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Copyright of Bezmialem Science is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Current Research in Dental Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background and Objectives: Pancreatic pseudocysts often arise as complications of pancreatitis and present unique challenges in clinical management, encompassing considerations for both technical aspects and financial implications. Before the advancements of invasive gastroenterology, pancreatic pseudocysts have been drained surgically for many years. Nowadays, we have less invasive techniques with higher efficiency and lower mortality rates, however, they remain cost-challenging for most countries. Materials and Methods: We present four patients (two males and two females) with pancreatic pseudocysts who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage using plastic stents accompanied by a standard lavage protocol using a nasocystic catheter. Results: All four patients had successful outcomes, and a follow-up at 6 months revealed no traces of the pseudocysts or any significant long-term complications. One acute complication (arterial bleeding) and one late complication (stent migration) were observed. As the study aimed to present a cheaper option for draining pancreatic pseudocysts, we investigated and compared costs for the materials we utilized and those associated with lumen-apposing metal stents. Upon compiling the data, a notable advantage was evident in favour of our method. Conclusions: While EUS-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts using lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMSs) represents a high-end strategy for treating pancreatic pseudocysts, our method demonstrates better cost-effectiveness without compromising efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Primary joint arthroplasty (JA) is one of the most common operating room (OR) procedures, with knee and hip arthroplasties being listed in the top five most frequent OR procedures and while not as common, shoulder arthroplasties are increasing at greater rates than knee and hip arthroplasties. Periprosthetic joint/shoulder infections (PJI/PSI) are a devastating complication of primary JAs with infection prevention deemed as the single most important strategy in combating them. The objective of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the efficacy of XPERIENCE® Advanced Surgical Irrigation (XP) in preventing PJI following primary joint arthroplasty. Methods: This is a retrospective study of primary knee, hip and shoulder arthroplasties that were performed by multiple orthopedic surgeons at a single hospital setting. XPERIENCE was used as an intraoperative surgical irrigant either solely, or with other intraoperative practices for prevention of infection. Incidence of acute PJI occurring within 90 days of index surgery were retrospectively collated. Results: Four hundred and twenty‐three (423) primary joint replacement surgeries treated intraoperatively with XP, were evaluated for acute PJI incidence. Retrospective evaluations determined that 95% of the subjects had at least one risk factor predisposing them to PJI. There were zero PJIs diagnosed in the knee and hip arthroplasty cohorts and zero PSIs diagnosed in the shoulder arthroplasty cohorts. Conclusion: The absence of PJI/PSI diagnoses in the JA cohorts treated intraoperatively with XP indicates that it could be an efficacious antimicrobial irrigant in preventing PJI, and warrants being evaluated in prospective, randomized controlled clinical trials as the sole intraoperative irrigant, as well as in combination with the other intraoperative infection prevention regimens evaluated in this retrospective study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of the Problem: Successful endodontic treatment depends on three-dimensional (3D) root canal filling to prevent the leakage of residual bacteria. Different obturation techniques with different sealers should be compared by employing advanced assessment tools. Purpose: This study compared the obturation quality of warm vertical compaction (WVC) and two different single-cone (SC) techniques using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). Materials and Method: Thirty-three extracted maxillary molars with mesial root canal curvature of 20‒40º were prepared in vitro with One-Curve files and randomly assigned to three groups (n=11) for root canal obturation with WVC, SC technique with AH Plus sealer (SC-AH), or SC technique with SureSeal bioceramic (BC) sealer (SC-Su). The root canals underwent micro-CT examinations before and after obturation to determine the volume percentages (VPs) of voids and gaps at different distances from the apex (coronal, middle, and apical thirds). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The highest VP of voids and gaps was recorded in the SC-Su group, with no significant difference from other groups (p> 0.05). There were significant differences in VP of gaps at different distances from the apex (p<0.05). The VPs of gaps in the apical third of all the samples were significantly higher than in the coronal and middle thirds. However, the difference in VP of voids was not significant at different distances from the apex (p>0.05). Conclusion: None of the tested techniques could provide a void-free and gap-free filling. The apical third of the canals showed the highest VP of gaps in all obturation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenges posed by biofilm presence and achieve a substantial reduction in bacterial load within root canals during endodontic treatment, various irrigants, including nanoparticle suspensions, have been recommended. Berberine (BBR), a natural alkaloid derived from various plants, has demonstrated potential applications in dentistry treatments due to its prominent antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to produce and characterize a novel polymeric nanoparticle of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) loaded with berberine and evaluate its antimicrobial activity against relevant endodontic pathogens, Enterococcus faecalis, and Candida albicans. Additionally, its cytocompatibility using gingival fibroblasts was assessed. The polymeric nanoparticle was prepared by the nanoprecipitation method. Physicochemical characterization revealed spheric nanoparticles around 140 nm with ca, −6 mV of surface charge, which was unaffected by the presence of BBR. The alkaloid was successfully incorporated at an encapsulation efficiency of 77% and the designed nanoparticles were stable upon 20 weeks of storage at 4 °C and 25 °C. Free BBR reduced planktonic growth at ≥125 μg/mL. Upon incorporation into PLGA nanoparticles, 20 μg/mL of [BBR]-loaded nanoparticles lead to a significant reduction, after 1 h of contact, of both planktonic bacteria and yeast. Sessile cells within biofilms were also considered. At 30 and 40 μg/mL, [BBR]-loaded PLGA nanoparticles reduced the viability of the sessile endodontic bacteria, upon 24 h of exposure. The cytotoxicity of BBR-loaded nanoparticles to oral fibroblasts was negligible. The novel berberine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles hold potential as a promising supplementary approach in the treatment of endodontic infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SDU Journal of Health Science Institute / SDÜ Saglik Bilimleri Enstitüsü Dergisi is the property of Suleyman Demirel University, Health Sciences Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Mediterranean Journal of Infection, Microbes & Antimicrobials is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: To carry out a morphometric analysis of small oval root canals