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Background Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), a cross-sectional imaging technique, is valuable for clinical diagnosis and creating effective treatment plans. CBCT can precisely examine the connection between the maxillary sinuses and the maxillary root apices. Oral radiologists must be aware of all potential incidental findings and should be diligent in thoroughly identifying and assessing possible underlying diseases. Aim To determine the prevalence of incidental maxillary sinus pathologies and their relationship to dental diseases. Materials and methods In the present retrospective study, CBCT scans from 300 subjects (encompassing 600 right and left maxillary sinuses), aged 18 to 70, were gathered from various CBCT centers to represent the Tamil Nadu population. The CBCT images were analyzed using proprietary software, which provided both a panoramic reconstruction view and multiplanar reformation modules, including axial, sagittal, and coronal slices. The entire sample size was classified as follows: Group 1, age groups of 18 to 25 years; Group 2, age groups of 26 to 35 years; Group 3, age groups of 36 to 45 years; Group 4, age groups of 46 to 55 years; Group 5, age groups of 56 to 65 years; Group 6, age groups of 66 to 70 years. The prevalence of incidental maxillary sinus findings was analyzed, and their relationship with periapical abscess, periapical granuloma, periapical cyst, and breach was assessed. Results There was a prevalence of 52.05% of cases that had incidental maxillary sinus findings. Among them, 53.43% were males and 50.65% were females. Maxillary sinus pathologies were more common in individuals between 46 and 55 years, i.e., Group 4. In 300 datasets, the frequency of incidental maxillary sinus findings on the right is 21.33%, on the left is 24%, in both is 6.67%, and absent in 48% of the cases. Mucosal thickening was observed in 30% of cases with a periapical abscess, 19.52% with a periapical granuloma, 25% with a periapical cyst, and 51.79% with a breach. Polypoidal mucosal thickening was present in 32.50% of cases with a periapical abscess, 13.79% with a periapical granuloma, 50% with a periapical cyst, and 23.21% with a breach. Opacification occurred in 37.50% of cases with a periapical abscess, 20.69% with a periapical granuloma, 25% with a periapical cyst, and 25% with a breach. Conclusion Dental professionals should have a bird's-eye view in treating chronic odontogenic infections close to the maxillary sinus. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of odontogenic infections help prevent maxillary sinus pathologies.
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Introduction Determination of gender can be highly accurate with a complete adult skeleton, but in scenarios like mass disasters, only fragmented bones might be available. In such cases, identifying gender relies significantly on which parts of the skeleton are found. The mandible is a notably distinct bone in the skull and can be key in determining gender, especially when the entire skull is not available. The mandibular features provide clues that can help forensic experts determine the gender of an individual. Aim of the study This preliminary study aimed to determine the gender of an individual using mandibular parameters such as coronoid ramus height, condylar ramus height, projective ramus, minimum ramus breadth, and maximum ramus breadth. The objectives of this study were to (i) determine the gender of an individual using various mandibular parameters, (ii) evaluate the effectiveness of these mandibular parameters in distinguishing between male and female individuals, and (iii) establish a reliable method for gender identification based on the measured mandibular parameters. Materials and methods Since it was a preliminary study, the sample size calculation was done using G*Power software (Version 3.1.9.4; Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany). The sample size was determined to guarantee a 95% statistical power at a significance level (alpha error probability) of 0.05. To ensure sufficient statistical power, a total of 100 samples were included, with a projected sample size of 92. A total of 100 samples, evenly split between 50 males and 50 females aged 20 to 30 years, were analyzed. Orthopantomograms (OPGs) showing pathologies, fractures, developmental disturbances of the mandible, and edentulous mandibles were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0 (Released 2007; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Additionally, an accuracy test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression, and discriminant analysis for gender were performed on individual data. Results In this study, five mandibular parameters were analyzed for gender such as coronoid ramus height, condylar ramus height, projective ramus, minimum ramus breadth, and maximum ramus breadth showed a positive correlation comparatively, and a novel formula was developed. Conclusion According to the present study, panoramic radiography can be considered a valuable tool in sex determination (with an accuracy of 90%), and all parameters of the mandible exhibited sexual dimorphism, showing they are reliable parameters with a total accuracy of 90%. However, coronoid ramus height, projective ramus, and maximum ramus breadth played a significant role in identifying gender in this particular study.
