Eugenyl-2-Hydroxypropyl Methacrylate-Incorporated Experimental Dental Composite: Degree of Polymerization and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Evaluation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the properties of new dental formulations containing eugenyl-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (EgGMA) monomer, as restorative dental material, in terms of their degree of photopolymerization and cytotoxicity. The target model composites (TBEg0, TBEg2.5, and TBEg5) were prepared by mixing 35% organic matrix (TEGDMA/BisGMA (50/50 wt%) of which 0, 2.5, and 5 wt%, respectively, were replaced with EgGMA monomer) with 65% filler (silanized hydroxyapatite (HA)/zinc oxide (ZnO2), 4:3 by weight). The vinylic double-bond conversion (DC) after light-curing was studied using Fourier transform infrared technique whereas cell viability was in vitro tested using primary human gingival fibroblasts cells over 7 days by means of AlamarBlue colorimetric assay. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. The results revealed no significant difference in DC between TBEg2.5 (66.49%) and control (TBEg0; 68.74%), whereas both differ significantly with TBEg5, likely due to the inhibitory effect of eugenol moiety at high concentration. The cell viability test indicated that all the composites are biocompatible. No significant difference was counted between TBEg2.5 and TBEg5, however, both differed significantly from the control (TBEg0). Thus, even though its apparent negative effect on polymerization, EgGMA is potentially safer than bisphenol-derived monomers. Such potential properties may encourage further investigations on term of EgGMA amount optimization, compatibility with other dental resins, and antimicrobial activity

Correlation of Blood and Salivary pH Levels in Healthy, Gingivitis, and Periodontitis Patients before and after Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy

Periodontitis is an infectious illness which leads to the inflammation of protective tissues around the teeth and the continuous loss of alveolar bone and conjunctive tissue. Biomarker analysis in serum and saliva helps in the evaluation of disease progression and activity. It is also established that every inflammatory change along with resultant damage of tissues ends up in altered pH values in the fluids and tissues. Aim: To correlate the connection of pH levels in both blood as well as saliva in healthy, periodontitis, and gingivitis patients. Materials and Methods: The current research involved 145 subjects amidst the age of 20 and 55 years. The subjects were split into three different groups: healthy (Group A), gingivitis (Group B), and finally chronic periodontitis (Group C). The recording of clinical parameters was done by gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), and plaque index (PI). pH of saliva and blood was analyzed with the help of digital single electrode pH meter. Subjects have gone through scaling and root planning (SRP) coupled with the instructions of oral hygiene. They were recalled post 4 weeks, and saliva and blood samples were gathered for analyzing pH. Results: Clinical parameters GI and PI were statistically important in both group C as well as group B post SRP. A crucial change has been observed in attachment levels (AL) and PD in the case of periodontitis group post SRP. The difference in the salivary pH values were significant between group B vs. C and A vs. C before the treatment because the values for group C were acidic, whereas in groups B and A the pH was alkaline. After the treatment, the values were still significant because the pH has become more alkaline compared to preoperative value in both group B and C. Saliva’s pH levels have demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in group C post SRP. Conclusion: Salivary pH levels and blood evidently became alkaline in the group C patients post SRP and there is a positive correlation between them and the clinical parameters

Evaluation of Salivary Mucin, Amylase, Protein Profile, and Periodontal Parameters among Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients

Systemic and localized oral disease instigates alterations in salivary composition and content. The objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of salivary amylase, mucin, total protein levels, and periodontal inflammatory parameters in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertensive (HTN) patients, and healthy controls. The study sample was divided into three groups: healthy, T2DM, and HTN. Salivary samples were collected from the included participants and salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH were measured. The salivary levels of amylase, mucin, and total protein concentration were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of anti-hypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs on the salivary flow rate, salivary pH, mucin, amylase, and total protein concentrations was evaluated. The results were analyzed with Chi-squared and analysis of variance to compare the means and standard deviations of variables among the study groups. SFR was significantly (p 2) and HTN (799.4 ± 155.05 mm2) subjects when compared to controls, indicating a high inflammatory burden of oral cavity caused by these conditions, and showed statistically significant difference between the groups (p-value p-value p-value p-value < 0.001). Use of antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs showed a significant influence on salivary flow rate, protein, mucin, and amylase levels. T2DM and HTN induced irregularities in salivary flow rate, pH, amylase, and mucin levels and showed an increased incidence of moderate to severe periodontitis in patients. UWS levels of SFR, mucin, amylase, and total protein can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in patients with T2DM and HTN with oral disease

