New evolution of cone-beam computed tomography in dentistry: Combining digital technologies

Panoramic radiographs and computed tomography (CT) play a paramount role in the accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and prognostic evaluation of various complex dental pathologies. The advent of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has revolutionized the practice of dentistry, and this technique is now considered the gold standard for imaging the oral and maxillofacial area due to its numerous advantages, including reductions in exposure time, radiation dose, and cost in comparison to other imaging modalities. This review highlights the broad use of CBCT in the dentomaxillofacial region, and also focuses on future software advancements that can further optimize CBCT imaging.

Novel coumarin-benzimidazole derivatives as antioxidants and safer anti-inflammatory agents

Inspired from occurrence of anti-inflammatory activity of 3-substituted coumarins and antiulcer activity of various 2-substituted benzimidazoles, novel compounds have been designed by coupling coumarin derivatives at 3-position directly or through amide linkage with benzimidazole nucleus at 2-position. The resultant compounds are expected to exhibit both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities along with less gastric toxicity profile. Two series of coumarin-benzimidazole derivatives (4a-e and 5a-e) were synthesized and evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity and antioxidant activity. Compounds 4c, 4d and 5a displayed good anti-inflammatory (45.45%, 46.75% and 42.85% inhibition, respectively, versus 54.54% inhibition by indomethacin) and antioxidant (IC50 of 19.7, 13.9 and 1.2 µmol/L, respectively, versus 23.4 µmol/L for butylatedhydroxytoluene) activities. Evaluation of ulcer index and in vivo biochemical estimations for oxidative stress revealed that compounds 4d and 5a remain safe on gastric mucosa and did not induce oxidative stress in tissues. Calculation of various molecular properties suggests the compounds to be sufficiently bioavailable.