Rhinoplasty Outcomes in Patients with Symptoms of Body Dysmorphia.

BACKGROUND: Patients with symptoms of body dysmorphia often seek consultation for aesthetic rhinoplasty. While body dysmorphic disorder is a formal psychiatric diagnosis, recent evidence indicates that patients with symptoms of this condition who seek rhinoplasty may experience increased satisfaction with their appearance following surgery. OBJECTIVES: To determine the psychological impact of rhinoplasty in patients screened pre-/postoperatively with a body dysmorphia screening questionnaire. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent aesthetic and/or functional rhinoplasty by a single surgeon (S.P.M.) from 6/2021- 4/2023. Adult patients with a complete pre- and postoperative body dysmorphic disorder-aesthetic surgery questionnaire (BDDQ-AS), Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey-Obstruction and Cosmesis (SCHNOS), and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were included. Patient characteristics and outcomes were analyzed stratifying by BDDQ-AS screen. RESULTS: One-hundred fifteen patients (88% female) met criteria for inclusion. There was an 83% resolution rate in BDDQ-AS positive screening following rhinoplasty. Positive BDDQ-AS screening status pre- and postoperatively correlated with worse aesthetic satisfaction (all p<0.002). No patient reported outcome measures were indicative of which patients with a BDDQ-AS positive screen preoperatively would experience 'resolution' postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Body dysmorphia screening resolution following surgical intervention correlated with improved patient aesthetic satisfaction, pointing to a potential positive psychological impact of undergoing rhinoplasty.

Effect of using scan body accessories and inter-implant distances on the accuracy of complete arch implant digital impressions: An in vitro study.

PURPOSE: To introduce a novel design for scan body accessory parts that are reusable, easy to attach and detach without permanent change of the scan body, and can be used with different inter-implant distances to enhance the accuracy of complete arch implant scans. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A maxillary polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) model with a soft tissue replica was fabricated with four implant analogs located at tooth positions 17, 13, 22, and 27 with 18, 25, and 30 mm inter-implant distances. Four scan bodies (SBs) were attached to the implants. The model was scanned with a laboratory scanner to be used as a reference scan. A total of 40 scans were made with the same intraoral scanner and they were divided equally into two groups. Group A: Complete arch implant scans without scan body accessories (n = 20), and Group B: Complete arch implant scans with scan body accessories (n = 20). Intraoral scans were exported and superimposed on the reference scan using reverse engineering inspection software to be evaluated for 3D deviations, angular deviations, and linear deviations. Statistical analysis was performed with student t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures followed by post hoc adjusted Bonferroni test. The level of significance was set at P = 0.05. RESULTS: The scan body accessories decreased both the 3D and linear deviations, with a statistically significant difference at SB4 for the 3D deviation (P = 0.043) and the linear inter-implant discrepancies between SB1-SB2 and SB3-SB4 (P = 0.029 and < 0.001), respectively. However, there was no statistically significant difference in angular deviation between the study groups. Implant positions had significant differences within each group. CONCLUSIONS:  A significant improvement in the accuracy of the complete arch implant digital impression was achieved by using the scan body accessories, particularly in reducing the 3D and linear deviations at the most distant implant positions.

Nigella sativa-chitosan nanoparticles: Novel intestinal mucosal immunomodulator controls and protects against Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infection in broilers.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) propagates in chickens' gastrointestinal surfaces and is transmitted to humans, causing food poisoning. Oral supplementation with natural nanoparticles can overcome the harsh gastrointestinal conditions facing oral vaccines and requires no antibiotic administration to protect against microbial infection. This study was designed to study Nigella sativa-chitosan nanoparticles (CNP-NS) prophylactic immunomodulatory efficacy against SE infection in broiler chicks. The CNP-NS was prepared and characterized, and its in vivo immunomodulatory activities against an avian virulent-MDR SE-induced challenge in chicks were investigated. RESULT: To verify the immune-protective activities of the CNP-NS, colony forming units (CFU) in the liver and fecal droppings; intestinal histopathological alterations and immune cell recruitment; MUC-2, TLR-4, cecal cytokines, and specific IgA gene expression levels were assessed. On the 7th and 12th days after the SE challenge, the CNP-NS supplemented chicks showed complete clearance of SE CFU in livers and fecal droppings, as well as an improvement in food conversion rate compared to non-supplemented CNP-NS that revealed the presence of the challenge SE CFU on the same days. A prominent influx of antigen presenting cells and lymphoid aggregates into the intestinal wall, spleen, and liver was detected with improvements in the intestinal villi morphometry of the CNP-NS-supplemented chicks. The changes of INF-γ, IL-1ß, and IL-4 cecal cytokines, as well as TLR-4, MUC-2, and IgA mRNA expression levels, confirm CNP-NS immunomodulatory activities and provide a mechanism(s) for its protective actions against the induced SE challenge of the tested chickens. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest promising useful insights into CNP-NS supplementation as a safe food additive for poultry meat consumers' and a protective immunomodulator of the chickens' mucosal immune systems. It could be recommended for epidemiological purposes to reduce the risk of SE food poisoning and transmission to humans.

