Night bruxism is a prevalent parafunctional activity characterized by unconscious grinding and clenching of the teeth during sleep. This condition contributes to tooth wear, muscle discomfort, temporomandibular disorders, and prosthetic complications. Effective therapeutic intervention often includes the use of occlusal splints, which help redistribute occlusal forces and protect dental structures.
Loranthaceae causes abnormal growth and decrease in plant productivity. Despite their harmful character, mistletoes are widely used throughout the world in traditional medicine. This study was conducted to explore baseline data on ethnomedicinal and phytochemical characteristics of Loranthaceae. A survey was done in forty (40) villages to identify species of Loranthaceae and host plants. Questionnaires were administered to obtain information about ethnobotany as well as diseases targeted by mistletoes. Loranthaceae species which had medicinal uses together with their respective host plants were screened for the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, phenols, cardiac glycosides, and saponins. Ethnobotanical results showed that 3 species of Loranthaceae (P. capitata, T. ogowensis and T. apodanthus) were used to treat 40 human diseases. The most used organs were the leaves (91.11% response). Concoction (50.37% response), was the most commonly used method of preparation of recipe. The mistletoe species with the highest relative frequency of citation was Phragmanthera capitata (45.19). Phytochemical analysis showed that these plants were rich in phenols and steroids together with their host plants, but the quantity of these chemicals were higher in the mistletoes than their respective host. Caution should be exercised in the use of Loranthaceae as phytomedicine.
Introduction: Bruxism is an oral parafunctional habit in which a process of clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth occurs, which manifests itself on an unconscious level in patients during sleep. After analyzing day and night bruxism, it was found that night bruxism has a high prevalence. It increases and is associated with several factors such as stress, medications, anxiety, changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as sleep disorders. Therefore, the therapist should be familiar with the etiological causes, in order to provide the most optimal plan for prevention and therapy of the patient through modern diagnostic protocols and therapeutic modalities. Purpose: Analyzing the literature data the goal was set to present the diagnosed night bruxism with its prevalence and therapy with the manufacture of occlusal splints. Material and methods: The Internet databases that helped create this review paper were Pubmed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Researchgate, Academia, application of written textbooks from the country as well as from abroad. The literature search was assisted by keywords in the field of night bruxism. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of diagnosed night bruxism is very high, and the therapy is aimed at eliminating the problems deriving from night bruxism. It is of great importance that after the therapy with occlusal splints, prevention of the entire stomatognathic system is also performed. Therefore, the therapist is directed towards early prevention, which includes the production of paraclinical devices for monitoring the type of bruxism and its’ patterns. To prevent the consequences of night bruxism, which include abrasion, tooth fractures, fracture of prosthetic restorations, damage to dental implants, headache, periodontal lesions and temporomandibular dysfunctions, appropriate therapeutic modalities should be used. Individually designed occlusal splints worn regularly at night help in the prevention and treatment of night bruxism, which protects against further damage to the stomatognathic system. Kapusevska, in her studies, emphasizes the need for early diagnosis for the timely removal of etiological factors that affect the occurrence, course and manifestations of night bruxism. In this way, therapists are encouraged to manufacture appropriate splints that will act preventively on the tissues of the stomatognathic system. Conclusion: Night bruxism, more accurate after the Covid -19 pandemic, completely changes the normal physiological course of the stomatognathic system. Everything should be done to educate dental and medical personnel for timely detection, prevention and treatment of the stomatognathic system of patients from the consequences of diagnosed night bruxism.
Patients with symptoms of ischaemia without obstructive coronary artery disease present a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Microvascular angina (MVA) was called before syndrome X. Invasive coronary angiography used commonly to assess those patients. This article provides a common pathway to diagnose MVA using different invasive and non-invasive tests. In addition, it provides insights for treatment and management of patients in this common clinical scenario.
