The Scientific World Journal最新文献

Eucalyptus was first introduced to Ethiopia in the late 19^th century to address the scarcity of firewood and construction wood in the capital city. Since then, it has spread across the country and has become an important source of income for many households while also reducing the need for deforestation. Despite concerns raised by environmentalists about its eco-hydrological impact, the plantation has expanded to cover a vast area of the nation, including farmlands and mountainous regions. Currently, around 506,000 hectares of land in Ethiopia are covered by Eucalyptus plantations. The growth of Eucalyptus plantations can be attributed to various socioeconomic, ecological, and biological factors, including the increasing demand for wood and wood products. However, this growth has also led to negative environmental consequences such as reduced surface and groundwater flow, decreased crop productivity, soil fertility degradation and depletion, and high water consumption, which can result in water scarcity. To address these environmental impacts, it is essential to select appropriate species and sites and implement proper silvicultural and land use planning before planting. Additionally, promoting renewable energy sources and planting environmentally sound fast-growing indigenous and exotic tree species can help reduce the adverse effects of Eucalyptus on the environment.

Background: While polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is widely used in orthodontic appliances such as clear aligners and retainers, there is limited experimental data assessing its performance under functional stresses, such as those encountered during dental movements and palatal expansion. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ability of PETG thermoplastic material to withstand deformation under functional and expansion forces, specifically within the context of orthodontic applications. Subjects and Methods: To estimate the firmness of the screw within the appliance, a universal Instron testing machine was used to record the forces released by each activation of the expander within the upper part of 10 clear modified twin blocks (MTBs) made from PETG and compare it with that released by 10 conventional twin blocks (CTBs). On the other hand, to determine the ability of the thermoplastic appliance to withstand the deformation during functional forces, a three-point bending test was used to investigate the response of both appliances under static loading. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Both CTB and MTB groups follow the same pattern of increase and decrease in the amount of mean load with the CTB group line showing a considerably higher amount of mean load reaching the peak (334.5 N) at turn 25 of screw activation while the peak of mean load for MTB group was equal to 252.6 N at turn 23. There was a statistically significant difference between the CTB and MTB groups in the three-point bending test (p=0.001). However, both appliances did not deform at the required force. Conclusions: The MTB can withstand both required expansion and functional load without deformation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06116500.

Infection by human herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 (HSV-1/2) is common globally though with wide regional variability. Seroepidemiology of HSV-1/2 infections is of utmost importance in formulating control strategies, but there is a paucity of data from many regions of India. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of anti-HSV-1/2 antibodies in Uttarakhand and adjoining areas and to study its pattern and distribution in different subgroups. Serum samples from 322 cases were subjected to ELISA test to check for the presence of anti-HSV-1/2 IgG and IgM antibodies. Sociodemographic and clinical information were extracted from medical records. The association of seropositivity and associated factors was analyzed using Fisher's exact test. The overall HSV-1/2 seropositivity was observed to be 46.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 40.5-51.4). Total IgM and IgG were found in 6.2% (95% CI: 3.6-8.8) and 45.3% (95% CI: 38.1-48.9) cases, respectively. No significant difference between seropositivity of males and females was observed (45.7% in males versus 46.2% in females; p value: 0.928). Seroprevalence increased with age in both genders but was more pronounced in males (p value: <0.001), while 50.6% of women in the reproductive age group (18-30 years) were found to be seropositive. Females from Uttarakhand, compared to adjoining states (p value: 0.041) and both men and women residing in hilly terrain compared to plains (p value: 0.018; p value: 0.030), showed significantly lower prevalence, while urban-dwelling men showed higher seropositivity (p value: 0.048). Thus, HSV-1/2 seroprevalence is lower in this region, especially in young, rural, and hill dwellers, indicating majority are vulnerable to acquiring new infections. More awareness among high-risk groups and implementation of targeted public health policies can help control the disease burden.

