Marwa A. Aleem, Eman A. Bahgat, Soad S. Abd El-Hay
et al.
Abstract Background Advancements in sensor technology have facilitated the development of cost-effective and highly sensitive sensors which have significantly improved the detection of biological analytes in various fields. This study presents a novel approach for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), a critical analyte in both biological and environmental systems. A simple and sensitive colorimetric sensing platform was developed based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers loaded with tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). Results The nanofibers were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, confirming the formation of smooth, spindle-shaped fibers with diameters from 324 to 551 nm. The colorimetric detection method utilized TMB, which undergoes oxidation in the presence of H2O2 catalyzed by Cu2 + resulting in the formation of a characteristic blue color. It revealed a linear increase in absorbance corresponding to H2O2 concentrations from 3.125 to 100 µM, with a low detection limit of 2.60 µM. The system exhibited excellent specificity and selectivity for H₂O₂ with a visual color gradient scale over common biological interferents such as glutathione, L-cysteine, urea, ascorbic acid, or various ions at a concentration of 100 µM. The new colorimetric sensor was successfully used to determine the H2O2 level in human urine from healthy subjects demonstrated excellent recovery rates (96–103%). Significance This work introduces a simple, cost-effective, and highly selective colorimetric sensor, which is capable of rapid, on-site H₂O₂ detection without reliance on complex instrumentation. Also, the electrospun PVA/TMB exhibits strong potential of nanofibers to be used as a valuable tool for medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring and other biosensing applications. Graphical Abstract
Neamat T. Barakat, Amina M. El-Brashy, Mona E. Fathy
Abstract In response to the increasing demand for sustainable and high-throughput analytical approaches, this study presents the development and validation of five innovative univariate spectrophotometric methods for the simultaneous determination of amoxicillin trihydrate and diclofenac sodium in both synthetic mixtures and combined pharmaceutical dosage forms. The proposed methods, comprising first derivative, second derivative, ratio difference, ratio derivative, and ratio subtraction techniques, were designed to address the challenge of overlapping UV spectra, offering enhanced selectivity without the need for complex instrumentation or prior separation. Each method was meticulously optimized and validated in accordance with ICH Q2(R1) guidelines, demonstrating excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, and robustness. The analytical performance affirms their applicability for routine quality control of the studied drugs in a variety of formulations. Moreover, the environmental footprint of the methods was rigorously assessed using three complementary greenness evaluation tools: the GAPI, NEMI and Analytical eco scale, all of which confirmed the eco-friendly nature of the protocols. These results position the developed methods as a cost-effective, rapid, and green alternative for quality assurance in pharmaceutical laboratories, striking a valuable balance between analytical reliability and environmental responsibility.
Sambarta Das, Monika Mohanty, Chinmayee Priyadarsini
et al.
Background:
Postendodontic pain is a common concern following root canal treatment. The rotary file system used during the procedure significantly influences this pain.
Materials and Methods:
A total of 60 patients requiring single-visit root canal treatment on single-rooted teeth were divided into two groups: group A (n = 30) treated using multiple rotary file systems, and group B (n = 30) treated using a single rotary file system. Postendodontic pain was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS) at 6, 24, and 48 hours post-treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test and independent t-test, with significance set at P < 0.05.
Results:
At 6 hours, group A reported a mean VAS score of 4.2 ± 0.8, while group B reported 3.1 ± 0.7 (P < 0.05). At 24 hours, the scores decreased to 2.8 ± 0.5 and 1.9 ± 0.6, respectively (P < 0.05). At 48 hours, both groups reported minimal pain, with mean scores of 0.8 ± 0.3 for group A and 0.5 ± 0.2 for group B (P > 0.05). Overall, the single rotary file system demonstrated significantly lower pain levels compared to the multiple file system during the first 24 hours.
Conclusion:
Single rotary file systems result in significantly less postendodontic pain compared to multiple rotary file systems in single-visit endodontics. These findings suggest that the single rotary file system may be preferable for reducing patient discomfort during the early postoperative period.
Nikesh S. Murali, Revathy Parthasarathy, Deepika Lakshmaiah
et al.
Aim:
The primary objective of this study was to compare and evaluate the fracture resistance of class V composite restorations under multiaxial loading that were reinforced with Ribbond, Interlig, and GC everX Flow.
Materials and Methods:
Thirty-two freshly extracted maxillary premolars were randomly assigned to four groups of eight teeth each. Cavities were prepared in the cervical region. Group 1 received Ribbond, Group 2 received Interlig™, and Group 3 received GC EverX Flow™ in the cavity floor, followed by composite restoration. Group 4 had regular resin composites with no reinforcement. The teeth were then tested under multiaxial loading in a universal testing machine, and fracture values were recorded.
