Correlation between sealer penetration and microleakage following the use of MTAD as a final irrigant

The relationship between sealer penetration and apical microleakage following the use of MTAD as an irrigant in root canal procedures was evaluated. A collection of 120 human teeth was divided into three groups of 40 in each group. The final rinse was varied as follows: group 1 - the final rinse was saline solution, group 2 - ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid and for group 3 - MTAD. Each group was then divided into two subgroups (20 teeth) and filled with gutta percha and either AH Plus or Dorifill sealer. Half of the teeth were selected for dye penetration testing and the sealer penetration in the remaining teeth was evaluated using scanning electron microscope. There were no significant differences between the three irrigants, but there was less dye penetration in teeth sealed with AH Plus than Dorifill. Penetration of the sealer was better in the MTAD and ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid groups than in the saline group. Statistically, there was no significant difference between the sealer penetration into the dentinal tubules and the dye penetration.     

Reproductive factors influencing bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

This study examined the relationship between reproductive characteristics and bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women who had been referred to the menopause clinics of the National Population and Family Development Board and of the Hospital Kuala Lumpur from July 2011 to January 2012. The participants of this study were 201 postmenopausal Malaysian women aged 45–71 years. Some socio-demographic, lifestyle, and reproductive factors were recorded. Calcaneal BMD was measured by quantitative ultra-sonography. Correlations of reproductive factors with BMD were assessed by Pearson’s correlation test and multiple regression analysis. Age at menopause was not significantly correlated with BMD, while the years after menopause, age at the first menstrual period, number of pregnancies, and total lactation periods were inversely correlated with it. Among reproductive factors, only the association between lactation duration and BMD remained significant after adjusting for age, body mass index, activity, and calcium intake. The results indicated that except for prolonged total time of lactation, other reproductive factors were not significantly associated with BMD in postmenopausal women.     

What is the supporting role of health care providers from the perspective of patients with renal allograft rejection? A qualitative study

Coping with the new conditions for patients with renal allograft rejection is a complex phenomenon influenced by a number of factors. It appears that the supportive role of health care providers in many aspects is 1 of the most important factors in patient satisfaction, increased quality of life, and application of proper coping mechanisms. This study explored the perceptions of patients with renal allograft rejection about the supportive role of health care providers. This study was conducted with a qualitative research approach and content analysis. Participants were 19 patients with renal allograft rejection in teaching hospitals in southeastern Iran who were selected by purposive sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed by qualitative content analysis. During content analysis, 2 categories emerged: empathy and emotional support and educational counseling. These themes reflect the nature of patient perceptions of the supportive role of health care providers. The findings suggest that the supportive role of health care providers plays an important role in the promoting a feeling of comfort, reliability, and security in patients with renal allograft rejection and improves their coping mechanisms. These findings give health care providers greater motivation to provide comprehensive care from knowledge of their supportive role.     

Stimulatory effect of low-level laser therapy on root development of rat molars: a preliminary study

Several studies suggest a biomodulatory influence of low-level laser irradiation in the inflammatory and reparative processes of dental tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the stimulatory effect of 808-nm laser irradiation on root development of rat molars and also to evaluate the histological reaction of pulp and periapical tissues. Twenty-four 30-day-old Wistar male rats were randomly assigned to three-time and five-time laser therapy groups. After initial x-ray, using mammography equipment, laser energy was applied at a wavelength of 808 nm (2 J/cm², 100 mW, 20 s) to the midroot area of the lower molars of one side of mouth at repeated intervals of the 48 h. The animals were killed 1 day after the final treatment, and root length development of the experimental samples was compared to contra-lateral non-irradiated molars using mammography. The histological reaction of the pulp and periapical tissue was evaluated under light microscopy. Root development was more advanced in irradiated groups than in the non-irradiated controls (p < 0.001). No significant differences, however, could be found between the root development changes in the three-time and five-time laser therapy groups (p > 0.05). Histological findings showed that the occurrence of secondary cement formation was significantly higher in the irradiation groups compared to the controls (p = 0.003). However, there were no statistically significant differences for the frequencies of pulp hyperemia, periodontal ligament fiber organization, or lamina dura remodeling between the groups (p > 0.05). Under the conditions used in this study, 808-nm low-level laser accelerates the rat molar root development in the presence of favorable histological reactions.     

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of vital pulp therapy in open apex teeth with MTA and ZOE

The purpose of this study was to report the success rate of using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) as vital pulp therapy agents in immature permanent teeth with carious or traumatic pulp exposure. Subjects were children with permanent teeth requiring pulpotomy (apexogenesis) and without systemic diseases. Both ZOE and MTA treatments as pulpotomy agents showed clinical and radiographic success in immature permanent teeth. Although MTA was more successful, it is more expensive, and dentin bridges may develop over canal orifices, complicating future root canal therapy.     

Early administration of keratinocyte growth factor improves {beta}-cell regeneration in rat with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

The aim of our study was to investigate the ability of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF; palifermin) in regulating beta-cell growth in normal newborn rats and in rats with neonatal diabetes. Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes on the dayof birth. From days 2 to 6 after birth, animals received a daily s.c. injection of KGF (STZ/KGF group) and at the dose of 3 mg/kg body weight or saline solution (STZ groups). A group of non-diabetic Wistar rats was treated either with saline (Wistar group) or with KGF from days 2 to 6 after birth at the dose of 3 mg/kg body weight (Wistar/KGF group). beta-cell mass was measured at day 7 after birth in all groups. beta- and ductal cells replication were measured in all groups and apoptosis was assessed in the pancreas of 2-, 4-, and 7-day-old STZ and STZ/KGF rats. The total beta-cell mass of the 7-day-old KGF/STZ neonates was significantly increased compared with that of age-matched STZ rats. beta-cell replication rate was decreased at day 2 in the STZ/KGF group and was similar in the 4- and 7-day-old rats from STZ and STZ/KGF groups. Duct cell replication was significantly increased in the pancreas of 2- and 4-day-old KGF/STZ neonates when compared with that of age-matched rats from STZ control group. The rate of apoptosis in the neonatal pancreases of STZ and KGF/STZ groups was not significantly different. In non-diabetic Wistar rats, KGF treatment led to a slight but significant increase in duct cell proliferation at day 2 without significant changes in the total beta-cell mass in the 7-day-old rats. We provide evidence for a growth-promoting effect of KGF during beta-cell regeneration in neonatal diabetic rats. KGF exerts strong mitogenic effect on the pancreatic duct cells, thus expanding the population of precursor cells that subsequently differentiate into insulin-producing beta-cells.     

Mandibular canine with two separated canals

The aim of endodontic treatment is to eliminate infection from the root canal by cleaning and shaping. Multiple factors, such as a broken instrument or anatomical variations in root canals, lead to treatment failure. This article describes a mandibular canine with two canals and two foramina. It is presented here to raise awareness of the importance of an improved access cavity in detecting excess canals.     

Isotretinoin-associated Sweet’s syndrome: a case report

Objective

Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is characterized by various clinical symptoms, physical features, and pathological findings. Although cases of SS are very rare, there has been an increase in the incidence of drug-induced SS. Till date, there have been only few reported cases of isotretinoin-induced SS.

Case summary

In this report, we describe the case of a 19-year-old girl who developed SS after systemic treatment with oral isotretinoin for nodulocystic acne.

Conclusions

The findings of this report emphasize the importance of evaluating isotretinoin as a possible, though uncommon, cause of SS and replacing it with another treatment if its involvement is suspected.Keyword: Sweet syndrome, Isotretinoin, Neutrophilic dermatosis, Drug reaction