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Background Gender determination is critical to forensic science and medico-legal applications. Given that it is the most dimorphic bone in the skull and is frequently found intact, the mandibular bone may be extremely important in determining gender. Orthopantomograms (OPGs) are quite helpful in accurately estimating age and sex in this regard. It is a laborious task for forensics to determine the gender of victims of mass casualties, natural disasters, and severely dismembered bodies. The mandible, which is susceptible to development spurts, has a high degree of accuracy for determining sex. Aim This study aims to evaluate the potential use of coronoid height and condylar height as reliable anatomical markers for determining gender. Materials and methods In this study, 100 samples were used as study samples, 50 of which were male and 50 of which were female, in the age group of 20-30 years. The OPGs were obtained using a Planmeca Promax Scara 3 Digital OPG Machine (Planmeca, Helsinki, Finland), with settings of 70 kVp, 8 mA for 0.9 seconds, ensuring a 1:1 ratio. The images were then transferred to Planmeca Romexis® Viewer Software, Version 6.0 (Planmeca Oy, Helsinki, Finland) for measurement recording. Results Descriptive statistical analysis was done for this study and discriminant analysis was also done to create a population-specific formula. Results showed that the standard mean error for males concerning condylar height was 2.3 and coronoid height was 0.7. The standard mean error for females by condylar height was 1.6 and coronoid height was 0.6. The p-value was significant for coronoid height in both males and females. The p-value was not clinically significant for condylar height in both males and females. Conclusion The study's findings indicate that a larger mandibular angle is advantageous for gender assessment and helps with gender dimorphism. Out of both the parameters evaluated, coronoid height has shown statistical significance in both males and females. Hence, the study concludes that the parameter, coronoid height can be utilized to assess the gender of an individual.
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Introduction The mandible constitutes one of the skull's largest and strongest bones. Growth spurts can influence it, and it has a variety of dimorphic traits that can be used to identify sex. In addition to observing, comparing, and evaluating the potential for mandibular ramus flexure and bigonial breadth to discriminate between sexes using digital orthopantomograms (OPG), a retrospective study was conducted to examine the validity of this method for sex estimation in the Indian population. Aim and objective This study aims to quantify sexual dimorphism by analyzing two mandibular parameters, the ramus flexure and the bigonial width, using orthopantomography (OPG). The objective is to determine the accuracy of sex determination using the ramus flexure and bigonial width. Materials and methods A total of 500 OPG images (250 males and 250 females) were analyzed using the Planmeca software (Helsinki, Finland). The ramus flexure was measured as the angle formed between the tangent to the inferior border of the mandible and the tangent to the posterior border of the ramus. The bigonial width was measured as the distance between the left and right gonion points. A statistical analysis was performed to assess sexual dimorphism and determine the accuracy of sex determination using these parameters. The study employed descriptive statistics, such as means and standard deviations, and an independent t-test to determine the significance of the characteristics in relation to males and females. Results The mean bigonial width for females was 193.3068 mm (SD = 13.51669 mm) and for males was 217.6308 mm (SD = 10.87453 mm), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.000). The 95% confidence interval for the difference in the bigonial width between males and females was between -49.97173 mm and -43.93787 mm. For the ramus flexure, the mean was 0.0000 for both males and females (SD = 0.00000), with a significant difference between males and females (p = 0.003). The 95% confidence interval for the difference in the ramus flexure between males and females was between -0.59543 and -0.12457. Conclusion The results indicated significant sexual dimorphism in both the ramus flexure and bigonial width. This study demonstrated that the ramus flexure and bigonial width, measured using orthopantomography (OPG), exhibited significant sexual dimorphism. The analysis of these mandibular parameters provided valuable information for sex determination in forensic and anthropological contexts.
