Apical Sealing Ability of Calcite-Synthesized Hydroxyapatite as a Filler of Epoxy Resin-Based Root Canal Sealer.

BACKGROUND: The success of root canal treatment is influenced by hermetic root canal obturation. This study was conducted to analyze the apical sealing ability after the addition of calcite-synthesized hydroxyapatite (HA) as an epoxy resin sealer filler. METHODS: Calcite-synthesized HA powder was prepared using the microwave hydrothermal process. HA resin sealer powder and epoxy resin paste (3:1) were mixed, and concentrations of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% were prepared. A sample of thirty maxillary incisors were prepared in the root canal and then, the crown was cut to leave 13 mm of the root and a working length of 12 mm. The root canal was prepared using the crown-down technique and irrigated using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid alternately. The samples were divided into six groups, with each group consisting of five roots. Group I was obturated with gutta percha using an epoxy resin sealer without HA (HA-0%) as a control group. In each of the Groups II, III, IV, V, and VI, 10% HA resin sealer, 20% HA, 30% HA, 40% HA, and 50% HA were used. All the samples were incubated in a 10-ml simulated body fluid solution at 37°C for 4 weeks. Apical closure density measurement was done using a scanning electron microscope, and the results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests. RESULTS: A significant increase in the apical sealing ability was observed in the HA-20% sealer group and the HA-30% and HA-40% groups compared to that in the control group. However, the HA-50% sealer group showed a decrease in the apical sealing ability, whereas the HA-10% sealer group showed no difference. The HA-30% had the highest sealing ability than other concentrations. CONCLUSION: The addition of calcite-synthesized HA as a filler at concentrations of 20%, 30%, and 40% increased the apical sealing ability of the epoxy resin sealer.

Moderate intensity intermittent exercise upregulates neurotrophic and neuroprotective genes expression and inhibits Purkinje cell loss in the cerebellum of ovariectomized rats.

Decreases in estrogen levels due to menopause or ovariectomy may disrupt cerebellar motor functions. This study aimed at investigating the effects of Moderate Intensity Intermittent Exercise (MIEx) on the cerebellum of ovariectomized rats by analyzing neurotrophic and neuroprotective markers, as well as cerebellar motor functions. Thirty-two female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, i.e. Sham and ovariectomy (Ovx) of non-MIEx (NMIEx) groups, and Sham and Ovx with MIEx groups. MIEx was performed 5 days a week on treadmill for 6 weeks. Motor functions were assessed using rotarod, footprint, open field, and wire hanging tests. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to determine messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of Pgc-1α, BDNF, synaptophysin, Bcl-2, and Bax. Unbiased stereology was used to estimate the total number of cerebellar Purkinje cells. The Ovx MIEx group had higher Pgc-1α and Bcl-2 mRNA expressions, and number of Purkinje cells, but lower Bax mRNA expression than the Ovx NMIEx group. All motor functions of MIEx groups were better than the Sham and Ovx groups without MIEx. Motor functions on rotarod task, OFT, and FPT correlated significantly with the mRNAs expression of Bcl-2, Bax, BDNF, synaptophysin, Pgc-1α, and the number of cerebellar Purkinje cells in ovariectomized rats. MIEx improves cerebellar neurotrophic and neuroprotective markers, as well as motor functions of ovariectomized rats.

The Autoimmune Mechanism in Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever.

The immune response of dengue fever/dengue hemorrhagic fever is a series of immunopathogenesis processes starting from viral infection to the target on monocytes and macrophages. It may consequently cause a cascade of viremia in the circulation that stimulates the afferent, efferent, and effector mechanism by the interaction of the humoral and complement system. The cascade results in inflammatory substance that will affect capillary permeability and activate coagulation factors leading to further effects on endothelial level. The mechanism involving pathogenesis of DHF/DSS is still vague. So far, a theory of heterologous infection has been developed, which explains that on second infection, there is subneutralization that induce viral replication. The  autoimmune mechanism development leads to the better understanding of DHF. It also  explains the autoimmune response of the viral infection, which consists of molecular mimicry, bystander activation and viral persistence. The development of the autoimmune pathomechanism is related to the role of  autoantibody and endothelial dysfunction that may have role in worsening DHF.

Immune modulation properties of herbal plant leaves: Phyllanthus niruri aqueous extract on immune cells of tuberculosis patient - in vitro study.

Disease progression in Tuberculosis (TB) is dependent on host's immune system. Phyllanthus niruri, a traditional herb, has long been used to boost immune system in Indonesian society. This study aimed to observe the potential role of P. niruri in inducing immune cells activity in TB patients by in vitro approach. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and macrophages were collected from active pulmonary TB patients. After stimulation with graded doses of P. niruri aqueous extract, cell proliferation, phagocytic activity and nitric oxide (NO) release were analysed. P. niruri aqueous extract induced proliferation of PBMCs, increased NO release, and improved macrophages phagocytic activity. These effects were observed in a dose-dependent manner. This may lead to further research for the potential role of P. niruri as immunomodulatory adjuvant therapy for TB patients.