An evaluation of the effectiveness of sumac and molasses as additives for alfalfa silage: Influence on nutrient composition, in vitro degradability and fermentation quality.

This study investigated the effects of sumac and molasses on nutrient composition, in vitro degradability and fermentation quality of alfalfa silage. Alfalfa was ensiled in quadruplicate in vacuum jars untreated group (A) or after the following treatments: sumac group at 10% (AS), molasses group at 5% (AM), and sumac (10%) and molasses (5%) group (ASM). Silos (n = 64) were stored for 0, 21, 45 or 60 days. The results showed that dry matter (DM) contents of the AS, AM and ASM groups were statistically higher than the control group (p < 0.001). Only on the 21st day of fermentation the crude ash content of the AS group was found to be significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). In vitro, DM and organic matter degradation values of the AMS group increased significantly (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in alfalfa silage's pH values was determined with sumac and molasses additives (p < 0.001). The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) values of the control, AS, AM and ASM groups at Day 60 were determined as 9.08%, 7.22%, 7.00% and 6.81% respectively (p < 0.05). The water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) values of all groups on the 60th day were significantly decreased compared to the 0th day (p < 0.001). When the groups were evaluated within themselves, there was a statistically significant difference between the 0th and 60th day lactic acid values. The acetic acid content of the A group on the 60th day was found to be significantly higher than the other groups (p < 0.01). There was a significant decrease in propionic acid levels on Days 21, 45 and 60 compared to Day 0 of fermentation (p < 0.001). The highest butyric acid (BA) level was determined in the A group on the 21st, 45th and 60th days of fermentation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, sumac prevents proteolysis depending on its tannin content. It improves silage fermentation positively thanks to its organic acid content, while the molasses additive is effective in silage fermentation, mainly depending on the WSC level. However, it was determined that neither additive could reduce the silage pH to the appropriate value ranges due to the low doses, and they could not mainly prevent the formation of BA.

Early Stepdown Weaning of Dairy Calves with Glutamine and Branched-Chain Amino Acid Supplementations.

The study objective was to examine the effects of supplementing Gln and BCAA on the SFI and ADG of weaning dairy calves. Holstein heifer calves (11 calves /treatment) at 35 d of age were assigned to: (1) no amino acids (CTL), (2) Gln (8.0 g/d) alone (GLN), or (3) Gln (8.0 g/d) and BCAA (GLNB; 17.0, 10.0, and 11.0 g/d leucine, isoleucine, and valine, respectively) supplementations in whole milk during a stepdown weaning scheme. Calves were weaned completely once they achieved ≥1.0 kg/d SFI. Neither GLN nor GLNB affected SFI or ADG in the first week during weaning. The GLNB decreased SFI compared to CTL, but the SFI was similar between CTL and GLN in the remainder of the weaning scheme. All calves were weaned at 50 d of age. The SFI of GLNB was lower than that of GLN, and the SFI of both GLN and GLNB were lower than CTL post-weaning. The decreased SFI did not alter ADG during weaning or post-weaning. The GLNB tended to have higher plasma leptin and lower plasma serotonin concentrations compared to CTL. Glutamine and BCAA seem to affect the SFI of calves by modulating the secretions of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract.

The comparison of calcium hydroxide + biostimulation, calcium hydroxide, formocresol, and MTA pulpotomies without biostimulation in primary teeth: 12-months clinical and radiographic follow-up.

This study has aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic success rates of calcium hydroxide pulpotomy (CH) with biostimulation (PBMT) and compare them to that of CH, formocresol (FC), mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomies without PBMT in primary molars. A total of 172 pulpotomies were performed on primary first or second mandibular molars in 94 children who were 5-8 years old. The pulpotomy procedure was performed with four different techniques. In the PBMT group, before the CH placement, 820-nm diode laser radiation was applied to each pulp-stump for 12 s (10 mW, 2.5 J/cm2). The clinical (lack of spontaneous pain, abscess or fistula, and pathological mobility) and radiographic success (lack of periapical/furcal lesions and internal/external resorption) were recorded at 6 and 12 months. The data was statistically evaluated. p value < 0.05 was considered as significant. After 12 months, the clinical and radiographic success rate (a tooth with at least one of the findings was considered unsuccessful) was 97%/92% for FC and 97%/95%, 87%/73%, and 71%/45% for MTA, CH + PBMT, and CH, respectively. There was no significant difference between the CH + PBMT and the other groups in clinical success, while a significant difference was found between CH and FC, MTA groups. In radiographic success, there was a significant difference between the CH and the other groups. No significant difference was found between the 6th- and 12th-month results in clinical success for all the groups. A decrease in success over time was seen only in the CH group for radiographic results. CH without PBMT showed the worst clinical and radiographic results among the groups. CH + PBMT showed similar clinical success compared to the MTA and FC groups. In radiographic success, CH + PBMT showed higher success compared to CH, but this success was not high as compared to MTA and FC.

