Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation Efficacy in the Vapor Lock Removal: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Passive Ultrasonic Irrigation (PUI) represents one of the most used systems to improve the endodontic irrigants activity. PUI acts increasing the reaction rate of NaOCl, with an increase of dentinal debris and smear layer removal. There is a stronger shear stress and a vapor lock reduction. Aim of this systematic review was to figure out the effects of the PUI on the vapor lock removal, during irrigation. Literature research has been carried out by two reviewers, consulting online databases such as PubMed, EBSCO, and Google Scholar, using keywords like Vapor Lock, Vapour Lock, and Vapor Lock Endodontic. The articles list has been screened based on titles and abstracts, applying eligibility and inclusion criteria. The three articles were eligible for quantitative and statistical analysis, by using RevManager Software Version 5.3. Results show statistical heterogeneity (P=0.08; I2 index=61%) in the vapor lock elimination between the use of PUI and PPI, with an overall Odds Ratio=0.08, CI=95% [0.03;0.25]. PUI resulted to be a useful technique to improve NaOCl activity for vapor lock removal, despite PPI alone using a needle.

Integrative Histologic and Bioinformatics Analysis of BIRC5/Survivin Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Survivin is a well-known protein involved in the inhibition of apoptosis in many different cancer types. The aim of this study was to perform an integrated bioinformatic and histologic analysis in order to study the expression and prognostic role of Survivin and its related gene BIRC5 in oral cancer. Publicly available databases were accessed via Gene Expression Omnibus and Oncomine, in addition raw data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were also obtained in order to analyze the rate of gene mutation, expression and methylation in patients with oral squamous cells carcinoma (OSCC). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also performed in order to evaluate the nuclear and cytoplasmic expression of Survivin and their correlation with cell proliferation in samples from OSCC patients. Results of this study revealed that Survivin is rarely mutated in OSCC samples and upregulated when compared to non-cancerous tissue. A negative correlation between the methylation of the island cg25986496 and BIRC5 mRNA expression was detected from TCGA data. IHC staining revealed that cytoplasmic (and not nuclear) expression of Survivin is associated with poor overall survival in OSCC patients, while the nuclear expression correlates with higher proliferation rate. In addition, data from TCGA database revealed that BIRC5 gene expression is an independent prognostic factor for OSCC patients.

Advanced adenocarcinoma of terminal ileum: an unusual neoplasm revealed by an unusual diagnostic tool.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Terminal ileum adenocarcinoma is a rare tumour. Its incidence or prevalence among the other sites of gastro-intestinal tract is unknown, since it has been only sporadically described. Since contrast enhanced ultrasonography has been recently used to study bowel alterations in the course of neoplastic or inflammatory disorders, we report here a case of a rare tumour (terminal ileum poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma) in which the investigation played a pivotal role to obtain a defined diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS (CASE REPORT): Here we report the case of a 62 year old male patient. Due to intestinal occlusive symptoms and body weight decrease of about 8 Kg, he performed an abdominal computed tomography, intestinal magnetic resonance with double contrast medium, colonoscopy and contrast enhanced ultrasonography using a second generation medium. RESULTS: In our case the peculiar aspect is that no arterial enhancement was observed and the finding remained unchanged for about 2.48 minutes as well as after a further administration of 1.5 ml of contrast medium. This aspect was not suggestive of an active inflammation such as Crohn's disease, where a marked contrast medium enhancement should be expected. CONCLUSIONS: At present it is too speculative to emphasize contrast enhanced ultrasonography as usefulness tool in the diagnosis of terminal ileum tumors. Nevertheless, our preliminary experience strongly encourages the diffusion of the method.

Sterilisation in Dentistry: A Review of the Literature.