prepared with different instruments (part 1) and filled with different sealers (part 2). Method and materials: Ninety extracted mandibular incisors with small oval root canals were instrumented with Self-Adjusting File (n = 45), XP-endo Finisher (n = 15), Gentle- File (n = 15), or Reciproc (n = 15). All groups of part 1 were filled with AH Plus (n = 15 each). For part 2 (including group Self-Adjusting File/AH Plus) teeth instrumented with Self-Adjusting File were additionally filled with GuttaFlow Bioseal (n = 15) or Total Fill BC sealer (n = 15). All sealers were placed with a lentulo and filled with master point and additional points. Serial cuts were made at 1-mm intervals up to 10 mm. Total root canal area, percentage of guttapercha filled area (PGFA), sealer, voids, and debris were evaluated using interactive image analysis software. Results: Preparation with Reciproc caused significantly wider canals than with Self- Adjusting File, GentleFile, or XP-endo Finisher, but also resulted in the greatest PGFA and lowest percentage of sealer (P ≤ .05). Following XP-endo Finisher, the significantly greatest percentage of debris (30%) was found 1 mm from the apex (P ≤ .05). Regarding different sealers, only minor differences were found (GuttaFlow Bioseal: less percentage of sealer at 2 and 3 mm levels [P ≤ .05]). Conclusion: Within the limits of this study Reciproc caused the greatest substance loss, but also the most favorable PGFA. The apical debris accumulation with XP-endo Finisher needs further investigation. The sealers under investigation performed equally well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy, used in conjunction with conventional canal disinfection techniques, on post-operative pain after single- and multi-visit root canal treatments for chronic apical periodontitis. Methodology: 100 volunteers were randomly divided into 4 groups. The main inclusion criteria were radiographic evidence of apical periodontitis (minimum size of 2.0×2.0 mm) and a diagnosis of pulpal necrosis confirmed by a negative response to vitality tests. All the root canals were prepared using a standard shaping technique and irrigation procedure. In Groups I and III, the root canals were obturated during the first visit following chemo-mechanical preparation. In Groups II and IV, the root canals were medicated with calcium hydroxide and obturated during a second visit, 1 week later. In Groups III and IV, after the chemomechanical preparation, the root canals were additionally irradiated by an 810-nm diode laser at 1.5 W output for 20 seconds. A modified visual analogue scale was used to measure pain at 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours and 7 days after the treatment. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of post-operative pain at any time during the observation period (p>.05). Post-operative pain occurred only at 8 and 12 hours and at 1, 2, and 3 days in all groups. There was no correlation between the results regarding age, gender, periapical index scores, or tooth type. Conclusion: The use of low-level laser therapy had no significant effect on the incidence of post-operative pain, and single-visit root canal treatment may be a strong alternative to multi-visit treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of 2 ceruminolytic products, Cerumenex Eardrops (Purdue Frederick Company, Norwalk, Conn) and Murine Ear Drops (Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, Ill), in subjects with partial or complete occlusion of the ear canal due to cerumen. Design Randomized, subject- and observer-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Setting Corporate research clinic. Participants From among 230 volunteers screened, 74 subjects (age, 22-66 [mean, 45] years) were enrolled in the study. Participants had baseline occlusion levels of mild (n = 10), moderate (n = 26), or complete (n = 38) impairment of tympanic membrane visualization. Interventions Subjects were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatments: Cerumenex (10% triethanolamine polypeptide oleate-condensate), Murine (6.5% carbamide peroxide), and a placebo, BSS Sterile Irrigating Solution (Alcon Laboratories Inc, Ft Worth, Tex). The test medication was instilled into 1 occluded ear for up to two 15-minute applications. Following the treatment, the subject's ear was irrigated with 50 mL of lukewarm water delivered at low pressure via a WaterPik irrigator equipped with a Grossan irrigator tip. Main Outcome Measure The degree of occlusion, measured against a previously established 4-point scale, was assessed and recorded at baseline and after each instillation and irrigation procedure. Results Neither Cerumenex nor Murine was superior to saline placebo. By the end of treatment, 29.2%, 15.4%, and 41.7% of subjects treated with Cerumenex, Murine, and placebo, respectively, experienced resolution of cerumen occlusion. These values were not statistically significantly different from one another. Conclusion The currently marketed ceruminolytic products, Cerumenex and Murine, are no more effective than a saline placebo in removing earwax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Growth factors embedded in the extracellular matrix of the dentin play an important role in the migration, proliferation, and differentiation of dental pulp stem cells in regenerative endodontics. In regenerative endodontic treatments, the type of irrigation solution used is crucial for the release of growth factors (GFs) from the dentin matrix. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different irrigant activation techniques (IAT) using two different chelating agents, 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 9% etidronic acid (HEDP), in terms of their GF release. Methods: Seventy-two mandibular premolar teeth were prepared to simulate an open apex. The root fragments were irrigated with 20 ml of 1.5% sodium hypochlorite and 20 ml of saline solution. Eight root fragments were randomly separated for the control group, and the remaining 64 fragments were randomly separated into eight groups based on two different chelating agents (17% EDTA and 9% HEDP) and four different IAT ((conventional needle irrigation (CNI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), sonic activation with EDDY, and XP-endo Finisher (XPF)). TGF-β1, VEGF-A, BMP-7 and IGF-1 release levels were determined using an ELISA, and statistical analysis was performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA, and the Tukey test (p <.05). Results: Compared to the control group, the experimental groups showed significantly higher GF release when using EDTA or HEDP. Among the activation groups, the EDDY group triggered the highest GF release, and the CNI group triggered the lowest. Conclusions: IAT with EDTA and HEDP can increase GF release, with EDDY being the most effective IAT method. Using chelating agents with IAT may be beneficial in regenerative endodontic treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a crucial role in the success of Regenerative Endodontic Procedures (REPs) as they directly impact the proliferation and differentiation of stem cells. TGF-β1 is released by conditioning of the dentin matrix using 17% EDTA. EDTA was found to have deleterious effects on dentin especially in immature teeth with fragile dentin walls. Decreasing the irrigation time was reported to decrease these effects. Accordingly, enhancement and activation of the EDTA solution to maintain its efficiency in TGF-β1 release from dentin and thus compensating the reduction in irrigation time was employed. EDTA solution was enhanced by adding Nanobubble (NB) water which contains oxygen filled cavities less than 200 nm in diameter. Additionally, EDTA was activated with XP-endo Finisher rotary file. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of NB enhancement and/or XP-endo Finisher activation of the EDTA solution on the TGF-β1 release from dentin. Methods: Fifty standardized root segments with open apex were allocated to two main groups according to whether EDTA was enhanced with NB water or not, and within each group whether XP-endo Finisher activation was used or not in addition to a Negative Control group. The concentration of the released TGF-β1 in the root canal was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical analysis was done using the Shapiro- Wilk, Kolmogorov Smirnov, ANOVA and Post-hoc Tukey tests. Results: All groups released a considerable amount of TGF-β1 with the highest values in the EDTA/NB/XP group, followed by EDTA/NB, EDTA/DW/XP, EDTA/DW and Negative Control groups respectively. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that NBs can promote the success of REPs since it revealed a significant increase in the TGF-β1 release following its use in the enhancement of the EDTA solution. A comparable effect was obtained by XP-endo finisher activation of the EDTA solution. The combined use of NBs and XP-endo Finisher can be a promising addition in REPs. Accordingly, Enhancement and activation of the EDTA solution may compensate decreasing the EDTA irrigation time attempted to avoid the deleterious effect of EDTA on dentin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nasal administration route emerged as an interesting route in systemic and brain drug delivery, and different modalities of nasal delivery are available. The nasal irrigation is one of them, but there is a lack of studies investigating the distribution of a large-volume irrigation. The main aim of this study was to assess the deposition of radiolabeled saline in the nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses following nasal irrigation by imaging. Five healthy males volunteered to perform large-volume low-pressure nasal irrigation, with a douching device containing 50 mL of radiolabeled isotonic saline. Participants underwent a scintigraphy immediately after. Both the nasal cavities and maxillary sinuses were systematically reached by the solution during nasal irrigation. The sinuses set in a lower position during nasal irrigation showed a tendency to be more irrigated than the sinuses set in a higher position (7.67% vs 22.72%; p = 0.086). Moreover, substantial inter- and intraindividual heterogeneity regarding solution deposition was observed. Large-volume low-pressure nasal irrigation is a good modality to reach the maxillary sinuses as well as the nasal cavities. In order to ensure adequate reaching of both nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses, nasal irrigation should be performed bilaterally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-irradiation xerostomia remains a significant quality of life concern for patients with head and neck cancers. Conventional therapies offer limited effectiveness. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic potential of office-based salivary ductal steroid irrigation in patients with post-irradiation xerostomia. This single-center observational study recruited 147 head and neck cancer patients suffering from post-irradiation xerostomia between November 2020 and October 2022. All included subjects received at least one round of successful salivary ductal cannulation and irrigation. The primary measure of efficacy was improvement in subjective xerostomia and objective salivary amylase levels. A logistic regression was employed to evaluate factors affecting treatment responsiveness. The response rate among nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patients was 74.8%, and that among non-NPC cancer was 65.6%, without significant intergroup differences. The statistical analysis revealed no significant influence of age, gender, or disease stage on treatment responsiveness. Post-treatment salivary amylase levels were significantly higher in responsive non-NPC patients. In conclusion, salivary ductal steroid irrigation emerged as a promising therapeutic modality for the management of post-irradiation xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients. While no explicit factors were predictive of responsiveness, the high rate of symptom improvement suggests that this therapy may be a viable alternative for patients that are refractory to standard treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: An accurate working length (WL) estimation is fundamental to a successful endodontic therapy. The objective of this comparative in vitro research was to investigate the performance of iPex II and the Root ZX Mini electronic apex locators (EALs) in measuring root canal WL with different irrigant solutions and their relation to the electrical conductivity of irrigation solutions. Materials and Methods: Seventy sound permanent lower premolar teeth, each with a single root and developed apices, were used. Under an X15 stereomicroscope, the real working length was determined with the aid of a #10 file. After that, teeth were placed into an alginate model, and the iPex II and Root ZX Mini were used for the detection of electronic working length with various irrigants. Seventy teeth were randomly distributed into seven groups, 10 per each group (group I: dry canal; group II: distilled water; group III: ozonated water; group IV: 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl); group V: 2% chlorhexidine, group VI: 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) solution, and group VII: 17% EDTA gel). The difference in WL was calculated by deducting real working length from its electronic working length. The study also evaluates the electrical conductivity of the seven endodontic irrigant solutions. The two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Statistically, neither both types of EALs (P = 0.088) nor various irrigating solutions with varying electrical conductivities (P = 0.099) significantly affect the accuracy of EL estimation. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between the accuracy of the Root ZX Mini and the iPex II. The accuracy of both apex locators is unaffected in the presence of various irrigation solutions with varying electrical conductivities in this research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of non-invasive methods and accessible tools for application to plant phenotyping is considered a breakthrough. Thiswork presents the preliminary results using an electronic nose (E-Nose) and machine learning (ML) as affordable tools. An E-Nose is an electronic system used for smell global analysis, which emulates the human nose structure. The soybean (Glycine Max) was used to conduct this experiment under water stress. Commercial E-Nose was used, and a chamber was designed and built to conduct the measurement of the gas sample from the soybean. This experiment was conducted for 22 days, observing the stages of plant growth during this period. This chamber is embedded with relative humidity [RH (%)], temperature (°C), and CO2 concentration (ppm) sensors, as well as the natural light intensity, which was monitored. These systems allowed intermittent monitoring of each parameter to create a database. The soil used was the red-yellow dystrophic type and was covered to avoid evapotranspiration effects. The measurement with the electronic nose was done daily, during the morning and afternoon, and in two phenological situations of the plant (with the healthful soy irrigated with deionized water and underwater stress) until the growth V5 stage to obtain the plant gases emissions. Data mining techniques were used, through the software "Weka™" and the decision tree strategy. From the evaluation of the sensors database, a dynamic variation of plant respiration pattern was observed, with the two distinct behaviors observed in the morning (~9:30 am) and afternoon (3:30 pm). With the initial results obtained with the E-Nose signals and ML, it was possible to distinguish the two situations, i.e., the irrigated plant standard and underwater stress, the influence of the two periods of daylight, and influence of temporal variability of the weather. As a result of this investigation, a classifier was developed that, through a non-invasive analysis of gas samples, can accurately determine the absence of water in soybean plants with a rate of 94.4% accuracy. Future investigations should be carried out under controlled conditions that enable early detection of the stress level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: External cervical resorption causes dental hard tissue destruction that may reduce the fracture resistance of affected teeth. By using a compressive strength test, this study aimed to evaluate the fracture resistance of teeth with simulated external cervical resorption cavities that have different three-dimensional classifications. (2) Methods: In total, 170 teeth with simulated external cervical resorptions were divided into 16 experimental groups (n = 10) and 1 control group (n = 10) based on the three-dimensional classification: 1Ap, 1Bp, 1Cp, 1Dp, 2Ap, 2Bp, 2Cp, 2Dp, 3Ap, 3Bp, 3Cp, 3Dp, 4Ap, 4Bp, 4Cp, 4Dp and a control group. Defects were restored with mineral trioxide aggregate. The fracture resistances of the samples were statistically analyzed using two-way repeated ANOVA and the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons at a significance level of p < 0.05. (3) Results: The lowest resistance to fracture was observed in samples with vertical height level "4" and circumferential spread of "D" (p < 0.001). In the groups with circumferential spreads "B", "C" and "D", there were significant differences between the samples with vertical height levels "1", "2", "3" and "4" regarding fracture resistance (p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: The circumferential spread and vertical height of the external cervical resorption influenced the fracture resistance of the affected teeth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are severe and frightening complications in orthopaedic surgery, and they are generally divided into three categories: early infections (those occurring within the first 4–6 weeks), delayed infections (those occurring between 3 and 24 months), and late infections (those occurring more than 2 years after surgery). PJI treatment comprises "debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention" (DAIR), single-stage revision, and double-stage revision. Nowadays, to improve the chances of retaining an infected implant and to improve the traditional DAIR method, a modified surgical technique has been developed, named DAPRI (debridement, antibiotic pearls, and retention of the implant). Our study aims to present an up-to-date concept evaluation of the DAPRI technique and its success rate. (2) Methods: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) standards were followed, applying a protocol defined by the authors: a total of 765 articles were identified, and at the end of the screening process only 7 studies were included. (3) Results: Currently, the DAPRI procedure can be performed only on patients who have had PJI symptoms for less than 4 weeks, and in order to achieve the highest success rate, indications are quite strict: it is appropriate in patients with acute, superficial infections without sinus tract presence, and well-fixed implants with known sensitive bacteria. The DAPRI surgical method follows a step-by-step process consisting of a first phase of biofilm identification with intra-articular injection of methylene blue, followed by biofilm removal (thermic, mechanical, and chemical aggression), and a last step consisting of prevention of PJI recurrence by using calcium sulphate antibiotic-added beads. (4) Conclusions: The DAPRI approach improves the traditional DAIR technique. It is a correct treatment for acute and early haematogenous PJI, and improves the DAIR success rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of cryotherapy application at various temperatures in the reduction of postoperative pain after a single-visit (SV) root canal treatment (RCT). Aim: The present study aimed to evaluate the postoperative pain after intracanal cryotherapy with saline at different temperatures. Methodology: Sixty participants aged =18 years were included in this clinical trial. All patients with good general health indicated for SV RCT were included in the present study. Preoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores were obtained by percussing the tooth, and written consent was obtained. The access cavities were prepared, cleaning and shaping were done, and the patients were allocated into three groups based on final irrigation: Group I - saline at room temperature (37°C) (control group), Group II - cold saline (at 4°C), and Group III - cold saline (at 2.5°C). After drying, the canal obturation was done in the same appointment. Postoperative pain was recorded at 24, 48, and 72 h and 7 days with VAS. In case of severe pain, an analgesic was prescribed. Statistical Analysis Used: The Chi-square test was used to analyze the data. Results: Both cryotherapy irrigation groups showed the lowest postoperative pain at 24, 48, and 72 h and after 7 days. The analgesic intake was higher in Group I as compared to other groups. Conclusion: Cryotherapy is a promising nonpharmacological treatment alternative for postoperative pain in SV RCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article, published in the Romanian Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, explores the importance of irrigation in cleaning root canal isthmuses. The authors discuss various techniques for activating irrigants, with passive ultrasonic activation being the most effective. The article also discusses the limitations of syringe irrigation and the phenomenon of vapor lock. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into improving the cleaning and disinfection of root canal isthmuses. The text also mentions the challenges and limitations of cleaning infected root canals, particularly in hard-to-reach areas called isthmuses. Various irrigation techniques have been used to improve cleaning and disinfection, but more research is needed to develop specific treatment approaches for isthmuses. [Extracted from the article]