The aim of the study was to assess modifications in the community of soil mesostigmatid mites’, as indicator of environment stability with land-use change across 2–4 texturally distinct soils in La Mé and Grand Lahou, Côte d’Ivoire. The fieldwork was carried out in humid period on two study sites: 1– rubber landscape (secondary forest, 7-, 12- and 25-year-old rubber plantations) and 2– oil palm landscape (secondary forest, 13-, 20- and 39-year-old oil palm plantations). Three sampling stands were established in each land-use type and age class, for a total of 24 sampling stands. On each sampling stands, soil cores for Gamasid mite’s extraction were taken at 10 cm soil depth through a 40–50 m transect. Our findings highlighted a drop of mesostigmatid mites’ density (–49% and –52%), species richness (–41% and –40%), and diversity (–35% and –49%), respectively after conversion of the secondary forests into rubber and oil palm plantations. The soil with clayey sandy and clayey textures favored the development of the mesostigmatid mites, particularly in the abundance and species richness of Uropodina. However, the soil with sandy clayey textures improved the abundance and species richness of Gamasina. The mesostigmatid mites’ community was degraded in sandy-textured soils. In light of the Maturity Index values, a better quality of soil and environment was detected in the secondary forests compared to plantations. The results also suggest that the mesostigmatid mites’ community influence the soil nutrients and probably plant productivity indirectly by influencing the populations of their prey.
Wheat is one of the economically important cereals that are widely used in the agricultural sector of many countries. A very important issue is the development of new effective growth regulators to improve the growth and development of this crop in order to increase its productivity. In our investigations the regulating activity of the synthetic low molecular weight heterocyclic compounds, pyrimidine derivatives on growth and development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Tyra was studied. It was found that the use of pyrimidine derivatives in a concentration of 10-7M in water solution revealed a positive effect on the growth and development of both shoot and root systems of wheat plants during the vegetation period. Comparative analysis of the growth regulating activity of synthetic compounds showed that the activity of pyrimidine derivatives was differentiated and depended on substituents in their chemical structure. The application of pyrimidine derivatives as new effective regulators of growth and development of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) variety Tyra was proposed.
This study was conducted at the ENS vivarium located at the UFHB of Cocody in the city of Abidjan in the south of Ivory Coast, with a temperature of about 28° C and a humidity of about 70%. It aimed to study some biological parameters of the black soldier fly Hermetia illucens. For achieve this goal, it was a question of studying the different stages of development of the black soldier fly and also studying the evolution of its growth parameters. The flies were captured, kept in an aviary and observed from the fly stage to the end of the pupal stage (emergence of the first flies). Data on the duration of the different stages of development and the evolution of larval growth parameters (average weight, length, width, Fulton index, length/width ratio, survival and mortality rate of larvae) have been taken. This study revealed that the life cycle of Hermetia illucens is between 31 and 43 days, with an incubation time of eggs that lasts 2 days, a larval phase of 14 days, a pupation of 10 days and a duration of adult life of 8 days on average. In addition, this study reports a low mortality rate of larvae (3.45%), larvae much longer (19.46 mm), wider (6 mm) and plumper.
Cypermethrin is a widely used insecticide belongs to type II pyrethroids. It is highly used in developing countries to control many species of insects as it plays an important role in pest control. Vitamin C is an important intracellular antioxidant against insecticides. The aim of the present study is to analyze the toxic effects of cypermethrin (CYP) and the positive effect of vitamin C (VC) with graded doses (0 CYP, 200 VC, 12 CYP and 12 CYP+200 VC mg/kg body weight of male rats/day) for 30 days on liver and kidney functions. Moreover, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress markers, glycogen and glucose levels and also serum lipid profile were studied. Also, this study aimed to evaluate the possible protective role of vitamin C against cypermethrin toxicity
Whenever the determination of yield loss and economic injury levels are essential tools for initiating integrated pest management (IPM) programs in the maize field, the assessment of compensatory yield is very important for determinate the accurate losses in the field and the recovery power for the maize verity. The present study aimed to estimate the yield losses of three maize varieties due to Sesamia critica and Ostrinia nubilalis, infestation; regression between maize yield losses and percent of infestation and determine the compensatory yield arising in intact plants as a result of absence or dead (caused by infestation) of adjacent plants under field conditions in El-Behiera governorate. The present results showed that yield losses resulting from S. cretica infestation in early sowed maize ranged from 5.29 – 32.17%. In case of maize that sowed in recommended date “June”, yield losses due to S. cretica was slightly