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Background The study highlights the gonial angle as a key craniofacial landmark for age and gender determination in forensic cases. It emphasizes population-specific analysis, enhancing precision by recognizing variations between populations. By clarifying the gonial angle's forensic use, the study offers clear guidelines, improving forensic practices. Moreover, the gonial angle and age and gender correlations are thoroughly examined, offering important information on their forensic relevance. The results highlight how crucial population-specific research is to improving the precision and dependability of forensic age and gender estimation techniques, which advances forensic anthropology and supports forensic investigations around the globe. Aim and objective The purpose of this study is to assess the accuracy of age and gender estimates using gonial angles. The objectives of this research are to evaluate the precision of age and gender estimates utilizing the gonial angle. Materials and methods This present study comprises two groups based on age groups: Group I belongs to 51 to 60 years of age, and Group II belongs to 61 to 70 years of age. Making use of G-Power software (version 3.1.9.4, Düsseldorf, Germany), the sample size was determined. The calculation ensured 95% statistical power at a significance level (alpha error probability) of 0.05. To achieve sufficient statistical power, a total of 1000 samples were included, with a projected required sample size of 92. A total of 1000 samples, consisting of 500 male and 500 female panoramic radiographs, were meticulously selected for the study. The samples picked were within the age range of 51 to 70 years. Orthopantomograms were determined using Planmeca software (Planmeca Romexis®, Version 6.0, USA Inc.). Descriptive statistics, including prediction classification analysis of age and gender, were conducted using SPSS Statistics version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Released 2007, SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0, Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Results According to this study, the mean gonial angle of males aged 51 to 60 years is larger (124.7370 degrees) than that of females (119.6371 degrees). The female group's mean estimates are more accurate, as seen by the smaller standard error (0.20844) compared to the male group's (0.60998). A statistically significant difference in mean gonial angles between the genders is evident, with males having a larger gonial angle (p-value <0.001). In the age range of 61 to 70 years, the mean gonial angle of females is higher (128.4322 degrees) than that of males (124.0529 degrees). In this instance, the male group's standard error is smaller (0.14968) than the female group's (0.30028), indicating more accurate mean estimates. Once more, a statistically significant difference is indicated by a p-value of less than 0.001, with females having a larger gonial angle than males. Conclusion Our study revealed that the gonial angle of the mandible can be considered a reliable parameter for gender identification. The study's limitation is its inability to reliably identify gender in the subadult population and in cases of edentulousness. An orthopantomogram is a trustworthy and accurate method for taking the different measurements needed to identify the gender of a particular mandible.
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Background Dental enamel, the outermost layer of the tooth, stands as a unique and remarkable tissue that plays a crucial role in safeguarding teeth against various external factors. The examination and analysis of enamel rod end patterns on tooth surfaces, referred to as ameloglyphics, offer a promising avenue for dental identification and forensic investigations in forensic medicine, thereby enhancing the precision and reliability of forensic analyses. This paper aims to evaluate and compare the ameloglyphics of different species under a stereomicroscope. The species examined in this study include the beaver (genus Castor), fox (genus Vulpes), and human (Homo sapiens). Methods Teeth samples from each species (n = 3) were gathered from the tooth repository and examined under a stereomicroscope at various magnifications, both with and without graphite staining. Photographs were captured, and the enamel patterns were meticulously evaluated. Through the utilization of plot profiles, the enamel patterns of the different species were compared, and any discernible differences between them were carefully noted. Results The plot profiles of the three species were analyzed, revealing distinct characteristics. Specifically, it was observed that the plots of the genus Castor teeth and Homo sapiens teeth exhibited dispersed arrangements, whereas the plot profile of the genus Vulpes displayed a closely arranged pattern. Conclusions Within the confines of the current investigation, it can be inferred that every mammal exhibits a distinct and exclusive arrangement of enamel rods. Hence, the task of identifying a deceased individual through dental imprints may pose difficulties if the structural characteristics are not thoroughly comprehended.
