Antimicrobial efficacy of different concentration of sodium hypochlorite on the biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis at different stages of development

Persistent infection of the root canal due to the presence of resistance bacterial species, such as Enterococcus faecalis, has always been one of the most important reasons for endodontic treatment failure. This study investigated the antimicrobial efficacy of 1%, 2.5 % and 5% sodium hypochlorite in eliminating E. faecalis biofilms at different stages of development. In this study 4-, 6- and 10-week-old E. faecalis biofilms were subjected to one of the following approaches: phosphate-buffered saline solution (PBS) or 1%, 2.5% and 5% NaOCl. Dentin chip suspensions were used for colony forming unit (CFU) counting to estimate remaining E. faecalis counts. Statistical comparison of the means was carried out with Kruskal-Wallis test, and pair-wise comparisons were made by Mann-Whitney U test, at a significance level of P<0.05. The results showed that 2.5% and 5% NaOCl completely eliminated E. faecalis biofilms in three stages of biofilm development, whereas 1% NaOCl resulted in 85.73%, 81.88% and 78.62% decreases in bacterial counts in 4-, 6- and 10-week-old biofilms, respectively, which was significantly more than those with PBS (p<0.05). The bacteria in mature and old biofilms were more resistant to 1% NaOCl than were the bacteria in young biofilms. Overall survival rate and residual bacteria increased with biofilm aging

Biometric Analysis of C-shaped Root Canals in Mandibular Second Molars Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Introduction: The configuration of C-shaped root canals, root canal wall thickness and orientation of the thinnest area using CBCT in mandibular second molars were assessed.  Methods and Materials: Seventy five CBCT scans were evaluated. Axial sections were evaluated to determine the configuration of C-shaped canals in the coronal, middle and apical regions. The root canal path from the orifice to the apex, the thinnest root canal wall and its orientation were all determined. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey’s test. Results: The most common configurations were Melton's type I in the coronal and middle and types I and IV in the apical region. The mean thicknesses of the thinnest root canal wall were 1.94±0.43, 1.42±0.57 and 1.10±0.52 mm in the coronal, middle and apical regions, respectively. The lingual wall was the thinnest wall in the coronal, middle and apical regions and it was thinner in the apical than in the middle and coronal regions. The lingual wall was thinner in the middle third of the mesial root compared to the distal root (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: The lingual wall was the thinnest in C-shaped root canals of mandibular second molars of an Iranian population. Type, number and pathway of canals may vary from the orifice to the apex.Keywords: Biometric Identification; C-shape Root Canal; Cone-Beam Computed Tomograph

Utilizing shRNA-expressing lentivectors for viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus suppression via NV gene targeting

BackgroundViral hemorrhagic septicemia virus or VHSV, is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus that is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family’s genus Novirhabdovirus. Its major host is rainbow trout. Severe clinical symptoms and a higher mortality rate in fish populations are caused by this virus. Regretfully, there is currently no medication or vaccination available to treat it. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in developing antiviral therapies employing interfering RNA (RNAi), particularly shRNA. This study used shRNAs targeting the NV gene of VHSV to test its effectiveness in preventing VHSV proliferation in cell culture. Using the VHSV-Fil3 strain, the appropriate oligonucleotide sequence for NV gene coding was chosen for this purpose. Subsequently, shRNA molecules were designed and synthesized with the aid of shRNA design tools. The shRNAs were transfected into HEK293T cells after being cloned into the suitable vectors using the third generation of lentiviral packaging system. The CS2-2 cell line was subsequently transduced with these shRNA-expressing lentiviruses in order to challenge the VHS virus. Finally, TCID50 was employed to calculate the viral infectious titer in order to assess the effectiveness of shRNAs.ResultsAccording to the final calculations, all shRNAs exhibited antiviral activity. When compared to the control groups, the shRNAs 1, 2, and 3 considerably lowered VHSV output in the TCID50 test (nearly 99.99, 99.99, and 99.99%, respectively, compared to cells with VHSV inoculation and nearly 99.98, 99.98, and 99.97%, respectively, compared to cells with VHSV and scrambled vector inoculation).ConclusionThus, it can be declared that RNA interference (RNAi) has the potential to be an exceptionally effective therapeutic option against viruses like VHSV