decreased, and it accompanied with O. nubilalis infestation in two fields, which increased the total yield losses. A simple linear regression turned out between the percentage of infestation of S. cretica or O. nubilalis and percentage of yield losses, with R2 values 0.84 and 0.45, respectively. The yellow corn was more tolerant to stem borers infestation than white corn with percentages of increase rate in compensatory yield 27.07 %. Whenever the determination of yield loss and economic injury levels are essential tools for initiating integrated pest management (IPM) programs in the maize field, the assessment of compensatory yield is very important for determinate the accurate losses in the field and the recovery power for the maize verity. The present study aimed to estimate the yield losses of three maize varieties due to Sesamia critica and Ostrinia nubilalis, infestation; regression between maize yield losses and percent of infestation and determine the compensatory yield arising in intact plants as a result of absence or dead (caused by infestation) of adjacent plants under field conditions in El-Behiera governorate. The present results showed that yield losses resulting from S. cretica infestation in early sowed maize ranged from 5.29 – 32.17%. In case of maize that sowed in recommended date “June”, yield losses due to S. cretica was slightly decreased, and it accompanied with O. nubilalis infestation in two fields, which increased the total yield losses. A simple linear regression turned out between the percentage of infestation of S. cretica or O. nubilalis and percentage of yield losses, with R2 values 0.84 and 0.45, respectively. The yellow corn was more tolerant to stem borers infestation than white corn with percentages of increase rate in compensatory yield 27.07 %.
Common food additives endorsed by Food and drug Organization "FDA" are utilized to preserve taste. The display think about examined the perilous impacts of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their blend which utilized in fabricating of the food additives on a few biochemical parameters and histo-pathological examination in male rats. Male rats were divided into four groups; group I utilized as control, group II and III were treated orally with sodium nitrite NaNO2 (80 mg/kg BW) and sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg BW), separately. Group IV was treated orally with the blend of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Rats were managed their dosages each day for 8 weeks. It appeared that sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their blend (NaNO2 and SB) initiated a critical increment within the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase "AST", alanine aminotransferase "ALT". Antioxidant proteins (GSH, CAT) within the liver tissue recorded a decrease while, MDA recorded an increase action level within the tested groups. Over expression in p53 happened in exploratory groups which were treated by NaNO2, SB and their blend. The present study concluded that the blend of food additives can actuate harmfulness within the liver of rats. In conclusion, it is noted that food additives induced hepatotoxicity within the liver. It diminished the antioxidant chemicals (GSH, CAT) and elevated the activity level of the MDA and increment tumor silencer quality p53 in liver tissue. Food additive substances caused changes in biochemical parameters (ALT, AST). The utilization of food additives must be diminished. The usage of the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate induced changes in biochemical parameters and immune-histopathology.
The present study investigated the unsafe impacts of sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their mixture which is utilized in fabricating of the food on some biochemical parameters in male albino rats. Rats (40) were divided into four groups as follows: group 1 used as the control, group II and III were treated orally with sodium nitrite nano2 (80 mg/kg BW) and sodium benzoate (SB) (200 mg/kg BW), respectively. Group IV was treated orally with a mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Rats took their respective doses every day for 8 weeks. The obtained results showed that sodium nitrite, sodium benzoate and their mixture (nano2 and SB) initiated a diminished within in the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH) within the kidney, while, MDA recorded a highly significant activity level within experimental groups. Urea and creatinine mean levels were were expanded within plasma of the experimental rats. In the histology of the kidney, sections appeared edema with few mononuclear leukocyte cellular infiltrations, shrinkage of glomeruli. The severity of these changes increased in the experimental group which treated by the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate. Overexpression in p53 occurred in experimental groups that were treated by nano2, SB and their mixture. The present study concluded that the mixture of food additives can induce toxicity in the kidney of rats. It is obvious that food additives induced nephrotoxicity within the kidney. It decreased the antioxidant enzymes (GSH, CAT, and SOD) and increased MDA. Increase tumor suppressor gene p53 in kidney tissue. Food added substances caused changes in biochemical parameters as in creatinine and urea. The utilization of food additives must be decreased. The presence of more than one type of food additives on our food and the usage of the mixture of sodium nitrite and sodium benzoate initiated changes in biochemical parameters and immune-histopathological changes.
