Co-encapsulation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs into niosomal nanocarrier for enhanced breast cancer therapy: In silico and in vitro studies.

Combination therapy has been considered one of the most promising approaches for improving the therapeutic effects of anticancer drugs. This is the first study that uses two different antioxidants in full-characterized niosomal formulation and thoroughly evaluates their synergistic effects on breast cancer cells. In this study, in-silico studies of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs (ascorbic acid: Asc and curcumin: Cur) interactions and release were investigated and validated by a set of in vitro experiments to reveal the significant improvement in breast cancer therapy using a co-delivery approach by niosomal nanocarrier. The niosomal nanoparticles containing surfactants (Span 60 and Tween 60) and cholesterol at 2:1 M ratio were prepared through the film hydration method. A systematic evaluation of nanoniosomes was carried out. The release profile demonstrated two phases (initial burst followed by sustained release) and a pH-dependent release schedule over 72 h. The optimized niosomal preparation displayed superior storage stability for up to 2 months at 4 °C, exhibiting extremely minor changes in pharmaceutical encapsulation efficiency and size. Free dual drugs (Asc + Cur) and dual-drug loaded niosomes (Niosomal (Asc + Cur)) enhanced the apoptotic activity and cytotoxicity and inhibited cell migration which confirmed the synergistic effect of co-encapsulated drugs. Also, significant up-regulation of p53 and Bax genes was observed in cells treated with Asc + Cur and Niosomal (Asc + Cur), while the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene was down-regulated. These results were in correlation with the increase in the enzyme activity of SOD, CAT, and caspase, and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon treatment with the mentioned drugs. Furthermore, these anti-cancer effects were higher when using Niosomal (Asc + Cur) than Asc + Cur. Histopathological examination also revealed that Niosomal (Asc + Cur) had a lower mitosis index, invasion, and pleomorphism than Asc + Cur. These findings indicated that niosomal formulation for co-delivery of Asc and Cur would offer a promising delivery system for an effective breast cancer treatment.

Berberine and folic acid co-modified pH-sensitive cascade-targeted PTX-liposomes coated with Tween 80 for treating glioma.

Chemotherapy is a conventional treatment for glioma, but its efficacy is greatly limited due to low blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability and lack of specificity. Herein, intelligent and tumor microenvironment (TME)-responsive folic acid (FA) derivatives and mitochondria-targeting berberine (BBR) derivatives co-modified liposome coated with Tween 80 loading paclitaxel (PTX-Tween 80-BBR + FA-Lip) was constructed. Specifically speaking, liposomes modified by FA can be effectively target ed to glioma cells. BBR, due to its delocalized positive electricity and lipophilicity, can be attracted by mitochondrial membrane potential and concentrate on mitochondria to achieve mitochondrial targeting and induce cell apoptosis. By simultaneously modifying the liposome with FA and BBR to deliver drugs, leads to a good therapeutic effect of glioma through FA-based glioma targeting and BBR-based mitochondrial targeting. In addition, the surface of the liposome was coated with Tween 80 to further improve BBB penetration. All results exhibited that PTX-Tween 80-BBR + FA-Lip can observably improve the chemotherapy therapeutic efficacy through the highly specific tumor targeting and mitochondrial targeting, which can provide new ideas and methods for the targeted therapy of glioma.

Polysorbate 80 add-on therapy in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection: Polysorbate 80 and HP antibiotic resistance.

Polysorbate 80, a sorbitan derivate, is a surfactant used as an emulsifier in some foods in concentrations of up to 0.5%. It was recently shown in vitro that polysorbate 80 decreases the minimum bactericidal concentrations of clarithromycin and metronidazole and may also revert antibiotic resistance. We report the case of an adult man, suffering from symptomatic Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection resistant to two courses of treatment with PPI plus amoxicillin and clarithromycin, and PPI plus clarithromycin and metronidazole. He was treated with a further antibiotic approach consisting of two-week administration of clarithromycin, metronidazole, PPI and polysorbate 80 as an add on therapy. Eradication of infection was confirmed by 13C-urea breath test two and five months after completion of the treatment course. Complete regression of symptoms was also achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first case of HP infection eradicated with a combination therapy based on polysorbate 80 added to antibiotics.

A comparative scanning electron microscopy evaluation of smear layer removal with chitosan and MTAD.