Evaluation of Ca(NO3)2 and various container cell size effects on some growth attributes and nutrient content of tomato transplants

Optimizing container cell size and nutrition is crucial for enhancing the quality of vegetable transplants. The current study evaluated the effect of different cell sizes and Ca(NO3)2 on some properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants. Experimental treatment included four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L–1) of Ca(NO3)2 and 5 different cell sizes of containers (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Ca(NO3)2 and larger cell size, increased height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, and concentration of chlorophyll, protein, SPAD, carbohydrates, and macro/micronutrients. The results revealed that maximum shoot and root fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, N, P, K, Ca, and Fe concentrations were recorded at 150 mg L–1 × cell size 5. In comparison, the highest Zn and Mn concentrations were recorded at 100 mg L–1 × cell size 4 and 5. Our results demonstrated that applying Ca(NO3)2 and increasing the cell size of the containers improved the traits evaluated, so Ca(NO3)2 at 10 and 15 mg L–1 with cell size 5 can be recommended to transplant producers.Optimizing container cell size and nutrition is crucial for enhancing the quality of vegetable transplants. The current study evaluated the effect of different cell sizes and Ca(NO3)2 on some properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants. Experimental treatment included four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L–1) of Ca(NO3)2 and 5 different cell sizes of containers (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Ca(NO3)2 and larger cell size, increased height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, and concentration of chlorophyll, protein, SPAD, carbohydrates, and macro/micronutrients. The results revealed that maximum shoot and root fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, N, P, K, Ca, and Fe concentrations were recorded at 150 mg L–1 × cell size 5. In comparison, the highest Zn and Mn concentrations were recorded at 100 mg L–1 × cell size 4 and 5. Our results demonstrated that applying Ca(NO3)2 and increasing the cell size of the containers improved the traits evaluated, so Ca(NO3)2 at 10 and 15 mg L–1 with cell size 5 can be recommended to transplant producers

Intratracheal Administration of Budesonide-instilled Surfactant for Prevention of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Despite numerous clinical strategies performed over the years, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) still remains a common disease with considerable long-term adverse effects in very premature infants. This study investigated the effect of budesonide-instilled surfactant on the incidence of BPD in preterm infants.Methods: In this clinical trial, a total of 190 neonates with a gestational age of less than 30 weeks, who were identified as candidates for surfactant therapy, were randomly assigned to two groups. The control group (S) received surfactant at a dosage of 200 mg/kg for the initial dose and 100 mg/kg for subsequent doses. In cases where it was deemed necessary (n=95), the intervention group (BS) received surfactant along with budesonide, instilled once at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg (n=95). The primary outcome was the occurrence of BPD, and the combined incidence of BPD and death Secondary outcomes encompassed other complications related to prematurity and adverse effects associated with corticosteroid use.Results: Demographic characteristics of the neonates were comparable between the two groups.  Although a slight reduction was seen in the incidence of BPD in the group receiving budesonide, BPD rates remained statistically unchanged after the intervention (48.4% in the BS group vs 50.5% in the S group, P value = 0.772). The combined outcome of BPD and death was insignificantly different between the two groups (61.1% in the BS group vs. 63.2% in the S group, P value = 0.765). The addition of budesonide resulted in an increased incidence of sepsis and pneumothorax in the control group. However, secondary outcomes such as IVH (Inra ventricular Hemorrhage(, retinopathy of prematurity, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosus, and hyperglycemia were unaffected. Duration of total parenteral nutrition and hospitalization time were longer in the BS group than in the S group.Conclusion: The addition of budesonide to surfactant in very premature neonates at gestational age <30 weeks who were candidates for surfactant therapy did not prevent BPD. Conversely, it led to an increase in certain secondary morbidities such as sepsis and pneumothorax. Furthermore, it extended the duration of hospitalization

Evaluation of Ca(NO3)2 and various container cell size effects on some growth attributes and nutrient content of tomato transplants

