The Effect of Thickness And Accelerated Aging on Opalescence of Different Ceramic Materials

Purpose: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of ceramic material type and thickness on opalescence before and after accelerated aging. Materials and methods: 180 all-ceramic slices were divided into three groups (n=60) according to the ceramic material (InCoris TZI, Empress CAD HT, and Empress CAD LT). Each group was further subdivided into four subgroups (n = 15) according to their thickness (0.5 mm, 0.8 mm, 1 mm and 1.2 mm).). CIE Lab coordinates were measured for each slice against black and white backgrounds using intraoral spectrophotometer and OP was calculated. All specimens were subjected to accelerated aging using autoclave (134 ºC, 0.2 MPa for 5 h) and OP was calculated after accelerated aging. Repeated ANOVA combined with a Tukey-post hoc test were used to analyze the data obtained (P ≤ 0.05). Results: The results showed that ceramic material type and thickness have significant effect on opalescence with OP values (from 4.4±1.2 to 7.1±1.7) for InCoris TZI, (from 4.1±0.28 to 5.7±0.36) for CAD HT, and (from 5.9±0.7 to 8.7±4.6) for CAD LT, while the effect of accelerated aging was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The dental ceramic type affected the opalescence with Empress CAD HT showing the highest OP values. Increasing the thickness caused an increase in the opalescence of leucite reinforced glass ceramic, while it decreased the opalescence of zirconia. Therefore, manufactures should develop all-ceramic materials that can simulate the opalescence of natural teeth especially in esthetic ceramic restoration with lower thickness

Risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets: A robust-product for pediatrics

This study was aimed at developing risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets (OD-mini-tablets) as age-appropriate formulations and to assess their suitability for infants and pediatric use. An experimental Box-Behnken design was applied to assure high quality of the OD-mini-tablets and reduce product variability. The design was employed to understand the influence of the critical excipient combinations on the production of OD-mini-tablets and thus guarantee the feasibility of obtaining products with dosage form uniformity. The variables selected were mannitol percent in Avicel (X1), swelling pressure of the superdisintegrant (X2), and the surface area of Aerosil as a glidant (X3). Risperidone-excipient compatibilities were investigated using FTIR and the spectra did not display any interaction. Fifteen formulations were prepared and evaluated for pre- and post-compression characteristics. The prepared OD-mini-tablet batches were also assessed for disintegration in simulated salivary fluid (SSF, pH 6.2) and in reconstituted skimmed milk. The optimized formula fulfilled the requirements for crushing strength of 5 kN with minimal friability, disintegration times of 8.4 and 53.7 s in SSF and skimmed milk, respectively. This study therefore proposes risperidone OD-mini-tablet formula having robust mechanical properties, uniform and precise dosing of medication with short disintegration time suitable for pediatric use

Outcome of microsurgical clipping of anterior circulation aneurysms during the period of vasospasm: single center experience in Egypt

Abstract Objectives Recent guidelines recommend early closure of the ruptured aneurysms. However, this may not be available in all cases especially in developing countries. This may lead to late surgery during the period of vasospasm which may carry a potential surgical risk. The aim of this study is to report our experience of microsurgical clipping during the period of vasospasm for ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms. Methods This study included 36 patients with ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms treated with microsurgical clipping “between January 2014 and December 2016”. All patients were operated during the period of vasospasm. We retrospectively reviewed our medical files for any operative complications, any evidence for clinical vasospasm and postoperative ischemia, and for the patients outcome. Results Majority of patients were in good World Federation of Neurosurgeons (WFNS) Grades. Thirty (83.3%) were grades I–III. All the procedures completed successfully except in three patients who had an intraoperative rupture. Clinical vasospasm was reported in 8 (22.2%) of the patients. Favorable outcome was reported in 31 (86.1%) patients. We had only one (2.8%) perioperative mortality from aggravated vasospasm. Conclusions Microsurgical clipping of the ruptured anterior circulation aneurysms can be done safely during the period of vasospasm without devastating complications. Securing the aneurysm in patients with late referral in developing countries should be done to prevent rebleeding and to allow for the 3H therapy application safely

Management of peritoneal abscess after ventriculoperitoneal shunt

Introduction: Ventriculoperitoneal shunt is an established and efficient treatment for hydrocephalus. Peritoneal abscess is a, rare, serious complication which should be managed aggressively. There is no general consensus for managing peritoneal abscess after ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt. Here we present our stepwise protocol of management for a series of five cases. Case presentations: We present a series of five cases diagnosed with peritoneal abscess after VP shunting. Patients were fully investigated on admission. Abscess was confirmed by pelvic-abdominal U/S and diagnostic aspiration. Conservative management was started with antibiotics according to culture and sensitivity initially in all cases. Shunt externalization and apo-cath insertion was done for non-responsive cases. Further non-responsive cases were managed by shunt removal and external ventricular drain (EVD) until subsidence of infection. The study included 3 males and 2 female patients. One case responded to conservative measures, while the other four needed more invasive procedures: apo-cath, shunt removal and EVD with intra-ventricular antibiotics. Conclusion: Abdominal infection following VPS insertion is a serious complication associated with high morbidity and mortality. Patients should be managed in collaboration with general surgery department staff. We propose a management protocol that includes a systematic stepwise approach according to the general condition and neurological status of each patient. The protocol starts with conservative treatment and progresses to more invasive and aggressive methods according to the response of the patient

Impact of Green Synthesized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for Treating Dry Rot in Potato Tubers

