Comparative effect of an essential oil mouthrinse on plaque,gingivitis and salivary Streptococcus mutans levels: a double blind randomized study

An open, randomized, controlled study with two parallel treatment groups was done to evaluate the efficacy of a Lippia sidoides essential oil (EO) 1% mouthrinse compared with chlorhexidine 0.12% mouthrinse, applied two times daily for 1 week, in the treatment of dental plaque and gingivitis. Fifty‐five patients were included in the study. The efficacy variables were the colony count of Streptococcus mutans from the stimulated saliva and periodontal indices on days 0, 7 and 30 after commencement of therapy. Twenty eight patients received chlorhexidine mouthrinse (Periogard^®) and 27 Lippia sidoides essential oil mouthrinse (Cepakill^®). The clinical and microbiological parameters were significantly reduced by both mouthrinses. No significant difference was seen between the two groups (p > 0.05). There was a significant reduction in the colony count of S. mutans in both groups (p < 0.05). Chlorhexidine treatment reduced more efficiently than L. sidoides, however, no statistical difference was seen, the efficacy of both groups was similar (p = 0.3). The results indicate that Chlorhexidine mouthrinse reduced plaque index, gingival bleeding and the number of CFU (colonies forming units) more efficiently than L. sidoides but did not reach statistical significance. This study demonstrated that Lippia sidoides EO mouthrinse is effective in reducing microbial plaque and gingival inflammation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A comparison of medicinal plant use in Sardinia and Sicily—De Materia Medica revisited?

Aim of the Study

Written records of oral medical traditions have had significant impact on the development of medicine and the pharmacopoeias. Modern ethnobotanical studies in Europe and the Mediterranean region, however, have so far largely overlooked the richness and accuracy of historic sources and ignored their probable influence on the development of today's local traditional medicines. Here, we explore the common fundament of traditional knowledge for the medicinal plant uses in Sardinia and Sicily by comparing the selection of medicinal species and specific uses with those of Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica.

Materials and methods

We use (i) a quantification of citations for medicinal species mentioned in ethnobotanical studies conducted in Sardinia and Sicily (ii) a comparison of the flora and medicinal flora with a χ²-test (iii) a binomial approach recently introduced into ethnobotany (iv) a comparison of the most frequently used species with the indications cited in Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica (v) and a crosscheck of all mentioned species with their appearance in Berendes’ translation of De Materia Medica.

Results

We identified a core group of 170 medicinal species used on either islands, which accumulate 74% of all citations and are best represented in De Materia Medica. The 15 most frequently used species of both islands demonstrate intriguing parallels for indications with Dioscorides’ work.

Conclusion

The ethnopharmacopoeia of Sicily and Sardinia are shallow stereotypes of the different editions of De Materia Medica and talking of oral tradition in this respect is a contradiction. The medicinal species of Sardinia and Sicily are largely widespread and common species, including many weeds, which are not facing threat of extinction. Therefore, using traditional medicinal practices as an argument for conservation biology or vice versa is not scientifically sound.     

Transneuronal delivery of designer cytokines: perspectives for spinal cord injury

We recently achieved significant functional recovery after a complete spinal cord injury,allowing previously paralyzed mice to walk again.This was accomplished by a single,unilateral application of an adeno-associated virus(AAV) carrying the cDNA for the designer cytokine hyper-interleukin-6 (hIL-6) into the sensorimotor cortex after spinal cord injury.     

Rethinking hospital psychiatry in Italy in light of COVID-19 experience

BACKGROUNDItaly retains a distinctive organization of mental health services according to a community-based model of care with a multidisciplinary team serving a well-defined catchment area under the coordination of the local department of mental health. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is forcing Italian mental health services to develop new organizational strategies at all levels of care in order to face the associated challenges.AIMTo explore factors associated with changes in psychiatric admissions to an inpatient psychiatric unit located in Lombardia Region, Italy.METHODSAll hospital admissions (n = 44) were recorded to an inpatient psychiatric unit during a three month national lockdown in Italy in 2020 and compared with those occurring over the same time period in 2019 (n = 71). For each admission, a 20-item checklist was completed to identify factors leading to admission. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows, release 11.0. Chi-square test (or Fisher’s exact test) and Mann-Whitney U-test were applied, where appropriate.RESULTSHospital admissions dropped by 38% during the COVID-19 pandemic. No significant differences were found in demographics, clinical variables associated with hospital admissions and length of stay between 2019 and 2020. Compared with 2019, a significantly greater proportion of hospital admissions in 2020 were related to difficulties in organizing care programs outside the hospital (chi-square = 4.91, df 1, one-way P = 0.035) and in patients’ family contexts (chi-square = 3.71, df 1, one-way P = 0.049). On the other hand, logistic and communication difficulties pertaining to residential facilities and programs were significantly more common in 2019 than in 2020 (chi-square = 4.38, df 1, one-way P = 0.032).CONCLUSIONAdmissions to the inpatient psychiatric unit dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, with difficulties in organizing care programs outside the hospital and in patients’ family contexts occurring more frequently compared with 2019.