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Structural and Ecological Characteristics of Commercial Timber species' population: a Basis for Silviculture in Niaouli Forest Stands (Southern Benin). This study was carried out to provide silvicultural guidance in the Niaouli forest (6°43'- 6°44'N and 2°07'- 2°08'E), Southern Benin, based on commercial species. Twenty-three 0.25 ha plots (50 m x 50 m) were set to characterize the structure and the ecology of these species' populations. Within each plot of 0.25 ha, three 100 m² sub-plots (10 m × 10 m) were set for the assessment of regeneration. A multidimensional scaling was performed with SPSS 16.0 on presence-absence data of species, and led to the identification of four forest stands. Overall, the number of species and their abundance in the stands were linked to the presence of water. Diameter structure and regeneration revealed that the populations of the studied species were not at equilibrium. The silvicultural interventions suggested to equilibrate them were as follows: enrichment of the forest stands with the studied species; removal of liana and clearing of the undergrowth to enable the germination of seeds and the growth of the seedlings of commercial species, and the protection of the forest from illegal logging by improving security.

Copyright of Fruits is the property of International Society for Horticultural Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Tropicultura is the property of Agri-Overseas asbl and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: The degradation of the restorative-dentin interface due to endogenous dentin enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), is a significant issue that accelerates the deterioration of the dentin matrix and leads to the failure of restorative treatments. Caredyne Restore (CR), a novel glass ionomer cement (GIC) with zinc ions in its formulation, represents the latest effort to mitigate this issue. This investigation aimed to evaluate the MMPs inhibitory effect, marginal integrity, and cytotoxicity of CR compared to a conventional GIC, Fuji IX (FIX)., Methods: The inhibitory effect of CR on MMPs activity was evaluated using in-situ zymography to visualize the endogenous gelatinolytic activity in the GIC-dentin interface. Additionally, CR's sealing properties were investigated using dye-assisted confocal laser microscopy (CLSM) to assess marginal leakage across the GIC-dentin interface. Both in-situ zymography and CLSM observations were conducted 1 day and seven days after pH cycling. Finally, the cytotoxicity of the GIC eluates was examined on rat dental pulp cells (RPCC2A). Assay measurements were performed after 24 and 48 h of incubation with test solutions prepared using various GIC eluate concentrations., Results: The MMPs activity of the CR specimens was significantly lower than that of FIX specimens after seven days of pH cycling. Signs of marginal leakage were also lower in the CR specimens. Comparison of CR and FIX eluates at the same concentration showed no significant difference in terms of biocompatibility., Conclusions: Caredyne restore is capable of inhibiting endogenous enzyme activity and improving sealing properties, while maintaining sufficient biocompatibility., Clinical Significance: Zinc ions released from Caredyne Restore offer a safe way to improve the quality of dental restorations and promote minimally invasive treatment, especially in lesions where the dentin matrix is susceptible to enzymatic degradation and recurrent caries., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We declare that this manuscript is original and free of conflict of interest, (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the effect of ions released from surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler on collagen morphology, remineralization, and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of demineralized dentin., Materials and Methods: Bovine incisor root dentins were demineralized with EDTA and divided into three treatment groups: 1) water (control); 2) S-PRG filler eluate; 3) 125 ppm sodium fluoride (NaF). After a 3-min treatment, the specimens were stored in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 3 months. Collagen morphology and remineralization were assessed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Additionally, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) was measured., Results: TEM and SEM demonstrated that S-PRG induced more effective remineralization compared to NaF, while the control group exhibited faint mineral deposition with collagen degradation. S-PRG displayed the most homogenous mineral deposition in collagen fibrils, along with closure of interfibrillar spaces. Extensive mineral precipitation was observed within dentinal tubules in the S-PRG group. In addition, S-PRG filler eluate demonstrated significantly higher phosphate-to-amide ratio and UTS compared to NaF and control groups (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: Ion released from S-PRG filler positively influenced collagen morphology, remineralization, and ultimate tensile strength of demineralized