Optimizing container cell size and nutrition is crucial for enhancing the quality of vegetable transplants. The current study evaluated the effect of different cell sizes and Ca(NO3)2 on some properties of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) transplants. Experimental treatment included four levels (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L–1) of Ca(NO3)2 and 5 different cell sizes of containers (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5) in a factorial experiment based on a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications under greenhouse conditions. Ca(NO3)2 and larger cell size, increased height, stem diameter, fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots, and concentration of chlorophyll, protein, SPAD, carbohydrates, and macro/micronutrients. The results revealed that maximum shoot and root fresh and dry weight, photosynthesis pigments, N, P, K, Ca, and Fe concentrations were recorded at 150 mg L–1 × cell size 5. In comparison, the highest Zn and Mn concentrations were recorded at 100 mg L–1 × cell size 4 and 5. Our results demonstrated that applying Ca(NO3)2 and increasing the cell size of the containers improved the traits evaluated, so Ca(NO3)2 at 10 and 15 mg L–1 with cell size 5 can be recommended to transplant producers.University of Maragheh; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlín, (IGA/FT/2024/006)University of Maragheh, Iran; Internal Grant Agency of Tomas Bata University in Zlin [IGA/FT/2024/006

Association of Paraoxonase-1 Genotype and Phenotype with Angiogram Positive Coronary Artery Disease

Funding Information: This study was supported by Mashhad and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The authors would like to thank technicians of Sina, Sadi, Ghaem catheterization laboratory and technicians of Isfahan Alzahra genetics laboratory.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

A cross-sectional study to test equivalence of low- versus intermediate-flip angle dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI measures of relative cerebral blood volume in patients with high-grade gliomas at 1.5 Tesla field strength

Introduction1.5 Tesla (1.5T) remain a significant field strength for brain imaging worldwide. Recent computer simulations and clinical studies at 3T MRI have suggested that dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI using a 30° flip angle (“low-FA”) with model-based leakage correction and no gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) preload provides equivalent relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) measurements to the reference-standard acquisition using a single-dose GBCA preload with a 60° flip angle (“intermediate-FA”) and model-based leakage correction. However, it remains unclear whether this holds true at 1.5T. The purpose of this study was to test this at 1.5T in human high-grade glioma (HGG) patients.MethodsThis was a single-institution cross-sectional study of patients who had undergone 1.5T MRI for HGG. DSC-MRI consisted of gradient-echo echo-planar imaging (GRE-EPI) with a low-FA without preload (30°/P-); this then subsequently served as a preload for the standard intermediate-FA acquisition (60°/P+). Both normalized (nrCBV) and standardized relative cerebral blood volumes (srCBV) were calculated using model-based leakage correction (C+) with IBNeuro™ software. Whole-enhancing lesion mean and median nrCBV and srCBV from the low- and intermediate-FA methods were compared using the Pearson’s, Spearman’s and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC).ResultsTwenty-three HGG patients composing a total of 31 scans were analyzed. The Pearson and Spearman correlations and ICCs between the 30°/P-/C+ and 60°/P+/C+ acquisitions demonstrated high correlations for both mean and median nrCBV and srCBV.ConclusionOur study provides preliminary evidence that for HGG patients at 1.5T MRI, a low FA, no preload DSC-MRI acquisition can be an appealing alternative to the reference standard higher FA acquisition that utilizes a preload

Microwave Assisted Pretreatment of Lignocellulose to Overcome Barriers to the Sugar Platform

This thesis examines the use of microwave irradiation for the purpose of overcoming the natural resistance in woody biomass to obtain the sugar platform. It identifies a sustainable alternative method to the current prevailing technologies

The Effect of Input-Based and Output-Based Tasks on the Intermediate Iranian EFL Learners’ Writing Achievement in Terms of Coherent Writing

The present study investigated the effect of form-focused (FoF) tasks on enhancement of Iranian EFL learners’ coherent writing. In this regard, the researchers compared the effectiveness of dictogloss (DIG) task as an output-based task and consciousness raising (CR) task as an input-based task on teaching writing coherent text. Prior to the experiment, the researchers divided 60 Iranian Intermediate EFL learners based on their scores on the Preliminary English Test (PET) into two groups. Throughout the research a pretest and a posttest which had the same format but different topics were run. The instructional treatment continued for 10 sessions which each session lasted 15 minutes. The required texts which consisted of some cohesive devices were taken from "Elementary Steps to Understanding" book, while the method of teaching, as the name of each group is revealed, was different. After analyzing the gathered data via independent sample t-test, findings revealed that significant, though, the treatment of each group on writing was, there were no significant different between the posttest of these two groups. So there were not any significant difference between the performance of CR group and DIG group on producing cohesive devices in a text