Results:
Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA and Tuckey’s post hoc test. Statistical significance was set at P value < 0.05. GC everX Flow showed the highest fracture resistance, followed by other groups.
Conclusion:
Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that the class V cavities restored with reinforced composites considerably increased the fracture resistance of the restored teeth. In a descending order, GC everX flow, Ribbond, and Interlig are effective in reinforcing the class V cavities restored with composites.
Pre-experimental one-group pretest posttest research design was adopted to investigate the effectiveness of Brassica juncea (mustard) plaster on reduction of knee pain and inability among 60 geriatrics with osteoarthritis. The inability was assessed using the Western Ontario McMaster University (WOMAC) Index, which includes 24 parameters under three major headings: joint pain, joint stiffness, and difficulty in performing daily activities, and the severity of pain level was assessed using a numerical pain rating scale. Mustard plaster is applied against the knee for 15 minutes once a day for seven days. On day 8, study participants were re-assessed using the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index in the interventional group. The pretest mean score of pain was 77.80 ± 5.65, and the posttest mean score was 38.88 ± 11.76. The mean difference score was 38.92. The calculated paired ‘t’ test value of t = 24.428 was statistically significant at P < 0.001 level.
Narendra Patel, Rishi Thukral, Heeralal Chokotiya
et al.
Objective:
The goal of this investigation is to assess the palatal rugae patterns in male and female participants from the Bhopal Division population.
Material and Methods:
A randomly selected cohort of 104 individuals, consisting of 47 males and 57 females, was included in the study. Both metric and non-metric characteristics of the palatal rugae were documented and analyzed using two-sample t-tests and chi-square tests, with a significance threshold set at 5%.
Results:
No significant difference was observed in the total number of rugae between genders. However, the mean number of primary rugae was significantly higher in males (P = 0.038). In contrast, females exhibited a higher mean number of vertical (P < 0.001) and fragmentary rugae (P = 0.004), with these differences achieving statistical significance.
Conclusion:
The rugae pattern demonstrates potential as a gender-differentiating characteristic, serving as a supplementary method to traditional techniques such as cranial anthropometry and dental analysis.
Objectives: The current study aimed to conduct a phytochemical screening of commonly known fruit red grape ( Vitis vinifera L.) seed methanolic extract through gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to identify the bioactive compounds responsible for its health benefits and evaluate the pharmacological potentialities of the extract and its fractions against oxidation, inflammation, pain, and diarrhea. Methods: The in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic characteristics of methanolic extracts and various solvent fractions of V. vinifera were evaluated using the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, membrane stabilizing, and brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Furthermore, the study assessed the effects of crude extracts (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of body weight) on pain relief and reduction of diarrhea in animals using methods such as tail immersion, the acetic acid-induced writhing technique, and a diarrheal mouse model induced with castor oil. Results: A total of 73 phytoconstituents were predominantly found in the seed extract based on the GC-MS analysis. Among the identified compounds, 9-octadecenamide (13.7%), and ( 9E,11E )-octadeca-9,11-dienoate (11.07%) are most abundant. Several notable constituents, such as gamma-sitosterol, stigmasterol, paromomycin, 4,6-cholestadienol, gamma-tocotrienol, 24-Propylidenecholest-5-en-3beta-ol, and alpha-tocopherol acetate, are also present. The methanolic extract of V. vinifera seed and its different solvent fractions showed promising antioxidant properties (IC 50 = 1.19-17.42 µg/mL) compared to the standard antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (IC 50 = 20.46 µg/mL). Aqueous soluble fraction exerted inhibition of nearly 50% heat-induced hemolysis compared to the standard acetylsalicylic acid (42%). Besides, all the tested doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg bw) of the crude extract showed significant ( P < .05) analgesic and antidiarrheal effects. Conclusion: The current findings endorsed the health benefits of V. vinifera by revealing potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidiarrheal effects. Nevertheless, further in-depth analysis of the plant’s chemical constituents and pharmacological effects on health is warranted for novel drug discovery from V. vinifera .
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
Supada Khonyoung, Praphatsorn Mangkronkaew, Puttaporn Klayprasert
et al.
