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The present work was conducted in order to investigate the effect of auxin type (2,4-D and NAA) and concentration (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 and 2.00 mg/l) on Balanites aegyptiaca callus cultures growth and production of secondary metabolites. Obtained results demonstrated that supplementation MS medium with 2,4-D at 2.0 mg/l could enhanced and recorded the ultimate values of callus fresh weight, antioxidant activity (%), total flavonoids, total phenolic compounds and total saponins contents and yields of Balanites aegyptiaca L. callus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuttings of Bougainvillea x buttiana "Mrs Butt" were cultured in peat moss [after treating with 1000 ppm indolebutric acid (IBA) or without] or hydroponic units contained: water, quarter Hoagland strength, half Hoagland strength, full Hoagland strength, 2.5 ppm, 5 ppm or 20 ppm IBA solutions. Results showed that treating cuttings with IBA at 1000 ppm before culturing was more effective than culturing without treating. Among the different hydroponic solution treatments, IBA solution at medium (5 ppm) or high concentration (10 ppm) had the best results, since they produced the highest values of rooting percentage, number of roots/cutting, number of shoots/cutting, shoot length, number of leaves/shoot and survival percentage. Also, using of 10 ppm IBA solution resulted in initiating the first root more rapidly than all other treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was done at the Experimental Farm of Faculty of Agriculture, Zagazig University (Al-Khattara), Sharkia Governorate, Egypt during two consecutive seasons of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014. Different concentrations (0, 100, 200 or 300 mg/l) of L-phenylalanine or L-tryptophan each alone were foliar applied to milk thistle (Silybum marianum L.) plants to assess their effects on growth, productivity and chemical constituents. Obtained results demonstrated that the maximum values of plant growth characters (plant height, number of main branches, number of leaves /plant and herb fresh weight), yield components (number of fruits/plant, fruit weight, weight of 1000 seeds, seed weight/plant and seed yield/faddan) and chemical constituents (total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and total carbohydrates percentages in leaves as well as total phenolic compounds content of seeds) were recorded by spraying the plants with the highest concentration (300 mg/l) of each compound alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different concentrations (0.0, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0 or 16.0 mg/l) of cytokinins (benzyladenine, kinetin or isopentenyladenine) were investigated in order to enhance shoot multiplication of Aglaonema commutatum. Results indicated that benzyladenine (BA) at 8.0 mg/l gave the highest number of shoots/ explant (4.08). Different concentrations (0.0, 0.5, 1.0 or 2.0 mg/l) of auxins (indoleacetic acid or naphthaleneacetic acid) combined with 8.0 mg/l BA were tested to improve shoot multiplication. NAA at 0.5 mg/l combined with 8.0 mg/l BA proved to be the best treatment for obtaining the maximum number of shoots/explant (6.70). For root formation induction, shoots obtained from multiplication stage were transferred to MS medium contained different concentrations (0.00, 0.25, 0.50, 1.00 or 2.00 mg/l) of auxins (indoleacetic acid, naphthaleneacetic acid or indole-3-butyricacid). Results showed that 1.0 mg/l of IAA or NAA were the best treatments for root induction and quality during rooting stage. Rooted shoots were acclimatized by transferring them to plastic pots containing peat moss, vermiculite, perlite or sand each alone or in different combinations among them at equal volume proportions. Perlite and peat moss at equal volume proportions seemed to be the best medium for plantlets acclimatization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to determine the prevalence and severity of oral health diseases in the Africa and Middle East region (AMER). The profile of oral diseases is not homogeneous across the AMER. There are large disparities between groups. Reliable data are scarce. The prevalence and severity of oral diseases appear to be increasing in the African region, as does associated morbidity. There are substantial differences in inequalities in oral health. Dental caries prevalence is less severe in most African countries than in developed countries, but the high rate of untreated caries reflects the limited resources available and difficulties of access and affordability to essential oral health care services. The prevalence of gingival inflammation is very high in all age groups in several African countries. The prevalence of maxillofacial trauma has increased in many countries, with a wide variation of the incidence and high prevalence of traumatic dental injuries in primary and permanent teeth. Orofacial clefts are among the most common birth defects. Annual incidence of oral cancer is estimated as 25 cases per 100,000 people in Africa. Noma is a major public health problem for the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. Data about human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS are limited, particularly in the MENA region. According to the World Health Organization Regional Committee for Africa report, some fundamental key basic knowledge gaps need to be underlined. They include inequalities in oral health, low priority for oral health, lack of adequate funding, inadequate dental student training, obstacles to medical and dental research, and poor databases. There are very few effective public prevention and oral health promotion programs in the AMER. Universal health coverage is not achievable without scientific research on the effectiveness of health promotion interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to characterize the chemical composition and radical scavenging activity of Canterbury bells (Campanula medium) seed oil. C. medium seeds contained 9.2% extractable oil. The lipid classes, fatty acids, phytosterol and tocopherol composition of C. medium seed oil were determined. The amount of neutral lipids in the oil was the highest, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids. Linoleic and oleic were the main fatty acids. C. medium oil is characterized by high levels of phytosterols and β-sitosterol was the main compound. β-Tocopherol constituted 42.5% of the total tocopherol content followed by γ-tocopherol. The radical scavenging activity (RSA) toward 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and galvinoxyl radicals of C. medium oil were higher than those of extra virgin olive oil. The diverse potential uses of C. medium oil may make this plant industrially important. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A functional and environmentally green procedure for the design of novel pyridine 5a - h and 7a - d derivatives through two pathways is presented. The first pathway is via a one-pot, four-component reaction of p -formylphenyl-4-toluenesulfonate ( 1 ), ethyl cyanoacetate ( 2 ), acetophenone derivatives 3a-h or acetyl derivatives 6a - d , and ammonium acetate ( 4 ) under microwave irradiation in ethanol. The advantages of this method are an excellent yield (82%-94%), pure products, a short reaction time (2-7 min), and low-cost processing. The second pathway was obtained by the traditional method with treatment of the same mixture under refluxing in ethanol, which afforded the same products, 5a - h and 7a - d , in less yield (71%-88%) and over a longer reaction time (6-9 h). The constructions of the novel compounds were articulated via spectral and elemental analysis. Overall, the compounds have been designed, synthesized, and studied for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity using diclofenac as a reference drug (5 mg/kg). The most potent four compounds, 5a , 5f , 5g , and 5h , showed promising anti-inflammatory activity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are considered to be a promising therapeutic protocol for diabetes mellitus (DM) management. The latter is attributed to their differentiation potentiality to pancreatic β-cells, angiogenesis, and immune-modulatory capabilities by releasing various paracrine factors. Interestingly, antioxidant co-administration increased the MSCs' hypoglycemic and regenerative activities. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the therapeutic implication of type 1 DM after the co-administration of adipose tissue-derived-MSCs (AD-MSCs) and N , N '-d iphenyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (DPPD), compared to the single injection of either of them alone. In our four week long experiment, six rat groups were used as control, DPPD (250 mg/kg, i.p.), STZ-diabetic (D), D+DPPD, D+AD-MSCs (1 × 10 6 cell/rat, i.p.), and D+AD-MSCs+DPPD groups. Within this context, a single injection of AD-MSCs or DPPD into diabetic rats showed significant pancreatic anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic capacities, superior to AD-MSCs injection. However, AD-MSCs and DPPD co-administration into diabetic rats manifested the highest hypoglycemic and pancreatic regenerative activities in managing diabetes compared to the single shot of AD-MSCs or DPPD. These results highlight the synergetic role of DPPD as an antioxidant in enhancing AD-MSCs' therapeutic applications.

