bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical and radiographic evaluation of indirect pulp capping using biodentine and theracal LC in primary molars
Authors: Elghany Alaa Abd ElHameed Abd , ElHendawy Fatma A. , Metwally Nancy M. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Objectives
Dental caries is the most common chronic disease, with a high incidence rate that affects many children in different countries. Indirect pulp therapy (IPT) is a minimally invasive procedure that depends on the application of a bioactive material to the affected dentin, thus preserving the vitality of the pulp.

Aim
The present study was directed to conduct clinical and radiographic evaluation of indirect pulp capping with biodentine and theracal LC in primary molars.

Materials and Methods
A randomized clinical trial registered under the NCT06020911 identifier on ClinicalTrials.gov on August 23, 2023, had a sample size of 34 primary molars between the ages of 4 and 7 years, of which 17 teeth were considered, each for group I (theracal LC) and group II (biodentine). Measurements of dentin thickness and density were obtained using cone-beam computed tomography immediately after restoration and after a 9-month follow-up.

Results
Both the thickness and density of the dentin showed a statistically significant increase in the theracal LC and the biodentine groups after 9 months postoperatively compared to immediately after restoration (P < 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). However, the density of dentin showed a statistically significant increase in the theracal LC group compared to the biodentine group 9 months postoperatively (P = 0.005).

Conclusion
Both biodentine and theracal LC are effective clinically and radiographically as IPT material in primary teeth, with considerable dentin production. IPT provides high success rates as well as the ideal pulp capping material for primary teeth with deep carious lesions.

Clinical relevance
For primary molars, IPT is a conservative treatment strategy that can help maintain pulp vitality. In IPT, calcium hydroxide is still widely used, although no alternative material has been developed as of yet. As IPT needs the preferred liner for primary teeth and can serve as a viable alternative to pulpotomy in primary molars, the use of capping materials like biodentine or theracal LC can improve the success rate of IPT.
Efficacy of novel root canal irrigating solutions on canal debridement
Authors: Al Khawaldeh Imad M. , Shaheen Neveen A. , Attia Dina A. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Aim
To evaluate efficacy of three root canal irrigation protocols (2.5% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA, 0.5% BioAKT, and Dual Rinse HEDP) on canal debridement using scanning electron microscope.

Materials and methods
Forty-five single rooted human mandibular premolars with nearly straight single canals were selected, the crowns of all teeth were removed near the level of cementoenamel junction to obtain approximately 14±1 mm uniform root lengths. After instrumentation with ProTaper Universal rotary files up to F4 (40/06), roots were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 15) according to the final irrigation protocol. Group I: samples were finally rinsed with 5 ml of 2.5% NaOCl for 2 min, followed by distilled water, then 5 ml of 17% EDTA for 1 min. Group II: samples were finally rinsed with 5 ml of 0.5% BioAKT for 3 min. Group III: 5 ml of dual rinse HEDP was used for 3 min. Canal cleanliness was evaluated using scanning electron microscope with magnification of ×1000.

Results
Group III and group II had the best cleanliness of the root canal while group I had the worst result. There were statistical significant differences between group I versus group II and group III (P ≤ 0.05) while there was no significant difference between group II versus group III. Regardless the final irrigation method, the coronal and middle thirds showed less amount of smear layer and remaining debris than the apical third.

Conclusion
None of the tested final irrigating protocols resulted in completely clean canal wall. BioAKT and Dual Rinse HEDP showed significant reduction in smear layer and remaining debris compared to NaOCl followed by EDTA irrigation protocol.
Effect of aging on mechanical properties of polymethyl methacrylate reinforced by nano zirconium or nano silver
Authors: Wanas Ahmed A. , Rashad Hoda A. , El-ebiary Manal A. , Abdelaal Zainab 
Published: January 2025

Abstract

Aim
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of aging process on the acrylic denture base reinforced by 5 wt% nano-zirconium (ZrO2) or 5 wt% silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) regarding to flexural strength and surface hardness.

