Antibiofilm efficacy of photoactivated curcumin, triple and double antibiotic paste, 2% chlorhexidine and calcium hydroxide against Enterococcus fecalis in vitro

Root canal disinfection is one of the most important factors governing success of root canal treatment, especially when regenerative strategies are used. This study evaluated the efficacy of 5 intracanal medicaments against mature biofilms of Enterococcus fecalis in vitro: Light activated curcumin, triple antibiotic paste (TAP), double antibiotic paste (DAP), chlorhexidine, calcium hydroxide. Untreated teeth with biofilms served as controls. Confocal microscopy was used to analyse the biofilm mass and percentage of live/dead bacteria within the root canal as well as dentinal tubules. Dentinal shavings obtained from the root canal walls (at 200 and 400 microns depth) were used to quantify the colony forming units/mL. The results showed that light activated curcumin and triple antibiotic paste brought about complete disruption of the biofilm structure (P 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about the highest percentage of dead cells at both depths, but this was not significantly different from triple antibiotic paste (P > 0.05). Curcumin, TAP and DAP brought about a significant reduction of CFU/mL at both depths compared to the control and other groups (P < 0.05). Light activated curcumin brought about a 7 log reduction of bacteria at both depths.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with risk of low birth weight: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis

Background: Considerable controversy exists regarding the relation between maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy and risk of low birth weight (birth weight <2,500 g). We aim to assess this association using a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of prospective studies. Methods: Potential articles were identified by searching MEDLINE and SCOPUS databases through 17 July 2013. Two authors independently extracted information on study design, participant characteristics and estimates of associations. Random-effects models were used to derive the summary relative risks (RRs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Dose–response relationships were assessed using generalized least-squares trend estimation. Results: In our meta-analysis, we included 13 prospective studies: 9 with low birth weight as a binary outcome variable (90,747 participants and 6,303 cases) and 6 with birth weight as a continuous outcome variable (10,015 participants; 2 studies reported both types of outcomes). Compared with the reference category with no or very low caffeine intake, the RR (95% CI) of low birth weight was 1.13 (1.06 to 1.21; I2 0.0%) for low intake (50 to 149 mg/day), 1.38 (1.18 to 1.62; I2 31.9%) for moderate intake (150 to 349 mg/day), and 1.60 (1.24 to 2.08; I2 65.8%) for high intake (≥350 mg/day). In the dose–response analysis, each 100-mg/day increment in maternal caffeine intake (around one cup of coffee) was associated with 13% (RR 1.13, 1.06 to 1.21) higher risk of low birth weight. The association persisted in strata defined according to various study characteristics. Moderate (−33 g, 95% CI −63 to −4; I2 0.3%) and high (−69 g, 95% CI −102 to −35; I2 0.0%) caffeine intakes were also associated with a significantly lower birth weight as compared with the reference category. Conclusions: Higher maternal caffeine intake during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of delivering low birth weight infants. These findings support recommendations to restrict caffeine intake during pregnancy to low levels. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12916-014-0174-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Effect of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) intake on glycemia: A meta-analysis of clinical trials

10.1186/1475-2891-13-7Nutrition Journal131

ASSESSMENT OF DIETARY INTAKES AND IDENTIFICATION OF DIETARY PATTERNS TO REDUCE RISK OF CORONARY HEART DISEASE IN THE SINGAPORE POPULATION

Ph.DDOCTOR OF PHILOSOPH

Non vital bleaching - A non invasive post endodontic treatment option: A case report

The dental practitioner is provided with a variety of post endodontic treatment options which range from invasive methods like full veneer crowns to least invasive and aesthetic procedures like bleaching.The most important parameter in non-vital bleaching is the placement of a barrier to prevent the resorption of the tooth which has a poor prognosis. The aim of this paper was to report a case of successful non-vital bleaching by using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as a barrier, with follow up reports of two years. This article describes a one year follow up of a case of non vital bleaching which was performed on a root canal treated, discoloured, maxillary central incisor. By using mineral trioxide aggregate as a barrier, a mixture of sodium perborate and distilled water was used as the bleaching agent. The follow up visits showed significant improvement in the shade of the bleached teeth even after 24 months, with no evidence of resorption. This is the first paper to report on the use of MTA as a barrier for non-vital bleaching. The placement of a proper bleach barrier is the most important factor for successful intracoronal bleaching. Non vital bleaching can be considered as a safe, effective and non invasive treatment option in the management of endodontically treated, discoloured teeth.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Ethnopharmacological approach in Endodontic Treatment: A focused review

