The influence of MTAD and QMix on the accuracy of electronic apex locator in locating simulated perforations

Aims and Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the electronic actual length in detecting artificial perforations of the root canal in the presence of saline solution (NaCl, (Eczacibasi, Istanbul, Turkey), chlorhexidine [CHX (Werax, Tunadent, Izmir, Turkey)], QMix (Dentsply Tulsa, Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland), and MTAD (Dentsply, Tulsa Dental, Tulsa, OK, USA).

Materials and Methods

The root canals of 25 single-rooted extracted human teeth were perforated artificially in the middle section of the root. The actual lengths up to the perforation site were measured and then, the teeth were embedded in an alginate mold. Electronic measurements of the perforations were obtained by an electronic apex locator according to the manufacturers' recommendations under dry conditions and in the presence of NaCl, CHX, MTAD, and QMix using a #20 K-file. Each canal was irrigated with distilled water and then dried with paper points between the measurements. Statistical analyses were performed using the Friedman test and Spearman Rank correlation coefficient to assess the correlations between the measurement methods.

Results

Highest correlation between the actual length and the electronic measurement was observed under dry conditions and NaCl solution (r: 0.932, r: 0.940 respectively), and the least correlation was observed with MTAD solution (r: 0.697) using statistical analysis. Moreover, the accuracy of the electronic apex locator with different irrigation solutions was statistically different from each other (P = 0.001).

Conclusion

The most accurate electronic measurements of artificial perforation were obtained under dry conditions or with NaCl.

Evaluation of various filling techniques in distal canals of mandibular molars instrumented with different single-file nickel-titanium systems

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of various filling techniques in distal canals of mandibular molars instrumented with different single-file nickel-titanium (NiTi) systems.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 150 distal roots of mandibular molar teeth were randomly assigned into three main groups and instrumented by using Reciproc (VDW, Munich, Germany), WaveOne (Dentsply Tulsa, Tulsa, OK, USA), or One Shape (MicroMega, Besancon, France) NiTi file systems. The roots were then treated using one of five filling techniques: (1) Matched-single-cone, (2) cold lateral compaction with matched gutta-percha (GP) cone, (3) Thermafil filling, (4) System B/Obtura II, and (5) lateral compaction with standardized GP cones. The roots were then sectioned at three levels (coronal, middle, and apical). Photographs were acquired under a stereomicroscope, and the percentage of GP-filled areas (PGFAs), percentage of sealer-filled areas (PSFAs), and voids were measured using the ImageJ software. Comparisons between groups were applied using Student's t-test or one-way ANOVA for normally distributed data. The Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis test was used when variables were not normally distributed.

RESULTS

Canals filled with the System B/Obtura showed the highest PGFA and lowest PSFA, whereas those filled with matched-single-cone showed the highest PSFA and lowest PGFA (P < 0.05). The cold lateral compaction with matched GP cone group, lateral compaction group, and Thermafil filling group showed no statistically significant differences in PSFA and PGFA (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

System B/Obtura technique appears to be the best technique to properly fill root canals, whereas the matched-single-cone technique in oval-shaped distal canals of mandibular molars was inadequate.

Retracted: Postoperative pain after irrigation with Vibringe versus a conventional needle: a randomized controlled trial

The following article from International Endodontic Journal, 'Postoperative pain after irrigation with Vibringe versus a conventional needle: a randomized controlled trial' by D. Bilgili, S. Yilmaz, A. Dumani & O. Yoldas, published online on 29 February 2016 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Journal Editor in Chief, Prof. Paul Dummer, and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed because the corresponding author did not contact the first author who carried out the work before alterations to the article were made prior to submission. This damages the integrity of the work and there are additional concerns over the number of patients and the accuracy of the results and conclusions.

Does tamoxifen citrate prevent pulmonary fibrosis due to silica inhalation?

BACKGROUND

As shown in several studies, besides being used in breast cancer, tamoxifen is also known for its antifibrotic effects via reducing the serum TGF-beta levels. We investigated the possible preventive effect of tamoxifen in rats exposed to silica particles depending on the antifibrotic effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 102 adult female Wistar Albino rats were divided into five groups. First two groups (control and tmx) were free of silica and the last three groups (slc, tmx1 and tmx 10) were exposed to crystalline silica. The rats in tmx, tmx1 and tmx10 groups received 10 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg of body weight tamoxifen, respectively. On day 84, all rats were sacrified and tissue samples were obtained together with blood samples. The differences in serum TGF-β levels, histological grades of fibrosis and inflammation in the lung and liver tissues together with addional biochemical markers were calculated between the groups.