Materials and methods
A total of 45 heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were prepared with bar shape and were divided to three groups pure, modified with 5 wt% nano-ZrO2 and 5 wt% AgNPs each group were subdivided into three subgroups according to immersion periods in artificial saliva (n = 5). Flexural strength and surface hardness were measured after artificial saliva immersion at 37°C for 48 h, 3 and 6 months. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey multiple-comparison tests were used for data analysis (P = 0.05).

Results
Flexural strength and surface hardness were improved by addition of 5 wt% nano-ZrO2 or 5 wt% AgNPs as both groups compared to control group. Aging process for all groups showed significant decrease in flexural strength and surface hardness (P < 0.001).

Conclusion
Addition of 5 wt% nano-ZrO2 or 5 wt% AgNPs to polymethyl methacrylate showed an improvement in flexural strength and surface hardness and aging can significantly influence flexural strength and hardness of denture base resin even with nano-ZrO2 or AgNPs addition.
Quercetin 100 mg/kg fails to mitigate cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in adult Wistar rats
Authors: Edagha I.A. , Aquaisua A.N. , Akpan B.C. , Sunday-Jimmy P.B. , Ataben M.A. , Katumu A.U. , Okokon G. 
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVE: The survival rate of cancer patients has improved with cisplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapy. However, neurological deficits are prevalent in cancer patients administered with cisplatin. Interestingly, quercetin is reported to possess neuroprotective and antioxidant properties. We hypothesized that quercetin 100 mg/kg may offer ameliorative potential against cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty (20) male adult Wistar rats (150 to 180 g) were allotted into four groups (n = 5), namely groups I (placebo distilled water 10 mL kg-1 body weight), II (cisplatin 5 mg kg-1 body weight), III (cisplatin/quercetin 5/100 mgkg-1 body weights,) and IV (quercetin 100 mg kg-1 body weight, respectively). Cisplatin was administered intraperitoneally, once a week, and twice in 14 days, while quercetin was administered orally once daily for 14 days. Animals were deeply anesthetized with ketamine (100 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Then transcardially perfused with phosphate buffer saline (PBS) followed by perfusion in 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS (pH 7.4) for fixation. Each brain was harvested and postfixed overnight in the same fixation solution and prepared for tissue processing. Biochemical assays for brain antioxidant level were performed.
RESULTS: No significant change in the levels of antioxidant assays (SOD, CAT, GPx), but we did observe a significant increase in GSH and the levels of MDA (p < 0.005) in all administered groups compared to the control group. Neurodegenerations with pyknotic neurons and vacuolations were demonstrated in administered groups of the cerebellum, prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, with neuronal cell shrinkages and hyperchromatic cells
CONCLUSION: The results suggest that 100 mg/kg bw of quercetin cannot not ameliorate cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity in rats thus more of quercetin may not always be better. It is necessary to determine the dose beneficial threshold of quercetin.
A multi-method comparison of body volume and body fat in healthy adults: source of caution for interchangeability of techniques
Authors: Njoku C.O. , Besong E.E. , Stewart A.D. 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The interchangeability of different techniques for volume measurements makes it important to cross-calibrate volumes from different scanning systems against a gold standard Air Displacement Plethysmography (ADP), and identify possible causes of the differences.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 121 adults (78 males and 43 females, aged 18 – 44 y underwent body volume measurement via ADP (Bodpod system, Cosmed, Rome, Italy) and 3D scanning using portable scanner (Artec L, Artec Luxembourg) and fixed laser scanner (Hamamatsu BLS, Hamamatsu, Japan). Duplicate measurements were undertaken in 12 participants.
RESULTS: Measurements were highly correlated between techniques for volume (R=0.989; 0.977 and 0.979; P<0.0001) and inter-technique errors for volumes and girths were <1% technical error of measurement. Bland and Altman analysis revealed volume measurements differed between Hamamatsu and both Artec and Bodpod (P<0.05), but were similar between Artec and Bodpod (P>0.05) and these patterns remained when volumes were converted into %fat. There were no significant differences between anthropometric and 3DS-extracted waist and hip girths for either scanner type (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Despite their comparability for extracted waist and hip girth, the scanners are not interchangeable for volume and %fat estimation.