In a small and medium-sized dental facility, the correct management of the sterilisation and presterilisation phases plays a fundamental role in good management of instruments and personnel, in order to ensure conditions that are more efficient with less down time. Nowadays, instrument sterilizers are increasingly efficient in achieving results, both in terms of time and size, and ensure that materials are sterile and ready to be stocked in a reasonable time. A literature search for articles related to revision work was performed using electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The following keywords have been entered in the previously mentioned databases: sterilisation instruments; dental autoclave; precleaning; instruments disinfectants. The records obtained were screened by three reviewers, and only relevant articles were read full text. In addition, the timings of dental and sterilisation procedures were measured, and from these, suggestions are made in order to improve the efficiency of instrumentation management (facility used as study subject: University Dental Clinic, University of Foggia) as a function of the health-care interventions. We arrived at the conclusion that without doubt, sterilisation of instruments and products plays a fundamental role, but the efficiency of the sterilisation and presterilisation procedures cannot be separated from managing the personnel in charge by giving them specific and precise tasks.

Inspection of the Microbiota in Endodontic Lesions.

The primary objective of endodontic therapy is to create a biologically acceptable environment within the root canal system that allows for the healing and maintenance of the health of the peri-radicular tissue. Bacteria are one of the main causes of pulp problems, and they have different methods of penetrating and invading the endodontic space such as through carious lesions, traumatic pulp exposures, and fractures. The types of bacteria found range from facultative anaerobes to aerobes, up to the most resistant species able to survive in nutrient-free environments; the bacterial species Enterococcus faecalis belongs to this last group. Enterococcus faecalis is considered one of the main causes of recurring apical periodontal lesions following endodontic treatment, with persistent lesions occurring even after re-treatment. The review presented in this paper was performed in accordance with the PRISMA protocol and covers articles from the related scientific literature that were sourced from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using the following terms as keywords: "endodontic treatment", "endodontic bacteria", "microbial endodontic", and "endodontic failure". Only the articles considered most relevant for the purposes of this paper were read in full and taken into consideration for the following review. The results show that Enterococcus faecalis, Actinomycetes, and Propionibacterium propionicum are the species most frequently involved in persistent radicular and extra-radicular infections.

Genistein as a Potential Anticancer Agent Against Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The use of nutraceuticals as protection drugs against chronic diseases gained a vast success. Many studies found that nutraceuticals may reduce the tumorigenic actions of carcinogens, inhibiting the adhesion and proliferation of tumor cells. Genistein is a natural isoflavone preventing osteoporosis, menopause problems and heart diseases. It is also known in China and Japan for its anticancer properties. The available treatment protocols for Head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC) have led to poor results and new therapies are necessary. In this paper, we will review anticancer therapeutic potential of genistein and in vitro and in vivo studies that suggest its potential role in the treatments of HNSCC.

[Treatment of a large bowel neoplastic obstruction left-sided by self-expanding enteral stent. Personal experience]. / L'impiego di protesi autoespandibili nel trattamento delle occlusioni neoplastiche del colon sinistro: nostra esperienza.

The authors report on their experience in the treatment with self-expanding enteral stent for acute left-sided large bowel obstruction and believe that this procedure is effective as a "bridge to surgery". From January to November 2005 3 patients have been treated with colorectal stents in obstructing left-sided large bowel carcinoma: over the following 24 hours we observed canalization and consequent disocclusion of the colonrectum. Stented patients were treated with elective colonic resection with primary anastomosis avoiding decompressive stoma and Hartmann's procedure.

[Percutaneous US drainage for the treatment of the end abdominal abscesses]. / Il trattamento degli ascessi endoaddominali mediante drenaggio percutaneo eco-guidato.

From January 2000 to July 2005 in U.O. Emergency Surgery of Foggia Hospital 40 pz affects by abdominal abscess have been treated (39 post-operative, 1 in diverticulitis) by percutaneous drainage. This treatment has been made only in patients not affects by the serious septic shock, or by wide-spread peritonitis or in the locations to get by to reach by this method. The catheter permanently has been put in 14 pts and the drainage extempore of abdominal abscesses has been made in 26 pts in 28 cases the process cleared up by the one only treatment (6 catheter and 22 percutaneous drainage), in 12 cases has been necessary more drainage treatments (in 4 cases the extempore drainage and in 8 cases the drainage + catheter). One patient has been reoperated because the abscess was intractable by the percutaneous drainage. The serious complications not has been annotated. The persistent slight temperature only has been annoted after the drainage in 3 pts. The percutaneous drainage, consequently, represent a safe, manageable treatment with effectiveness comparable with surgery drainage with less morbility and mortality.