Evaluation of Salivary Mucin, Amylase, Protein Profile, and Periodontal Parameters among Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients

Systemic and localized oral disease instigates alterations in salivary composition and content. The objective of the study was to evaluate the levels of salivary amylase, mucin, total protein levels, and periodontal inflammatory parameters in Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertensive (HTN) patients, and healthy controls. The study sample was divided into three groups: healthy, T2DM, and HTN. Salivary samples were collected from the included participants and salivary flow rate (SFR) and pH were measured. The salivary levels of amylase, mucin, and total protein concentration were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of anti-hypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs on the salivary flow rate, salivary pH, mucin, amylase, and total protein concentrations was evaluated. The results were analyzed with Chi-squared and analysis of variance to compare the means and standard deviations of variables among the study groups. SFR was significantly (p &lt; 0.01) lower among diabetics (0.78 &plusmn; 0.45 mL/min) in comparison to healthy (1.52 &plusmn; 0.62 mL/min) and hypertensive (1.07 &plusmn; 0.7 mL/min) subjects. PISA values were significantly higher in T2DM (1029 &plusmn; 234.6 mm2) and HTN (799.4 &plusmn; 155.05 mm2) subjects when compared to controls, indicating a high inflammatory burden of oral cavity caused by these conditions, and showed statistically significant difference between the groups (p-value &lt; 0.001). Mucin levels were significantly higher (p-value &lt; 0.05) in hypertensive patients (4.6 &plusmn; 1.17 units) compared to diabetics (3.59 &plusmn; 1.03 unit/mL) and healthy (2.26 &plusmn; 1.09 units/mL) subjects. Amylase levels were significantly higher among healthy subjects (1.76 &plusmn; 0.75 mg/mL) compared to both hypertensive (1.33 &plusmn; 1.0 mg/mL) and diabetic (0.88 &plusmn; 0.57 mg/mL) patients. Total protein concentration was significantly raised (p-value &lt; 0.001) in diabetics (37.67 &plusmn; 3.12 mg/mL) compared to healthy (29.3 &plusmn; 3.22 mg/mL) subjects. Significant differences in BOP, CAL, and PPD was observed (p-value &lt; 0.001). Use of antihypertensive and hypoglycemic drugs showed a significant influence on salivary flow rate, protein, mucin, and amylase levels. T2DM and HTN induced irregularities in salivary flow rate, pH, amylase, and mucin levels and showed an increased incidence of moderate to severe periodontitis in patients. UWS levels of SFR, mucin, amylase, and total protein can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in patients with T2DM and HTN with oral disease

Poly(ethylene-Co-vinyl Alcohol)/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposite: Preparation and Characterization of Properties for Potential Use in Bone Tissue Engineering

A series of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/titanium dioxide (PEVAL/TiO2) nanocomposites containing 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt% TiO2 were prepared by the solvent casting method. These prepared hybrid materials were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The pores and their interconnections inside these nanocomposites were created using naphthalene microparticles used as a porogen after having been extracted by sublimation under a high vacuum at temperatures slightly below the glass transition temperature. A cellular activity test of these hybrid materials was performed on human gingival fibroblast cells (HGFs) in accordance with ISO 10993-5 and ISO 10993-12 standards. The bioviability (cell viability) of HGFs was evaluated after 1, 4 and 7 days using Alamar Blue®. The results were increased cell activity throughout the different culture times and a significant increase in cell activity in all samples from Day 1 to Day 7, and all systems tested showed significantly higher cell viability than the control group on Day 7 (p < 0.002). The adhesion of HGFs to the scaffolds studied by SEM showed that HGFs were successfully cultured on all types of scaffolds

Dental students’ attitudes and perceptions about intraprofessional collaboration/education