Ameliorative effects of watermelon seed oil (<i>Citrulus lanatus</i>) on cadmium chloride-induced hippocampal toxicity in adult male Wistar rats
Authors: Olanrewaju H.B. , Eze S.M. , Musa S.A. , Adamu S.A. , Omoniyi A.A. , Akpulu S.P. 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND AIM: BACKGROUND AND AIM: Humans and other organism are exposed to a broad spectrum cytotoxic heavy metals in the atmosphere due to their interaction with the environment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of watermelon (citrullus lanatus) seed oil on cadmium chloride-induced hippocampal damages of male adult Wistar rats.
METHODOLOGY: Twenty-five (25) adult male Wistar rats weighing between (120 – 200g) were used for the study. The animals were divided into five groups of five animals per group (n=5). Group I was designated as the (Control and received Physiological Saline, Group II received 5 mg/kg body weight of Cadmium chloride, Group III received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 500 mg/kg body weight of C. lanatus oil as high dose, Group IV received 5mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 250 mg/kg body weight of C. Lanatus oil as low dose while Group V received 5 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride and 10 mg/kg body weight of Succimer for the period of 28 days through Orogastric canula.)
RESULTS: (No significance difference in the organ/body weights.) (The spatial learning and memory showed significant increase (p<0.033) in the mean-time to locate the shallow plate form in the Morris water maize test in the second and third week for the toxic groups when compared with the control and the treated groups.) (There was significant increase (p<0.091) in the mean MDA level of CdCl2 group when compared to the control). Histological observation of the hippocampus showed normal cyto-architecture in Group I while Groups II, (showed massive cellular degeneration,) Group III showed some degree of cellular regeneration (while Group V showed comparable evidence of cellular regeneration when compared to Group III and Group IV.)
CONCLUSION: The results shows that Water melon Citrullus lanatus oil ameliorated the effects of cadmium on the (morphology), neuro-behavioural activity, histology, and oxidative stress indices in (hippocampus) of adult male Wistar rats.
Reproductive impact of Mishenland Polyherbal Mixture on steroid hormone-induced gonadotoxic effects in male Wistar rats
Authors: Adesanya O.A. , Adenowo P.T. , Adefule A.K. , Alabi B.A. , Shittu L.A.J. 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Testosterone and its analogs have been used for anabolic and androgenic purposes for several decades. Initially restricted to professional bodybuilders, these substances have become increasingly popular among recreational athletes. The Mishenland polyherbal mixture (MPM) is a herbal preparation used locally for managing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and is claimed to reverse infertility of unknown cause in men. The aim of study was to investigate ability of MPM to mitigate the gonadotoxic effects of prolonged steroid hormone exposures in the adult male Wistar rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used 25 adult male albino rats of age 9 weeks. The animals were divided into five groups of five rats each. After a two-week acclimatization period, all animals except the normal control group received combination doses of 4 mg/kg body weight (bw) testosterone (T) and 0.8 mg/kg bw estradiol (E2) subcutaneously on alternate days for 6 weeks. From the seventh week, experimental groups received 1 ml/kg, 2 ml/kg, and 4 ml/kg bw of MPM, while the control group received 2 ml/kg bw of distilled water. After 4 weeks of treatment, all animals were sacrificed, and their reproductive organs were removed for histological processing (H&E stain).
RESULTS: The testes showed evidence of spermatogenic arrest with partial recovery of the spermatogonia stem cells following MPM treatment. The medium dose-2ml/kg herbal treatment group exhibited greater recovery compared to the control. Priapism persisted in hormone-induced hypogonadal control animals. The induced hypogonadic group (IHPG) had the highest mean packed cell volume (PCV), followed by the normal dose MPM group.
CONCLUSION: MPM demonstrated a mild ability to restore impaired reproductive function in hormone induced gonadotoxic animals and prevented priapism development observed in untreated hormone-exposed animals.
Anthropometric evaluation of percentage body fat using skinfold parameters among students of Ebonyi State University
Authors: Njoku C.O. , Nkanu I.I. , Anwara C.E. , Ngwuta M.C. , Egbudu O.E. 
Published: January 2025

