ABSTRACT
Regulatory testing of hydraulic cements used in dentistry and standard test methods for root-end filling materials do not exist. The aim of this study was to identify a simple, reproducible method for testing the solubility of materials that set with water (hydraulic) used as root-end filling materials in dentistry. Commercial and prototype hydraulic cements were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses and their solubilities were determined using ISO 6876; 2012 standard, a modified ISO 6876 method with media alternative to water and a new method measuring the percentage mass loss and volume change of materials (micro-CT method) from a single surface exposed to three solutions. The solubility testing was performed by three operators to enable an intra-laboratory comparison. The solubility data obtained from the two commercial and two prototype materials varied depending on the method used, with the ISO 6876 method identifying differences in solubility of the materials (p < 0.05) but when modified with alternative solutions, no differences were found (p > 0.05). The changes in solution thus effected the solubility of the tested materials. Inter-operator differences were observed with the weight changes determined from the new method indicating this method was not robust. The weight and volume assessments using the new method were not solution-dependent. The advantage of the proposed method compared with the ISO standard is its simplicity, enabling a number of tests to be performed on the same set of samples that also more closely mimics the clinical environment.
Subject(s)
Root Canal Filling Materials , Calcium Compounds , Silicates , Solubility , WaterABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chromoblastomycosis is reported for the first time from the states of Jammu-Kashmir and Bihar along with two additional cases from the states of Assam and Uttar Pradesh. The work carried cut on this disease in the Indian subcontinent is reviewed. METHODS: Relevant mycologic investigations, including direct microscopy, histopathology, and culture, were carried out to study the four cases. Treatment was given to two patients. RESULTS: The duration of the lesions varied from 5 to 32 years. In one case the lesion was a large erythematous plaque on the buttocks extending to the backs of the thighs, and in the others they were hypertrophic lesions on the extremities. Histopathologic study of specimens carried out in three patients revealed the causative organisms. On culture, Cladosporium carrionii was isolated in one and Fonsecaea species in the other three. The lesions in one patient were surgically excised and another patient responded well to a combined regimen of amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. CONCLUSIONS: Although chromoblastomycosis is widely distributed in India, many patients remain undiagnosed due to a lack of proper facilities. Treatment is difficult and most patients are not able to afford the drugs prescribed for this condition.
Subject(s)
Chromoblastomycosis/epidemiology , Cladosporium , Adult , Chromoblastomycosis/diagnosis , Chromoblastomycosis/drug therapy , Cladosporium/isolation & purification , Female , Humans , India/epidemiology , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The first case of sporotrichosis from Nepal is reported in a 25-year-old man from a village about 60 km east of Kathmandu. He never travelled outside of Nepal before and had acquired the lymphocutaneous form of the disease after an accidental injury to the right foot while cutting wood. The diagnosis of the case was made by culturing Sporothrix schenckii from the lesions, proving the dimorphic character of the fungus in vitro, its pathogenicity in mice, and its serology. Oral potassium iodide therapy resulted in complete cure.
Subject(s)
Dermatomycoses/pathology , Sporotrichosis/pathology , Adult , Humans , Male , Nepal/epidemiology , Sporotrichosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The first case of mycetoma caused by Nocardia brasiliensis from the Union Territory of Delhi is reported. The patient, a permanent resident of the Union Territory of Delhi, acquired the disease 10 years ago following an accidental injury to his right hand. The diagnosis of the case was made on the basis of demonstration of the grains in direct microscopy, isolation of the organism in culture directly from the grains, identifying the organism by the conventional tests and through histopathology of the biopsy from the affected portion.
Subject(s)
Mycetoma/etiology , Nocardia Infections , Nocardia/isolation & purification , Adult , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Biopsy , Drug Therapy, Combination , Humans , India , Male , Mycetoma/diagnosis , Mycetoma/drug therapy , Nocardia Infections/microbiologyABSTRACT
Seven cases having cold urticaria and showing whealing response to the cryo-stimulation test were tested again after adjusting the temperature of the exposure surface at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 degree C. to determine the maximum temperature capable of producing a wheal in the patient (CTW). It was 25 degree C. in 2 patients and 20 degree C. in 3. In the remaining 2 patients, whealing at the test site was absent with 30 degree C., incomplete with 25 degree C. and complete with 20 degree C. On repeating the CTW in 5 patients within 7 days, it was found to be the same.