dentin., Clinical Significance: S-PRG filler enhances remineralization and improve the biomechanics of demineralized dentin., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest On behalf of the authors, I declare that this manuscript is original, has not been published before and is not currently being considered for publication elsewhere. There are no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. The manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We confirm that the order of authors listed in the manuscript has been approved by all of us., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of smear layer deproteinization using hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with/without metal chlorides (SrCl 2 and ZnCl 2 ) on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of two simplified adhesives to dentin., Methods: Human dentin surfaces with a standardized smear layer were pretreated using a 105 ppm HOCl solution with/without SrCl 2 (0.05 M, 0.1 M, 0.2 M, 0.4 M) or ZnCl 2 (0.05 M, 0.1 M, 0.2 M) for 5 s, 15 s, or 30 s. After the deproteinizing solution was washed out with water for 5 s, 15 s, or 30 s, pretreated surfaces were bonded with one-step self-etch adhesive Bond Force II or universal adhesive Clearfil Universal Bond Quick, and µTBS was measured after 24 h. Additionally, the deproteinizing effects of HOCl solutions with/without the metal chlorides were compared by measuring changes in the amide:phosphate ratio using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed using multifactor ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc tests and t-tests (p < 0.05)., Results: Pretreatment with pure HOCl for 15 s and 30 s significantly decreased the amide:phosphate ratio (p < 0.05), indicating effective deproteinization, but the µTBS of both adhesives increased significantly only if HOCl was washed out for 30 s (p < 0.05). Increasing the concentrations of metal chlorides enabled shortening of the wash-out time down to 5 s while maintaining the improved µTBS (p < 0.05). The deproteinizing effect of HOCl was not significantly altered by the addition of metal chlorides (p > 0.05)., Significance: The effectiveness of smear layer deproteinization using HOCl can be improved by the addition of metal chlorides, as their increasing concentration allowed to shorten the wash-out time from 30 s down to 5 s., (Copyright © 2022 The Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study investigated the influence of application/wash-out times of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) on dentin bond strength of one-step self-etch adhesives (1-SEAs). Human coronal dentin discs with a standardized smear layer were pretreated with 6% NaOCl or 100 ppm HOCl for 5 s, 15 s, or 30 s, and washed out with water for 5 s, 15 s or 30 s with or without the application of Clearfil DC Activator (CDA). No pretreatment was used as a control. The discs were bonded with a 1-SEA (Bond Force II or Clearfil Universal Bond Quick) and microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was measured after 24 h. Pretreatment with NaOCl for 15 s and 30 s significantly decreased µTBS (p<0.05), irrespective of wash-out time. The application of CDA recovered µTBS but did not outperform the control group. Conversely, pretreatment with HOCl for 15 s and 30 s followed by 30 s wash-out time significantly increased µTBS of 1-SEAs (p<0.05), regardless of CDA application.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a sulfinate agent on the bonding durability of one-step self-etch adhesives (1-SEAs) to smear-layer-covered dentin deproteinized with hypochlorous acid (HOCl)., Materials and Methods: Human coronal dentin disks with a standardized smear layer were deproteinized with 100 ppm HOCl solution for 0 s (control), 15 s or 30 s. After rinsing with water for 30 s and air drying, half of the specimens were treated with a sulfinate agent (Scotchbond Universal Dual Cure Activator; SDA) prior to the application of a 1-SEA (Bond Force II [Tokuyama Dental] or Clearfil Universal Bond Quick [Kuraray Noritake]). Microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was measured after 24 h or 10,000 thermal cycles (TC). The data were analyzed by three-way ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc tests and t-tests at the 0.05 significance level., Results: The 24-h µTBS of both adhesives increased statistically significantly with the HOCl pretreatment for 15 s or 30 s (p < 0.05), but it was not statistically significantly affected by the application of SDA (p > 0.05). However, after TC, the groups treated with the combination of HOCl and SDA maintained their µTBS (p > 0.05), as opposed to untreated dentin and dentin treated with either HOCl or SDA, whose µTBS decreased significantly (p < 0.05)., Conclusion: The application of the sulfinate agent did not statistically significantly affect the immediate bond strength of 1-SEAs, and it could not prevent a significant decrease in the bond strength to untreated dentin after thermocycling. However, the sulfinate agent significantly improved the bonding durability of 1-SEAs to HOCl smear-layer deproteinized dentin.