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Aim This study aims to evaluate the non-morphological traits of the South Indian population. Introduction Dental morphological traits, also known as non-metric dental traits, exhibit variation in appearance both within and between groups. The study analyzed the non-metric traits among the South Indian population, as few variants can be grouped within the population. Materials and methods A total of 500 extracted tooth samples were collected. The dental non-metric traits that were evaluated are the cusp of Carabelli (CC), Talon's cusp (TC), shoveled incisor (SI), peg-shaped lateral incisor (PL), protostylid (PR), Dryopithecus pattern groove (DP), hypoconulid (HY), parastyle (PA), multiple parastyle (MPA), paracone (PC), Bushman's canine (BC), interruption groove (IG), tuberculum dentale (TD), tuberculum intermedium (TI), radix entomolaris (RE), fusion (F), radiculous premolar (RP), dilaceration (D), dens evaginatus (DE), and enamel pearl (EP). Results Out of 20 dental non-metric traits that were evaluated in the study, 14 traits were identified to be common within the population. The prevalence were as follows: cusp of Carabelli (52%), shoveled incisor (8.2%), peg-shaped lateral incisor (7.4%), parastyle (0.8%), multiple parastyle (0.2%), Bushman's canine (0.4%), interruption groove (2.2%), tuberculum intermedium (0.6%), radix entomolaris (39.6%), fusion (2.8%), radiculous premolar (0.2%), dilaceration (58.2%), dens evaginatus (1.2%), and enamel pearl (0.8%) among the South Indian population. Conclusion The current study was discovered to have more Carabelli traits, shoveled incisors, radix entomolaris, and dilaceration than other non-metric features. This shows that these characteristics are more prevalent in the South Indian population, which could be one of the strategies used to validate human identification in a forensic context.
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Forensic anthropology and forensic medicine both have been fascinating fields that deal with mandibular characteristics and sex determination. Researchers may determine an individual's biological sex with amazing precision by examining the size, shape, and proportions of the mandible. This information is useful for anthropological studies and criminal investigations. This systematic review aims to evaluate the consistency and validity of using mandibles as a method for gender determination across different populations. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Further, a manual search was carried out to find additional studies. Mandibular parameters and other relevant data about research were extracted from the included studies. Random effects meta-analysis was carried out for four parameters. A total of nine studies were included in the systematic review out of 76 initial search results. All studies were in vitro. Nine studies were included in the qualitative analysis, whereas only seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. A total of 2385 individuals (1193 male and 1192 female) were evaluated in the included studies. The parameters assessed were as follows: minimum ramus breadth (MiRB), maximum ramus breadth (MaRB), projective ramus height (PRH), bigonial width (BGW), gonial angle (GA), and antegonial angle (AGA). Meta-analysis was conducted for four parameters out of six. For the two parameters, meta-analysis was not conducted as only one study was evaluated. Meta-analyses of PRH obtained a high degree of heterogeneity (99%), mean difference (MD) of 4.06 mm, and p-value of p=0.09. Meta-analysis of BGW obtained 93% heterogeneity, MD of 9.03 mm, and p=0.0007. Meta-analysis of GA showed 99% heterogeneity, MD of 3.44 mm, and p=0.66. Meta-analysis of AGA obtained a low heterogeneity of 30%, MD of -0.77 mm, and p=0.23. The parameter, BGW, can be considered a useful tool in identifying sex. The parameters, PRH, GA, and AGA, cannot be preferred as a reliable tool in identifying the sex of an individual in forensic contexts.