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) crops have experienced a 22% reduction due to attacks from microbial pathogens and pests. Dry rot disease occurred from risks in El-Minya governorate, Egypt, where potato is the major cultivated crop. Potato cultivar ‘Cara’ samples were collected from the markets of six regions in El-Minya for isolation. They were also tested for the application of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) for disease management. The ability of Exserohilum rostratum to synthesize ZnONPs was documented via UV-visible, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Spherical shape and crystallite small size (51.0 ± 3.0 nm) were attributed to the created ZnONPs. The ZnONPs were applied in the bio-control of the causative agent (Fusarium nygamai) of dry rot disease and large economic loss of potato cv. ‘Cara’ productivity. The mycosynthesized ZnONPs by E. rostratum at 100 μg/ mL (3 mM) showed antifungal activity against F. nygamai with higher reducing value of mycelium growth diameter 2.0 ± 0.14 cm compared to Revanol 50%, traditional product with a diameter of 3.85 ± 0.10 cm. Overall, ZnONPs are an excellent agent that can be applied to repress the most common fungal disease of potato

Making the most out of energy content in broiler diets using xylanase, emulsifier, and guanidinoacetic acid mixtures

This research endeavour examined several nutritional approaches aimed at optimising the energy content of the broiler diets using mixtures with distinct mechanisms of action in low metabolisable energy diet (LME). Within this context, the impact of various xylanase (Xyl), emulsifier (EM), and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) mixtures supplemented to LME diets were investigated on the following parameters: growth performance, energy and protein efficiency ratios, oxidative biomarkers, gene expression, and intestinal morphology. Seven hundred one-day-old (Ross 308) male-broilers were assigned to five experimental treatments (28 birds/replicate). The positive control group (PC) fed as breed-recommendations. A dietary change was made to the PC, where the dietary energy content was reduced by 200 kcal/kg feed, served as negative control group (NC). The other experimental diets were as in NC group, fortified with either Xyl+EM, Xyl+GAA or Xyl+EM+GAA. The results demonstrated a negative impact on the NC group’s productivity and biometric parameters compared to the PC group (p < 0.05). Combinations of Xyl+GAA or Xyl+EM+GAA were as effective as PC in term of growth performance (p > 0.05), but they were more efficient in terms of energy efficiency ratio (p < 0.05). In contrast to the PC group, The Xyl+EM group had lower protein efficiency ratio (p <0.05). The oxidative biomarkers, gene expression, and intestinal morphology of the NC groups supplemented with various mixtures were better than those of the PC group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the overall benefits in the Xyl+EM+GAA group were notable. It is possible to compensate for LME (-200 kcal/kg feed) by using Xyl+EM+GAA mixture

Efficiency of xylanase, emulsifier, and guanidinoacetic acid in restoring energy deficit in male broilers fed low metabolisable energy diets

The study aimed to examine the distinct impacts of incorporating xylanase (Xyl), emulsifier (EM), and guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) as dietary supplements in low metabolisable energy (ME) diets on performance, energy and protein efficiency ratios, oxidative biomarkers, gene expression, and gut morphology. Seven hundred one-day-old (Ross 308) male-broilers were assigned to 5 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 28 birds each. The experimental group denoted as the positive control (PC) fed on diets in accordance with the breed recommendations. The negative control (NC) was subjected to a dietary intervention reducing the ME by 200 kcal/kg compared to the PC. The remaining experimental diets comprised NC diet that were supplemented with 0.01% Xyl, 0.03% EM and 0.06% GAA. Results showed that birds fed low-ME-diets increased their voluntary feed intake to meet their energy needs but was at the expense of their productive efficiency. Only NC+GAA partially restored broiler performance compared to PC. However, compared to the PC group Xyl, EM and GAA improved the energy and growth-related gene expression, oxidative biomarkers, and gut histomorphology (p < 0.05). The key features associated with Xyl and EM were growth-related genes and intestinal mucus, while GAA was associated with energy-related genes, oxidative biomarkers and jejunum-villi height and villus: crypt ratio. In conclusion, Xyl, EM and GAA supplementation to NC group were able to improve the health status of the birds. However, to improve the production efficiency, future research is needed to elucidate the effect of combined products in birds fed on such low ME diets. &nbsp

Risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets: A robust-product for pediatrics

This study was aimed at developing risperidone oral disintegrating mini-tablets (OD-mini-tablets) as age-appropriate formulations and to assess their suitability for infants and pediatric use. An experimental Box-Behnken design was applied to assure high quality of the OD-mini-tablets and reduce product variability. The design was employed to understand the influence of the critical excipient combinations on the production of OD-mini-tablets and thus guarantee the feasibility of obtaining products with dosage form uniformity. The variables selected were mannitol percent in Avicel (X1), swelling pressure of the superdisintegrant (X2), and the surface area of Aerosil as a glidant (X3). Risperidone-excipient compatibilities were investigated using FTIR and the spectra did not display any interaction. Fifteen formulations were prepared and evaluated for preand post-compression characteristics. The prepared ODmini- tablet batches were also assessed for disintegration in simulated salivary fluid (SSF, pH 6.2) and in reconstituted skimmed milk. The optimized formula fulfilled the requirements for crushing strength of 5 kN with minimal friability, disintegration times of 8.4 and 53.7 s in SSF and skimmed milk, respectively. This study therefore proposes the risperidone OD-mini-tablet formula having robust mechanical properties, uniform and precise dosing of medication with short disintegration time suitable for pediatric use