Photodynamic therapy in root canals contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis using curcumin as photosensitizer

The aim of the study was to evaluate the photodynamic therapy (PDT) effect on root canals contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis using a light emitting diode (LED) light and a curcumin solution (CUR) as photosensitizer (PS). Eighty root canals from uniradicular human teeth were prepared with Protaper Universal rotary system and contaminated with E. faecalis for 21 days. They were divided as: GIa-PDT (CUR, pre-irradiation for 5 + 5 min of irradiation); GIb-PDT (CUR, pre-irradiation for 5 + 10 min of irradiation); GIIa-(CUR, pre-irradiation for 5 + 5 min without irradiation); GIIb-(CUR pre-irradiation for 5 + 10 min of irradiation); GIIIa-(physiological solution and irradiation for 5 min); and GIIIb-(physiological solution and irradiation for 10 min); positive and negative control groups. Collections from root canals were made at time intervals of 21 days after contamination, immediately after treatment, and 7 days after treatment, and submitted to colony forming units per milliter (CFU mL-1) counts. The data were submitted to ANOVA and Tukey multiple comparison tests, at a level of significance of 5 %. In the immediate post-treatment collection, group GIa showed greater bacterial reduction in comparison with GIIa, GIIb, GIIIa, GIIIb, and positive control (P < 0.05). At 7 days post-treatment, GIa showed significant bacterial reduction only in comparison with GIIIa (P < 0.05). Curcumin as sensitizer was effective by 5 min LED irradiation but not by 10 min irradiation PDT using LED light, and curcumin as PS was not effective in eliminating E. faecalis. No difference was observed for periods of irradiation.

The effect of the angle of instrumentation of the piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler on root surfaces

To evaluate the influence of variations in the working angle of the piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler (PUS) on root surfaces. Material and methods Fifty-five uniradicular bovine teeth were used, of which 25 teeth were used for the analysis of the roughness and root wear, while the remaining 30 teeth were used for the analysis of morphology (MRS) and the attachment of blood components (ABC). The teeth were randomly divided into five groups according to the type of treatment (G1-G5: piezoelectric ultrasonic scaler; G6: manual curette) and to the PUS working angle applied (G1: 0°; G2: 30°; G3: 45°; G4: 60°; G5: 90°). For statistical analysis, the data describing the MRS and ABC were analysed by the Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn's tests, and the data describing the roughness and tooth wear were analysed by anova and Tukey's tests at the significance level of 5%. Results Manual curette (MC) promoted a smoother root surface than the application of the PUS. The PUS used at the angles of 30° and 45° resulted in a high level of ABC that was comparable to that obtained by MC. Additionally, the group in which the PUS was applied at an angle of 45° exhibited less tooth wear than the other groups. Conclusions Changes in the working angle of the PUS influenced the characteristics of root surfaces after instrumentation.

Radiographic evaluation of root canal cleaning, main and laterals, using different methods of final irrigation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effectiveness of gutta-percha and Resilon in filling lateral root canals using thermomechanical technique

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effect of calcium hydroxide dressing on push-out bond strength of endodontic sealers to root canal dentin

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Push-out bond strength of fiber posts to root dentin using glass ionomer and resin modified glass ionomer cements

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Endodontic retreatment: clinical comparison of reciprocating systems versus rotary system in disinfecting root canals

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Influence of storage times on bond strength of resin cements to root canal

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The effect of self-adhesive and self-etching resin cements on the bond strength of nonmetallic posts in different root thirds

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of self-adhesive and self-etching resin cements on the bond strength of nonmetallic posts in different root regions. Sixty single-rooted human teeth were decoronated, endodontically treated, post-space prepared, and divided into six groups. Glass-fiber (GF) posts (Exacto, Angelus) and fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) posts (EverStick, StickTeck) were cemented with self-adhesive resin cement (Breeze) (SA) (Pentral Clinical) and self-etching resin cement (Panavia-F) (SE) (Kuraray). Six 1-mm-thick rods were obtained from the cervical (C), middle (M), and apical (A) regions of the roots. The specimens were then subjected to microtensile testing in a special machine (BISCO; Schaumburg, IL, USA) at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Microtensile bond strength data were analyzed with two-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests. Means (and SD) of the MPa were: GF/SA/C: 14.32 (2.84), GF/SA/M: 10.69 (2.72), GF/SA/A: 6.77 (2.17), GF/SE/C: 11.56 (4.13), GF/SE/M: 6.49 (2.54), GF/SE/A: 3.60 (1.29), FRC/SA/C: 16.89 (2.66), FRC/SA/M: 13.18 (2.19), FRC/SA/A: 8.45 (1.77), FRC/SE/C: 13.69 (3.26), FRC/SE/M: 9.58 (2.23), FRC/SE/A: 5.62 (2.12). The difference among the regions was statistically significant for all groups (p < 0.05). The self-adhesive resin cement showed better results than the self-etching resin cement when compared to each post (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences in bond strengths of the resin cements when comparable to each post (p > 0.05). The bond strength values were significantly affected by the resin cement and the highest values were found for self-adhesive resin cement.

