Explore the vast range of titles available.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of nano-selenium (Nano Se) or/and vitamin E (VE) on growth performance, blood health, intestinal histomorphology, oxidative status, and immune-related gene expression of Nile tilapia. Nano Se or/and VE at a rate of 0, 1 mg Nano Se/kg, 100 mg VE/kg, and 1 mg Nano Se/kg + 100 mg VE diet were fed to fish for 8 weeks. FBW was significantly ( P < 0.05) increased in fish fed with Nano Se and VE, while fish fed with Nano Se or Nano Se and VE diets displayed significantly ( P < 0.05) higher WG and SGR than the other groups. The lowest FCR was significantly ( P < 0.05) detected in fish fed with Nano Se and VE, while the highest value was observed in fish VE diet. The intestinal morphometry (villi length and width) of fish fed with Nano Se or/and VE reported significantly ( P < 0.05) the highest values with high number of goblet cells. Blood hematology and biochemistry parameters of fish fed with Nano Se or/and VE showed normal values with insignificant differences except for the blood total protein increased in fish fed with Nano Se or/and VE ( P < 0.05). Dietary Nano Se or Nano Se and VE significantly ( P < 0.05) increased the GPX, SOD, CAT, NBT, lysozyme, and phagocytosis values with decreased MDA. Liver and spleen TNF-α and IL-1β expressions were significantly ( P < 0.05) upregulated in fish fed on Nano Se or Nano Se and VE. Thus, Nano Se or/and VE can be used effectively in tilapia diets for improving the growth, intestinal health, blood health, oxidative status, and immune-related gene expression.

Functional trace elements and vitamins can boost immunity and antioxidative response in aquatic animals without creating environmental hazards. While nano-selenium (Nano-Se) and vitamin C (VC) have been used as immunomodulators and antioxidants in animal and poultry feed, there is little data on Nano-Se and/or VC supplementation in aquatic animals. Thus, the current study evaluated the impact of adding Nano-Se and VC to the diets of Nile tilapia for 8 weeks. Four diets were formulated and offered to the fish: no supplementation (control), 1 mg Nano-Se/kg, 500 mg VC/kg, and 1 mg Nano-Se + 500 mg VC/kg of food. Growth-related parameters (final body weight, weight gain, and specific growth rate) were significantly increased in tilapia fed Nano-Se and VC, with a reduced feed conversion ratio ( P  < 0.05). Intestinal villus length and width as well as the number of goblet cells were increased in tilapia fed Nano-Se and/or VC ( P  < 0.05). Additionally, dietary Nano-Se and/or VC significantly increased nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, the phagocytic index, and lysozyme and phagocytic activities ( P  < 0.05). However, significantly reduced levels of malonaldehyde were observed in fish fed Nano-Se and/or VC ( P  < 0.05). TNF-α and IL-1β gene expressions in the liver and spleen of the fish were significantly upregulated by Nano-Se and/or VC ( P  < 0.05). The results revealed the potential role of Nano-Se and/or VC in enhancing growth, intestinal morphometry, and immune and antioxidative responses in Nile tilapia.

Objective. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nanoparticles, zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), on flexural strength (FS), hardness, and wear resistance of light cured dental composite resin. Materials and Methods. 210 rectangular and disc-shaped composite resin specimens were fabricated with dimensions (25 × 2 × 2 ± 0.03 mm) and (6×4 ± 0.03 mm) for FS, hardness, and wear resistance, respectively (70/test). Specimens of each test were divided according to nanofillers into four groups, unmodified as control, ZrO2 (Z), TiO2 (T), and SiO2 (S) groups; each one was further subdivided into two subgroups according to nanoparticles concentration, 3wt.% and 7wt.% (Z3, Z7, T3, T7, S3, and S7), 10 specimens of each subgroup. A3-point bending test and Vickers hardness test were used for FS and hardness measurements, respectively. Wear resistance was evaluated by the differences in surface roughness of tested specimens before and after wear test. Two-way and 1-way ANOVA and Bonferroni’s post hoc tests were done for data analysis (α = 0.05). Results. Two-way ANOVA for FS and wear resistance showed that there was a significant interaction between type of nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles (p<0.001) while two-way ANOVA for hardness showed that both type of nanoparticles and concentration of nanoparticles had a significant effect (p<0.001), while the effect of their interaction was not statistically significant (p=0.142). 1-way-ANOVA test showed significant increase in FS and wear resistance for all tested groups (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) except T7 and S7. Also, there was a significant enhancement in hardness for all tested groups (p<0.001). Conclusion. Modification of light cured composite resin with certain amounts of nanoparticles (3% and 7% of ZrO2 and 3% of TiO2 and SiO2) can be beneficial in improving flexural strength and wear resistance while hardness of composite resin was increased with all NPs additions.