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Background Forensic odontology has emerged as a crucial method for identifying skeletal or dental remains. Due to the restricted accuracy of current techniques for estimating age at death, researchers have endeavored to illustrate age-related alterations in dental hard tissues. Bone remodeling constitutes an ongoing and intricate process throughout our lifespan. It is believed that morphological changes in the mandible during an individual's lifetime are influenced by both dental condition and the individual's age. Objectives This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of mandibular parameters such as projective ramus height (PRH), maximum ramus breadth (MaRB), bigonial width (BGW), antegonial depth (Ant.D), and antegonial angle (Ant.A), as a gender-determining tool and compare and analyze the mandibular parameter measurements using digital orthopantomography. Methodology In this study, the total number of samples used was 500 out of which 250 were males and 250 were females. Planmeca software (Version 6.0, Planmeca Romexis, Charlotte, NC) was used and the accuracy test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), multiple regression, and discriminant analysis for gender were performed using SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Results For age estimation, the least standard error of 0.008 was observed for BGW. A maximum standard error of 0.230 was observed for Ant.D. For sex determination, the coefficient function was positive for PRH, BGW, and Ant.A, with values of 0.202, 0.805, and 0.052, respectively. Ant.D and MaRB both exhibited negative values of -0.204 and -0.379, respectively. Conclusions Out of all the parameters assessed, BGW is the most preferred parameter for age estimation and Ant.A can be preferred for sex estimation. Age and gender can be estimated using the two parameters in the Indian population.
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Background Pulp necrosis in incomplete root formation halts dentine development, resulting in larger canals with fragile walls and an open apex, complicating canal instrumentation and apical stop formation. Bioactive endodontic cements such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) are crucial for creating artificial apical barriers or inducing apical foramen closure, but challenges remain regarding their antimicrobial efficacy and cytotoxicity. Modifications to MTA formulations aim to address these concerns. Methods This in vivo animal study involved 80 Wistar albino rats, with incomplete root formation induced by pulp exposure. Rats were divided into four groups receiving different MTA formulations for apexification: conventional MTA, modified MTA, and MTA enhanced with metronidazole or doxycycline. Histopathological evaluations were conducted at seven and 28 days post-treatment to assess calcific barrier formation, inflammatory reactions, and antimicrobial efficacy. Results By day 7, modified MTA formulations exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity compared to conventional MTA (p = 0.000), with fewer inflammatory reactions and microorganisms. By day 28, modified formulations showed superior calcific barrier formation, particularly in the metronidazole- and doxycycline-enhanced groups compared to conventional MTA (p = 0.000). These outcomes suggest that modifications to MTA formulations improve antimicrobial efficacy and calcific barrier formation in vivo. Conclusion Novel modified MTA formulations, particularly those enhanced with metronidazole or doxycycline, exhibit superior antibacterial efficacy and calcific barrier formation compared to conventional MTA. Further long-term studies are warranted to validate these findings for potential clinical translation.
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Background Saliva and blood, being biological materials with a high potential for infectious transmission in dental environments, pose significant risks to dental professionals, assistants, and patients alike. Therefore, practitioners must adopt stringent security measures to ensure patient care, considering all parties as potential carriers of microorganisms capable of causing infectious diseases. Currently, various methods of disinfection and sterilization are employed to maintain the aseptic chain effectively. Having reliable methods for detecting substances in liquids, particularly body fluids, is crucial and highly convenient. Luminol, a chemiluminescent agent widely used in forensic science for detecting minute traces of blood that are invisible to the naked eye, presents itself as a valuable tool. Blood, a major bodily fluid often present in instruments following dental procedures, underscores the importance of its detection. Hence, in this study, luminol was utilized to detect blood traces in dental instruments following dental treatment, both before and after sterilization or disinfection. Objective Blood and saliva splashes, together with highly contagious aerosols, are always a part of dental procedures. The objective of the current study is to detect traces of blood stains on face shields, surgical instruments, and endodontic files using luminol before and after sterilization. Materials and methods Sample size calculation was done with G*Power software (Version 3.1.9.4, Düsseldorf, Germany), and a total of 30 instruments were selected for the study. In the present study, a total of 30 items were collected and utilized, including 14 instruments used after implant placement, 12 endodontic files employed after root canal treatment, and four face shields utilized during these procedures. Meanwhile, a freshly prepared luminol solution was applied to these instruments, and they were viewed in a dark environment both before and after sterilization procedures. Luminescence generated by luminol was observed in the instruments, indicative of the presence of blood not visible to the naked eye. Statistical analysis for both groups was done with IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 16.0 (Released 2007; SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Intragroup comparison was done using the Friedman test, and intergroup comparison was done using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results Blood stains and chemiluminescence were visualized in two out of 10 endodontic files (one #15 K-file and #20 K-files) and two out of four face shields. The intragroup comparison was done using the Friedman test, and it was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05). Intergroup comparison was done using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and was found to be statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). Conclusion Following sterilization and disinfection, there were no visual blood stains or chemiluminescence. Therefore, luminol was found to be effective in detecting blood stains in endodontic files, surgical instruments, and face shields, as well as in validating the sterilization and disinfection processes. Hence, sterilization in dentistry stands as a critical measure to guarantee patient safety, halt the dissemination of infections, and uphold exemplary clinical care standards.
