Evaluation of the Anti-microbial Efficacy of a Novel Endodontic Irrigant Against Enterococcus faecalis: An In Vitro Study.

INTRODUCTION: Enterococcus faecalis is a constant microbiome that plays an inevitable role in the etiology of peri radicular lesions after endodontic treatment, chronic and, apical periodontitis and, recently, in periimplantitis. The effective biomechanical preparation and the use of potent irrigating solutions will permit bacterial neutralization and toxin inactivation, leading to the success of endodontic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the "anti-microbial" efficacy of simvastatin (SMV) against E. faecalis as an endodontic irrigant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this invitro experimental study, the antimicrobial efficacy of SMV was evaluated against E. faecalis using the agar diffusion method. The samples were divided randomly into the following groups. GROUP 1: SMV solution 1 µM/L concentration, GROUP 2: SMV solution 5 µM/L concentration, GROUP 3: SMV solution 10 µM/L concentration, GROUP 4: 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) solution (positive control), and GROUP 5: normal saline (negative control). Linear measurement was done by measuring the zones of inhibition around the medicaments in the cavities in millimeters. Results were tabulated. RESULTS: The results of the study have shown the zone of inhibition of Group 4 (2% CHX solution) is 19 mm, which demonstrated the best outcome. When comparing the test samples, Group 3 (SMV solution 10 M/L concentration) has the best zone of inhibition, measuring 14 mm, followed by Group 2 (SMV solution 5 M/L concentration), which is 9 mm. CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro study have proven that SMV's anti-microbial activity, albeit less potent than CHX in this in vitro investigation, has demonstrated that it can be utilized as an efficient endodontic irrigant.

The Administration of Levodopa in a Patient With Parkinson's Disease Using a Novel Maxillofacial Route: A First-in-Human Report.

Parkinson's disease is characterized by the loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons in the brain. Dopamine cannot be administered systemically because it does not cross the blood-brain barrier. Oral levodopa remains the gold standard to date. Currently, for patients who show a poor response to oral levodopa and for those who cannot take it orally, the alternate routes available are inhalation and continuous administration via intestinal and subcutaneous routes. In this report, a novel maxillofacial route was used for the first time in the world to administer levodopa to a Parkinson's patient. Furthermore, the efficacy of maxillofacial administration was compared with the oral route of administration.