SOUTHERN JOURNAL OF SCIENCES

Background: Despite innovations in orthopedic dentistry, the manufacture of removable dentures belongs to the most popular orthopedic care category. Removable dentures are combined stimuli that affect the mucous membrane and neuro-receptor apparatus. Acrylic plastic prostheses, widely used in prosthetic dentistry, have a negative side mechanical, chemical-toxic, sensitizing, and thermal insulating effect on oral tissue and prosthetic impression area. This is often complicated by a violation of the biocenosis of the oral cavity, the growth of pathogenic microflora that releases toxins, especially an increase in the number of yeast colonies that irritate the oral mucosa and prosthetic stomatitis. According to the WHO, one-fifth of the world s population suffers or has suffered various candidiasis forms at least once. The worldwide increase in the incidence of the disease is primarily related to the fact that this infection is opportunistic, more than half of the world s population is a carrier of fungi of this kind, i.e., in most cases, it is an endogenous infection, which makes candidiasis different from other opportunistic mycoses. Aims: The purpose of this study was to study the prevalence of candidiasis in patients using removable dentures and to evaluate the effectiveness and prevention of candidiasis treatment. Methods: 100 patients with oral candidiasis of various age groups from 45 to 65 years were observed. Of these, 60 patients with removable plate prostheses; 40 patients with partially removable prostheses. Results and Discussion: Chronic forms of candidiasis were diagnosed in 40 patients and with exacerbation of chronic forms of candidiasis-60 people. The number of untreated carious cavities and poor hygienic condition of the oral cavity directly affects the severity of candidiasis. Acute forms of candidiasis were observed mainly in patients with high DMF and PMA indices. The severity of candidiasis depends on the degree and duration of wearing dentures and hygienic conditions - the most severe forms of invasive candidiasis were observed in the presence of removable plate prostheses, the complete absence of teeth, and the use of a prosthesis for more than 10-15 years. A combined lesion of the oral mucosa and the red border of the lips was observed mainly in patients older than 60 years. Conclusions: The presence of candidiasis in the oral cavity in patients with removable plate prostheses leads to a statistically significant change in the indicators of local immunity of the oral cavity: an increase in the concentration of serum IgG and IgA and the values of the coefficient of the balance of local immunity factors.

Background: Air pollution is one of the significant environmental challenges facing modern humanity. Atmospheric air is polluted with harmful substances emitted from anthropogenic and natural sources. Aim: The presented paper provides an overview of monitoring results conducted in the Capital of Georgia for 2023. Results from air quality monitoring sensors show that particulate matter, sulfur, and nitrogen dioxide represent problematic pollutants in different city areas. Methods: The research was carried out through sensors installed in different districts of Tbilisi. The investigation was carried out within the NATO SPS program project REACT. Results: Atmospheric air pollution was monitored at four stationary sensor sets on K. Cholokashvili, Nutsubidze Street, Chavchavadze Avenues, and the Old Tbilisi area. The results are presented in the article in the form of tables. Discussion: Average indexes of sulfur dioxide and PM particles were observed in all areas. Nitrogen dioxide indices were both low and medium. Conclusions: Based on the data obtained, it can be assumed that the air in most districts of Tbilisi is moderately polluted, and in some cases, the data exceeds the maximum allowable norm. There may be several reasons for this.: 1. Unauthorized slashing of Green islands and massive construction of high-rise residential buildings on their place in Tbilisi. 2. Malfunctioning vehicles, the technical inspection of which has recently been made stringent. However, some vehicles still pollute the air. 3. Emissions produced by mini factories and enterprises.

Background: The recovery of any valuable component from dolomite as a double carbonate mineral depends on its dissolution efficiency. Aim: This study aimed to optimize and provide a simplified novel approach to the kinetics of dolomite dissolution in sulphuric acid solution using the Box-Behnken experimental design. Methods: The dolomite sample was dissolved in a sulphuric acid solution at seventeen different experimental conditions. The residue containing impurities was removed via filtration, while precipitation was carried out at the optimum conditions. Results and Discussion: The relationship between the independent and dependent variables best fits into the two-factor interaction model with a coefficient of determination of 0.9492, adjusted R² of 0.9187, and predicted R² of 0.7514. The total residual sum of 3x10^-13 and adequate precision of 18.769 show that the predicted dissolution efficiency is much closer to the experimental values. The analysis of variance revealed that the individual effect of acid concentration, temperature, and dissolution time all positively contribute to the dissolution. The interactive effect of acid concentration with temperature and the interactive effect of temperature with dissolution time also positively influences the dissolution efficiency. Following the dissolution of dolomite in sulphuric acid, a white precipitate was formed at room temperature, which dissolved back at a temperature of 70 oC, agitation speed of 900 revolutions per minute, and within 10 minutes. A predictive approach using a two-factor interactive model was applied to generate the kinetic data. Conclusions: The established model equation is suitable for predicting dolomite dissolution in sulphuric acid. The application of the shrinking core model to the generated data shows that the reaction between dolomite and sulphuric acid is film diffusion control with a first-order reaction (0.6587) and activation energy of 27.5 KJmol-1k-1.