Matched Cohort Comparison of Dorsal Preservation and Conventional Hump Resection Rhinoplasty.

BACKGROUND: Structural preservation techniques (SPR) minimize disruption of the dorsal aesthetic lines, with potential aesthetic and functional benefits over conventional hump resection techniques (CHR). The goal of this study is to compare patient reported outcomes between these techniques. METHODS: This study was a retrospective matched cohort analysis of patients undergoing rhinoplasty with dorsal hump reduction using patient-reported outcomes measures: Standardized Cosmesis and Health Nasal Outcomes Survey (obstructive: SCHNOS-O, cosmetic: SCHNOS-C) and visual analog scale (functional: VAS-F, cosmetic: VAS-C). A cohort of patients undergoing SPR were matched to a cohort undergoing CHR based on age, gender, and preoperative SCHNOS scores. Intraoperative techniques and patient-reported outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the dorsal height between groups. While radix grafting was more common in SPR, dorsal onlay grafting and midvault reconstructive techniques (e.g. autospreader flaps) were more common in CHR. Within both groups, post-operative SCHNOS and VAS improved significantly at short- and long-term follow-up. There were no differences between SCHNOS or VAS scores preoperatively. Post-operative SCHNOS-O and SCHNOS-C scores were similar between groups at both short-term and long-term follow-up. Post-operative VAS-F scores were not different; however, VAS-C scores at short-term follow-up were statistically greater in the SPR group compared to the CHR group (8.92 vs 8.20, p = 0.03). At long-term follow-up, the difference was not significant. CONCLUSION: While there are theoretical functional and aesthetic benefits of SPR techniques, the patient reported benefits may be minimal when compared to CHR techniques with appropriate midvault reconstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Registration of maxillomandibular relationship through a fully digital workflow for complete-mouth rehabilitation with screw-retained fixed implant-supported prostheses: A clinical report.

Digital recording of the maxillomandibular relationship by using intraoral scanning in completely edentulous patients for computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacture implant-supported prostheses can be challenging. This clinical report describes the fabrication of complete-arch, screw-retained implant-supported prostheses in a completely edentulous patient with a fully digital workflow.

Digitization accuracy and scannability of different prosthodontic materials: An in vitro trial.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Digital scanning of different prosthodontic materials is commonplace in contemporary practice. However, the scannability of prosthodontic materials has not been thoroughly investigated. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the scanning accuracy and measure the unscanned area in a preset time limit of commonly used framework materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A mandibular acrylic resin reference dental typodont with 3 teeth, with the central one prepared for a complete coverage crown, was digitized by using a desktop scanner. A complete coverage crown was generated in standard tessellation language (STL) format. Three groups were created from the digital design according to the crown material: milled polyetheretherketone (PEEK), milled airborne-particle abraded titanium, and milled polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). They were scanned with the desktop scanner to be used as reference files for each group. The intraoral scanner Medit i700 was used to digitize each specimen 10 times (n=10). Using a nonmetrology grade software program, the deviations between the test STL file of the intraoral scanner and the reference STL file of the desktop scanner were assessed by using the RMS values. The unscanned surface area in a preset time limit of 6 seconds (scannability) was assessed. Groups were compared by using 1-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey post hoc test with Bonferroni correction when the results were significant. All tests were 2-tailed (α=0.05). RESULTS: Regarding deviation analysis, RMS discrepancies were computed, and significant differences in trueness were found (P<.001) among the 3 studied groups. The titanium group had the highest trueness followed by the PEEK and PMMA groups, which were statistically similar (P>.05). Precision differed significantly among the 3 studied groups (P<.001). PEEK was the most precisely scanned material followed by titanium, and the PMMA group had the least precision. Regarding scannability, there were overall significant differences (P<.001). Titanium was the most scannable, followed by PEEK and then PMMA. CONCLUSIONS: Airborne-particle abraded titanium had better trueness and scannability than PEEK and PMMA. However, PEEK was the most precisely scanned material.