Potential health risk due to the exposure of bacteria and fungi is mainly related to the concentration of respirable airborne bacteria and fungi in indoor environments. Schools buildings represent an important category of indoor environments. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration and size distribution of bacteria and fungi in classrooms of a public primary school in Beni Suef, Egypt. In addition, the indoor exposure dose (IED) of bacteria and fungi were estimated for children and teachers. A six-stage Andersen impactor was used for collecting the bacterial and fungal particles. Indoor average concentration of bacteria was 1120±458 CFU/m3 while the corresponding fungal concentration was 291±89 CFU/m3. Bacterial level is almost twice the World Health Organization guideline value of 500 CFU/m3 while the fungal level is underestimated. Respirable fraction (<5 µm), that can reach to the lower airways of the lung, of bacteria was 79% while the corresponding respirable fraction of fungi was 90% of the total concentration. The size distribution of bacteria was bimodal in nature and the fungal size distribution was unimodal with lower dispersion than bacteria. IED of bacteria was 211 CFU/kg and 70 CFU/kg for children and teachers, respectively. While the fungal IED was 55 CFU/kg and 18.2 CFU/kg for children and teachers, respectively.
In the present work, it was shown that, in non-toxic concentrations, all EPSs which were isolated from lactic acid bacteria have significant anti-HSV-1 activity affecting various stages of the virus reproduction. It was demonstrated that the use of ESPs leads to the normalization of the life cycle of cells infected with the herpes simplex virus to the level of uninfected cells. It was found that EPS 26a produced by Lactobacillus sp. possesses multiple antiviral effects as it exhibits virucidal activity, blocks adsorption, penetration of the virus into cells and the release of viruses, and reduces the infectious titer of herpes simplex virus by 97-99%, indicating its considerable anti-herpetic activity.
On behalf of the Editorial Board, it is with great pride and sincere privilege that I am writing this message to present the volume 12 (2019) of the JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN BIOLOGY. The issue comes from a long process, and we took all the necessary steps to make it a high-caliber scientific publication. We are relying on the collaboration of all our Editors, reviewers, and contributors to make it a contemporary, lively, and relevant publication.
The aim of experiment was to investigate the effects of Zhuangjin XuGu decoction (ZJXG decoction) on growth hormone (GH) serum and GH receptor (GHR) expression in callus. The femur fracture animal models were generated in 72 Wistar rats by cutting femur transversely at the middle point. The rats models were administered orally ZJXG decoction for 28 days. Anatomy, X-ray and hematoxylin- eosin (HE) staining were used to observe the healing process in rats. The expression of growth hormone receptor (GHR) in fibroblasts and osteoblasts in callus was evaluated by immunohistochemical assay (IHC). The serum level of GH was passed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Anatomy, X-ray and H-E staining indicated that the fibrous callus at the fracture-end increased and the fibrous granular tissue changed gradually to fibrous, cartilaginous and osseous callus. IHC and ELISA showed that after 28 days of ZJXG Decoction treatment, that GH in the fibroblasts and osteoblasts of callus and their serum level increased significantly. These results suggested that ZJXG decoction could enhance the fracture healing by enhancing GH activity and promoting the expression of GHR in the fibroblasts and osteoblasts of callus in rats.
The rampant use of plastics and their disposal into waste are adding to the problems of pollution. The resistance of plastics to bio-degradation is an added advantage for its significant use but the same property creates havoc when the plastic products are disposed off as waste in massive amounts. The property of micro-organisms to evolve quickly brings answers to even the most impossible situations. The current and several other reports show that the plastic is bio-degradable. The current report shows the action of consortia of microbes isolated from a plastic dumping site can lead to degradation of the polymer. The microbial consortia isolated from plastic dumping site when made to grow in controlled conditions in presence of basal media with plastic as sole source of carbon for an extended period of time, aberrations were observed on surface of the plastic. The proteins reported till date in plastic degradation when analysed in-silico for their homologs in all domains of life, they were found to be significantly similar to proteins of cutinase, hydrolase, lipase and some hypothetical proteins. This shows that the plastic degrading proteins have possibly evolved from these protein families.
