The making of an antibiotic

Abstract This paper summarizes the exciting events and hard work that took place in conjunction with the discovery and development of penicillin. Scientific discovery is often the result of chance occurrences waiting to be seized upon by an astute, keen mind. The discovery and implementation of penicillin consisted of a number of such chance happenings that helped to bring it to fruition. However, were it not for Fleming's observation and the courage, persistence and wisdom of Florey and his team of co-workers, penicillin might not have become a reality.     

Clinical decision making in restorative dentistry, endodontics, and antibiotic prescription

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of geographic location of graduation (Israel, Eastern Europe, Latin America) on decision making regarding management of dental caries, periapical lesions, and antibiotic prescribing routines. A questionnaire was given to ninety-eight general practitioners regarding demographic and work habits. Photographs of lesions were shown on a screen. Participants reported recommended treatment and whether they would routinely prescribe antibiotics following regular endodontic treatment, retreatment, and impacted third molar surgical extraction in healthy patients. There was a 94 percent (n=92) response rate, of which eighty-five responses were used in the data analysis. Surgical treatment of asymptomatic enamel caries lesions was not recommended by most of the subjects, and surgery was recommended for DEJ caries lesions in low or moderate caries risk patients, both without significant differences between geographic regions of dental school graduation. Israelis had a lower frequency of retreatment in asymptomatic teeth that demonstrated periapical radiolucency with post restoration (without crown) compared to Latin Americans and East Europeans. Most of the participants would not retreat asymptomatic teeth that demonstrated periapical radiolucency with post and crown. After third molar surgery, 46 percent of participants routinely prescribed antibiotics. Significantly more Latin American graduates prescribed antibiotics following endodontic treatment, retreatment, and third molar extractions (p<0.05). Overmedication (antibiotics) and overtreatment (caries) among young practitioners reflect failure of undergraduate education in proper use of antibiotics and management of the carious lesions according to the patient's clinical presentation and caries risk assessment rather than routinely undertaking surgical caries treatment.     

The making of an overdenture supported by two endosseous implants in the lower jaw

Due to extreme alveolar resorption many edentulous patients wearing complete dentures suffer from loss of function of the orofacial system. Improvement of oral functions can be obtained by increasing the denture-support, using implants. The construction of a combined implant/mucosal supported lower overdenture will be helpful. A method to construct an overdenture on oral implants is described.     

Azithromycin in periodontal treatment: more than an antibiotic

Azithromycin is a macrolide antibiotic used extensively in medicine for the treatment of a wide range of infections such as upper respiratory tract infections, middle ear infections, sexually transmitted infections and trachoma. It is also effective against the most common periodontopathogens. The versatility of the macrolides extends beyond their antibiotic properties as a result of their well-documented immune-modulating/anti-inflammatory effects. Macrolides, including azithromycin, are therefore used to treat diseases not associated with bacteria, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases and, more recently, cystic fibrosis. Azithromycin is concentrated in neutrophils, macrophages and particularly fibroblasts; all of these cells are central players in the pathogenesis of most periodontal diseases. This paper reviews the diverse properties of azithromycin and the clinical periodontal studies of its effects in both the treatment of periodontitis and in resolving drug-related gingival overgrowth. Evidence exists to support the use of a single course of azithromycin in the treatment of advanced periodontal diseases. Azithromycin could have a triple role in the treatment and resolution of periodontal diseases: suppressing periodontopathogens, anti-inflammatory activity and healing through persistence at low levels in macrophages and fibroblasts in periodontal tissues, even after a single course of three tablets. If future periodontal research confirms these properties, it could become a valuable host-modulator in periodontal treatment.     

Azithromycin in periodontal treatment: more than an antibiotic

A 'profligate use' of antibiotics or the preferred treatment for those with 'low plaque scores and low responsiveness to periodontal therapy'.     

三臂卡环的改良弯制方法

卡环是可摘局部义齿最常用的直接固位体，三臂卡环是卡环中最基本的类型，也是制作好其他各类卡环的基础。我科技工室采用从连接体开始弯制三臂卡环的改良弯制方法制作可摘局部义齿，与传统弯制卡环方法制作的可摘局部义齿相比较，小连接体更易成形、卡环肩与基牙近缺隙侧邻面非倒凹区贴合紧密、卡环对基牙的轴面角包绕更密合。