Morphological and chemical comparative analysis of the human and bovine dentin-adhesive layer.

Micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µ-EDXRF) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate dentin treated with an etch and rinse adhesive (ER) and a self-etch adhesive (SE). Ten human molars (H) and ten bovine anterior teeth (B) were prepared (exposure of dentin and divided in the middle) and allocated into two different adhesion strategy groups per substrate (n=40). µ-EDXRF data and SEM images were obtained before and after treatment. Untreated dentin of both substrates did not differ in terms of Ca (p<0.1503), P (p<0.2986) or Ca/P ratio (p<0.1400). H-SE and B-SE specimens showed reduced P content (p<0.0001; p<0.0002), while H-ER and B-ER specimens showed reduced Ca and P content (p<0.0001; p<0.0001) when compared with untreated specimens. The Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in H-ER and B-ER specimens than in H-SE and B-SE specimens (p<0.0001; p<0.0080). Untreated dentin showed a homogeneous elemental distribution. However, after adhesive treatments, the surface of the dentin showed an irregular demineralization pattern. The resin tags and adhesive layer were shorter in bovine specimens than in human specimens due to morphological differences.

Micro energy-dispersive X-ray fluoresence mapping of enamel and dental materials after chemical erosion.

Energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence was employed to test the hypothesis that beverage consumption or mouthwash utilization will change the chemical properties of dental materials and enamel mineral content. Bovine enamel samples (n = 45) each received two cavity preparations (n = 90), each pair filled with one of three dental materials (R: nanofilled composite resin; GIC: glass-ionomer cement; RMGIC: resin-modified GIC). Furthermore, they were treated with three different solutions (S: saliva; E: erosion/Pepsi Twist®; or EM: erosion+mouthwash/Colgate Plax®). It was found that mineral loss in enamel was greater in GICE samples than in RE > RMGICE > RMGICEM > REM > GICEM. An increased percentage of Zr was found in REM indicating organic matrix degradation. Dental materials tested (R, GIC, and RMGIC) were not able to protect adjacent enamel from acid erosion by the soft drink tested. The use of mouthwash promoted protection of enamel after erosion by the soft drink. To avoid chemical dissolution by mouthwashes, protection by resin composites with surface sealants is recommended.

Role of cervicitis in the Raman-based optical diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

The Raman-based optical diagnosis of normal cervix, inflammative cervix (cervicitis), and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia was investigated on samples of 63 patients. The main alterations were found in the 857 cm(-1) (CCH deformation aromatic); 925 cm(-1) (C-C stretching); approximately 1247 cm(-1) (CN stretch, NH bending of Amide III); 1370 cm(-1) (CH2 bending); and 1525 cm(-1) (C=CC=N stretching) vibrational bands in accordance with previously reported in the literature comparing normal and malignant cervical tissue. The statistical analysis (principal components analysis, clustering, and logistic regression models) applied to the spectral data indicated that the full discrimination among normal and neoplastic tissues of cervix by Raman optical biopsy is seriously affected by the presence of inflammatory infiltrates, which increases the false-positive rate. This fact is specially relevant once cervicitis is a very common state (noncancerous) of the cervix of sexually active woman. The results suggest that, for the correct Raman-based diagnosis of normal cervix from cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, it is necessary to use an auxiliary way to discriminate the contribution from the inflammatory infiltrates.

The Influence of Alcohol Consumption in Conjunction with Sex Hormone Deficiency on Ca/P Ratio in Rats.

Deficiency of sex hormones and excessive alcohol consumption are factors that have been related to alterations in the pattern of bone mineralization and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate possible alterations in the calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) ratio in the femur of rats subjected to sex hormone deficiency and/or alcohol consumption. Methods. Female and male Wistar rats (n = 108) were divided into ovariectomized (Ovx), orchiectomized (Orx), or sham-operated groups and subdivided according to diet: alcoholic diet (20% alcohol solution), isocaloric diet, and ad libitum diet. The diets were administered for 8 weeks. The Ca/P ratio in the femur was analyzed by energy dispersive micro-X-ray spectrometer (µEDX). Results. Consumption of alcohol reduced the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. The isocaloric diet reduced the Ca/P ratio in females. In groups with the ad libitum diet, the deficiency of sex hormones did not change the Ca/P ratio in females or males. However, the combination of sex hormone deficiency and alcoholic diet presented the lowest values for the Ca/P ratio in both females and males. Conclusions. There was a reduced Ca/P ratio in the femur of rats that consumed alcohol, which was exacerbated when combined with a deficiency of sex hormones.

Assessment of changes in mineral components in bone repair after laser therapy and pharmacotherapy by µ-EDX: a new potential tool in medical diagnostics.