RESULTS

Silicosis occurred in slc, tmx1 and tmx10 groups in 100%, 91.7% and 52.1%, respectively. Liver fibrosis did not occur. The highest mean lung fibrosis scores were obtained in slc group while the scores were lower in tmx1 group and the lowest in tmx10 within silica-exposed rats. Nevertheless, the inflammation scores were higher in tamoxifen-administered rats in a dose-dependent pattern.

CONCLUSION

Silica inhalation did not result in liver fibrosis. Tamoxifen is found to prevent lung fibrosis and reduce serum TGFβ-1 levels while increasing lung inflammation (Tab. 3, Fig. 3, Ref. 27).

Coexistence of gallbladder agenesis and cholangiocarcinoma: report of a case

Gallbladder agenesis (GA) is a rare condition and was first described by Lemary in 1701. Nearly 400 cases of GA is described in the literature and it is associated with various congenital abnormalities and malformations in some cases. Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the malignant tumor arising from bile ducts. A wide range of risk factors have been identified for cholangiocarcinoma. A case of cholangiocarcinoma in which gallbladder agenesis was found incidentally was described in this study.

Diagnostic laparoscopy for pneumatosis intestinalis: to do or not to do?

Pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) is a rare clinical condition, which is commonly associated with mesenteric vascular ischemia, bowel obstruction, and chemotherapy. Although the pathophysiology of PI remains unclear, 2 theories, one mechanical and the other bacterial, have been proposed. Nonoperative medical treatment and observation should be considered in mild cases, but occasionally, the situation requires emergency surgical intervention. In cases of suspectful complicated PI, the clinician should not avoid performing diagnostic laparoscopy to rule out bowel ischemia and perforation.

Prognostic value of plasma D-dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer

OBJECTIVE

Plasma D-dimer levels have been shown to be increased in patients with various solid tumours including lung, prostate, cervical, ovarian, breast and colon cancer. The purpose of this prospective study was to estimate the plasma D-dimer level of patients with colorectal cancer before surgery and to assess whether it has a prognostic value.

METHOD

The study comprised 51 patients with colorectal cancer. Variables including demographic, clinical, operative and pathological findings and routine laboratory tests were recorded. In addition, tumour markers, coagulation tests and plasma D-dimer levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

Histological types other than well-differentiated adenocarcinoma, relatively advanced tumour stage and a high preoperative plasma D-dimer level were the prognostic factors that were associated with shorter postoperative survival according to univariate analyses. The presence of vascular invasion was associated with higher preoperative D-dimer levels. However, there was no statistically significant relationship between postoperative survival and the presence of vascular invasion.

CONCLUSION

Postoperative survival was significantly shorter in colorectal cancer patients with elevated preoperative D-dimer levels. Evaluation of preoperative D-dimer level can be used to predict postoperative survival.

An experimental analysis of stresses in simulated flared root canals subjected to various post-core applications

Cervical root fracture is a major clinical problem in flared root canals treated with different post and core applications. This in vitro study evaluated the stress transfer of different post and core systems to the cervical part of the artificially created flared root canals, by using strain gauges. The post-core systems investigated were: (a) cast post-core system without resin reinforcement, (b) cast post-core system with resin reinforcement, (c) pre-fabricated post and resin core with resin reinforcement. The post-core systems which were cemented on simulated roots were subjected to a load applied at an angle of 45 degrees to the long axis of the simulated roots. The strain gauges which were cemented to the cervical part of simulated roots were connected to the data acquisition module to measure and record the changes in strain data. Specimens restored with resin reinforcement either with cast post-core or pre-fabricated post and resin core transferred the stress to the cervical part of the artificial roots at a rate lower than conventional cast post-core system (P = 0.001; anova and Tukey's post hoc test). It was concluded that the resin reinforcement of root canals before post-core applications reduces the stresses at the cervical part of the root surfaces.

Comparison of quality-of-life outcomes of Stoppa vs bilateral Lichtenstein procedure

Hernia repair is one of the most frequent procedures in surgery. The aim of this study is to compare the early and long-term health status and clinical outcomes of patients in the postoperative period of Stoppa and bilateral Lichtenstein hernia repair in bilateral groin hernias. The Stoppa group consisted of 22 patients, and the bilateral Lichtenstein group had 23 patients. Both groups were similar with respect to age, gender, ASA score, and postoperative follow-up periods. A multidimensional measure of health status, the Short Form-36 (SF-36), was administered at 15 days and 6 months postoperatively. Although there is no difference between the two groups in the early postoperative period, three of eight health concepts measured with SF-36 (physical functioning, role limitation-physical, general health perception) showed a significant difference in long-term health status. We conclude that long-term quality of life following Stoppa operations is superior to bilateral Lichtenstein hernia repair in bilateral groin hernias.