Digital Commons Network^™

Effect Of Different Finishing And Polishing Systems On Surface Roughness And Color Stability Of Composite Cad/Cam Blocks (In-Vitro Study), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Fouad Haridy, Noura Alzayyat, Reem Mohamed Gadao

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Caries Removal Techniques On Micro-Tensile Bond Strength Of Cad/Cam Composite Blocks To Dentine (In-Vitro Study), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Fouad Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Basma Khalifa, Youssef M. Haridy

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Cigarette Smoke And Heated-Tobacco Aerosol On Streptococcus Mutans Adhesion And Surface Topography Of Dental Hard Tissues In Vitro, Mahmoud Bakr, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Cigarette Smoke And Heated-Tobacco Aerosol On Streptococcus Mutans Adhesion And Surface Topography Of Dental Hard Tissues In Vitro, Mohamed Shamel, Mahmoud Al Ankily, Nourhan Taha

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Stress Distribution In Different Toothimplant Supported Mandibular Prostheses Rehabilitating Unilateral Free-End Saddle: A Biomechanical Comparative Finite Element Study, Maha Nagy Kamal, Haytham Amr Mohammed, Abdallah Shokkry

Dentistry

Abstract Aim of the study Utilizing Finite Element Analysis, this research biomechanically assessed three prosthetic designs for mandibular unilateral free-end saddle, specifically interrogating the magnitude and distribution of stresses transmitted to the terminal anterior abutment and the supporting posterior implant. Materials and methods A mandibular unilateral free-end saddle educational cast, with the first premolar as the last standing abutment tooth, was used. The abutment teeth of the free end saddle side were prepared to accommodate two splinted crowns. Then the cast was scanned, and an implant analogue was digitally inserted at the second molar area using Blender4dental software. Three different …

Fracture Resistance Of Resin Composite Restorations With Different Underlying Core Build Up Materials As A Dentin Substitute In Mod Cavities In Premolars (In-Vitro Study), Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Nourhan Kamel, Ahmed Refaat

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Different Packing Protocols On Fracture Resistance Of Maxillary Premolars Restored With Bioactive Composite, Hend Sayed Ahmed, Mohamed Haridy, Hoda Fouda, Alaa Elgembri

Dentistry

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to verify effect of different packing protocols on fracture resistance of

maxillary premolar teeth with standardized mesioocclusodistal (MOD) preparations restored with bioactive composite.

Materials and Methods: Seventy sound maxillary premolar teeth with standardized MOD cavities were randomly

allocated to seven groups (n=10): G1 (control): sound teeth; G2: unrestored MOD preparation; G3: was filled by an

incremental technique with nanohybrid resin composite (Beautifil II LS, Shofu); G4: was filled in bulk with flowable

composite (Beautifil Bulk Flowable, Shofu); G5: bulk filled with nanohybrid composite (Beautifil Bulk, Shofu); G6: was

restored by increment …

Anticancer Effects Of A Captopril Montmorillonite Formulation In Oral Cancer Cells Through Apoptosis And Redox Modulation, Dalia Ghalwash, Nada Saleh, Hadeel Mousa, Shereen Raafat

Dentistry

Abstract Background Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains challenging due to the limited efficacy and toxicity of current therapies. This study investigates the anticancer potential of Captopril–Montmorillonite (CP–MMT) (nanoclay-based delivery system), a drug-repurposing approach in which Captopril is incorporated within MMT nanoclay layered silicate carrier. To our knowledge, this formulation has not been previously investigated in OSCC cell lines, demonstrating enhanced anticancer efficacy. The aim of the work was to compare the anticancer effects of CP–MMT formulation with free Captopril in OSCC cell lines, focusing on cytotoxicity, apoptosis, cell-cycle arrest, oxidative stress, and key molecular markers. Methods CP–MMT nanoclay-based formulation …

Bone Dimensional Stability With Versus Without A Stent Following Apically Repositioned Flap And Single-Stage Implant Placement: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Dalia Ghalwash, Ahmed Hamdy, Jazia Alblowi

Dentistry

Abstract Maintaining peri-implant bone and tissue health is essential for long-term implant success. The effectiveness of adjunctive stent stabilization is still unclear, though the apically repositioned flap (ARF) improves soft tissue conditions. Therefore, this study assessed whether the use of stents during single-stage placement improves peri-implant bone changes and clinical outcomes following ARF. This randomized clinical trial included twenty partially edentulous patients who were divided into two groups: ARF with stent stabilization (n = 10) and ARF using conventional suturing (n = 10). At baseline, three months, and six months, radiographic bone dimensions measured by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were …

