Green synthesis of Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles in Satureja hortensis Leave Extract: Evaluation of Antifungal Effects on Botryosphaeriaceae Species.

In recent years, green synthesis methods of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have been attractive because of the more facile, cheaper, and appropriate features associated with biomolecules in MNPs biosynthesis. This research represented an easy, fast, and environmentally friendly method to biosynthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) by the Satureja hortensis leaf extract as stabilizer and reducer. The SPIONPs synthesized in co-precipitation method. The biosynthesized SPIONPs and AgNPs were studied their antifungal effects against three Botryosphaeriaceae plant pathogens, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Diplodia seriata, and Neofusicoccum parvum. UV-visible spectra (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (Fe-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses were used to evaluate the physicochemical properties and verify the formation of green synthesized SPIONPs and AgNPs. UV-Vis spectra revealed absorption peaks at 243 and 448 nm for SPIONs and 436 nm for AgNPs, respectively. Microscopic and XRD analysis showed that SPIONPs and AgNPs was found spherical in shape with an average particle size of SPIONPs and AgNPs 10 and 12 nm, respectively. The antifungal test against Botryosphaeriaceae species showed that SPIONPs and AgNPs possess antifungal properties against B. dothidea, D. seriata, and N. parvum. However, AgNPs exhibits greater antifungal activity than SPIONPs. The results of the cytotoxicity tests of SPIONs and AgNPs on the MCF-7 cell line showed that AgNPs was significantly more cytotoxic towards the MCF-7 cell line, whereas no significant cytotoxic effect was recorded by SPIONs. Therefore, these biosynthesized MNPs could be substituted for toxic fungicides that are extensively applied in agriculture and contribute to environmental health and food safety.

An assessment of the magnitude, parallelism, and asymmetry of micro-implant-assisted rapid maxillary expansion in non-growing patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Micro-implant-assisted expanders have shown significant effects on the mid-face, including a degree of asymmetry. The aim of this study is to quantify the magnitude, parallelism, and asymmetry of this type of expansion in non-growing patients. METHODS: A retrospective study on a sample of 31 non-growing patients with an average age of 20.4 years old, with cone beam computed tomography images taken before and right after expansion using maxillary skeletal expander (MSE) were assessed for skeletal expansion at three landmarks bilaterally. RESULTS: Average magnitude of total expansion was 4.98 mm at the anterior nasal spine (ANS) and 4.77 mm at the posterior nasal spine (PNS) which showed statistical significance using a paired t test with p < 0.01. Average expansion at the PNS was 95% of that at the ANS. The sample was divided into symmetric (n = 15) and asymmetric (n = 16) based on the difference in expansion at the ANS, with 16 out of 31 patients exhibiting statistically significant asymmetry. CONCLUSIONS: MSE achieves distinctly parallel expansion in the sagittal plane but can exhibit asymmetrical expansion in the transverse plane.

Three-dimensional soft tissue analysis of the face following micro-implant-supported maxillary skeletal expansion.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal maxillary expander (MSE) is one of the more recent expander designs being utilized for skeletal expansion by splitting the midpalatal sutures applying forces through palatal micro-implants. Its effects on the soft tissue remain a question asked by both patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to analyze and quantify soft tissue facial changes induced by MSE. METHODS: 3D facial images (3dMD) were used to capture face scans of 25 patients generating 3D soft tissue meshes before expansion (T0), right after expansion (T1), and 1 year in retention (T2). MATLAB was then used, utilizing non-rigid iterative closest point algorithm, to align all samples in vertex correspondence and generate averages. Surface mapping of each average, along with its variance, allows for quantification of changes between the three pools of samples in 3D space. RESULTS: The generated 3D p-maps between T0 and T1 demonstrate that statistically significant changes (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) are localized in the circummaxillary area (paranasal, lips, and both cheeks). Vector map shows a mean displacement of 1.5 mm in the paranasal area. The right cheek showing a mean displacement magnitude of 2.5 mm while the left cheek has a mean of 2.9 mm. Direction of vectors are latero-anterior with more dominant anterior direction. CONCLUSIONS: There are significant changes in paranasal, upper lip, and at both cheeks following expansion using MSE with greater magnitude at the cheeks area. Those changes do not relapse after 1 year (p < 0.05).

Gummy smile and facial profile correction using miniscrew anchorage.