Evaluation of prosthetic screw loosening in all-on-four implant-supported restorations with two different connection systems.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The OT BRIDGE connection system can be an alternative to multiunit abutments (MUA) for patients with all-on-four implant-supported restorations. However, the amount of prosthetic screw loosening of the OT BRIDGE in comparison with the MUA used in all-on-four implant restorations is unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the loss of removal torque in the absence of load and after dynamic cyclic loading between the 2 different connection systems: OT BRIDGE attachment and MUA used in all-on-four implant-supported restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four dummy implants (Neobiotech Co Ltd) were inserted into an edentulous mandibular model according to the all-on-four concept. Sixteen screw-retained restorations were digitally fabricated and assigned to 2 groups: the OT BRIDGE group received 8 restorations connected with OT BRIDGE (Rhein 83 srl); the MUA group received 8 restorations connected with MUA (Neobiotech Co Ltd). Restorations were tightened to the abutments according to the manufacturers' recommendations by using a digital torque gauge. The removal torque value (RTV) was measured with the same digital torque gauge. After retightening, dynamic cyclic loading was applied by using a pneumatic custom cyclic loading machine. RTV after loading was measured with the same torque gauge. From the RTVs measured, the ratios of removal torque loss (RTL) before and after loading and the difference between before and after loading were calculated. Data were analyzed by using the independent samples t test, paired samples t test, and mixed model analysis of variance (α=.05). RESULTS: The OT BRIDGE showed significantly higher RTL before loading ratio (%) than the MUA in anterior abutments (P=.002) and posterior abutments (P=.003), as well as significantly higher RTL after loading ratio (%) in anterior abutments (P=.02). The MUA showed significantly higher RTL difference between before and after loading ratio (%) than the OT BRIDGE in both anterior (P=.001) and posterior abutments (P<.001). In both systems, posterior abutments showed significantly higher RTL after loading ratio (%) than anterior abutments (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Posterior abutments showed more prosthetic screw loosening than anterior ones in both systems. The OT BRIDGE showed higher total prosthetic screw loosening than the MUA, although this was not significant in posterior abutments after loading. However, the OT BRIDGE was less affected by cyclic loading than the MUA.

Evaluation of the virtual cement gap parameter of different CAD software programs in designing a single crown restoration: An in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The accuracy of different virtual cement gap parameters in designing a single crown in a computer-aided design (CAD) software program is still unclear. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the virtual cement gap settings of 3 different CAD software programs used to design a single crown restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three different CAD software programs (exocad, Dental System, and B4D) were evaluated for designing single crowns with similar virtual cement gap settings. Three experimental groups were created based on the CAD software program used (n=10). Three-dimensional analysis software program was used to assess the virtual cement gap in the CAD restoration. The Shapiro-Wilk test of normality was used. Comparisons were carried out by using 1-way ANOVA and the Scheffé post hoc test (α=.05). RESULTS: The Dental System software program had the lowest statistical mean error values at both tooth margin (4.6 µm) and axial wall (1.5 µm), followed by B4D then exocad. At the occlusal surface, the lowest statistical mean error value of 5 µm was achieved by the Dental System followed by exocad then B4D. CONCLUSIONS: Accuracy of the virtual cement gap parameter in single crown design varies based on the CAD software used. The highest accuracy was attained by the Dental System software program at all tooth surfaces, followed by B4D at the tooth margin and axial wall and by exocad at the occlusal surface.

