In Vitro comparison of the microbial leakage of obturation systems: Epiphany with resilon, guttaflow, and ah plus with gutta percha.

AIM: To compare the microbial leakage of three root canal filling materials: AH Plus with Gutta-percha, Epiphany with Resilon, and Guttaflow using Enterococcus faecalis as the bacterial marker. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 30 caries free, human maxillary incisors with straight roots were used. The teeth were de-coronated with a diamond disc and the length was standardized for all specimens. Access opening was done through the coronal portion and the working length was determined. All the teeth were prepared to a standardized size apically and coronally. The teeth were then randomly divided into three experimental groups each. After obturation of the root canals, the outer surfaces of the teeth were coated with two layers of nail enamel except the apical 2 mm. The teeth were then subjected for bacterial leakage test using E. faecalis as a bacterial marker in dual chamber bacterial leakage model for a period of 30 days. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Chi-square test. RESULTS: Results showed that Resilon/Epiphany (Group-2) demonstrated less leakage and Gutta-percha/AH Plus (Group-1) showed maximum leakage with the statistically significant difference between the two (P < 0.05). Guttaflow (Group-3) also showed less leakage than Gutta-percha/AH Plus (Group-1) with the statistically significant difference between the two (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between Resilon/Epiphany (Group-2) and Guttaflow (Group-3). CONCLUSION: Resilon/Epiphany and Guttaflow groups demonstrated less microbial leakage than Gutta-percha/AH Plus group.

Thymol, a monoterpene phenolic derivative of cymene, abrogates mercury-induced oxidative stress resultant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in hepatocarcinoma cells.

Thymol (TOH) was investigated for its ability to protect against mercuric chloride (HgCl2 )-induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity using human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay confirmed the efficacy of TOH pretreatment in attenuating HgCl2 -induced cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with TOH inhibited HgCl2 -induced genotoxicity, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial superoxide levels. Interestingly, TOH (100 µM) alone elevated the intracellular basal glutathione S-transferase (GST) levels and TOH pretreatment abrogated the decrease in glutathione, GST, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels even after HgCl2 intoxication. Furthermore, TOH was also capable of inhibiting HgCl2 -induced apoptotic as well as necrotic cell death analyzed by flowcytometric analysis of cells dual stained with Annexin-FITC/propidium iodide. The present findings clearly indicate the cytoprotective potential of TOH against HgCl2 -induced toxicity, which may be attributed to its free radical scavenging ability which facilitated in reducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage thereby inhibiting cell death.

Antigenotoxic potential of rutin and quercetin in Swiss mice exposed to gamma radiation.

BACKGROUND: Ionizing radiation induces a variety of genetic damages through the formation free radicals such as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Appropriate antioxidant intervention may inhibit or reduce free radical toxicity and thus offer protection against radiation. Rutin (RUT) and quercetin (QRT) are flavonoids known to be potent dietary antioxidants. METHODS: The present study tested the antigenotoxic effect of RUT and QRT in vivo against radiation- induced chromosomal damage. Swiss albino mice were administered orally with RUT and QRT (10 and 20 mg/kg b.wt.) once daily for five consecutive days. One hour after the last administration of RUT and QRT on the fifth day, the animals were whole body exposed to 3 Gy gamma radiation. The anti-genotoxic potential was assessed in terms of chromosomal aberrations, micronucleus test, and alkaline comet assay. RESULTS: Significant decline in dicentric formation was observed in RUT and QRT treated group. Further, the antigenotoxic potential of RUT and QRT caused a significant (p < 0.001) reduction in micronucleated polychromatic, normochromatic erythrocytes; increased PCE/NCE ratio was observed in the RUT and QRT treated group. Administration of RUT and QRT before irradiation resulted in a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the DNA damage at the post-irradiation time when compared with irradiation alone group. CONCLUSIONS: Present findings demonstrate the potential of RUT and QRT in mitigating radiation-induced mortality and cytogenetic damage, which may be attributed to scavenging of radiation-induced free radicals.