Evaluating Ruminal and Small Intestinal Morphology and Microbiota Composition of Calves Fed a Macleaya cordata Extract Preparation.

The objective was to determine the impact of feeding MCE on ruminal and intestinal morphology and microbiota composition of calves. A total of 10 male and 10 female crossbred (dairy × beef) calves (6 d of age) were assigned randomly to control (CTL; n = 10) or MCE-supplemented (TRT; n = 10) groups. The MCE was fed in the milk replacer and top-dressed on the calf starter during pre-weaning (6 to 49 d) and post-weaning (50 to 95 d) periods, respectively. Calves were slaughtered at 95 d to collect rumen and intestinal samples to determine volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile, mucosal morphology, and microbiota composition. The effects of MCE were analyzed by accounting for the sex and breed effects. Feeding MCE increased rumen papillae length (p = 0.010) and intestinal villus height: crypt depth (p < 0.030) compared to CTL but did not affect rumen VFA profile. The TRT had a negligible impact on microbial community composition in both the rumen and the jejunum. In conclusion, feeding MCE from birth through weaning can improve ruminal and small intestinal mucosa development of calves despite the negligible microbiota composition changes observed post-weaning.

The effects of morus nigra on the alveolar bone loss in experimentally-induced periodontitis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evalute the anti-inflammatory effects of morus migra on experimentally-induced periodontitis in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group (C, n=8), experimental periodontitis (PER, n=8), experimental periodontitis and treated with Morus nigra (MN+PER, n=8) (50 mg/kg per day for 21 days). After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed, and alveolar bones were evaluated histopathologically and histometrically analyzed to obtain level of alveolar bone loss. The detection of RANKL and OPG were immunohistochemically performed. Serum and tissue levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 were also analyzed. RESULTS: Morus nigra treatment decreased tissue MMP-8 and MMP-13 levels and there were significant differences in the case of tissue levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 between groups PER and MN+PER (p=0.035, p=0.041). There were no significant differences among all the groups serum levels of MMP-8 and MMP-13 (p=0.067, p=0.082). In the histometric evaluation, alveolar bone loss was greater in the PER group compared to C and MN groups (p=0.035). Immuno-histochemical staining of RANKL activities were found significantly lower (p=0.037) and OPG activities were found significantly higher in MN+PER group when compared to PER group (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that systemic administration of Morus nigra significantly inhibited the regional alveolar bone resorption and contributes to periodontal healing in the rat experimental-periodontitis models.

Temporomandibular disorders and oral parafunction in children living with their parents and children living in institutional protective care: a comparative study.

AIM: This study aimed: (i) to identify and compare the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) and oral parafunctions among children living in child-protection institutions (CLCPI) with children living with their parents (CLWP); (ii) to determine whether or not there is an association between oral parafunctions and TMDs; and (iii) to examine the possible impact of stress on TMDs. STUDY DESIGN: The study was conducted on a total of 385 children who were divided into two groups: the CLCPI group (n = 184); and the CLWP group (control, n = 201). All children 8-18 years of age and living in protective-care facilities in Kocaeli, Turkey, were included in this study in the CLCPI group. The CLWP control group comprised children of the same age as those in the CLCPI group, but those in the CLWP group were living with their families and were randomly selected from one primary school, one elementary school and one high school in Kocaeli, Turkey. Each child in the study completed a questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of TMDs and oral parafunctions were higher in the CLCPI group than in the CLWP group (P < 0.05). The vast majority of participants reported at least one parafunction (CLCPI, n = 97.3%; CLWP, n = 93%). Problems related to family or friends were higher in the CLCPI group, whereas problems related to school lessons were higher in the CLWP group (P < 0.05). In both groups, positive associations were found between signs and symptoms of TMDs, oral parafunctions and stressful life events. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of signs and symptoms of TMDs and oral parafunctions differed significantly between CLCPI and CLWP groups, with children of the CLCPI group found to be significantly more prone to TMDs and oral parafunctions than children of the CLWP group.

Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Management of Postoperative Pain in Children After Primary Teeth Extraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on postoperative pain in children undergoing primary molar extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This randomized, controlled-crossover, double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 37 children requiring bilateral extraction of primary molars. In one tooth (LLLT group), a GaAlAs diode laser (wavelength, 810 nm; continuous mode, output power 0.3 W; 180 sec, 4 J/cm(2)) was applied intraorally 1 cm from the target tissue immediately following extraction. In the contralateral tooth (control group), the hand piece was applied, but without laser activation. Children and parents rated postoperative pain on the first three evenings following extraction using, respectively, the Wong-Baker FACES(®) Pain Rating Scale (PRS) and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Parents also reported if their children received analgesics. Data were analyzed using χ(2) and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Mean VAS scores were higher for the control group than for the LLLT group on the first and second evenings, and PRS scores were higher for the control group than for the laser group on the first evening, but the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). More analgesics were given to children in the control group on the first evening; however, both groups received equal amounts on the next two evenings (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, LLLT application following primary molar extraction was not found to affect postoperative pain in children.

The use of low-level laser therapy for controlling the gag reflex in children during intraoral radiography.

The current literature suggests that low-level laser stimulation of the PC 6 acupuncture points may prevent gagging. This study aimed to determine if low-level laser therapy (LLLT) can reduce the gag reflex in children undergoing intraoral maxillary radiography. This randomized, controlled, double-blind clinical trial was conducted with 25 children with moderate-to-very severe gag reflexes who required bilateral periapical radiographic examination of the maxillary molar region. Children's anxiety levels were initially evaluated using Corah's Dental Anxiety Scale (DAS) to identify any possible relationship between gagging and anxiety. A control radiograph was taken of one randomly selected side in each patient after simulated laser application so that the patient was blinded to the experimental conditions (control group). Laser stimulation was then performed for the experimental side. A laser probe was placed on the Pericardium 6 (PC 6) acupuncture point on each wrist, and laser energy was delivered for 14 s (300 mW, energy density 4 J/cm(2)) at a distance of 1 cm from the target tissue. Following laser stimulation, the experimental radiograph was taken (experimental group). Gagging responses were measured using the Gagging Severity Criteria for each group. Data were analyzed using Spearman's rho correlations and Mann-Whitney U tests. Both mean and median gagging scores were higher in the control group than in the experimental group. Patients who were unable to tolerate the intraoral control radiography were able to tolerate the procedure after LLLT. Differences between gagging scores of the control and experimental groups were statistically significant (P = .000). There was no significant correlation between gagging severity and anxiety score (P > .05). A negative correlation was found between age and gagging score in the control group (P ˂ .05). Within the limitations of this study, LLLT of the PC 6 acupuncture points appears to be a useful technique for controlling the gag reflex in children during maxillary radiography.

Evaluation of the injection pain with the use of DentalVibe injection system during supraperiosteal anaesthesia in children: a randomised clinical trial.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the use of a traditional syringe (TS) and the DentalVibe (DV) Injection Comfort System on the pain of needle insertion and injection of supraperiosteal (SP) anaesthesia into the mandibles and maxillas of children aged 6-12 years. METHODS: The study was a randomised, controlled, crossover clinical trial, comprising 60 children requiring an operative procedure with SP anaesthesia on both their mandibular and maxillary molars, bilaterally. One of the molars was treated with a TS, and the contralateral tooth was treated with the DV for both arches. On each visit, subjective and objective pain was evaluated using the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale and the Face, Leg, Activity, Cry, Consolability Scale. Patients were asked which technique they preferred. The data were analysed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Spearman's correlation test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were noted between TS and DV for pain during injection and needle insertion for supraperiosteal anaesthesia in either the maxillary and mandibular operative procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Children experienced similar pain during SP anaesthesia administered with a TS and the DV, regardless of gender and jaw differences. DV was less preferred over the traditional procedure in children.