The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of chitosan and MTAD for the smear layer removal from the root canal through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Thirty teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to the final irrigants: 0.2% chitosan, MTAD, saline (control group). After the mechanical preparation, the samples were irrigated with saline (control group), 0.2% chitosan and MTDA respectively. Then, the samples were split and the smear layer at the apical, middle, and coronal thirds of each root canal was imaged using SEM. The statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U test (α = 5%). The difference between chitosan and MTDA was statistically significant in the apical region (p < 0.05), no significant difference was obtained in the coronal and middle regions in these two experiment groups (p > 0.05). The control group exhibited the lowest efficacy in smear layer removal in all regions. Thus, from the result of the present study, we may conclude that chitosan was more effective in smear layer removal than MTAD especially in the apical third. CONTEXT: Irrigation, which serves a variety of purposes including antibacterial action, tissue dissolution, cleaning and chelating, plays a centric role in the final success of root canal treatment. Thus, more and more attention has been put on the improvement and development of various irrigation techniques or systems. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of chitosan and MTAD for the smear layer removal from the root canal through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Thirty single-canal premolars were instrumented with rotary-files and then, randomly assigned to test groups which were irrigated with chitosan and MTDA, and control group was treated with saline. Thereafter, the efficacy of smear layer removal was evaluated by SEM. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty teeth were randomly divided into three groups according to the final irrigants: 0.2% chitosan, MTAD, saline (control group). After the mechanical preparation, the samples were irrigated with saline (control group), 0.2% chitosan and MTDA respectively. Then, the samples were split and the smear layer at the apical, middle, and coronal thirds of each root canal was imaged using SEM. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Kruskal-Walli test and Mann-Whitney U test Results: The difference between chitosan and MTDA was statistically significant in the apical regions (p < 0.05), no significant difference was obtained in the coronal and middle regions in these two experiment groups (p > 0.05). The control group exhibited the lowest efficacy in smear layer removal in all regions. CONCLUSION: Thus, from the result of present study, we may conclude that chitosan was more effective in smear layer removal than MTAD, especially in the apical third.

Nanoemulsion is an effective antimicrobial for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in infected wounds.

AIM: To develop NB-201, a nanoemulsion compound, as a novel microbicidal agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection, which is a common threat to public health but with limited therapeutic options. MATERIALS & METHODS: NB-201 was tested in in vitro and in vivo murine and porcine models infected with MRSA. RESULTS: Topical treatment of MRSA-infected wounds with NB-201 significantly decreased bacterial load and had no toxic effects on healthy skin tissues. NB-201 attenuated neutrophil sequestration in MRSA-infected wounds and inhibited epidermal and deep dermal inflammation. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines were reduced in NB-201-treated MRSA-infected wounds. CONCLUSION: NB-201 can greatly reduce inflammation characteristic of infected wounds and has antimicrobial activity that effectively kills MRSA regardless of the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance.

Image-guided thermal therapy with a dual-contrast magnetic nanoparticle formulation: A feasibility study.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to develop and investigate the properties of a magnetic iron oxide nanoparticle-ethiodised oil formulation for image-guided thermal therapy of liver cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The formulation comprises bionised nano-ferrite (BNF) nanoparticles suspended in ethiodised oil, emulsified with polysorbate 20 (BNF-lip). Nanoparticle size was measured via photon correlation spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In vivo thermal therapy capability was tested in two groups of male Foxn1(nu) mice bearing subcutaneous HepG2 xenograft tumours. Group I (n = 12) was used to screen conditions for group II (n = 48). In group II, mice received one of BNF-lip (n = 18), BNF alone (n = 16), or PBS (n = 14), followed by alternating magnetic field (AMF) hyperthermia, with either varied duration (15 or 20 min) or amplitude (0, 16, 20, or 24 kA/m). Image-guided fluoroscopic intra-arterial injection of BNF-lip was tested in New Zealand white rabbits (n = 10), bearing liver VX2 tumours. The animals were subsequently imaged with CT and 3 T MRI, up to 7 days post-injection. The tumours were histopathologically evaluated for distribution of BNF-lip. RESULTS: The BNF showed larger aggregate diameters when suspended in BNF-lip, compared to clear solution. The BNF-lip formulation produced maximum tumour temperatures with AMF >20 kA/m and showed positive X-ray visibility and substantial shortening of T1 and T2 relaxation time, with sustained intratumoural retention up to 7 days post-injection. On pathology, intratumoural BNF-lip distribution correlated well with CT imaging of intratumoural BNF-lip distribution. CONCLUSION: The BNF-lip formulation has favourable thermal and dual imaging capabilities for image-guided thermal therapy of liver cancer, suggesting further exploration for clinical applications.

Screening of Nanoemulsion Formulations and Identification of NB-201 as an Effective Topical Antimicrobial for Staphylococcus aureus in a Mouse Model of Infected Wounds.

Despite advances in antimicrobial therapies, wound infection remains a global public health concern. We aimed to formulate and assess various nanoemulsions (NEs) for potential effectiveness as stable antimicrobial agents suitable for topic application. A total of 106 NEs were developed that varied with respect to nonionic and cationic surfactants. Stability testing demonstrated that the NEs tested are broadly stable, with 97/106 formulations passing 2-week stability tests. Two NEs, NB-201 and NB-402, were selected to test antimicrobial activity in a wound model in mice. Skin abrasion wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus followed by NE treatment. Infected skin was then evaluated by measuring colony forming units. NB-201 reduced median bacterial counts by 4 to 5 log compared to animals treated with saline, whereas NB-402 reduced bacterial counts by 2 to 3 log. Additional stability tests on NB-201 demonstrated that NB-201 is stable in the presence of human serum, and is stable for at least 6 months at 5°C, 25°C, and 40°C. Finally, in in vitro studies, NB-201 was found to be effective against S. aureus at a higher dilution than the commercially available silver sulfadiazine. Altogether these results demonstrate that NB-201 is a stable and effective topical antimicrobial for the treatment of S. aureus.

