Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Science

Effect of low level laser therapy and bioactive glass in the treatment of periodontal infrabony defects: A randomized controlled clinical trial

2024-05-05T12:12:24+00:00

Background: Several guided bone regeneration techniques have been used in the past aiming to treat infrabony defects with promising outcome. Recently, low level laser therapy (LLLT) has been introduced as an adjunctive tool with better bone and soft tissue healing due to its biostimulation and biomodulation properties. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the adjunctive effect of Gallium – Aluminium – Arsenide (GaAlAs) laser in the management of periodontal infrabony defects.

Materials and method: This was a randomised controlled, double blinded, split mouth clinical study carried out on subjects with bilateral infrabony defects. Clinical parameters of plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded as well as infrabony defect depth using radiovisiograph at baseline, 3 months and 6 months intervals. The test group was treated with bioactive glass and GaAlAs laser on the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th and 7^th day following periodontal open flap surgery and the control group received bioactive glass only. All data were collected and analyzed using Wilcoxon signed rank test and paired t test.

Results: A total of 15 subjects were enrolled in this study. There was a significant reduction in the PD (p=0.05), CAL (p=0.01) and in defect depth observed at 6 months interval in the test group compared to control group.

Conclusion: Based on the current data, the application of LLLT as an adjunctive tool with bioactive glass may have a superior outcome in treating infrabony defects compared to bioactive glass alone.

Optimizing Continuous Wave Semiconductor Laser toward Achieving (100’s) mW Power for Use in Medical Application: Theoretical Work

2024-09-09T16:45:17+00:00

Diode laser is very efficient in medical applications, especially in photodynamic therapy (PDT), a type of laser phototherapy. Conventional laser diodes are classified as low-power lasers that emit laser radiation with a power of few 10s-mW. Extending the laser diode to further applications requires enhancing the emitted power. In this theoretical research, we aim to optimize laser diode's continuous-wave (CW) parameters that control the light-current (L-I) characteristics toward achieving higher slope efficiency and output power. The study is based on numerical solution of the rate equations and evaluating the steady state value of the emitted power, which is then used in the relationships among the total slope efficiency, differential quantum efficiency, threshold current, and emitted power. The numerical calculations indicated that power in the range of 100s-mW is predicted by designing the laser to have an anti-reflecting front facet, high-reflecting back facet, and short cavity with low material loss and high confinement of the lasing field. Therefore, the outcome of this study is to offer a guide for designing a high-power laser diode for use in PDT.

Simple and Cost-effective Fabrication of a Supercapacitor Using Carbon Nanoparticle-based Ink

2024-09-09T16:05:58+00:00

The demand for energy storage devices such as supercapacitors is rapidly increasing in most applications, including electric transportation and portable electronics. The material's high cost and the fabrication complexity of supercapacitors suppress their mass production. In this research, a commercial low-cost conductive ink has been simply painted on flexible stainless steel sheets as supercapacitor electrodes. The ink is mainly based on carbon crystals, as indicated by the X-ray diffraction peaks, and the results of the energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirm the elemental analysis. The carbon-based ink comprises semi-spherical nanoparticles as imaged by the scanning electron microscope. The electrochemical energy storage mechanism of the carbon nanoparticle-based electrode in the sulfuric acid electrolyte depends on the electric double layer, as investigated by the cyclic voltammetry and the galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements. As a result, the carbon ink-based supercapacitor exhibits a maximum areal capacitance of 0.5 mF/cm² at 0.25 mA/cm², a maximum energy of 0.2 µWh, and a maximum power of 1600 µW. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows excellent equivalent series resistance of 0.6 ohm, representing a solid attachment of the ink on the stainless steel substrate. In addition, an angle of 45^o in the low-frequency range indicates a semi-infinite diffusion of the electrolyte ions into the nanostructured electrodes. All these elemental, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the carbon-based ink promote its potential to be effortlessly implemented as electrodes, thereby contributing to the advancement of supercapacitor manufacture.

Studying the optimal techniques for removing the organic load from wastewater of hospitals laboratories

2024-04-28T11:33:48+00:00

Hospital wastewater poses a strong threat to human health security as it contains a variety of difficult-to-degrade organic compounds, active pharmaceutical compounds, multiple inorganic pollutants, etc., causing complex pollution in water resources and ecosystems.

