randomly assigned to three groups: Group A: conventional etching with conventional adhesive, Group B: conventional etching with nanocomposite, and Group C: conventional etching with nanoionomer. Stainless steel premolar brackets were used for bonding. After thermocycling, the extracted teeth were submerged in a 0.5% solution of basic fuchsine for 24 hours. They were then cut longitudinally. A stereomicroscope was used to assess microleakage along the occlusal and gingival interfaces. Results To compare the microleakage scores between gingival and occlusal aspects within each group, the student's t-test was performed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the post-hoc Tukey test were applied to the data for intergroup comparison of microleakage scores. On comparing the microleakage scores, the gingival side of interfaces depicted higher microleakage than the occlusal side gingival side across all groups, demonstrating statistically significant results (P <0.05).On intergroup comparison, the occlusal bracket adhesive interface and gingival tooth adhesive interface revealed significantly higher microleakage values for Group B followed by Group C withGroup Athe least. However, there was no significant difference in the microleakage scores between Group B and Group C on intergroup comparison of mean microleakage scores(P <0.05). Conclusion The gingival side showed higher microleakage scores than the occlusal side. Nanoionomers showed microleakage values higher than the Transbond XT but lower than nanocomposites. Based on the results of thepresent study, in terms of microleakage, Transbond XT demonstrated lower microleakage when compared to nanoionomers and nanocomposites.

Enzymatically Driven Mineralization of a Calcium-Polyphosphate Bleaching Gel.

To examined alkaline phosphatase enzyme (ALP) activity and the effects of incorporating it in the thickener solution of a hydrogen-peroxide-based bleaching gel containing calcium-polyphosphate (CaPP) on the orthophosphate (PO43-) levels, bleaching effectiveness, and enamel microhardness. ALP activity was assessed at different pH levels and H2O2 concentrations, and in H2O- and Tris-based thickeners. Circular dichroism (CD) was used to examine the ALP secondary structure in water-, Tris-, or H2O2-based mediums. The PO43- levels were evaluated in thickeners with and without ALP. Enamel/dentin specimens were allocated into the following groups: control (without bleaching); commercial (Whiteness-HP-Maxx); Exp-H (H2O-based); CaPP-H; ALP-H (CaPP+ALP); Exp-T (Tris-based); CaPP-T; and ALP-T (CaPP+ALP). Color changes (ΔE/ΔE00) and the bleaching index (ΔWID) were calculated, and surface (SMH) and cross-sectional microhardness (CSMH) were assessed. The two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests were used to compare ALP and PO43- levels; generalized linear models were used to examine: ΔE/ΔE00/SMH/CSMH; and Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's tests were used for ΔWID (α = 5%). The ALP activity was higher at pH 9, lower in H2O2-based mediums, and similar in both thickeners. The CD-spectra indicated denaturation of the enzyme upon contact with H2O2. The PO43- levels were higher after incorporating ALP, and the ΔE/ΔE00/ΔWID were comparable among bleached groups. SMH was lower after bleaching in Exp-H, while CSMH was highest in ALP-T.

Mechanical response of human thoracic spine ligaments under quasi-static loading: An experimental study

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the geometrical and mechanical properties of human thoracic spine ligaments subjected to uniaxial quasi-static tensile test. MethodsFour human thoracic spines, obtained through a body donation program, were utilized for the study. The anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL), capsular ligament (CL), ligamenta flava (LF), and the interspinous ligament and supraspinous ligament complex (ISL + SSL), were investigated. The samples underwent specimen preparation, including dissection, cleaning, and reinforcement, before being immersed in epoxy resin. Uniaxial tensile tests were performed using a custom-designed mechanical testing machine equipped with an environmental chamber (T = 36.6 °C; humidity 95%). Then, the obtained tensile curves were averaged preserving the characteristic regions of typical ligaments response. ResultsGeometrical and mechanical properties, such as initial length and width, failure load, and failure elongation, were measured. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among the ligaments for all investigated parameters. Pairwise comparisons using Tukey's post-hoc test indicated differences in initial length and width. ALL and PLL exhibited higher failure forces compared to CL and LF. ALL and ISL + SSL demonstrated biggest failure elongation. Comparisons with other studies showed variations in initial length, failure force, and failure elongation across different ligaments. The subsystem (Th1 – Th6 and Th7 – Th12) analysis revealed increases in initial length, width, failure force, and elongation for certain ligaments. ConclusionsVariations of both the geometric and mechanical properties of the ligaments were noticed, highlighting their unique characteristics and response to tensile force. Presented results extend very limited experimental data base of thoracic spine ligaments existing in the literature. The obtained geometrical and mechanical properties can help in the development of more precise human body models (HBMs).

Load bearing capacity of 3-unit screw-retained implant-supported fixed dental prostheses with a mesial and distal cantilever on a single implant: A comparative in vitro study

ObjectivesTo assess the mechanical durability of monolithic zirconia implant-supported fixed dental prostheses (iFDP) design on one implant, with a distal and a mesial extension cantilever bonded to a titanium base compared to established designs on two implants. Materials and methodsRoxolid Tissue level (TL), and tissue level x (TLX) implants were used to manufacture screw-retained 3-unit iFDPs (n = 60, n = 10 per group), with following configurations (X: Cantilever; I: Implant, T: Test group, C: Control group): T1: X-I-X (TL); T2: X-I-X (TLX); T3: I–I-X (TL); T4: I–I-X (TLX); C1: I-X-I (TL); C2: I-X-I (TLX). The iFDPs were thermomechanically aged and subsequently loaded until fracture using a universal testing machine. The failure load at first crack (Finitial) and at catastrophic fracture (Fmax) were measured and statistical evaluation was performed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc tests. ResultsThe mean values ranged between 190 ± 73 and 510 ± 459 N for Finitial groups, and between 468 ± 76 and 1579 ± 249 N for Fmax, respectively. Regarding Finitial, neither the implant type, nor the iFDP configuration significantly influenced measured failure loads (all p > 0.05). The choice of implant type did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05), while reconstruction design significantly affected Fmax data (I–I-Xa < X-I-Xb < I-X-Ic) (p < 0.05). The mesial and distal extension groups (X-I-X) showed fractures only at the cantilever extension site, while the distal extension group (I–I-X) showed one abutment and one connector fracture at the implant/reconstruction interface. ConclusionResults suggest that iFDPs with I-X-I design can be recommended regardless of tested implant type followed by the mesial and distal extension design on one implant abutment (X-I-X).

Mouthwashes: Surface Hardness and Accuracy of Dual-cured Visible Light-Cured Composite

In the oral environment, the longevity and durability of aesthetic composite resin restorative materials are critical considerations. However, many studies have been done on the effect of certain mouthwashes on the surface hardness and accuracy of composite resin. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of GUM® alcohol-free and Listerine alcohol-contained mouthwashes on the surface hardness and dimensional accuracy of cured and dual-cured visible light-cured composite.Methods: Thirty-disc specimens of Nanohybrid light-cured composite resin were prepared according to ISO standardization (4049/2000). The sample was divided into three groups (n=10), the Control non-treated in distilled water; Alcohol-free GUM® and Alcohol-contained Listerine mouthwashes. The surface hardness and dimensional accuracy of specimens were measured at different immersion intervals. These include initial immersion, after one and four weeks, and after the light dual-curing procedure. Data were analyzed via one-way ANOVA (post-hoc Tukey test) performed at a significant P-value of (p ≤.05) and confidence level of 95%.Conclusion: After the dual-curing process, the alcohol-free GUM® mouthwash showed a reduction in the surface hardness of the composite material. Listerine mouthwash had a static reduction in the composite specimen in diameters.