Hot sand baths are used for the treatment musculoskeletal diseases. The aim of this study was to assess beneficial effect of black sand bathing in the treatment of antenatal carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Study was conducted in single case with CTS of the right dominant hand. The treatment time was 20 min/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks. CTS were evaluated using a visual analogue scale (VAS), pinch gauge dynamometer and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) with electrophysiological studies at baseline and at week 2. Pain intensity (VAS) was decreased (34.2%), Tip, Key and Tripod pinch strengths were increased (14.29%), (19.23%) and (21.74%) respectively. Mean scores on the BCTQ-SSS and BCTSQ-FSS were decreased (23.69%) and (20.7%) respectively. Electrophysiological studies revealed that decreased mMDL (11.47%), increased mSNCV (9.23%) at the end of treatment. The black sand bathing is supported as a complementary therapy in antenatal CTS., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with seven-coordination iron (II) complex containing sulfur-based macrocyclic ligand was investigated by means of UV/vis absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence quenching technique. The accurate fluorescence spectra are obtained by using Inner filter effect (IFE) correction. The apparent association constant, k app , the number of binding sites, n, and the apparent binding constant K SV were found to be 0.95 × 10 3  M - 1 , 0.96, and 6.13 × 10 4  M -1 , respectively. It found that BSA molecules are adsorbed on the surface of iron (II) complex by electrostatic interaction. The quenching mechanism is discussed involving energy transfer from BSA to iron (II) complex., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this research paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the effect of bulk-fill composites on proximal contact tightness (PCT) of composite restorations using different matrix systems. 150/standardized-MO-ivorine cavity preparations were divided into 5 groups; Smart Dentin Replacement (SDR), SonicFill (SF), Tetric EvoCeram Bulk-Fill (TEB), G-ænial Universal Flo (GF) and Tetric EvoCeram (TE). Each group was subdivided into 3 sub-groups (n=10); Dixieland band in Tofflemire retainer, FenderMate and Palodent plus matrix systems. PCT was measured 24 h post-curing using Tooth Pressure Meter. PCT means were calculated and statistically-analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (p<0.05). Means and SD of PCT for Tofflemire subgroup were: 1.75(0.13), 3.21(0.1), 3.06(0.19), 2.49(0.21) and 3.18(0.1) for (SDR), (SF), (TEB), (GF) and (TE), respectively. Using FenderMate, values were: 1.87(0.08), 3.35(0.12), 3.17(0.16), 2.64(0.1) and 3.26(0.11) for (SDR), (SF), (TEB), (GF) and (TE), respectively, while with Palodentplus; 3.16(0.17), 4.23(0.11), 4.1(0.1), 3.46(0.17) and 3.98(0.1) for (SDR), (SF), (TEB), (GF) and (TE), respectively. ANOVA revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between all samples except between (SF), (TEB) and (TE) and also significant difference between Palodentplus and two subgroups. Effect of bulk-fill composites on PCT is material dependent. Separation ring is recommended for proper PCT.