Smart agriculture is a popular domain due to its intensified growth in recent times. This domain aggregates the advantages of several computing technologies, where the IoT is the most popular and beneficial. In this work, a novel and effective deep learning-based framework is developed to detect intrusions in smart farming systems. The architecture is three-tier, with the first tier being the sensor layer, which involves the placement of sensors in agricultural areas. The second tier is the Fog Computing Layer (FCL), which consists of Fog nodes, and the proposed IDS is implemented in each Fog node. The gathered information is transferred to this fog layer for further data analysis. The third tier is the cloud computing layer, which provides data storage and end-to-end services. The proposed model includes a fused CNN model with the bidirectional gated recurrent unit (Bi-GRU) model to detect and classify intruders. An attention mechanism is included within the BiGRU model to find the key features responsible for identifying the DDoS attack. In addition, the accuracy of the classification model is improved by using a nature-inspired meta-heuristic optimization algorithm called the Wild Horse Optimization (WHO) algorithm. The last layer is the cloud layer, which collects data from fog nodes and offers storage services. The proposed system will be implemented in the Python platform, using ToN-IoT and APA-DDoS attack datasets for assessment. The proposed system outperforms the existing methods in accuracy (99.35%), detection rate (98.99%), precision (99.9%) and F-Score (99.08%) for the APA DDoS attack dataset and the achieved accuracy of the ToN-IoT dataset (99.71%), detection rate (99.02%), precision (99.89%) and F-score (99.05%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the use of different NaOCl concentrations (1%, 2.5%, and 5.25%) during root canal treatment of molar teeth with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis on the change of the IL-8 level in gingival crevicular fluid (GFC). Methods: GCF sampling was performed on experimental tooth with irreversible pulpitis before and after treatment and also contralateral healthy tooth of 54 patients. The patients were divided into three groups according to concentration of NaOCl solution (n = 18); 1%, 2.5%, and 5.25% NaOCl solution. GCF sampling from experimental teeth was repeated one week after root canal treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: There was a significant correlation between IL-8 levels in GCF samples taken from teeth with pulpitis before treatment and from healthy contralateral teeth (p =.000). Furthermore, the pretreatment IL-8 level was significantly higher than the posttreatment IL-8 level(p <.05). The effect of the NaOCl concentration on the change in IL-8 level betweeen pre and post treatment was not found statistically significant (p >.05). Conclusions: The use of NaOCl during root canal treatment can effectively reduce the levels of IL-8 in GCF and improve clinical outcomes. Trial registration: This study was registred in the Institutional Review Board and the Ethics Committee of the University (No:11) on 15/12/2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity of biomaterials used during endodontic treatment can be affected by various factors. One of them is the chemical action of the irrigant that they are exposed to. The aim of this multimethod ex vivo study was to evaluate the influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on the surface appearance and chemical composition of Biodentine used in perforation repair. Twenty material specimens were prepared according to manufacturers' recommendations and divided into two setting-time-based groups, tested after 45 min (group A) and 24 h (group B) of setting. Material was irrigated with 17% EDTA solution with or without simultaneous ultrasonic activation. The surface characteristics and the chemical composition analysis of the Biodentine specimens were performed with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) method, respectively. The volumetric loss of material was measured by dedicated digital software in an optical microscope. Statistical analysis was performed. The EDS study confirmed that after the rinsing protocol, the percentage content of elements differed between the groups. The EDTA rinse, whether ultrasonically activated or not, visibly affected the surface appearance and chemical composition of Biodentine. The specimens' surface subjected to irrigation was more irregular under SEM than in a control group. The US activation of the liquid amplified its impact on the tested material. The average volume loss in group A after 5 min irrigation was 3.98 µm3 for each µm2 of the chosen area and it increased up to 7.74 µm3/μm2 after the ultrasonic activation. In group B, indicated volume loss values were 6.30 and 11.70 µm3/μm2 for 5 min irrigation without and with US activation, respectively. Using a 20 min irrigation time and ultrasonic activation increased it up to 32.71 µm3/µm2. Each rinsing protocol involving irrigation with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid modified the surface features and the chemical composition of the evaluated hydraulic tricalcium silicate cement. Further research is needed to indicate the possible impact of the observed changes on its long-term clinical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Neurogenic bowel dysfunction in children is a lifelong condition often resulting in the need for active bowel management programmes, such as transanal irrigation. Parents are central in the decision-making process to initiate and carry out treatments until such a time their child becomes independent. Minimal research has focussed on examining parents' experiences of undertaking transanal irrigation with their child. This study aimed to explore parents' experiences of learning about and using irrigation with their child and how parents motivated their children to become independent. Methods Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with parents with experience of using transanal irrigation with their child. Interviews were undertaken by a parent researcher. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Eighteen telephone interviews (16 mothers, 1 father and 1 carer) were conducted. Parents shared how they had negotiated getting started and using transanal irrigation with their child. They discussed a sense of success derived from their confidence in using and mastering irrigation, the process of making decisions to continue or stop using irrigation and how they motivated themselves and their child to continue with the irrigation regime. Challenges included minimizing their child's distress during the irrigation procedure and how they negotiated and moved towards their child becoming independent. Conclusion Despite the emotional difficulty parents experienced as a result of the invasive nature of transanal irrigation most parents reported an improvement in their child's faecal continence which positively impacted on the child and family's lives. The child's physical ability and emotional readiness to develop independent irrigation skills in the future concerned some parents. The experiences shared by parents in this study has the capacity to inform transanal irrigation nursing and medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The root canal system of a tooth is a complex geometrical entity, consisting not only of the main root canal, but also of accessory and lateral canals. Bacteria can reside up to hundreds of micrometers inside those channels and may be difficult to reach for the antimicrobial agents with which root canals are irrigated during a root canal treatment. A combined numerical and experimental study was performed to assess the penetration rate of a root canal irrigant into the lateral canals and tubules, considering both diffusion and convection. The numerical model was validated experimentally using a fluorescent dye. Convection was studied separately using a Computational Fluid Dynamics model, validated with Particle Imaging Velocimetry experiments. Both diffusion and convection were found to be slow on the timescale of an irrigation procedure. The contribution of convection was limited to two canal diameters from the canal entrance, making diffusion the main irrigant transport mechanism. More than 10 min of fresh irrigant delivery was required to obtain an 86 % concentration of the irrigant at the far end of a tubule, in the ideal case of a straight tubule without reaction taking place. Diffusion was even slower when the concentration at the lateral canal entrance was not kept constant, as in the case of a single delivery, which suggests that frequent irrigant replenishment and/or irrigant activation during a root canal treatment are