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Background To guarantee a passive fit, full arch implant supported prostheses require scrupulous impressions. The accuracy of conventional and digital impressions is still up for debate, despite several studies comparing both acquisition techniques. The present study aimed to compare mandibular full arch implant impressions by assessing the vertical misfit of implant supported frameworks obtained through conventional and digital impressions. Methods To simulate the “All-on-4” scenario, a completely edentulous epoxy mandibular reference model was prepared with the installment of two straight implants in the anterior region and two 30-degree angled implants in the posterior region. Two acquisition techniques were evaluated: the conventional impression technique (CI group, n  = 11) with open tray splinted impression copings using vinyl siloxane ether (VSXE) impression and the digital impression technique (DI group, n  = 11) using Medit i-700 intraoral scanner (IOS). To create virtual models, the Medit T-Series laboratory scanner was used to scan the models created by the CI group. Scans obtained from both groups were saved as STL files for framework design. Screw retained bars ( n  = 22) were designed on the virtual models and then machined in cobalt chromium. The frameworks fabricated using both impressions were screwed to the reference model, evaluated using the Sheffield test, and the vertical misfits were analyzed under a stereomicroscope at 80× magnification. Comparisons between the two study groups were performed using independent samples t-test, and the average vertical misfits of each multi-unit abutment in each group were compared by using the ANOVA test followed by a Post Hoc test (adjusted Bonferroni) for pairwise comparison. At P  <.05, statistical significance was assessed. Results When tightening the screw at multi-unit abutment #45, the vertical misfits of the frameworks manufactured by DI group (82.34 ± 5.05 μm) were lower than those of the CI group (91.09 ± 6.29 μm) with significant difference at P  =.002, while no statistical significant difference was reported in the average vertical misfit between the CI group (43.60 ± 11.93 μm) and the DI group (43.90 ± 5.31 μm) ( P  =.940) while securing the screw at multi-unit abutment #35. Conclusions Achieving a passive fit for implant supported frameworks in completely edentulous patients is quite challenging. A fully digital workflow offers a steadfast alternative to conventional methods with vertical misfits that differ based on the impression technique, though these differences are typically not statistically significant.

Background Accurate impression registration is essential for transferring the three-dimensional (3D) implant position to the definitive cast, ensuring passivity of the final prosthesis. Various impression techniques have been developed to optimize accuracy, particularly for angulated implants. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the accuracy of open-tray impression copings, clips impression copings, and hexed implant mounts in transferring implant positions for both straight and angulated implants. Methods Five implants with different angulations (three at 0°, one at 15°, and one at 25°) were placed in an epoxy resin model, reflecting angulations commonly encountered in clinical practice. Thirty impressions were made using three types of impression copings: open-tray, clips (closed-tray), and hexed implant mounts (closed-tray), with ten impressions per group. Impressions were poured, and CBCT scans of the reference model and casts were obtained. The resulting DICOM files were converted to STL format using reverse engineering software to evaluate implant position accuracy based on shoulder deviation, apical deviation, angular deviation, and vertical shift. A significance level of p  < 0.05 was set. One-way ANOVA and post hoc tests were performed; Tukey’s HSD was applied when variance homogeneity was met, while the Games-Howell test was used when this assumption was violated. Results The study revealed that among the three coping types, the hexed implant mount demonstrated significantly higher angular deviation ( p  < 0.001), apical deviation ( p  = 0.003), and vertical shift ( p  < 0.001) for 25° angulated implants compared to the open-tray and clips copings. There were no significant differences between the open-tray and clips groups at this angulation. At 15° angulation, the hexed implant mount showed a significantly greater vertical shift ( p  = 0.011) compared to the open-tray coping, while no significant difference was observed between the clips and open-tray copings. For straight implants (0° angulation), all three coping types—open-tray, clips, and hexed implant mounts—showed no significant differences in any measured parameter. Conclusions Open-tray and clips impression copings provide reliable implant position transfer for straight and angulated implants up to 25°. The hexed implant mount is accurate up to 15° angulation but shows increased deviations at 25°.

Background This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of using different wavelengths and powers of laser on the surface topography of titanium implants, and to investigate their efficacy in removal of the biofilm complex from the implant surface. Methods Ten titanium implants, consisting of five new and five failed implants, were randomized and divided into five separate test groups; (Group 1) Erbium Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) 2780 nm, (Group 2) Erbium-doped: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Er: YAG) 2940 nm, (Group 3) Neodymium-doped: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Nd: YAG) 1064 nm, (Group 4) Diode 940 nm, and (Group 5) Diode 445 nm. Each test group consisted of two implants; one new and one failed implant. A total of 160 implant sites were irradiated. Each area was scanned using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) prior to and following laser irradiations. A descriptive analysis was conducted by summarizing the data in terms of frequencies and percentages. Pearson Chi Square test and Fisher’s Exact test were used for comparison between different laser type and laser power intensities. The significance level was set at P  < .05. Results Within the parameters under investigation, both Er, Cr: YSGG and Er: YAG lasers displayed no to minimal alterations in surface topography across the different power intensities. Nd: YAG and Diode lasers showed more evident alterations at high power intensities; with Nd: YAG resulting the most prominent damage to the implant surface. Regarding efficacy in removal of biofilm, Er, Cr: YSGG and Er: YAG lasers consistently exhibited positive results across all different power intensities under investigation. In comparison, Nd: YAG and Diode lasers showed inferior efficacy in biofilm removal at low power intensities with significant power-dependent improvements. Conclusions Er, Cr: YSGG and Er: YAG lasers present superior implant decontamination potential without causing notable implant surface alterations. Diode (940 nm) laser can be used at low power intensities without causing detrimental effects. Nd: YAG and Diode (445 nm) lasers are able to disrupt the biofilm complex but can induce more evident implant surface damage. Trial registration This is not a human subject research.

