Residues of calcium hydroxide-based intracanal medication associated with different vehicles: A scanning electron microscopy evaluation

This study evaluated the presence of residues after removal of calcium hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] associated with different vehicles. Thirty single-rooted teeth were instrumented to a master apical file #25 using 2.5% NaOCl as main irrigant and 17% trisodium EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) as final agent irrigant. Then, the root canals were dressed with Ca(OH)2 associated with silicone oil (Group 1), 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group 2), or propylene glycol (Group 3). After coronal sealing, all teeth were kept in a moist environment at room temperature. After 7 days, the teeth were reopened and medicaments were removed using 5 mL of saline solution and instrumentation with master apical file followed by new irrigation with 5 mL of 2.5% NaOCl. Subsequently, teeth were split longitudinally and assessed by scanning electron microscopy. The wall cleanliness of the cervical and apical thirds of the roots were evaluated and scored by three blinded examiners. Statistical analysis was performed using KruskalWallis and Wilcoxon tests at 5% level of significance. All roots had residues of Ca(OH)2 on the canal walls. All experimental groups had similar results (P > 0.05) regardless of the third evaluated. There was significant difference between the apical and cervical thirds only in Group 3 (P < 0.05). Association of different vehicles to Ca(OH)2 does not influence the persistence of residues on the root canal walls. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Effect of Ultrasonic Activation on pH and Calcium Released by Calcium Hydroxide Pastes in Simulated External Root Resorption

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

Evaluation of pH and Calcium Ion Release of Root-end Filling Materials Containing Calcium Hydroxide or Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Introduction: To evaluate calcium ion release and pH of Sealer 26 (S26) (Dentsply, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil), white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Endo CPM Sealer (CPM1) (EGEO SRL Bajo licencia MTM Argentina SA, Buenos Aires, Argentina), Endo CPM Sealer in a thicker consistency (CPM 2), and zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE). Methods: Material samples (n = 10) were placed in polyethylene tubes and immersed in 10 mL of distilled water. After 3, 6,12,24, and 48 hours and 7,14, and 28 days, the water pH was determined with a pH meter, and calcium release was assessed by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. An empty tube was used as the control group. Results: The control group presented a pH value of 6.9 at all studied periods and did not show the presence of calcium ion. S26 presented greater hydroxyl ion release up to 12 hours (p < 0.05). From 24 hours until 28 days, S26, MTA, CPM1, and CPM2 had similar results. in ail periods, ZOE presented the lowest hydroxyl ion release. CPM1, followed by CPM2, released the most calcium ions until 24 hours (p < 0.05). Between 48 hours and 7 days, CPM1 and CPM2 had the highest release. A greater calcium ion release was observed for CPM2, followed by CPM1 at 14 days and for S26, CPM1, and CPM2 at 28 days. ZOE released the least calcium ions in all periods. Conclusion: Sealer 26, MTA, and Endo CPM sealer at normal or thicker consistency release hydroxyl and calcium ions. Endo CPM sealer may be an alternative as root-end filling material. (J Endod 2009;35:1418-1421)

The Influence of Calcium Chloride on the Setting Time, Solubility, Disintegration, and pH of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and White Portland Cement with a Radiopacifier

This study evaluated the influence of addition of 10% calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) on the setting time, solubility, disintegration, and pH of white MTA (WMTA) and white Portland cement (WPC). A test of the setting time was performed following the #57 ADA specifications and a test of the final setting time according to the ASTM. For the solubility tests disintegration and pH, Teflon rings were filled with the cements and weighed after setting. After 24 h in a desiccator, they were once again weighed. Thereafter, they were immersed in MiliQ water for 24 and 72 h and 7, 14, and 28 days, with maintenance in the desiccator and weighing between periods. The pH of water in which the rings were immersed was measured immediately after contact with them and in the other periods. The addition of CaCl(2) provided a significant reduction (50%) in the initial setting time of cements. The final setting time of WMTA was reduced in 35.5% and the final setting time of WPC in 68.5%. The WMTA with CaCl(2) absorbed water and gained weight with time, except for in the 24-h period. The addition of CaCl(2) to the WPC reduced its solubility. The addition of CaCl(2) increased the pH of WMTA in the immediate period and at 24 and 72 h and for WPC in the immediate period and at 24 h. The addition of CaCl(2) to WMTA and WPC reduced the setting times and solubility of both and increased the pH of cements in the initial periods. (J Endod 2009;35:550-554)