beneficial. Alternative methods should be considered to improve irrigant penetration into lateral canals and tubules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The purpose of this study was to evaluate the temperature changes during implant osteotomies with a combined irrigation system as compared to the commonly used external and internal irrigation under standardized conditions. Material and methods Drilling procedures were performed on VII bovine ribs using a computer-aided surgical system that ensured automated intermittent drilling cycles to simulate clinical conditions. A total of 320 drilling osteotomies were performed with twist (2 mm) and conical implant drills (3.5/4.3/5 mm) at various drilling depths (10/16 mm) and with different saline irrigation (50 ml/min) methods (without/external/internal/combined). Temperature changes were recorded in real time by two custom-built thermoprobes with 14 temperature sensors (7 sensors/thermoprobe) at defined measuring depths. Results The highest temperature increase during osteotomies was observed without any coolant irrigation (median, 8.01°C), followed by commonly used external saline irrigation (median, 2.60°C), combined irrigation (median, 1.51°C) and ultimately with internal saline irrigation (median, 1.48°C). Temperature increase with different drill diameters showed significant differences ( P < 0.05) regarding drill depth, confirming drill depth and time of drilling as influencing factors of heat generation. Internal saline irrigation showed a significantly smaller temperature increase ( P < 0.05) compared with combined and external irrigation. A combined irrigation procedure appears to be preferable ( P < 0.05) to an external irrigation method primarily with higher osteotomy depths. Conclusions Combined irrigation provides sufficient reduction in temperature changes during drilling, and it may be more beneficial in deeper site osteotomies. Further studies to optimize the effects of a combined irrigation are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new laser enhanced ablation procedure (LEAP) has been recently proposed in order to maximize the efficiency of intracanal disinfection and minimize the risk related to the extrusion of the irrigating solutions during endodontic therapy. The LEAP technique is based on the use of a diode laser which activates a laser absorption solution containing indocyanine green (ICG). In the present study, the use of LEAP was suggested as a final irrigation procedure which utilizes a safer and more biocompatible approach, avoiding the use of sodium hypochlorite and the risk related to its use in teeth with resorption. A 13-year-old boy was referred for endodontic treatment of a symptomatic lower left incisor. Dental history revealed a previous trauma. At the radiological examination, internal external resorption and large apical lesion were observed. Following the traditional chemomechanical approach, the LEAP protocol was used as an adjunct to improve disinfection before a regenerative procedure. After one-year radiographic healing had occurred and revealed normal periapical structures. The resorption process was stopped, and the patient reported being free of pain and able to use the tooth normally.

Debridement and irrigation has been proposed as a salvage procedure for early post-operative and late acute haematogenous periprosthetic hip and knee infections, however the effective ability of this procedure to avoid recurrent infection is still debated. In this systematic review of the literature we reviewed full-text papers published from 1970 through 2011, that reported the success rate of infection eradication after debridement and irrigation with prosthesis retention for the treatment of early septic complications (within six weeks from surgery) or late acute haematogenous infections after hip or knee prosthesis. In all, 14 original articles, reporting the results of 710 patients were retrieved. The average success rate has been, respectively, 45.9% and 52% after a single or repeated debridement and irrigation procedures, at a mean follow-up of 53.3 months. The methodological limitations of this study and the heterogeneous material in the reviewed papers notwithstanding, this systematic review shows that debridement and irrigation procedure is associated with a rather poor outcome, even in a population of patients selected on the basis of symptoms' duration and patients should be adequately informed prior to undergo this salvage procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To determine whether there are common factors that may help predict if a child is at a higher risk for surgical failure for nasolacrimal duct obstruction. Methods: This retrospective, observational case-control clinical study reviewed patient factors present prior to surgical intervention and their correlation with the necessity of multiple surgeries. A pediatric ophthalmologist identified patients who required surgical correction based on symptom history refractory to conservative management. Patients were grouped by the need for multiple surgical interventions versus single surgery. Patient factors hypothesized to predispose patients to an unsuccessful initial procedure were compared via odds ratio analysis. Patient success was based on symptom resolution 6 months postoperatively. Results: Patient factors with statistically significant increased odds ratios were trisomy 21, allergic rhinitis/seasonal allergies, history of an upper respiratory tract infection within 1 month, and obstructive sleep apnea. Conclusions: This study suggests that patients with trisomy 21 or a history of recent upper respiratory tract infection may be correlated with a higher risk of failure with a probing and irrigation surgery only. Patients with trisomy 21 may benefit from an initial balloon dilation procedure rather than probing and irrigation, due to an increased risk profile. Patients with a recent upper respiratory tract infection may benefit from postponing surgery until symptom treatment or resolution. [[J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2019;56(4):261–264.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rödig T, Sedghi M, Konietschke F, Lange K, Ziebolz D, Hülsmann M. Efficacy of syringe irrigation, RinsEndo® and passive ultrasonic irrigation in removing debris from irregularities in root canals with different apical sizes. International Endodontic Journal, 43, 581–589, 2010. Aim To compare of the efficacy of syringe irrigation, RinsEndo® (Dürr Dental, Bietigheim, Germany) and passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI) in the removal of dentinal debris from simulated irregularities in root canals with different apical sizes. Methodology Thirty extracted human pre-molars were randomly divided into three groups ( n = 10) followed by root canal preparation with rotary FlexMaster® NiTi instruments (VDW, Munich, Germany) to size 30, 0.02 taper (group 1), size 40, 0.02 taper (group 2) or size 50, 0.02 taper (group 3). The teeth were split longitudinally, and a standard groove and three hemispherical-shaped cavities were cut into the root canal halves. Grooves and cavities were filled with dentinal debris before each irrigation procedure and the root halves were reassembled. In all groups three different irrigation procedures were performed with 30 mL NaOCl (1%) and (i) syringe, (ii) RinsEndo® and (iii) PUI. The amount of remaining debris was evaluated under a microscope with 30× magnification and a four score system. The data were analysed with a non-parametric analysis of covariance and multiple comparisons using the Tukey adjustment ( P = 0.05). Results Passive ultrasonic irrigation removed debris significantly better from the