Novel bioactive tetracycline-containing electrospun polymer fibers as a potential antibacterial dental implant coating.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the ability of tetracycline-containing fibers to inhibit biofilm formation of peri-implantitis-associated pathogens [i.e., Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa)]. Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) was added to a poly(DL-lactide) [PLA], poly(ε-caprolactone) [PCL], and gelatin [GEL] polymer blend solution at distinct concentrations to obtain the following fibers: PLA:PCL/GEL (TCH-free, control), PLA:PCL/GEL + 5 % TCH, PLA:PCL/GEL + 10 % TCH, and PLA:PCL/GEL + 25 % TCH. The inhibitory effect of TCH-containing fibers on biofilm formation was assessed by colony-forming units (CFU/mL). Qualitative analysis of biofilm inhibition was done via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical significance was reported at p < 0.05. Complete inhibition of biofilm formation on the fibers was observed in groups containing TCH at 10 and 25 wt%. Fibers containing TCH at 5 wt% demonstrated complete inhibition of Aa biofilm. Even though a marked reduction in CFU/mL was observed with an increase in TCH concentration, Pi proved to be the most resilient microorganism. SEM images revealed the absence of or a notable decrease in bacterial biofilm on the TCH-containing nanofibers. Collectively, our data suggest that tetracycline-containing fibers hold great potential as an antibacterial dental implant coating.

Mitral annular calcification in untreated chronic renal failure.

Clinical, biochemical, radiological and echo-cardiographic (echo) evaluation was done prospectively in 50 patients of untreated end stage chronic renal failure (CRF). While clinically congestive cardiac failure (CCF) was diagnosed in 24%, low ejection fraction on echo was found in only 16%. Echo in these cases showed evidence of cardiac chamber dilatation in most (mean LVID (D) 54.1 +/- 6.51 and (S) 36.4 +/- 6.9 mm, but parameters of cardiac functions were normal in most. Mitral annular calcification (MAC) was detected on echo in 26%. On comparing patients with MAC (Group I) and those without MAC (Group II), the aetiological factor found more frequently in Group I was diabetes (61.5% vs 35.1%, P less than 0.05). Clinical features such as older age (mean age 54 years vs 45.5 years), severe hypertension, and grade IV and above murmur (15.2% vs none) were more common among group I patients. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Parameters of calcium metabolism were similar in the two groups. Conduction disturbances (30.7% vs 5.4%) were significantly more common in Group I (P = 0.05). The mitral regurgitation due to MAC was of no haemodynamic significance. Complications of MAC syndrome were rare.