Sealability of MTA and calcium hydroxidecontaining sealers

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the apical sealability of Fillapex^®, Endo-CPM-Sealer^® and Sealapex^®.

Material and Methods

Ninety-four freshly extracted single-rooted teeth were selected and decoronated. All teeth were radiographed to confirm the existence of a single and straight root canal, which was prepared using Protaper Universal and 2.5% sodium hypochlorite. The teeth were randomly divided in groups of 10 specimens each according to the sealer, and the canals were filled using the single cone technique and one of the sealers. Four additional teeth were used as controls. The teeth were submitted to dye leakage with Rhodamine B for 24 h but using vacuum on the initial 15 min. Thereafter, they were cut longitudinally and the leakage was measured in a linear fashion from apex to crown. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey''s tests at 5% significance level.

Results

Fillapex^® and Sealapex^® showed significantly less dye leakage than Endo-CPM-Sealer^® (p<0.05).

Conclusions

It was concluded that Fillapex^® and Sealapex^® were able to prevent apical dye leakage differently from Endo-CPM-Sealer^®.     

Genetic analysis of the IL8 gene polymorphism (rs4073) in generalized aggressive periodontitis

ObjectivesInterleukin (IL)-8 is an important chemokine for regulation of the inflammatory response. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) reference sequence (rs) 4073 in the IL8 gene has been shown to regulate IL-8 levels after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. This study investigates the transmission pattern of the IL8 rs4073 risk allele A and its association with susceptibility to aggressive periodontitis (AgP) in families and in a case–control cohort of unrelated individuals from a Brazilian population.DesignGenotyping was performed by standard polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay (PCR-RFLP) in 13 nuclear families and 184 unrelated subjects. Statistical analysis was performed using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) for the family dataset and Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression modelling for the case–control dataset.ResultsTDT analyses did not detect evidence of over transmission of IL8 rs4073 alleles in affected and unaffected family members (allele T: 52%; allele A: 48%; p = 0.2252). How expected, analyses of cases and unrelated controls showed a significant and inverse association of age with AgP; however, a lack of association between genotypes, ethnic groups and generalized AgP was observed.ConclusionsThe SNP (rs4073) was not associated with AgP in unrelated individuals and there is no evidence of over transmission of the alleles in families with AgP, from Brazilian individuals.     

Double-masked randomized clinical trial evaluating the effect of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice on periodontal healing after one-stage full-mouth debridement

Background: This study evaluates the effect of triclosan/copolymer dentifrice on the 6‐month clinical response of patients with generalized severe chronic periodontitis (GSCP) treated with one‐stage, full‐mouth ultrasonic debridement (FMUD). Methods: Thirty patients diagnosed with GSCP (≥8 teeth presenting probing depth [PD] ≥5 mm and bleeding on probing [BOP]) were selected and randomly allocated to a control group (n = 15) subjected to FMUD and daily use of a placebo dentifrice or to a test group (n = 15) subjected to FMUD and daily use of a triclosan/copolymer dentifrice. Patients were analyzed for the following parameters: full‐mouth plaque index (FMPI), full‐mouth BOP score (FMBS), gingival recession, PD, and clinical attachment level (CAL). Patients were evaluated at 3 and 6 months by a calibrated and masked examiner. Results: Initially, the groups presented similar periodontal conditions, with no significant differences in any of the parameters evaluated (P >0.05). In both groups, improvements in all periodontal parameters (P <0.05) were seen at the completion of the experimental period. Additionally, the test group showed lower FMPI (3 months) and FMBS (3 and 6 months) than the control group (P <0.05). Moreover, the CAL gain was significantly greater in the test group, especially at initially deep pockets (PD ≤7 mm). Whereas in the control group the CAL gain in deep pockets was 2.7 ± 0.6 mm, in the test group the CAL gain was 3.6 ± 1.4 mm (P <0.05). Conclusion: Within the limits of the present study, the use of triclosan/copolymer dentifrice promoted additional clinical benefits in the treatment of GSCP treated by one‐stage FMUD.     

Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules: A Long-Term Prospective Study of 24 Patients

PurposeTo evaluate the volume reduction rate (VRR) of thyroid nodules over a long period of time after radiofrequency (RF) ablation treatment in both solid and mixed nodules; to determine ablation parameters; and to evaluate complications and success rates and safety of RF ablation.Material and MethodsIn this prospective study, 24 patients (83% females and 17% males; age 50.17 ± 13.6 years) underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous RF ablation of benign thyroid nodules with radiologic follow-up at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after treatment. All patients presented with compressive or cosmetic complaints and with Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System 1 or 2 nodules under ultrasound and were confirmed to be Bethesda Category II after 2 fine-needle aspirations.ResultsA total of 24 nodules (54.2% solid, 37.5% solid predominance, and 8.3% cystic predominance) were included in this study. Significant results in VRR (%) were found at 24 months and 36 months of 69.92 ± 19.23 and 76.84 ± 15.92, respectively. Furthermore, a logarithmic relationship was found when VRR was plotted over time, in both solid and mixed nodules. No correlations were found with any of the ablation parameters. The success rate reached 72.22% at 12 months, and the total complication rate was 16.67% (12.5% minor complications and 4.2% major complications—1 laryngeal nerve palsy), reaching an 83.3% safety.ConclusionsRF ablation can be an alternative treatment modality in the management of benign symptomatic thyroid nodules. The results show that it is a safe and effective treatment if trans-isthmic approach and moving-shot techniques are correctly followed.     

Test–retest reliability,validation, and “minimal detectable change” scores for frequently reported tests of objective physical function in patients with non-dialysis chronic kidney disease

Physical function is an important outcome in chronic kidney disease (CKD). We aimed to establish the reliability, validity, and the “minimal detectable change” (MDC) of several common tests used in renal rehabilitation and research. In a repeated measures design, 41 patients with CKD not requiring dialysis (stage 3b to 5) were assessed at an interval of 6 weeks. The tests were the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), “sit-to-stand” (STS) test, estimated 1 repetition maximum for quadriceps strength (e1RM), and VO_2peak by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient and Bland–Altman analysis, and absolute reliability by standard error of measurement and MDC. The ISWT, STS-60, e1RM, and CPET had “good” to “excellent” reliability (0.973, 0.927, 0.927, and 0.866), respectively. STS-5 reliability was poor (0.676). The MDC is ISWT, 20 m; STS-5, 7.5 s; STS-60, 4 reps; e1RM, 6.4 kg; VO_2peak, 2.8 ml/kg/min. There was strong correlation between the ISWT and VO_2peak (r = 0.73 and 0.74). While there was poor correlation between the STS-5 and e1RM (r = 0.14 and 0.47), better correlation was seen between STS-5 and ISWT (r = 0.55 and 0.74). In conclusion, the ISWT, STS-60, e1RM, and CPET are reliable tests of function in CKD. The ISWT is a valid means of exercise capacity. The MDC can help researchers and rehabilitation professionals interpret changes following an intervention.