Aim and Objective: This survey investigated bonding system type and composite application rationale by senior dental students at a dental school in Saudi Arabia., Materials and Methods: Eighty-three questionnaires with 15 open and closed questions were randomly distributed to final year dental students about the use of etch and rinse versus self-etch adhesives and application techniques for posterior resin composite. Data were collected, and statistical analysis was done using Chi-square test (0.05) with two factors "question answer" and "gender.", Results: For all questions, the impact of gender was statistically nonsignificant ( P > 0.05). Etch and rinse adhesive was significantly ( P > 0.05) favored by students with majority do not perform selective etching, use intermittent air for drying tooth structure, apply a single layer bonding agent and thin it by air, cure it for 20 s with the curing tip at close proximity to the cavity, use incremental application technique for composite restorations, cure it for 40 s, and neglect to do extra curing., Conclusion: Students showed good knowledge regarding the bonding and composite application steps but with some clear mispractices such as low frequency of selective etching, less etchant washing, and the preference of vertical layering. Moreover, results from the current investigation should direct curricular updates in the future., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Proximal contact tightness of class II resin composite restorations is influenced by a myriad of factors. Previous studies investigated the role of matrix band type and thickness, consistency of resin composite, and technique of placement. However, the effect of volumetric shrinkage of resin and intensity of curing light has yet to be determined. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the influence of these factors on the proximal contact tightness when restoring class II cavity preparations in vitro., Methods: Sixty artificial molars were restored with either a low-shrinkage (Filtek Silorane, 3M ESPE) or a conventional (Z100, 3M ESPE) composite and polymerized with low-intensity (Smartlite IQ2, Dentsply) or high-intensity light curing units (Demi(TM), Kerr). Proximal contact tightness was measured using the Tooth Pressure Meter. Data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey post hoc test., Results: Use of low-shrinkage composite (Filtek Silorane) resulted in significantly tighter proximal contacts compared to the use of conventional composite (Z100) when cured with the same polymerization unit (p<0.001). Moreover, the low-intensity curing unit (IQ2) resulted in significantly tighter contacts than the high-intensity unit when material is constant (p<0.001)., Conclusions: Low-shrinkage resin composite and low curing light intensity is associated with tighter proximal contact values.