A field experiment was carried out at the experimental farm of soil laboratory belong to Directorate of Diyala Agriculture, Iraq during 2017. The experiment comprises of different doses of biofertilizers (Azotobacter chroococcum and Pseudomonas fluorescens) 0.08, 0.14 and 0.28 g/plant to assess their performance on growth characteristics of broccoli. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design having four treatments with three replications. The data analysis revealed that the maximum of leaves numbers in the treatment of Biofertilizer, 0.28 (23.4) whereas the maximum area of bigger leaf and head diameter was recorded in all treatments of Biofertilizer 0.08, 0.14 and 0.28 (415.9, 340.3 and 373.9 cm) and (15.5,15.4 and 15.1cm) as compared with control (108.8 cm) and (3.0 cm) respectively.
Hyperlipidaemia is a well documented risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a major cause of mortality world-wide. Chrysophyllum albidum (white star apple) has several medicinal properties. Ingestion of the fruits has been found to lower lipid levels in the body, due to its high fibre content. Research works have shown that several parts of the plant are highly medicinal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperlipidaemic property of methanol leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum in Wistar rats fed with a high fat diet. Thirty male Wistar rats weighing between 130g-150g were distributed into five groups of six animals each. Group 1 received normal fat diet (NFD). Group 2 received high fat diet (HFD; Grower mash supplemented with 20% beef tallow). Group 3 received HFD and a standard lipid lowering drug, orlistat (20mg/kg body weight, p.o). Animals in group 4 and 5 were fed on HFD and received methanol leaf extract of Chrysophyllum albidum, 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg, p.o respectively. The administration was carried out for 56 days. On the 57th day, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Organs were harvested and blood samples were collected for biochemical analyses. Results showed that the administration of HFD increased the total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, triglycerides levels and decreased the HDL- cholesterol levels significantly (p <0.05). Simultaneous administration of Chrysophyllum albidum extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced the total cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, triglycerides levels and increased HDL- Cholesterol. Final body weights of animals that received Chrysophyllum albidum extract were significantly (p<0.05) lower than final body weights of animals in groups 2 (negative control). Results from Histopathology revealed inflammation of the liver and kidney of rats in group 2 (negative control). On the other hand, rats that received orlistat and Chrysophyllum albidum extract had normal liver and kidney architecture. It was concluded that Chrysophyllum albidum extract showed antihyperlipidemic effect in rats fed with beef tallow supplemented diet.
Soybean based fermented foods are known to be highly nutritive, not just because it contains high protein content but also due to presence of polyphenols. Various microorganisms involved during the fermentation process have proven to play active role in the enhancement of the nutritional value as well as increase in phytochemicals in the product. Akhuni/Axone is a popular soybean product of Nagaland, India. It forms an integral part of the diet and is used as a condiment during preparation of various dishes in the Naga kitchen. This study describes the nutritional value, the antioxidant activity and the presence of polyphenols of Akhuni/Axone, which increase significantly in composition between the soybean seeds and the fermented product. The molecular identification of the microorganisms present in Akhuni/Axone product is also reported in this paper.
This study aimed to investigate whether berberine nanoparticles (BBR-NPs) and/or cisplatin supplementation could prevent hepatocarcinogenesis-induced by N-nitroso-diethylamine (DENA) in male rats. Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups; Group 1: Control; Group 2: DENA-CCl4; Group 3: DENA-CCl4+Cisplatin; Group 4: DENA-CCl4+BBR-NPs; Group 5: DENA-CCl4+Cisplatin+BBR-NPs. DENA-CCl4 significantly increase AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, GGT, AFP activities and total bilirubin, while, 5, NT, total protein and albumin decreased. DENA-CCl4 treatment caused increment in MDA levels and reduction in SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH in liver tissues. Moreover, DENA-CCl4 increase the gene expression of ADAM17 and TNF-α however, P53 was declined. In addition, DENA-CCl4 caused severe histopathological lesions in the liver tissue. Interestingly, administration of berberine nanoparticles alone or in combination with cisplatin improves the hepatocarcinogenesis induced by DENA-CCl4 on the physiological, biochemical, molecular and histological levels by decreasing oxidative stress and preserving gene expression of ADAM17, TNF-α and P53. The present findings suggest that BBR-NPs with cisplatin might offer a promising strategy for the prevention of liver cancer.
