The combined effects of mycorrhizal fungi and Azotobacter bacteria alongside NPK fertilizer on growth, yield, essential oil quality, and antimicrobial properties of Foeniculum vulgare (fennel) were evaluated. Seed inoculation with biofertilizers and chemical fertilizer applications under controlled greenhouse conditions significantly enhanced plant height (112.5 +/- 2.9 cm), umbels per plant (39 +/- 3.6), thousand-seed weight (3.95 +/- 0.21 g), biological yield (4245 +/- 230 kg/ha), seed yield (1544 +/- 228 kg/ha), and harvest index (36.3 +/- 3.3%) compared to the control (p < 0.01). Essential oils extracted from treated plants demonstrated improved antimicrobial efficacy, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against Aspergillus niger reduced by 50% to 62.5 g/mL. Similar reductions in MIC values were observed for Penicillium digitatum, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus. Minimum fungicidal and bactericidal concentrations (MFC/MBC) also decreased substantially with combined treatments. Results confirm that integrating biofertilizers enhances fennel growth, yield, and the antimicrobial potency of its essential oil, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers in medicinal plant cultivation.
Background: Zirconia dental implants are increasingly explored as alternatives to titanium due to favorable osteointegration and biocompatibility. Objective: To review the osseointegration potential, immune response, and clinical relevance of zirconia implants, with attention to strategies aimed at improving performance. Results: Osseointegration is influenced by surface roughness, chemistry, and implant design. Surface treatments such as sandblasting, acid etching, laser structuring, and bioactive coatings improve topography, wettability, and osteoblast activity. Zirconia demonstrates high biocompatibility and generally favorable immune responses, including reduced inflammatory signaling and support for tissue healing, although clinical data remain limited. Its smooth surface and low plaque affinity may further support peri-implant tissue health. Emerging innovations in mechanical reinforcement, antibacterial modifications, and digital workflows, offer additional potential to enhance implant performance. Conclusion: Zirconia implants exhibit promising osseointegration and biocompatibility, but current evidence is insufficient to claim superiority over titanium. Further long-term clinical studies are required to validate these findings and optimize implant design and surface strategies.
Biodegradable metals, such as magnesium-based alloys, are of great interest for use as intracorporeal implants that disappear once the tissue or function is restored. These materials are even suitable for load-bearing applications, but their degradation rate still needs to be reduced and controlled to avoid hydrogen gas liberation. A surface treatment of anodization has already been described for the magnesium AZ91 alloy, which acts as a barrier to prevent degradation and reduce hydrogen release, showing good in vivo results after 30 days of implantation in a murine model. In this study, the performance of anodized AZ91 alloy was evaluated over a long-term period of 6 months in the same animal model. The new bone in contact with the implants exhibited a continuous interface, without gas pockets or fibrous tissue. Bone-to-implant contact was better than that of a polymeric implant (control), and the new bone showed favorable results in terms of volume, trabecular thickness, mineral apposition rate, maturity, and crystallinity. All this evidence supports the potential of anodized AZ91 as a candidate for biodegradable bone fixation devices.
The development of biocompatible, biodegradable, and structurally adaptable scaffolds remains a critical challenge in tissue engineering. In this study, a series of novel three-dimensional porous scaffolds were fabricated by combining poly (glycerol succinate) (PGSu) with varying weight ratios of chitosan (Ch) using a salt-leaching technique. The chemical structure and functional group interactions were confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed enhanced molecular ordering in Cs-rich compositions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrate that the incorporation of Cs improved pore interconnectivity and surface roughness. Contact angle measurements and swelling tests indicated increased hydrophilicity and water uptake, particularly in PGSu/Cs (30/70) scaffolds. Mechanical testing revealed that PGSu/Ch (50/50) exhibited superior compressive strength and elasticity under both dry and hydrated conditions, while PGSu/Ch (30/70) demonstrated enhanced flexibility and deformability in wet environments which is an essential feature for tissue applications. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and hydrolytic degradation in fetal bovine serum (FBS) revealed that Ch content modulated scaffold thermal stability and biodegradation rate, with PGSu/Ch (30/70) degrading most rapidly over 60 days. Biological assessments, including MTT assay and SEM-based cell adhesion analysis, confirmed excellent cytocompatibility for all PGSu/Ch scaffolds. The PGSu/Ch (30/70) composition demonstrated the highest levels of cell viability, adhesion, and surface colonization over a 7-day culture period. These findings highlight the potential of PGSu/Ch scaffolds as tunable biomaterials for soft tissue regeneration, offering a favorable balance between mechanical performance, biodegradability, and cellular compatibility.
Resin composites are frequently used in restorative dentistry, but polymerization shrinkage poses significant challenges. This study aimed to assess the micro-tensile bond strength of indirect composites to deep dentin utilizing various bonding agents under Immediate Dentin Sealing (IDS). Sixty non-carious third molar teeth were selected; their roots were sectioned below the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and divided into five groups: four with adhesive systems (Optibond FL, SE bond, G Premio bond, G2 bond) under IDS and one control group using Delayed Dentin Sealing (DDS). After temporary restoration, composite blocks were bonded to each sample. A force of 500N was applied to measure micro-tensile bond strength until fracture, with data analyzed via chi-square tests, ANOVA, and Tukey's post hoc tests. The bond strength values ranked from highest to lowest were Opti bond FL, SE bond, G2 bond, G Premio bond, and the control group. No significant differences were found among Opti bond FL, SE bond, and G2 bond (P > 0.05), but these three systems exhibited significantly higher bond strengths than the control group (P < 0.05). The bond strength of G Premio bond under IDS was significantly lower than the other adhesives (P < 0.05). In conclusion, IDS enhances the micro-tensile bond strength of indirect composite restorations to deep dentin, with Opti bond FL demonstrating the highest bond strength and the control group exhibiting the lowest.