Morphometric analysis of the intestine of domestic quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) treated with different levels of dietary calcium

The aim of this study was to perform a morphometric analysis of the various parts of the intestine of the domestic quail. Twenty-four female quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) aged 37 weeks were used and accommodated in laying cages for 12 weeks. Each group was fed a standardized diet containing different quantities of calcium: 2.0%, 2.5%. 3.0% and 3.5%. The birds were weighed, killed, and samples of 1 cm were collected from the duodenum, jejunum and ileum and submitted to the histological routine. The sections obtained were stained in haematoxylin & eosin (H&E). For morphometric analysis, 30 villi and 30 crypts of each segment of the small intestine were measured in order to determine the height and area of the villi, as well as the depth of the crypts. The results showed that although the integrity of the gastrointestinal tract was maintained in all the birds treated with the different calcium levels, a calcium level of 3.0% showed the most promise, as the levels of 2.0% and 2.5% did not cause any alteration in the intestinal tract. Furthermore, a calcium level of 3.5% led to a significant reduction in the height of the villosities, and in consequence reduced the digestive and absorptive capabilities.

Myocardial dysfunction induced by food restriction is related to calcium cycling and beta-adrenergic system changes

Food restriction (FR) has been shown to promote myocardial dysfunction in rats. The aim of this study was to verify the participation of calcium and beta-adrenergic system on myocardial mechanical alteration in rats submitted to FR. Myocardial performance was studied in isolated left ventricular papillar muscle from young Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) submitted to FR or to control diet. The groups subjected to FR were fed 50% less food than the control group for 90 days. Mechanical function was studied in isometric contraction at post-rest contraction of 30 seconds (PRC), calcium chloride concentration 5.20 mM, and beta-adrenergic stimulation with isoproterenol 10(-6) M. FR decreased the body weight, and left and right ventricular weight. In basal condition (1.25 MM of calcium) time to peak tension (TPT) and time from peak tension to 50% relaxation (RT50) were greater in the FR group. Muscle function was. The same in both PRC groups. TPT decrease in both high calcium groups, more in FR rats; RT50 dropped only in FR animals. TPT decreased in both Isoproterenol groups, more intensely in the FR group. This result suggests that food restriction impairs myocardial performance and these changes may be attributed to alterations in the intracellular calcium cycling and beta-adrenergic system. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Food restriction impairs myocardial inotropic response to calcium and beta-adrenergic stimulation in spontaneously hypertensive rats

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

Presence of calcium in oocytes of the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi Verhoeff (Spirobolida, Rhinocricidae)

In diplopods, the presence of calcium-containing structures seems to be a common finding in some species, with its formation being similar to that observed for other intracellular mineralization systems. In the present study, using histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy, a large amount of calcium was observed in the oocytes of Rhinocricus padbergi. Calcium was detected in both less and well developed oocytes, i.e., the occurrence of calcium coincided with the beginning of vitellogenesis. Calcium was observed as fine granulation distributed within the cytoplasm or deposited in spherical structures apparently formed by overlapping calcium layers. Some authors have suggested that these structures represent a type of reserve used for the calcification of the embryo exoskeleton, whereas others believe that calcium inclusions are a mechanism of organism detoxification as a result of excess calcium ingested by animals during soil turnover. We suggest in this paper that the first hypothesis could be occurring in R. padbergi since at the juvenile stages of the individuals the uptake of calcium is low and because the oocyte is a specialized cell not associated with detoxification.

Crystal structure of piratoxin-I: A calcium-independent, myotoxic phospholipase A(2)-homologue from Bothrops pirajai venom

The crystal structure of Piratoxin-I (PrTX-I) a Lys49 homologue isolated from the venom of Bothrops pirajai has been determined and refined at 2.8 Angstrom to a crystallographic residual of 19.7% (R-free = 29.7%). Amino-acid sequence differences between catalytically active phospholipases and PrTX-I in the putative Ca2+-binding loop, specifically the substitutions Tyr28-->Asn, Gly32-->Leu and Asp49-->Lys, result in an altered conformation of this loop, the analysis of the position of the E-amino group of Lys49 in the PrTX-I structure indicates that it fills the site normally occupied by the calcium ion in the catalytically active phospholipases, In contrast to the homologous monomeric Lys49 variant from Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus (App), PrTX-I is present as a dimer in the crystalline state, as observed in the structures of myotoxin II from Bothrops asper and Bothropstoxin I from Bothrops jararacussu. The two molecules in the asymmetric unit in the crystal structure of PrTX-I are related by a nearly perfect two-fold symmetry axis, yet the dimeric structure is radically different from the dimeric structure of the phospholipase from Crotalus atrox. In the C. atrox structure the dimer interface occludes the active sites, whereas in the PrTX-I structure they are exposed to solvent, (C) 1998 Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

