Comparative evaluation of the remineralizing potential of Salvadora persica and probiotic yogurt on incipient enamel lesions: An ex-vivo study.

BACKGROUND: Salvadora persica (miswak) is known to exert antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticariogenic effects by elevating the pH of plaque after the consumption of sucrose. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of S. persica and probiotic yogurt in the remineralization of tooth enamel on artificially produced enamel lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 40 intact human premolars were collected and each tooth was sectioned longitudinally into 2 identical halves in a buccolingual direction. The buccal halves were selected for inclusion in this study, and standardized windows (5 mm × 3 mm) were isolated on the buccal surface of the enamel. The samples were incubated in a demineralizing solution at 37°C for 96 h. Subsequently, they were randomly selected for treatment with one of the experimental remineralizing solutions (S. persica or probiotic yogurt). After treatment, the samples were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and polarized light microscopy at baseline, after demineralization and after remineralization. RESULTS: The remineralizing effect of S. persica was found to be greater than that of probiotic yogurt. With regard to mineral content, S. persica exhibited the highest calcium and phosphorus levels among all groups. No significant differences were observed between the samples treated with S. persica and normal enamel. CONCLUSIONS: Salvadora persica extract has been demonstrated to effectively reduce the demineralization of enamel in experimental conditions. Furthermore, it has the potential to restore the mineral content to its original level.

The effectiveness of Moringa oleifera in the preservation of periodontium after radiation therapy: An experimental animal study.

Background: Radiation therapy produces reactive oxygen species, which have been linked to various degenerative conditions in periodontal attachment. This study aimed to assess the beneficial effects of aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract on the periodontium of albino rats exposed to fractionated gamma radiation. Materials and methods: This experimental study involved 24 adult male albino rats divided into three groups: Group M received M. oleifera leaf extract (300 mg/kg) intraperitoneally for 14 days; Group R received 20 Gy fractionated gamma irradiation; and Group MR received the same M. oleifera regimen as Group M and then fractionated gamma irradiation dose as Group R. On the first and seventh days post-radiation, bone, cementum, and periodontal ligament samples were histologically and histomorphometrically examined. Results: The periodontal ligament, alveolar bone, and cementum showed structural damage in Group R. A relative persistence of normal periodontal tissue structures was seen in Group MR, showing less disruption of the periodontal ligament and greater trabecular bone thickness than Group R. The histomorphometric analysis showed that the mean periodontal ligament width was highest in Group R7 (245.20 µm) and lowest in Group M7 (54.55 µm). In addition, the mean cementum width was highest in Group R1 (88.99 µm) and lowest in Group M1R1 (17.87 µm) and differed significantly between groups. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, Moringa oleifera leaf aqueous extract showed the potential to reduce the adverse effects of radiation, control inflammation, and support tissue healing in a rat model.

Effectiveness of a polycaprolactone scaffold combined with platelet-rich fibrin as guided tissue regeneration materials for preserving an implant-supported overdenture.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of ridge preservation using a polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffold combined with platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) to promote bone regeneration before implantation. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted at Al-Azhar University in Egypt. It included 30 participants requiring the extraction of their last mandibular premolar before constructing an implant-supported overdenture. The participants were divided into three groups: Group A was treated with a PCL scaffold and PRF as ridge preservative materials, Group B was treated with PRF alone, and Group C (control) was treated with no preservative material. Bone samples were collected for histomorphometric analysis at implant placement. Results: The participants' mean age was 65.3 ± 4.27 years, and 18 (60%) were male. Postoperative alveolar bone lengths differed significantly between Groups A and B (P = 0.001). However, alveolar bone width changes did not differ significantly among groups. In contrast, the postoperative bone density and loss differed significantly among groups (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Combining two ridge preservation techniques (PCL and PRF) enhanced participants' alveolar bone remodelling by decreasing its resorption and maintaining its width.

