Application of FTIR spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics for authentication of Nigella sativa seed oil.

The present study is intended to analyze the presence of grape seed oil (GSO) in Nigella sativa L. seed oil (NSO) using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gas chromatography (GC). FTIR spectroscopy coupled with multivariate calibration of partial least square can quantify the levels of GSO in NSO at wavelength number of 1114–1074, 1734–1382 and 3005–3030 cm–1. The coefficient of correlation (R2) obtained for the relationship between actual (x-axis) and FTIR predicted (y-axis) values are 0.981. The errors in cross validation and in prediction are 2.34% (v/v) and 2.37% (v/v), respectively

Comparison of four dental pulp-capping agents by cone-beam computed tomography and histological techniques—a split-mouth design ex vivo study

Dental pulp-capping is done to preserve vital teeth when the pulp is exposed due to caries, trauma or instrumentation. Various materials are used as pulp-capping agents. The introduction of newer materials requires scientific studies to assess their clinical efficacy. The study was designed as a split-mouth randomized analysis of four pulp-capping agents (calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Biodentine and EndoSequence root repair material (ERRM)). Based on selection criteria, 15 orthodontic patients requiring the extraction of four premolars (60 teeth total) were included in the study. After pulp-capping, the teeth were extracted after 8 weeks. We analyzed the extracted teeth using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and histological sections to determine the quality of the dentinal bridge and the pulpal response. Ordinal scores were given based on the completeness of the dentinal bridge, the type of bridge and the degree of pulpal inflammation. Results were analyzed using a Kruskal–Wallis test (p < 0.05) with post hoc Conover values being used when applicable. All four pulp-capping materials elicited dentinal bridge formation (60/60). MTA had the highest scores (10/15) in dentinal bridge formation followed by ERRM (8/15). Both materials showed more samples with complete dentinal bridges (9/15 each) and a favorable pulpal response (15/15). Teeth capped with calcium hydroxide showed more cases of incomplete bridge formation (9/15) and pulpal inflammation. These differences in dentinal bridge formation and pulpal inflammation were statistically significant (p 0.001 and p 0.00005, respectively), with post hoc tests revealing no significant differences between MTA and ERRM (p 0.49 and p 0.71, respectively). MTA and ERRM performed better than the other pulp-capping materials but did not differ significantly from each other. The individual preference for a pulp-capping material may be based on clinical efficacy and handling characteristics

Adjustable Intragastric Balloons: A 12-Month Pilot Trial in Endoscopic Weight Loss Management

Intragastric balloons are associated with (1) early period intolerance, (2) diminished effect within 3–4 months, and (3) bowel obstruction risk mandating removal at 6 months. The introduction of an adjustable balloon could improve comfort and offer greater efficacy. A migration prevention function, safely enabling prolonged implantation, could improve efficacy and weight maintenance post-extraction. The first implantations of an adjustable balloon with an attached migration prevention anchor are reported. The primary endpoint was the absence of bowel perforation, obstruction, or hemorrhage. Eighteen patients with mean BMI of 37.3 were implanted with the Spatz Adjustable Balloon system (ABS) for 12 months. Balloon volumes were adjusted for intolerance or weight loss plateau. Mean weight loss at 24 weeks was 15.6 kg with 26.4% EWL (percent of excess weight loss) and 24.4 kg with 48.8% EWL at 52 weeks. Sixteen adjustments were successfully performed. Six downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, yielding additional mean weight loss of 4.6 kg. Ten upward adjustments for weight loss plateau yielded a mean additional weight loss of 7 kg. Seven balloons were removed prematurely. Complications necessitating early removal included valve malfunction (1), gastritis (1), Mallory–Weiss tear (1), NSAID (2× dose/2 weeks) perforating ulcer (1), and balloon deflation (1). Two incidents of catheter shear from the chain: one passed uneventfully and one caused an esophageal laceration without perforation during extraction. The Spatz ABS has been successfully implanted in 18 patients. (1) Upward adjustments yielded additional weight loss. (2) Downward adjustments alleviated intolerance, with continued weight loss. (3) Preliminary 1-year implantation results are encouraging