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles (zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), titanium dioxide (TiO2), and silicon dioxide (SiO2)) on the flexural strength, impact strength, hardness, and wear resistance of the acrylic resin denture base material. Materials and Methods. Acrylic resin specimens were fabricated in dimensions according to American Dental Association (ADA) specifications per test. Specimens were divided according to nanofiller into four groups; unmodified as control, ZrO2 (Z), TiO2, (T), and SiO2 (S) groups. Each one was subdivided into two subgroups according to nanoparticle concentrations; 3% and 7% (Z3, Z7, T3, T7, S3, and S7). A 3-point bending test, Charpy impact test, and Vickers hardness test were used for flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness measurements, respectively. Wear resistance was measured by the differences in surface roughness of tested specimens before and after the wear test. A scanning electron microscope was used to assess nanoparticle specifications and distributions and for fracture surfaces analysis. ANOVA, Bonferroni’s post hoc test, and the Kruskal–Wallis test were applied for data analysis (α = 0.05). Results. Regarding the flexural and impact strength, there was a statistically remarkable increase for all tested groups compared with the control group, except for the T7 and S7 groups (P value <0.001, effect size = 0.893) and (P value <0.001, effect size = 0.759), respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in the hardness of all tested groups compared with the control group (P value <0.001, effect size = 0.67) except T3 and S3. Regarding wear, a statistically significant enhancement was noticed in the wear resistance of all tested groups (P value <0.001, effect size = 0.685), except for the T7 and S7 groups. Conclusion. The flexural strength, impact strength, and wear resistance improved with both concentrations of ZrO2 and low TiO2 and SiO2 concentrations. The hardness increased with both concentrations of ZrO2 and high TiO2 and SiO2 concentrations.

Background. Although the mechanical behaviors of PMMA were improved with nanoparticles addition, there is a lack of study on the color changes of nanocomposite denture base resin. This study aimed to assess and compare the color of nanocomposite denture base resin modified with different nanoparticles and concentrations. Materials and Methods. Three nanoparticles (zirconium dioxide (ZNP), titanium dioxide (TNP), and silicon dioxide (SNP)) were added to heat-polymerized acrylic resin in 3 and 7 wt% concentrations. A total of 70 acrylic discs (20 × 2 ± 0.03 mm) specimens were prepared while one without addition (control) and three main groups according to nanoparticles and two subgroups according to % (3ZNP, 7ZNP, 3TNP, 7TNP, 3SNP, and 7SNP) with total 70 acrylic discs (n = 10). Spectrophotometer was used for color change (ΔEab) followed by value conversion to National Bureau of Standards units (NBS) to relate the color alterations (ΔEab) to the clinical environment which aids in determining a threshold for clinical acceptance of the color change. ΔEab data were analyzed and compared using one- and two-way ANOVA tests followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results. Two-way ANOVA showed that filler type (regardless of filler concentration) had a statistically significant effect on mean ΔEab (P<0.001). Filler concentrations (regardless of filler type) showed a significant effect on mean ΔEab while the filler type and concentration interaction showed no significant effect on mean ΔEab (P<0.001). One-way ANOVA in terms of filler types results showed a significant difference between mean ΔEab (P<0.001), where TNP group showed the highest mean ΔEab followed by ZNP and SNP. Pair-wise comparison revealed that 3% concentration showed a significant lower mean ΔEab than 7% concentration (P<0.001). Conclusion. Modification of heat-polymerized denture base resin with ZNP, TNP, or SNP causes clinically unacceptable color change. TNP produced the highest color change followed by ZNP and SNP, and the color change is concentration dependent; the color change increases as the concentration increases.