Porosity and sealing ability of root fillings with gutta-percha and BioRoot RCS or AH Plus sealers. Evaluation by three ex vivo methods

To investigate the ability of BioRoot RCS, a tricalcium silicate-based root canal sealer and AH Plus to effectively fill the root canals of contralateral teeth using three evaluation methods, and to investigate also the correlation between the methods. The prepared root canals of ten pairs of contralateral mandibular premolar teeth were filled with gutta-percha and sealer using lateral compaction. The percentage of voids within the root canal was assessed by micro-computed tomography, whilst sealing ability was investigated by fluid transport and leakage of fluorescent microspheres. The interaction of sealer with dentine, and sealer penetration were assessed by confocal microscopy. The void volume, fluid flow, microsphere leakage and sealer interaction with dentine for both materials were compared. Nonparametric (Mann-Whitney) tests were used to compare the % void and fluid transport of the two sealers. Spearman correlation was used to assess the pairwise relationships between the techniques. The level of significance was set to 0.05. BioRoot RCS exhibited significantly more percentage of voids than AH Plus. There was no difference in fluid flow and microsphere penetration. BioRoot RCS exhibited a different pattern of sealer penetration and interaction with the dentine walls compared to AH Plus. For both materials, the pairwise correlations between the three techniques were close to zero, indicating weak relationships. MicroCT analysis revealed a higher void volume for BioRoot RCS. The other techniques did not show a difference between the sealing ability of the sealers. The correlation between the three ex vivo methods of assessment was weak demonstrating their complementarity rather than their concordance.

TESTS OF BIRD DAMAGE CONTROL MEASURES IN SUDAN, 1975

The Red-billed Quelea (Quelga quelaa), because of its widespread destruction of grain crops throughout its range in Africa, is one of the most studied and written about granivorous bird species. Less publicized are more local bird pests in Africa which may be equally Important. The Village Weaver, (Ploceus cucullatus), for example, is a pest in many countries, while some other Ploecids with limited destructive habits create local problems. Significant crop losses also occur where there are large populations of Golden Sparrows (Passer luteus), House Sparrows (Passer domesticus), Red Bishops (Euplectes oryx), Doves (Streptopelia spp.), Glossy Starlings (Lamprotornis chalybaeus), Parakeets (Psittacula spp.), and some waterfowl (Mackworth-Praed and Grant, 1952; Pans Manual No. 3, 1974; Park, 1974). Crop losses from local bird pests were reported in early February 1975 to the Sudan Plant Protection Bird Control Unit of the Ministry of Agriculture. A mechanized farm scheme in Khartoum North had large concentrations of Red Bishops roosting in maize and feeding on an early-maturing wheat variety (Mexicana). Small flocks of Golden Sparrows and House Sparrows also were present. Bird damage was clearly visible, especially at the corners and along the edges of the ripening wheatfields. Ground spraying with Queletox (60% a.1. Fenthion) on roosts of the Golden and House Sparrows was conducted along hedge rows of acacia (Acacia mellifera) located at the north end of the farm. Although the spray killed large numbers of roosting birds, damage con- tinued as the wheat matured. Pilot field trials were thus organized to test the effectiveness of other crop protection techniques. Because birds fed throughout many blocks of wheat which matured at different periods, it was felt that several different experiments could be conducted without Interfering with each other. The control techniques Included an acoustical repellent, a chemical repellent, a chemical frightening agent, and a trap. The experiments, conducted from February 7 through February 23, 1975, were not designed as an integrated control operation.

