Search Results (6)

Mushrooms are known to be a nutritional powerhouse, offering diverse bioactive compounds that promote and enhance health. Mushrooms provide a distinguishable taste and aroma and are an essential source of vitamin D₂, vitamin B complex, hydroxybenzoic acids (HBAs) and hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), terpenes, sterols, and β-glucans. Edible mushroom varieties such as Hericium erinaceus, Ganoderma sp., and Lentinula edodes are recognized as functional foods due to their remarkable potential for disease prevention and promotion of overall health and well-being. These varieties have antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, cholesterol-lowering, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and anticancer properties, as well as controlling blood pressure, being an immunity booster, and strengthening bone properties. In addition, they contain essential non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) and ergothioneine, a potential substrate for gut microflora. Supplementing our daily meals with those can add value to our food, providing health benefits. Novel edible mushrooms are being investigated to explore their bioactive substances and their therapeutic properties, to benefit human health. The scientific community (mycologists) is currently studying the prospects for unlocking the full health advantages of mushrooms. This review aims to promote knowledge of mushroom culturing conditions, their nutritional potential, and the value-added products of 11 varieties. Full article

Background/Objectives: Graphene and its derivatives have garnered attention for their unique properties that could enhance dental biomaterials. Understanding their interactions with biological systems is crucial for optimizing their application in dentistry. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the biocompatibility, molecular interactions, and toxicity profiles of graphene and its derivatives for potential dental applications using in silico approaches. Methods: The study employed molecular-docking simulations, 100 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, pharmacophore modeling, and in silico toxicity assessments. Key bone-related proteins and receptors were selected to assess the potential of graphene-based materials in dental restorative and regenerative therapies. Results: Molecular-docking simulations revealed strong interactions of Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) and sulfur-doped graphene with critical bone-related receptors, suggesting their potential for reinforcing dentin and promoting bone regeneration. MD simulations demonstrated stable complex formations, with occasional fluctuations indicating areas for material optimization. In silico toxicity assessments indicated favorable profiles for high-purity graphene and selected doped graphenes (nitrogen-, fluorine-, and sulfur-doped), while graphene oxide (GO) exhibited concerning toxicity levels, highlighting the importance of mitigating strategies. Conclusions: Graphene and its derivatives exhibit promising biocompatibility and molecular interaction profiles relevant to dental applications. Challenges such as GO’s toxicity and occasional instability in simulations suggest the need for further research into surface modifications and material refinement. These findings pave the way for advancing graphene-based dental materials toward clinical implementation, potentially revolutionizing dental prosthetics and treatments. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a contemporary, information-driven innovative technology. Prosthetic dentistry, also known as prosthodontics, is the restoration and reconstruction of missing teeth utilizing implants for permanent and removable prostheses. It enhances healthy soft and hard tissues, promoting oral health. This study examined the use of artificial intelligence in prosthodontics to diagnose abnormalities and create patient-specific prostheses. Two researchers searched Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCO host, Science Direct, and Web of Science (MEDLINE, WOS, and KJD). Articles on AI in English were reviewed. We also collected the following broad article aspects: research and control groups, assessment methodology, outcomes, and quality rankings. This methodological study examined AI use in prosthodontics using the latest scientific findings. The findings were statistically evaluated using ANOVA. Titles and abstracts revealed 172 AI-related dentistry studies, which were analyzed in this research. Thirty-eight papers were eliminated. According to the evaluation, AI was found to have significantly increased in prosthodontics. Despite the vast number of studies documenting AI applications, the description of the data illustrated the latest breakthroughs in AI in prosthodontics, highlighting its use in automatically produced diagnostics, predicting analytics, and classification or verification tools. Full article