PRICING OF WATER RESOURCES USED IN THE PRODUCTION OF DATES IN SAUDI ARABIA

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the pricing of water resources used in the production of dates, based on the estimated production function and the derivative functions of marginal product and the marginal water resources return. Then calculating the value of marginal water resources return, which are equal to marginal costs (the unit price of resource) at the point of economic efficiency. The most important findings include the following: according to the local market price, the average unit price of water used in the production of dates ranged between the minimum of 0.51 SR / m 3 in the Jawf region up to maximum of 0.75 SR / m 3 in the eastern region, with an average estimated at 0.63 SR / m 3 . While at the export price (social price for dates), the unit price of water used in the production of dates ranged between the minimum of 0.30 SR / m 3 in the Jawf region up to maximum of 0.40 SR / m 3 in the eastern region, with an average estimated 0.34 Real / m 3 . At increasing the unit price of water used in the production of dates by 50%, it is expected to decrease the amount of water used in the production of dates in Riyadh region from 27.66 thousand m 3 / ha to 12.29 thousand m 3 / ha. In the eastern region is expected to decrease the amount of water used in the production of dates from 29.28 thousand m 3 / ha to 13.42 thousand m 3 / ha. Finally, it is expected to decrease the amount of water used in the production of dates in Jawf region of 32.86 thousand m 3 / ha to 15.72 thousand m 3 / ha. The study recommends the need to include water in the context of economic value in order to rationalize water consumption, preserved water for future generations, and achieving sustainable agricultural development

Managerial efficiency under risk for broiler producers in Saudi Arabia

Managerial efficiency for broiler producers in Saudi Arabia is generally difficult to achieve. High investment costs coupled with relatively high average production costs and the consequent incompetent market prices, have resulted in projects either working at less than full capacity or being shut down completely. The aim here is to determine the most efficient production alternatives (actions) available to managers under business risk considerations. The ordinary stochastic dominance approach was used to solicit the most efficient production alternatives for broiler producing projects of all sizes in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. For small- and medium-sized projects, the efficient production alternatives concentrated on marketing risk. For large projects, the efficient actions concentrated on both marketing and production risks. For the three sizes of projects, the two production alternatives that proved to be the most efficient, were the one that contains creating more marketing strategies and the one that adopts good veterinary care systems. On the other hand, the production alternative that deals with selecting good breeds of chicks appeared to be most efficient for small and large projects only. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Fracture resistance of teeth obturated with RealSeal using two different chelating agents: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth filled with a resin-based obturation material using two different chelating agents. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Forty extracted single-canal human teeth were prepared, instrumented, and randomly divided into three groups: Group 1 (n=15) received a final flush with 10 ml of neutralized 17% EDTA, followed by 10 ml of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), then obturated using lateral condensation with RealSeal. Group 2 (n=15) received a final flush of BioPure MTAD, followed by 10 ml of NaOCl, then obturated using lateral condensation with RealSeal. Group 3, the control group (n=10), was instrumented but not obturated, then the root canal opening was sealed with a temporary filling material. The specimens were stored in 100% humidity for 10 days, mounted in polyester resin, and loaded to failure. RESULTS: The ANOVA revealed a significant difference between the control group and the experimental groups, although there was no statistically significant difference between Group 1 and Group 2 (p=0.05). The MTAD group displayed higher mean fracture load values than the EDTA group. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that filling the root canals with RealSeal increased the in vitro resistance to fracture of single-canal extracted human teeth when compared to instrumented and unobturated teeth. Teeth treated with MTAD demonstrated high fracture-resistance values when compared to teeth treated with 17% EDTA, but they were not statistically significant. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Filling the root canals with RealSeal with increased bonding to roots will increase resistance to fracture of these teeth.King Saud Universit

A Study and Comparison of the Preparation of Gadolinium Aluminate Nanoparticles Using γ-Irradiated and Unirradiated Precursors

The effects of γ-irradiation and the application of different precursors on the formation of gadolinium aluminate (GdAlO3) nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied in detail. GdAlO3 NPs were prepared by using different gadolinium-based precursors including gadolinium acetate (Gd(CH3COO)3·4H2O) and gadolinium nitrate (Gd(NO3)3·6H2O), while Al2O3 and Al(NO3)3·9H2O were used as the source of Al3+. The preparation of GdAlO3 was carried out by two different methods, solid-state reaction and sol-gel process. To study the effect of γ-irradiation, both irradiated and unirradiated Gd(CH3COO)3·4H2O have been tested for the preparation of gadolinium aluminate (GdAlO3). Notably, Gd(CH3COO)3·4H2O did not produce GdAlO3 in both solid-state and sol-gel processes even after optimizing various parameters, including the application of γ-irradiation. However, single-phase nanocrystalline GdAlO3 NPs were successfully obtained from the reaction of gadolinium nitrate Gd(NO3)3·6H2O and Al(NO3)3·9H2O by a sol-gel process. The formation of NPs has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The results indicate towards the formation of an orthorhombic perovskite structure of GdAO3 in the Pbnm space group. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has been employed for the particle-size analysis, which revealed the formation of spherical-shaped nanoparticles with the size range of 50–70 nm. Surface morphology of the sintered pellet was obtained from high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Besides, the effect of irradiation with γ-rays on the quality of resultant NPs has also been studied