Root Morphology and Canal Configuration of Permanent Canines Among Saudi Population: Systematic Review and Comparison with Worldwide Studies.

Aim: The root morphology and canal configuration (RMCC) of mandibular and maxillary canines among Saudi population is systematically reviewed and compared with international studies in this research. Methods: This study was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses recommendations. The electronic databases of PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Wiley Library, Google website search, and Web of Science were searched. Only local and international cross-sectional, comparative, evaluation, and validation studies or case reports published between 2016 and 2022 that directly evaluated canine RMCC and assessed participants using cone beam computed tomography were included. Results: Forty-three studies that investigated RMCCs (17 local and 26 international) were involved in this review. The original Saudi research recorded that almost 100% of maxillary canines had one root and one canal, whereas 98.4% and 94.1% had one root and one canal in the mandibular arch. Vertucci's class I had the highest percentages in the maxillary and mandibular arches at 98.3% and 95.8%, respectively, followed by class III with 0.7% and 1.9% for the same arches, respectively. International studies recorded that 100% of maxillary canines had one canal and root; the percentages of the mandibular arch were 92.3 and 98% for single canal and root, respectively; and the highest percentage was obtained by Vertucci's class I (91.1%), followed by class III (4.7%). Conclusion: This review reports and confirmed the symmetry of the RMCCs of maxillary and mandibular canines between Saudi studies and other populations. Moreover, Vertucci's classes I and III were the most frequent RMCCs, and two-rooted canines in both arches were considerably less frequently than single-rooted ones.

Hydatid cyst excision using Dowling's technique of hydrodissection.

BACKGROUND: Neurohydatidosis is a rare zoonotic disease in nonendemic areas and a differential diagnosis of intracerebral cysts workup. Appropriate imaging modalities with serology are required for proper diagnosis. The gold standard surgical intervention is the Dowling-Orlando technique. METHOD: We provide a detailed description, with key surgical steps, for total excision of hydatid cysts with intact capsules by hydrodissection. We also describe the relevant surgical anatomy, with indications, limitations, and possible complications. CONCLUSION: Hydrodissection allows safe resection of hydatid cysts without further damage to the surrounding parenchyma and reduces the risk of cystic wall rupture.

Increased Heart Rate Variability Response Among Infants with Reported Rhinorrhea and Watery Eyes: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Previously, we found that reported infant rhinorrhea and watery eyes without a cold (RWWC) predicted school age exercise-induced wheeze, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. These findings were independent of allergic sensitization, and we theorized that increased parasympathetic tone underlay the association. We also reported that increased heart-rate variability (HRV) in infants predicted wheeze in 2-3 year-olds. In a convenience sample of children participating in a birth cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that infants with RWWC would have elevated HRV, indicating increased parasympathetic tone. METHODS: RWWC symptoms since birth were queried for 3-month-old children. At 4-months, HRV was assessed (root mean square of successive differences [RMSSD]) during a standardized infant-mother still-face paradigm, which included 2 minutes of mother/child play immediately followed by 2 minutes of the mother maintaining a still-face. RESULTS: Among participants (n=38), RWWC was common for girls (32%) and boys (21%). The children with the greatest decrease in RMSSD between play and still-face challenge (lowest tertile) had a higher prevalence of RWWC as compared with children in the higher tertiles (50% vs 16%, P=0.045). In a logistic regression model controlling for sex, age and time between HRV and RWWC assessment, children with greater decrease in HRV between play and still-face (lowest tertile) had greater odds of having RWWC (odds ratio=6.0, P=0.029). CONCLUSION: In this relatively small study, we demonstrated greater decreases in HRV in response to a stressor among children with reported RWWC, suggesting that these children might have increased parasympathetic tone and/or overall greater vagal reactivity.

Infant rhinitis and watery eyes predict school-age exercise-induced wheeze, emergency department visits and respiratory-related hospitalizations.