Background Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is an epidemic condition that compromises various consequences. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation on exercise capacity in patients with post COVID-19 syndrome. Methods The study was designed as a randomized control trial. A total of sixty-eight patients with post COVID-19 syndrome complaining of fatigue, dyspnea, and exercise intolerance participated in this study. Their ages ranged from 40 to 70 years old. The patients were randomly classified into two equal groups. The control group received usual medical care only, whereas the rehabilitation group received a selected home-based pulmonary rehabilitation exercise program plus the same usual medical care. The Physical Fitness Index (PFI), Chalder fatigue index, SF-36 questionnaire, dyspnea scale, and six-minute walk test (6 MWT) were measured before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Results The rehabilitation group showed a significant lower mean of Chalder fatigue (11.1 ± 0.94) and a higher mean of 6MWT (439.7 ± 25.3) and PFI (52.3 ± 10.2), in addition to a higher mean of the SF-36 Questionnaire (66.4 ± 3.7) and a significant improvement of dyspnea in the mMRC score (26.7%), grade 2, (63.3%), grade 1 (10%), and grade 0 with a p-value < 0.001 when compared to the control group. Conclusion Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation (HBPR) for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome is effective and has a potential direct influence on exercise capacity, fatigue, dyspnea, and quality of life. HBPR could be considered an adjunctive, applicable, and low-cost therapy for patients with post COVID-19 syndrome. Trial registration: The study was registered in Pan African Clinical Trial Registry as a clinical trial ID (PACTR202111640499636), November 2021.

With increasing life expectancy, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other types of age-associated dementia are on the rise worldwide. Treatment approaches for dementia are insufficient and novel therapies are not readily available. In this context repurposing of established drugs appears attractive. A well-established class of cardiovascular drugs, which targets the angiotensin II system, is such a candidate, which currently undergoes a paradigm shift with regard to the potential benefit for treatment of neurodegenerative symptoms. In search for additional evidence, we subjected aged rats to chronic unpredictable mild stress, which is known to enhance the development of AD-related neuropathological features. We report here that four weeks of chronic mild stress induced a strong upregulation of the hippocampal angiotensin-converting enzyme (Ace) at gene expression and protein level. Concomitantly, tau protein hyperphosphorylation developed. Signs of neurodegeneration were detected by the significant downregulation of neuronal structure proteins such as microtubule-associated protein 2 (Map2) and synuclein-gamma (Sncg). Ace was involved in neurodegenerative symptoms because treatment with the brain-penetrating ACE inhibitor, captopril, retarded tau hyperphosphorylation and signs of neurodegeneration. Moreover, ACE inhibitor treatment could counteract glutamate neurotoxicity by preventing the downregulation of glutamate decarboxylase 2 (Gad2). Taken together, ACE inhibition targets neurodegeneration triggered by environmental stress.

The effect of tacrolimus (TAC) on oxidative stress after kidney transplantation (KT) is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of TAC trough levels of oxidative stress status in Tunisian KT patients during the post-transplantation period (PTP). A prospective study including 90 KT patients was performed. TAC whole-blood concentrations were measured by the microparticle enzyme immunoassay method and adjusted according to the target range. Plasma levels of oxidants (malondialdehyde (MDA) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP)) and antioxidants (ascorbic acid, glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)) were measured using spectrophotometry. The subjects were subdivided according to PTP into three groups: patients with early, intermediate, and late PT. According to the TAC level, they were subdivided into LL-TAC, NL-TAC, and HL-TAC groups. A decrease in MDA levels, SOD activity, and an increase in GSH levels and GPx activity were observed in patients with late PT compared to those with early and intermediate PT (  < 0.05). Patients with LL-TAC had lower MDA levels and higher GSH levels and GPx activity compared with the NL-TAC and HL-TAC groups (  < 0.05). Our results have shown that in KT patients, despite the recovery of kidney function, the TAC reduced but did not normalize oxidative stress levels in long-term therapy, and the TAC effect significantly depends on the concentration used.