Background and Objectives: Little information is available on the role of Vitamin D as a micro-nutrient deficiency with masticatory muscle efficiency and its effect on the function of removable prosthesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of vitamin D on masticatory muscle activity among completely edentulous patients and its effect on the retention of removable complete dentures (RCDs). Materials and Methods: A non-randomized clinical control trial was conducted on completely edentulous patients (60.53 ± 7.01 years) in the Indian population between 2017 and 2019. Subjects were evaluated for temporomandibular disorders according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Serum Vitamin D (S Vit D) levels, Ultrasonography (USG), and surface Electromyography (sEMG) readings of the masseter muscle were recorded at enrolment (Level 0), after 3 months of Vitamin D therapy (Level 3), and after consecutive 3 months of maintenance therapy, i.e., after 6 months from baseline (Level 6). The fabrication of new RCDs was done for all after the enrolment, and the retention of RCDs was assessed by asking a question regarding denture retention and asking respondents to mark their satisfaction on a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analysed using ANOVA, Paired’-test and Pearson correlation coefficients. A p-value less than 0.05 indicated a statistically significant association. Results: Between enrolment and a six-month follow-up, S Vit D levels showed an increase from 16.03 ± 5.68 ng/mL to 31.35 ± 9.28 ng/mL, showing an increase of 15.32 ± 9.38 ng/mL (95.57% rise). Statistically significant values were observed for USG and sEMG. Conclusions: Results showed that S Vit D affects masticatory muscle activity by improving its thickness and boosting its tonicity. Healthy muscles assist in the retention of RCDs, consequently aiding in mastication, speech, and phonetics, hence improving patient satisfaction. Clinical implication: Acknowledging the fact that the prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is worldwide. We suggest Vitamin D therapy as a nutritional intervention among the elderly completely edentulous population, following dietary counselling, and consider Vitamin D therapy to be an adjunct to nutritional counselling for improving masticatory muscle activity and efficiency, which aids in RCD retention and stability. Consequently, improving oral health-related quality of life for individuals. Full article

Aim: To evaluate and compare the clinical outcomes of Cention-N (CN) and stainless steel crowns (SSCs) as restorations for pulpotomised primary molars, and to study clinical and radiographic outcomes of pulpotomies restored with these materials. Methods: The study was conducted on 60 pulpotomised molars with occlusoproximal caries. These were randomly divided into two groups and restored with either stainless steel crowns or Cention-N. Clinical performance of restorations and clinical and radiographic success of pulpotomy was examined at 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: The mean scores for marginal integrity deteriorated significantly at 6, 9 and 12 months in both groups but in comparison were insignificant. The mean for proximal contact deteriorated significantly for the Cention-N group, whereas the mean for gingival health deteriorated remarkably for the stainless steel crown group at successive evaluations. No tooth in either group showed secondary caries or discomfort on biting, except for one tooth in Cention-N group which presented with secondary caries. The clinical success rate for pulpotomised molars was 100% for both groups until nine months, although this had reduced by the end of 12 months. Radiographically, the success rate was 79.3% for Cention-N, while it was 86.6% for stainless steel crowns at 12 months. There was no significant difference in clinical and radiographic success between either group. Conclusion: Cention-N and stainless steel crowns are comparable for marginal integrity. However, crowns maintain significantly better proximal contacts while Cention-N was notably better for gingival health of the restored tooth. Both materials do not show secondary caries and discomfort on biting and are comparable in clinical and radiographic success of pulpotomy at the end of one year. Full article

One of the most important ideas ever produced by the application of materials science to the medical field is the notion of biomaterials. The nanostructured biomaterials play a crucial role in the development of new treatment strategies including not only the replacement of tissues and organs, but also repair and regeneration. They are designed to interact with damaged or injured tissues to induce regeneration, or as a forest for the production of laboratory tissues, so they must be micro-environmentally sensitive. The existing materials have many limitations, including impaired cell attachment, proliferation, and toxicity. Nanotechnology may open new avenues to bone tissue engineering by forming new assemblies similar in size and shape to the existing hierarchical bone structure. Organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials are increasingly used for bone tissue engineering applications because they may allow to overcome some of the current restrictions entailed by bone regeneration methods. This review covers the applications of different organic and inorganic nanobiomaterials in the field of hard tissue engineering. Full article