A Computerized Tomographic Data Analysis System to Evaluate the Dental Implant Surface Roughness

AbstractDental implants have been progressively used in the recent years to support and retain dental prosthesis. Implant surface roughness has been suggested as a crucial factor in implant osseointegration and long term survival of the implant and prosthesis, where a key factor for the success or failure of dental implants is the manner in which stresses are transferred to surrounding bone. In this study completely edentulous patients were rehabilitated by implant retained over denture in which two implant systems with different surface roughness were used. Peri implant bone density in Hounsfield Units (HU) was evaluated by analyze Computerized Tomographic (CT) images to judge the behavior of an implant system under functional loading, where DICOM raw data was imported into the analysis proposed system to correlate the bone density regarding to the HU values. Results are compared with clinical readings and previous findings, which it showed that there is a difference in peri implant bone density around regularly patterned and randomly patterned implant surfaces

FOXP3 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Pediatric Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): A Preliminary Data

FOXP3 (forkhead box P3) polymorphism is associated with many inflammatory diseases and cancers. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of pediatric malignancies.This study was designed to investigate the impact of FOXP3 (-3279C/A and -2383C/T) gene polymorphism on the susceptibility of Egyptian children to ALL. A total of 128 subjects with ALL and 124 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Genotyping of FOXP3 (-3279C/A and -2383C/T) were performed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). There was a significant increase (P<0.01) in FOXP3 (-3279CC) genotype, while FOXP3 -3279CA genotype was significantly decreased in ALL patients compared to controls. Insignificant change in FOXP3 (-2383C/T) genotypes was demonstrated between both groups. FOXP3 (-2383CC) genotype was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in treatment responders compared to non-responders and a significant increased (p<0.05) in relapsed patients comparing to the non-relapsed group. Taken together, our pilot study pointed to the potential role of FOXP3 (-3279C/A) gene polymorphisms in Egyptian children ALL susceptibility. An additional prospective large scale study should be carried out to support our findings

Polymeric-Calcium Phosphate Cement Composites-Material Properties: In Vitro and In Vivo Investigations

New polymeric calcium phosphate cement composites (CPCs) were developed. Cement powder consisting of 60 wt% tetracalcium phosphate, 30 wt% dicalcium phosphate dihydrate, and 10 wt% tricalcium phosphate was combined with either 35% w/w poly methyl vinyl ether maleic acid or polyacrylic acid to obtain CPC-1 and CPC-2. The setting time and compressive and diametral tensile strength of the CPCs were evaluated and compared with that of a commercial hydroxyapatite cement. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo biocompatibility of the two CPCs and hydroxyapatite cement were assessed. The setting time of the cements was 5–15 min. CPC-1 and CPC-2 showed significantly higher compressive and diametral strength values compared to hydroxyapatite cement. CPC-1 and CPC-2 were equivalent to Teflon controls after 1 week. CPC-1, CPC-2, and hydroxyapatite cement elicited a moderate to intense inflammatory reaction at 7 days which decreased over time. CPC-1 and CPC-2 show promise for orthopedic applications

Human Treated Dentin Matrix Hydrogel as a Drug Delivery Scaffold for Regenerative Endodontics

Introduction: The objective of the current study was to develop a human treated dentin matrix (hTDM) hydrogel for use as a scaffold to allow the controlled release of an antimicrobial agent for regenerative endodontics. Materials and Methods: Human extracted teeth were treated via chemical demineralization using ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid solution to produce hTDM powder. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was conducted to determine the functional groups of hTDM, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to define the morphology/particle size of hTDM, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis was performed to identify the superficial apatite groups. Prepared hTDM powder was added to the amoxicillin-clavulanate mixture with a mass ratio of 1:1. Then, the combination was dripped into a 5% (w/v) calcium chloride solution. Antibiotic release profiles were evaluated for 14 days via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Hydrogel degradation properties were studied for 14 days using 10 mL of phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Encapsulation efficiency was determined by HPLC, while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of amoxicillin-clavulanate were determined against Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). The antibacterial activity of amoxicillin-clavulanate against E. faecalis was investigated for 14 days via agar diffusion test. Statistical analysis was performed with the Shapiro-Wilk test (P=0.05). Results: hTDM showed statistically a significant difference for percentage weight change (P=0.1). The encapsulation efficiencies for hTDM hydrogel with antibiotic and hydrogel with antibiotic was 96.08%±0.02 and 94.62%±0.11, respectively. MIC and MBC values of amoxicillin-clavulanate against E. faecalis were 2.4 µg/mL and 9.6 µg/mL, respectively. The antibacterial activity of antibiotic loaded hTDM hydrogels was significantly greater than loaded hydrogels alone by 31% after 4 and 100% at 14 days, respectively (P≤0.001). Conclusions: This in vitro study showed antibiotic-loaded injectable hTDM hydrogel could be an alternative system to transfer antibiotic-based intracanal medicaments for use in regenerative endodontics

Preparation, Physical-Chemical Characterization, and Cytocompatibility of Polymeric Calcium Phosphate Cements