BACKGROUND: Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are often linked to asthma development through an allergic pathway. However, runny nose and watery eyes can result from nonallergic mechanisms. These mechanisms can also underlie exercise-induced wheeze (EIW), which has been associated with urgent medical visits for asthma, independent of other indicators of asthma severity or control. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that rhinitis or watery eyes without cold symptoms (RWWC) in infancy predict development of EIW and urgent respiratory-related medical visits at school age, independent of seroatopy. METHODS: Within a prospective birth cohort of low-income, urban children (n = 332), RWWC was queried during the first year of life. Relative risks (RRs) for EIW, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations for asthma and other breathing difficulties at 5 to 7 years of age were estimated with multivariable models. Seroatopy was determined at 7 years of age. RESULTS: Infant RWWC was common (49% of children) and predicted school-age EIW (RR, 2.8; P < .001), ED visits (RR, 1.8; P = .001), and hospitalizations (RR, 9.8; P = .002). These associations were independent of infant wheeze. They were also independent of birth order, an indicator of increased risk of exposure to viruses in infancy, and infant ear infections, an indicator of sequelae of upper airway infections. The association between infant RWWC and ED visits at 5 to 7 years of age was attenuated (RR, 1.2; P = .23) when EIW at 5 to 7 years of age was included in the model, suggesting EIW mediates the association. Adjustment for seroatopy did not diminish the magnitudes of any of these associations. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest a nonallergic connection between infant nonwheeze symptoms and important consequences of urban respiratory health by school age through EIW.

Nicotinic Acid Coated Magnetite Nanorods Evaluation by Lipid Profile Analysis and Genetic Tests.

In our present work some biological tests were carried out to assess the biocompatibility of nicotinic acid coated magnetite nanorods. Pure and coated nanorods were injected intraperitoneally to cholesterol fed mice with dose values of 25, 50 mg/Kg. Investigations were done on treated mice with/without exposure to low frequency electromagnetic field (EMF) and samples were collected fourteen days post treatment. Toxicological effects were evaluated using Micronucleus and DNA fragmentation analysis. The results indicated that low dose (25 mg/Kg) nicotinic acid coated nanorods had insignificant toxicological effects in comparison to that of control group. Lipid profile analysis and gene expression of atheroprotective (eNOS) and atherogenic (p65) genes were also investigated. It was found that experimental groups treated with low dose nicotinic acid coated magnetite nanorods and exposed to EMF showed interesting alterations in mice lipid profile. As a result, an insignificant but slight increase in gene expression levels of eNOS and a significant decrease in p65 gene expression were observed. Our study suggests that our proposed magnetic nanosystem in combination with EMF has good biocompatibility and can be a potential drug precursor with therapeutic values.

Ancient mitogenomes of Phoenicians from Sardinia and Lebanon: A story of settlement, integration, and female mobility.

The Phoenicians emerged in the Northern Levant around 1800 BCE and by the 9th century BCE had spread their culture across the Mediterranean Basin, establishing trading posts, and settlements in various European Mediterranean and North African locations. Despite their widespread influence, what is known of the Phoenicians comes from what was written about them by the Greeks and Egyptians. In this study, we investigate the extent of Phoenician integration with the Sardinian communities they settled. We present 14 new ancient mitogenome sequences from pre-Phoenician (~1800 BCE) and Phoenician (~700-400 BCE) samples from Lebanon (n = 4) and Sardinia (n = 10) and compare these with 87 new complete mitogenomes from modern Lebanese and 21 recently published pre-Phoenician ancient mitogenomes from Sardinia to investigate the population dynamics of the Phoenician (Punic) site of Monte Sirai, in southern Sardinia. Our results indicate evidence of continuity of some lineages from pre-Phoenician populations suggesting integration of indigenous Sardinians in the Monte Sirai Phoenician community. We also find evidence of the arrival of new, unique mitochondrial lineages, indicating the movement of women from sites in the Near East or North Africa to Sardinia, but also possibly from non-Mediterranean populations and the likely movement of women from Europe to Phoenician sites in Lebanon. Combined, this evidence suggests female mobility and genetic diversity in Phoenician communities, reflecting the inclusive and multicultural nature of Phoenician society.

