Comparison of Marginal Fracture Between Conventional and Bonded Amalgam Restorations in Posterior Permanent Molar Teeth.

Background/objectives Dental amalgam has been a successful restoration for over a century. However, restoration failures due to secondary caries, fractured teeth or restorations, marginal deficiencies, tooth wear, and secondary caries remain significant concerns. Amalgam-bond, known for its ability to bond amalgam to the tooth structure and prevent percolation, forms a strong bond with vital dentin. This study aimed to compare the outcome of marginal fractures in bonded amalgam and conventional amalgam posterior restorations among patients at a tertiary care dental hospital. Materials and methods Sixty consecutive patients aged 25-35 years, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, participated in this study. A thorough history, clinical examination, and standardized periapical radiographs were conducted. Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups, group A and group B. Group A received bonded amalgam restorations, while group B received conventional amalgam restorations. Polishing was performed at a recall visit after seven days, and a follow-up evaluation was done after two months. The final assessment of marginal fractures was recorded after six months. Results After six months, 28 (46.7%) patients showed no marginal fractures, including 11 males and 17 females. On the other hand, 32 (53.3%) patients exhibited marginal fractures, comprising 17 males and 15 females. The clinical success rate of group A was better than group B (p = 0.001). Conclusion Bonded amalgam demonstrates a high success rate and should be a routine choice for treating carious permanent molars in dental practice.

Frequency and Types of Periapical Radiographic Lesions Associated With Pulpitis in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Objective This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the frequency and types of periapical radiographic lesions (PARLs) associated with pulpitis in patients visiting a tertiary care hospital. Methodology A sample of patients diagnosed with pulpitis, aged 18 years or older, was recruited following a convenient sampling technique. Clinical examinations were conducted to confirm the diagnosis, and radiographic evaluations, including periapical (PA), occlusal, orthopantomogram (OPG), and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) radiographs were obtained. The radiographs were evaluated for the presence of PA lesions, and the type, size, and location of the lesions were documented. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 25.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A total of 120 patients (equal gender ratio) with a mean age of 32.6 ± 6.39 years participated in the study. PA views were the most frequently performed radiographic view (86.7%), followed by occlusal views (8.3%). The most prevalent radiographic lesion was the widening of the periodontal ligament (PDL) space (34.2%), followed by PA granuloma (17.5%) and PA cyst (10.8%). The most frequently encountered diagnosis was pulpitis (51.7%), followed by irreversible pulpitis with apical periodontitis (25.8%). Education level, swelling, pus discharge, medicine history, and tooth wear showed statistically significant associations (P ≤ 0.05) with the variables under investigation. Conclusions The most common lesions observed were widening of the PDL space, PA granuloma, and PA cyst. The findings contribute to the local epidemiological and clinical data, enriching the existing database. Understanding the prevalence and characteristics of PA lesions associated with pulpitis can aid in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning for patients with pulpal pathologies.

An analytical approach for assessment of geographical variation in ecosystem service intensity in Punjab, Pakistan.

Ecosystem services (ESs) are a diverse range of environmental properties that have significant effects on both landscape characteristics and human well-being, an understanding of the spatial variation of which is required for effective ecosystem management and conservation. In this study, we aimed to identify the geographical variation in ESs and examine the factors impacting ESs in Punjab Province, Pakistan. We evaluated ecosystem service intensity (ESI) by using the benefit transfer method and investigated the spatial heterogeneity of ESIs at the tehsil level by using an exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) model and semivariance analysis. This analysis indicated that spatial distribution of ESI shows significant and optimal spatial heterogeneity of ESs, revealing several hot and cold spots for ESI transformation in the study area. The ESI decreased from east to west and north to south, with a trough in the metropolitan zones, including Lahore, Sheikhupura, Faisalabad, and Multan, which was in accordance with the land use/cover pattern. Furthermore, using geographically weighted regression (GWR) analysis, we also identified geographical clusters within which land use/cover pressure and population growth were significantly positively associated with ESI across the province, based on a lag distance scale. The findings of this study have functional economic implications with respect to highlighting areas worthy of conservation and designing ecological corridors to enhance the delivery of ESs for regional benefits.

