Efficacy of an impression disinfectant solution after repeated use: An in vitro study.

Statement of problem: There are very few studies using Benzalkonium Chloride (BAC) as an active disinfection agent for immersion techniques and there are no studies investigating the efficacy of repeated use of a disinfectant solution. Purpose: This study evaluated an impression disinfectant by testing bacterial contamination of disinfectant batches used in a clinical setting after repeated use. Materials and methods: Liquid samples were collected from impression disinfectant solutions used to disinfect dental impressions taken at a university dental clinic. The experimental samples (500 ml from 1 L of solution) were collected from teaching and professional clinics and the in-house commercial processing laboratory and stored at room temperature each day of clinic operation over five weeks. To determine to what extent the disinfectant efficacy of the active product decreased over time, the following tests were carried out: a. Inoculation b. Gram staining technique c. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass spectrometry (MALDI- MS). Microbial growth was monitored and photographed. A culture revival was made from colonies grown on sheep blood agar, to isolate pure colonies incubated for 24 h at 37 °C. Each morphologically distinct type of colony was gram stained and MALDI spectrometry analysis was performed using the VITEK MS (BioMerieux Inc.). Results: Evidence of growth of bacteria was detected in teaching clinics' samples, and no growth from the professional clinic or the commercial laboratory. Conclusions: The study demonstrated that the impression disinfectant solution tested is effective against common oral bacteria, despite some rare species such as Bacillus circulans, Bacillus horneckiae, Bacillus altitudinis/pumilus and Bacillus cereus showing evidence of survival in solutions used for disinfection of impressions. However, in a high use teaching clinic environment its efficacy deteriorated. Though a second level disinfection protocol in the commercial laboratory-maintained impression disinfection.

LA ADAPTACIÓN DE LA HEMOGLOBINA Y LOS GLOBULOS BLANCOS EN CASOS SEVEROS DE SARS-COV-2 / THE ADAPTATION OF HEMOGLOBIN AND WHITE BLOOD CELLS IN SEVERE CASES OF SARS-COV-2

Dado que el SARS-CoV-2 causa alteraciones en los parámetros hematológicos, muchos estudios se han concentrado en esta área y los han correlacionado con la gravedad de la enfermedad. Se revisó en un estudio retrospectivo de casos graves de COVID-19, en el cual se contabilizaron y documentaron los datos de hemoglobina (Hb) y glóbulos blancos (WBC) de pacientes reclutados en el período de marzo a julio de 2021. Retrospectivamente, los datos extraídos fueron sobre el nivel de Hb y los recuentos de glóbulos blancos de los informes de laboratorio tanto al ingreso como cuando alta de los pacientes. Se calcularon las frecuencias de anemia o eritrocitopenia (Hb <12 g/dL) y leucocitosis (WBC >11×103/µL) en la población estudiada. De 3637 casos de SARS-COV-2, 250 pacientes con condiciones graves de COVID-19 según la definición de la OMS, ingresaron en la UCI o fallecieron, De 250, 80 (32%) ingresaron a UCI, y el resto 170 casos (68%) fallecieron. Mientras que la edad media de los pacientes fue de 55,46±17,49 años, los pacientes con la condición grave tuvieron significativamente mayor edad que aquellos con la condición leve-moderada (edad media de 50,68 frente a 68,59; P: <0,01). El número medio de glóbulos blancos (WBC) fue de 8,88±7,29 x109/L en todos los pacientes con SARS-COV-2, que es significativamente mayor en los casos graves en comparación con aquellos con enfermedad leve-moderada (10,56 frente a 8,95; P: <0,01). El nivel de Hb (<12 g/dL) fue más bajo en el COVID-19 grave que en otros grupos; sin embargo, no fue estadísticamente significativo. El aumento del número de glóbulos blancos y la disminución de la Hb durante la hospitalización de pacientes con SARS-COV-2, puede predecir un mal resultado. Llegamos a la conclusión de que no sólo el número medio de glóbulos blancos era significativamente mayor en los casos severos también la leucocitosis fue un hallazgo común; lo que indica que un mayor número de glóbulos blancos probablemente puede predecir un mal resultado. Asimismo, el nivel de La Hb fue mayor en el grupo leve-moderado; sin embargo, no fue estadísticamente significativo.

SARS-CoV-2 cause alterations in the hematological parameters and many studies have concentrated on this area and correlated these with severity of disease. A retrospective study of severe cases of COVID-19 were reviewed. The data of hemoglobin (Hb) and white blood cells (WBCs) were accounted and documented. Patients recruited at period from March to July, 2021. Retrospectively, data extracted on the Hb level and WBC counts from Lab reports both at admission and when patients discharge. The frequencies of anemia or erythrocytopenia (Hb <12 g/dL) and leukocytosis (WBC >11×103/µL) was calculated in the studied population. Of 3637 SARS-COV-2 cases, 250 patients with severe conditions of COVID-19 as de ne by WHO, which were either admitted to ICU or died. Of 250, 80(32%) were entered to ICU, and the rest 170 cases (68%) who died. While the mean age of the patients was 55.46±17.49 years, patients with the severe condition were signi cantly older than those with the mildmoderate condition (mean age of 50.68 vs. 68.59; P: <0.01). The mean number of white blood cells (WBC) was 8.88±7.29 x109/L in all SARS-COV-2 patients, which is signi cantly higher in the severe cases compared to those with the mild-moderate disease (10.56 vs. 8.95; P: <0.01). The Hb level (<12 g/ dL) was lower in the severe COVID-19 than other groups; however, it was not statistically signi cant. Increased number of WBCs and dropped Hb level during hospitalization of SARS-COV-2 patients may predict a poor outcome. We concluded that not only the mean number of WBCs was signi cantly higher in the severe cases also leukocytosis was a common nding; indicating that an increased number of WBCs may probably predict a poor outcome. Also, the level of Hb was higher in the mild-moderate group; however, it was not statistically signi cant.

