Current Issue

Bridging Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization for Agricultural Advancement

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The Future of Digital Dentistry: Transforming Smiles and Practice Paradigms

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Morphometric, Meristic and Growth Patterns of Sphyraena Afra from the Escravos Estuary

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This study presents a biological assessment of Sphyraena afra from the Escravos Estuary, focusing on morphometric and meristic traits, length, weight relationship, and condition factor. A total of 189 specimens were collected from artisanal landings between May 2023 and April 2024. Sixteen morphometric and five meristic parameters were measured to evaluate body proportions and fin structure. Total length ranged from 12.40 to 42.00 cm, and body weight from 10.00 to 292.00 g. Notable variation was observed in pelvic fin rays (range: 9-15) and pectoral fin rays (range: 5-6), while dorsal spines were consistent across individuals. Principal component analysis revealed that the first two components explained 100% of the total variation. PC1 was dominated by morphometric traits associated with body size, while PC2 was largely influenced by meristic characters. The length-weight relationship followed the equation: 𝑊 = 0.0043𝑇𝐿2.9547 with a high correlation coefficient (R² = 0.986), indicating near-isometric growth. The mean condition factor (K = 0.3740 ± 0.0048) suggests moderate physiological condition and supports evidence of slow but steady growth. Although morphometric traits were size-dependent, the observed meristic variation may reflect environmental or developmental influences. These findings provide a useful baseline for future ecological assessments, monitoring, and stock evaluation of S. afra in Nigerian estuarine waters. Further studies integrating genetics, ecology, and broader spatial data are recommended to support sustainable management of this species. Keywords: Morphological analysis, Fish growth pattern, Stock assessment, Escravos estuary.

Preserving Natural Dentition: The Role of Endodontics in an Implant-Centric Era

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The increasing popularity of dental implants has significantly transformed modern restorative dentistry, often positioning implants as a first-line treatment even when natural teeth could be salvaged. This shift, while supported by technological advancements and high success rates, raises ethical and clinical concerns regarding the premature extraction of teeth that are amenable to preservation. This article advocates for a biologically conservative approach, emphasizing the unique functional and psychological value of natural dentition. By promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and critical decision-making, it encourages clinicians to prioritize tooth retention when feasible, reinforcing the principle that preservation should precede replacement. Keywords: Dental implants, Tooth retention, Endodontic preservation, Restorative dentistry, Ethical considerations in dentistry, Interdisciplinary treatment planning.

Immediate Guided Implantation with Aesthetic Loading: A Case Report

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Background: Immediate implant placement with aesthetic loading in the anterior maxilla is a highly demanding procedure that requires precision, atraumatic extraction, and optimal planning. The use of a digital surgical guide has improved the predictability of this protocol, offering enhanced accuracy, reduced morbidity, and improved patient satisfaction. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 54-year-old female patient who presented with an irrecoverable maxillary left lateral incisor. Following CBCT analysis and intraoral scanning, a tooth-supported surgical guide was designed using 3Shape TRIOS software. Atraumatic extraction was performed, and a 3.6 × 12 mm Biotech implant was placed immediately with the aid of the surgical guide. The implant achieved primary stability (>35 Ncm), allowing for immediate aesthetic provisionalization with a PMMA crown. After three months of successful osseointegration, a definitive zirconia crown was fabricated and cemented. Results: The patient demonstrated uneventful healing, satisfactory osseointegration, and stable soft tissues. Both functional and aesthetic outcomes were favorable, with high patient satisfaction. Conclusion: Immediate implant placement with guided surgery and aesthetic loading represents a predictable treatment option in selected cases, providing functional rehabilitation and optimal aesthetic integration. This approach highlights the importance of careful case selection, precise digital planning, and adherence to surgical protocols to minimize complications and ensure clinical success. Keywords: Immediate implant placement, Guided surgery, Aesthetic loading, CBCT, Digital dentistry.

Seed Oil Extraction and Analysis on the Seeds of Calophyllum apetalum Willd., an Economically Important Endemic Tree of Western Ghats

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The composition of fats and oils is essentially the same. Both plants and animals use these compounds primarily as energy stores. A few of their constituents are vital to metabolic functions. The huge woody tree species Calophyllum apetalum is a member of the Calophyllaceae (Clusiaceae) family. The seed oil is used to cure rheumatism, leprosy, scabies and other skin conditions since it is said to have antiseptic qualities. The greenish yellow fatty oil that is produced from sun-dried kernels has a distinct odour and bitter taste. It is used as a lubricant, illuminant, to make soap and to treat leather. The seed oil is therefore extremely important. Therefore, an attempt is undertaken to extract the seed oil from C.apetalum and is a preliminary work. Keywords: Calophyllum apetalum, Seed oil extraction, Fatty acid composition, Medicinal tree species.

