The aim of this study was to histologically evaluate and compare the effects of the systemic administration of L-thyroxine (TX) and doxycycline (DX) on orthodontically induced root resorption, Twenty-eight male 50- to 60-day-old Wistar rats were used. Seven rats served as the baseline control. Seven animals received TX (20 μg/kg bodyweight/day) and seven DX (1.2 mg/kg bodyweight/day), by means of a mini-osmotic pump implanted subcutaneously. Seven rats were separated as a sham, in order to evaluate the pure effect of the surgical procedure on the animals' health. Tooth movement (TM) was achieved with a continuous force of 50 g by placing Elgiloy coil springs between the right maxillary first molar and incisors for 14 days. The animals were sacrificed and specimens containing the appliance and maxillary tooth-bearing segments were processed for light microscopy. The surface area of root resorption lacunae was measured histomorphometrically using digital photomicrographs. To evaluate the resorptive changes on the molar root surface of each group, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations were also carried out. Statistical evaluation of root resorption percentages was performed using Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance test. Multiple comparisons were determined by the Student-Newman-Keuls method. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Histomorphometric analysis of root resorption, expressed as a percentage, showed that the average relative root resorption affecting the maxillary molars on the TM side was 0.32 ± 0.25 in the TX and 0.26 ± 0.06 in the DX groups and 2.19 ± 0.86 in the control. Statistically significant inhibition of root resorption was determined both in the TX and DX groups (P < 0.001) on the TM side. There was no statistically significant difference in relative root resorption between the TX and DX groups. Systemic administration of TX and DX demonstrated similar effects on root resorption in rats and may have inhibitory effects on orthodontically induced resorptive activity.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of increasing dietary levels of inorganic chromium (CrCl3 x 6H2O) on the performance, blood chemistry, and immune response of broilers. Eighty newly hatched Ross PM3 broiler chicks were evenly distributed to five groups of 16 chicks each. Two groups (control and only sheep red blood cell inoculated) were fed the basal diet containing 2.2 and 4.5 mg Cr/kg and the remaining groups were fed 20, 40, or 80 mg/kg Cr-supplemented diets for 44 d. Chicks in all groups, except in the control, at 3 and 5 wk of age, were injected intraperitonally with sheep red blood cell for determining the primary and secondary antibody responses, respectively. When the chicks were 4 wk of age, a delayed-type hypersensitivity test was performed. White blood cells were differentiated. Blood samples were collected for the determination of serum proteins, glucose, cholesterol, cortisol, minerals, and alkaline phosphatase activity and for antibody response. Chromium had no effect on weight gain, but 20 mg/kg supplemental Cr resulted in 18.57% reduction in feed consumption and improved feed efficiency by 16.77%. Chromium did not affect serum cholesterol and P levels but reduced serum glucose and increased serum protein, Cr, Ca, and Mg levels, and ALP activity. A slight reduction was observed with Cr supplementation in cortisol levels. Slight but not significant increases were observed with Cr in serum Zn and Cu. Chromium increased the ratio of bursa of Fabricius and liver to body weight. Heterophil and monocyte counts and heterophil/lymphocyte ratio were reduced and lymphocyte counts, total antibody, IgG, and IgM titers were increased by supplemental Cr. All levels of Cr increased the cell-mediated response to phytohemagglutinin. No alterations in tissues were observed by histopathological examinations.

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Numerous grafting materials have been used to augment the maxillary sinus floor for long-term stability and success for implant-supported prosthesis. To enhance bone formation, adjunctive blood-born growth factor sources have gained popularity during the recent years. The present study compared the use of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) and bovine-autogenous bone mixture for maxillary sinus floor elevation. A split-face model was used to apply 2 different filling materials for maxillary sinus floor elevation in 22 healthy adult sheep. In group 1, bovine and autogenous bone mixture; and in group 2, PRF was used. The animals were killed at 3, 6, and 9 months. Histologic and histomorphologic examinations revealed new bone formation in group 1 at the third and sixth months. In group 2, new bone formation was observed only at the sixth month, and residual PRF remnants were identified. At the ninth month, host bone and new bone could not be distinguished from each other in group 1, and bone formation was found to be proceeding in group 2. PRF remnants still existed at the ninth month. In conclusion, bovine bone and autogenous bone mixture is superior to PRF as a grafting material in sinus-lifting procedures.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the most commonly produced chemicals in the world. BPA is used in products such as food packaging, personal care products, detergents, and plastic bottles. This study was conducted to determine the effect of BPA on fetal bone development. Material and methods: In this study, 16 pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The rats were divided into four groups: the control group and 0.5 mg/kg/day, 5 mg/kg/day, and 50 mg/kg/day dose BPA groups. The skeletal system development of fetuses was examined with double skeletal and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the alkaline phosphatase (AP) expressions) methods. Results: The highest ossification rates in the humerus, radius, and ulna were detected as 41.05%, 39.25%, and 37.26% in the control group, respectively. The highest ossification rates in the femur, tibia, and fibula were detected as 23.04%, 30.73%, and 32.78% in the control group, respectively. Statistically significant differences were found between control and experimental groups in the TRAP and AP expression of the femur by IHC staining (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Exposure to BPA during pregnancy adversely affected ossification and bone growth. A dosedependent decrease was observed in the rate of ossification.

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Nitric oxide (NO) plays a significant role in the development of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the effects of an antioxidant, carnosine, on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced renal injury in diabetic rats. We used four groups of eight rats: group 1, control; group 2, carnosine treated; group 3, untreated diabetic; group 4, carnosine treated diabetic. Kidneys were removed and processed, and sections were stained with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and subjected to eNOS immunohistochemistry. Examination by light microscopy revealed degenerated glomeruli, thickened basement membrane and glycogen accumulation in the tubules of diabetic kidneys. Carnosine treatment prevented the renal morphological damage caused by diabetes. Moreover, administration of carnosine decreased somewhat the oxidative damage of diabetic nephropathy. Appropriate doses of carnosine might be a useful therapeutic option to reduce oxidative stress and associated renal injury in diabetes mellitus.