Postoperative pain following endodontic irrigation using 1.3% versus 5.25% sodium hypochlorite in mandibular molars with necrotic pulps: a randomized double-blind clinical trial.

AIM: This randomized, prospective, double-blind, clinical trial assessed the effect of 1.3% and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as irrigants on post-endodontic pain and medication intake following root canal treatment of mandibular molars with nonvital pulps. METHODOLOGY: Three hundred and eight patients, each with one symptomatic or asymptomatic molar, were randomly assigned, using the permuted-block method, into two equal groups according to NaOCl concentration: 1.3% or 5.25% (n = 154). For both groups, syringe irrigation was performed using a 27-gauge needle advanced into the canal to a depth of 3 mm from the working length; 3 mL were used between every two consecutive instruments. All root canal treatments were carried out in two visits, with no intracanal medication, by trained postgraduate students. The canals were prepared using the ProTaper Universal rotary system during the first visit. In the second visit 7 days later, the same irrigant per group was used and the canal walls were reprepared with the final instrument before filling the canal using the modified single-cone technique with an epoxy resin-based sealer. Patients assessed their postoperative pain using a 0-10 numerical rating scale immediately after instrumentation, 3, 24, 48 h and 7 days after the first visit and immediately following root canal filling. The incidence of rescue medication intake (Sham or analgesic) was also recorded; patients received a sham capsule to be used first, but, if pain persisted, an analgesic was prescribed. Outcome data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U-test, Friedman's test, Wilcoxon's rank test and chi-square (χ2 ) test. Relative risk reduction (RRR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated for binary data. RESULTS: The incidence and intensity of postoperative pain were significantly lower with 1.3% NaOCl than 5.25% NaOCl at all time-points (P < 0.05). Postoperative pain intensity exceeded preoperative pain at 3 and 24 h with 5.25% NaOCl only (P < 0.05). The RRR in pain incidence was 38% (95% CI: 17%, 54%) immediately after instrumentation, 41% (95% CI: 31%, 49%) at 3 h, 42% (95% CI: 32%, 51%) at 24 h, 59% (95% CI: 45%, 69%) at 48 h, 62% (95% CI: 27%, 80%) at 7 days and 81% (95% CI: 68%, 89%) after root filling. RRR was 38% (95% CI: 1%, 61%) for sham intake and 69% (95% CI: 37%, 85%) for analgesic intake. CONCLUSIONS: Using 1.3% NaOCl was associated with less intense and less frequent post-endodontic pain than 5.25% NaOCl in mandibular molars with nonvital pulps treated in two visits. The incidence of pain was reduced by up to 60% within the week post-instrumentation and 80% after root canal filling and the rescue analgesic intake by about 70% on using 1.3% NaOCl compared to 5.25% NaOCl.

Prevalence of erectile dysfunction and its correlates in Egypt: a community-based study.

We evaluated the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in a cross-sectional community-based random sample of Egyptian men. ED was correlated with the socioeconomic status, risk factors and quality of life. Married men in Ismailia province were interviewed at home. Data were processed for 805 men with mean age of 43.58 y (s.d. 11.03). There is a fair correlation between ED and increasing age (< or = 0.001). Males with complete ED comprised 13.2% of the sample, 26% of men in their 50s, 49% of men in their 60s and 52% of those 70 y or older. The state of better erection correlated fairly with sexual desire and sexual satisfaction (< or = 0.01). ED was associated with living in rural areas and lower socioeconomic level (< or = 0.01), with smoking, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, liver disease, arthritis, peptic ulcer and renal disease (< or = 0.05). ED was negatively associated with good quality of life (< or = 0.001). These results indicate that ED is a common problem among married Egyptian men.

New insights into the role of endothelin-1 in radiation-associated impotence.