In vitro production of Sudanese camel (Camelus dromedarius) embryos from epididymal spermatozoa and follicular oocytes of slaughtered animals.

Application of assisted reproductive technology in camelidea, such as artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer, has been slow in comparison to that for other livestock species. In Egypt, there are few attempts to establish in vitro maturation (IVM) and fertilization (IVF) techniques in dromedary camel. The present study was carried out to produce Sudanese camel embryos using in vitro matured oocytes and epididymal spermatozoa. Dromedary camel ovaries were collected from abattoirs and then, the oocytes were aspirated from all the visible follicles on the ovarian surface (~2-8 mm in a diameter). Meanwhile, Fetal Dromedary Camel Serum (FDCS) was obtained from camel fetuses after slaughtering. Thereafter, only Cumulus Oocyte Complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro in the Tissue Culture Medium (TCM-199) complemented with 10% FDCS. Spermatozoa required for in vitro fertilization were collected from testes (epididymal cauda) of the slaughtered camel bulls. The results clearly showed that the maturation rate of oocytes at metaphase II was about 59.5% while the fertilization rate was around 70.4%. Intriguingly, the embryo rates determined were 13.1%, in 2-cell; 0.0%, in 4-cell; 34.7%, in 8-16% cell; 39.1%, in morula and 13.1% in a blastocyst stage. This study represented a successful in vitro production of Sudanese dromedary camel embryos from epididymal sperm cells and in vitro matured oocytes recovered from slaughtered camels.

Spectroscopic study of the experimental parameters controlling the structural properties of chitosan-Ag nanoparticles composite.

Chitosan as reducing, stabilizing and capping agent was used to synthesize chitosan-silver nanoparticles composite under different experimental conditions of temperature or time. The UV-Vis spectra exhibited a single peak at 430nm which provided strong evidence for the formation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of Ag nanoparticles. The rate of the increase of this absorbance with temperature increases with increasing the time of reduction. It was found that the variation of the temperature from 60°C to 100°C and the time of reduction from 6h to 16h resulted in no significant changes in the intensities and positions of the FTIR absorption bands of the composite. The TEM micrographs showed distinct typical spherical silver nanoparticles separated from each other quite well at reduction temperature range (60-80°C) and displayed some of accumulations at high temperature range (90-100°C). The TEM micrographs investigation indicated various shapes with different reduction time. The SEM images of the prepared samples were discussed.

Clinical and Radiographic Assessment of Secondary Bone Graft Outcomes in Cleft Lip and Palate Patients.

Purpose. To compare the results of secondary alveolar bone grafts in patients with complete cleft lip and cleft lip and palate using 2 radiographic scales and according to the rate of canine eruption through the newly formed bone. Materials and Methods. We analyzed pre- and postoperative radiographs of 36 patients for the amount of bone in the cleft site according to the Bergland and Chelsea scales. The associations between the variables and the correlation between the scales were measured. Results. A total of 54.2% and 20.8% of cases were classified as type I and type II, respectively, using the Bergland scale, whereas 50% and 22.5% were classified as types A and C, respectively, using the Chelsea scale. A positive correlation between the 2 scales was observed. In 33.3% of males, 58.3% of females, 54.5% of unilateral cleft cases, and 12.5% of bilateral cleft cases, the permanent canines had erupted. Bone grafts performed prior to canine eruption achieved more satisfactory results. Conclusions. Our results suggest that both radiographic scales are important tools for the evaluation of bone grafts. Additionally, longer time periods of evaluation were associated with improved results for patients with secondary alveolar bone grafts.

Biocompatibility of BioAggregate and mineral trioxide aggregate on the liver and kidney.

