Effects of Goat Manure Fertilization on Grain Nutritional Value in Two Contrasting Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Cultivated at High Altitudes

In this study, the effects of goat manure fertilization (2, 4, 8, and 12 Tn/ha) on the grain yield, organic compounds, and mineral composition of two quinoa varieties (CICA-17 and Regalona Baer) were evaluated under field conditions in Northwest Argentina. The results indicate that fertilization improved the quinoa grain yield and total protein content. Low manure doses positively affected the fatty acid (FA) profile, and significant changes were determined for the monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated (PUFA) fatty acid contents of CICA-17 and on the saturated fatty acid (SFA) contents of R. Baer seeds. The amino acid contents were positively affected in CICA-17 and negatively in R. Baer. Soluble sugars (glucose, fructose, and sucrose), major elements (K, Si, P, Mg, Ca, and Na), minor elements (Fe, Mn, Al, Zn, and Cu), and ultratrace elements (Cr and Li) were detected and discussed in terms of their impact on human nutrition and health. Conclusively, manure addition affected some essential amino acids, the desaturase activity, the n6:n3 and SFA/UFA ratios, the atherogenic index, soluble sugars, and mineral content, and the fatty acid metabolism of each variety was differently affected, especially the C16 and C18 desaturase activity, which responded differently to various manure doses. Manure addition is a promising alternative to improve the nutritional quality and functionality of quinoa grains, but the response is not linear

Evaluation of inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) treatment for moderate-to-severe ARDS in critically ill patients with COVID-19: A multicenter cohort study

Background: Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is used as rescue therapy in patients with refractory hypoxemia due to severe COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) despite the recommendation against the use of this treatment. To date, the effect of iNO on the clinical outcomes of critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS remains arguable. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the use of iNO in critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS. Methods: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included critically ill adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 treated from March 01, 2020, until July 31, 2021. Eligible patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS were subsequently categorized into two groups based on inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) use throughout their ICU stay. The primary endpoint was the improvement in oxygenation parameters 24 h after iNO use. Other outcomes were considered secondary. Propensity score matching (1:2) was used based on the predefined criteria. Results: A total of 1598 patients were screened, and 815 were included based on the eligibility criteria. Among them, 210 patients were matched based on predefined criteria. Oxygenation parameters (PaO2, FiO2 requirement, P/F ratio, oxygenation index) were significantly improved 24 h after iNO administration within a median of six days of ICU admission. However, the risk of 30-day and in-hospital mortality were found to be similar between the two groups (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.82; p = 0.45 and HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 0.94, 2.11; p= 0.10, respectively). On the other hand, ventilator-free days (VFDs) were significantly fewer, and ICU and hospital LOS were significantly longer in the iNO group. In addition, patients who received iNO had higher odds of acute kidney injury (AKI) (OR (95% CI): 2.35 (1.30, 4.26), p value = 0.005) and hospital/ventilator-acquired pneumonia (OR (95% CI): 3.2 (1.76, 5.83), p value = 0.001). Conclusion: In critically ill COVID-19 patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS, iNO rescue therapy is associated with improved oxygenation parameters but no mortality benefits. Moreover, iNO use is associated with higher odds of AKI, pneumonia, longer LOS, and fewer VFDs

Reliability of Bonded MOD Restorations in Maxillary Premolars: Microleakage and Cusp Fracture Resistance