Background: Ethnomedicine exhibits potential in developing affordable effective antidiabetic agents. Aim: This work aimed to explore the antidiabetic properties of Aloe niebuhriana latex extract both in vivo, utilizing alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and in vitro, through α-amylase enzyme testing. Additionally, it sought to formulate optimal effervescent granules derived from the extract. Methods: The α-amylase inhibition assay was performed using the α-amylase kit using biochemical analyzers. Experimental diabetes was induced in animals with alloxan. On Day 14 postdiabetes induction, body weight, fasting blood glucose, and lipid profile parameters were determined. Also, six effervescent granule preparations of the extract were formulated using wet granulation. Based on its physical and organoleptic properties, a formulation was selected and optimized. Results: The extract displayed modest α-amylase inhibition, with an IC₅₀ value of 439.2 μg/mL. Both doses of A. niebuhriana extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood glucose level compared to their respective Day 1 levels (p < 0.001). Moreover, the extract at a dose of 400 mg/kg significantly normalized lipid profile compared to the diabetic control groups (p < 0.05 - 0.001). Six formulations containing the extract were prepared (F1-F6), and F6 containing 200 mg of the extract was selected for optimization due to its favorable odor, taste, foaming, and effervescent properties, high solubility, and absence of turbidity and adhesion. The formulated F6 granules successfully met the quality parameters assessed including flow time, pH effervescent time, angle of repose, bulk density, tapped density, Carr's index, and Hausner's ratio. Conclusion: This study highlights the antidiabetic potential of A. niebuhriana latex extract, potentially attributed to its hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, and α-amylase inhibitory effects. The successful formulation and evaluation of the extract as effervescent granules suggest its potential as an antidiabetic drug.

Background: Dental caries causes mineral loss and organic damage to teeth. Understanding caries and dentin pulp reactions is crucial for effective caries management strategies. There is a lack of knowledge regarding the microscopic and ultramicroscopic changes that occur during caries destruction and reactive changes. This study used polarizing and scanning electron microscopy to compare deciduous and permanent coronal caries. Materials and Methods: The study included 30 teeth, comprising 15 primary and permanent teeth, all with coronal caries. They were also compared with 10 (5 each) noncarious primary and permanent teeth. The teeth were examined using polarizing and scanning electron microscopy to study enamel and dentin destruction, reactive dentin formation, peritubular dentin destruction, and bacterial colonization. Results: Deciduous teeth had more enamel and dentin destruction for coronal caries than permanent teeth in our study. The permanent teeth had more reactive dentin formation than primary teeth. Peritubular dentine alteration was increased in deciduous teeth, and bacterial presence on dentin was higher in permanent teeth under scanning electron microscope. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that caries destruction is more prevalent in deciduous teeth, and reactive response is more effective in permanent teeth affected by caries. These findings reflect the structural durability of the mineralized tissues and prompt reactive response of the dentin pulp complex of permanent teeth compared to deciduous teeth. Our research highlights the importance of identifying and treating decay in primary teeth at an early stage.

Background: This study aimed at comparing gingival depigmentation by locally injected vitamin C with surgical depigmentation, in terms of effectiveness and patient acceptability. Methods: Forty-two patients presenting with ethnicity-related hyperpigmentation were randomly divided into two groups, Group I (n = 21) was treated with locally injected vitamin C and Group II (n = 21) was treated by surgical depigmentation. The outcome was assessed using Gingival Pigmentation Index (GPI) and Skin Hyperpigmentation Index (SHI). Results: Both the techniques were successful in treating gingival hyperpigmentation, but the patients who underwent vitamin C-based depigmentation showed significantly higher satisfaction with the treatment result, based on patient reported Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scoring. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that locally injected vitamin C and surgical depigmentation are comparable in their effectiveness for treating gingival hyperpigmentation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: CTRI/2023/02/050127.