To evaluate the effect of beverages (coffee, tea, Cola-Cola, and mineral water) on the color stability of resin-based composite (RBC) materials modified with different nanoparticles (NPs). The specimens (70/beverage) were fabricated from light-cured RBCs and divided according to NPs into four groups: one control, unmodified (N0); and three experimental—ZrO2 (Zr), TiO2 (Ti), and SiO2 (Si) groups. Each experimental group was further subdivided into two subgroups according to NP concentrations: 3 wt.% and 7 wt.% (n = 10). A spectrophotometer was used to assess the color change (∆E) before and after six months of immersion. Data were analyzed and compared using one-way-ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s post-hoc test (α = 0.05) and subsequently ∆E value conversion to National Bureau of Standards (NBS) units. The modified light-cured RBCs with ZrO2, TiO2, and SiO2 demonstrated smaller color changes after immersion in the beverages than the unmodified group (p < 0.001). Zr groups showed the lowest ΔE, followed by Ti and Si groups; a 3% concentration resulted in a lower mean ΔE than the 7% concentration. NBS findings showed that coffee and tea produced marked unacceptable color changes (NBS units were >3), and Coca-Cola resulted in noticeable color changes (NBS units between 1.5 and 3), while water produced slight color changes (NBS ≤ 1). Modification of RBCs with both concentrations of ZrO2, as well as 3% of TiO2 and SiO2, may improve its color stability. Based on NBS results, RBCs immersed in mineral water and Coca-Cola showed clinically acceptable color changes, while those immersed in coffee and tea were clinically unacceptable.

Background. The effect of beverages on nanocomposite denture base materials is neglected. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of different beverages (coffee, tea, cola, and mineral water) on the color stability of nanoparticles-modified denture base materials (DBMs). Materials and Methods. A total of 280 specimens (n = 10/group) were prepared from heat-polymerized acrylic resin modified with different concentrations (3% and 7%) of zirconium dioxide (nano-ZrO2), titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2), and silicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) nanoparticles, while 0% was taken as a control. Color change (∆E) of the specimens was evaluated after simulating 6-month immersion time in four commonly used beverages, coffee, tea, cola, and mineral water, as experimental groups. Color stability was measured using a spectrophotometer, and then values were converted to National Bureau of Standards units (NBS units). The one-way ANOVA test was applied to compare color change (ΔE) results followed by Bonferroni’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Results. The results showed that the heat-polymerized acrylic resin modified with different types of nanoparticles showed lower color changes after being immersed in beverage solutions compared to the unmodified group (P < 0.001), so the color stability of heat-polymerized acrylic resin was significantly enhanced by the addition of several nanoparticles; nano-ZrO2 showed the lowest ΔE followed by nano-TiO2 and then nano-SiO2. Regardless of the filler type, 3% concentration showed lower mean ΔE than 7% concentration. Regarding the beverage solutions, the greatest color change was found in the coffee group followed by tea and cola, while water showed the least changes. Conclusion. Modification of heat-polymerized acrylic resin with certain amounts of nano-ZrO2, nano-TiO2, and nano-SiO2 may be useful in improving color stability.

Background/Objective: Resin-based composite (RBC) gained wide popularity in dentistry due to its excellent biocompatibility, superior aesthetics, and good bonding to enamel and dentine. However, they have several shortcomings, including mechanical insufficiency and shrinkage tendency. Many researchers have utilized nanoparticles (NPs) as a reinforcing filler for RBCs. This article focused on assessing the impact of three different nanoparticles, ZrO2, TiO2, and SiO2, with concentrations of 3 wt% and 7 wt%, on the elastic modulus (E) and fracture toughness (KIC) of one commercial light-activated dental resin composite. Methods: 140 rectangular specimens were constructed according to ISO 4049 with dimensions (25 × 2 × 5 ± 0.03 mm) and (25 × 2 × 2 ± 0.03 mm) for fracture toughness and elastic modulus, respectively. Specimens were categorized into four main groups based on nanofiller types. Control: plain without filler (CC) and three modified ones with ZrO2 (ZC), TiO2 (TC), and SiO2 (SC). Furthermore, modified groups were divided into two subgroups according to nanofiller concentration, 3 and 7 wt% (ZC3, ZC7, TC3, TC7, SC3, and SC7), n = 10. Mechanical testing for fracture toughness was completed using a single-edge notched beam, while a three-point bending test was used for elastic modulus. Analysis of data was based on two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc (α = 0.05). Results: ZrO2 provided the most substantial improvement in both E and KIC, with the optimal performance observed at 3 wt% for stiffness and 7 wt% for toughness. TiO2 groups also enhanced these properties at both concentrations; however, the gains were less pronounced compared to ZrO2. SiO2 improved mechanical performance at 3 wt%, but a higher loading of 7 wt% resulted in reduced values. Conclusions: Resin-based composite modified with 3 wt% of NPs tends to possess higher fracture toughness and modulus of elasticity. Fracture toughness enhancement was concentration-dependent with ZrO2 NPs, where the best result was obtained with 7 wt%. Nanoparticle-reinforced composite, particularly ZrO2, may be suitable for prosthodontic applications.

