[Antimicrobial effect of Citrus aurantifolia extract on Enterococcus faecalis within the dentinal tubules in the presence of smear layer]

Instrumentation of the root canals results in formation of smear layer which covers the dentinal tubules. In infected teeth, it is ideal to achieve a material that has the ability to remove the smear layer besides antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the antimicrobial effect of Citrus aurantifolia extracts [lime juice and rind extract] on Enterococcus faecalis within dentinal tubules in the presence of smear layer. One-hundred and forty dentin tubes were prepared from bovine incisors. After removal the smear layer, the specimens were infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Then, the smear layer was reformed. Test solutions were used as the irrigants in study groups as follows: group 1: 5.25% NaOCl; group 2: 17% EDTA; group 3: NaOCl+EDTA; group 4: Lime juice; group 5: ethanolic rind extract of C.aurantifolia; group 6: 96% ethanol. Dentin chips were collected from inner and outer layers of dentinal walls and optical density was measured. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tamphane tests. In outer layer of dentin, the efficacy of rind extract was less than that of NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. Also Lime juice was less effective than EDTA, NaOCl and NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. In inner layer of dentin, Lime juice was significantly less effective than NaOCl and NaOCl+EDTA [P<0.05]. The efficacy of rind extract was less than that of NaOCl + EDTA [P<0.05]. In the presence of smear layer, the antimicrobial activity of Lime juice was less than that of NaOCl but the efficacy of rind extract was similar to that of NaOCl

Antibacterial substantivity of carvacrol and sodium hypochlorite in infected bovine root dentin

Various methods commonly used for cleaning and shaping root canals have not been successful in completely eradicating bacteria due to anatomic complexity and root canals irregularities. Disinfecting the canals with intracanal irrigants in addition to proper cleaning and shaping can produce a successful outcome. Antimicrobials with sustained antibacterial activity would be desirable for irrigation. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial substantivity of Carvacrol and 5.25% NaOCl in infected bovine root dentin. One hundred and twenty dentin tubes prepared from bovine incisors were infected in vitro for 14 days with Enterococcus [E] faecalis. The specimens were divided into four groups including 1] Carvacrol, 2] NaOCl, 3] infected dentin tubes [positive control]; and 4] sterile dentin tubes [negative control]. Dentin chips were collected at five intervals [days 0, 1, 3, 7 and 28] using round burs with sequentially increasing diameters [which includes five layers of dentin] into Brain Heart Infusion [BHI] broth. In order to compare the pre- and post-irrigation antimicrobial activity of the irrigants the colony-forming units [CFU] were counted and classified as 'CFU-before' and 'CFU-after'. After culturing, the number of CFU with the various experimental time and dentinal layers was recounted. Two-way ANOVA test was used to analyze the effects of time and materials. One-way ANOVA and supplemental Tukey HSD test were used for pair comparison.CFU was significantly reduced in NaOCl group when compared to all other experimental groups [P < 0.05]. The substantivity of NaOCl was significantly greater than Carvacrol. Further studies are required to investigate and approve Carvacrol as a final irrigant

Hearing loss in acquired hypopthyroidism

Both clinical and laboratory evidence confirm that hearing loss can result from congenital and acquired hypothyroidism. There is a confirmed correlation between congenital hypothyroidism and hearing loss, but significant controversy still surrounds the association between acquired hypothyroidism and hearing loss.The aim of this study was to evaluate this relationship. Fifty patients with confirmed primary hypothyroidism, were studied and compared with 50 age- and sex- matched controls. All patients were evaluated in the hypothyroidism state before treatment with thyroxine. Auditory assessments included: Toutine ENT examinations, speech reception threshold, pure tone audiometry, speech discrimination score, acoustic reflex and tympanometery The hearing thresholds in all frequencies in both ears of the case group were higher than in controls. Also hearing loss frequencies, i.e. 2000, 4000, 8000 dB in the left and 4000, 8000 dB in the right ears in the case group, were higher than in controls. Hearing loss was symmetric, sensory neural and mild to moderate. Mean speech reception threshold in the right and left ears in the case group were 15 and 15.1 respectively and in controls, 10.6 dB for both the right and left ears. Mean speech discrimination score in the right and left ears in the case group was 97 and in the control group was 99 dB Results demonstrate a strong correlation between acquired primary hypothyroidism and hearing loss