AIM: To investigate and compare the systemic toxic effect of DiaRoot BioAggregate and grey ProRoot Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) on the liver and kidney after 7 and 30 days. METHODOLOGY: Forty-two white albino rats were divided into two main groups. Group (1), considered the control group (n = 18), was further divided into two subgroups. The negative control subgroup (n = 6) received no treatment. The empty tube subgroup (n = 12) received empty sterile Teflon tubes. In Group (2), considered the experimental group (n = 24), the rats were divided equally into two subgroups. One subgroup received MTA, whilst the other received BioAggregate. The materials in the Teflon tubes were implanted subcutaneously in the dorsal side of the rats. Blood samples were taken to investigate the change of kidney and liver functions on day 7 and day 30. The liver and kidney organs were subjected to histopathological examination and calculation of the number of inflammatory cells. Data analysis was performed using one-way anova with post hoc multiple comparisons with the Tukey's test. Student's t-test was used to compare the changes in liver and kidney functions amongst the groups. RESULTS: On day 7, a significantly more severe inflammatory reaction was observed in both experimental subgroups compared with the control (P < 0.05); the severity decreased after 30 days. The kidney functions were not affected after 7 days but had subsequently increased after 30 days (P < 0.001). Liver functions increased after 7 days and had decreased in the BioAggregate subgroup after 30 days, whilst in the MTA subgroup, a continuous increase in the level of liver function was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Mineral trioxide aggregate had adverse effects on the liver and kidney that were significantly more severe than BioAggregate but with no permanent damage.

Influences of incorporating detoxified Jatropha curcas kernel meal in common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) diet on the expression of growth hormone- and insulin-like growth factor-1-encoding genes.

Jatropha curcas is a drought-resistant shrub or small tree widespread all over the tropics and subtropics. The use of J. curcas (L) kernel meal in fish feed is limited owing to the presence of toxic and antinutritional constituents. In this study, it was detoxified using heat treatment and organic solvent extraction method. The detoxification process was carried out for 60 min to obtain the detoxified meal. Cyprinus carpio L. fingerlings (n = 180; avg. wt. 3.2 ± 0.07 g) were randomly distributed in five treatment groups with four replicates and fed isonitrogenous diets (crude protein 38%) for 8 weeks. The inclusion levels of the detoxified Jatropha kernel meal (DJKM) and soybean meal (SBM) were as follows: control diet was prepared with fish meal (FM) and wheat meal, without any DJKM and SBM; diets S(50) and J(50) : 50% of FM protein replaced by SBM and DJKM respectively; diets S(75) and J(75) : 75% of FM protein replaced by SBM and DJKM respectively. Highest body mass gain and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) gene expression in brain, liver and muscle were observed for the control group, which were statistically similar to those for J(50) group and significantly (p < 0.05) higher than for all other groups, whereas growth hormone gene expression in brain, liver and muscle exhibited opposite trend. Insulin-like growth factor-1 concentration in plasma did not differ significantly among the five groups. Conclusively, growth performance was in parallel with IGF-1 gene expression and exhibited negative trend with GH gene expression.

Effect of food restriction on reproductive-related genes and reproductive hormones in adult female rats.

OBJECTIVES: A number of factors involved in the control of energy balance and metabolism act as modulators of gonadal axis. Ghrelin, a peptide secreted from the stomach and hypothalamus, has emerged as an orexigenic food intake controlling signal acting upon hypothalamus. Recently, the potential reproductive role of ghrelin has received great attention. This study was designed to investigate the influence of food restriction and consequent metabolic hormone (ghrelin) on the level and gene expression of female reproductive hormones in adult rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the effect of chronic food restriction on ghrelin level in adult female rats and its relation to female reproductive hormones, 32 adult female Sprague Dawley rats divided into 4 groups: Group I (control group) comprised 8 rats fed ad libitum for 30 days, Group II, III and IV (food-restricted groups for 10, 20 and 30 days respectively) each consisted of 8 rats fed 50% of ad libitum intake determined by the amount of food consumed by the control group. RESULTS: Mean body weight of food restricted rats was observed to decrease during the period of the experiment. Food restriction produced significant increase of serum ghrelin with significant decrease of both gastric and hypothalamic ghrelin accompanied with significant increase in its gene expression in stomach and hypothalamus. Estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels showed significant decrease correlated with down-regulation of gonadotropins, cyclin-dependent kinase (cdc2), cyclin B and kisspeptin (Kiss1) genes in food restricted rats compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: Ghrelin could be one of the hormones responsible for the suppression of female reproductive axis in case of negative energy balance. Thus, ghrelin may operate as an autocrine/paracrine regulator of ovarian function. Overall, ghrelin may represent an additional link between body weight homeostasis and reproductive function.