The objectives of this work were to: (1) Determine if prostate and penile tissue levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are increased in a rat following pelvic irradiation. (2) Determine if an ETa receptor antagonist (BQ-123) potentiates erectile function in these irradiated animals. Rats were divided into three study groups: control, 1000 cGy and 2000 cGy. The experimental groups received a single dose of radiation to the pelvic region. A time course was established to measure the effects of irradiation on prostate and penile tissue levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1)-like immunoreactivity. The effect of intracavernous injection of BQ-123 (25 microg/30 microl) was evaluated by measuring intracavernous pressure (ICP) following cavernous nerve electrical field stimulation. In the 2000 cGy group, a significant rise in ET-1-like immunoreactivity tissue levels was observed at 20 days. A significant decrease in ICP was recorded in the 1000 and 2000 cGy irradiated rats compared to the control group. Only the 2000 cGy group had a significant improvement in erectile function following BQ-123 administration. A significant improvement was observed 20 min post-administration, lasted 90 min, and was back to pre-administered levels at 120 min. The conclusion made was that radiation-induced impotence in irradiated rats is associated with an increased production of ET-1. Preliminary results are suggestive that ETa receptor antagonist may be of use to reverse such radiation-induced impotence in these irradiated animals.

Neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase isoforms: quantification of protein and mRNA in the normal rat penis.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is an important enzyme for erection. We evaluated the content of neuronal (nNOS) and endothelial (eNOS) isoforms and their mRNA in the penis and major pelvic ganglion (MPG) of adult male rats by Western and Northern blot analysis. The cerebellum was evaluated as a control. nNOS protein and its mRNA were detected in abundance in the MPG, cerebellum, pelvic urethra and within the crura of the penis. In contrast, the penile urethra, neurovascular bundle and the shaft of penis contained smaller amounts of this protein. eNOS protein was most abundant in the penile and pelvic parts of the urethra, whereas a moderate level was found in the penile shaft, crura, neurovascular bundle, MPG and cerebellum. Similarly eNOS mRNA was abundant in the penile and pelvic parts of the urethra, MPG and cerebellum. Penile shaft, crura and neurovascular bundle showed moderate amounts of eNOS mRNA. In conclusion, nNOS and its mRNA are most abundant in the MPG and crura of penis whereas eNOS is most abundant in the urethra and to a lesser extent present in the penis. Importantly eNOS protein and mRNA were demonstrated in the MPG, where eNOS function has to be studied.

Reduction of ventral prostate weight by finasteride is associated with suppression of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF-I receptor genes and with an increase in IGF binding protein 3.

Finasteride, a competitive and specific inhibitor of 5alpha-reductase, is widely used in the treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. We demonstrate here that finasteride, when administered in an in vivo experimental system, caused ventral prostate regression. Intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone levels decreased, whereas testosterone levels increased in a dose-dependent manner following finasteride treatment. Finasteride also inhibited the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-I receptor genes in the ventral prostate. Finasteride significantly increased IGF binding protein-3 and slightly decreased IGF binding protein-2, -4, and -5 gene expression. Because IGFs are potent mitogens for prostate epithelial cells, this newly described activity of finasteride may contribute to its antiproliferative properties, particularly with regard to the inhibition of prostate growth seen clinically and in animal models.

Evaluation of a no-needle penile injector: a preliminary study evaluating tissue penetration and its hemodynamic consequences in the rat.

OBJECTIVES: Intracavernous needle injection is an effective delivery method for pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction. Needle phobia, pain, and concern about local tissue injury have stimulated the search for new, less invasive means of inducing penile erection. In this preliminary communication, we evaluate a jet injector as an alternative to needle injection for intracavernous delivery of vasoactive drugs. METHODS: Jet injection was evaluated in three groups of rats receiving either India ink, saline, or papaverine into the penis. The ability of the jet injection to penetrate through the tunica albuginea and deliver liquid to the corpora cavernosa smooth muscle was assessed by the degree of staining within the corpus cavernosum (ink group), histologic change (saline group), and rise in intracavernous pressure (papaverine group). Erectile capacity following cavernous nerve electric stimulation was compared before and 1 hour after injection of saline or papaverine. RESULTS: Ink traversed the skin and tunica albuginea with extensive deposition noted within the cavernous spaces. Varying degree of subcutaneous hemorrhage were seen with saline jet injection; however, the corpus cavernous smooth muscles showed no evidence of injury. Jet injection of papaverine 3250 micrograms significantly increased cavernous pressure (39.4 +/- 4.6 cm H2O) compared with saline injection (2.8 +/- 1.3 cm H2O). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that acute jet injection is an effective method for intracavernous delivery of drugs. Long-term effects should be evaluated prior to clinical use.