Healing Large Periapical Lesions Using Metapex—Report of a Case Series

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Objective: To evaluate the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of Metapex as an intracanal medicament in the nonsurgical management of large periapical lesions. Methods: Three female patients (ages 44-55) presented to the Dental Department of Sanjeevan Hospital, Delhi, with extensive periapical radiolucencies associated with teeth 15, 26 and 46. Each case underwent thorough chemo mechanical debridement followed by placement of Metapex, a silicone-oil-based paste containing calcium hydroxide, 38% iodoform, and barium sulfate into the prepared canals. Systemic antibiotics were prescribed initially. Metapex dressings were refreshed at regular intervals over a period of four to five months. Patients were assessed for pain, swelling, and inter-appointment discomfort, and radiographic healing was monitored at 3-week, 2.5-month, and 5-month follow-ups. Results: All three patients reported complete resolution of pain and soft-tissue swelling without any inter- appointment discomfort. Serial periapical radiographs demonstrated progressive reduction in lesion size, with full trabecular bone regeneration observed by 2.5 months in the first case and by five months in the remaining cases. No adverse reactions or procedural complications were noted. Conclusion: Metapex, used as an intracanal dressing following conventional root canal therapy, facilitated predictable healing of large periapical lesions in this case series. Its combined antimicrobial action, biocompatibility, and radiopacity support its role as a first-line adjunct in conservative endodontic protocols for extensive periapical pathology. Keywords: Metapex, Intracanal medicament, Periapical lesion, Non-surgical endodontic treatment, Calcium hydroxide.

Effects of Extrusion on Insect-Based Feeds: Nutritional Enhancement and Processing Challenges

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The global demand for sustainable protein necessitates alternatives like insect-based feeds, such as Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) meal and cricket flour, which offer high protein content and a lower environmental footprint than conventional sources; however, their high lipid and chitin content present significant challenges for extrusion processing. This review examines the effects of extrusion parameters, including temperature (cold extrusion 130°C), moisture content, and the use of defatting or blending strategies, on the nutritional quality and physical properties of the resulting feed. Findings indicate that while hot extrusion ensures microbial safety, it can degrade heat-sensitive amino acids, and high lipid levels reduce kibble expansion, increasing bulk density. Chitin, though a potential prebiotic, impedes pellet expansion at high inclusion levels. It is concluded that strategic processing adjustments, such as partial defatting, optimized temperature control, and careful chitin management, are critical to enhancing the quality of extruded insect-based feeds. Future research should focus on long-term digestibility trials and cost-effective production methods to facilitate broader industry adoption. Keywords: Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL), Insect-based feeds, Cricket flour, Chitin, Sustainable protein sources.

Hall Technique – A Paradigm Shift in Pediatric Smart Restorative Dentistry

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Pediatric dentistry being a fascinated specialty of dentistry is excited with newer concepts and technological advancements in all domains including preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures while treating children. It is very difficult to treat carious primary molars in little children who are more anxious and apprehensive using conventional drilling methods. Moreover, obtaining a positive behavior from a child during restorative procedure also makes doctor to lose patience. As a result, to overcome drawbacks associated with conventional restorative treatment procedures, numerous alternative advancements are introduced in the arena of pediatric dentistry. The ‘Hall technique’ is one among those novel treatment strategies introduced to restore carious primary molars. Therefore, the present research paper enlightens readers about rationale behind the use of hall technique as a promising approach to traditional drilling procedure. Keywords: Carious primary molars, Hall technique, Minimal invasive Dentistry, Non-aerosol generating procedure, Preformed stainless steel crowns.

Entomology in the Anthropocene: Challenges and Opportunities for Insect Science: A Review

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The Anthropocene era is marked by profound environmental transformations that are reshaping insect diversity, abundance, and distribution. Insects, which underpin critical ecosystem functions such as pollination, nutrient cycling, pest regulation, and food web stability, are experiencing unprecedented declines driven by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and agricultural intensification. This review synthesizes current evidence on the scope and drivers of insect declines while highlighting emerging tools and strategies to address them. Technological innovations including artificial intelligence, radar entomology, environmental DNA, and citizen science platforms are revolutionizing the scale and resolution of insect monitoring. Concurrently, policy initiatives such as the European Union’s Farm to Fork Strategy demonstrate growing recognition of the need to integrate insect conservation into sustainability agendas. We argue that securing insect biodiversity in the Anthropocene requires a coordinated global framework that combines advanced monitoring, taxonomic capacity building, evidence-based policymaking, and public engagement. Such an integrated approach is essential not only for preserving insect diversity but also for safeguarding the ecological services upon which human societies depend. Keywords: Insect decline, Anthropocene, biodiversity conservation, AI monitoring, environmental policy, entomology, ecosystem services, monitoring technology conservation.

Towards Bridging the Gap Between Credit Users and Institutional Lenders for Agribusiness Value Chain Development

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The significance of credit to agribusiness value chain actors underscores the need for a complete and strong synergy between credit users and financial institutions. This study investigates strategies for bridging the gap between credit end users and institutional lenders for agribusiness value chain development. Information used was mainly from secondary source obtained through desk review. Findings from the study revealed that institutional lenders constitute a major source of credit for agribusiness value chain development. Gap between credit users and institutional lenders which were considered as barriers to credit access were identified to include high cost and difficulty in accessing credit, credit repayment default rate, among others. To bridge the gap, it is recommended strategies among other measures that lending institutions should be liberal in their lending procedures including the cost of lending to agribusiness actors. In this regard, better credit repayment behavior and a single-digit interest rate are advocated. Keywords: Gap, Credit Users, Intuitional Lenders, Agribusiness, Value Chain.