Evaluation of antifungal activity of white-colored mineral trioxide aggregate on different strains of Candida albicans in vitro.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antifungal action of various concentrations of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) against seven different strains of Candida albicans using the tube dilution test. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fresh mix of MTA was prepared at concentrations of 100, 50, 25, and 12.5 mg/ml and added to a broth tube containing Sabouraud's liquid medium. A total of 1287 broth tubes were prepared and divided into experimental and control groups. Stock cultures of seven strains of C. albicans were obtained. Fresh inoculate of the microorganism was prepared by growing overnight cultures. Aliquots of the test C. albicans were taken and added to the test tubes. All tubes were incubated at 37°C for 1-, 24-, 72-, and 168-h time periods. At each time period, the presence of C. albicans colonies was assessed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Differences among the groups were statistically analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. RESULTS: Results showed that one strain showed resistance even after 3 days at the lower MTA concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml. Growth reoccurred with three strains at MTA concentration of 12.5 mg/ml after 7 days. A significant difference was found between strain 3 and other strains at MTA concentrations of 12.5 and 25 mg/ml at the 3-days time period and between tubes containing 12.5 mg/ml and tubes containing higher concentrations of MTA at the 7-days time period. CONCLUSION: White MTA in concentrations of 100 and 50 mg/ml is effective in inhibiting the seven tested strains of C. albicans for periods up to 1 week.

Congenital ductus arteriosus aneurysm: an unusual cause of transient neonatal hypertension.

Case 1: A term male child was re-admitted on day 10 of life due to acute onset of respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed tachypnoea, tachycardia and blood pressure (BP) above the 95th centile in all four limbs. Cardiovascular examination revealed a short systolic murmur on the sternal border. Abdomen showed hepatomegaly of 3 cm below the costal margin. Chest X-ray showed a cardiothoracic ratio of 0.65 with normal vascularity. Ultrasound and Doppler of the kidneys and brain were normal. The high parasternal view showed a large ductus arteriosus aneurysm (DAA) of 2.0 × 2.5 cm. The baby was managed with inotropes and antihypertensives. CT angiogram showed 1.6 × 0.6 cm thrombosed DAA, which was extending from the posterior descending aorta to the ampulla. With the resolution of aneurysm BPs normalised and antihypertensives were stopped at 6 weeks of age. Case 2: A premature male neonate weighing 1.2 kg was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress syndrome. On the 4th day of life during routine measurement of vitals, the BP was consistently above 95th centile in all four limbs. Blood tests revealed thrombocytopenia that persisted inspite of single donor transfusions. The evaluation for sepsis was negative. The ultrasound and Dopplers of the kidneys and brain were all normal. A transthoracic echocardiogram showed a large DAA measuring 5 × 1.8 mm. Hypertension was managed with antihypertensives. Serial transthoracic echocardiogram showed organising DAA. CT angiogram showed 6 mm × 2 mm thrombosed DAA. As the arterial BP normalised, antihypertensives were stopped on day 15 of life. The baby was discharged on day 29 of life and on follow-up BP remained normal.

Antioxidant and radiation antagonistic effect of Saraca indica.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the radiation mitigating effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Saraca indica (SIE) against mice exposed to whole body gamma radiation. Free radical scavenging ability by SIE was demonstrated using hydroxyl, superoxide anion, ABTS*+ and DPPH radicals generated in vitro. A significant increase in the animal survival (dose reduction factor = 1.39), inhibition in the decline of hematological parameters as well as increased number of spleen colony-forming units was observed when SIE was administered prior to radiation. SIE pretreatment increased the levels of glutathione, glutathione S- trans-ferase, catalase and lowered lipid peroxidation. Our findings for the first time demonstrate the protective potential of SIE against radiation induced syndromes with an optimal dose of 400 mg/kg b.wt. The radiation mitigating effect may be attributed to the mechanisms such as free radical scavenging, elevation in antioxidant status, and reduction in lipid peroxidation.

