Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphologic surface of gutta-percha cones after cutting with different methods.Materials and Methods: The apical 3 millimeters of forty standardized, gutta-percha cones size 40 were cut off using scissors or a scalpel against a glass slab. The samples were then examined under Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for topographic deformity.Results: According to results, cutting with scissors produced significant topographic deformity in the standardized gutta-percha cone surface but cutting with sharp surgical instrument against a glass slab al10wedthe development of a smooth and unmodified gutta-percha cone surface.Conclusion: Results of this study recommended that cutting the tip of a gutta-percha point with a sharp scalpel against a glass slab would produce more reasonable surface morphology than using scissor for the same procedure.

Objective: Confocal laser Scanning microscopy (CLSM) is relatively a new light microscopical imaging technique with a wide range of applications in biological sciences. The primary value of CLSM for the biologist is its ability to provide optical sections from a three-dimensional specimen. The present study was designed to assess the thickness and content of in vivo accumulated dental plaque using CLSM and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Materials and Methods: Acroflat lower arch splints (acrylic appliance) were worn by five participants for three days without any disturbance. The formed plaques were assessed using CLSM combined with vital fluorescence technique and SEM.Results: In this study accumulated dental plaque revealed varied plaque microflora vitality and thickness according to participant’s oral hygiene. The thickness of plaque smears ranged from 40.32 to 140.72 mm and 65.00 to 128.88 mm for live (vital) and dead accumulated microorganisms, respectively. Meanwhile, the thickness of plaque on the appliance ranged from 101 mm to 653 mm. CLSM revealed both dead and vital bacteria on the surface of the dental plaque. In addition, SEM revealed layers of various bacterial aggregations in all dental plaques.Conclusion: This study offers a potent non-invasive tool to evaluate and assess the dental plaque biofilm, which is a very important factor in the development of dental caries.

The genus Porphyrophora (Coccoidea: Margarodidae) is soil-inhabiting coccid, with spherical second inster and known as ground peaels. This paper describes morphological characters of Porphyrophora cynodontis (Archangelskaia), which is collected from western part of Iran and studied under both light microscopy (LM) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with photo equipment. The SME gives a very detailed description of some morphological characters and LM, based on preparasion slids, gives an overview of the important characters, such as multilocular disc-pores density and long hair-like setae distribution on the body and the number of thoracic spiracular disc pores inside of peritreme (atrium) and dorso-tarsal sensilla (campaniform pores) on prothoracic legs. The exprimental results show that SEM is valuable tool for examination of morphological structures because of great depth of field and identification of scale insects (P. cynodontis(.

The environmental Scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) is a new development in the field of electron microscopy. In this study ESEM has been used to study the structure of veal semimembranosus muscle. Four treatments, raw (control), conventional heating, domestic and industrial microwave heating, were observed using ESEM. The temperature used in conventional heating was 163 0C. Frequency applied for microwave heating was 2450 MHz with two wattage levels of 700 (domestic microwave) and 12000 (industrial microwave). All samples were heated to 70 0C internal temperature. Occasional cracks across the individual muscle fiber and shrinkage were present in all images of the structure for heated muscle. Erosion at the edges of muscle fibers was clear and increased with continued heating. A gap between perimysium of each muscle bundle was effected with the domestic microwave samples in cross section. This phenomenon was more apparent in industrial microwave heating and the depth of gap between perimysial collagenous fiber is more than that in domestic microwave heating. More damage was observed in the connective tissue network for conventional heating as compared with microwave heating. Denaturation and distortion of connective tissue caused more damage during longer time of conventional heating. Surface damage in structure of semimembranosus was not observed in either conventional heating or the low powered microwave heating. Rapid increase of heat and penetration of the microwaves, at the 12000 wattage level, caused granulation and separation of some parts of the muscle fibers.  