In this study, a multifunction polymeric adhesion promoter and anti-aging compound based on the triethanolamine salt of acrylamide acrylic acid copolymer (COS) was prepared and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The impact of different COS contents on the tensile, adhesion, and thermal properties of NBR composite and NBR/PET sandwich was evaluated. The NBR composites containing COS displayed good retention of their mechanical properties with increasing thermal ageing time, while the composite without COS showed a decrease in its mechanical properties. The highest tensile strength (17.5 MPa with a retention value of 0.6%) after 7 days of thermal aging was recorded for NBR composite, which contains 5 phr (parts per hundred parts of rubber) of COS (COS 5), compared to NBR composite without COS (COS 0), which recorded 15.1 MPa with a retention value of -27.4%. In addition, the COS 5 composite displayed an improvement in peel strength of 16.4% compared to the COS 0. The results of the thermogarvemetric analysis (TGA) supported the anti-thermal ageing effect of COS, where the initial decomposition temperature (Ti) value increased by 11.7 and 9.3 °C, after addition of 5 and 10 phr of COS to NBR composite, respectively. In addition, the other thermogravemetric parameters investigated displayed a significant increase in their values, which confirms the improvement in thermal stability of NBR composite in the presence of COS. Also, the air permeability of the PET/NBR sandwich decreased by 80% after the addition of 7.5 phr of COS.

Background Germplasm identification is an essential connection linking the conservation and exploitation of crop genetic resources in several plant breeding programs. This study highlights the biochemical and molecular variations in a collection of pumpkin genotypes representing four climate zones. The information could help improve germplasm management and sustainable exploitation of the neglected genotypes. Methods and results Chemical characterization and genetic diversity among nine Egyptian landraces of pumpkin ( Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) were estimated using Diode Array (DDA) Near Infra-Red (NIR) technology and the Inter simple Sequence Repeat markers (ISSR). Pumpkin seeds were collected from various geographical parts of Egypt. The spectroscopic properties of pumpkin seeds were used to quantify the fat, moisture, protein, ash, fiber, and total carbohydrate contents. The ten ISSR primers generated a total number of 46 genotype-specific bands, and the total polymorphism produced in the tested landraces was 63.58%. Based on the ISSR data, the polymorphism analysis divided the nine pumpkin landraces into two main groups, two subgroups, and four sub subgroups. The most diverse pumpkin landraces were Alexandria and Sohag, with a similarity percentage of 49.6%. However, the highest calculated similarity value was 88.3% between Matruh and Gharbia. The resultant genotype-specific bands can be used as markers for future genotypic characterization of pumpkins. Conclusions The study results could be helpful in the chemical phenotypic characterization and the parental selection and planning for future breeding programs for pumpkin improvement.

This study evaluated the impact of night frost incidents on the biochemical, physiological, and reproductive functions of the olive varieties Manzanillo, Coratina, Koroneiki, and Picual. Certain cultivars were more suited to moderate cold night stress than others, based on the changes in the performance of the stressed plants, including vegetative growth, tree yield, fruit physical characteristics, and fruit chemical characteristics. Compared to other tested cultivars, the biochemical responses of the plants in terms of photosynthetic pigments, relative water content (RWC), total phenolic compounds, total flavonoid, and antioxidant enzyme accumulation demonstrated that some cultivars could withstand the applied stress. The conclusion that some cultivars responded differently to cold stress than others was supported by the plant phenology. This research could be a game-changer for farmers. By understanding how olive trees adapt to cold snaps, a common stressor in open fields, they can make informed decisions about breeding and choosing the best cultivars, ultimately leading to more resilient crops. The results showed that all tested olive tree cultivars differ significantly regarding cold stress conditions. Coratina and Koroneiki were the most resistant tested cultivars in terms of biochemical, physiological, and reproductive functions, followed in ascending order by Manzanello and Picual.

Background This study aimed to compare the effects of high-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in treating consequences of osteoporosis in hemiparetic patients. Methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted on hemiplegic patients with osteoporosis. They were randomly classified into three equal groups ( n  = 40 in each group). The control group received medication and traditional physiotherapy programs for stroke patients. The high-intensity laser (HIL) group received the same intervention as the control group in addition to high-intensity laser therapy. The shock wave (SW) group received the same intervention as the control group in addition to shock wave therapy. The three groups received an intervention that lasted 3 sessions/week for 12 weeks). All groups were assessed before and after therapy for the degree of pain, fall risk, and quality of life. Results A statistically significant difference ( p  < 0.05) was found concerning VAS, which had a significant difference in favor of HILT and ESWT groups compared to the control group; however, no significant difference was determined between HIL and SW groups. Regarding the overall stability index, SFBBS, and QUALEFFO-41, there was a significant difference in favor of HIL and SW groups compared to the control group, and a significant difference was found in HIL when compared to SW. Conclusion The current study indicates that the combined traditional physical therapy and HILT and ESWT have clinical significance in improving osteoporotic long-term hemiparetic patients with more favor to HILT. Trial registration: The study was registered as a clinical trial at ClinicalTrial.gov ID (NCT05616611).