Clinical Feasibility Of An Artificial Intelligence- Assisted Digital Workflow For Full-Arch Implant Rehabilitation: A Multicenter Case Series, Dalia Ghalwash, Marco Tallarico, Mohamed El Ashry, Carlotta Cacciò, Mohamad Qaddomi

Dentistry

Fully digital workflows are increasingly used in implant prosthodontics; however, completely edentulous full-arch rehabilitations remain challenging because implant position transfer and passive framework fit are susceptible to cumulative scanning and registration errors. Clinical evidence on artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted completearch implant impression workflows remains limited. This multicenter case series aimed to describe the clinical feasibility of an AI-assisted digital workflow (SmartX) combined with extended scan bodies for all-on-X full-arch implant-supported rehabilitations. Ten completely edentulous patients rehabilitated with all-on-X implant-supported fullarch prostheses were included. Digital impressions were obtained using SmartFlag scan bodies and an AI-assisted SmartX workflow with an intraoral scanner. The …

Chia Seed Extract As A Potential Adjunct In The Management Of Oral Candidiasis: An In Vitro Study, Dalia Ghalwash, Rawda Sayed, Ahmed Ammar, Eman Khalil

Dentistry

ABSTRACT Background Oral candidiasis remains a common opportunistic fungal infection, with increasing interest in natural antifungal alternatives. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of Salvia hispanica (chia) seed extract against oral Candida albicans, compare its efficacy with nystatin, assess their combined effect, and investigate cytotoxicity on WI-38 human fibroblast cells. Methods Antifungal activity was evaluated using broth microdilution and agar well diffusion assays, with nystatin oral suspension used as a positive control. Cytotoxicity of chia seed extract was assessed on WI-38 human fibroblast cells using the MTT assay. Results Chia seed extract demonstrated notable antifungal activity, with a …

Reproductive Hormones And Semen Quality Among Fertile Adults With And Without Periodontitis: A Crosssectional Study, Dalia Ghalwash, Rim Ghanem, Mazen Ghanem, Manal Safan, Ahmed Ghanem

Dentistry

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Periodontal Parameters Among Infertile Men Undergoing Periodontitis Treatment: A Retrospective Study, Dalia Ghalwash, Rim Ghanem, Mazen Ghanem, Manal Safan, Ahmed Ghanem

Dentistry

Background and Objectives: Periodontitis has been linked to idiopathic male infertility and impairment of semen values. However, data on the role of periodontal treatment in sperm parameter outcomes as well as the identification of the value of clinical periodontal infection predictors (BOP, PD, and CAL) as composite measures following active periodontitis therapy are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the role of periodontitis treatment in infertile men and its impact on semen quality. Methods: 58 infertile patients with semen abnormalities underwent treatment of periodontitis. Clinical periodontal and andrological examinations were conducted for all participants. Clinical periodontal parameters (PD, BOP, and …

Targeting Of The Oncogenic Fusion Ewsr1-Fli1 In Ewing Sarcoma By Crispr/Dcas9 Silencers, Shahama Taifour, Chee Wai Wong, Christopher Wallis, Edina Wang, Ash W.J. Tie, Eleanor Woodward, Charlene Waryah, Mahnaz Hosseinpour, Dilys Lam, Ryan Lister, Larissa Dymond, Andrew Woo, Peter J. Houghton, K. Swaminathan Iyer, Marck Norret, Cameron W. Evans, Louise Winteringham, Silvana Gaudieri, Pilar Blancafort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Despite the revolutionary impact of genome engineering tools in medicine, the safe and effective intracellular delivery of CRISPR remains a major obstacle to clinical applications. Here, we utilize precision molecular targeting and delivery strategies based on CRISPR-nuclease-dead Cas9 (dCas9) systems adapted for epigenetic repression (dCas9-Krüppel-associated box [KRAB]) to silence oncogenic drivers with high selectivity. As proof of principle, we target the EWSR1-FLI1 translocation, which encodes a chimeric and hard-to-drug oncogenic transcription factor driving approximately 85% of the cases of Ewing sarcoma (EWS)—an aggressive childhood malignancy. We describe the development of a programmable, non-viral polymeric system for the delivery of dCas9-KRAB …

Activity Profiles And Their Correlates In Patients With Localised Renal And Colorectal Cancer Shortly After Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Annemone Siffels, Martijn J.L. Bours, Eline H. Van Roekel, Matty P. Weijenberg, J. P.Michiel Sedelaar, Stéphanie O. Breukink, Eric T.P. Keulen, Maryska Janssen-Heijnen, Koen G. Frenken, Katja K.H. Aben, Jake S.F. Maurits, Lambertus A.L.M. Kiemeney, Laurien M. Buffart, Alina Vrieling

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify activity profiles and their correlates in patients with localised renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) shortly after treatment completion.