Evaluation of physicomechanical properties of milled versus 3D-printed denture base resins: A comparative in vitro study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Studies comparing the physicomechanical characteristics of denture base resins manufactured by computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) milling and 3-dimensional (3D) printing are sparse, resulting in challenges when choosing a fabrication method for complete dentures. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the impact strength, flexural strength, and the surface roughness of denture base resins manufactured by CAD-CAM milling and 3D printing before and after thermocycling and polishing. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Evaluation of the physicomechanical properties (n=35) was completed before and after 500 thermocycles. Impact strength (n=14) was measured with a Charpy impact tester and flexural strength (n=14) with the 3-point bend test. Surface roughness (Ra) was evaluated (n=7) with a profilometer before and after thermocycling and polishing and by viewing the surface topography before and after polishing using a scanning electron microscope at ×2000. The Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon sign rank test were used for statistical analysis (α=.05). RESULTS: Milled specimens showed statistically significantly higher impact strength before thermocycling and statistically significantly higher flexural strength before and after thermocycling (P=.004) compared with 3D-printed specimens. The Ra values for the milled group were significantly lower than for the 3D-printed group both before and after thermocycling (P=.006) and after polishing (P=.027). Thermocycling resulted in a statistically significant difference in flexural strength (P=.018) in both groups and in surface roughness in the milled group (P=.048); but no significant effect was found on impact strength (P>.05). Ra values for the 3D-printed group decreased after polishing (P=.048). CONCLUSIONS: Milled specimens had higher flexural and impact strength and lower surface roughness values than 3D-printed specimens. Polishing significantly reduced the surface roughness in 3D-printed specimens but had no significant effect on milled specimens.

Potentiating Biosynthesis of Alkaloids and Polyphenolic Substances in Catharanthus roseus Plant Using ĸ-Carrageenan.

Catharanthus roseus is a medicinal plant that produces indole alkaloids, which are utilized in anticancer therapy. Vinblastine and vincristine, two commercially important antineoplastic alkaloids, are mostly found in the leaves of Catharanthus roseus. ĸ-carrageenan has been proven as plant growth promoting substance for a number of medicinal and agricultural plants. Considering the importance of ĸ-carrageenan as a promoter of plant growth and phytochemical constituents, especially alkaloids production in Catharanthus roseus, an experiment was carried out to explore the effect of ĸ-carrageenan on the plant growth, phytochemicals content, pigments content, and production of antitumor alkaloids in Catharanthus roseus after planting. Foliar application of ĸ-carrageenan (at 0, 400, 600 and 800 ppm) significantly improved the performance of Catharanthus roseus. Phytochemical analysis involved determining the amount of total phenolics (TP), flavonoids (F), free amino acids (FAA), alkaloids (TAC) and pigments contents by spectrophotometer, minerals by ICP, amino acids, phenolic compounds and alkaloids (Vincamine, Catharanthine, Vincracine (Vincristine), and vinblastine) analysis uses HPLC. The results indicated that all examined ĸ-carrageenan treatments led to a significant (p ≤ 0.05) increase in growth parameters compared to the untreated plants. Phytochemical examination indicates that the spray of ĸ-carrageenan at 800 mg L-1 increased the yield of alkaloids (Vincamine, Catharanthine and Vincracine (Vincristine)) by 41.85 µg/g DW, total phenolic compounds by 3948.6 µg gallic/g FW, the content of flavonoids 951.3 µg quercetin /g FW and carotenoids content 32.97 mg/g FW as compared to the control. An amount of 400 ppm ĸ-carrageenan treatment gave the best contents of FAA, Chl a, Chl b and anthocyanin. The element content of K, Ca, Cu, Zn and Se increased by treatments. Amino acids constituents and phenolics compounds contents were altered by ĸ-carrageenan.

Retention of zirconia crowns to titanium bases with straight versus angled screw access channels: an invitro study.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of abutments with angled screw access channel on the retention of zirconia crowns. METHODS: Seven implant replicas were inserted in epoxy resin blocks. Fourteen zirconia crowns for central incisor tooth were digitally fabricated and cemented to titanium bases (Ti-bases) with resin cement. Titanium bases were categorized into 2 groups (n = 7). Control group (Group STA) included straight screw access channel abutments. Study group (Group ASC) included angled screw access channel abutments. Following aging (5 °C-55 °C, 60 s; 250,000 cycles, 100 N, 1.67 Hz), the pull-off forces (N) were recorded by using retention test (1 mm/min). Types of failure were defined as (Type 1; Adhesive failure when luting agent predominantly remained on the Ti-base surface (> 90%); Type 2; Cohesive failure when luting agent remained on both Ti-base and crown surfaces; and Type 3; Adhesive failure when luting agent predominantly remained on the crown (> 90%). Statistical analysis was conducted by using (IBM SPSS version 28). Normality was checked by using Shapiro Wilk test and Q-Q plots. Independent t-test was then used to analogize the groups. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation of retention force records ranged from 1731.57 (63.68) N (group STA) to 1032.29 (89.82) N (group ASC), and there was a statistically significant variation between the 2 groups (P < .05). Failure modes were Type 2 for group STA and Type 3 for group ASC. CONCLUSIONS: The retention of zirconia crowns to abutments with a straight screw access channel is significantly higher than abutments with angled screw access channel.

