A new phantom to evaluate the tissue dissolution ability of endodontic irrigants and activating devices

Objective@#The aim of this study was to introduce a gelatin/bovine serum albumin (BSA) tissue standard, which provides dissolution properties identical to those of biological tissues. Further, the study evaluated whether the utilization of endodontic activating devices led to enhanced phantom dissolution rates. @*Materials and Methods@#Bovine pulp tissue was obtained to determine a benchmark of tissue dissolution. The surface area and mass of samples were held constant while the ratio of gelatin and BSA were varied, ranging from 7.5% to 10% gelatin and 5% BSA. Each sample was placed in an individual test tube that was filled with an appropriate sodium hypochlorite solution for 1, 3, and 5 minutes, and then removed from the solution, blotted dry, and weighed again. The remaining tissue was calculated as the percent of initial tissue to determine the tissue dissolution rate. A radiopaque agent (sodium diatrizoate) and a fluorescent dye (methylene blue) were added to the phantom to allow easy quantification of phantom dissolution in a canal block model when activated using ultrasonic (EndoUltra) or sonic (EndoActivator) energy. @*Results@#The 9% gelatin + 5% BSA phantom showed statistically equivalent dissolution to bovine pulp tissue at all time intervals. Furthermore, the EndoUltra yielded significantly more phantom dissolution in the canal block than the EndoActivator or syringe irrigation. @*Conclusions@#Our phantom is comparable to biological tissue in terms of tissue dissolution and could be utilized for in vitro tests due to its injectability and detectability.

A new phantom to evaluate the tissue dissolution ability of endodontic irrigants and activating devices

Objective@#The aim of this study was to introduce a gelatin/bovine serum albumin (BSA) tissue standard, which provides dissolution properties identical to those of biological tissues. Further, the study evaluated whether the utilization of endodontic activating devices led to enhanced phantom dissolution rates. @*Materials and Methods@#Bovine pulp tissue was obtained to determine a benchmark of tissue dissolution. The surface area and mass of samples were held constant while the ratio of gelatin and BSA were varied, ranging from 7.5% to 10% gelatin and 5% BSA. Each sample was placed in an individual test tube that was filled with an appropriate sodium hypochlorite solution for 1, 3, and 5 minutes, and then removed from the solution, blotted dry, and weighed again. The remaining tissue was calculated as the percent of initial tissue to determine the tissue dissolution rate. A radiopaque agent (sodium diatrizoate) and a fluorescent dye (methylene blue) were added to the phantom to allow easy quantification of phantom dissolution in a canal block model when activated using ultrasonic (EndoUltra) or sonic (EndoActivator) energy. @*Results@#The 9% gelatin + 5% BSA phantom showed statistically equivalent dissolution to bovine pulp tissue at all time intervals. Furthermore, the EndoUltra yielded significantly more phantom dissolution in the canal block than the EndoActivator or syringe irrigation. @*Conclusions@#Our phantom is comparable to biological tissue in terms of tissue dissolution and could be utilized for in vitro tests due to its injectability and detectability.

Individual variations among Egyptian men in heat tolerance

The Effect of 1.5-hr exposure of men to high ambient temperature [39.5 degree] on body temperature [BT], respiration rate [RR], pulse rate [PR], systolic blood pressure [SBP], diastolic blood pressure [DBF] and pulse pressure [PP], was studied on 23 adult Egyptian men during summer when the subjects were normally acclimatized to heat. BT, RR and PR means were higher under heat stress [P < 0.005] as compared to those under mild climate [25degree]. The means were 36.85 degree, 19.1 rpm and 79.8 ppm, respectively for mild climate and were 37.28 degree, 22.7 rpm and 87.3 ppm, respectively for hot climate. BP was not affected significantly by heat whereas, PP decreased [P< 0.05]. The mean of SBP, DBP and PP under thermoneutral temperature were 109.72 and 37.4 mm HG, respectively, while they were under hot climate 107, 73, and 33.7 mm.Hg, respectively. The coefficient of variations of the heat-induced changes in BT, RR, PR, SBP, DBP and PP were great being 33 percent, 94 percent, 526 percent, 489 percent and 153 percent, respectively indicating wide individual variations among Egyptian men in heat tolerance

Clinico-epidemiological study of 100 drug dependents in a private Saudi hospital

A study of sociological, psychiatric, neurological and psychodynamic aspects of 100 drug-dependent Saudi males was done. The majority of dependents were in age group 18-33 years and of primary, preparatory and secondary school education. The great number were in administrative, commercial, military jobs and students. More than 1/2 were single, 1/3 were married and have children. Majority expressed dissatisfaction with their relationship with their parents and siblings. 87% were considered as the first or second son of their families. The economic status of the group was moderate or high in >55%. More than 2/3 had failed previous treatment trials. The drugs most commonly used were heroin, cannabis then alcohol. Least used drugs were cocaine and inhalants. Addicts usually use more than one narcotic, commonest combination was heroin, cannabis, and alcohol. Majority were heavy users. Most of cannabis and heroin addicts preferred intake in groups. 34% had an associated psychotic, 24% had depression and anxiety and 23% showed psychopathic disorders. 60% were of low IQ, 22% had above average IQ and 18% had below average IQ. Majority were prone to social, familial, economic and psychiatric complications

Electoencephalographic [EEG] changes in phobic states

In this study, 852 patients [698 males and 154 females] with phobic states who met DSM 111 R criteria were evaluated psychiatrically. There was 539 Saudians and 313 non-Saudians. A good history, general, neuropsychiatric assessment was done for all patients. Statistical analysis was done. The study revealed that 179 patients were suffering from social phobia and 673 had simple phobia. EEG was done for 179 patients and revealed no electric abnormalities in 24 patients. Abnormal EEG tracings were found in 155 patients with significant predominance of paroxysmal cerebral dysrhythmia [PCD] in both types of phobia

Psychosomatic symptoms in Saudi patients with irritable bowel syndrome

Out of 420 patients attending a gastroenterology clinic in Reyadh, S.A, 140 patients were diagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome [IBS]. The diagnosis has been based upon the complaint of chronic abdominal pain with or without disturbed bowel functions, and the exclusion of organic disease. Upper and lower fibro-optic endoscopy were performed for all the patients in addition to other investigations when indicated. Somatic and psychoneurotic symptoms were evaluated according to standard scales. This result showed that IBS represented one third of patients having gastrointestinal diseases. Females represented 60% of the study group. Most of the patients were above 30 years of age and only a small number was under this age. This is different from the experience in the developed world, possibly due to the early simple, peaceful, less stressful life in S.A. Abdominal pain syndrome was present in all patients, disturbed bowel functions in 90%, indigestion in 97.1%, and dyspepsia in 80% of the study group. Anxiety syndrome was present in 80%, neurasthenia in 70% and depression in 60% of the patients. This indicates that somatic and psychoneurotic symptoms are present in IBS patients and a combination of antispasmodics, anxiolytic / antidepressants and even psychotherapy may be needed for controlling their symptoms