Methods: In the ReLife (n = 326 patients with RCC) and EnCoRe (n = 358 patients with CRC) studies, we measured physical activity and sedentary behaviour at 3 months and 6 weeks after treatment completion using accelerometers. We used latent profile analyses to determine activity profiles. Demographic, lifestyle-related, and clinical correlates were investigated with multinomial regression analyses.

Results: We identified three activity profiles for both populations: a most sedentary (RCC:28%, …

Differential Impact Of Admission Type And Clinical Complexity On Diabetes Hospitalization Costs Among African American And Hispanic Patients In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Asra Amidi, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, Michael C. Bittner, Qi Zhang

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) imposes substantial healthcare costs with documented disparities among African Americans and Hispanic patients. To inform care delivery and resource allocation, this study identified hospitalization cost predictors among African American and Hispanic patients with diabetes in Southeastern Virginia.

Methods

We analyzed 6,011 hospital discharges from the Virginia Health Information database (2016-2020) for adults aged 18-85 with diabetes. Discharges were classified by Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups: DM with complications/comorbidities (DCC, n = 3,328), DM with major complications/comorbidities (DMCC, n = 1,518), and DM without major complications/comorbidities (DWO, n = 1,165). Because cost distributions were right-skewed (skewness 3.5-8.24), we …

Importance Of Placental Evaluation In Pregnancies At High Risk For Placenta Accreta Spectrum: Expert Clinical Perspective, Rebecca H. Jessel, Alesha White, Hope Y. Yu, Amie L. Hollard, Meena Khandelwal, Carolyn M. Zelop, Jennifer Philips, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz, John C. Kingdom, Alfred Abuhamad, Christina L. Herrera, Pan American Society For Placenta Accreta Spectrum (Pas2)

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a leading cause of obstetric morbidity and peripartum hysterectomy. Rising cesarean delivery rates, advanced maternal age, and assisted reproductive technologies have increased its incidence. Early, standardized diagnosis is essential for multidisciplinary planning and improved outcomes, yet formal screening guidelines are lacking.

Objective

To raise awareness of the importance of antenatal screening for PAS, summarize key clinical and imaging risk factors, and propose a standardized mid-trimester ultrasound protocol for high-risk patients.

Methods

An expert panel convened under the Pan-American Society for the Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS2) reviewed available evidence, risk stratification models, and prior consensus …

Acute Fatty Liver Of Pregnancy And Fetal Fatty Acid Oxidation Disorders: A Systematic Review, Dante Varotsis, Sarah Araji, Rebecca Horgan, Jennifer E. Powel, Rodney Mclaren Jr., Brian Kirmse, Mona Makhamreh, Huda B. Al-Kouatly

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the association between maternal acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP) and fetal fatty acid oxidation (FAO) disorders and to define the clinical and genetic characteristics of mothers with AFLP and their fetuses affected by FAO disorders, we performed a systematic literature review of all reported cases of AFLP that underwent genetic testing for FAO disorders.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Terms included were related to AFLP and FAO testing.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

We conducted a systematic literature review from inception through May 18, 2025, to evaluate the …

Cervicovaginal Lavage Fluid Iron And Manganese Levels In Women With And Without Vaginitis, Barbara Kozma, David Ratonyi, Bence Kozma, Peter Takacs, Attila G. Sipos

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Transition metals such as iron and manganese are critical for cellular metabolism, redox balance, and immune function, and they also influence host–pathogen interactions. Vaginitis is characterized by mucosal inflammation that may alter local trace-element homeostasis. We hypothesize that inflammatory conditions such as vaginitis may be associated with altered cervicovaginal iron and manganese levels. We performed a prospective, single-center cohort study at the University of Debrecen (Hungary) between April 2023 and April 2024, enrolling 80 women ≥ 18 years with vulvovaginal complaints. Participants were assessed at baseline and at weeks 4, 8, and 12 with clinical evaluation and cervicovaginal lavage (CVL) …

Considerations For The Analysis Of Urinary Environmental Chemical Concentrations During Pregnancy, Danielle R. Stevens, Kaleigh Hinton, Katie M. O'Brien, Jessie P. Buckley, Barrett M. Welch, Jason A. Watts, Antonia M. Calafat, Julianne C. Botelho, Elena Sinkovskaya, Ann Przybylska, George Saade, Alfred Abuhamad, Kelly K. Ferguson

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background:

Pregnancy physiology may impact indicators of hydration, affecting exposure assessment in gestational studies with urinary chemical biomarkers.