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Aim This study aims to examine five mandibular parameters: coronoid ramus height, condylar ramus height, projective ramus height, minimum ramus breadth, and gonial angle, using orthopantomography (OPG). Introduction The mandible, a crucial part of the human skull, demonstrates sexual dimorphism, which makes it an important tool for determining sex in forensic and anthropological investigations. Its form and structure are relatively resistant to significant changes after death. Among all skeletal components, the mandible stands out as a primary indicator of sexual differences. In forensic investigations, establishing the age and sex of an individual is considered a crucial initial step. This process can be particularly challenging in scenarios involving mass casualties, natural calamities, or extensively fragmented remains. Due to its responsiveness to growth patterns, the mandible is adept at accurately determining both age and sex. Materials and methods This study employed a sample size of 500 individuals, split equally between males and females, with 250 participants each. The age bracket chosen for this cohort ranged from 20 to 30 years, considering that bone growth characteristics within this range can assist in sex determination. The height of the mandibular ramus was assessed using Planmeca software, and subsequent data analysis was conducted using SPSS. Results When estimating age, the condylar ramus height exhibited the smallest standard error (0.010), whereas the maximum standard error for the gonial angle was 0.028. Positive t values were observed for the gonial angle (1.182), minimum ramus breadth (0.114), and coronoid ramus height (0.733). In terms of determining sex, the gonial angle, coronoid ramus height, and projective ramus height demonstrated positive coefficient functions, specifically 0.676, 0.090, and 0.286, respectively. Conversely, both the minimum ramus breadth and the condylar ramus height displayed negative values of -0.385 and -0.126, respectively. Conclusion Among the parameters evaluated, condylar ramus height emerges as the most suitable choice for estimating age, while gonial angle, coronoid ramus height, and projective ramus height are preferable for determining sex.