Aim of this study to treatment wastewater resulting from analysis laboratories in the hospital.

waste water was treated using several techniques, including biological treatment using the rotating biological tablets (RBC) method, adsorption with Syrian natural pollutants, coagulation with aluminum sulphate, advanced oxidation with ultrasound, and dual treatment using natural pollutants with ultrasound waves. The effectiveness of organic load removal was determined after each treatment and by applying different treatment conditions.

results showed the effectiveness of the treatment methods used, the best way to treat the studied water sample was treatment using natural pollutants with ultrasound waves. Water suitable for irrigation was obtained according to the Syrian standard when adding natural pollutants at a concentration of 1gr per liter of polluted water and applying ultrasound waves at a high frequency. 40kHz for 30 minutes, where the COD value reached 212 mg/l with a removal rate 94%, and the BOD value reached 82 mg/l with a removal rate 87%.

Aim of this study to treatment wastewater resulting from analysis laboratories in the hospital.

Exosomal miR-126: Unveiling Its Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potential in Chronic Kidney Disease

2024-05-01T12:20:40+00:00

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) represents a significant global health challenge, with a prevalence estimated to affect 8-19% of the global population. Its pathogenesis involves complex interactions between various cellular and molecular mechanisms, among which exosomes play a pivotal role. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that facilitate intercellular communication by transporting biomolecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), between cells. This review highlights the crucial function of exosomes in CKD, with a particular focus on the role of miR-126, a microRNA encapsulated within exosomes, which has shown promise both as a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for CKD. We elaborate on the nature, function, and altered expression patterns of exosomes in CKD, underscoring the diagnostic and prognostic significance of urinary exosomes. Furthermore, we delve into the regulatory role of miR-126 in vascular integrity and angiogenesis, its association with CKD progression, and its potential therapeutic implications. Our comprehensive analysis aims to illuminate the intricate mechanisms by which exosomes and miR-126 contribute to CKD pathophysiology, offering insights into their utility in developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. This synthesis of current research underscores the importance of further investigation into exosomal miR-126, paving the way for innovative approaches to tackle CKD.

Epigenetic Modifications in Cellular Senescence: Mechanisms, Implications, and Therapeutic Potential

2024-08-09T18:36:30+00:00

Stressors, has attracted attention in the biological and medical sciences. Epigenetic modifications,

which impact gene expression patterns and ultimately dictate the fate of cells, play a crucial role in managing

cellular senescence. DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic process implicated in cellular senescence.

Research has demonstrated that changes in gene expression profiles result from global hypomethylation and

localized hypermethylation of genes during senescence. Cellular senescence is also significantly influenced by

histone alterations. Histone acetylation or methylation can change the chromatin structure, which can impact

transcription factors' ability to bind to gene promoters. Consequently, this may have an impact on the expression

of genes linked to senescence processes. Furthermore, due to their capacity to post-transcriptionally control

gene expression, non-coding RNAs like microRNAs have become significant regulators of cellular senescence.

Dysregulation of microRNAs has been linked to the induction or inhibition of senescence in different cell types.

In this comprehensive review, we discuss the epigenetic modifications that occur during cellular senescence

and explore their potential as therapeutic targets to regulate the senescent phenotype, a crucial step in addressing

age-related diseases.

Discovering Plant Stress: Current trends and future perspectives in Plant-Microbe Interactions

2024-08-28T13:13:47+00:00

Many biotic and abiotic factors can cause stress in plants, posing a major problem for agricultural yields, environmental health and food security globally. Plant stress can be caused by a variety of factors, including drought, high temperatures, disease and environmental changes. Adverse outcomes include developmental delay, decreased yield and diminished quality, as well as increased plant susceptibility to pests and diseases.

Traditional breeding methods, advanced biotechnology treatments, cultural practices and biochemical interventions are all used to reduce the effects of the disease. In the future, plant stress management will focus on the utilization of climate-smart agriculture, precision agriculture and cooperative studies, policies and industries.

Understanding and effectively managing plant stress will help us achieve sustainable agriculture, improve food security and protect our delicate ecosystems. Examining the complex world of plant stress in this in-depth study, we examine its various causes, its negative consequences and the approaches currently used to minimize them.