The impact of the addition of iodoform on the physicochemical properties of an epoxy-based endodontic sealer

Due to the low radiopacity of Sealer 26, iodoform is frequently empirically added to this sealer. Thus, the interference of this procedure with the physicochemical properties of Sealer 26 must be evaluated. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of the addition of iodoform on setting time, flow, solubility, pH, and calcium release of an epoxy-based sealer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The control group was pure Sealer 26, and the experimental groups were Sealer 26 added with 1.1 g, 0.55 g or 0.275 g of iodoform. Setting time evaluation was performed in accordance with the ASTM C266-03 speciflcation. The analysis of flow and solubility was in accordance with the ISO 6876-2001 speciflcation. For the evaluation of pH and calcium ion release, polyethylene tubes were filled with the materials and immersed in flasks with 10 ml of deionized water. After 24 h, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 45 days pH was measured. In 45 days, the calcium released was evaluated with an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The addition of iodoform increased setting time in comparison with pure sealer (P<0.05). As for flow, solubility, and calcium release, the mixtures presented results similar to pure sealer (p>0.05). In the 24 h period, the mixture with 1.1 g and 0.55 g of iodoform showed lower pH than pure sealer and than sealer added with 0.275 g of iodoform (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The iodoform added to Sealer 26 interferes with its setting time and solubility properties. Further studies are needed to address the clinical signiflcance of this interference

Interference of partial visual analysis of root filling quality and apical status on retreatment decisions

OBJECTIVE: The presence of periapical radiolucency has been used as a criterion for endodontic treatment failure. However, in addition to the inherent limitations of radiographic examinations, radiographic interpretations are extremely subjective. Thus, this study investigated the effect of partial analysis of root filling quality and periapical status on retreatment decisions by general dentists. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve digitalized periapical radiographs were analyzed by 10 observers. The study was conducted at three time points at 1-week intervals. Radiographs edited with the Adobe Photoshop CS4 software were analyzed at three time points: first, only root filling quality was analyzed; second, only the periapical areas of the teeth under study were visualized; finally, observers analyzed the unedited radiographic image. Spearman's coefficient was used to analyze the correlations between the scores assigned when the periapical area was not visible and when the unedited radiograph was analyzed, as well as between the scores assigned when root fillings where not visible and when the unedited radiograph was analyzed. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values between partial images and unedited radiographs were also used to analyze retreatment decisions. The level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The visualization of the root filling on the unedited radiograph affected the interpretation of the periapical status and the technical quality of the fillings has a greater influence on the general dentist's decision to prescribe endodontic retreatment than the periapical condition. CONCLUSION: In order to make endodontic diagnosis, radiographic interpretation process should not only emphasize technical aspects, but also consider biological factors

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

RP-HPLC analysis of manool-rich Salvia officinalis extract and its antimicrobial activity against bacteria associated with dental caries

In this paper we screened the dichloromethane extract from the aerial parts of Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae, against a representative panel of microorganisms that cause caries, conducted a bioassay-guided fractionation to establish themselves the most active metabolite (manool) and determined the Salvia officinalis fraction with the manool highest concentration to be used to activate an ingredient in oral care products such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. Both manool and S. officinalis extract showed very promising minimal inhibitory concentration values (between 6.24 and 31.36 μg.ml−1) and time kill curves against the primary causative agents of dental caries (Streptococcus mutans) revealed that, at twice its minimal bactericidal concentration (12.48 μg.ml−1), manool required 6 h to completely kill the bacteria. Salvia officinalis extract at twice its minimal bactericidal concentration (31.36 μg.ml−1) needed 12 h. The results achieved with Salvia officinalis extract motivated us to develop and validate an analytical RP-HPLC method to detect and determine manool in this extract. The validation parameters were satisfactorily met and evaluated allows us to consider the developed method suitable for use in different labs. In conclusion, our results evidenced that the manool-rich S. officinalis extract can be considered an analytically validated alternative to develop novel and effective antimicrobial agents against the main bacteria responsible for dental caries. Keywords: Salvia officinalis, Streptococcus mutans, Manool, RP-HPLC method, Antimicrobial action, Dental carie

Comportamento da cv. Pérola(Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Submetida a diferentes níveis de desfolha artificial Effect of Different levels of defoliation on productivity of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv. Perola)

Estudos sobre desfolha artificial são muito úteis, principalmente para simular danos às plantas, como os causados por insetos ou granizo, por exemplo. Em trabalhos com o feijoeiro, ficou evidente que os resultados são altamente dependentes da cultivar utilizada e das condições climáticas prevalecentes. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a redução na produtividadedevida à redução artificial da área foliar da cv. Pérola nas condições de Rio Branco, AC. O experimento foi conduzido no campo experimental da Embrapa Acre, em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e esquema experimental de parcelas subdivididas, estudando-se nas parcelas cinco das etapas de desenvolvimento da planta (V3= primeira folha trifoliolada, V4= terceira folha trifoliolada, R6= floração, R7= formação de vagens e R8= enchimento de vagens) e nas subparcelas, quatro níveis de desfolhamento (0%, 33%, 66% e 100%). Foram avaliadas, em média, 480 plantas nas 4 linhas centrais de cada subparcela, determinando-se o número de vagens por planta, o número de grãos por vagem e a produtividade de grãos. Paralelamente, em uma área adjacente, foram colhidas, ao acaso, 50 plantas de cada etapa de desenvolvimento para a obtenção da área foliar média. Nas etapas de desenvolvimento V3, V4 e R7, níveis de desfolhamento a partir de 33% causaram decréscimo no número de vagens por planta. O número de sementes por vagem não sofreu influência dos níveis de desfolhamento das plantas. O rendimento dos grãos foi significativamente reduzido à medida que as plantas foram submetidas a níveis crescentes de desfolha. A etapa de florescimento (R6) foi a que apresentou maior redução na produtividade como resposta à desfolha.<br>Studies to evaluate artificial defoliation are very useful, mainly to simulate damages to plants, such, as the ones caused by insects or hail. Experiments with bean plant, indicated that the results are higly dependent on the cultivars used, and preponderant climatic conditions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate yeld reduction due to the reduction on the leaf area at different stages of growth of bean crop of Perola cultivar under environmental conditions of Rio Branco, Acre. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Acre. The experiment was arranged as a split-plot in a randomized block design, with four replications. The main plots consisted of five plant development stages: V3= first trifoliate leaf, V4= third trifoliate leaf, R6= initiation of flowering , R7= pod formation and R8= pod maturation, and the sub-plots were the four defoliation levels (0%, 33%, 66% and 100%). At harvest an average of 480 plants of the four central lines of each sub-plot were evaluated. It was determined the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod and yeld (kg/ha). In order to determine the average leaf area, 50 plants were randomily harvested in each development stage. The results demonstrated that defoliation levels starting from 33%, in the stages V3, V4 and R7, reduced the number of pods per plant. The number of seeds per pod was not affected by the level of defoliation of the plants. The seed weight was significantly reduced as the plants were submitted to increasing levels of defoliation. The flowering stage (R6) presented the highest yeld reduction with defoliation of the plants