Effects of clot contraction on clot degradation: A mathematical and experimental approach.

Thrombosis, resulting in occlusive blood clots, blocks blood flow to downstream organs and causes life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. The administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), which drives the enzymatic degradation (fibrinolysis) of these blood clots, is a treatment for thrombotic conditions, but the use of these therapeutics is often limited due to the time-dependent nature of treatment and their limited success. We have shown that clot contraction, which is altered in prothrombotic conditions, influences the efficacy of fibrinolysis. Clot contraction results in the volume shrinkage of blood clots, with the redistribution and densification of fibrin and platelets on the exterior of the clot and red blood cells in the interior. Understanding how these key structural changes influence fibrinolysis can lead to improved diagnostics and patient care. We used a combination of mathematical modeling and experimental methodologies to characterize the process of exogenous delivery of t-PA (external fibrinolysis). A three-dimensional (3D) stochastic, multiscale model of external fibrinolysis was used to determine how the structural changes that occur during the process of clot contraction influence the mechanism(s) of fibrinolysis. Experiments were performed based on modeling predictions using pooled human plasma and the external delivery of t-PA to initiate lysis. Analysis of fibrinolysis simulations and experiments indicate that fibrin densification makes the most significant contribution to the rate of fibrinolysis compared with the distribution of components and degree of compaction (p < 0.0001). This result suggests the possibility of a certain fibrin density threshold above which t-PA effective diffusion is limited. From a clinical perspective, this information can be used to improve on current therapeutics by optimizing timing and delivery of lysis agents.

Heating Rate during Shell Egg Thermal Treatment Elicits Stress Responses and Alters Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis; Implications for Shell Egg Pasteurization.

Thermal pasteurization of shell eggs, at various time-temperature combinations, has been proposed previously and implemented industrially. This study was conducted to determine if shell egg heating rate, which varies with different pasteurization implementations, alters the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis response to different stresses or expression of virulence. Shell eggs, containing Salmonella Enteritidis in yolk, were subjected to a low (2.4°C/min) or a high (3.5°C/min) heating rate during treatments that mimicked the pasteurization temperature come-up stage. The low heating rate protected Salmonella from the following processes: (i) lethal heat at the holding stage, (ii) loss of viability during 8-h cooling after heating, and (iii) sequential antimicrobial ozone treatment. Transcriptional analysis using Salmonella reporter strains revealed that the heat stress response gene grpE was transcribed at 3-fold-higher levels (P = 0.0009) at the low than at the high heating rate. Slow heating also significantly increased the transcription of the Salmonella virulence-related genes sopB (P = 0.0012) and sseA (P = 0.0006) in comparison to fast heating. Salmonella virulence was determined experimentally as 50% lethal dose (LD50) values in an in vivo model. The slow heat treatment mildly increased Salmonella Enteritidis virulence in mice (LD50 of 3.3 log CFU), compared to that in nontreated yolk (LD50 of 3.9 log CFU). However, when ozone application followed the slow heat treatment, Salmonella virulence decreased (LD50 of 4.2 log CFU) compared to that for heat-treated or nontreated yolk. In conclusion, heating shell eggs at a low rate can trigger hazardous responses that may compromise the safety of the final pasteurized products but following the thermal treatment with ozone application may help alleviate these concerns. IMPORTANCE Pasteurization of shell eggs is an important technology designed to protect consumers against Salmonella Enteritidis that contaminates this commodity. A low heating rate is preferred over a high rate during shell egg thermal pasteurization due to product quality concern. However, it is not known whether raising the temperature at different rates, during pasteurizing, would potentially affect product safety determinants. The current study demonstrated that slow heating during the pasteurization come-up stage increased the following risks: (i) resistance of Salmonella to pasteurization holding stage or to subsequent ozone treatment, (ii) recovery of Salmonella during the cooling that followed pasteurization, and (iii) Salmonella's ability to cause disease (i.e., virulence). Our findings inform food processors about potential safety risks to consumers resulting from improper use of processing parameters during shell egg pasteurization. Additionally, treating shell eggs with ozone after heat treatment could alleviate these hazards and protect consumers from natural Salmonella Enteritidis contaminants in shell eggs.