Objectives: Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) plays an important role in the mineralization of both dentin and bones. The Dspp null mice developed periodontal diseases. Patients with DSPP mutations have dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI), but very little is known about their bone characteristics. This study aims to characterize alveolar bone cells of a DGI patient with DSPP mutation., Materials and Methods: Pathogenic variants were identified by whole exome and sanger sequencing. Cells isolated from the alveolar bones of a DSPP patient were investigated for their characteristics including cell morphology, attachment, spreading, proliferation, colony formation, mineralization, and osteogenic differentiation., Results: We identified a Thai family with three members affected with autosomal dominant DGI harboring a heterozygous pathogenic missense mutation, c.50C > T, p.P17L, in exon 2 of the DSPP gene. The patients' phenotypes presented deteriorated opalescent teeth with periapical lesions, thickening of lamina dura, furcation involvement, alveolar bone loss, and bone exostoses. The alveolar bone cells isolated from DSPP patient exhibited compromised proliferation and colony formation. Scanning electron microscope revealed altered cellular morphology and spreading. The DSPP cells showed deviated mRNA levels of OCN, ALP, and COL1 but maintained in vitro mineralization ability compared to the control., Conclusions: We demonstrate that the DSPP p.P17L mutant alveolar bone cells had compromised cell spreading, proliferation, colony formation, and osteogenic induction, suggesting abnormal bone characteristics in the patient with DGI caused by DSPP mutation., Clinical Relevance: DSPP mutation can induce the behavior alterations of alveolar bone cells.

Purpose: To examine the effect of grape seed extract (GSE) pretreatment on the reduction of active gelatinases when using universal adhesives in etch-and-rinse mode., Materials and Methods: Fifty extracted non-carious human teeth were used in this study. Dentin powder was prepared for analysis of active MMP-2 by ELISA. Resin-dentin slices were prepared for in situ zymography in order to localize active gelatinases by quenched fluorescein-conjugated gelatin under a confocal microscope. Fluorescence intensity was analyzed quantitatively. Specimens were allocated into 6 groups: a non-treated control, phosphoric acid etched (PA), PA followed by Single Bond Universal (SBU, 3M Oral Care) or G-Premio Bond (GPB, GC), and PA followed by GSE for 1 min prior to SBU or GPB. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's test at a significance level of 0.05., Results: Application of the universal adhesives SBU and GPB in etch-and-rinse mode reduced active MMP-2 in dentin matrices. However, the only further significant reduction was found in GPB pre-treated with GSE, as analyzed by ELISA. In situ zymography demonstrated the location of active gelatinases, and fluorescence intensity analysis confirmed significant reduction of active gelatinases in the hybrid layer of GPB pre-teated with GSE compared to GPB alone., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the potential advantage of applying GSE to reduce active gelatinases especially at the hybrid layer, with greater benefit achieved for hydrophobic adhesives. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action, analysis of bond strength, and long-term efficacy require further study.

We determined the structures of Nod factors produced by six different Bradyrhizobium sp. strains nodulating the legume tree Acacia albida (syn. Faidherbia albida). Compounds from all strains were found to be similar, i.e., O-carbamoylated and substituted by an often sulfated methyl fucose and different from compounds produced by Rhizobium-Mesorhizobium-Sinorhizobium strains nodulating other species of the Acaciae tribe.