Platelet-rich fibrin as an apical barrier for MTA placement in the treatment of teeth with open apices: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present pilot study was to assess the effectiveness of the platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) apical barrier for the placement of MTA for the treatment of teeth with periapical lesions and open apices. METHODS: A total of thirty teeth on twenty-eight patients with open apices and periapical periodontitis were enrolled and divided into two groups in the present pilot study. In the PRF group (fourteen teeth in thirteen patients), nonsurgical endodontic treatment was performed using PRF as an apical matrix, after which the apical plug of the MTA was created. For the non-PRF group (fourteen teeth in fourteen patients), nonsurgical endodontic therapy was performed using only the MTA for an apical plug with no further periapical intervention. Clinical findings and periapical digital radiographs were used for evaluating the healing progress after periodic follow-ups of 1, 3, 6, and 9 months. The horizontal dimension of the periapical lesion was gauged, and the changes in the dimensions were recorded each time. The Friedman test, Dunn-Bonferroni post hoc correction, and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis, with P < 0.05 serving as the threshold for determining statistical significance. RESULTS: All patients in both groups in the present pilot study had no clinical symptoms after 1 month, with a significant reduction in the periapical lesion after periodic appointments. The lesion width of the PRF group was significantly smaller than that of the non-PRF group in the sixth and ninth month after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: PRF is a promising apical barrier matrix when combined with MTA for the treatment of teeth with open apices and periapical periodontitis. Small number of study subjects and the short time of follow-up period limit the generalizability of these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION: TCTR, TCTR20221109006. Registered 09 November 2022 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.thaiclinicaltrials.org/show/TCTR20221109006 .

Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Mode of Action of the Anti-Bacterial Artemisia Plants.

Over 70,000 people die of bacterial infections worldwide annually. Antibiotics have been liberally used to treat these diseases and, consequently, antibiotic resistance and drug ineffectiveness has been generated. In this environment, new anti-bacterial compounds are being urgently sought. Around 500 Artemisia species have been identified worldwide. Most species of this genus are aromatic and have multiple functions. Research into the Artemisia plants has expanded rapidly in recent years. Herein, we aim to update and summarize recent information about the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of the Artemisia plants. A literature search of articles published between 2003 to 2022 in PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science databases, and KNApSAcK metabolomics databases revealed that 20 Artemisia species and 75 compounds have been documented to possess anti-bacterial functions and multiple modes of action. We focus and discuss the progress in understanding the chemistry (structure and plant species source), anti-bacterial activities, and possible mechanisms of these phytochemicals. Mechanistic studies show that terpenoids, flavonoids, coumarins and others (miscellaneous group) were able to destroy cell walls and membranes in bacteria and interfere with DNA, proteins, enzymes and so on in bacteria. An overview of new anti-bacterial strategies using plant compounds and extracts is also provided.

A Novel Phytogenic Formulation, EUBIO-BPSG, as a Promising One Health Approach to Replace Antibiotics and Promote Reproduction Performance in Laying Hens.

Gut microbiota play a key role in health maintenance and disease pathogenesis in animals. Dietary phytochemicals are crucial factors shaping gut bacteria. Here, we investigated the function and mechanism of a phytogenic formulation, EUBIO-BPSG (BP), in laying hens. We found that BP dose-dependently improved health and egg production in 54-week-old hens. Furthermore, BP was correlated with increased fecal Lactobacillus, decreased Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, and reduced antibiotic resistance (AR) and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in chicken stools. The 16S rDNA data showed that BP increased seven genera of probiotics and reduced 13 genera of pathogens in chicken feces. In vitro co-culture experiments showed that BP at 4 µg/mL and above promoted growth of L. reuteri while large 100- and 200-fold higher doses suppressed growth of E. coli and S. enterica, respectively. Mechanistic studies indicated that L. reuteri and its supernatants antagonized growth of E. coli and S. enterica but not vice-versa. Five short-chain fatty acids and derivatives (SCFA) produced from L. reuteri directly killed both pathogens via membrane destruction. Furthermore, BP inhibited conjugation and recombination of ARG via interference with conjugation machinery and integrase activity in E. coli. Collectively, this work suggests that BP promotes host health and reproductive performance in laying hens through regulation of gut microbiota through increasing probiotics and decreasing pathogens and spreading ARG.