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Contrary to the common assumption that food has a negative impact on oral health, research has shown that several foods contain a number of components with antibacterial and antiplaque activity. These natural compounds may be useful for improving daily oral hygiene. In this study we evaluate the mode of antimicrobial action of fractions of mushroom and red chicory extracts on Prevotella intermedia, a periodontopathogenic bacterium. The minimal inhibitory concentration corresponded to 0.5x compared to the natural food concentration for both extracts. This concentration resulted in a bacteriostatic effect in mushroom extract and in a slightly bactericidal effect in chicory extract. Cell mass continued to increase even after division stopped. As regards macromolecular synthesis, DNA was almost totally inhibited upon addition of either mushroom or chicory extract, and RNA to a lesser extent, while protein synthesis continued. Cell elongation occurred after septum inhibition as documented by scanning electron microscopy and cell measurement. The morphogenetic effects are reminiscent of the mode of action of antibiotics such as quinolones or β-lactams. The discovery of an antibiotic-like mode of action suggests that these extracts can be advantageously employed for daily oral hygiene in formulations of cosmetic products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contrary to the common assumption that food has a negative impact on oral health, research has shown that several foods contain a number of components with antibacterial and antiplaque activity. These natural compounds may be useful for improving daily oral hygiene. In this study we evaluate the mode of antimicrobial action of fractions of mushroom and red chicory extracts on Prevotella intermedia, a periodontopathogenic bacterium. The minimal inhibitory concentration corresponded to 0.5x compared to the natural food concentration for both extracts. This concentration resulted in a bacteriostatic effect in mushroom extract and in a slightly bactericidal effect in chicory extract. Cell mass continued to increase even after division stopped. As regards macromolecular synthesis, DNA was almost totally inhibited upon addition of either mushroom or chicory extract, and RNA to a lesser extent, while protein synthesis continued. Cell elongation occurred after septum inhibition as documented by scanning electron microscopy and cell measurement. The morphogenetic effects are reminiscent of the mode of action of antibiotics such as quinolones or [beta]-lactams. The discovery of an antibiotic-like mode of action suggests that these extracts can be advantageously employed for daily oral hygiene in formulations of cosmetic products such as mouthwashes and toothpastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment of collagen structure in cardiac pathology, such as atrial fibrillation (AF), is essential for a complete understanding of the disease. This paper introduces a novel methodology for the quantitative description of collagen network properties, based on the combination of nonlinear optical microscopy with a spectral approach of image processing and analysis. Second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy was applied to atrial tissue samples from cardiac surgery patients, providing label-free, selective visualization of the collagen structure. The spectral analysis framework, based on 2D-FFT, was applied to the SHG images, yielding a multiparametric description of collagen fiber orientation (angle and anisotropy indexes) and texture scale (dominant wavelength and peak dispersion indexes). The proof-of-concept application of the methodology showed the capability of our approach to detect and quantify differences in the structural properties of the collagen network in AF versus sinus rhythm patients. These results suggest the potential of our approach in the assessment of collagen properties in cardiac pathologies related to a fibrotic structural component.

Reprocessing and reuse of single-use electrosurgical pencils (EPs) is a diffused practice in countries with limited access to healthcare subvention system and in developing countries. However, safety and efficacy issues are associated to this practice, requiring specific methods for checking the reprocessed device before clinical re-use. This study aimed at defining a set of testing methods for assessing thermal and surface characteristics of reprocessed single-use EPs and evaluating the suitability of these techniques for revealing modifications between brand new and reprocessed single-use EPs. We reported a multi-technique approach based on optical and electron microscopy, X-rays spectroscopy and thermal analysis. The assessment of a total of 30 variables of interest on both brand new and reprocessed devices, allowed to identify the most informative ones. Seven of the evaluated variables were found to differentiate the reprocessed device from the new ones in a significant way. The presented methods deserve potential for tracking modifications during the device lifecycle.