Endodontic or root canal treatment involved removal of infected tissue and microorganisms from within the root canal space to prevent further infection of the periradicular tissues as well as to allow healing of these tissues. This critical process involves the use of some chemical substances for disinfection of the root canal space. Several studies have shown that contemporary chemical agents [both proteolytic and acidic] do not achieve complete disinfection, and have other disadvantages like weakening of the tooth structure, predisposing to fracture of the tooth. Recently, there has been a growing trend to seek natural remedies as part of dental treatment. This may be termed as ethnopharmacology or phytotherapy. This paper aims at providing a comprehensive review that focuses on the herbal agents that have been evaluated in endodontics. It also briefly reviews the agents with potential applications in root canal disinfection. The agents reviewed include Morinda citrofolia [Indian Noni], Terminalia chebula [Triphala], Curcuma longa [Turmeric], Glycyrrhiza glabra [Liquorice], Propolis, Melaleuca alternifolia [Tea Tree Oil] and Azadirachta indica A. Juss [Neem]. © 2010 IJDDR.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Histologic Assessment of Debridement of the Root Canal Isthmus of Mandibular Molars by Irrigant Activation Techniques Ex Vivo

© 2016 American Association of EndodontistsIntroduction This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new irrigation system (EndoIrrigator Plus; Innovations Endo, Nasik, India) using a histologic method ex vivo. Methods Mandibular molars with a normal pulp extracted for periodontal reasons (N = 68) were assessed for the presence of an isthmus using cone-beam computed tomographic imaging. Root canals of the included molars (n = 40) were instrumented up to a ProTaper F2 instrument (Dentsply Maillefer, Baillagues, Switzerland) using 3% sodium hypochlorite as irrigant in a closed apical design. Final irrigation delivery/activation was performed as follows (n = 10): group 1, syringe irrigation; group 2, apical negative pressure delivery with continuous warm activated irrigation and evacuation system (CWAIS); group 3, manual dynamic agitation (MDA); and group 4, passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI). Untreated teeth (n = 5) served as histologic controls. The isthmus regions (1, 3, and 5 mm from the apex) were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin stain to calculate the percentage of remaining pulp tissue (RPT) relative to the area of the isthmus. Results were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test (P = .05). Results CWAIS showed significantly less RPT than the other groups at all 3 root levels (P .05). Conclusions None of the methods could completely clean the isthmus. CWAIS left behind the least amount of RPT.Link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Attitude of medical students towards Early Clinical Exposure in learning endocrine physiology

Abstract Background Different teaching-learning methods have been used in teaching endocrine physiology for the medical students, so as to increase their interest and enhance their learning. This paper describes the pros and cons of the various approaches used to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology and goes on to describe the value of adding an Early Clinical Exposure program (ECE) to didactic instruction in endocrine physiology, as well as student reactions to it as an alternative approach. Discussion Various methods have been used to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology such as case-stimulated learning, problem-based learning, patient-centred learning and multiple-format sessions. We devised a teaching-learning intervention in endocrine physiology, which comprised of traditional didactic lectures, supplemented with an ECE program consisting of case based lectures and a hospital visit to see patients. A focus group discussion was conducted with the medical students and, based on the themes that emerged from it, a questionnaire was developed and administered to further enquire into the attitude of all the students towards ECE in learning endocrine physiology. The students in their feedback commented that ECE increased their interest for the subject and motivated them to read more. They also felt that ECE enhanced their understanding of endocrine physiology, enabled them to remember the subject better, contributed to their knowledge of the subject and also helped them to integrate their knowledge. Many students said that ECE increased their sensitivity toward patient problems and needs. They expressed a desire and a need for ECE to be continued in teaching endocrine physiology for future groups of students and also be extended for teaching other systems as well. The majority of the students (96.4%) in their feedback gave an overall rating of the program as good to excellent on a 5 point Likert scale. Summary The ECE program was introduced as an alternative approach to reinforce didactic instruction in endocrine physiology for the first year medical students. The study demonstrated that students clearly enjoyed the experience and perceived that it was valuable. This method could potentially be used for other basic science topics as well.</p