Relationship Between Helicobacter pylori Infection, Serum Vitamin D3 Level and Spontaneous Abortion.

BACKGROUND: The effects of vitamin D3 (VD3) on pregnancy outcomes remain obscure. Thus, this study aims to investigate the relationship between maternal H. pylori infection, low VD3 level, and spontaneous abortion. METHODS: This research is conducted in Shahid Ali Qader Consultant Clinic in Sulaimaniyah city in which 100 women with a history of abortion and 100 women with no history of miscarriage were included. Serum detection of anti-H. pyloriIgG, IgA, and VD3 were done using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. RESULTS: The mean of VD3, H. pylori IgG, and IgAin patients and control group cases was determined and analyzed statistically. CONCLUSION: H. pylori infection and VD3 play a significant role in early pregnancy loss. Blood group A and O are more prone to spontaneous abortion.

Personality, xerostomia and OHRQoL among 35-54-year-olds.

OBJECTIVE: Personality characteristics mean that people may interpret similar symptoms differently, complicating the measurement of self-reported oral health, and so we tested the hypothesis that controlling for aspects of personality makes a difference to the association between xerostomia and oral-health-related quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted of a representative adult population sample in Dunedin (New Zealand). Data were collected on xerostomia, OHRQoL and personality characteristics, using (respectively) the 5-item Shortened Xerostomia Inventory (SXI), the OHIP-14 and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). Negative binomial regression was used to model the association between the SXI and the OHIP-14 scores, and models with and without the PANAS score were compared. RESULTS: The participation rate was 51.3%, with complete OHIP-14 data available for 250 individuals (56.5% female). The SXI score (mean 6.9, sd 1.8) was strongly and positively associated with the OHIP-14 score (in both models), as was the PANAS negative affect score in the second model, which also explained slightly more of the observed variance than the first model. However, the difference in model deviance fell short of the amount required to reject the hypothesis that adding the PANAS variables to the model made a significant difference. CONCLUSIONS: Considering aspects of personality in investigating OHRQoL remains a theoretically important undertaking, but adjusting for it in analyses of associations between xerostomia and OHRQoL is unlikely to be necessary.

The periodontal restorative interface: esthetic considerations.

Esthetic considerations are a significant contributing factor in the management of prosthodontic cases and an interdisciplinary approach is often necessary to achieve an optimal result. The visible soft-tissue architecture plays a key role in developing an esthetic smile. Furthermore, an understanding of the relationship between the restorative margin and the gingiva is important for long-term stability of the result. The gingival architecture and gingival health are important for ensuring optimal esthetics following prosthodontic work and close attention to both soft and hard tissues around the teeth, before, during and after restorative procedures, will greatly improve the likelihood of a successful outcome. Moreover, knowing the options available in periodontal plastic surgery is important in esthetic dentistry today. The relevant literature related to restorative and surgical procedures when performing esthetic dentistry are reviewed in this article, and different approaches are illustrated with appropriate cases to explain the treatment approach that was utilized to improve the esthetic appearance of the case.

A new antiviral screening method that simultaneously detects viral replication, cell viability, and cell toxicity.

Viruses cause a variety of illnesses in humans, yet only a few antiviral drugs have been developed; thus, new antiviral drugs are urgently needed. Plants could be a good source of antiviral drugs, they do not have mobility and can only defend themselves by producing compounds against pathogens such as viruses in their own fix environment. These compounds may have the potential to inhibit animal and human viruses as well. In this study, a fast and reliable method for screening plant extracts for specific antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) was developed. This method distinguishes between host cell death due to infectivity and multiplicity of the virus versus toxicity of the plant extract. Extracts from 80 plant and plant organs were screened using this approach. Six plant extracts showed potential to exert specific HSV-1 growth inhibition activity. In two cases, different organs from the same plant showed similar active results. With this method it is possible to screen a large number of extracts in a rapid and accurate way to detect antiviral substances against HSV-I and other viruses.

Platform switching for marginal bone preservation around dental implants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Platform switching for maintaining peri-implant bone levels has gained popularity among implant manufacturers over the last few years. However, the assumption that the inward shifting of the implant-abutment junction may preserve crestal bone was primarily based on serendipitous finding rather than scientific evidence. The objectives of the present study were to systematically review radiographic marginal bone-level changes and the survival of platform-switched implants compared to conventional platform-matched implants. METHODS: A literature search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Oral Health Group's Trials Register, The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the U.K. National Research Register, the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effectiveness, and Conference Proceedings Citation Index) was performed up to March 15, 2010. Hand searches included several dental journals, and authors were contacted for missing information. Controlled trials that compared marginal bone-level changes around platform-switched dental implants with those restored with platform-matched prostheses were selected. The review and meta-analysis were done according to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Data were analyzed using two meta-analytic statistical packages. Mean differences (MDs) were calculated for analyzing continuous data, and risk ratios (RRs) were used for dichotomous data with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Ten studies with 1,239 implants were included. The marginal bone loss around platform-switched implants was significantly less than around platform-matched implants (MD: -0.37; 95% CI: -0.55 to -0.20; P <0.0001). No statistically significant difference was detected for implant failures between the two groups (RR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.95; P = 0.89). Subgroup analyses showed that an implant-abutment diameter difference > or= 0.4 was associated with a more favorable bone response. CONCLUSIONS: The review and meta-analysis show that platform switching may preserve interimplant bone height and soft tissue levels. The degree of marginal bone resorption is inversely related to the extent of the implant-abutment mismatch. Further long-term, well-conducted, randomized controlled studies are needed to confirm the validity of this concept.