Comparison of the strain developed around implants with angled abutments with two reinforced polymeric CAD-CAM superstructure materials: An in vitro comparative study.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The strain developed around implants with angled abutments should be considered when selecting a superstructure material. Studies that evaluated the strain developed around implants with angled abutments when using fiber-reinforced polymer as the implant superstructure material are lacking. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to assess the strain developed around implants with angled abutments (15 and 25 degrees) of biocompatible high-performance polymer (BioHPP) and reinforced nanohybrid polymer with a multilayered glass fiber (TRINIA) superstructure under axial and oblique loading. The strain developed around implants was evaluated by using strain gauges. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-two polyurethane test blocks were divided into 2 main groups (n=16) according to the degrees of buccal tilting of the implant platform (15 and 25 degrees). Each group was divided into 2 subgroups (n=8), and each subgroup received different superstructure materials (BioHPP or TRINIA). Two buccal and palatal strain gauges were installed on their corresponding prepared sites to measure the microstrains in the medium surrounding the implant. A universal testing machine was used to apply the static load from 0 to 100 N in the axial and 45-degree oblique direction, with the loading tip of the device on the loading point at the central fossa of the crown. For each tested implant, loads were applied, microstrains were recorded with the strain gauges, and the strain developed around the implant was statistically evaluated with 1-way ANOVA, followed by multiple pairwise comparisons by using the Bonferroni adjusted significance level (α=.05). RESULTS: For superstructure materials, the microstrain values recorded around implants restored with TRINIA were significantly lower than those restored with BioHPP in all groups (P<.001). The 25-degree implant angulation recorded significantly higher microstrain than 15 degrees buccally and palatally when axial and oblique loads were applied (P<.05). The microstrain was significantly higher in the oblique load than in the axial load in both the BioHPP and TRINIA groups in 15- and 25-degree implant angulations on the buccal and palatal sides (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: The strain developed around dental implants was significantly affected by the superstructure material. The microstrain was considerably higher when the implant abutment angulation increased. When a 45-degree loading direction was used, this tendency became more pronounced.

Comparative genomics of the gut commensal Bifidobacterium bifidum reveals adaptation to carbohydrate utilization.

Bifidobacterium bifidum is one of the most abundant members of the gut microbiota at the early stage of life. The established association of the bacterium with the human gut confers health benefits. Such successful persistence of B. bifidum necessitates metabolic adaptation to the host-derived carbohydrates, a process which is poorly understood. The current study focuses on revealing the genomic-based phylogeny (phylogenomics) of B. bifidum and utilizing comparative genomics to decipher the glycolytic abilities of bifidobacterial strains isolated from different human body niches (feces, human gut, vagina, and breast milk). When the phylogenomic analysis was performed on 95 B. bifidum strains, currently available on the RefSeq database, the bacterium was clearly distinguished from other members of the Bifidobacterium genus. Furthermore, a pairwise genomic comparison indicated that a large proportion of orthologous gene families were shared among the B. bifidum strains. These findings highlight the notion that the B. bifidum species is genetically similar and may perform similar functions in their host. When 15 B. bifidum genomes representing strains from different human body niches were annotated, the resulting functional profile showed the presence of enriched proteins involved in carbohydrate utilization. Moreover, mining the 15 B. bifidum genomes for the presence of Carbohydrate-Active Enzyme (CAZY) systems, the analysis found the existence of diverse protein families which include glycosyl hydrolases, glycosyl transferases, carbohydrate-binding modules, and carbohydrate esterases. Collectively, these CAZY systems enables B. bifidum to utilize host-derived glycans (e.g., mucin) and diet-derived carbohydrates (e.g., starch). In contrast, a correlation analysis revealed that B. bifidum strains isolated from the different body niches were indistinguishable in the context of presence-absence of CAZY systems. These findings emphasize the valuable use of comparative genomics in deciphering the glycolytic abilities of B. bifidum and consequently its adaptation to carbohydrate utilization in the human gut environment.