Possible radioprotection of submandibular glands in gamma-irradiated rats using kaempferol: a histopathological and immunohistochemical study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Salivary gland damage remains a problem despite advances in radiotherapy schedules for head and neck cancer. Kaempferol, a natural flavonoid, found in several fruits and vegetables, is a good antioxidant. This study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of kaempferol on submandibular glands (SMGs) of rats exposed to fractionated gamma irradiation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four male adult Wistar albino rats were included in this study and assigned to three groups (n = 8). Rats in group K received kaempferol orally in five doses at a dose of 10 mg/kg/2 days for 10 days. Meanwhile, rats in group R were subjected to fractionated whole-body gamma irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy/5 days/week for 2 weeks (20 Gy), and the KR group received kaempferol as group K and then was subjected to a fractionated whole-body gamma irradiation as group R. SMG samples were collected on days 1 and 7 after the last radiation session; and processed for histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations. RESULTS: The SMGs of group R showed focal atrophy and degeneration. Acini showed vacuolization and had pyknotic hyperchromatic nuclei. Striated ducts degenerated, shrunken, and were surrounded by empty spaces. The percentage of areas covered by cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) significantly increased, whereas the percentage of areas covered by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) significantly decreased compared with those in group K. Cotreatment with kaempferol (group KR) partially preserved normal gland architecture where acinar vacuolation and degeneration were almost absent; however, some ducts degenerated. A significant decrease in the percentage of areas covered by COX-2 and a significant increase in the percentage of areas covered by PCNA were observed compared with those in group R. CONCLUSIONS: Kaempferol has a possible radioprotective effect on the SMGs of rats exposed to fractionated gamma irradiation.

Modeling the artificial lake-surface area change in arid agro-ecosystem: A case study in the newly reclaimed area, Egypt.

Land reclamation is critically required to overcome the environmental and anthropogenic challenges in arid lands. The Western Nile Delta region, Egypt, is experiencing rapid reclamation processes for agriculture expansion. West Nubaria (781.92 km2) is one of the newly reclaimed areas in the Western Nile Delta. Due to extensive agricultural practices and poor management, an artificial saline lake formed in this area. Two primary goals of this research; 1) monitoring the annual change in the lake surface area between 2013 and 2017. 2) Predicting the areal extent of the lake surface in 2020, 2030, and 2040 based on two management scenarios. The maximum likelihood classifier (MLC) was applied to distinguish the LULC classes in 2017. Additionally, the annual modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) calculated between 2013 and 2017. Then, the land change modeler (LCM) was utilized to predict the 2017 free water area based on the resulted MNDWI maps of 2013 and 2016 using two scenarios. With the high agreement between the actual and predicting free water area of 2017 (Kappa index = 0.93), the LCM was applied to predict the future surface water expansion in 2020, 2030, and 2040. Three land use/land cover (LULC) distinguished in 2017; agricultural land, uncultivated land, and free water class based on MLC. The MNDWI results reveal that there was an increase in the surface water area from 593 to 883 ha between 2013 and 2017, respectively. The LCM results indicate that expected increases in the surface water areas of 1068, 1711, and 2267 ha in 2020, 2030 and 2040, respectively (scenario 1) and 1065, 1726, and 2343 ha in the respective dates (scenario 2). These extend will exist over the agricultural and uncultivated lands surrounding the lake causing land degradation. Two solutions were suggested to combat the waterlogging and land degradation in this area by evacuating the artificial saline lake.

Use of portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for environmental quality assessment of peri-urban agriculture.

Urban expansion into traditional agricultural lands has augmented the potential for heavy metal contamination of soils. This study examined the utility of field portable X-ray fluorescence (PXRF) spectrometry for evaluating the environmental quality of sugarcane fields near two industrial complexes in Louisiana, USA. Results indicated that PXRF provided quality results of heavy metal levels comparable to traditional laboratory analysis. When coupled with global positioning system technology, the use of PXRF allows for on-site interpolation of heavy metal levels in a matter of minutes. Field portable XRF was shown to be an effective tool for rapid assessment of heavy metals in soils of peri-urban agricultural areas.