In order to identify carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in serum samples, an innovative smartphone-based, label-free electrochemical immunosensor was created without the need for additional labels or markers. This technology presents a viable method for on-site cancer diagnostics. The novel smartphone-integrated, label-free immunosensing platform was constructed by nanostructured materials that utilize the layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique, allowing for meticulous control over the interface. Detection relies on direct interactions without extra tagging agents, where ordered graphene oxide (GO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) were sequentially deposited onto a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), designated as CuONPs/CNTs/GO/SPCE. This significantly amplifies the electrochemical signal, allowing for the detection of low concentrations of target molecules of CEA. The LBL approach enables the precise construction of multi-layered structures on the sensor surface, enhancing their activity and optimizing the electrochemical performance for CEA detection. These nanostructured materials serve as efficient carriers to significantly increase the surface area, conductivity, and structural support for antibody loading, thus improving the sensitivity of detection. The detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in this electrochemical immunosensing transducer is based on a decrease in the current response of the [Fe(CN)<sub>6</sub>]<sup>3−/4−</sup> redox probes, which occurs in proportion to the amount of the immunocomplex formed on the sensor surface. Under the optimized conditions, the immunosensor exhibited good detection of CEA with a linear range of 0.1–5.0 ng mL<sup>−1</sup> and a low detection limit of 0.08 ng mL<sup>−1</sup>. This label-free detection approach, based on signal suppression due to immunocomplex formation, is highly sensitive and efficient for measuring CEA levels in serum samples, with higher recovery ranges of 101% to 112%, enabling early cancer diagnosis. The immunosensor was successfully applied to determine CEA in serum samples. This immunosensor has several advantages, including simple fabrication, portability, rapid analysis, high selectivity and sensitivity, and good reproducibility with long-term stability over 21 days. Therefore, it has the potential for point-of-care diagnosis of lung cancer.
MV Sunil Kumar, Rajesh Kumar, Ravindher Singh Saini
et al.
Background:
Digital manufacturing techniques such as milling (subtractive) and 3D printing (additive) are increasingly used in dental restorations. These technologies promise enhanced precision and efficiency compared to traditional methods. However, the accuracy of marginal and internal fits of crowns produced by these techniques remains under-explored.
Objective:
To evaluate and compare the marginal and internal fit of dental crowns fabricated using two digital manufacturing techniques: Milling (subtractive) and 3D printing (additive).
Materials and Methods:
A maxillary first molar was replicated to create seven representative dies for each technique. Crowns were fabricated using both milling and 3D printing methods. The fit of the crowns was assessed using the silicone replica technique, measuring occlusal, axial, marginal gaps, and internal fit.
Results:
3D printing demonstrated the most precise fit across all measurement points, with significantly smaller discrepancies compared to milling. The two-way ANOVA analysis confirmed a significant effect of the fabrication method on marginal and internal gaps, highlighting the superior performance of 3D printing. However, the silicone replica technique revealed fewer significant differences between the two methods.
Conclusion:
3D printing offers enhanced precision and consistency in crown fabrication compared to milling. Despite promising results, further research is necessary to confirm the long-term efficacy and cost-effectiveness of these techniques. Future studies should focus on larger clinical cohorts to validate these findings.
B Mohammed Ajmal, P B Dhyan Kushalappa, Saadath Afzaa S. Ahamed
et al.
Context: Repaired denture prosthesisdemands adequate transverse and impact strength. A new repairdenture base resin- “Lukafix” require to fulfil these criteria. Aims: This study evaluates and compares the transverse and impact strength of heat polymerizing, auto polymerizing and LUKAfix denture resin. Methods and Material: 20 specimens were control(without repair), and other were test specimens which were fractured and repaired with heat polymerized PMMA resin, chemically polymerized PMMA resin and LUKAfix light polymerizing denture resin. Each group wasdivided in two subgroups. Subgroup A was subjected to transverse strength test and subgroup B to impact strength test. Statistical Analysis Used: One way ANOVA was used to identify the mean difference among the four groups. Post-Hoc-Bonferroni was done to observe the difference between the groups. Results: Maximum transverse strength was observed in specimens repaired with heat polymerized (48.33 ± 9.19) and least in LUKAfix denture resin (6.56 ± 1.15). Also, impact strength was maximum for heat polymerized (3.64 ± 0.41) followed by LUKAfix denture resin (2.34 ± 0.44). Conclusions: Repair with LUKAfix denture resin resulted inferior transverse and impact strength as compared to heat polymerized PMMA resin.
