Effect of pH and lidocaine on the compressive strength of calcium enriched mixture cement

Statement of Problem: The pH of the human abscess has been measured as low as 5.0. This low pH could potentially inhibit setting reactions, affect adhesion, or increase the solubility of root end filling materials hence affect the compressive strength. Moreover, root end filling materials might expose or even mix with lidocaine HCL during periapical surgery

Objective: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of acidic pH and lidocaine on the compressive strength of calcium-enriched mixture [CEM]

Materials and Methods: CEM was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions or with lidocaine [L], and condensed into 6 × 4 mm split moulds. The samples were exposed to phosphate buffered saline [PBS] at pH 5 or 7.4 for 7 or 28 days. Cylindrical blocks of CEM [total number = 120 and 15 for each group] were subjected to compressive strength test using a universal testing machine. Data were analysed using three-factor analysis of variance [ANOVA]

Results: Regardless of pH and time, significant differences were not found between lidocaine groups and the groups that were mixed according to the manufacturer's instruction [p = 0.083]. For both mixing agents, regardless of time, there were no significant differences between the two pH levels [p = 0.157]. Regardless of the material and pH, there was a significant increase in the compressive strength from days 7 to 28 [p < 0.001]

Conclusion: Mixtures with lidocaine and exposure to an acidic environment had no adverse effects on the compressive strength of CEM Cement

[Seroparasitological evaluation of Plasmodium vivax malaria and stability of the anti-plasmodial antibodies in Parsabad, Ardabil province]

Malaria is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world and a major health problem in some areas of Iran. In addition to endemic areas in the south and south-eastern part of Iran, a new threat of Plasmodium vivax malaria importation emerged from the Parsabad district, which is located in Ardabil province in the north western part of the country. Malaria in this area may have originated from Azerbaijan, Armenia or southern part of Iran. This study has been carried out to clarify seroparasitological results from Indirect Fluorescence Assay [IFA], stability of antiplasmodial antibodies and its comparison with those of confirmed direct microscopy in Parsabad district during 2003-2005. This seroparasitological study has been carried out on 250 samples from malaria infected patients which was previously confirmed by microscopy and treated with routine antimalarial agents, and 250 samples of healthy control with no history of malaria in Parsabad during two years [2003-2005]. Sera of collected blood samples were assessed for the presence of anti-plasmodial antibodies using IFA assay. Statistical analysis was applied by using ANOVA and Students t-tests with Graph Pad Prism. The results of this study indicated that all blood smears of test group were detected as positive by observation of P. vivax by direct microscopy and no positive smears were found among control group. Moreover, no mixed-infection was observed among collected samples. In addition, serological results revealed that 47 cases [19%] from test group and 4 cases [1.6%] from control group had antibodies against P. vivax malaria [P<0.001]. The results of this study demonstrated that the rate of antiplasmodial antibodies is not stable in malaria infected patients which was previously confirmed by microscopy and can not be used for epidemiological evaluation for malaria in this area. Therefore, more investigation is needed for evaluation and detection of the malaria

Animal models of liver cirrhosis and fibrosis

Animal modeling is a crucial necessity in clinical studies of liver diseases. Authenticity of the data which are produced using this tool under different conditions and accuracy of the analyses and assessments which would be based on such data sets is completely dependent on the adoption of a standardized methodology for analyzes and assessment of these data sets. Cirrhosis and Fibrosis are among the most important diseases which are studied by animals modeling due to the fact that their final structure is usually similar among a verity of patients and also because they are the common end stage of most chronic liver diseases. Up to now, different approaches such as hepatotoxicity and surgical methods have been utilized to obtain cirrhotic or fibrotic models that either of which has its especial advantages and disadvantages. It is obvious that using models could indicate the production and treatment mechanisms of disease which we elucidate Fibrosis and cirrhosis here. Considering several animal models which were used for liver disease in the world, in this survey we try to explain why, what and how an animal must be choosen for modeling and how could be evaluated