الملخص: أهداف البحث: للتحقيق في مواقف وتصورات طلاب طب الأسنان حول التعاون / التعليم المهني الداخلي (التعليم الداخلي) والتعلم المشترك واستكشاف تأثير التعليم الداخلي على التطوير الشخصي والمهني للطلاب المشاركين. طرق البحث: تم استخدام استبانة مصمم خصيصا في هذه الدراسة المقطعية. تتكون الاستبانة من سبعة عشر سؤالا يستهدف معرفة تصورات الطلاب حول: 1- تفضيل / رأي طلاب طب الأسنان حول التعليم الداخلي؛ 2- خبرة طلاب طب الأسنان حول تأثير التعليم الداخلي على نتائج التعلم والتطوير المهني؛ 3- ملاحظات الطلاب حول أهمية التعليم الداخلي في مختبرات المحاكاة السريرية وإعدادات مكان العمل. قام الطلاب بتقييم كل من العبارات السبعة عشر على مقياس ليكرت من 5 نقاط (النطاق: 1 = لا أوافق بشدة، 5 = أوافق بشدة). النتائج: تم تحليل ما مجموعه 259 استبانة (معدل الاستجابة = 65٪). كان جميع الطلاب على دراية بالتعليم الداخلي في مجال طب الأسنان (متوسط الدرجة = 4.22). فضل الطلاب التعلم التعاوني / المشترك مع زملائهم في الفصل. كان هناك إجماع بين الطلاب حول التأثير الإيجابي للتعليم الداخلي على التعلم المعزز، وتعزيز مهارات الاتصال، وإثراء العلاقات المهنية مع الموظفين الداعمين وكذلك مع المرضى، وتحسين المهارات التحليلية والنفسية الحركية، وفهم المشاكل المعقدة في العيادات، وفهم نقاط القوة والقيود التي تؤدي إلى تحسين الذات وزيادة الكفاءة والإنتاجية. الاستنتاجات: كان للتعليم الداخلي تأثير مقنع وقوي وإيجابي وفقا لتجربة طلاب طب الأسنان المشاركين في الدراسة. يوصى بتصميم منهج موحد ووضع مبادئ توجيهية لـلتعليم الداخلي في مؤسسات طب الأسنان من أجل التفاعل الفعال بين المتعلمين في جميع المراحل. Abstract: Objectives: To investigate dental students’ attitudes and perceptions about intraprofessional collaboration/education (IPC/IPE) and shared learning, and to explore the impact of IPC/IPE on the personal and professional development of participating students. Methods: A custom-designed questionnaire was used in this cross-sectional study. The questionnaire comprised 17 questions targeting to capture the student's perceptions about IPC/IPE using three factors: (1) dental students' preference/opinion about the IPC/IPE; (2) dental students' experience about the impact of IPC/IPE on learning outcomes and professional development; and (3) students' feedback about the significance of IPC/IPE in clinical/clinical simulation labs and workplace setting. The students rated each of the 17 statements on the 5-point Likert scale (range: 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Results: A total of 259 responses were analysed (response rate = 65%). All students were aware of IPC/IPE in the field of dentistry (mean score = 4.22). The students preferred collaborative/shared learning with their own classmates. There was a consensus among students about the positive impact of IPC/IPE on enhanced learning, enhancement of communication skills, and enrichment of professional relationships with supporting staff as well as with the patients. There was also improved analytical and psychomotor skills, understanding of complex problems in the clinic, and understanding of strengths and limitations leading to self-improvement and increased efficiency and productivity. Conclusion: IPC/IPE had a compelling, powerful, and positive impact according to the experience of the participating dental students. It is recommended that a standardized curriculum be designed and guidelines set for IPC/IPE at dental institutions for effective interactions among students of all stages

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium report, data summary of 50 countries for 2010-2015: Device-associated module

•We report INICC device-associated module data of 50 countries from 2010-2015.•We collected prospective data from 861,284 patients in 703 ICUs for 3,506,562 days.•DA-HAI rates and bacterial resistance were higher in the INICC ICUs than in CDC-NHSN's.•Device utilization ratio in the INICC ICUs was similar to CDC-NHSN's. Background: We report the results of International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2010-December 2015 in 703 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, and Western Pacific. Methods: During the 6-year study period, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Healthcare Safety Network (CDC-NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 861,284 patients hospitalized in INICC hospital ICUs for an aggregate of 3,506,562 days. Results: Although device use in INICC ICUs was similar to that reported from CDC-NHSN ICUs, DA-HAI rates were higher in the INICC ICUs: in the INICC medical-surgical ICUs, the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection, 4.1 per 1,000 central line-days, was nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.8 per 1,000 central line-days reported from comparable US ICUs, the overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher, 13.1 versus 0.9 per 1,000 ventilator-days, as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, 5.07 versus 1.7 per 1,000 catheter-days. From blood cultures samples, frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (29.87% vs 10%) and to imipenem (44.3% vs 26.1%), and of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (73.2% vs 28.8%) and to imipenem (43.27% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC ICUs compared with CDC-NHSN ICUs. Conclusions: Although DA-HAIs in INICC ICU patients continue to be higher than the rates reported in CDC-NSHN ICUs representing the developed world, we have observed a significant trend toward the reduction of DA-HAI rates in INICC ICUs as shown in each international report. It is INICC's main goal to continue facilitating education, training, and basic and cost-effective tools and resources, such as standardized forms and an online platform, to tackle this problem effectively and systematically