Multicomponent system for development of antimicrobial PLA-based films with enhanced physical characteristics.

This study aims to develop polylactic acid (PLA)-based packaging films with imparted antimicrobial properties and enhanced physical characteristics by evaluating the likely interaction among multiple film components. For this purpose; epoxidized soybean oil (ES) (20 %) serves as a plasticizer, spruce resin (SR) (15 %) functions as both a plasticizer and antimicrobial agent, ZnO (0.1 %) acts as a nanofiller and antimicrobial, and finally thyme and clove essential oil mixture (5 % and 10 %) serves as an antimicrobial agent were incorporated to PLA film formulation. Composite materials were prepared by the solvent casting method using methylene chloride as the solvent. The developed films were characterized in terms of physical, mechanical, thermal, and antimicrobial properties. Tensile strength (59 MPa) and elastic modulus (2625 MPa) of the neat PLA film gradually decreased to 8.99 MPa and 725.4 MPa, respectively, with the sequential addition of all components, indicating enhanced flexibility. SR, ZnO, and EOs significantly imparted antimicrobial property to the PLA film as demonstrated by the inhibition zone of 13.83 mm and 15.67 mm observed for E. coli and S. aureus, respectively. The barrier properties of the films were enhanced by the addition of SR and ZnO; however, EOs increased the water vapor permeability from 0.080 to 0.090 g.mm/m2.day.kPa compared to the neat PLA film. Principal component and hierarchical cluster analysis enabled the successful discrimination of the films, demonstrating how the film properties are affected by the film components. Therefore, this study suggests that selection of a proper combination is essential to highly benefit from the multicomponent film systems for designing alternative food packaging materials with desired properties.

Bonding of an ion-releasing restorative material to caries-affected dentin disinfected with photodynamic therapy, Er,Cr:YSGG laser, and chemical disinfectants.

AIM: The study aimed to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of giomer, an ion-releasing restorative material, to caries-affected dentin (CAD) when different cavity disinfectant protocols were applied before the restoration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty extracted non-carious human third molars were embedded in acrylic resin. The occlusal portions of the samples were excised using an IsoMet saw. After creating artificial caries, samples were divided into six groups (n = 12): sound dentin with no disinfection (Group SD), CAD with no disinfection (Group CAD), CAD disinfected with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (Group CHX), CAD disinfected with 6% NaOCl (Group NaOCl), CAD disinfected with photodynamic therapy with methylene blue photosensitizer (Group PDT), and CAD disinfected with Er,Cr:YSGG (Group ECYL). Following disinfection protocols, the universal adhesive was applied, and all samples were restored using giomer. Subsequently, µTBS analyses were performed, and data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The highest µTBS values were obtained from the SD and CAD groups, which exhibited no statistical differences (p > 0.05). The PDT and ECYL groups had higher µTBS values compared with the CHX and NaOCl groups (p < 0.05), and all disinfection protocols decreased the bond strength to CAD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The microtensile bond strength of disinfected CAD was greater with Er,Cr:YSGG laser and photodynamic therapy treatment than with chemical disinfectants. Giomer may enhance the bond strength to CAD, which has a weaker bonding potential than sound dentin due to structural differences. However, disinfection protocols adversely affect adhesion between the restorative material and CAD.

Bond strength of Ion-releasing Restorative Materials to Sound and Caries-affected Dentin.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of ion-releasing restorative materials to sound and caries-affected dentin (CAD). STUDY DESIGN: 60 teeth were randomly divided into 2 groups (sound dentin, CAD) and 5 subgroups of 6 samples each: conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC), resin-modified GIC (RMGIC), glass hybrid reinforced GIC (EQ), giomer (BII), and bioactive restorative material (ACT). µTBS analyses were performed and data were analyzed statistically. RESULTS: The ACT group bonded to sound dentin and the BII group bonded to CAD showed the highest µTBS (p<0.05). The GIC, RMGIC, and ACT groups, showed significantly lower µTBS when bonded to CAD compared with sound dentin (p<0.05). However, in the BII group, there were no statistically significant differences between the samples bonded to sound and CAD (p>0.05). All groups except EQ that bonded to sound dentin showed predominantly adhesive failure. CONCLUSION: The use of the giomer can be recommended due to its more stable bond durability.

Ultrasound detection of sciatic nerve movements with ankle dorsiflexion/plantar flexion: Prospective comparative study of a novel method to locate the sciatic nerve.

OBJECTIVES: It is possible to observe the in-vivo movements of nerves using real-time ultrasound. In this study, we aimed to visualize the movements of the sciatic nerve as a guide to identify the sciatic nerve to distinguish from surrounding tissue. METHODS: This trial was a prospective, cross-over comparative study. We included 25 healthy volunteers in this study. The movements of the sciatic nerve were visualized in the transverse view at popliteal and midthigh levels using ultrasonography. Anterior-posterior movements were assessed by measuring skin-to-nerve distance. The distances were measured during maximum ankle dorsiflexion, maximum plantar flexion and neutral position and compared with each other. We also evaluated the quality of dynamic (real-time) rotation/lateral movements of the sciatic nerve by assigning a subjective observer score. RESULTS: The movement of sciatic nerve was significant at popliteal region with active and passive ankle dorsiflexion which was 0.32 cm and 0.23 cm respectively (p=0.003). The movement of sciatic nerve was significant at midthigh region with active and passive ankle plantar flexion which was 0.11 cm and 0.01 cm respectively (p<0.001). Excellent rotation/lateral movement was observed in subjects at popliteal region and good rotation/lateral movement was observed at midthigh level. CONCLUSION: Sciatic nerve movement can be observed with ankle dorsiflexion and plantar flexion in the transverse plane at popliteal and midthigh locations under real time ultrasound. This preliminary study suggest that observing the movements of sciatic nerve is potentially valuable in clinical sciatic nerve blocks for facilitating the localization of the sciatic nerve.

Ultrasound-guided Mid-humeral Radial Nerve Block Provides Sufficient Surgical Anesthesia at Hand Dorsum: A Novel Method and Report of Three Cases.

A peripheral nerve block is a sufficient anesthesia method for hand surgeries, as it protects the patient from the complications of general anesthesia and provides postoperative analgesia. We report the first use of an ultrasound-guided mid-humeral radial nerve block in three cases of ganglion cyst excision from hand dorsum. The block provided efficient surgical anesthesia and postoperative analgesia for the excision of ganglion cysts at the hand dorsum.