artificial canal irregularities than RinsEndo® and syringe irrigation irrespective of the root canal diameter. Only in group 1 (30, 0.02 taper) the difference between PUI and RinsEndo® was not statistically significant ( P = 0.99). RinsEndo® demonstrated significantly better results than syringe irrigation in all groups ( P < 0.001). Conclusions Ultrasonic irrigation is more effective than syringe irrigation or RinsEndo® in removing debris from artificial extensions in straight root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical eye injury is considered an emergency that needs immediate nursing intervention because prognoses depend, not only on severity of injury, but also on the promptness and effectiveness of eye irrigation. Many nurse practitioners working in emergency care settings have limited knowledge of chemical eye injuries and may understand only partially what course of action to take. This article explains briefly the effects of chemicals on ocular tissues and how to carry out an irrigation procedure before referring patients to ophthalmologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To monitor ex vivo intra-canal irrigation with three endodontic needles (25, 27 and 30 gauge) and compare them in terms of irrigant flow rate, intra-barrel pressure, duration of irrigation and volume of irrigant delivered. Methodology A testing system was constructed to allow measurement of selected variables with pressure and displacement transducers during ex vivo intra-canal irrigation with a syringe and three different needles (groups A, B, C) into a prepared root canal. Ten specialist endodontists performed the irrigation procedure. Each operator performed ten procedures with each needle. Data recorded by the transducers were analysed using Friedman's test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank test, Mann–Whitney U-test and Kendall's Tb test. The level of significance was set to 95%. Results Significant differences were detected among the three needles for most variables. Duration of delivery and flow rates significantly decreased as the needle diameter increased, whilst pressure increased up to 400–550 kPa. Gender of the operator had a significant impact on the results. Experience of the operators (years) were negatively correlated to volume of irrigant (all groups), to the duration of delivery (groups A, B) and to the average flow rate (group A). Conclusions Finer diameter needles require increased effort to deliver the irrigant and result in higher intra-barrel pressure. The syringe and needles used tolerated the pressure developed. Irrigant flow rate should be considered as a factor directly influencing flow beyond the needle. Wide variations of flow rate were observed among operators. Syringe irrigation appears difficult to standardize and control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To compare the efficacy of a standard NaOCl irrigation procedure with that of Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation in contaminated root canals having small and large apical foramina. Methodology Forty root canals of extracted central incisor teeth with straight roots were chosen so that their apical foramina just permitted the tip of a size 20-K file to pass through. The canals were then enlarged with files to size 60 and randomly divided into four groups of 10 teeth each. The apical foramina of one group were widened further so that the tip of a size 45-K file could just pass through. After sterilization, all roots were inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis for 48 h at 37 °C. The first group was used as a control, the second group was irrigated with 3% NaOCl solution for 15 min, and the last two groups having different sizes of apical foramina were irradiated with the Er,Cr:YSGG laser at output power from 0.5 W, with 20% air and water levels. The disinfecting efficacy of the groups was tested by collecting dentine chips from the inner canal walls of the specimens and counting viable E. faecalis on Mueller–Hinton agar plates. Results The differences in the mean number of viable colonies between the control and laser groups were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). The control specimens had the highest number of microorganisms (153 × 103 ± 39 × 103). Complete sterilization was achieved in the 3% NaOCl group. The mean colony forming units (CFU) values obtained after Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation were 6.6 × 103 CFU and 6.5 × 103 CFU in root canals having large and small apical foramina respectively. Conclusion In teeth with straight roots the Er,Cr:YSGG laser reduced the viable microbial population in root canals with small and large apical foramina but did not eradicate all bacteria. Three percent NaOCl inhibited the growth of E. faecalis and effectively sterilized all root canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irrigation is necessary to achieve distension and visualization of the joint during arthroscopy. Clinical improvement observed after diagnostic arthroscopy has been attributed to irrigation, and this is supported by sound pathophysiologic rationales. Studies have been performed using various irrigation techniques with and without concomitant arthroscopy. Unblinded studies have generally yielded favorable results, although recent blinded studies have demonstrated a substantial and durable placebo effect, but little support for the benefit of the irrigation procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate large bowel transport following antegrade colonic irrigation with a new scintigraphic technique. Methods: Ten patients (eight with severe constipation, two with faecal incontinence; median age 47 (range 41–66) years) treated with antegrade colonic irrigation took 111 In-labelled polystyrene pellets to label the bowel contents. 99m Tc-labelled diethylenetriamine penta-acetate was mixed with the irrigation fluid to map its distribution within the large bowel. Scintigraphy was performed before and after a standardized irrigation procedure. The large bowel was divided into four segments. Assuming ordered evacuation of the large bowel, the contribution of each colonic segment to total evacuation was expressed as a percentage of original segmental count. The segmental contributions were added to reach a total defaecation score (range 0–400). Results: The median defaecation score was 350, corresponding to complete emptying of the rectosigmoid, descending colon, transverse colon, and half of the caecum and ascending colon. The retained irrigation fluid was located throughout the large bowel. Back-flow to the ileum was observed in four patients. Conclusion: This study used a new scintigraphic technique to assess large bowel transport following antegrade colonic irrigation. Antegrade colonic irrigation induces highly effective emptying even in patients with severe constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multispecies biofilms located in the anatomical intricacies of the root canal system remain the greatest challenge in root canal disinfection. The efficacy of Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation techniques for treating multispecies biofilms in these hard-to-reach areas has not been proved. The objective of this laboratory study was to evaluate the effectiveness of two Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation techniques, namely, photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (PIPS) and shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (SWEEPS), in treating multispecies biofilms within apical artificial grooves and dentinal tubules, in comparison with conventional needle irrigation (CNI), passive ultrasonic irrigation (PUI), and sonic-powered