Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157 and Striated, Smooth, and Heart Muscle.

First, we review the definitively severed myotendinous junction and recovery by the cytoprotective stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157 therapy, its healing that might combine both transected and detached tendon and transected muscle, ligament and bone injuries, applied alone, as native peptide therapy, effective in rat injury, given intraperitoneally or in drinking water or topically, at the site of injury. As a follow up, we reviewed that with the BPC 157 therapy, its cytoprotective ability to organize simultaneous healing of different tissues of and full recovery of the myotendinous junction might represent the particular muscle therapy against distinctive etiopathology muscle disabilities and weakness. In this, BPC 157 therapy might recover many of muscle disabilities (i.e., succinylcholine, vascular occlusion, spinal cord compression, stroke, traumatic brain injury, severe electrolyte disturbances, neurotoxins, neuroleptics, alcohol, serotonin syndrome and NO-system blockade and tumor-cachexia). These might provide practical realization of the multimodal muscle-axis impact able to react depending on the condition and the given agent(s) and the symptoms distinctively related to the prime injurious cause symptoms in the wide healing concept, the concept of cytoprotection, in particular. Further, the BPC 157 therapy might be the recovery for the disabled heart functioning, and disabled smooth muscle functioning (various sphincters function recovery). Finally, BPC 157, native and stable in human gastric juice, might be a prototype of anti-ulcer cytoprotective peptide for the muscle therapy with high curing potential (very safe profile (lethal dose not achieved), with suited wide effective range (µg-ng regimens) and ways of application).

Robert's Intragastric Alcohol-Induced Gastric Lesion Model as an Escalated General Peripheral and Central Syndrome, Counteracted by the Stable Gastric Pentadecapeptide BPC 157.

We redefined Robert's prototypical cytoprotection model, namely the intragastric administration of 96% alcohol in order to generate a general peripheral and central syndrome similar to that which occurs when major central or peripheral veins are occluded in animal models. With this redefinition, we used Robert's model to examine the cytoprotective effects of the stable gastric pentadecapeptide BPC 157. The intragastric administration of alcohol induced gastric lesions, intracranial (superior sagittal sinus) hypertension, severe brain swelling and lesions, portal and vena caval hypertension, aortal hypotension, severe thrombosis, inferior vena cava and superior mesenteric vein congestion, azygos vein failure (as a failed collateral pathway), electrocardiogram disturbances, and heart, lung, liver and kidney lesions. The use of BPC 157 therapy (10 µg/kg or 10 ng/kg given intraperitoneally 1 min after alcohol) counteracted these deficits rapidly. Specifically, BPC 157 reversed brain swelling and superior mesenteric vein and inferior vena caval congestion, and helped the azygos vein to recover, which improved the collateral blood flow pathway. Microscopically, BPC 157 counteracted brain (i.e., intracerebral hemorrhage with degenerative changes of cerebral and cerebellar neurons), heart (acute subendocardial infarct), lung (parenchymal hemorrhage), liver (congestion), kidney (congestion) and gastrointestinal (epithelium loss, hemorrhagic gastritis) lesions. In addition, this may have taken place along with the activation of specific molecular pathways. In conclusion, these findings clarify and extend the theory of cytoprotection, offer an approach to its practical application, and establish BPC 157 as a prospective cytoprotective treatment.

Antimicrobial effectiveness of polyhexamethylene biguanide on Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Candida albicans.