Objective. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles (zirconium dioxide (ZrO[sub.2]), titanium dioxide (TiO[sub.2]), and silicon dioxide (SiO[sub.2])) on the flexural strength, impact strength, hardness, and wear resistance of the acrylic resin denture base material. Materials and Methods. Acrylic resin specimens were fabricated in dimensions according to American Dental Association (ADA) specifications per test. Specimens were divided according to nanofiller into four groups; unmodified as control, ZrO[sub.2] (Z), TiO[sub.2], (T), and SiO[sub.2] (S) groups. Each one was subdivided into two subgroups according to nanoparticle concentrations; 3% and 7% (Z3, Z7, T3, T7, S3, and S7). A 3-point bending test, Charpy impact test, and Vickers hardness test were used for flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness measurements, respectively. Wear resistance was measured by the differences in surface roughness of tested specimens before and after the wear test. A scanning electron microscope was used to assess nanoparticle specifications and distributions and for fracture surfaces analysis. ANOVA, Bonferroni's post hoc test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for data analysis (α =0.05). Results. Regarding the flexural and impact strength, there was a statistically remarkable increase for all tested groups compared with the control group, except for the T7 and S7 groups (P value <0.001, effect size=0.893) and (P value <0.001, effect size=0.759), respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in the hardness of all tested groups compared with the control group (P value <0.001, effect size=0.67) except T3 and S3. Regarding wear, a statistically significant enhancement was noticed in the wear resistance of all tested groups (P value <0.001, effect size=0.685), except for the T7 and S7 groups. Conclusion. The flexural strength, impact strength, and wear resistance improved with both concentrations of ZrO[sub.2] and low TiO[sub.2] and SiO[sub.2] concentrations. The hardness increased with both concentrations of ZrO[sub.2] and high TiO[sub.2] and SiO[sub.2] concentrations.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of nanoparticles (zirconium dioxide (ZrO ), titanium dioxide (TiO ), and silicon dioxide (SiO )) on the flexural strength, impact strength, hardness, and wear resistance of the acrylic resin denture base material. Acrylic resin specimens were fabricated in dimensions according to American Dental Association (ADA) specifications per test. Specimens were divided according to nanofiller into four groups; unmodified as control, ZrO (Z), TiO , (T), and SiO (S) groups. Each one was subdivided into two subgroups according to nanoparticle concentrations; 3% and 7% (Z3, Z7, T3, T7, S3, and S7). A 3-point bending test, Charpy impact test, and Vickers hardness test were used for flexural strength, impact strength, and hardness measurements, respectively. Wear resistance was measured by the differences in surface roughness of tested specimens before and after the wear test. A scanning electron microscope was used to assess nanoparticle specifications and distributions and for fracture surfaces analysis. ANOVA, Bonferroni's post hoc test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for data analysis (  = 0.05). Regarding the flexural and impact strength, there was a statistically remarkable increase for all tested groups compared with the control group, except for the T7 and S7 groups ( value <0.001, effect size = 0.893) and ( value <0.001, effect size = 0.759), respectively. There was a statistically significant improvement in the hardness of all tested groups compared with the control group ( value <0.001, effect size = 0.67) except T3 and S3. Regarding wear, a statistically significant enhancement was noticed in the wear resistance of all tested groups ( value <0.001, effect size = 0.685), except for the T7 and S7 groups. The flexural strength, impact strength, and wear resistance improved with both concentrations of ZrO and low TiO and SiO concentrations. The hardness increased with both concentrations of ZrO and high TiO and SiO concentrations.