irrigation (EDDY). Two types of multispecies root canal biofilm models were established in combination with two assessment methods using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with the aim to obtain more meaningful results. Methods: Ninety extracted human single-rooted premolars were chosen for two multispecies biofilm models. Each tooth was longitudinally split into two halves. In the first model, a deep narrow groove was created in the apical segment of the canal wall. After cultivating a mixed bacterial biofilm for 4 weeks, the split halves were reassembled and subjected to five irrigation techniques: CNI, PUI, EDD, PIPS, and SWEEPS. The residual biofilms inside and outside the groove in Model 1 were analyzed using SEM. For Model 2, the specimens were split longitudinally once more to evaluate the percentage of killed bacteria in the dentinal tubules across different canal sections (apical, middle, and coronal thirds) using CLSM. One-way analysis of variance and post hoc multiple comparisons were used to assess the antibiofilm efficacy of the 5 irrigation techniques. Results: Robust biofilm growth was observed in all negative controls after 4 weeks. In Model 1, within each group, significantly fewer bacteria remained outside the groove than inside the groove (P < 0.05). SWEEPS, PIPS and EDDY had significantly greater biofilm removal efficacy than CNI and PUI, both from the outside and inside the groove (P < 0.05). Although SWEEPS was more effective than both PIPS and EDDY at removing biofilms inside the groove (P < 0.05), there were no significant differences among these methods outside the groove (P > 0.05). In Model 2, SWEEPS and EDDY exhibited superior bacterial killing efficacy within the dentinal tubules, followed by PIPS, PUI, and CNI (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Er:YAG laser-activated irrigation techniques, along with EDDY, demonstrated significant antibiofilm efficacy in apical artificial grooves and dentinal tubules, areas that are typically challenging to access. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assessing the efficacy and safety of Vacuum Sealing Drainage (VSD) in treating deep incision infections (DII) following posterior cervical internal fixation. Methods: We retrospectively studied the clinical effects of VSD and Traditional Negative Pressure Drainage (TND) on 12 patients with deep incision infection after posterior cervical fixation surgery who were treated in our department from 2012 to 2020. A comparison of patient-related factors (age, gender, BMI, comorbidities, initial internal fixation surgery segment, preoperative laboratory inflammation indicators) and surgical-related factors (postoperative duration of fever, positive rate of drainage fluid bacterial culture, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score at 3 days after surgery, laboratory indicators at 3 days after surgery, debridement frequency and drainage time, hospital stay, internal fixation retention rate, and infection recurrence rate) between the VSD group and the TND group was conducted using independent sample t tests to draw experimental conclusions. Results: This study included 12 patients, with six cases of VSD (5 males and 1 female) and six cases of TND (4 males and 2 females). The VSD group had significantly lower postoperative fever time (1.50 ± 0.46 days vs. 4.28 ± 0.97 days, P < 0.05), a higher positive rate of bacterial cultures in drainage fluid (5/6 vs. 2/6, P < 0.05), lower 3 day VAS scores (3.13 ± 0.83 vs. 3.44 ± 0.88, P < 0.05), lower 3 day CRP levels (66.89 ± 23.65 mg/L vs. 57.11 ± 18.18 mg/L, P < 0.05), a shorter total drainage time (14.50 ± 2.98 days vs. 22.56 ± 3.01 days, P < 0.05), and a higher total drainage flow rate (395.63 ± 60.97 ml vs. 155.56 ± 32.54 ml, P < 0.05) than the TND group (the total drainage volume throughout the entire treatment process). In addition, the frequency of debridement (2.67 ± 0.52 times vs. 3.17 ± 0.41 times, P < 0.05) and average hospital stay (23.13 ± 3.27 days vs. 34.33 ± 6.86 days, P < 0.05) were significantly lower in the VSD group, although both groups retained internal fixation. Conclusions: VSD is a secure and effective treatment for deep incision infections that results from cervical posterior internal fixation surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the pH values and optical characteristics of Dual Rinse HEDP, either independently or combined with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), and compares them to other irrigants used in endodontics. The solutions used in this study were commercially acquired and prepared, followed by pH measurements using a pH meter and spectral analysis using UV/Vis spectrophotometry in specified wavelengths of the ultraviolet (UV) C (190–280 nm), UVB (281–315 nm), UVA (316–400 nm), visible light (VL) (401–780 nm), and near-infrared (NIR) spectra (781–1100 nm). The pH analysis revealed alkaline values for NaOCl, EDTA, Dual Rinse HEDP, and the HEDP + NaOCl combination, an acidic value for citric acid, and nearly neutral values for chlorhexidine and distilled water. Spectral analysis revealed the notable absorption characteristics of endodontic irrigants. In the UV range, all solutions exhibited higher absorption values to water (p < 0.05), with Dual Rinse HEDP resembling EDTA and citric acid, and HEDP + NaOCl resembling NaOCl. The NIR region highlights absorption peaks around 975 nm for all solutions, including NaOCl and Dual Rinse HEDP + NaOCl, suggesting potential applications in laser-activated irrigation. This study provides comprehensive insights into the pH and optical features of endodontic irrigants, emphasizing their potential roles in enhancing disinfection strategies and optimizing laser-activated irrigation protocols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases gastrointestinal morbidity and associated mortality. Clinical and preclinical studies implicate gut dysbiosis as a consequence of TBI and an amplifier of brain damage. However, little is known about the association of gut dysbiosis with structural and functional changes of the gastrointestinal tract after an isolated TBI. To assess gastrointestinal dysfunction, mice received a controlled cortical impact or sham brain injury and intestinal permeability was assessed at 4 h, 8 h, 1 d, and 3 d after injury by oral administration of 4 kDa FITC Dextran prior to euthanasia. Quantification of serum fluorescence revealed an acute, short-lived increase in permeability 4 h after TBI. Despite transient intestinal dysfunction, no overt morphological changes were evident in the ileum or colon across timepoints from 4 h to 4 wks post-injury. To elucidate the timeline of microbiome changes after TBI, 16 s gene sequencing was performed on DNA extracted from fecal samples collected prior to and over the first month after TBI. Differential abundance analysis revealed that the phylum Verrucomicrobiota was increased at 1, 2, and 3 d after TBI. The Verrucomicrobiota species was identified by qPCR as Akkermansia muciniphila, an obligate anaerobe that resides in the intestinal mucus bilayer and produces short chain fatty acids (e.g. butyrate) utilized by intestinal epithelial cells. We postulated that TBI promotes intestinal changes favorable for the bloom of A. muciniphila. Consistent with this premise, the relative area of mucus-producing goblet cells in the medial colon was significantly increased at 1 d after injury, while colon hypoxia was significantly increased at 3 d. Our findings reveal acute gastrointestinal functional changes coupled with an increase of beneficial bacteria suggesting a potential compensatory response to systemic stress after TBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]