Comparative evaluation of antimicrobial activity of two root canal sealers: MTA Fillapex and AH 26.

AIM: Even after a complete root canal therapy, reinfection may occur as a result of incomplete seal and activation of residual bacteria. Thus, antimicrobial activity is an important characteristic of root canal sealers. MTA Fillapex is a newly developed MTA-based sealer. It has been subjected to various studies evaluating its physical and chemical properties. In this study, we aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of this sealer to the commonly known widely accepted sealer, AH26. METHODS: MTA Fillapex and AH 26 were exposed the bacterial suspension of Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus mutans, and Candida albicans after setting. After incubation and complete evaporation, BHI was added to microtubes. 24 hours later, the liquid content was placed in agar diffusion plate and bacterial count was performed. ANOVA followed by Tukey test, and t-Test were performed to analyze the data. RESULTS: With regard to all four bacterial groups, the bacterial count was significantly lower in MTAFillapex group comparing to AH 26 group. CONCLUSION: Newly developed MTA Fillapex sealer, has better antimicrobial properties in comparison to the widely accepted AH26 sealer.

Presence of Aflatoxin M1 in raw milk at cattle farms in Babol, Iran.

In this study, raw cow milk samples were collected from milk churns at 40 traditional and semi-industrial cattle farms located in Babol (Northern Iran) in winter 2006. In total, 120 raw milk samples were tested for Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) contamination by competitive ELISA. In 68 out of 120 samples (56.7%) the presence of AFM1 was detected by concentration ranging from 50 to 352.3 ng L(-1). Fifty two samples (43.3%) contained AFM1 at levels of 4-50 ng L(-1) (The AFM1 contamination levels were between 4-352.3 ng L(-1) by the average of 102.73 ng L(-1)). In general, 56.7% of samples were beyond the limit of European community regulations (50 ng L(-1)). In other words, the AFM1 contamination levels in raw milk were more than twice over standard levels. The AFM1 contamination levels, (> 50 ng L(-1)), in January, February and March were 40, 65 and 65%, respectively. Estimation of contamination of AFB1 using AFM1 in feed stuff showed that it was about 0.25 to 22 microg kg(-1) holding the average of 46.7%, being higher than European community limit (5 microg kg(-1)).

Seroepidemiology of sheep toxoplasmosis in Babol northern Iran 2004.

This study is carried-out with the aim of determining the prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis in sheep at Babol (Bandpei part). In this study, 285 sheep of Bandpei area in Babol was selected. The samples studied with indirect immunofluorescence antibody. The results showed that 31.2% of sheep in this study were affected by toxoplasmosis. In positive cases, there was not any statistically significant difference between male and female sheep. The most positive cases observed by 1:200 titer. According to the researches in other parts of this country, the prevalence rate in this area is more than the others.