A comparative in vitro evaluation of cytotoxic effects of EDTA and maleic acid: root canal irrigants.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare aqueous solutions of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) with that of maleic acid (MA) for their cytotoxic effect on Chinese hamster fibroblasts (V79) cells growing in vitro. STUDY DESIGN: Exponentially growing V79 cells were treated with various concentrations of EDTA (0.05% to 1.0%) or MA (0.05% to 1.0%) alone for 30 minutes. After treatment, the media was removed, cells were trypsinized, and the cytotoxic effect of EDTA or MA was analyzed by Pratt Willis test and MTT assay. Similarly surviving fraction (clonogenic assay) was performed by treating the V79 cells with different concentrations of EDTA (0.0025% to 0.25%) or MA (0.025% to 0.25%) for 30 minutes. The statistical significance between the various groups was evaluated using the one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student t test (unpaired) for 2 group comparisons. RESULTS: There was a significant (P < .01) decrease in the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner indicating the cytotoxic effect of both EDTA and MA when compared with the control group. However, all the dilutions of EDTA were significantly (P < .01) more cytotoxic over that of MA in all 3 assays. CONCLUSION: This study for the first time, clearly demonstrated the significantly less toxic effect of MA at a comparable dose of EDTA, suggesting its potential for use as root canal irrigant.

Histoplasmosis as a cause of nodular myositis in an AIDS patient diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology. A case report.

BACKGROUND: Histoplasmosis, extrapulmonary or disseminated, with positive HIV serology is an indicator of AIDS. Infection by Histoplasma capsulatum (HC) has been found on fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the lung, breast, adrenal, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes, subcutaneous tissues and other sites. We could not find any reports of isolated nodular myositis caused by HC and diagnosed on FNAC. CASE: A 42-year-old, HIV-1-positive, heterosexual man presented with generalized myalgia, fever and multiple painful nodules in the skeletal muscles. The CD4 count was 66 cells per microliter. FNAC from multiple nodules contained numerous intracytoplasmic and a few extracellular, 3-5-microm, oval, pale yeasts, occasionally showing single budding with a narrow base. Morphology of the yeasts, as demonstrated by May-Grünwald-Giemsa and Gomori methenamine silver stain, was characteristic of HC. The patient's condition improved, and the nodules disappeared rapidly within 5 days of treatment with fluconazole, 400 mg daily. CONCLUSION: The cytomorphology of HC is characteristic. An unusual presentation of rare infections can cause considerable diagnostic difficulties for both the clinician and cytopathologist. Awareness of these rarities is important to ensure optimal patient care. Thus, the role of FNAC is critical and remains unchallenged.

Evaluation of the radioprotective effect of Liv 52 in mice.

Liv 52 is a mixture of botanicals that is used clinically to treat various hepatic disorders. In this study, the radioprotective activity of Liv 52 was evaluated in mice given whole-body exposure to different doses of gamma-radiation. In addition, a series of studies was conducted to explore the mechanism of radioprotection. Radioprotection was evaluated by the ability of Liv 52 to reduce both the frequency of bone marrow micronucleated erythrocytes and the lethality produced by (60)Co gamma-radiation. Mice were treated by oral gavage once daily for seven consecutive days with 500 mg/kg body weight Liv 52 or carboxymethylcellulose vehicle prior to radiation. Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCEs), micronucleated normochromatic erythrocytes (MNCEs), and the PCE/NCE ratio were measured at 0.25-14 days after exposure to whole-body radiation doses of 0, 0.5, 1.5, 3.0, or 4.5 Gy; animal survival was monitored after doses of 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 Gy. Pretreatment of mice with Liv 52 significantly reduced the frequency of radiation-induced MPCEs and MNCEs. Irradiation reduced the PCE/NCE ratio in a dose-related manner for up to 7 days following irradiation; Liv 52 pretreatment significantly mitigated against these reductions. Liv 52 treatment also reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness and increased mouse survival 10 and 30 days after irradiation. Liv 52 pretreatment elevated the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), increased the activities of glutathione transferase, GSH peroxidase, GSH reductase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, and lowered lipid peroxidation (LPx) and the activities of alanine amino transferase and aspartate aminotransferase 30 min after exposure to 7 Gy of gamma-radiation. Liv 52 pretreatment also reduced radiation-induced LPx and increased GSH concentration 31 days following the exposure. The results of this study indicate that pretreatment with Liv 52 reduces the genotoxic and lethal effects of gamma-irradiation in mice and suggest that this radioprotection may be afforded by reducing the toxic effects of the oxidative products of irradiation.