The relative hardness (RH) of five composite materials was determined through polymerization via LED lights. Disk specimens were prepared by using composites composed of Artiste, an experimental glass fiber composite, Filtek Supreme, Z100, and LuxaCore. Specimens were polymerized for 10 and 20 seconds from the top surface only with two lights, Smartlite-IQ2 and DEMI LED, with light maintained 8 mm from the surface through a coronal section of the molar tooth. Knoop hardness numbers were determined for the top and bottom surfaces both immediately and 24 hours later. Ten RH values per group were calculated and data were statistically analyzed. Generally, RH increased with increasing polymerization time. The DEMI LED light resulted in RH values that were significantly higher than those obtained with Smartlite IQ2. Z100 had RH values of > 80% under most testing conditions and had the highest hardness values of all composites tested. Therefore, it is considered to be the most appropriate for core buildups.

The kinetics of tropane alkaloids accumulation in different organs such as roots, leaves, stems, flowers and seeds of Datura innoxia was investigated by GC-MS. Twenty-six tropane alkaloids were detected. The ester derivatives of tropine (3alpha-tigloyloxytropine and 3-tigloyloxy-6-hydroxytropine) are the major compounds. Undifferentiated callus were established from the stem explants of Datura innoxia using Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplied with 6-benzylaminopurine (BA, 1 mg l(-10) and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA, 0.5 mg l(-1)) in combination for 6 weeks. Callus differentiation was initiated by subculture onto solid MS medium, free from hormones, for more than 10 months. Initially, shoots were formed after four weeks from subculture. Further subculturing in basal MS medium without growth regulators initiated the rooting of a shooty callus after 6 weeks. Investigation of the alkaloid content of the unorganized and organized callus revealed that callus (either green or brown) yielded only trace amounts of alkaloids. On the other hand, re-differentiated shoots contained mainly scopolamine while re-differentiated roots biosynthesized hyoscyamine as the main alkaloid.

Detection of L. monocytogenes in raw and pasteurized milk, Zabady, Karish, Domiati and Romi cheeses were done in this study using direct and cold enrichment methods. Out of 140 samples 3 samples were positive by cold enrichment and they were 2 of raw milk and one of Domiati cheese. Survival of L. monocytogenes was studied during heat treatment of milk by the sealed tube method of inactivation and it was found that L. monocytogenes inactivated completely at 60 degrees C for 15 minutes. There was a statistically inverse correlation between time of storage of dairy products and viable cell count of L. monocytogenes. PH played an important role in survival of that pathogen.

One hundred and four effusions from 66 children with CSOM were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Fifty percent of all effusions yielded bacterial growth and Gram negative organisms constituted 69.2% of those isolates. H. influenza was the most commonly isolated organism (36.5%) followed by B. catarrhalis and Str. pneumoniae. All B. catarrhalis, Staph. aureus and pseudomonas isolates were resistant to ampicillin while cefotaxime was active against all the isolated Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. Considering B-lactamase production, all the isolated Staph. aureus were BLPs while in case of Gram negative bacteria, not all the ampicillin resistant strains were BLPs.

The present study was performed for determination of distribution of P. Shigelloides in human, pet animals, fish and shellfish and water in Alexandria. P. Shigelloides was recovered from 3.2% of diarrheal patients and 2.67% food handlers indicating the importance of plesiomonas as one of the enteric pathogen and reflecting the public health hazard in Egypt. This organism was found to be more pathogenic in infants as 75% of the diarrheal patients were infants under 2 years of age. The isolation rate was higher in summer which is considered the season of increased diarrheal illness. From dogs and cats samples, plesiomonas was recovered from 8% of dogs samples. Out of 120 fish and shellfish samples 18.57% of fish and 8.6% of shellfish samples yielded plesiomonas. Plesiomonas was also recovered from 32 out of 100 water samples, 24 (42.86%) from fresh water. This study shows that P. Shigelloides seem to be one of the current causes of diarrheal illness in Egypt.

Silver, ruthenium, cobalt, iron, zinc, cadmium and mercury are determined in platinum by neutron-activation analysis. The scheme developed requires the removal of the platinum matrix by reduction and the sequential separation of the elements by ion-exchange chromatography. The method is suitable for the simultaneous determination (at the ppm level) of these elements in milligram quantities of platinum.