Al Wataniya Private University

Objectives: This study aimed to (1) evaluate contamination levels across three clinics (endodontic, extraction and surgery, and fixed prosthodontics), (2) identify the types and prevalence of bacteria, (3) estimate the effectiveness of a commercial disinfectant, and (4) determine the bacterial species most responsive to the disinfectant. Methods: Equal surfaces (17.98 cm²) were swabbed, cultured on nutrient agar for the total aerobic microbial count before and after disinfection, and analyzed using settle plates. Bacterial identification was conducted through colony characteristics, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Data were processed using SPSS version 26. Results: The endodontic clinic exhibited the highest contamination levels, with buttons significantly more contaminated than handles. The disinfectant effectively reduced contamination but did not eliminate it. Conclusions: Contamination levels varied significantly between the clinics; ongoing evaluation is essential.

Abstract This paper searches in determining the optimal surface loading rates of constructed wetland treatment plant with vertical flow, through constructing a pilot plant which is consist of two filters, the first one is planted with Phragmites plant while the other is unplanted. As a result, it is recommended that constructed wetlands in our country should be designed with consideration of applying low surface loading rate (at least 1 m2 p−1). The removal efficiencies observed for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Suspended Solids (SS), Total Nitrogen (TN), and Phosphate (PO4) were notably enhanced in the presence of vegetation, with improvements reaching up to 14%, 10%, 11%, and 12% respectively across various applied surface loading rates.

The aim of the research is to determine the characteristics of an ultra-wideband array scanning antenna composed of wire radiators. The array element is a 3D Vivaldi antenna. Numerical simulations of an individual Vivaldi radiator and an array of such radiators were carried out, using the method of integral equations in the thin-wire approximation and with the help of the original program and the simulation program MMANA. The dimensions of individual radiating elements have been determined according to the matching criterion (SWR<2) and the shape of the radiation pattern when operating in the frequency range 2-18 GHz. The antenna model described according to the matching criterion has a frequency overlap ratio equal to 12. The degree of decreasing of the frequency band of the individual radiator was determined when it is located within an array that does not scan and within an array that scans within an angle of 30°. In the article, the frequency characteristics of the array antenna were studied in relation to the radiator parameters and to the phase-scanning capability. It has been shown that the largest matching frequency range is possessed by the array that has the lowest spacing of the radiators. In a planar antenna array, when scanning in the H-plane, the frequency range according to the matching criterion is reduced by 2+3 times. It is shown that the linear array without scanning has a frequency overlap ratio equal to six according to the radiator matching criterion. This ratio decreases as the phase scan sector increases. In a planar array, the frequency band and the phase-scan sector overlap ratio are lower than in a linear array and decrease as the number of rows increases. The given array antenna has a number of design advantages and can be used in systems with ultra-wideband signals.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a significant global health concern, often leading to microvascular complications such as Diabetic Nephropathy, a major cause of chronic kidney disease. The objective of this study was to assess the association between plasma Sialic Acid (SA) levels and C-Reactive Protein (CRP), along with other laboratory indicators of the Diabetic Nephropathy in Syrian patients. The study included 115 participants divided into 3 groups: 33 T2DM patients without complications, 52 with Diabetic Nephropathy, and 30 healthy controls. Parameters like plasma Glucose, Urea, Creatinine, C-Reactive Protein (CRP), and Urine Microalbumin were measured using available kits. SA levels were determined using Ehrlich's method, and eGFR was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault formula. Results: T2DM patients, especially those with Nephropathy, showed significant increasing in plasma Glucose, SA, CRP, Creatinine, Urea, and Urine Microalbumin compared to control. A positive correlation was observed between SA levels and these parameters, and a notable negative correlation with eGFR. Conclusion: Plasma SA levels are significantly elevated in Syrian T2DM patients with Nephropathy. These findings suggest that SA could be a potential biomarker for Diabetic Nephropathy in Syrian patients, offering a predictive tool for early diagnosis and preventive strategies for managing this complication.

IntroductionUnicystic ameloblastomas are a rare variant of ameloblastomas, which are characterized by slow growth and being relatively locally aggressive, with the main site of origin being the posterior portion of the mandible, it also refers to those cystic lesions that show clinical, radiographic, or gross features of a jaw cyst. Presentation of caseA 27-year-old female patient presented with a chief complaint of extensive mass of mandible along with severe swelling and numbness of right lips and chin. The oral examination revealed a swelling in the molar region of the right mandible with buccal plate expansion. The radiographic and histopathologic features were consistent with the diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma. Consequently, the lesion was surgically removed, and no clinical or radiological recurrence was detected during 5 years post-operative follow-up. DiscussionWhile previous reports of unicystic ameloblastoma in the posterior portion of the jaw showed favorable prognosis lesions appeared as a unilocular entity, this case reports multilocular appearance and aggressive behavior of expansive unicystic ameloblastoma. Furthermore, while some studies linked the unilocular appearance of unicystic ameloblastoma to impacted tooth, our case suggests a possible traumatic link of preexisting lesion into multilocular unicystic ameloblastoma related to impacted tooth. ConclusionsThis case presents a rare multilocular unicystic ameloblastoma appearance, notably with impacted tooth involvement. It also indicates the potential transformation of solid ameloblastoma into unicystic ameloblastom.

Abstract This retrospective cohort study investigates the impact of an oil refinery on the incidence of lung cancer in Homs, Syria. The study compares the occurrence of lung cancer in Homs, where an oil refinery releases toxic gases, with the nearby city of Hama, which lacks such air pollution. The results reveal a higher incidence of lung cancer in Homs, indicating a potential association between exposure to refinery gases and lung cancer. The study emphasizes the importance of environmental monitoring and public health measures to mitigate the impact of air pollution on human health.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and efficiency of the in-house clear aligners with the traditional fixed appliances in treating premolar-extraction-based complex cases.Materials and methods: A single-centered, 2-arm parallel-group randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on thirty-six (12 males, 24 females; mean age: 21.24 ± 2.33) patients with severe crowding who required orthodontic treatment with four first premolars extraction. The patients were equally and randomly divided into two groups: The in-house clear aligners (CA) group and the fixed appliances (FA) group. All the measurements were made on the pre-and post-treatment dental cast models. The effectiveness was evaluated using Little's irregularity index (LII) and the Peer Assessment Rating index (PAR). The efficiency was evaluated by studying the treatment duration. Two sample t-tests and chi-square tests were used to test for significant differences between the two groups. Bonferroni correction was applied, and the adjusted alpha level was set at 0.006. Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding LII in the upper and lower jaws (p˃0.006). After treatment, the mean LII decreased in both groups, with no significant differences between the two studied groups (p˃0.006). There were no significant differences in all studied PAR domains between the two groups (p˃0.006). The mean score reduction in the CA group was 28.39 (±8.51) points, whereas it was 26.39 (±5.76) points in the FA group, with no significant differences between the two groups. All the patients in this study were improved. However, a great improvement was achieved in 88.9% of the patients in the CA group and 91.7% in the FA group, with no significant differences between them (p=0.674). The average treatment duration in the CA group was 23.27 (±5.28) months, whereas the average was 26.20 (±5.27) in the FA group, with no significant difference between the two groups.Conclusion: In-house clear aligners can be effective as fixed appliances in achieving good occlusion when treating complex orthodontic cases when suitable teeth movement protocol is used.