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Background The challenges associated with incorporating antimicrobial agents, such as the potential diminishment of the cement's physical properties, highlight the need for comprehensive evaluations. Balancing antimicrobial efficacy with the maintenance of structural integrity is a crucial aspect of material development. The acknowledgment of cytotoxic properties associated with tricalcium aluminate, a major constituent in conventional mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), is critical in terms of long-term evaluation of treatment procedures. The primary focus of the push-out test is to evaluate the resistance of the tested material to dislodgement. Greater push-out strength implies stronger adhesion between the tested material and the tooth surface. Aim This study aims to evaluate the push-out bond strength of two antibacterial-enhanced MTAs with conventional MTA and Biodentine. Material and methods A total of five materials were tested: a) modified MTA, b) doxycycline-enhanced MTA, c) metronidazole-enhanced MTA, d) conventional MTA, and e) Biodentine. All the materials were mixed based on a predetermined powder:liquid ratio and then carried using a plastic instrument to the desired experimental design. Single-rooted permanent teeth, preferably incisors, were used in the present study. Teeth were embedded vertically in a rubber mold, and sectioning of the tooth was performed. A single operator instrumented the canal space in each slice using Gates-Glidden burs, and the mixed cements were placed in the respective groups and stored for 72 hours. A push-out test was carried out using a universal testing machine. Following the bond failure, the slices were examined under a stereomicroscope to determine the nature of the bond failure. The collected data was subjected to a one-way analysis of variance test, post hoc test, and chi-square test for statistical analysis. Results The mean push-out bond strength was found to be the highest for Biodentine (43.25 ± 0.62 megapascals (MPa)), followed by doxycycline- and metronidazole-enhanced MTAs (39.54 ± 0.65 MPa and 39.29 ± 0.16 MPa, respectively), modified MTA formulation (37.75 ± 0.73 MPa), and the lowest for conventional MTA (25.93 ± 0.7 MPa). Conventional MTA samples had an adhesive failure (89.4%), while Biodentine samples had a cohesive failure (80.3%). Mixed failures were noticed with the samples containing modified MTA formulation (71.3%), doxycycline-enhanced MTA (76.6%), and metronidazole-enhanced MTA (78.0%). Conclusion Despite not surpassing Biodentine in bond strength, antibacterial-enhanced MTAs are considered potential alternatives to conventional MTA in day-to-day clinical practice.
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Aim and objective This study aims to assess the accuracy of gender estimation using gonial and antegonial angles and determine the gender of the given samples using gonial and antegonial angles. Introduction An essential component of the human skull, the mandible, exhibits sexual dimorphism, making it a valuable tool in forensic and anthropological investigations for detecting sex. This procedure can be especially difficult in situations where there are large numbers of casualties, natural disasters, or widely dispersed remains. The mandible is an accurate indicator of age and sex because it responds to patterns of growth. Sex determination through the gonial angle and antegonial angle involves analyzing the angles formed by the lower jaw bone in individuals. Examining these angles contributed to remarkable accuracy. Materials and methods A total of 500 samples, 250 male and 250 female panoramic radiographs, were carefully chosen for the study. The chosen samples ranged in age from 20 to 30 years. Orthophantomograms were measured in Planmeca software (Planmeca Romexis®, Version 6.0, USA INC.) and the descriptive statistics (paired t-test) were performed in SPSS Statistics version 16.0 (SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Results Gonial angle for males obtained the highest value of 127.27±5.29, followed by females at 127.08±5.18. This was followed by the antegonial angle for males of 10.74±3.14, and the least value was obtained by females of 10.67±3.30. The p-value for the gonial angle showed no statistical significance for males or females (p=0.679). Antegonial angle showed statistical significance in both males (p=0.008) and females (p=0.001). Conclusion Among both the parameters considered, the antegonial angle showed significance in determining the gender of the given samples. Hence, to assess the accuracy of gender estimation, the antegonial angle can be used as a parameter.
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Aim This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the effects of ferulic acid (FA) on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme activity and amyloid beta (Aß) peptide plaque formation in an in vitro model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Background AD is a progressive neurological condition marked by disrupted cholinergic signaling, accumulation of Aß peptide, and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Currently, no direct anti-Alzheimer drug that effectively prevents the cognitive decline from AD has been reported. To combat this, a multi-target drug addressing several molecular aspects would be ideal for AD. Natural compounds are preferred over synthetic drugs due to their accessibility, cost-efficiency, and lower toxicity The proven association between polyphenol consumption and the prevention of AD has led to the investigation of the effect of FA, a polyphenolic compound, on acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity and Aß peptide formation, the key targets of AD. Materials and method The free radical scavenging ability of FA was assessed by xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Furthermore, FA was also evaluated for its inhibitory activity against AChE enzyme and amyloid beta peptide formation to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of FA. Results The results showed that FA has the potential to be an AChE inhibitor, thus helping in blocking the activity of AChE and also reducing the incidence of amyloid beta plaque formation. Furthermore, the compound also exhibited a significant antioxidant property which was demonstrated by the xanthine oxidase enzyme inhibitory effect. Conclusion From the observed results, FA has significant antioxidant and neuroprotective effects which are compared with those of their respective standards. More research is required to determine the efficacy and safety of this compound as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases like AD because the precise mechanism and degree of its AChE inhibitory effects in the brain are still elusive. A potent, selective, and effective drug is desperately needed to treat patients with AD and those at risk of developing the disease.