This case report describes the treatment of a case involving a skeletal Class II facial profile with a gummy smile. While treating a facial profile and a gummy smile, the outcome may not always be successful with orthodontic therapy alone. For this reason, surgical therapy is often chosen to gain an esthetic facial profile and a good smile. However, sometimes the patients reject surgical treatment and an alternative method must be considered. Skeletal anchorage systems such as miniscrews are now frequently used for correcting severe malocclusion that should be treated by surgical therapy. In this case report, we treated a skeletal Class II malocclusion with a convex profile and a gummy smile using miniscrews, which were placed in the upper posterior and anterior areas. The active treatment period was 3.5 years, and the patient's teeth continued to be stable after a retention period of 36 months.

In-vitro and in-vivo study of periodontal ligament cryopreserved with a magnetic field.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a new cryopreservation method with a magnetic field on periodontal regeneration in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Human periodontal ligament cells were frozen in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide by using a programmed freezer with a magnetic field. Cells were cryopreserved for 3 days at -150°C. Immediately after thawing, collagen type I and alkaline phosphatase gene expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Incisors were extracted from 15-week-old Wistar rats and cryopreserved or dried for 3 days. Then the incisors were replanted into the same sockets. Ninety days after transplantation, they were observed under light microscopy. RESULTS: There was no difference in the messenger RNA expression of collagen type I between the cryopreserved and the control groups. The expression of alkaline phosphatase messenger RNA in the cryopreserved group was slightly decreased compared with the control group. There was no progressive root resorption in the teeth that were replanted immediately (control group) or cryopreserved. However, there was widespread root resorption and ankylosis in the dried teeth. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that a magnetic field programmed freezer can be successfully used for cryopreservation of teeth.

Treatment of a case of skeletal class II malocclusion with temporomandibular joint disorder using miniscrew anchorage.

At the present time, there are no reports in the literature on the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) by intrusion of molars using mini-screws. This case report describes the treatment for a female patient, aged 19 years seven months, with a TMD and an excessive lower anterior facial height. Overjet and overbite were +5.0 mm and +0.5 mm, respectively. The patient had a history of orthodontic treatment in which her first premolars were all extracted. During the first orthodontic treatment, a clockwise mandibular rotation was observed as a result of the increase of posterior dentoalveolar height. She had temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain during mouth opening and complained of difficulty in eating due to masticatory dysfunction. The pretreatment Schuller views of both TMJ showed a posterior condyle position. In order to correct the overjet, molar relationship and the mandibular condyle position, a miniscrew was inserted into the palatal region of the upper first molar to intrude the upper posterior teeth. As the upper molars were intruded, the overjet was decreased, and a class I molar relationship was achieved by a counterclockwise mandibular rotation. After one year of treatment, an acceptable occlusion was achieved, and the condyle moved into centric position in the glenoid fossa. The patient's teeth continued to be stable, and she had no pain in TMJ after a retention period of three years. The result of this treatment showed that molar intrusion using miniscrew anchorage is effective for treatment of a TMD patient with a posterior condyle position.

A newly developed snack effective for enhancing bone volume.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of primary osteoporosis is higher in Japan than in USA and European countries. Recently, the importance of preventive medicine has been gradually recognized in the field of orthopaedic surgery with a concept that peak bone mass should be increased in childhood as much as possible for the prevention of osteoporosis. Under such background, we have developed a new bean snack with an aim to improve bone volume loss. In this study, we examined the effects of a newly developed snack on bone volume and density in osteoporosis model mice. METHODS: Orchiectomy (ORX) and ovariectomy (OVX) were performed for C57BL/6J mice of twelve-week-old (Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbar, ME, USA) were used in this experiment. We prepared and given three types of powder diet e.g.: normal calcium diet (NCD, Ca: 0.9%, Clea Japan Co., Tokyo, Japan), low calcium diet (LCD, Ca: 0.63%, Clea Japan Co.,) and special diet (SCD, Ca: 0.9%). Eighteen weeks after surgery, all the animals were sacrified and prepared for histomorphometric analysis to quantify bone density and bone mineral content. RESULTS: As a result of histomorphometric examination, SCD was revealed to enhance bone volume irrespective of age and sex. The bone density was increased significantly in osteoporosis model mice fed the newly developmental snack as compared with the control mice. The bone mineral content was also enhanced significantly. These phenomena were revealed in both sexes. CONCLUSION: It is shown that the newly developed bean snack is highly effective for the improvement of bone volume loss irrespective of sex. We demonstrated that newly developmental snack supplements may be a useful preventive measure for Japanese whose bone mineral density values are less than the ideal condition.

Fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt)-4 signaling participates in osteoclast differentiation in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces osteoclast differentiation as well as neovascularization by binding to the fms-like tyrosine kinase (Flt)-1 and fetal liver kinase (Flk)-1 receptors. The Flt-4 receptor also plays an important role in angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functions of Flt-4 in the signaling pathway of osteoclast differentiation. We examined the expression of Flt-4 on osteoclast precursor cells (OCPs), and the ability of recombinant human (rh) VEGF-D, one of the ligands of Flt-4, to stimulate the phosphorylation of extracellular-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) and to activate the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) pathway in OCPs. The number of osteoclasts induced by injection of rhVEGF-D in osteopetrotic (op/op) mice was also evaluated in the absence or presence of neutralizing antibodies to Flt-4. Flt-4 expression was detected on OCPs at both gene and protein levels and stimulation of Flt-4 by rhVEGF-D might induce activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NF-kappaB pathways for induction of osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the number of osteoclasts in op/op mice increased after injection of rhVEGF-D, but was significantly reduced by the injection of Flt-4 neutralizing antibodies. We have therefore shown that Flt-4 expressed on OCPs, might activate MAPK and NF-kappaB pathways and played an important role in osteoclast differentiation.

Clinical evaluation of a resin-based desensitizing agent and a self-etching adhesive on the reduction of postoperative sensitivity of amalgam restorations.

AIM: The aim of this randomized, double blind clinical trial was to compare three lining materials (Adper Prompt L-Pop, VivaSens, and Copalite) versus unlined restorations on postoperative cold sensitivity of class I amalgam restorations. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Potential subjects were screened for the presence of four initial class I carious lesions on posterior teeth. Each tooth was assigned to treatments according to a randomized block design. After cavity preparation, teeth were lined with either VivaSens, Adper Prompt L-Pop, or Copalite, and one tooth remained unlined and served as a control. The cavities were filled with high copper amalgam (Oralloy). The time taken for a subject to respond to a standardized cold stimulus (CRM) was recorded at baseline, 24 hours, one week, and one month after treatment. Participants filled out a self-report questionnaire at each time point. Data was gathered by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple Comparisons tests (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Twenty subjects participated in this study. Comparisons within each group found no significant reduction in mean CRM for the Adper Prompt L-Pop group (P>0.05), but a significant difference in mean CRM for the VivaSens group was observed at one week and one month intervals after restoration (P<0.05). Copalite and the unlined groups showed significant mean CRM reductions after one day (P<0.05). No significant differences between groups receiving Adper Prompt L-Pop and Copalite were found at any time point (P>0.05). VivaSens showed more cold sensitivity than Adper Prompt L-Pop at one week and one month recalls (P<0.05), while the most cold sensitivity was found in the unlined group. CONCLUSION: Adper Prompt L-Pop and Copalite reduced postoperative sensitivity to cold more than VivaSens and unlined groups at all assessment time points, 24 hours, one week, and one-month post treatment. The subjects receiving Copalite, VivaSens, and unlined restorations experienced greater sensitivity to cold at one month compared to baseline, while subjects receiving the Adper Prompt L-Pop liner experienced no greater sensitivity to cold from baseline to one month. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Adper Prompt L-Pop as a liner under spherical high copper amalgam successfully reduced cold postoperative sensitivity.

Effect of different time periods of vital bleaching on flexural strength of the bovine enamel and dentin complex.

AIM: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of 20% carbamide peroxide (CP) on the flexural strength (FS) of bovine enamel and dentin complex. METHODS AND MATERIALS: One hundred sound bovine teeth were selected for use. Blocks (2 x 3 x 8 mm) from the middle portion of the facial surfaces of each crown were sectioned from the teeth. The specimens were randomly divided into five groups (n=20) based on the time period of vital bleaching. Group 1 comprised the control group kept in artificial saliva. The experimental groups subjected to immersion in 20% CP, Opalescence, for four, six and eight weeks, respectively (eight hours daily). Mechanical testing was performed 24 hours after the last treatment using an Instron Universal Testing Machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. The results were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's test (a=0.05). RESULTS: Mean values for FS were 141.27, 103.06, 120.71, 130.23, and 117.90 (Mpa), respectively. Statistically significant differences in FS were noted among the groups. A statistically significant difference was observed between Group 2 (two week bleach) and the control. CONCLUSION: Application of 20% CP bleach for two weeks provided significant decreases in FS of bovine enamel and dentin complex. Similar decreases were not observed among the other groups.