A Simple Method of Obtaining Spherical Nanosilica from Rice Husk

This paper describes the synthesis of nanosilica from rice husk. Synthesis was done by precipitation using different acids, namely, orthophosphoric acid and nitric acid which yielded nanosilica. The effect of different acids and different solvents (polar and non-polar) on the size and degree of agglomeration of the silica particles were studied. When precipitation was done without the use of solvents, the silica particles  obtained were non-spherical in shape, whereas, when precipitation was done using polar solvents (ethanol or 2-propanol), the silica particles were spherical. The use of non-polar solvents (toluene and diethyl ether) resulted in silica particles that were irregular in shape and in the case of orthophosphoric acid, a high degree of agglomeration was also noted. The degree of agglomeration was less when orthophosphoric acid was used with polar solvents as compared to nitric acid in conjunction with polar solvents. As regards the size, it ranged from approximately 70nm to 400nm when either acid was used in conjunction with polar solvents. When non-polar solvents were used, the silica particles were irregular in shape and the particle size was not estimated

Hardness of Flowable Resin Composite from Rice Husk / Nazrul M. Yusoff ...[et al.]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hardness of two experimental dental flowable resin composites (FRCs) from rice husk in comparison to other commercial flowable resin composites. The nanohybrid silica used as the filler for the experimental FRCs was extracted from rice husk. Two commercial FRCs namely Filtek Z350 flow and Tetric N flow and the experimental FRCs with different loading of Bis-GMA at 50 % (EC50B) and 40 % (EC40B) were used. Ten cylindrical specimens (5 x 2mm) for each material were prepared in acrylic mould, light cured and polished. Prior to hardness test, all the composites were immersed in distilled water at 37 ℃ for 24 h. The Vickers’ hardness number (VHN) was measured using Vickers’ hardness tester and their surface morphology was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The data was analyzed by one way ANOVA followed by Dunnett T3 post hoc test. Results showed that Filtek Z350 flow was statistically significantly higher in regards to VHN compared to the other FRCs tested. There was no statistically significant difference in VHN between the Tetric N flow and the two experimental FRCs. SEM showed a well distributed embedded spherical filler particle in all FRCs. In conclusion, the two experimental FRCs were comparable to Tetric N flow however Filtek Z350 flow exhibited the highest hardness. This was possibly attributed to different filler loading. Between the experimental composites, EC40B had a higher hardness which can be explained by dilution effect on monomer system. In general, mechanical properties improved with increased filler loading and dilution of base monomer

Prenatal Hyperandrogenization Induces Metabolic and Endocrine Alterations Which Depend on the Levels of Testosterone Exposure

Prenatal hyperandrogenism is able to induce polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in rats. The aim of the present study was to establish if the levels of prenatal testosterone may determine the extent of metabolic and endocrine alterations during the adult life. Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were prenatally injected with either 2 or 5 mg free testosterone (groups T2 and T5 respectively) from day 16 to day 19 day of gestation. Female offspring from T2 and T5 displayed different phenotype of PCOS during adult life. Offspring from T2 showed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and ovulatory cycles whereas those from T5 displayed hyperandrogenism, ovarian cysts and anovulatory cycles. Both group showed increased circulating glucose levels after the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT; an evaluation of insulin resistance). IPGTT was higher in T5 rats and directly correlated with body weight at prepubertal age. However, the decrease in the body weight at prepubertal age was compensated during adult life. Although both groups showed enhanced ovarian steroidogenesis, it appears that the molecular mechanisms involved were different. The higher dose of testosterone enhanced the expression of both the protein that regulates cholesterol availability (the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)) and the protein expression of the transcriptional factor: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma). Prenatal hyperandrogenization induced an anti-oxidant response that prevented a possible pro-oxidant status. The higher dose of testosterone induced a pro-inflammatory state in ovarian tissue mediated by increased levels of prostaglandin E (PG) and the protein expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2, the limiting enzyme of PGs synthesis). In summary, our data show that the levels of testosterone prenatally injected modulate the uterine environment and that this, in turn, would be responsible for the endocrine and metabolic abnormalities and the phenotype of PCOS during the adult life