AIM: This study investigates the anthropometric evaluation of percentage body fat using skinfold thickness among students at Ebonyi State University.
MATHODOLOGY: A total of 498 participants (243 males and 255 females) aged between 18 to 32 years were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The data were analyzed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26.0, with descriptive statistics expressed as mean ± standard deviation and correlation coefficients determined for various age groups at two-tailed significance levels of <0.001 and <0.05. The percentage body fat was calculated using the Jackson and Pollock equations and the Siri method.
RESULTS: The results reveal significant differences in skinfold thickness and body composition between genders across various age groups. Males exhibited higher mean values in height (169.57 cm to 172.03 cm) and weight (59.06 kg to 62.59 kg) compared to females (165.19 cm to 167.16 cm and 55.15 kg to 56.97 kg). Notably, females showed higher skinfold measurements at most sites, with significant variations observed particularly in the triceps and anterior thigh skinfolds. The correlation analyses indicated that the relationships between various anthropometric parameters were generally weak, with all p-values exceeding 0.05, thus suggesting no significant correlation. The analysis of percentage body fat across different age groups highlighted a trend of decreasing body fat for both males and females after the age of 24, with males averaging between 21.29% to 24.31% and females ranging from 22.41% to 24.73%.
CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the need for targeted health interventions in university populations to promote healthy body composition, particularly among younger adults, and suggest that lifestyle factors may contribute significantly to the observed differences in body fat distribution between genders as they age.
Protective effects of ethanol seed extract of <i>Plukenetia conophora</i> on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats
Authors: Blackie O.H. , Odiase D.E. , Blackie F.F. 
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUNDAND AIM: Male infertility is a significant global health concern, with sperm quality deficiencies contributing significantly to its prevalence. Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples globally, with male factors contributing to around 50% of cases. Medicinal plants, including the African walnut (Plukenetia conophora), are gaining attention for their potential in addressing reproductive health challenges. The aim of this study was to evaluate protective effects of ethanol seed extract of Plukenetia conophora (African walnut) on cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity in male Wistar rats.
METHODS: Thirty-six adult male Wistar Rats were divided into six groups and subjected to different treatments, group A served as the control group, Group B and C received 250 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight of ethanol seed extract of Plukenetia conophora only respectively, group D and E received 250 mg/kg body weight and 500 mg/kg body weight of Plukenetia conophora in addition to 10mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride respectively, and group F received 10 mg/kg body weight of cadmium chloride only over a 56-day period, Cadmium and Plukenetia conophora were administered daily using orogastric tube.
RESULTS: Cadmium chloride negatively impacts body weight, testicular weight, and sperm quality. Plukenetia conophora extract exhibits protective effects, mitigating the detrimental impact of cadmium, particularly at lower doses. Histological analysis confirmed the protective role of the extract in maintaining normal testicular architecture.
CONCLUSION: Plukenetia conophora extract shows potential as a protective agent against cadmium-induced reproductive toxicity, highlighting its therapeutic potential for male infertility caused by environmental toxins. Further research is warranted to explore its clinical applications.
Health-related climate indicator across four states in Nigeria: Respiratory rate prediction and multivariate analysis approach
Authors: Towolawi A.T. , Oguntoke O. , Bada B.S. , Adejuwon J.O. , Adegbore A.K. , Abdulsalami B.A. , Buari Z.O. 
Published: January 2025

