Evaluation of antifungal efficacy of QMix 2in1 as a final irrigant: An in vitro study

Background: It is known that no specific antifungal agent exists at present for irrigation of infected root canals. QMix 2in1 was investigated to determine whether they could be an alternative for sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the antifungal efficacy of QMix 2in1, 5.25% NaOCl, 2% CHX, and 17% EDTA as a final rinse against Candida albicans (C. albicans).Materials and Methods: Ninety single‑rooted mandibular premolar teeth were randomly divided into four experimental (n = 20) and two control (n = 5) groups. All root canals were instrumented with Mtwo rotary file system using crown‑down technique to an apical size 40. Following root canal preparation, teeth were inoculated with C. albicans and incubated for 72 h. Teeth were irrigated with one of the following solutions as a final irrigant: (1) 5.25% NaOCl, (2) 2% CHX, (3) QMix 2in1, and (4) 17% EDTA. Aliquots from the samples were plated on 4% Sabouraud Agar, and colony‑forming units were counted.Results: QMix 2in1, 5.25% NaOCl, and 2% CHX were equally effective (P > 0.05) and significantly superior to 17% EDTA in eradicating C. albicans (P < 0.05).Conclusion: QMix 2in1 proved to be effective against C. albicans when used as a final rinse. According to the findings of the present study, QMix 2in1 may be recommended as an alternative final rinse solution.Keywords: Antifungal, Candida albicans, endodontics, final irrigant, QMi

Friction and wear behaviour of flame-sprayed Cr2O3 coatings as bearing materials

This paper describes the friction and wear behaviour of Cr2O3/Ni8.5Cr7Al5Mo2Si2I32FcTiO(2) coatings for bearing materials. These coatings were successfully deposited on low carbon steels using a flame spray technique. The produced samples were characterized by means of an optical microscope and microhardness tester. The microstructural observations showed that the layers contain some inhomogeneities such as porosity, crack-like defects, unmelted particles, oxides and inclusions. The structures with the inhomogeneities strongly influence their wear/friction properties. The friction and wear experiments were performed under dry and acid environments using a pin-on-plate configuration against AISI 303 counter material for different loads. It was found that in acid environment, the amount of wear loss is less than that of in dry condition and applied load level is more effective in dry condition

Thermal structure of the crust in the Black Sea: comparative analysis of magnetic and heat flow data

This paper presents the first study of mapping of the Curie point depth (CPD) from magnetic data for the Black Sea and a comparison with a classical thermal modeling from heat flow data. The provided relationship between radially averaged power spectrum of the magnetic anomalies and the depths to the magnetic sources of the Black Sea vary from 22 to 36 km. Deepening of CPDs observed in the western and eastern Black Sea basins correspond with the thickest sediment areas, whereas the shallow CPDs are related to the Mid-Black Sea Ridge and thin sediment areas at the costal side of the Black Sea. For comparison, the temperature field was also modeled from heat flow data from the Black Sea along three approximately north-south directed profiles corresponding to known DSS soundings. The Curie isotherm along the profiles occurs at depths of 22-35 km. A comparison of the results of the two independent methods reveals only 8-10 % discrepancy. This discrepancy is equal to an accuracy of temperature determination from heat flow data