Exposure to household dust is a common occurrence in all countries and causes various diseases. This study provided information on the number, shape, size distribution, and elemental composition of household dust particles collected in urban homes in Agadir city in Morocco. Moreover, a potential human health risk of exposure has been identified based on current research. Samples were analyzed using computer-controlled Scanning electron microscopy and ImageJ image processing program. A total of 3296 particles were analyzed for their size, and 76 particles were classified according to their size and elemental composition. Household dust particles were classified in six types: micro-aggregates (31.6%), biogenic (5.3%), spherical (17.1%), subrounded (7.9%), subangular (11.8%), and angular (26.3%). These particles were determined to have originated from a distant source (Trask classification index between 1 and 2.5). They were large (Skewness asymmetry coefficient > 1), and ranged from 0.2 to 363 µm with an average value of 22.8 ± 0.6 µm in diameter. Dust particles with diameters of 5-10 µm and 10-20 µm were the most abundant, while dust diameters of 10-20 µm, 20-30 µm, and > 100 µm were the highest in volume. The domestic dust deposition rate was 19.8 ± 7.4 g/m2 per year. Household dust is one of the major sources of PM10 in the residential environment (44.6% of the total number of particles), and the studied properties of house dust are highly related to human health. Household dust is a critical element to be considered in the occurrence of respiratory and cardiovascular infections.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of breading materials and two different frying oils on the fat up-take in the fish fillets during frying process. Breaded and non-breaded black pomfret (Parastromateus niger) fillets were fried in sunflower oil and palm olein. Fat content by Soxhelet method and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was studied. Results from Soxhelet method showed that fat content in the nonbreaded fried fillets was significantly (P<0.05) higher than breaded fillets. This was confirmed by the SEM. Observations from the SEM micrographs showed that some gas cell can be seen in the non-breaded fried fillets. Presence of these cells in the nonbreaded fillets resulted in the higher fat uptake than that of fish muscle fillets. Observation by the SEM also showed that the surfaces of the non-breaded fried fillets highly deformed. However, this deformation in the breaded fried fillets was significantly lower.

Introduction: The importance of perfect apical seal in endodontics, more specifically in periradicular surgery, is the motivation/reason for development of root-end filling materials with favorable physical, chemical and biological characteristics. The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the marginal adaptation of root-end filling materials using Scanning electron microscopy.Materials and Methods: Twenty five human maxillary anterior teeth were prepared using a K-File #50 to 1 mm short of the apical foramen and filled with gutta-percha and Sealapex using the lateral compaction technique. The apical 3 mm of the roots were sectioned perpendicularly to the long axis of the teeth. A 3-mm-deep root-end cavity was prepared using ultrasonic tips powered by an Enac ultrasonic unit. The teeth were randomly assigned to five groups according to the materials tested including IRM, amalgam, ProRoot MTA, Super-EBA and Epiphany/Resilon. Root-end cavities were filled with the materials prepared according to the manufacturers’ instructions. The root apices were carefully prepared for sputter coating and later evaluation using Scanning electron Microscope (SEM). The images of root-end fillings were divided into four quadrants and distributed into five categories according to the level of marginal adaptation between the root-end material and the root canal walls. The Fisher exact test with Bonferroni correction was used for statistical analysis. The level of significance was set at P=0.005.Results: SEM images showed the presence of gaps in the root-end filling materials. No significant difference was observed between the tested materials (P>0.005).Conclusion: ProRoot MTA, IRM, amalgam, Super- EBA and Epiphany/Resilon showed similar marginal adaptation as root-end filling materials.

An invaluable method for assessing the surface morphology of a wide range of materials and samples, including those used in medical applications, is Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has long been an indispensable tool in materials science and nanotechnology, providing unparalleled insights into the microstructure and surface morphology of various materials. Recent advancements have extended the utility of SEM beyond traditional fields, including its promising applications in medicine and biomedical research. By leveraging the high-resolution imaging capabilities of SEM, researchers can delve deeper into the intricate structures of biological specimens, complexities of cellular architecture, tissue organization, and disease pathology. SEM provides more information on biocompatibility, surface interactions, and structural integrity of medical implants and devices, paving the way for enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. SEM has long been used to characterize the surface topography of cells and tissues. SEM has been utilized in Cell Surface Imaging, Drug delivery system, Tissue Microstructure, gastrointestinal, and cardiology to advance understanding of disease early stages. SEM can produce high-resolution pictures of inanimate and biological particles, allowing for a thorough examination of a range of medical applications.