In Search of the Optimal Surgical Treatment for Velopharyngeal Dysfunction in 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome: A Systematic Review

<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Patients with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22qDS) and velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) tend to have residual VPD following surgery. This systematic review seeks to determine whether a particular surgical procedure results in superior speech outcome or less morbidity.</p> <h3>Methodology/ Principal Findings</h3><p>A combined computerized and hand-search yielded 70 studies, of which 27 were deemed relevant for this review, reporting on a total of 525 patients with 22qDS and VPD undergoing surgery for VPD. All studies were levels 2c or 4 evidence. The methodological quality of these studies was assessed using criteria based on the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias. Heterogeneous groups of patients were reported on in the studies. The surgical procedure was often tailored to findings on preoperative imaging. Overall, 50% of patients attained normal resonance, 48% attained normal nasal emissions scores, and 83% had understandable speech postoperatively. However, 5% became hyponasal, 1% had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and 17% required further surgery. There were no significant differences in speech outcome between patients who underwent a fat injection, Furlow or intravelar veloplasty, pharyngeal flap pharyngoplasty, Honig pharyngoplasty, or sphincter pharyngoplasty or Hynes procedures. There was a trend that a lower percentage of patients attained normal resonance after a fat injection or palatoplasty than after the more obstructive pharyngoplasties (11–18% versus 44–62%, p = 0.08). Only patients who underwent pharyngeal flaps or sphincter pharyngoplasties incurred OSA, yet this was not statistically significantly more often than after other procedures (p = 0.25). More patients who underwent a palatoplasty needed further surgery than those who underwent a pharyngoplasty (50% versus 7–13%, p = 0.03).</p> <h3>Conclusions/ Significance</h3><p>In the heterogeneous group of patients with 22qDS and VPD, a grade C recommendation can be made to minimize the morbidity of further surgery by choosing to perform a pharyngoplasty directly instead of only a palatoplasty.</p> </div

Association between muscle activity and overjet in class II malocclusion with surface electromyography

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess the association and correlation between the overjet and muscle activity (the masseter and temporalis muscles) in patient with Class II malocclusion in different genders using surface electromyography (sEMG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The overjet (measured clinically) and electromyographical activity (rest, chew, post chew rest, clench and post clench rest) of the masseter and temporalis muscle of class II malocclusion patient were assessed in 18 patients (3 males and 15 females) from the School of Dental Science, Hospital University Sains Malaysia. RESULTS: The results were compared by simple linear regression test to evaluate the association between overjet and muscle activity in different genders. Class II malocclusion patients with increased overjet group showed significant association with masseter muscle activity on chewing stage (P = 0.005, F = 6.081 and adj-R2 = 0.473). Left temporalis muscle in class II malocclusion showed a significant linear association (P = 0.014, F = 0.812 and adj-R2= −0.034) with gender during clench. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, class II malocclusion patient with increased overjet can affect masticatory muscle function and as well as clench force may differ in gender

Synthesis and Properties of Novel Calcia-Stabilized Zirconia (Ca-SZ) with Nano Calcium Oxide Derived from Cockle Shells and Commercial Source for Dental Application