Community structure and functional group of root-associated Fungi of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica across stand ages in the Mu Us Desert.

Root-associated fungi (RAF) are an important factor affecting the host's growth, and their contribution to Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica plantation decline is substantial. Therefore, we selected three age groups of P. sylvestris plantations (26, 33, and 43 years), in the Mu Us Desert, to characterize the community structure and functional groups of RAF, identified by Illumina high-throughput sequencing and FUNGuild platform, respectively. The effects of soil properties and enzyme activities on fungal diversity and functional groups were also examined. The results indicated that (a) 805 operational taxonomic units of RAF associated with P. sylvestris belonged to six phyla and 163 genera. Diversity and richness were not significantly different in the three age groups, but community composition showed significant differences. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota dominated the fungal community, while Rhizopogon dominated in each plot. (b) The proportion of pathotrophs decreased with increasing age, while that of symbiotrophs increased sharply, which were mainly represented by ectomycorrhizal fungi. (c) Stand age and soil enzyme activity had a greater influence on fungal community composition than did soil properties, whereas environmental variables were not significantly correlated with fungal diversity and richness. Dynamics of fungal community composition and functional groups with the aging plantations reflected the growth state of P. sylvestris and were related to plantation degradation.

Assessment of pesticide residues in flesh of Catla catla from Ravi River, Pakistan.

The levels of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate, carbofuran, and cartap which were estimated in the flesh of Catla catla sampled from ten sites of Ravi River between its stretches from Shahdara to Head Balloki were studied to know the level of contamination of the selected pesticides by GC-ECD method. All fish samples were found contaminated with different concentrations of DDT, DDE, endosulfan, and carbofuran; however, DDT and DDE concentrations were more than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) about food standards, while endosulfan sulfate and cartap were not detected. Pesticide concentrations in the fish flesh were ranged from 3.240 to 3.389 for DDT, 2.290 to 2.460 for DDE, 0.112 to 0.136 for endosulfan, and 0.260 to 0.370 µg g(-1) for carbofuran. The findings revealed that the pesticide concentrations in the fish flesh decreased in the order: DDT > DDE > carbofuran > endosulfan. After Degh fall and After Hudiara nulla fall river sampling sites were found severely contaminated. It is proposed that a constant monitoring programs are needed to be initiated to overcome the present alarming situation.

Pesticides in the River Ravi and its tributaries between its stretches from Shahdara to Balloki Headworks, Punjab-Pakistan.

The present study investigated the presence and potent source of pesticides and specific pesticide bearing effluent release points on the River Ravi, between the Shahdara and Balloki Headworks. Pakistan has banned the use of organochlorine and nitrogen containing pesticides, yet no attention has been paid to the continuous monitoring and assessment of these banned pesticides to make sure that they are not being used in practice. Levels of selected organochlorine and nitrogen containing pesticide residues were assessed in water collected from 18 sampling sites on the River Ravi and its tributaries using a gas chromatograph equipped with an electron capture detector (GC-ECD). All water samples were found to be contaminated with varying concentrations of pesticide residues. However, levels of pesticides were below the tolerance limits suggested in national and international standards. Pesticide concentrations in the water of river sites ranged from 0.034 to 0.045 microg/L for DDT, 0.033 to 0.046 microg/L for DDE, 0.108 to 0.123 microg/L for endosulfan and 0.028 to 0.040 microg/L for carbofuran. In tributaries, pesticide concentrations ranged from 0.0468 to 0.0685 microg/L for DDT, 0.0390 to 0.0637 microg/L for DDE, 0.111 to 0.147 microg/L for endosulfan and 0.0396 to 0.0631 microg/L for carbofuran. The results show pesticide concentrations in river water in the order: endosulfan > DDE > DDT > carbofuran. Pesticide concentrations in tributary waters decreased in the order: endosulfan > DDT> DDE > carbofuran. After Degh Fall and After Hudiara Nulla Fall river sampling sites were severely contaminated while, among the tributaries, Degh Fall and Hudiara Drain were severely contaminated with DDT, DDE, endosulfan and carbofuran. Constant monitoring programs should to be initiated to reform the present situation.