Aim. Physicochemical mechanical and in vitro biological properties of novel formulations of polymeric calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) were investigated. Methods. Monocalcium phosphate, calcium oxide, and synthetic hydroxyapatite were combined with either modified polyacrylic acid, light activated polyalkenoic acid, or polymethyl vinyl ether maleic acid to obtain Types I, II, and III CPCs. Setting time, compressive and diametral strength of CPCs was compared with zinc polycarboxylate cement (control). Specimens were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy. In vitro cytotoxicity of CPCs and control was assessed. Results. X-ray diffraction analysis showed hydroxyapatite, monetite, and brushite. Acid-base reaction was confirmed by the appearance of stretching peaks in IR spectra of set cements. SEM revealed rod-like crystals and platy crystals. Setting time of cements was 5–12 min. Type III showed significantly higher strength values compared to control. Type III yielded high biocompatibility. Conclusions. Type III CPCs show promise for dental applications

Perceived and real barriers to workplace empowerment among women at Saudi universities: A cross-sectional study

Academic women in the Arab world, especially Saudi women, have numerous barriers inhibiting their leadership power at the workplace. The current study explores the perceived and real barriers to workplace empowerment among women at Saudi universities. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at 15 Saudi governmental universities. A multistage cluster sampling technique was followed to select (5587 participants) The data collection started from the beginning of April to the beginning of September 2020. SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze data using descriptive statistics. Multiple linear regression was used to identify the real barriers to women empowerment at the workplace. The study showed that 52.1% of the study participants had moderate workplace empowerment, and only 10.2% have a low level. Regarding perceived barriers to workplace empowerment, 42.6% of the participants agree that male dominance was a barrier. Moreover, 36.2% of the participants agreed and strongly agree that the customs and traditions are a barrier to women empowerment at the workplace. Multiple linear regression showed that age, followed by years of experience (p<0.000), were the most significant demographic predictors of women empowerment at the workplace. Moreover, positive attitude, high self-esteem, and good knowledge (p<0.000) were considered other variables that positively predict women's empowerment at the workplace. The experience of gender-based violence (p<0.000) was a negative predictor of women empowerment at the workplace. The study  concluded that around 62.3% of Saudi female academics and administrative staff have moderate or low workplace empowerment at Saudi Universities. Male dominance is perceived as the highest barrier. Keywords: Barriers, workplace empowerment, Saudi wome

The effect of using data palm waste fibers in plain concrete mixture by comparing three pre-treatment techniques

Abstract The high rates of industrial and agricultural wastes and byproduct production produced several environmental concerns in addition to increasing the risks of contaminating natural resources. The amount of organic waste has been rising over the past few decades, but it has been poorly managed, especially in smaller countries where it is either burned, improperly disposed, or thrown in landfills. Moreover, the production of concrete generates a large amount of waste that has a negative impact on our planet even though it is an extremely significant building material. The potential of developing another plain concrete mixture sample with date palm mesh addition to create more environmentally friendly concrete with better qualities. In addition to using experimental quantitative research to measure the effectiveness of various concrete mixes after adding palm tree residues that underwent biological, chemical, & mechanical treatments, a theoretical qualitative method was also employed in this study to evaluate and identify the ideal mixture design. The prototypes' strength, density, thermal conductivity, slump, and absorption rate were all measured during the experiments. Having a lower heat conductivity and greater strength, the mechanically treated fibers with a 0.6% addition provided the best prototype, according to the research findings

Effect of clonidine versus dexmedetomidine on pain control after laparoscopic gastric sleeve: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded study

Background: The use of opioids in surgeries for morbidly obese patients could cause respiratory depression. Therefore, alternative analgesics are needed to improve anesthetic management for obese patients. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of dexmedetomidine and clonidine on pain as well as analgesic consumption at 24 h postoperatively in patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric sleeve. The secondary objective was to compare patients′ and surgeons′ satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 obese and morbidly obese patients scheduled to undergo laparoscopic gastric sleeve were randomly assigned into two groups. 10 min after induction of general anesthesia, one group received 0.8-1.2 μg/kg/30 min intravenous (IV) clonidine through 500 mL lactated Ringer′s solution and placebo (normal saline solution) through syringe pump. The second group received IV dexmedetomidine through syringe pump at a rate 0.5-0.8 μg/kg/h and placebo through 500 mL lactated Ringer′s solution. Data on pain, analgesic consumption, and return to normal activity in addition to patients′ and surgeons′ satisfaction were collected. Results: Both groups were similar with respect to demographic and intraoperative hemodynamic characteristics. Fentanyl consumption, surgery duration and hospital stay were similar for the two groups. Pain scores on walking were significantly lower in the clonidine group at 12 h postoperatively (P = 0.014) compared with dexmedetomidine group. The number of patients who consumed pethidine was significantly lower in the clonidine group at 12 h postoperatively (P = 0.045). Conclusion: This study concluded that clonidine and dexmedetomidine yielded similar outcomes with a difference in pain and analgesic consumption at 12 h postoperatively