Methods:

We aimed to characterize hydration and demonstrate the impact of different methods for standardizing urinary chemical biomarker concentrations on exposure descriptives in the Human Placenta and Phthalates Study (n = 303, 2017-2020), a prospective pregnancy cohort with eight study visits between 12 and 38 weeks of gestation. We assessed trajectories and predictors of hydration using urine flow rate (UFR) and specific gravity (SG). Likewise, we examined trajectories and predictors of mono-n-butyl phthalate (MBP), for which concentrations were unstandardized or standardized via …

Severe Maternal Morbidity According To Sickle Cell Disease Genotype, Tetsuya Kawakita, Natsume Furukawa, Sora A. Jones, Salimah Navaz Gangji

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic hemoglobinopathy that disproportionately affects individuals of African descent and is associated with elevated risks of maternal complications. However, the contribution of specific SCD genotypes to severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and postpartum readmission remains poorly characterized at the population level.

Objective

We sought to examine the association between SCD genotypes-hemoglobin SS (HbSS) disease, hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease, sickle thalassemia, and sickle cell trait-and SMM, hospital readmission, and related adverse maternal outcomes.

Study design

This was a retrospective cohort study using the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2016 through 2022, representing over 20 million weighted …

Racial Differences In Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes And Incident Hypertension: A Mediation Analysis, Lucia C. Petito, Xiaoning Huang, C. Noel Bairey, Natalie Bello, Janet Catov, Ernesto Licon, Abbi Lane, David M. Haas, Lisa D. Levine, Rebecca B. Mcneil, Eliza Miller, Uma M. Reddy, Bethany Barone Gibbs, George Saade, Lauren Theilen, Laura E. Wiener, Brian M. Mercer, Hyagriv N. Simhan, Lynn M. Yee, Philip Greenland, William A. Grobman, Sadiya S. Khan

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are associated with increased hypertension risk. Black women experience higher rates of APOs and hypertension compared with White women, but whether APOs contribute to Black-White hypertension disparities remains unknown.

Methods

The nuMoM2b-HHS (Nulliparous Pregnancy Outcomes Study: Monitoring Mothers-To-Be-Heart Health Study) prospectively recruited nulliparous pregnant people at 8 US centers (2010-2013) with follow-up 2 to 7 years postpartum (2014-2017). Race, which represents a social construct, was self-identified. The primary outcome was incident hypertension at follow-up. APOs included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, and small-for-gestational age birth. Potential confounders (psychological health, social factors, and health behaviors) …

Osmotic Dilators Vs. Foley Balloons: Bayesian Secondary Analyses Of The Dilafol Trial, Antonio F. Saad, Elenir B. C. Avritscher, Claudia Pedroza, Xiao Han, George R. Saade

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background: Dilapan-S, a synthetic osmotic dilator used for pre-induction cervical ripening, has proven to be as effective as the Foley balloon in terms of vaginal versus cesarean delivery and has been associated with increased patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, its ability to lower cesarean rates and its cost-effectiveness remain poorly studied.

Objectives: To estimate the likelihood that synthetic osmotic dilators reduce cesarean deliveries and to evaluate their health system costs (2026 US$) and incremental cost-effectiveness compared to the Foley balloon during cervical ripening.

Study Design: Secondary Bayesian analyses were conducted using data from the single-center DILAFOL randomized controlled trial, which enrolled 419 …

Trends In Glp-1 Based Therapy Use Before And After Pregnancy, Nansi S. Boghossain, Lauren Mcabee, Antonio F. Saad, Maged M. Costantine, Marwan Ma'ayeh, Joseph A. Ewing

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies are increasingly prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity, with rapid uptake of newer agents such as semaglutide and tirzepatide [1, 2]. These medications improve glycemic control and promote weight loss and are now widely used among reproductive-aged individuals [2, 3]. However, GLP-1-based therapies are typically discontinued prior to pregnancy because of limited safety data and potential fetal risks, and current guidance recommends avoiding use during pregnancy [3]. As prescribing expands, a growing number of individuals entering pregnancy may have recent exposure to GLP-1-based …