Drug Targeting of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 Inhibits Metabolic Dysfunction and Atherosclerosis in a Murine Model of Metabolic Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced expression of PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) has been implicated in atherosclerosis formation in humans with obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, little is known about the effects of pharmacological targeting of PAI-1 on atherogenesis. This study examined the effects of pharmacological PAI-1 inhibition on atherosclerosis formation in a murine model of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Approach and Results: LDL receptor-deficient (ldlr-/-) mice were fed a Western diet high in cholesterol, fat, and sucrose to induce obesity, metabolic dysfunction, and atherosclerosis. Western diet triggered significant upregulation of PAI-1 expression compared with normal diet controls. Addition of a pharmacological PAI-1 inhibitor (either PAI-039 or MDI-2268) to Western diet significantly inhibited obesity and atherosclerosis formation for up to 24 weeks without attenuating food consumption. Pharmacological PAI-1 inhibition significantly decreased macrophage accumulation and cell senescence in atherosclerotic plaques. Recombinant PAI-1 stimulated smooth muscle cell senescence, whereas a PAI-1 mutant defective in LRP1 (LDL receptor-related protein 1) binding did not. The prosenescent effect of PAI-1 was blocked by PAI-039 and R2629, a specific anti-LRP1 antibody. PAI-039 significantly decreased visceral adipose tissue inflammation, hyperglycemia, and hepatic triglyceride content without altering plasma lipid profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacological targeting of PAI-1 inhibits atherosclerosis in mice with obesity and metabolic syndrome, while inhibiting macrophage accumulation and cell senescence in atherosclerotic plaques, as well as obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. PAI-1 induces senescence of smooth muscle cells in an LRP1-dependent manner. These results help to define the role of PAI-1 in atherosclerosis formation and suggest a new plasma-lipid-independent strategy for inhibiting atherogenesis.

Potential effects of dietary seaweeds mixture on the growth performance, antioxidant status, immunity response, and resistance of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection.

Striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) is one of the important fish species in the world, which is widely cultured in several countries worldwide including Egypt. Aeromonas hydrophila infection showed a high prevalence in the farmed striped catfish negatively affecting its production causing economic loss. Therefore, the finding of functional feed supplements with antimicrobial activity is urgently needed. The use of marine seaweeds as feed supplements has produced satisfactory results as antibacterial agents. Accordingly, the present study was designed to evaluate the dietary effects of seaweeds mixture (Ulva lactuca, Jania rubens, and Pterocladia capillacea) extract (SME) on the growth performance, haemato-chemical parameters, antioxidant capacity, immune indices, and resistance of striped catfish fry against A. hydrophila infection. Four isonitrogenous (30% crude protein) diets were prepared to contain 0.0% (control), 1%, 2%, and 3% SME and were fed to striped catfish fry (1.7 ± 0.1 g) up to apparent satiety three times a day for 60 days. After the feeding trial, fish of each treatment were intraperitoneally injected with a virulent A. hydrophila strain and the relative percentage of survival (RPS) was recorded. The growth-stimulating activity of dietary SME was observed especially at 2% and 3% SME treatments. Similarly, haematological parameters (red blood cells, haemoglobin, haematocrit, and white blood cells) and serum protein profile (total protein, albumin, and globulin) were significantly (P < 0.05) improved, meanwhile serum alanine and aspartate aminotransferases were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in fish fed with 2 and 3% SME diets. Serum creatinine and uric acid levels revealed no significant (P > 0.05) differences among the experimental groups. Hepatic malondialdehyde and serum nitrous acid levels were significantly decreased; meanwhile hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly increased in all SME-treated groups than the control one. Also, SME supplementations significantly increased the serum lysozyme, total immunoglobulin, and complement C3 activities with highest values at 2% and 3% SME treatments. Interestingly, after bacterial challenge, fish fed SME-supplemented diet were more resistant with the lowest fish mortality (15%) at the 3% SME diet, which exhibit the highest RPS (81.9%). Meanwhile the control group showed highest mortality (85%). According to the regression fitting curve, the current study recommends using the dietary SME with optimum levels of 2.25-2.5% to improve the growth performance, welfare status, and resistance of striped catfish fry against A. hydrophila infection.

Development and greenness assessment of a stability-indicating HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of allopurinol and benzbromarone.