Oral cancer is responsible for increased mortality, especially in the Indian subcontinent. Habits like smoking and tobacco chewing are among the most common causes of oral cancer. Previously, these habits were seen mainly in the elderly; however, the trends have seemed to increase in the younger generation. Awareness regarding oral cancer is essential during the early years of a healthcare expert for effective diagnosis. This study aimed to investigate oral cancer awareness among medical and dental students. A cross-sectional study including 144 medical and 112 dental undergraduate students was designed. A validated 12-question questionnaire on oral cancer awareness was distributed to medical and dental undergraduate students. The collated data were analyzed statistically using tests of proportion. Dental students were more likely to examine oral mucosa routinely (χ ² = 9.585, p=0.002) and observe oral lesions like proliferative growth (χ ² = 71.763, p < 0.001), while medical students reported higher incidences of poor oral hygiene (χ ² = 7.667, p=0.006) and tobacco usage (χ ² = 6.337, p=0.012). Both groups expressed a need for more education on oral cancer, with dental students showing a stronger preference (χ ² = 7.526, p=0.006). Referral to an oral surgeon was preferred among both groups. The dental students felt a lack of sufficient knowledge on oral cancer. It was observed that the knowledge and information regarding cancer-related symptoms was more among medical students. However, overall awareness regarding oral cancer was higher in dental students compared to medical students. It was concluded that medical students exhibited more knowledge about oral cancer causes, while dental students were more aware of its signs and symptoms. Educational interventions should be introduced early to reduce diagnostic delays and prevent cancer progression.

The land use/land cover in the Sudano-Sahelian area of Cameroon has been disturbed since these 3 decades resulting from the influence of anthropogenic factors. This study aimed to assess floristic diversity and the impacts of anthropogenic activities on the Pette forest massifs in the Pette Subdivision. The transect method (1000 × 20 m) was used for plant inventory, and Landsat images 5 TM (1990), 7 ETM+ (2005) and 8 OLI_TIRS (2020) were analysed to determine land cover. In total, 44 woody species belonging to 30 genera and 20 families were identified. The most frequent species (10.17%) was Grewia bicolor, and the species with high density was Acacia ataxacantha (56.87 stems·ha^-1). The forest massifs were dominated by Anogeissus leiocarpus (36.01%), and the basal area was 234.77 m²·ha^-1. The Shannon diversity index varies from 3.53 to 3.99 bits in Fadare and Tchakamadje forest massifs, respectively. The diameter and height distribution show an "L" shape reflecting juvenile vegetation. The analysis of Landsat images from 1990, 2005 and 2020 indicated an extension of agricultural lands (6234.54 ha in 1990 to 10,018.33 ha in 2020), bare soils/dwelling lands (14,049.90 ha in 1990 to 15,374.12 ha in 2020) and the degradation of shrub/tree savannah lands (74,312 ha in 1990 to 59,312.95 ha in 2020). The different forest massifs were rich, and anthropogenic activities were one of the main factors responsible for their degradation.

Plastics are basically long-chain hydrocarbon compound synthesizes from nonrenewable liquid petroleum products. Since plastics have special and variety of features such as easy availability and handling, light weight, energy efficiency, nondegradable nature, cheap, faster production, and design flexibility, it has gained wide popularity in short time period and has become indispensable part of day-to-day life. The increasing usage and production of plastic with exponential rate have resulted in increasing plastic waste disposal problems which may cause adverse effect on environment and human health. Moreover, fast exhaustion of nonrenewable fossil fuel has also become a major problem. To encounter both the problem at a same time, plastic waste conversion method has come into picture. Several plastic waste conversion methods such as landfills, plastic incineration, and recycling are available out of which recycling has gained a lot of interest. One of the important recycling methods is pyrolysis, which is referred as most suitable method due to its advantages such as flexible, easy in handling, less intense sorting, less labor intensive, and high-quality liquid oil extraction. The gaseous by-product also has high calorific value. In the present study, an attempt has been made to produce alternative fuel from waste polypropylene plastic. The study further aims to compare the properties of the obtained WPPO with diesel and blend of WPPO and diesel to ascertain its feasibility for engine runs.

A H₂S gas sensor has been manufactured using Cr₂O₃-ɣFe₂O₃ nanoparticles with ratios of (2:1, 1:1, and 1:2), using the photolysis method. The chemical composition and microstructure of the resulting samples were characterized using XRD, EDx, and SEM. The sensor's gas-sensing performance was examined at various operating temperatures ranging from 100°C to 250°C. The results demonstrated that the sensor had optimal response in detecting H₂S gas at a ratio of 1:2. Furthermore, the discussion revolved around the sensor's sensing mechanism specifically for H₂S.