Dinoflagellate cyst stratigraphy and paleoecology of the Upper Miocene and Pliocene, Rees Borehole, Northern Belgium

Correlating and dating Neogene deposits along the southern margin of the North Sea Basin have historically been complicated by the fragmentary nature of the outcrops studied, the boreal aspect of the benthic foraminifera present, and scarcity of planktonic microfossils. Dinoflagellate cysts and other palynomorphs from the Rees Borehole, Campine area of northern Belgium, are therefore used to elucidate the paleoenvironmental history of the area. The borehole contains the Upper Miocene Diest and Kasterlee, mid-Pliocene Poederlee, and Pliocene Mol and Merksplas formations. For the Diest Formation, the presence of Achomosphaera andalousiensis andalousiensis, Barssidinium pliocenicum, Operculodinium? eirikianum, Operculodinium tegillatum, Selenopemphix armageddonensis and the acritarch Nannobarbophora walldalei are consistent with a late Late Miocene age. The dinoflagellate cyst assemblages of the Kasterlee Formation in the Rees borehole differ from those of the Kasterlee Formation in other areas, and are more similar to assemblages of the underlying Diest Formation. This may be explained by reworking of the Diest into the Kasterlee Formation. The Poederlee Formation assemblages include Achomosphaera andalousiensis suttonensis, Invertocysta lacrymosa, Operculodinium? eirikianum and, with the absence of Reticulatosphaera actinocoronata, Operculodinium tegillatum and Batiacasphaera minuta/micropapillata, point to a mid- to Late Pliocene age, between 3.7 and 2.7 Ma. For the first time, dinoflagellate cysts were found in the Merksplas Formation, indicating a marine influence. The presence of Achomosphaera andalousiensis suttonensis, Barssidinium pliocenicum, Capisocysta lyelli, Geonettia waltonensis, and Invertocysta lacrymosa within this formation collectively point towards a Late Pliocene age. Assemblages throughout the Rees Borehole reflect neritic deposition within a restricted marine basin under temperate climates

Effect of social media in improving knowledge among patients having fixed appliance orthodontic treatment: A single-center randomized controlled trial

Research has shown that orthodontic patients are more likely to retain information presented in an audiovisual format. However, there has been little research on the effectiveness of audiovisual information provided through different routes such as the Internet. This parallel-group randomized controlled trial assessed whether provision of audiovisual information on the YouTube (Google, San Bruno, Calif) Web site to orthodontic patients undergoing fixed appliance treatment results in improved patient knowledge when compared with conventional methods of information provision. The effects of sex and ethnicity were also investigated

The in vitro therapeutic activity of ellagic acid-alginate-silver nanopeprintss on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and normal fibroblast cells (3T3)

The present work involves the development of EA-Alg-AgNPs nanocomposite based on ellagic acid (EA) as active compound. Silver nitrate was taken as the metal precursor (AgNPs) and sodium alginate (Alg) as a reducing agent. The EA-Alg-AgNPs nanocomposite was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), zeta potential, and in vitro release kinetics. The particles thus obtained were spherical in shape and having an average particles size of 10 nm, zeta potentials of –8.2 mV, and the release kinetics of EA from nanocomposite was following Hixson-Crowell kinetics models with R 2 = 0.9956. The cytotoxicity potential of free EA, Alg-AgNPs and the EA-Alg-AgNPs nanocomposite may be determined using a normal mouse fibroblast cells (3T3) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7). EA-Alg-AgNPs nanocomposite demonstrated a increased cytotoxicity effect when compared to free EA on MCF-7 cells with 15.3% cell viability at 128 μg/mL; compared to 33.5% cell viability in a direct EA exposure. It is worth mentioning the cytotoxicity of Alg-AgNPs against MCF-7 shows 28% viability at 128 μg/mL

Social media use, attitudes, behaviours and perceptions of online professionalism amongst dental students

Use of social media has increased amongst health professionals. This has benefits for patient care but also introduces risks for confidentiality and professional fitness to practise. This study aimed to examine dental student attitudes towards professional behaviour on social media. The secondary aim was to establish the extent and nature of social media use and exposure to potentially unprofessional behaviours. A cross-sectional study was carried out in one dental school. Data were collected using questionnaires to examine social media use, perceptions and attitudes towards social media and professional behaviours online. Students who responded (n=155) all used social media at least once per week; most used more than one platform. Students were aware of the relationship between social media use and professional practice. Posting drunken photographs and interacting with staff and patients online were widely considered as unprofessional. Security settings affected behaviour and most had seen inappropriate behaviours online. Students use social media extensively. Students are aware of the risks but there is a greater sense of safety in closed groups and many students are exposed to potentially inappropriate content online. This suggests that there are opportunities to reduce these risks through training to help students manage these risks