Aim To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of 0.2% polyhexamethilene biguanide (PHMB) in root canal models infected with Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus epidermidis. PHMB was compared in these tests with 2.5% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX. Methods Prepared models of 50 human root canals (n=50) were immerged in mixed, four- weeks old culture that consisted of E .faecalis, S. epidermidis and C. albicans. Roots were randomly divided into three groups: one with 30 (n=30) and two with 10 (n=10) samples. Samples were treated with polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) (0.2%), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) (2.5%) and chlorhexidine (CHX) (0.2%), respectively. Root dentin was sampled before and after the tretment with these solutions. Colony- forming units (CFU) were counted to asses the antimicrobial effects of three solutions on viability of selected microrganisms in specimens before and after the treatment.T-test was used for comparison of results between specimens before and after the treatment, while Newman-Keuls test was used for pairwise comparison at p=0.05. Results The PHMB was significantly more efficient in reducing the number of all three tested microorganisms. NaOCl and CHX made only statistically significant (p<0.05) difference in case of E. faecalis and S. epidermidis. In the case of C. albicans, this difference was not statistically significant due to the small number of positive samples and high initial dispersion of results. Conclusion Both solutions PHMB and NaOCl were successful in eliminating E. faecalis and S. epidermidis from the mature dentin biofilm, CHX was not successful enough.

The Pattern of Antibiotic Prescribing by Dental Practitioners in Zagreb, Croatia.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance is considered a consequence of misuse or overuse of antibiotics. Dentistry significantly contributes to this increasing public health problem. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the pattern of antibiotics prescribed by Croatian dentists in Zagreb area. METHODS: Out of 220 Doctors of Dental Medicine (DMDs) from Zagreb 110 responded to survey. Prior to the research an ethical approval was obtained. Participants were directly contacted. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: general data on DMDs and the part concerning indications, duration, type and dosage of antibiotic therapy. Data were processed using MS Excel and SPSS for Windows, Version 17.0. Statistical significance was tested by Fisher's exact test, chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation at the level of statistical significance p<0.05. RESULTS: During the period of two months, the doctors prescribed antibiotics to 1,500 patients, 690 (46%) were men and 810 (54%) women. The most often prescribed antibiotics were penicillin (72.5% of patients), represented mostly by amoxicillin in combination with clavulanic acid (57.6%). The most common indication for the prescribed antibiotics was periapical or periodontal abscess (44%). Definite clinical indication (71.2%) was stated as the most common reason for antibiotic prescription. Antibiotic therapy usually lasted 7 days (62.9%). The doctors prescribed daily doses of antibiotics according to the instructions for the use of specific drugs. CONCLUSION: The examined subjects prescribe antibiotics according to the curriculum taught at the School of Dental Medicine for majority of types, doses and duration of the treatments, although antibiotics over-prescription in cases without medical indication was observed. The national guidelines on antibiotic regimens are required in order to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.

Marginal leakage of class V cavities restored with silorane-based and methacrylate-based resin systems.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to compare the microleakage of class V cavities restored by silorane resin with those restored by the methacrylate resin system. Sixty standardized class V cavities were prepared on premolars. The teeth were restored with Filtek(TM) Silorane and Silorane(TM) System Adhesive, Filtek(TM) Silorane and Adper(TM) Easy One and Filtek(TM) Supreme XT and Adper(TM) Easy One. The area and the depth of dye leakage were measured. Considering dye leakage area, the best results were achieved in group I (mean-M=0.114±0.083 mm(2)), then in group III (M=0.384±0.480 mm(2)) and finally in group II (M=5.389±6.587 mm(2)). Considering the depth of dye leakage, there was a significant difference between group I (mean rank-m.r.=1.23±0.44 mm) and II (1.98±0.83 mm), group II and III (1.23±0.40 mm). In this study silorane composite and its adhesive showed less microleakage than the methacrylate composite, and it showed compatibility only with its assigned adhesive. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Less microleakage of silorane restorations could provide better and long lasting composite fillings.

