Studies on two polyherbal formulations (ZPTO and ZTO) for comparison of their antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulating activities

Background Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) are the leading cause of disease burden worldwide. Apart from available synthetic drugs used in CVDs, there are many herbal formulations including POL-10 (containing 10 herbs), which have been shown to be effective in animal studies but POL-10 was found to cause tachycardia in rodents as its side effect. This study was designed to modify the composition of POL-10 for better efficacy and/or safety profile in CVDs. Methods To assess the antidyslipidemic, antihypertensive and endothelial modulatory properties of two herbal formulations, (ZPTO and ZTO) containing Z: Zingiber officinalis, P: Piper nigrum, T: Terminalia belerica and O: Orchis mascula, different animal models including, tyloxapol and high fat diet-induced dyslipidemia and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used. Effect on endothelial function was studied using isolated tissue bath set up coupled with PowerLab data acquisition system. The antioxidant activity was carried out using DPPH radical-scavenging assay. Results Based on preliminary screening of the ingredients of POL-10 in tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, ZPTO and ZTO containing four active ingredients namely; Z, P, T and O were identified for further studies and comparison. In tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemic rats, both ZPTO and ZTO caused significant reduction in serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC). In high fat diet-fed rats, ZPTO decreased TC, low-density lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-C) and atherogenic index (AI). ZTO also showed similar effects to those of ZPTO with additional merits being more effective in reducing AI, body weight and more importantly raising high-density lipoproteins. In SHR, both formulations markedly reduced systolic blood pressure, AI and TG levels, ZTO being more potent in reversing endothelial dysfunction while was devoid of cardiac stimulatory effect. In addition, ZTO also reduced LDL-C and improved glucose levels in SHR. In DPPH radical-scavenging activity test, ZTO was also more potent than ZPTO. Conclusion The modified formulation, ZTO was not only found more effective in correcting cardiovascular abnormalities than ZPTO or POL-10 but also it was free from tachycardiac side-effect, which might be observed because of the presence of Piper nigrum in ZPTO

Access to Personalised Caries Prevention (PCP) Programmes Determined by Dentists: A Cross-sectional Study of Current and Potential PCP Adopters in Japan and Their Knowledge of Caries Risk

Personalised caries prevention (PCP) programmes – dental caries prevention programmes which are based on caries risk assessments (CRAs) – are still a new service among the Japanese people. According to Rogers’ diffusion theory of innovation, key persons at this early phase of diffusion have greater knowledge of innovations. We hypothesised that difficulty accessing PCP programmes is hampering their widespread diffusion. The aim of this study is to investigate this hypothesis by: (1) estimating the percentage of PCP adopters, (2) summarising reasons for patients not receiving PCP programmes, and (3) determining if knowledge of caries risk is linked to access to PCP, among an adult group (aged 20+) sampled through a non-profit organisation (PSAP) whose purpose is promoting risk assessment of caries and periodontal disease. This study uses questionnaires with: patients of previously-enrolled PSAP dental members (group A: N=389), patients of newly-enrolled PSAP dental members (group B: N=78), and newly-enrolled PSAP public members (group C: N=68). The main outcome variables are PCP adoption by patients, reasons for not receiving PCP programmes, percentage of respondents choosing eight caries risk factors/indicators, and the total number of chosen risk factors/indicators. The application rate of PCP programmes was significantly lower in group C, at 27.9% (99% CI=13.4–42.5), than in group A, at 83.0% (99% CI=71.4–94.7). The principal reason given by Non-PCP adopters in group C for not receiving PCP programmes was that this service was not provided by their dentist, although they showed better results regarding knowledge of caries risk than Non-PCP adopters in group AB (combined groups A and B). Accessing a PCP programme was determined based on the services dentists provide; patients’ knowledge of caries risk was not linked to PCP access. Further efforts are necessary to increase the availability of PCP programmes

Access to Personalised Caries Prevention (PCP) Programmes Determined by Dentists: A Cross-sectional Study of Current and Potential PCP Adopters in Japan and Their Knowledge of Caries Risk

Personalised caries prevention (PCP) programmes – dental caries prevention programmes which are based on caries risk assessments (CRAs) – are still a new service among the Japanese people. According to Rogers’ diffusion theory of innovation, key persons at this early phase of diffusion have greater knowledge of innovations. We hypothesised that difficulty accessing PCP programmes is hampering their widespread diffusion. The aim of this study is to investigate this hypothesis by: (1) estimating the percentage of PCP adopters, (2) summarising reasons for patients not receiving PCP programmes, and (3) determining if knowledge of caries risk is linked to access to PCP, among an adult group (aged 20+) sampled through a non-profit organisation (PSAP) whose purpose is promoting risk assessment of caries and periodontal disease. This study uses questionnaires with: patients of previously-enrolled PSAP dental members (group A: N=389), patients of newly-enrolled PSAP dental members (group B: N=78), and newly-enrolled PSAP public members (group C: N=68). The main outcome variables are PCP adoption by patients, reasons for not receiving PCP programmes, percentage of respondents choosing eight caries risk factors/indicators, and the total number of chosen risk factors/indicators. The application rate of PCP programmes was significantly lower in group C, at 27.9% (99% CI=13.4–42.5), than in group A, at 83.0% (99% CI=71.4–94.7). The principal reason given by Non-PCP adopters in group C for not receiving PCP programmes was that this service was not provided by their dentist, although they showed better results regarding knowledge of caries risk than Non-PCP adopters in group AB (combined groups A and B). Accessing a PCP programme was determined based on the services dentists provide; patients’ knowledge of caries risk was not linked to PCP access. Further efforts are necessary to increase the availability of PCP programmes

A combined chemo-mechanical approach for aesthetic management of superficial enamel defects

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to describe an easy technique for managing small superficial defects in light to medium fluorosis. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The proposed technique is based on a selective abrasion of the superficial enamel and a recreation of the superficial macro and micro morphology. The aesthetic appearance can be enhanced by power or home bleaching. RESULTS: The presented technique can manage enamel defects which are confined in the most external enamel surface with satisfying aesthetic results. CONCLUSIONS: This conservative approach may be considered an interesting alternative to more invasive prosthetic techniques based on composite reconstructions or ceramic veneers, minimising invasivity, chairside time and costs for patients