Respiratory rate prediction(RRP) is vital for human or animal medical check-ups for a good health and well-being (SDG 3) to be established. The RRP is one of the biometeorological indices adopted to determine health-related climate indication, which is categorised into normal: ≤85, warning: between 85 and 110, danger: between 110 and 133, and emergency: ≥133. The study obtained 32-year (1987-2018) data of temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and solar radiation from the archive of Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Abuja. The data were adopted to compute the RRP across four rain-fed States (Benue, Edo, Niger (Bida and Minna) and Ondo) in Nigeria and further subjected to multi variate analysis. The reliability test showed that the data had acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach's value of 0.773, and the monthly RRP significantly (p<0.05) varied across the study locations and their environs over 32years.ThePrincipal Component Analysis (PCA) categorised the rainy periods (April to October) under component 1 with a 49 % variance while the dry periods (January, February, November and December) except March under component 2 with a 17 % variance. Benue, Edo, Niger (Bida) and their environs had more prevalence of warning category of RRP (between 85 and 110) than Ondo, Niger (Minna) and their environs. The study deduced that the health-related climate indication prevailed more in the wet than the dryperiods, necessitating inhabitants of the study locations to understand their thermal regime for climate change coping capacities,
Effect of mobile phone reminders in the timeliness of administration of pentavalent vaccines to children in Kano State, Nigeria
Authors: Yunusa U. , Ibrahim A. H. , Ladan M. A. , Gomaa H. E. M. , Khalid D. S. , Musa-Maliki A. U. 
Published: January 2025

Immunization has over the last three decades significantly reduced the rate of under-five children mortality from vaccine preventable disease. However, many children especially in low- and middle-income countries still do not get vaccinated with age-appropriate vaccines. This study to examined the effectiveness of mobile phone reminders in the timeliness of the administration of pentavalent vaccines. The study utilized SMS and follow-up calls to remind mothers about the immunization schedule of their children. The reminders were sent to the mothers 3 days to and on the due date of their child's schedule for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd doses of pentavalent vaccine. Both mothers who received the reminders (reminder group) and those who did not (control group) were then tracked in focal health facilities to see if they get their children vaccinated on time. A total of 541 mothers (271 in the reminder group and 270 in the control group) participated in the study. The proportion of children immunized with the three doses of pentavalent vaccines in time was significantly higher (P = 0.001) in the reminder group (n=102, 37.6%) compared to those in the control group (n=63, 23.3%). It was concluded that although mobile phone reminder was found to be effective in increasing the timeliness of the pentavalent vaccines in the studied population, the rate of timeliness was still low. There is therefore, a need for further studies to explore innovative and technological approaches to increase the timeliness of routine childhood immunization.
Cross-sectional Study of the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among Residents of Karu, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Eke M. , Adiri F. 
Published: January 2025

Lassa fever is associated with high morbidity and mortality with several laboratory-confirmed cases and deaths reported in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT-Abuja). This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among residents of Karu, Abuja, Nigeria.
A cross-sectional study design, using a multistage sampling technique, to select 210 consenting adults was used. A structured, self-administered, pre-coded, pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever. Simple proportions, univariate, bivariate and multivariate analysis were done and a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
The knowledge of Lassa fever was high (80.9%), the attitude towards Lassa fever was positive (77.6%), and the preventive practice towards Lassa fever was also positive (73.8%). Educational qualification significantly influenced the knowledge, attitude, and preventive practices towards Lassa fever among the residents of Karu. Marital status had an association with the attitude toward Lassa fever but had no association with the knowledge and preventive practices towards Lassa fever. Gender had an association with the preventive practices towards Lassa fever but had no association with the knowledge and attitude towards Lassa fever.
There was a high knowledge, attitude and practice of prevention of Lassa fever requiring sustained health education, public awareness campaigns, community sensitization on the importance of early healthcare-seeking behaviour, continuous monitoring and evaluation of the preventive practices towards Lassa fever in Karu to sustain the gains.