The growing interest in Green Analytical Chemistry (GAC) principles through the replacement of polluting analytical procedures with greener ones, has encouraged us to develop an eco-friendly stability-indicating HPLC with diode array detection method (HPLC-DAD) for simultaneous determination of allopurinol (ALP) and benzbromarone (BNZ). Effective separation was accomplished using Durashell C18 column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm particle size) with gradient elution of the mobile phase composed of 0.02 M ammonium acetate (pH 5.0) and methanol. Quantification of ALP and BNZ was based on measuring their peak areas at 251 nm. ALP and BNZ peaks eluted at retention times 4.85 and 10.30 min respectively. The proposed HPLC procedure was carefully validated in terms of system suitability, linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, detection, and quantification limits. The linearity range for both ALP and BNZ was 5-100 µg/mL with correlation coefficients >0.9999. Forced degradation conditions of neutral, acidic, and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation, and thermal degradation were applied on both drugs. Good resolution of the drugs from their forced degradation products proved that the proposed method is stability-indicating. In addition, the resolution of both drugs from about 10 pharmacologically or chemically related pharmaceutical compounds of different medicinal categories showed the high specificity of the proposed method. The validated HPLC method was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of both drugs in their tablet dosage forms. Furthermore, greenness assessment and comparison with previously published methods were carried out using two different GAC metrics, namely, the national environmental method index (NEMI) and the analytical Eco-Scale.

Analytical investigation of ternary mixture of phenylephrine hydrochloride, dimetindene maleate and benzalkonium chloride using validated stability indicating HPLC-DAD method.

A stability-indicating high performance liquid chromatography method with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) was developed and validated for simultaneous determination of phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHR), dimetindene maleate (DMD) and benzalkonium chloride (BZM) in nasal drops and gel dosage forms. Effective liquid chromatographic separation was accomplished by employing Venusil XBP Cyano column (4.6 × 250 mm, 5 µm particle size) with gradient elution of the mobile phase consisting of buffer solution of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (0.025 M) and sodium 1-butane sulfonate (SBS) (0.025 M) (adjusted to pH 6.0) and acetonitrile. Peak areas of PHR, DMD and BZM at 271, 256 and 206 nm, respectively were measured and correlated to their concentrations. Peaks of PHR and DMD eluted at retention times 3.76 and 9.06 min, respectively, while BZM eluted as a couple of peaks at 11.88 and 12.51 min. The proposed HPLC procedure was carefully validated in terms of system suitability, linearity, ranges, precision, accuracy, specificity, robustness, detection and quantification limits. The linearity range for both PHR and BZM was 10-400 µg/mL and DMD was 5-300 µg/mL with correlation coefficients >0.9999. The studied compounds were subjected to stress conditions of neutral, acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, oxidation and thermal degradation. Good resolution of the three compounds from their forced degradation products proves specificity and stability-indicating merits of the proposed method. In addition, resolution of the three drugs under investigation from some pharmaceutical compounds of different medicinal categories showed the high specificity of the described method.

Antibacterial effects of antibiotics and cell-free preparations of probiotics against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis associated with conjunctivitis.

Conjunctivitis, caused by bacterial infections, represents health concern and diagnosis of the disease is pivotal for the proper selection of the treatment. The main causes of bacterial conjunctivitis vary in different countries. The current study investigated the common bacterial causes of bacterial conjunctivitis from eye clinics' attendants and evaluated the effectiveness of different therapeutic approaches. Eye swabs from patients, diagnosed with conjunctivitis, were assessed microbiologically and the isolated bacteria were identified using the standard biochemical identification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Antibiotics' susceptibility of the conjunctivitis-associated bacterial pathogens was evaluated against nineteen broad-spectrum antibiotics. In the meanwhile, cell-free preparations from probiotic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains were used to evaluate their antagonistic activities. Findings from this study showed that out of 52 specimen, 17 eye swabs from patients with conjunctivitis were bacterial culture-positive. The identity of the bacterial species, using the biochemical identification system, was Staphylococcus aureus (4 isolates) and S. epidermidis (13 isolates). Staphylococcus spp. showed susceptibility to linezolid, vancomycin, novobiocin, and fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin). However, isolates from the two Staphylococcus spp. expressed resistance to penicillin G, oxacillin, and cephalexin. As alternatives to antibiotics, the growth of Staphylococcus spp., including isolates with antibiotic resistance, was inhibited by cell-free preparations of the 4 probiotic Lactobacillus and the 2 Bifidobacterium strains. These findings provide evidence that topical antibiotics such as fluoroquinolones are still effective antimicrobial agents against staphylococci associated with conjunctivitis whereas probiotic preparations could be promising for further research to pave the way for their therapeutic applications against ophthalmic diseases.