An in vitro evaluation of various irrigation techniques for the removal of double antibiotic paste from root canal surfaces

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of conventional syringe irrigations, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), Vibringe, CanalBrush, XP-endo Finisher, and laser-activated irrigation (LAI) systems in removing double antibiotic paste (DAP) from root canals. Material and Methods One hundred five extracted single-rooted teeth were instrumented. The roots were split longitudinally. Three standard grooves were created and covered with DAP. The roots were distributed into seven groups: Group 1, beveled needle irrigation; Group 2, double side-vented needle irrigation; Group 3, CanalBrush; Group 4, XP-endo Finisher; Group 5, Vibringe; Group 6, PUI; Group 7, LAI. The amount of remaining DAP was scored under a stereomicroscope. Results Group 4, Group 6, and Group 7 removed significantly more DAP than the other protocols in the coronal region. Group 7 was more efficient in the middle region; however, no significant difference was found between Group 7 and Group 6. No differences were found between groups in the apical region either, except for the comparisons between groups 7 and 2, and groups 2 and 3. Conclusions None of the investigated protocols were able to completely remove the DAP from the grooves. The Vibringe and XP-endo Finisher systems showed results similar to those of conventional needle irrigation

Body indices and basic vital signs in Helicobacter pylori positive and negative persons

It has been hypothesized that Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection may contribute to reduced stature, risk of hypertension or obesity. The aim was to evaluate body indices in Hp positive and negative persons. A total of 2436 subjects (4–100 years old) were tested for Hp status by 13Curea breath test. Data on height and weight were collected for 84%, and blood pressure for 80% of the study subjects. The prevalence of Hp infection was 41.6%. The odds ratio for a 10-year increase in age was 1.21 (95% CI 1.17–1.25, p-value <0.001). Statistically significant negative association of Hp positivity with body height was most pronounced in the younger age groups, while a positive association of Hp positivity with body mass index was only seen in those aged 15+ years. There was a negative effect of Hp positivity on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in subjects below 25 and a relatively strong positive effect on blood pressure in subjects over 65 years. Residual confounding by social characteristics as a possible explanation for the associations of Hp positivity with height and blood pressure cannot be excluded. Unmeasured factors related to social and family environment may cause the apparent association between Hp positivity and children’s growth and blood pressure

Vitamin A and beta carotene levels in constitutional delay of growth and puberty

The objective of this study was to investigate the vitamin A (vit A) status and beta carotene levels of children with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP). Serum vit A and beta-carotene levels of 26 children with CDGP were measured. 20 age-matched healthy children with normal pubertal development served as controls. Except for the height SDS, which was significantly lower in the CDGP group (p0.05). Although serum vit A levels of children in both groups were within normal limits according to WHO criteria, serum vit A levels were significantly lower in the CDGP group than in controls (44.13 +/- 12.25 and 59.60 +/- 19.75 mu g/dl respectively, p<0.05). It was concluded that vit A deficiency may play a role in CDGP in developing countries

Anthropometric and nutritional evaluation of short statured children from low socio-economic class

The objective of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric parameters of short statured children examined in our outpatient clinic. 367 children were evaluated. Body weight for age, weight for height, height for age and body mass index of subjects were expressed as percent of standards. Wasting and stunting were established according to Waterlow's criteria /4/. Of 367 children, 27.8% were wasted and stunted; 59.1% were stunted; 3.8% had constitutional delay of growth and 9.3% had growth hormone deficiency. Ninety-seven percent of growth hormone deficient children had deficiency in weight as well as height. This study indicates that most short statured children and some growth hormone deficient children present with anthropometric indices of chronic. nutritional deficiency in a country where nutritional deprivation is frequent

Helicobacter pylori infection in children with constitutional delay of growth and puberty

Helicobacter pylori is a gastroduodenal pathogen strongly associated with chronic gastritis and duodenal ulceration. It is thought that H, pylori infection might be one of the causes of growth retardation in children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of H, pylori in children with constitutional delay of growth and puberty (CDGP). H. pylori seropositivity was studied in 24 children with CDGP (22 M, 2 F) and 32 healthy age-matched children with normal pubertal development. Mean age of the children with CDGP was 14.53 +/- 1.12 yr and all of them had been diagnosed as CBGP after physical and laboratory assessment. H, pylori IgG positivity was detected in 16 of the 24 children with CDGP (66.6%) and 12 of 32 controls (37.5%) (p <0.05), This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that H, pylori infection could be one of the environmental factors causing CDGP

Newborn Screening for Congenital Hypothyroidism

WOS: 000339648900003PubMed ID: 23154158Newborn screening (NS) for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is one of the major achievements in preventive medicine. Most neonates born with CH have normal appearance and no detectable physical signs. Hypothyroidism in the newborn period is almost always overlooked, and delayed diagnosis leads to the most severe outcome of CH, mental retardation, emphasizing the importance of NS. Blood spot thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or thyroxine (T4) or both can be used for CH screening. The latter is more sensitive but not cost-effective, so screening by TSH or T4 is used in different programs around the world. TSH screening was shown to be more specific in the diagnosis of CH. T4 screening is more sensitive in detecting especially those newborns with rare hypothalamic-pituitary-hypothyroidism, but it is less specific with a high frequency of false positives mainly in low birth weight and premature infants. The time at which the sample is taken may vary. In the majority of the centers, blood is obtained from a heel prick after 24 hours of age to minimize the false positive high TSH due to the physiological neonatal TSH surge that elevates TSH levels and causes dynamic T4 and T3 changes in the first 1 or 2 days after birth. Early discharge of mothers postpartum has increased the ratio of false positive TSH elevations. Although transient hypothyroidism may occur frequently, all these infants should be treated as having CH for the first 3 years of life, taking into account the risk of mental retardation. A reevaluation after 3 years is needed in such patients. The goal of initial therapy in CH is to minimize neonatal central nervous system exposure to hypothyroidism by normalizing thyroid function, as rapidly as possible