BACKGROUND DATA: Energy-dispersive microspectroscopy X-ray fluorescence (µ-EDX) is a non-destructive, multi-element analytical method. This technique is able to quickly perform a qualitative and semiquantitative evaluation of several sorts of samples with minimal or no previous sample preparation. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and synthetic calcitonin have been used to promote osteogenesis and to accelerate the repair process in bone lesions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate qualitatively and semiquantitatively biochemical changes in the composition of the bone tissue during the repair process in rats by the analytical measurement tool, µ-EDX. METHODS: We created a surgical bone defect in 60 Wistar rats with induced osteoporosis treated with calcitonin, LLLT, and a combination of both. The animals were divided into four groups. In groups Ca and CaLa, calcitonin, 2 UI/kg, i.m., was administered on alternate days. LLLT (20 J/cm(2), 10 mW, 830 nm, 6 sec, every 48 hours) was applied to the La and CaLa groups. The experimental times were 7, 14, and 21 days. After euthanasia, the specimens were measured for inorganic chemical compounds with µ-EDX. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that it was possible to perform qualitative and semiquantitative analysis of inorganic components of biological samples with this technique during the bone repair process using different experimental treatment protocols. CaLa specimens showed the relation between calcium and phosphorus (Ca/P) closest to stoichiometric hydroxyapatite.

Morphological and chemical changes in dentin after using endodontic agents: fourier transform Raman spectroscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy study.

We examine the morphological and chemical changes in the pulp chamber dentin after using endodontic agents by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy (FT-Raman), and micro energy-dispersive x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µEDXRF). Thirty teeth were sectioned exposing the pulp chamber and divided by six groups (n=5): NT-no treatment; CHX-2% chlorhexidine; CHXE-2% chlorhexidine+17% EDTA; E-17% EDTA; SH5-5.25% NaOCl; SH5E-5.25% NaOCl+17% EDTA. The inorganic and organic content was analyzed by FT-Raman. µEDXRF examined calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content as well as Ca/P ratio. Impressions of specimens were evaluated by SEM. Data were submitted to Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests (p<0.05). Differences were observed among groups for the 960 cm(-1) peak. Ca and P content differences were significant (SH5>NT=SH5E>CHX>E>CHXE). CHXE and E presented the highest Ca/P ratio values compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The SEM images in the EDTA-treated groups had the highest number of open tubules. Erosion in the tubules was observed in CHX and SH5E groups. Endodontic agents change the inorganic and organic content of pulp chamber dentin. NaOCl used alone, or in association with EDTA, was the most effective agent considering chemical and morphological approaches.

Prevenção de infecção hospitalar em pacientes submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca eletiva. / Hospital infection prevention in cardiac surgical patients.

A prevenção de infecções no sítio cirúrgico de cirurgias cardíacas eletivas em conjunto com controle de antibiótico e a profilaxia por meio do conhecimento da epidemiologia hospitalar e o estudo dos fatores de risco pertencentes ao paciente foram monitorados pela assistência farmacêutica. Foi realizado um estudo incluindo pacientes submetidos a cirurgias cardíacas eletivas entre 2002 a 2008, avaliaram-se 3.447 pacientes com idade superior a 18 anos. A metodologia utilizada foi a identificação dos pacientes desde a data de internação, pré- e pós-operatório, para o acompanhamento da prescrição do antibiótico profilático padronizado no hospital e a avaliação dos fatores de risco predispondo a uma possível infecção no sítio cirúrgico. Em média, houve uma redução da taxa de infecção de sítios cirúrgicos e do período de internação de cirurgias cardíacas eletivas devido à adoção de novos protocolos. Os micro-organismos mais prevalentes nas hemoculturas dos pacientes que apresentaram infecção no sítio cirúrgico foram Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Escherichia coli. O estudo mostrou que o controle do uso de antimicrobianos profiláticos pela ação da assistência farmacêutica reduziu a taxa de infecções no sítio cirúrgico desses pacientes.

This study evaluated the monitoring by a pharmaceutical assistant to prevent surgical site infections in elective cardiac surgery with antibiotic therapy through their knowledge of hospital epidemiology and assessment of the patient?s risk factors. The study included 3,447 patients over 18 years of age who underwent elective heart surgery from 2002 to 2008. The methodology was to identify patients from their time of admission. Their pre- and post-operative care with prophylaxis antibiotic prescription in the hospital was monitored, as well as the standard assessment of risk factors which may predispose them to possible infection in the surgical site. On average, pharmaceutical care reduced surgical sites infections and the hospitalization period for elective heart surgery. The most prevalent microorganisms in patients? positive blood cultures in surgical site infections were: Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The study showed that the controlled use of prophylactic antimicrobials by pharmaceutical assistants reduced the rate of surgical site infections in patients.