Short-duration exposure of 3-µm polystyrene microplastics affected morphology and physiology of watermilfoil (sp. roraima).

Microplastics are one of the most widely discussed environmental issues worldwide. Several studies have shown the effect of microplastic exposure on the marine environment; however, studies on freshwater systems are lacking. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of microplastics on hydroponically growing emergent freshwater macrophytes, watermilfoil (sp. roraima) under controlled environmental conditions. Plants were exposed to 0 mg L-1 (control), 0.05 mg L-1, 0.25 mg L-1, 1.25 mg L-1, and 6 mg L-1 of 3-µm polystyrene microspheres for 7 days. The oxidative stress, antioxidant response, pigmentations, Fv/Fm, and growth parameters in the above-water and below-water parts were analyzed separately. Microscopic observations were performed to confirm the tissue absorbance of the microplastics. Exposure to microplastics altered some parameters; however, growth was not affected. The effect of microplastics was not linear with the exposure concentration for most of the parameters and between 1.25 and 6 mg L-1 concentrations. The response trends mostly followed the second-order polynomial distributions. Under the 1.25 mg L-1 exposure, there were significant changes in root length, H2O2 content, catalase activity, anthocyanin content, and Fv/Fm. There were differences in parameters between the above-water and below-water parts, and the responses of the microplastics followed different trends. Microscopic observations confirmed the attachment of microplastic particles onto newly formed roots, except for older roots or shoot tissues.

The effect of CO2 9.3 µm short-pulsed laser irradiation in enamel erosion reduction with and without fluoride applications-a randomized, controlled in vitro study.

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the protective effect of short-pulsed CO2 9.3 µm laser irradiation against erosion in human enamel without and combined with TiF4 and AmF/NaF/SnCl2 applications, respectively, as well as compared to the protective effect of these fluoride treatments alone. After polishing, ninety enamel samples (3 × 3mm) were used for 9 different treatment groups: 4% TiF4 gel (pH 1.5, 24,533 ppm F-); AmF/NaF/SnCl2 rinse (pH 4.5; 500 ppm F-, 800 ppm Sn2); CO2 laser (average power 0.58 W); CO2 laser (0.58 W) + TiF4; CO2 laser (0.58 W) + AmF/NaF/SnCl2; CO2 laser (0.69 W); CO2 laser (0.69 W) + TiF4; CO2 laser (0.69 W) + AmF/NaF/SnCl2; negative control (deionized water). TiF4 gel was brushed on only once before the first erosive cycling, while samples treated with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 were daily immersed in 5 ml of the solution before cycling. Laser treatment occurred with a CO2 laser (wavelength 9.3 µm, pulse repetition rate 100 Hz, pulse duration 14.6 µs/18 µs, average power 0.58 W/0.69 W, fluence 1.9 J/cm2/2.2 J/cm2, beam diameter 0.63 mm, irradiation time 10 s, air cooling). TiF4 was applied only once, while AmF/NaF/SnCl2 was applied once daily before the erosive challenge. Surface loss (in µm) was measured with optical profilometry immediately after treatment, and after 5 and 10 days of erosive cycling (0.5% citric acid, pH 2.3, 6 × 2 min/day). Additionally, scanning electron microscopy investigations were performed. All application measures resulted in loss of surface height immediately after treatment. After 5 days, significantly reduced surface loss was observed after applying laser irradiation (both power settings) followed by applications of TiF4 or AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution (p < 0.05; 2-way ANOVA and Tukey test) compared to fluoride application alone. After 10 days, compared to after 5 days, a reduced tissue loss was observed in all groups treated with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution. This tissue gain occurred with the AmF/NaF/SnCl2 application alone and was significantly higher when the application was combined with the laser use (p < 0.05). Short-pulsed CO2 9.3 µm laser irradiation followed by additional application of AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution significantly reduces the progression of dental enamel erosion in vitro.

Tecidual reaction of calcium hydroxide front chronic stress histological study in rats.

BACKGROUND: The Calcium Hydroxide has been widely used as an intracanal dressing and in combination with restorative and endodontic materials and its main goal is the tissue reparation. However, when the patient has chronic stress, the immunological response and tissue repair decreases in both the epithelial and connective tissue. Therefore, the aim was to analyze the effect of chronic stress on the tissue response in rats exposed to calcium hydroxide (CH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 60 wistar rats were anesthetized, and a polyethylene tube containing CH was inserted under the skin. After 24 h, they were divided into two groups: Calcium hydroxide + stress (CHSG) n = 30 and calcium hydroxide (CHG) n = 30. They were stressed by physical restraint, for 12 h each day for periods of 7, 15 and 30 days when 10 animals from each group were euthanized. The tissues surrounding the polyethylene tubes were removed, and slides were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The analysis was performed with an optical microscope with magnification of 4-400 times by a blinded senior examiner. The sample slides were classified according to the following scores 0 - absent/1 - present/2 - infiltrate to: Inflammatory infiltrate containing fibrous condensation, lymphocytes, plasmacytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and eosinophils. The data were statistically analyzed using the Student's t-test (P < 0.05) for paired samples. RESULTS: The exposure time of 7 days elicited no statistical difference between groups (P > 0.05). The 15 days exposure group had higher averages for CHG to eosinophils and inflammatory infiltrate (P < 0.05). In 30 days, CHG showed higher averages to inflammatory infiltrate and lower averages to FC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Some modified patterns of responses in the CHSG were observed at 15 days and 30 days.