role of aspergilus in patients with chronic allergic rhinosinusitis

Allergic Rhinosinusitis is one of the most common problems that make people refer to rhinolaryngology clinics, spending a lot of money for the treatment. The antigens from the growth of fungi in sinus cavity causes allergic manifestation and resistance to the treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate any relationship between chronic rhinosinositis and the allergic symptoms concerning certain fungi. This is a sectional case-control study on 60 patients who referred to the rhinolaryngology clinics of Bahman 22nd and Imam Reza hospitals. 30 patients with chronic rhinosinositis and allergic symptoms like rhinorea, sneezing, nasal itching were selected for the study as the case group and the other 30 patients with chronic rhinosinousitis without the allergic symptoms as the control group After CT scan evaluation, all the patients were sent to the Endoscopic Department Of Imam Reza Hospital. The endoscopic samples obtained under general or local anesthesia were prepared from maxillary sinuses and were sent for culturing [Saboro Agar] and pathologic evaluations. Positive fungal culture was found in 26.7% of the subjects with both chronic sinusitis and allergy. The frequency rate of such finding was significantly more than that of the control group [4.7%]. The most frequent fungus was found to be aspergilus. There was a significant correlation between the fungi and the allergic symptoms in certain seasons [e.g. 44% positive culture in summer]. The frequency of asthma in the subjects with positive culture for aspergilus was 60% that was significantly more than the control group. The number of the subjects that showed palor of Mucosa during the endoscopy [25%] revealed fungal involvement which was significantly more than the control group [4.17%]. Based on the findings of this study, fungi are one of the causes of chronic allergic rhinosinusitis. Therefore, an evaluation of fungal infection in all of the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and allergic symptoms is recommended

correlation between vitiligo and hearing losse

To determine the correlation between vitiligo and hearing loss. Fifty patients with active vitiligo and forty healthy subjects were included in this case control study. Pure tone thresholds were determined at frequencies between 250 and 8000Hz. We compared the results in control and patients group by use of chi-square test. M/F ratio was 10:40 in the patients group and 10:30 in the control group. Mean age in patients and control groups was 22 and 22.6 years old respectively. The mean hearing threshold in patients was 19.5 +/- 5.7 and 10 +/- 5.7 in control groups. High frequency sensor neural hearing loss was seen in 19 out of 50 patients [38%], whereas no hearing loss was observed in the control group [X[2]=19.26, P<0.001]. Bilateral, right ear and left ear involvement were 63.1%, 26.3% and 10.6% respectively. Statistical difference between bilateral and unilateral involvement was significant [P<0.05]. No conductive hearing loss was seen in the control and patients groups. Vitiligo, Which is a type of pigmentary disorder, seems to be an effective factor in hearing loss. The mechanism for this condition might be the absence of the preventive function of melanin - containing cells in the inner ear

histologic evaluation on tissue reaction to three implanted materials [MTA, root MTA and Portland cement Type I] in the mandible of cats

Statement of Problem: Nowadays Mineral Trioxide aggregate [MTA] is widely used for root end fillings, pulp capping, perforation repair and other endodontic treatments. Investigations have shown similar physical and chemical properties for Portland cement and Root MTA with those described for MTA

Purpose: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the tissue reaction to implanted MTA, Portland cement and Root MTA in the mandible of cats

Materials and Methods: Under asepsis condition and general anesthesia, a mucoperiosteal flap, following the application of local anesthesia, was elevated to expose mandibular symphysis. Two small holes in both sides of mandible were drilled. MTA, Portland cement and Root MTA were mixed according to the manufacturers, recommendation and placed in bony cavities. In positive control group, the test material was Zinc oxide powder plus tricresoformalin. In negative control group, the bony cavities were left untreated. After 3, 6 and 12 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the mandibular sections were prepared for histologic examination under light microscope. The presence and thickness of inflammation, presence of fibrosis capsule, the severity of fibrosis and bone formation were investigated. The data were submitted to Exact Fisher test, chi square test and Kruskal Wallis test for statistical analysis

Results: No statistically significant differences were found in the degree of inflammation, presence of fibrotic capsule, severity of fibrosis and inflammation thickness between Root MTA, Portland cement and MTA [P>0.05]. There was no statistical difference in bone formation between MTA and Portland cement [P>0.05]. However, bone formation was not found in any of the Root MTA specimens and the observed tissue was exclusively of fibrosis type

Conclusion: The physical and histological results observed with MTA are similar to those of Root MTA and Portland cement. Additionally, all of these three materials are biocompatible. However, in order to replace Root MTA and Portland cement type I as less expensive and suitable substitutes for MTA, more longer- term studies with larger number of samples are suggested