Body temperature, Aldrete-Kroulik index, and patient discharge from the Post-Anesthetic Recovery Unit

Patient discharge from post-anesthetic recovery (PAR) depends, among other factors, on normothermia and the patient's score on the Aldrete-Kroulik index. The objective of this study was to verify the relationship between the Aldrete-Kroulik index and body temperature in patients. This study was performed at the University of Sao Paulo University Hospital. Convenience sampling was used, and the sample consisted of 60 patients of ages between 18 and 60 years who underwent general anesthesia. The patients' body temperature was obtained by tympanic measurement, and the Aldrete-Kroulik index was measured on admission and at discharge from post-anesthetic recovery. The data were processed using SPSS, considering a significance level of 5%, and the Spearman and Wilcoxon tests were applied. In conclusion, no significant correlation was found between the two parameters for discharge.

Isolation, selection and characterization of root-associated growth promoting bacteria in Brazil Pine (Araucaria angustifolia)

Araucaria angustifolia, a unique species of this genus that occurs naturally in Brazil, has a high socio-economic and environmental value and is critically endangered of extinction, since it has been submitted to intense predatory exploitation during the last century. Root-associated bacteria from A. angustifolia were isolated, selected and characterized for their biotechnological potential of growth promotion and biocontrol of plant pathogenic fungi. Ninety-seven strains were isolated and subjected to chemical tests. All isolates presented at least one positive feature, characterizing them as potential PGPR. Eighteen isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 27 were able to solubilize inorganic phosphate, 21 isolates were presumable diazotrophs, with pellicle formation in nitrogen-free culture medium, 83 were phosphatases producers, 37 were positive for siderophores and 45 endospore-forming isolates were antagonistic to Fusarium oxysporum, a pathogen of conifers. We also observed the presence of bacterial strains with multiple beneficial mechanisms of action. Analyzing the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene of these isolates, it was possible to characterize the most effective isolates as belonging to Bacillaceae (9 isolates), Enterobacteriaceae (11) and Pseudomonadaceae (1). As far as we know, this is the first study to include the species Ewingella americana as a PGPR. (C) 2011 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Push-out bond strength and SEM evaluation of a new bonding approach into the root canal

Objective: This study evaluated the performance of different adhesive systems in fiber post placement aiming to clarify the influence of different hydrophobic experimental blend adhesives, and of one commercially available adhesive on the frictional retention during a luting procedure. Material and Methods: One luting agent (70 Wt% BisGMA, 28.5% TEGDMA; 1.5% p-tolyldiethanolamine) to cement fiber posts into root canals was applied with 4 different adhesive combinations: Group 1: The etched roots were rinsed with water for 30 s to remove the phosphoric acid, then rinsed with 99.6% ethanol for 30 s, and blot-dried. A trial adhesive (base to catalyst on a 1: 1 ratio) was used with an experimental luting agent (35% Bis-GMA, 14.37% TEGDMA, 0.5% EDMAB, 0.13% CQ); Group 2: A trial adhesive (base to catalyst on a 1: 2 ratio) was luted as in Group 1; Group 3: One-Step Plus (OSP, Bisco Inc.) following the ethanol bonding technique in combination with the luting agent as in Group 1; Group 4: OSP strictly following the manufacturer's instructions using the luting agent as in Group 1. The groups were challenged with push-out tests. Posted root slices were loaded until post segment extrusion in the apical-coronal direction. Failure modes were analyzed under scanning electron microscopy. Results: Push-out strength was not significantly influenced by the luting agent (p>0.05). No statistically significant differences among the tested groups were found as Group 1 (Exp 1 - ethanol-wet bonding technique)=Group 2 (Exp 2 - ethanol-wet bonding technique)= Group 3 (OSP - ethanol-wet bonding technique)= Group 4 (control, OSP - water-wet bonding technique) (p>0.05). The dominating failure modes in all the groups were cohesive/adhesive failures, which were predominantly observed on the post/luting agent interface. Conclusions: The results of this study support the hypothesis that the proposal to replace water with ethanol to bond fiber posts to the root canal using highly hydrophobic resin is plausible, but this seems to be more the proof of a concept than a clinically applicable procedure.

Motion-based wave estimation: Small-scale tests with a crane-barge model

This paper provides additional validation to the problem of estimating wave spectra based on the first-order motions of a moored vessel. Prior investigations conducted by the authors have attested that even a large-volume ship, such as an FPSO unit, could be adopted for on-board estimation of the wave field. The obvious limitation of the methodology concerns filtering of high-frequency wave components, for which the vessel has no significant response. As a result, the estimation range is directly dependent on the characteristics of the vessel response. In order to extend this analysis, further small-scale tests were performed with a model of a pipe-laying crane-barge. When compared to the FPSO case, the results attest that a broader range of typical sea states can be accurately estimated, including crossed-sea states with low peak periods. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.