The effects of bluephase LED light on fibroblasts.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Bluephase light emitting diode (LED) light on cell viability, colony-forming ability and proliferation in V79 cell culture and to determine how much the temperature of the nutrient medium rose. METHODS: The investigation included a low (L), soft start (S) and high (H) illumination mode for 20, 40 and 80 seconds. The viability was determined by the trypan blue exclusion test, colony-forming ability by counting colonies 7 days after exposure and cell proliferation by the cell counts on 5 post-exposure days. The temperature change during illumination was recorded (0.1°C sensitivity). RESULTS: In each experimental condition, 90-95% of the cells were viable, which was in the same range as the controls. Colony-forming ability was not found to be significantly lower (P<.05). A significant decrease in proliferation was recorded on the 4th post-exposure day with S and H irrespective of time, on the 3(rd) day with S for 80 s and H for 40 and 80 s, and with S and H for 80 s on the 2(nd) day (P<.05).The temperature rise was significant with S (P<.05) and H (P<.05), irrespective of exposure duration. CONCLUSION: Dependent on total energy density, LED blue light affects the mitotic activity of cells in its path to a certain extent. Altered mitotic activity was not noted with illumination at the low power mode (intensity of 421.7 ±1.1 mW/cm(2)). The greatest temperature rise was 8.3 °C and occurred at the highest intensity and exposure duration.

[Antibacterial effect of the materials for the root canal filling, bases and material for the cavity fillings]. / Antibakterijski ucinak materijala za punjenje korijenskih kanala, podloge i ispune kaviteta.

AIM: To assess antimicrobial effects of the materials used in the endodontic treatment of the teeth. METHODS: The following root-canal fillings were examined: Ketac Endo, AH Plus, Diaket, and gutta-percha, by means of the agar diffusion test. As for the base materials, Zink Oxide/Eugenol cement, glass-ionomere cements Fuji II LC Improved, Ketac Cem, and phosphate cement and Harvard cement were investigated. Finally, of the materials for final cavity filling, amalgam, Ketac Molar and Fuji II LC Improved were tested. In the present research, the following bacteria were applied: Streptococcus mutans, Streptotoccus mitis, Lactobacillus species, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcusfaecalis, and polymicrobial suspention. For each individual bacterium tested, material samples were placed on the inoculated plates of blood-agar. RESULTS: Antibacterial effects were confirmed in the following materials: root-canal fillings--Diaket, AH Plus, Ketac Endo; bases--Zink Oxide/Eugenol cement, phosphat cement and Harvard cement. No antibacterial effect was established in: amalgam, gutta-percha, Fuji II LC Improved, Ketac Cem and Ketac Molar. Diaket showed a statistically more significant antibacterial effect in comparison with AH Plus, Ketac Endo, and gutta-percha (P(s.mitis) < 0.05; P(s.mutans) < 0.05; p(lactobacillus) < 0.05; p(enterococcus) < 0.05; P(staphilococcus) < 0.05; p(polymicrobial) < 0.05); of the base materials, however, a somewhat stronger antimicrobial effect was found in phosphate cement, Harvard cement, and Zink Oxide/Eugenol (ZnOE) (p < 0.05) as compared with Fuji II LC Improved and Ketac Cem. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, and considering the fact that all cavity-filling materials failed to show any antimicrobial effect at all, when choosing the materials for root-canal fillings, and for bases, advantage should be given to those with the manifested strongest antibacterial effect, namely Diaket and phosphate cement.

A three-dimensional evaluation of microleakage of class V cavities prepared by the very short pulse mode of the erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet laser.

The aim of this study was to evaluate microleakage along resin restoration in cavities prepared with an erbium:yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Er:YAG) laser, with and without acid etching, and to compare it with that in diamond-drilled cavities. Thirty intact molars were divided into three equal groups. In the teeth in group I, class V cavities were prepared with a diamond drill. Cavities in groups II and III were prepared with an Er:YAG laser (400 mJ/15 Hz for enamel and 250 mJ/10 Hz for dentine). The cavities in groups I and II were acid-etched and adhesive and flowable composite were applied to all cavities. The specimens were first immersed in dye for 24 h and then in 5% nitric acid for 72 h for softening. The fillings were extracted and photographed through a dissecting microscope. The leakage area was measured with specially designed software. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the best ranking was group II [mean range (m.r.) = 27.46], followed by group I (m.r. = 33.48) and, lastly, group III (m.r. = 45.15). The differences between groups I and III (P = 0.023) and between groups II and III were statistically significant (P = 0.080). The least microleakage was found in those cavities prepared by Er:YAG laser and subsequently acid-etched, whereas the most leakage was in the lased cavities that had not been etched; the traditional diamond-drilled acid-etched cavities produced medium leakage.