In vitro effects of calcium hydroxide and polymyxin B on endotoxins in root canals

Objectives. To evaluate the effects of intracanal medicaments on endotoxins in root canals.Methods. Seventy-five freshly extracted maxillary incisors were used in this study. The crowns of teeth were sectioned near the CEJ in order to standardize the root length to 14 mm. The root canals were instrumented to an apical size #50 file and irrigated with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution and sterilized with 60 Co gamma irradiation. Standardized suspension containing Escherichia coli endotoxin was inoculated into the 60 root canals. The specimens were randomly assigned to 5 groups (n=15), according to the intracanal medicament used: (G1) calcium hydroxide; (G2) polymyxin B; (0) combination neomycin-potymyxin B-hydrocortisone; (G4) positive control (no intracanal medicament); (G5) negative control (no endotoxin and no intracanal medicament). After 7 days, the detoxification of endotoxin was evaluated by Limulus lysate assay and antibody production in B-tymphocytes culture.Results. Groups 1, 2 and 5 presented the best results by Limulus lysate and were significantly different to groups 3 and 4 (p<0.05). Stimulation of antibodies production in cell culture by groups 1 and 6 was smaller and statistically different than groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 (p<0.05). Groups 2 and 5 induced a small increase in the antibodies production in relation to the groups 1 and 6. Groups 3 and 4 induced a significant increase of antibodies production (p<0.05).Conclusions. The calcium hydroxide and polymyxin B intracanal medicaments detoxified endotoxin in root canals and altered the properties of LPS to stimulate the antibody production by B-Lymphocytes. The combination neomycin-polymyxin B-hydrocortisone did not detoxified endotoxin. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Subcutaneous tissue reaction to castor oil bean and calcium hydroxide in rats

Castor oil bean cement (COB) is a new material that has been used as an endodontic sealer, and is a candidate material for direct pulp capping. Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of a new formulation of COB compared to calcium hydroxide cement (CH) and a control group without any material, in the subcutaneous tissue of rats. Material and Methods: The materials were prepared, packed into polyethylene tubes, and implanted in the rat dorsal subcutaneous tissue. Animals were sacrificed at the 7th and 50th days after implantation. A quantitative analysis of inflammatory cells was performed and data were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's tests at 5% significance level. Results: Comparing the mean number of inflammatory cells between the two experimental groups (COB and CH) and the control group, statistically significant difference (p=0.0001) was observed at 7 and 50 days. There were no significant differences (p=0.111) between tissue reaction to CH (382 inflammatory cells) and COB (330 inflammatory cells) after 7 days. After 50 days, significantly more inflammatory cells (p=0.02) were observed in the CH group (404 inflammatory cells) than in the COB group (177 inflammatory cells). Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the COB cement induces less inflammatory response within long periods.

Effects of experimental osteoporosis and low calcium intake on postextraction sockets of rats

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Calcium sulfate and PTFE nonporous barrier for regeneration of experimental bone defects

The aim of the study was to evaluate the possibility to obtain guided bone regeneration with two types of physical barriers (calcium sulfate and PTFE nonporous barrier) in surgical defects created in rat parietal bones. In the right parietal bone the calcium sulfate barrier filled out the whole defect and in the left parietal bone the barrier of PTFE was positioned in the floor and externally to the surgical defect. After 7, 14, 30 and 45 days four animals were sacrificed in each period and the bone containing the defects were submitted to the microscopic analysis. The results of the study revealed that the PTFE barrier was more effective for bone regeneration in shallow transcortical defects compared to the calcium sulfate. However, additional experiments are necessary to determine if calcium sulfate would be successful in other bone defects types or the use of the material under another consistence could complement the results obtained in this work.

Functional Characterization of an Aspergillus fumigatus Calcium Transporter (PmcA) that Is Essential for Fungal Infection

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