Various oxides are used to stabilize zirconium oxide (ZrO2), but their superior hardness causes wear of the machining tool. Calcia-doped zirconia has been studied but reports on properties suitable for dental application are lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to fabricate and characterize zirconia stabilized by calcium oxide (CaO) derived from cockle shells and compare it with zirconia stabilized by commercial CaO, sintered at different temperatures. In this study, 176 pressed pellets of zirconia mixed with CaO either derived from cockle shells or commercial CaO were sintered between 1200 and 1500 &deg;C to produce calcia-doped zirconia. Characterizations were made with SEM and XRD. Specimens were subjected to density, compressive and flexural strength, and Vickers hardness testing. Data were analyzed using the independent t-test and one-way ANOVA. XRD revealed the zirconia was stabilized into tetragonal and cubic phases (Ca-SZ). Ca-SZ cockle shells (CS) and Ca-SZ commercial (CC) have average particle sizes of 267 nm and 272 nm, respectively, with similar surface roughness. At 1400 &deg;C sintering temperature, flexural strengths were 1165 and 1152 MPa, compressive strengths were 4914 and 4913 MPa, and Vickers hardness were 977 and 960 MPa for Ca-SZ(CS) and Ca-SZ(CC), respectively. Both Ca-SZ materials showed no significant difference in most properties (p &lt; 0.05) when sintered at different temperatures. The fully sintered Ca-SZ is less hard compared to the ceria-stabilized tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (Ce-TZP) available on the market. Thus, Ca-SZ may be used as an alternative to the current zirconia available on the market for dental application

Surface Electromyography (sEMG) Activity of Masticatory Muscle (Masseter and Temporalis) with Three Different Types of Orthodontic Bracket

Objective. This pre-post study is aimed at determining the effects of masticatory muscle activity (masseter and temporalis) measured via sEMG between conventional, self-ligating, and ceramic bracket after six months of orthodontic treatment. Methods. A total of eighteen (18) malocclusion patients were identified. Malocclusion patients were subdivided into 3 groups based on the bracket selection (conventional, self-ligating, and ceramic bracket) with 6 patients for each group. sEMG of muscles were done using a two-channel electromyography device, where pregelled and self-adhesive electrodes (bilateral) were applied. Chewing and clenching of masseter and temporalis muscle activity were recorded for 20 s pre and 6 months of orthodontic treatment using sEMG (frequency 60 Hz). The data were analysed by using repeated measures ANOVA in IBM SPSS Statistics Version 24.0. Results. Chewing and clenching for masseter muscle showed no significant difference (P>0.05) in sEMG activity of three types of the brackets. However, for temporalis muscle, there was a significant difference found in sEMG activity during chewing (P<0.05) and clenching (P<0.05) between these three brackets. Conclusion. The activity of temporalis muscle showed significant changes in chewing and clenching, where the conventional group demonstrated better muscle activity pre and at six months of fixed appliances

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Levels of the Biomarkers hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-8 in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorder Treated with LLLT, Traditional Conservative Treatment, and a Combination of Both

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a type of idiopathic orofacial pain. Inflammation, particularly elevated circulating levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), has been linked to pain symptoms. The purpose of this study was to compare hs-CRP, IL-6, and IL-8 biomarkers and pain intensity with different treatment strategies (LLLT, standard conservative treatment, and combination) for TMD patients. Methods: A total of 32 participants were randomly included in the study and divided into three groups (Group I, Group II, and Group III) referred from the Dental Clinic, School of Dental Science, HUSM. Patients received LLLT (Groups II and III) in five sessions for the duration of 10 days. Patients in Groups I and III received standard conservative TMD treatment (diet and stress counseling, jaw exercises, physical therapy, which was a hot towel application) by the principal investigator. All blood samples for biomarkers were performed before starting treatments and directly after finishing the treatment protocols, where all results were recorded. Results: The result showed a significant difference in the mean IL-8 (p = 0.001) between the three intervention groups (LLLT, standard treatment, and combined treatment). IL-6 showed an increase in the mean of IL-6 levels from baseline to post-treatment with a better mean in the LLLT treatment group without any significant differences. Additionally, there were no significant mean differences found between the groups and in the group for the hs-CRP biomarker. Conclusions: A statistically non-significant difference was found in hs-CRP and IL-6 before and after LLLT, conservative, and combined treatment strategies of TMD. A statistically significant difference was observed in the mean levels of IL-8 between the LLLT intervention group and the combined treatment group. Although there was no statistically significant correlation between pain intensity and biomarkers, a statistically significant difference was found in pain intensity before and after LLLT, conservative, and combined treatment strategies. TMJ degeneration could be exacerbated by elevated IL-8 levels. Thus, this can be an important biomarker to mark or identify the painful condition of TMJ