Svrha: Ovo in vitro istraživanje provedeno je na maksilarnim pretkutnjacima kako bi se procijenili mikropropusnost i otpornost kvržica na frakturu. Materijal i metode: Uzorci su se sastojali od adhezivno vezanih direktnih ispuna i keramičkih inlaya (ranije pripremljenih umetaka), a ispitani su nakon umjetno simuliranog starenja s pomoću termičkog i okluzalnog cikličkog opterećenja. Za to je uporabljeno 66 tek izvađenih maksilarnih pretkutnjaka, a bilo ih je po šest u svakoj skupini. Zatim su izrađeni standardizirani MOD - kaviteti i podijeljeni u dvije glavne skupine, ovisno o smještaju gingivne stijenke i to jedan milimetar iznad (A1) ili jedan milimetar (A2) ispod cementno-caklinskog spoja (CCS-a). Nakon toga uzorci su podijeljeni u dvije podskupine: Z 250 kompozit za direktno postavljanje i IPS Empress – staklokeramički ispun zatvoren kompozitnim cementom Variolink II. Skupina intaktnih zuba te dvije skupine s prepariranim kavitetima A1 i A2 služile su kao kontrola. Restaurirani zubi uloženi su zatim u blokove od akrilatne smole i stavljeni u stroj za cikličko-termičko i mehaničko opterećenje. Mikropropusnost je procijenjena metodom ocjenjivanja prodora boje pod Zeissovim stereomikroskopom. Rezultati: Otpornost kvržica na frakturu ispitana je vertikalnim opterećenjem do pucanja. Srednje vrijednosti testa frakturnog opterećenja i mikropropusnosti analizirane su statistički. Proučavani ispuni nisu pokazali veću razliku u adaptaciji ispuna na caklinskim rubovima. Keramički ispuni bolje su brtvili te snažnije ojačali strukturu zuba nego kompozitni, posebice na necaklinskim rubovima. Priprema kaviteta dosta je oslabila strukturu. Zaključak: Ispuni su samo djelomice nadoknadili učinak slabljenja zbog njegove preparacije. Poboljšanje adhezivnih ispuna, tj. adaptacija i pojačanje strukture zuba, stalan su izazov u restaurativnoj dentalnoj medicini.Purpose: This in vitro investigation was performed to assess microleakage and cusp fracture resistance of maxillary premolars specimens involving composite resin direct restorations and ceramic inlay restorations. Material and methods: Specimens were tested after artificial aging provoked by thermal and occlusal load cycling. For that purpose, 66 extracted maxillary premolars were used with six premolars in each study group. Standardized MOD cavities were prepared and classified into two main groups according to gingival-margins location either 1mm above (A1) or 1 mm below (A2) the CEJ. Specimens were subdivided into two subgroups: Z250 composite resin direct restorations and IPS Empress glass ceramic restorations cemented with Variolink II resincement. Group of intact teeth specimens and two groups of A1 and A2 type prepared but not restored teeth served as control groups. Restored teeth were mounted in acrylic-resin blocks before loading and thermocycling. Microleakage was assessed by examining dye penetration scores under Zeiss-stereomicroscope. Cusp fracture resistance was performed using vertical static loading until failure. The fracture-load test mean values and microleakage results were statistically analyzed. Results: Investigated restorations showed insignificant difference in adaptation at enamel margins. Ceramic restorations showed better sealability and tooth structure reinforcing effects than composite restorations, especially at non-enamel margins. Conclusions: Cavity preparation produced significant weakening effect. Restorations just partly compensated weakening effect of cavity preparation. Upgrading the performance of adhesive restorations in terms of adaptation and tooth structure reinforcement poses a continuing challenge to restorative dentistry

Home versus Clinic Blood Pressure Monitoring: Evaluating Applicability in Hypertension Management via Telemedicine

Hypertension is a significant public health concern in Saudi Arabia, affecting 28.6% of the population. Despite the availability of effective treatments, optimal blood pressure control is not always achieved, highlighting the need for effective management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of home, compared to clinic, blood pressure measurements for managing hypertension in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia. The study included 85 adults undergoing antihypertensive treatment. Home blood pressure measurements were obtained during the day and the evening using automated oscillometric sphygmomanometers, whereas clinic measurements were taken during clinic hours. Home blood pressure readings were significantly lower than clinic blood pressure readings, with mean differences of 20.4 mmHg and 4.1 mmHg for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressures (r = 0.549, p p < 0.05). This study provides insight into the applicability of home blood pressure monitoring, which may aid in the development of more effective hypertension management strategies, particularly the use of morning home blood pressure monitoring to aid treatment decisions through telehealth medicine

Missing teeth and prosthetic treatment in patients treated at College of Dentistry, University of Dammam