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Background and objective Preserving the vitality of the tooth is of prime significance during therapies such as direct pulp capping and pulpotomy that promote tertiary dentine formation and healing of pulp stumps. Procedures like apexogenesis and apexification also stimulate dentin and bone formation for root growth and closure. Conventional mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) has good biocompatible and physical properties like longer setting time, presence of a cytotoxic component, i.e., tricalcium aluminate (TCA), moderate compressive strength, and moderate antimicrobial activity. Eliminating TCA and the addition of antibacterial components would improve the properties of the cement. In this study, we aimed to assess the cytotoxicity of MTA Angelus, Biodentine, and two antibacterial-enhanced MTAs by using methyl-thiazoldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Materials and methods Human dental pulp was extirpated from extracted third molars, and human dental pulp stem cells (HDPSCs) were isolated and characterized by flow cytometry. HDPSCs were treated with MTA, Biodentine, or two antibacterial-enhanced MTAs depending on the study group. The control group constituted the untreated HDPSCs. The cell viability of HDPSCs was assessed using an MTT assay on days one, three, and seven. Results Varied levels of cytotoxicity were noticed at different time periods assessed using the tested materials, which was statistically significant (p=0.01). At all time periods assessed, the highest cell viability was noticed with Biodentine (88.7% on the first day, 80.4% on the third day, and 91.8% on the seventh day). Antibacterial-enhanced MTAs, either added with metronidazole or doxycycline, had more mean viable cells compared to conventional MTA on the third and seventh day (p=0.043 and 0.018 respectively). Conclusion Antibacterial-enhanced MTAs showed reduced cytotoxic properties when compared to conventional MTA. Biodentine was associated with the highest cell viability at all time periods.
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The outer cuticle, middle cortex, and inner medulla make up hair, which is an epidermal outgrowth. Hair is resilient under harsh natural conditions, thus it is frequently collected at crime scenes, making human hair analysis important in the forensic sciences field. It aids in the formation of a triangle connecting a crime scene, a victim, and a culprit. The aim of this study is to observe the microscopic structure of male and female human hair. Samples of hair specimens from males and females were collected. The materials used were ethanol to degrease and a stereomicroscope to observe the structural differences between the male and female hair samples. The comparison between male and female hair is done on the grounds of color, shaft profiles, the proximal and distal ends of the hair, cuticle, and surface texture, and the other found characters. This study of comparison between male and female hair specimens revealed that the hair color at the distal end is found to be brown for females while it is completely black in that of males, and the surface texture of males is found to have some irregularities while there are no irregularities in female. This study can be concluded that the structural comparison between male and female hair specimens can be used as evidence for forensic analysis at crime scenes.
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For nearly a century, hairs of animals and humans were employed in forensic research. It is found to be stable in certain environments, and thus, they are frequently retrieved at scenes of crime, and it is important to verify whether they are either human or animal. The present research was done at comparing the morphological differences among human hair and animal hair using a stereomicroscope. Samples of hair forming the outer coat of some autochthonous domestic and human remnants were evaluated in this study. Long strands of guard hair shaft were investigated by stereomicroscope accordingly. Microphotographs were taken in an iPad camera. The microscopic characteristics of cat hair samples showed the presence of small spikes on the surface, whereas the human hair sample showed a smooth appearance with no irregularities. The microscopic analyses of the human hair sample and cat hair sample under stereomicroscope suggest hair samples can be used as forensic evidence in crime scene investigation. The comparison of both the hair samples was done, and the differences were significantly evident.