Nanotoxicity of gold and gold-cobalt nanoalloy.

Nanotoxicology test of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and gold-cobalt (Au-Co) nanoalloy is an important step in their safety evaluation for biomedical applications. The Au and Au-Co NPs were prepared by reducing the metal ions using sodium borohydride (NaBH(4)) in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) as a capping material. The average size and shape of the nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Cobalt presence in the nanoalloy was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis, and the magnetic properties of these particles were determined using a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The Gold and gold-cobalt NPs of average size 15 ± 1.5 nm were administered orally to mice with a dose of 80, 160, and 320 mg/kg per body weight (bw) using gavages. Samples were collected after 7 and 14 days of the treatment. The results indicated that the Au-Co NPs were able to induce significant alteration in the tumor-initiating genes associated with an increase of micronuclei (MNs) formation and generation of DNA adduct (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) as well as a reduction in the glutathione peroxidase activity. This action of Au-Co NPs was observed using 160 and 320 mg/kg bw at both time intervals. However, Au NPs had much lower effects than Au-Co NPs on alteration in the tumor-initiating genes, frequency of MNs, and generation of 8-OHdG as well as glutathione peroxidase activity except with the highest dose of Au NPs. This study suggests that the potential to cause in vivo genetic and antioxidant enzyme alterations due to the treatment by Au-Co nanoalloy may be attributed to the increase in oxidative stress in mice.

Genotoxicity evaluation of nanomaterials: dna damage, micronuclei, and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine induced by magnetic doped CdSe quantum dots in male mice.

Quantum dots (QDs) are a novel class of inorganic fluorophores which are gaining widespread recognition as a result of their exceptional photophysical properties and their applications as a biomarker and in molecular biomedical imaging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo genotoxicity in mice exposed to CdSe quantum dots of average size 5.0 ± 0.2 nm and CdSe doped with 1% cobalt ions of similar size. The quantum dots are surface modified using mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) in order to be biocompatible and water-soluble. The MAA-QDs were given to the mice orally at doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg by weight of MAA-QDs. Bone marrow and liver samples were collected after two and seven days of treatment. The results indicated that after two days of treatment, the high dose of doped MAA-QDs was significantly able to induce DNA damage, formation of micronuclei (MNs), and generation of DNA adduct (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG). However, increasing DNA damage and the frequency of MNs formation as well as the generation of DNA adducts were observed with both the undoped MAA-QDs (2000 mg/kg) and doped MAA-QDs (1000 and 2000 mg/kg) after seven days of treatment. The results of our study indicate that exposure to high doses of pure MAA-QDs or MAA-QDs doped with cobalt has the potential to cause indirect in vivo genetic damage, which may be attributed to free radical-induced oxidative stress in mice.