Abstract The percentage of completely and partially edentulous patients and their prosthetic treatment at the Department of Substitutive Dental Sciences (SDS), College of Dentistry, University of Dammam, were investigated. Panoramic radiographs and medical records of adult patients (𝑛 = 479, mean age 45.9 years, and range 25–96 years) treated in 2011–2014 were examined. 6% of the patients were completely edentulous, 8% had single jaw edentulousness, and 74% were partially edentulous. Edentulousness was significantly correlated with age and the number of missing teeth was significantly higher among males (𝑝 &lt; 0.026). Diabetes was significantly associated with complete edentulousness, single edentulous jaw (𝑝 value 0.015), and partial edentulousness (𝑝 value 0.023). Kennedy class III was the most frequent class of partial edentulousness in single and/or both jaws (𝑝 = 0.000). Patients having class I and/or class II were treated most often with removable partial dentures (RPD) (𝑝 = 0.000), while patients having class III were treated with fixed partial dentures (FPD). It was found that complete edentulousness increases in older age and the number of missing teeth was significantly higher among males. Kennedy class III was most common in both upper and lower jaw and was treated more often with FPD than with RPD

PMMA denture base material enhancement:a review of fiber, filler, and nanofiller addition

Abstract This paper reviews acrylic denture base resin enhancement during the past few decades. Specific attention is given to the effect of fiber, filler, and nanofiller addition on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) properties. The review is based on scientific reviews, papers, and abstracts, as well as studies concerning the effect of additives, fibers, fillers, and reinforcement materials on PMMA, published between 1974 and 2016. Many studies have reported improvement of PMMA denture base material with the addition of fillers, fibers, nanofiller, and hybrid reinforcement. However, most of the studies were limited to in vitro investigations without bioactivity and clinical implications. Considering the findings of the review, there is no ideal denture base material, but the properties of PMMA could be improved with some modifications, especially with silanized nanoparticle addition and a hybrid reinforcement system

The effect of nanodiamonds on candida albicans adhesion and surface characteristics of PMMA denture base material:an in vitro study

Abstract Candida albicans is the main causative pathogen of denture stomatitis, which affects many complete denture patients. Objective: To evaluate the effect of different concentrations of nanodiamonds (NDs) added to polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base material on Candida albicans adhesion as well as on surface roughness and contact angle. Methodology: Acrylic resin specimens sized 10×10×3 mm³ were prepared and divided into four groups (n=30) according to ND concentration (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5% by wt). Surface roughness was measured with a profilometer, and the contact angle with a goniometer. The effect of NDs on Candida albicans adhesion was evaluated using two methods: 1) slide count and 2) direct culture test. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post hoc test were used in the statistical analyses. Results: Addition of NDs decreased the Candida albicans count significantly more than in the control group (p&lt;0.05), with a lowest of 1% NDs. Addition of NDs also significantly decreased the surface roughness (p&lt;0.05), but the contact angle remained the same. Incorporation of NDs into the PMMA denture base material effectively reduced Candida albicans adhesion and decreased surface roughness. Conclusion: PMMA/NDs composites could be valuable in the prevention of denture stomatitis, which is considered one of the most common clinical problems among removable denture wearers

Dexamethasone versus methylprednisolone for multiple organ dysfunction in COVID-19 critically ill patients: a multicenter propensity score matching study

Abstract Background Dexamethasone usually recommended for patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to reduce short-term mortality. However, it is uncertain if another corticosteroid, such as methylprednisolone, may be utilized to obtain better clinical outcome. This study assessed dexamethasone’s clinical and safety outcomes compared to methylprednisolone. Methods A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted between March 01, 2020, and July 31, 2021. It included adult COVID-19 patients who were initiated on either dexamethasone or methylprednisolone therapy within 24 h of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The primary outcome was the progression of multiple organ dysfunction score (MODS) on day three of ICU admission. Propensity score (PS) matching was used (1:3 ratio) based on the patient’s age and MODS within 24 h of ICU admission. Results After Propensity Score (PS) matching, 264 patients were included; 198 received dexamethasone, while 66 patients received methylprednisolone within 24 h of ICU admission. In regression analysis, patients who received methylprednisolone had a higher MODS on day three of ICU admission than those who received dexamethasone (beta coefficient: 0.17 (95% CI 0.02, 0.32), P = 0.03). Moreover, hospital-acquired infection was higher in the methylprednisolone group (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.01, 4.66; p = 0.04). On the other hand, the 30-day and the in-hospital mortality were not statistically significant different between the two groups. Conclusion Dexamethasone showed a lower MODS on day three of ICU admission compared to methylprednisolone, with no statistically significant difference in mortality