The influence of irrigation solutions in the inorganic and organic radicular dentine composition

The aim of this study was to analyse changes in radicular dentine composition after different irrigation regimes using attenuated total reflectance Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐FTIR). Dentine slices from human single‐root teeth were immersed in: (i) 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 1, 5 and 20 min; (ii) 17% EDTA for 1 min; and (iii) 5.25% NaOCl for 20 min, and 17% EDTA and 5.25% NaOCl, both for 1 min. Carbonate/mineral, Amide I/mineral and Amide III/CH₂ ratios were determined using ATR‐FTIR before and after immersion in the irrigation solutions tested. Results showed that 5.25% NaOCl significantly decreased carbonate/mineral, Amide I/mineral and Amide III/CH₂ ratios (P < 0.05). Application of 17% EDTA produced no change in carbonate/mineral ratio (P = 0.120), while an increase in Amide I/mineral in apical third (P = 0.002) and Amide III/CH₂ (P < 0.001) was observed. The combination of NaOCl, EDTA and NaOCl increased carbonate/mineral ratio in coronal third (P = 0.037), and Amide I/mineral (P = 0.003) and Amide III/CH₂ (P = 0.001) ratios. In conclusion, irrigation solutions tested significantly affected radicular dentine composition.     

Influence of Er:YAG and Ti:sapphire laser irradiation on the microtensile bond strength of several adhesives to dentin

Lasers in Medical Science - The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of erbium:yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Er:YAG) and Ti:sapphire laser irradiation on the microtensile...     

C-reactive protein levels and survival in patients with moderate to very severe COPD

BACKGROUND: Serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) are increased in patients with COPD and correlate modestly with variables predictive of outcomes. In epidemiologic studies, CRP level is associated with all-cause mortality in patients with mild-to-moderate disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine if CRP levels are associated with survival in patients with moderate to very severe COPD in comparison with other well-known prognostic parameters of the disease. METHODS: In 218 stable patients with COPD, we measured baseline serum CRP level, BODE (body mass index, obstruction, dyspnea, and exercise capacity) index and its components, arterial oxygenation (Pao(2)), inspiratory capacity (IC) to total lung capacity (TLC) ratio, and Charlson comorbidity score. We followed up the patients over time and evaluated the strength of the association between the variables and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: During the follow-up time (median, 36 months; 25th to 75th percentiles, 24 to 50 months), 54 patients (25%) died. CRP levels were similar between survivors and the deceased (median, 3.8 mg/L; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 8.1; vs median, 4.5 mg/L; 95% confidence interval, 2.1 to 11.5; p = 0.22) and was not significantly associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of patients with clinically moderate to very severe COPD, the level of CRP level was not associated with survival compared with other prognostic clinical tools such as the BODE index, modified Medical Research Council scale, 6-min walk distance, percentage of predicted FEV(1), IC/TLC ratio < 0.25, and Pao(2). Other long-term studies of well-characterized patients with COPD could help determine the exact role of CRP levels as a biomarker in patients with clinical COPD.     

Determinants of Diuretic Responsiveness and Associated Outcomes During Acute Heart Failure Hospitalization: An Analysis From the NHLBI Heart Failure Network Clinical Trials

Background

Poor response to loop diuretic therapy is a marker of risk during heart failure hospitalization. We sought to describe baseline determinants of diuretic response and to further explore the relationship between this response and clinical outcomes.

Inhibition of Aminoglycoside 6′-N-Acetyltransferase Type Ib-Mediated Amikacin Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae by Zinc and Copper Pyrithione

The in vitro activity of the aminoglycoside 6′-N-acetyltransferase type Ib [AAC(6′)-Ib] was inhibited by CuCl₂ with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 2.8 μM. The growth of an amikacin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae strain isolated from a neonate with meningitis was inhibited when amikacin was supplemented by the addition of Zn²⁺ or Cu²⁺ in complex with the ionophore pyrithione. Coordination complexes between cations and ionophores could be developed for their use, in combination with aminoglycosides, to treat resistant infections.     

Celiac disease (CD), ulcerative colitis (UC), and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) in one patient: a family study.

We discuss the case of a 17-year-old male who at the age of 7 was diagnosed with celiac disease (CD) together with ulcerative colitis (UC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The patient was treated with gluten-free diet and immunosuppressive drugs (azathioprine), and currently remains asymptomatic. The patient's younger, 12-year-old sister was diagnosed with CD when she was 1.5 years old, and at 7 years she developed type-I diabetes mellitus, which was difficult to control. A family study was made, and both parents were found to be affected with silent CD. All were DQ2 (+). In relation to the case and family study, we provide a series of comments related to CD and its complications.     

A multicentre observational study of the effectiveness,safety and economic impact of nivolumab on non-small-cell lung cancer in real clinical practice

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy - Background Immunotherapy has become a standard treatment for lung cancer; however, the high cost makes it necessary to assess health outcomes. Objective...