Point-Of-Care Ultrasonography for Identification of Skin and Soft Tissue Abscess in Adult and Pediatric Patients; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Differentiating the soft tissue abscess from other types of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) poses a particular challenge because they have similar physical evaluation findings, but each disease has a different course, outcome, and treatment. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of point-of-care ultrasonography for diagnosis of soft tissue abscess in the emergency departments. Methods: A comprehensive literature search of MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Scholar, from inception to January 2023, was conducted to identify relevant studies investigating the diagnostic performance of point-of-care ultrasonography for identification of abscess. Methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using a revised tool for the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS-2). Results: The pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters of ultrasonography for diagnosis of abscess were as follows: sensitivity, 0.93 (95% CI: 0.92-0.94); specificity, 0.87 (95% CI: 0.85-0.89), and the area under the summary receiver-operating characteristic (SROC), 0.95. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the SROC of studies in adult patients were 0.98 (95% CI: 0.92-1), 0.92 (95% CI: 0.86-0.95), and 0.99, respectively. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the SROC of studies in pediatric patients were 0.9 (95% CI: 0.87-0.92), 0.78 (95% CI: 0.73-0.82), and 0.91, respectively. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the point-of-care ultrasonography has excellent diagnostic value for the abscess in the emergency department. Furthermore, we found that the diagnostic performance of point-of-care ultrasonography for diagnosis of abscess was higher for adult cases than for pediatric patients.

Comparative antibacterial effects of ginger and marjoram extract versus conventional irrigants on mature Enterococcus faecalis biofilms: An in vitro study.

Background: This study evaluated antibacterial effects of Ginger and Marjoram extract compared with Routine Intracanal Irrigants on Mature Enterococcus faecalis Biofilms. Material and Methods: Sixty-six extracted human teeth, were randomly assigned to four groups 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine (CHX), chloroform extract of marjoram (Origanum majorana), and oil extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale), and two positive and negative control groups (n=11). Samples were contaminated with E. faecalis, except the negative control group. Then the root canals were irrigated with solutions above, after which dental debris was collected from each tooth separately, followed by culturing on plates containing BHI agar. The bacterial counts were finally determined with a colony counting machine. Results: No bacterial growth was detected in the NaOCl, CHX, and negative control groups. However, some bacterial growth was observed in the ginger and marjoram groups. All four solutions successfully eliminated E. faecalis biofilms compared to the positive control group. Significant difference in the median bacterial growth between the ginger and marjoram groups and the positive control group (P<0.001) has been shown. There was no significant difference in median bacterial growth between the ginger and marjoram groups (P=0.94). Conclusions: Chloroform extract of marjoram and oil extract of ginger were effective in eliminating 6-week-old biofilms of E. faecalis in vitro; however, their effect was not as favorable as CHX and NaOCl. These herbal extracts yielded promising results in the present study; therefore, they can be used as intracanal irrigants instead of chemical agents. Key words:Biofilm, Chlorhexidine, E. faecalis, Ginger, Marjoram, Sodium hypochlorite.

Early Osteogenic Differentiation Stimulation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells by Calcitriol and Curcumin.

Curcumin, as a natural phenolic substance, is extracted from the rhizome of Curcuma longa (turmeric), which is effective in bone healthfulness. Calcitriol is an effective hormone in regulating bone remodeling and mineral homeostasis and immune response. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are found in most dental tissues and resemble bone marrow-derived MSCs. In this work, we investigated the effect of combination and individual treatment of curcumin and calcitriol on early osteogenic differentiation of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Early osteogenic differentiation was evaluated and confirmed by the gene expression level of ALP and its activity. Curcumin individually and in combination with calcitriol increased ALP activity and osteoblast-specific mRNA expression of ALP when DPSCs were cultured in an osteogenic medium. Calcitriol alone increased the enzyme more than in combination with curcumin. These findings demonstrate that curcumin can induce early osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs like calcitriol as a potent stimulant of osteogenesis.

Phytochemicals impact on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

Medicinal plants have always been utilized for the prevention and treatment of the spread of different diseases all around the world. To name some traditional medicine that has been used over centuries, we can refer to phytochemicals such as naringin, icariin, genistein, and resveratrol gained from plants. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of stem cells can be the result of specific bioactive compounds from plants. One of the most appealing choices for therapy can be mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) because it has a great capability of self-renewal and differentiation into three descendants, namely, endoderm, mesoderm, and ectoderm. Stem cell gives us the glad tidings of great advances in tissue regeneration and transplantation field for treatment of diseases. Using plant bioactive phytochemicals also holds tremendous promises in treating diseases such as osteoporosis. The purpose of the present review article thus is to investigate what are the roles and consequences of phytochemicals on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Stem Cell Therapy: Curcumin Does the Trick.

Curcumin is a dietary polyphenol and a bioactive phytochemical agent that possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, and chemopreventive properties. Some of the predominant activities of stem cells include regeneration of identical cells and the ability to maintain the proliferation and multipotentiality. However, these cells could be stimulated to differentiate into specific cell types. Curcumin protects some stem cells from toxicity and can stimulate proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. In the present review, we summarize the antioxidant, stemness activity, antiaging, and neuroprotective as well as wound healing and regenerative effects of curcumin.