Effect of ovary preservation period on recovery rate and categories of dromedary camel oocytes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different periods of ovary preservation at 25-30 °C for 5, 6, 7, 9, 12 and 24 h on recovery rate and oocyte categories of dromedary camel oocytes. Camel ovaries were collected from El-Bassatein slaughterhouse, Cairo. The collected ovaries were placed immediately after slaughtering into thermos in saline solution (0.9% NaCl) supplemented with antibiotics (100 IU penicillin and 100 µg streptomycin/ml) at 25-30 °C and transported to the laboratory within 4-5 h. Ovaries were washed three times with warmed (30 °C) phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and one time with ethanol (70%). All visible follicles on the ovarian surface (2-8 mm in diameter) were counted. Oocytes were aspirated using a 20-gauge hypodermic needle. Oocyte yield was recorded and the number of oocytes/ovary was calculated. Oocytes were classified into five categories (compact, partial denuded, denuded, shrunken and cleaved oocytes). Results show that average number of follicles on each ovary was not significantly affected by preservation period, although tended to reduce only after 5 h of ovary preservation. However, this number was insignificantly reduced by increasing period of ovary preservation more than 5 up to 24 h. Average number of oocytes on each ovary was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced only between 5 and 6 h of ovary preservation. Average number of oocytes showed higher reduction rate between 5 and 6 h from 12.4 to 9.3/ovary as well as between 9 and 12 h. Oocyte recovery rate showed insignificant decrease from 88.1% at 5 h to 78.6% at 9 h of preservation. However, it showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction to 62.0% between 9 and 12 h, then insignificantly decreased to 58.6 at 24 h of preservation of the ovaries. Frequency distribution and recovery rate of each category was the highest for compact oocytes and the lowest for cleaved oocytes at all periods of preservation. Increasing preservation period significantly (P < 0.05) decreased frequency distribution of compact and cleaved oocytes, while increased frequency distribution of partial denuded, denude and shrunken oocytes. It might be concluded from the present results that the preservation of dromedary camel ovaries at 25-30 °C for 5-6 h was effective for maintaining the oocytes quality and recovery rate compared with the other preservation periods.

Post 9/11: high asthma rates among children in Chinatown, New York.

We reported increased rates of childhood asthma and worsening of preexisting asthma in Chinatown near the World Trade Center (WTC) after September 11, 2001. This conclusion was corroborated by the WTC Health Registry in 2003, which showed asthma prevalence in children <5 years old was higher than national estimates. In 2002, ethnic Chinese in New York City (NYC), based on 2000 U.S. Census addresses, were reported to have the lowest levels of asthma compared with other ethnic NYC neighborhoods. This study was designed to determine if Chinatown asthma rates are still higher than other ethnic neighborhoods and if rates decreased since 2003. We surveyed 353 parents of children at a Chinatown elementary school, conducted spirometry on 202 students, measured air pollution (PM2.5), and sampled dust from the floor of the school during 2008 for concentrations of dust-mite antigens, cat, rat, mouse, and cockroach. Asthma rates of 14.4% were reported in children who refused spirometry if they lived <1 mi from the WTC. The rate was 4.9% if they lived farther away. Twenty-nine percent of all students (4-12 years old) who had spirometry showed a forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV(1)) of <80% predicted normal. Among children who were alive in 2001, 17.4% had an FEV(1) of < or = 75% predicted. The concentration of PM2.5 reached a high level of 40 microg/m(3). Indoor aeroallergen concentrations were negligible. Chinatown asthma rates are still higher than among other groups (29% versus the NYC reference rate of 13%). High air pollution levels may account for increased asthma incidence. It is possible that exposure to toxins on September 11, 2001 accentuated the effect of subsequent exposure to air pollution.

Efficiency of cytoplasmic delivery by non-cationic liposomes to cells in vitro: a confocal laser scanning microscopy study.

It is necessary to understand liposomal uptake mechanisms and intracellular distribution in order to design more efficient gene (drug) carrier systems. Until now, a few studies have been carried out using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) to investigate the cellular uptake and transfection mediated with liposomes. So, by CLSM, we demonstrated that artificial virus-like envelope (AVE) vesicles labeled with rhodamine-PE (Rh-PE), carbocyanine (DiI) and carboxyfluorescein (CF) were investigated into the cytoplasm of two human cell lines, Mewo (human melanoma cell line) and HepG2 (human hepatoma cell line) cells grown in DMEM medium supplemented with different percentages (0%, 30%, and 100%) fetal calf serum (FCS). The liposome uptake was dependent on the cell line, in view that the whole process of liposomes associated with cells (uptake) is a two-step process involving binding and endocytosis. Based upon the various assays used to measure cellular uptake of liposomes, we conclude the efficacy of cytoplasmic delivery by AVE-liposomes to cells in culture.