Low-Lying Placenta Is Associated With Increased Risk Of Hemorrhage And Severe Maternal Morbidity: A Nationwide Analysis, May Abiad, Giulia Bonanni, Nikan Zargarzadeh, Ali Javinani, Scott A. Shainker, Anna M. Modest, George R. Saade, Kjersti Aagaard, Alireza A. Shamshirsaz

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Placenta previa (PP) is a well-recognized obstetric complication with established maternal risks, particularly hemorrhage, that contribute significantly to maternal morbidity. In contrast, low-lying placenta (LLP) has historically been grouped with previa in both coding and clinical practice, limiting our ability to study its imparted associated outcomes as a distinct entity. However, in 2017, coding revisions allowed for a parsed diagnosis of LLP and PP and enabled the current study of differentiated associated outcomes.

Objectives

To describe and compare the independent rates of hemorrhage and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) associated with LLP and PP relative to normal placentation.

Methods

We …

The Bureaucratization Of Faith: Appointed Clerics And The Limits Of Tsarist Administrative Control In The Kazakh Steppe, Zharas Akhan, Kanat Uskembaev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article explores the religious policy of the Russian Empire in the Kazakh Steppe during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, focusing on the state's institutional efforts to co-opt and instrumentalize the Islamic clergy for colonial governance. Drawing on administrative and archival data, the study examines how Tsarist authorities leveraged imperial religious frameworks to deploy state-appointed Tatar mullahs into Kazakh society and formalize the middle-tier religious office of the akhund. Taking the Bukei Horde under Jangir Khan as a critical case study, the author illustrates how religious titles were integrated into the imperial bureaucratic apparatus to enforce political loyalty and …

Post-Secular Revitalization Of Religion: Ukranian Experience Of Social Initiatives By Churches As A Moral Alternative To The Russian "Theology" Of War, Iryna Horokholinska, Sviatoslav Vaskul, Oleksandr Brodetskyi, Andriy Kvik

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article examines the processes of religious revitalization in Ukrainian society under wartime conditions and their institutional manifestations. It explores how religious institutions engage with the public sphere and their role in the ethically oriented transformation of suffering, turning individual trauma into socially constructive practice. The study draws on innovations in the activities of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, other Christian denominations, as well as Muslim and Jewish communities in Ukraine. It presents the Ukrainian model of religious revitalization as a social practice shaped by institutional autonomy and interfaith coordination. Particular attention is given to …

Psychological Aspects Of Religious Faith Among Participants Of Combat Operations In Crisis Situations, Ivan Bilosevych, Hanna Voshkolup, Andriy Hirnyak, Anastasiia Yatyshchuk, Volodymyr Shafranskyi

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The purpose of the study is to examine the influence of the psychological dimensions of religious faith on the sense of coherence among military personnel, which in turn serves as an indicator of heightened stress tolerance. The study employs various empirical methods, including questionnaires, as well as both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The Duke Religiosity Index is utilized to assess the level of religiosity among military personnel, encompassing three dimensions: organizational religious activity, non-organizational religious activity, and intrinsic religiosity. To evaluate the level of coherence in military personnel under stress and combat conditions, the Antonovsky SOC-13 scale is employed, utilizing …

The Social Role And Significance Of Religion For Ukraine Today – Historical Dynamics And Current Contributions, Olena Svysiuk

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The paper delivers an analysis of Ukrainians’ religious worldview, tracing its development and transformation under historical, social and political influences. The contribution of the main Christian denominations − Orthodoxy, Greek-Catholicism and Protestantism − to national identity-building, the shaping of moral values, social cohesion and civic engagement is outlined. The work highlights how religion is deeply entwined with Ukrainian traditions, spirituality, and political life, serving as both a moral compass and a catalyst for social change. It also points to the churches’ social ministry − humanitarian, educational and psychological support − during the full-scale war. The involvement of religious institutions as …

The Impact Of War On The Value-Legal Aspects Of State-Confessional Relations In Ukraine, Tetiana Havryliuk, Oleg Buchma, Yulia Bohdan, Anna Hud

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

This article analyzes the latest developments in state-confessional relations in Ukraine that have formed as a result of transformations in the current legislation on religion and religious activity. These transformations were caused by the war of the Russian state against Ukraine, which actively uses religion for propaganda purposes. Spiritual values have become an important element of this propaganda. As demonstrated in the article, they contain a motivating component and therefore play a crucial role in transforming reality. The manipulation of values allows for situations where a tragic war is declared “sacred” and even blessed. The article shows that the amendments …