Maria Cristina

Background and Objectives: This study investigates the efficacy of 4% articaine buccal infiltration in patients with mandibular molar irreversible pulpitis. The goal is to understand the anatomical factors contributing to articaine's success in mandibular infiltrations. Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 patients diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular molars. Patients were divided into two groups: 4% articaine buccal infiltration (n = 30) and 2% lidocaine nerve block (n = 20). Pain was assessed using visual analog scales (VASs) before diagnosis, after thermal pulp sensitivity testing, and 5 and 10 min post-anesthetic application. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure mandibular bone parameters. Results: The success rate for articaine buccal infiltration was 36.55%, with no significant difference between the efficacy in the first and second molars. CBCT measurements indicated no significant influence of buccal cortical bone thickness or distance from the mental foramen on anesthetic efficacy. However, articaine administration achieved anesthesia in some cases where lidocaine did not. Conclusions: Anatomical structures such as cortical bone thickness and distance from the mental foramen do not significantly influence the anesthetic efficacy of articaine in mandibular posterior infiltration for irreversible pulpitis treatment. These findings suggest that factors other than anatomical variations contribute to articaine's superior performance in some clinical scenarios.

Abstract This study aimed to evaluate the combined treatment system of domestic sewage and leachate by serial stabilization ponds in a

Show more Summary Long-range transcriptional activation of gene promoters by abundant enhancers in animal genomes calls for mechanisms to limit inappropriate regulation.

The midface is a key area in facial aesthetics, highly susceptible to age-related changes such as fat pad absorption, bone resorption, and loss of skin elasticity. These changes lead to the formation of prominent folds, such as the nasolabial fold. In addition, critical vascular structures and non-vascular components, such as the facial artery, angular artery, and parotid gland, make this region prone to complications during filler injections. High-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) offers real-time, radiation-free visualization of facial anatomy, enabling injectors to accurately target the desired treatment planes and avoid critical structures. This article is the second in a series of articles on ultrasound-guided facial injections and focuses on the midface. It provides a detailed overview of the sonographic anatomy of key areas, including the nose, tear trough, nasolabial fold, zygomatic, and preauricular regions. Step-by-step techniques for ultrasound-guided filler injections are described, emphasizing the importance of scanning both before and during injections to ensure safe filler placement. By using ultrasound in this area, injectors can possibly minimize risks such as vascular occlusion and other complications, such as the Tyndall effect and intra-parotid injection. With ongoing advancements, ultrasound-guided injections are expected to become more refined, enhancing both aesthetic outcomes and patient safety.

Abstract Unraveling the molecular nature of skin aging and keratinocyte senescence represents a challenging research project in epithelial biology.

Glaucoma is a main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with a high impact on productivity and quality of life. The mechanical and ischemic theories are currently the most recognized pathophysiological pathways that explain the neurodegeneration of retinal nerve fibers in glaucoma. In this narrative review, aspects of ischemia in glaucoma are discussed, including vascular dysregulation, retinal ischemia signaling pathways, roles of vascular endothelial growth factors, and future research and therapeutic directions. In conclusion, a better understanding of the ischemic processes in glaucoma may lead to innovative treatment options and improved management and follow-up of our patients.

ISOPlexis, Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Food Technology, University of Madeira, 9020-105 Funchal, Portugal

Antioxidants are the most popular active ingredients in anti-aging cosmetics as they can restore the physiological radical balance and counteract the photoaging process. Instead of adding pure compounds into the formulations, some “precious” vegetable oils could be used due to their content of tocopherols, phenols, vitamins, etc., constituting a powerful antioxidant unsaponifiable fraction. Here, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy coupled with spin trapping was proven to provide a valid method for evaluating the antioxidant properties and the oxidative resistance of vegetable oils which, following UV irradiation, produce highly reactive radical species although hardly detectable. Extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, apricot kernel oil, and jojoba oil were then evaluated by using N-t-butyl-α-phenylnitrone as a spin trapper and testing different UV irradiation times followed by incubation for 5 to 180 min at 70 °C. The EPR spectra were manipulated to obtain quantitative information useful for comparing the different tested samples. As a result, the knowledge acquired via the EPR analyses demonstrated jojoba oil as the best of the four considered oils in terms of both starting antioxidant ability and oxidative stability overtime. The obtained results confirmed the usefulness of the EPR spin trapping technique for the main proposed purpose.

The valorization of gastropod shell wastes in the production of lime is the topic of this study. First, shells from land snail and sea snail were characterized for their mineralogical, chemical, and thermal properties. Then, the shells were calcined at 1000 °C, and the obtained quicklimes were characterized for their specific surface area, pore diameter, and particle morphology, followed by evaluation of their reactivity in wet slaking tests. Comparisons were made with lime from limestone. It was found that both gastropod shell wastes were composed of aragonite as the dominant crystalline phase. The quicklime from land snail belonged to the most reactive class (R5) of the wet slaking reactivity, reaching 60 °C in about 5 min, whereas the quicklime from the sea snail belonged to the R4 class, reaching 60 °C in about 14 min. However, both were much less reactive than the lime from limestone (60 °C in 25 s). The lower reactivity of quicklime from sea snail shells compared to quicklime from land snail shells could be related to its higher sulfur content (as contaminant), lower pore diameter, and the presence of particles with rounder surfaces. The reference quicklime from limestone was more reactive, mainly due to the much higher specific surface area and lower particle size. It was concluded that the gastropod shell wastes can be used in lime manufacturing.

What is the transcriptomic response of human blastocysts following internalization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by the human endometrium?