Ahmed Faried Abdel Hakiem, Idoia Urriza-Arsuaga, Javier L. Urraca
An accurate and simple screening method has been developed for the determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. Carbon dots were synthesized by simple hydrothermal treatment as highly fluorescent nano-sensors. They were subsequently used in the synthesis of organic-based molecularly imprinted polymers to develop fluorescence-based polymeric composites using enoxacin as a representative dummy template molecule of fluoroquinolones. The method was optimized concerning the pH of the medium and composite concentration. The normalized fluorescence intensity showed efficient quenching under optimized conditions upon successive addition of the template, with an excellent correlation coefficient. The proposed method was applied to eight other fluoroquinolones, exhibiting, in all cases, good correlation coefficients (0.65–0.992) within the same linearity range (0.03–2.60 mg mL<sup>−1</sup>). Excellent detection and quantification limits were been obtained for the target analytes down to 0.062 and 0.186 mg L<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. All studied analytes showed no interference with enrofloxacin, the most commonly used veterinary fluoroquinolone, with a percentage of cross-reactivity varying from 89.00 to 540.00%. This method was applied successfully for the determination of enrofloxacin in three different types of meat samples: beef, pork, and chicken, with good recoveries varying from 70 to 100% at three levels. This new procedure is an easy analytical method that can be useful as a screening method for monitoring the environmental hazard of fluoroquinolones in quality control laboratories.
Anna Grzeczkowicz, Agata Lipko, Angelika Kwiatkowska
et al.
The study of the surface of membrane coatings constructed with adsorbed coronavirus (COV) was described to test their suitability for the antiviral activity for application in personal protective and medical equipment. The nanocoating based on polyethyleneimine (PEI) or polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) with metallic nanoparticles incorporated was investigated using the AFM technique. Moreover, the functioning of human lung cells in a configuration with the prepared material with the adsorbed coronavirus was studied using microscopic techniques and flow cytometry. The mean values of the percentage share of viable cells compared with the control differed by a maximum of 22%. The results showed that PEI and PSS membrane layer coatings, modified with chosen metallic nanoparticles (AuNPs, AgNPs, CuNPs, FeNPs) that absorb COV, could support lung cells’ function, despite the different distribution patterns of COV on designed surfaces as well as immobilized lung cells. Therefore, the developed membrane nanocoatings can be recommended as material for biomedical applications, e.g., medical equipment surfaces to reduce coronavirus spreading, as they adsorb COV and simultaneously maintain the functioning of the eukaryotic cells.
A new approach for the botanical origin determination of monofloral bee honey is developed. The methodology combines mineral content and physicochemical parameters determination with intelligent statistics such as self-organizing maps (SOMs). A total of 62 monofloral bee honey samples were analysed, including 31 linden, 14 rapeseed, 13 sunflower, and 4 acacia. All of them were harvested in 2018 and 2019 from trusted beekeepers, after confirming their botanical origin, using melissopalynological analysis. Nine physicochemical parameters were determined, including colour, water content, pH, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, diastase activity, specific optical rotation, invertase activity, and proline. The content of thirty chemical elements (Ag, Al, As, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, In, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, Te, V, and Zn) was measured using ICP-OES, ICP-MS, and FAAS as instrumental techniques. The visualisation of the SOMs shows an excellent separation of honey samples in five well-defined clusters—linden, rapeseed, acacia, sunflower, and polyfloral honey—using the following set of 16 descriptors: diastase activity, hydroxymethylfurfural content, invertase activity, pH, specific optical rotation, water content, Al, B, Cr, Cs, K, Na, Ni, Rb, V, and Zn.
Miquel Saumell-Esnaola, Sergio Barrondo, Gontzal García del Caño
et al.
Numerous studies have investigated the roles of the type 1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1) in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons. Here, we used the cell-type-specific CB1 rescue model in mice to gain insight into the organizational principles of plasma membrane targeting and Gαi/o protein signalling of the CB1 receptor at excitatory and inhibitory terminals of the frontal cortex and hippocampus. By applying biochemical fractionation techniques and Western blot analyses to synaptosomal membranes, we explored the subsynaptic distribution (pre-, post-, and extra-synaptic) and CB1 receptor compartmentalization into lipid and non-lipid raft plasma membrane microdomains and the signalling properties. These data infer that the plasma membrane partitioning of the CB1 receptor and its functional coupling to Gαi/o proteins are not biased towards the cell type of CB1 receptor rescue. The extent of the canonical Gαi/o protein-dependent CB1 receptor signalling correlated with the abundance of CB1 receptor in the respective cell type (glutamatergic versus GABAergic neurons) both in frontal cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes. In summary, our results provide an updated view of the functional coupling of the CB1 receptor to Gαi/o proteins at excitatory and inhibitory terminals and substantiate the utility of the CB1 rescue model in studying endocannabinoid physiology at the subcellular level.
Surface modification of carbon dots can lower the detection limit of trace analysis which is challenging in analytical chemistry and environmental analysis.