The temperature changes in the pulp chamber during cavity preparation with the Er:YAG laser using a very short pulse.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the temperature changes in the pulp chamber during cavity preparation with the Er:YAG laser (2940 nm) with a very short pulse (VSP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine groups of 10 intact molars each were used. One root of each sample was amputated and a thermocouple was inserted into the chamber. Class V cavity preparation in enamel was performed, and then preparation was performed in dentine. The enamel was lased with 400, 360, and 320 mJ in contact mode using a VSP with a duration of 100 microsec. The diameter of the fiber tip was 950 microm. Frequencies of 10, 12, and 15 Hz were used, and the total time of irradiation was 10 sec. The dentine was irradiated with 340, 280, and 200 mJ at 10, 8, and 5 Hz for 7 sec. Cooling was done with a water spray (73 psi and 50 mL/min). The differences were tested by MANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc test. RESULTS: The highest rise in temperature in the pulp was achieved after enamel irradiation with 400 mJ and 15 Hz (1.99 +/- 0.28 degrees C), and the lowest was after irradiation with 320 mJ and 10 Hz (0.70 +/- 0.18 degrees C). In dentine the highest temperature increase was achieved with 340 mJ and 10 Hz (1.37 +/- 0.42 degrees C), and the lowest was with 200 mJ and 5 Hz (0.43 +/- 0.18 degrees C). Two-way analysis of both enamel and dentine showed that the influence of energy on temperature increase was stronger than that of frequency. CONCLUSION: Cavity preparation with an Er:YAG laser using VSP mode in vitro did not cause significant increases in temperature in the pulp chamber of human molars.

Dose- and mode-dependent effect of halogen dental curing blue light on the V79-cell line.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the time and dose dependent effect of halogen light from dental curing unit on the cell viability, colony-forming ability and proliferation of the V79 cell culture. The investigation included the medium mode (M), exponential (E) and standard (S) illumination mode for 20, 40 and 80 seconds. The viability was determined using the trypan blue exclusion test. Colony forming ability was assessed by colony count on post-exposure day 7. Cell proliferation was determined by cell counts during five post-exposure days. The viability of cells was not affected by blue light in view of exposure time and modes. Colony forming ability in treated cells was slightly, but not significantly lower than in control cells. Cell proliferation was lower in cells exposed to the M mode for 80 s on post-exposure day 3 and 4 (p < 0.05). On the same post-exposure days, the proliferation of cells exposed to modes E and S, showed a significant inhibition after 20, 40 and 80 s of exposure (p < 0.05). Disrupted cellular functionality and no significant decrease in colony forming ability of V79 cells in addition to time- and dose dependent significant inhibition of cell proliferation might be ascribed to the photocuring blue light activity and/or changes in temperature during the course of experiment in vitro.

Selection of appropriate artificial frontal teeth size using dimensions of hard palate.

Eighty dentate students participated as a study group and another 74 as a control group. The aim was to determine a possibility to reconstruct maxillary frontal teeth dimensions by use of certain hard palate dimensions. The height (IH) and the incisal (IW), contact point (CtW) and cervical width (CW) of maxillary central incisors (MCI), hamular width (HW) and the distance between the incisive papilla and the palatine foveas (IP-FP) were measured on the maxillary casts. CtW of maxillary lateral incisors and canines were measured too. In the study group the ratios were computed: HW/IW (5.71), HW/CtW (5.69), HW/CW (5.51) and IP-FP/IH (4.76). These ratios were multiplied by incisor's dimensions (obtained from the control group) to calculate the hard palate dimensions. No significant differences were obtained between the calculated and the measured (study group) hard palate dimensions. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the HW and the Sum of contact-point widths of all maxillary frontal teeth (p > 0.05) in the both groups. The results revealed: 1. MCI width and height might be calculated by dividing dimensions of a patient's hard palate and appropriate ratio; 2. hamular width dimension can be used as a selection guide for the sum of contact-point widths of six maxillary frontal teeth.