Evaluation of different irrigating solutions on smear layer removal of primary root dentin.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of ethanolic extract of Salvadora persica (S. persica) and BioPure MTAD (a mixture of a tetracycline isomer, an acid, and a detergent) in removing the intracanal smear layer of primary teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The root canal of 40 extracted human primary anterior teeth were cleaned, shaped and grouped into experimental (n = 30) and control (n = 10). The root canals of the positive (n = 5) and the negative control (n = 5) were irrigated for 3 minutes with 5 ml of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or saline respectively. The canals in the experimental groups were irrigated for 3 minutes with 5 ml of 1 mg/ml ethanolic extract of S. persica (n = 15) or BioPure MTAD (n = 15) and then flushed with 2 ml of saline. The presence or absence of smear layer at the coronal and middle portion of each canal were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: A significant difference (p = 0.004) in smear layer removal between S. persica and MTAD at the middle third of the canal was observed. MTAD solution was as effective as 17% EDTA in removing the smear layer. CONCLUSION: MTAD was significantly more effective in smear layer removal than S. persica solution at the middle third of the canal wall. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Both tested irrigant solutions have the ability to remove the intracanal smear from primary root dentin following cleaning and shaping of the root canal and could be an alternative to EDTA.

Safety of AS03-adjuvanted inactivated split virion A(H1N1)pdm09 and H5N1 influenza virus vaccines administered to adults: pooled analysis of 28 clinical trials.

Clinical trials have shown that AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 and A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccines are highly immunogenic, although with an increased reactogenicity profile relative to non-adjuvanted vaccines in terms of the incidence of common injection site and systemic adverse events (AEs). We evaluated pooled safety data from 22,521 adults who had received an AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 or A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza or control vaccine with the purpose to identify medically-attended AEs (MAEs), including subsets of serious AEs (SAEs), potentially immune-mediated diseases (pIMDs), and AEs of special interest (AESI), and to explore a potential association of these AEs with the administration of an AS03-adjuvanted influenza vaccine. For participants who had received an AS03-adjuvanted vaccine, the relative risks (RRs) for experiencing a MAE or a SAE compared to control group (participants who had received a non-adjuvanted vaccine or saline placebo) were 1.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9; 1.1) and 1.1 (95% CI: 0.9; 1.4), respectively. The overall RRs for experiencing an AESI or a pIMD (AS03-adjuvanted vaccine/control) were 1.2 (95% CI: 0.9; 1.6) and 1.7 (95% CI: 0.8; 3.8), respectively. Thirty-8 participants in the AS03-adjuvanted vaccine group had a pIMD reported after vaccine administration, yielding an incidence rate (IR) of 351.9 (95% CI: 249.1; 483.1) per 100,000 person-years. The estimated IRs in the AS03-adjuvanted vaccine group were greater than the literature reported rates for: facial paresis/VIIth nerve paralysis, celiac disease, thrombocytopenia and ulcerative colitis. These results do not support an association between AS03-adjuvanted H5N1 and A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccines and the AEs collected in the trials included in the analysis.

Risk of narcolepsy associated with inactivated adjuvanted (AS03) A/H1N1 (2009) pandemic influenza vaccine in Quebec.

CONTEXT: An association between an adjuvanted (AS03) A/H1N1 pandemic vaccine and narcolepsy has been reported in Europe. OBJECTIVE: To assess narcolepsy risk following administration of a similar vaccine in Quebec. DESIGN: Retrospective population-based study. SETTING: Neurologists and lung specialists in the province were invited to report narcolepsy cases to a single reference centre. POPULATION: Patients were interviewed by two sleep experts and standard diagnostic tests were performed. Immunization status was verified in the provincial pandemic influenza vaccination registry. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Confirmed narcolepsy with or without cataplexy with onset of excessive daytime sleepiness between January 1st, 2009, and December 31st, 2010. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated using a Poisson model in a cohort analysis, by a self-controlled case series (SCCS) and a case-control method. RESULTS: A total of 24 cases were included and overall incidence rate was 1.5 per million person-years. A cluster of 7 cases was observed among vaccinated persons in the winter 2009-2010. In the primary cohort analysis, 16-week post-vaccination RR was 4.32 (95% CI: 1.50-11.12). RR was 2.07 (0.70-6.17) in the SCCS, and 1.48 (0.37-7.03) using the case-control method. Estimates were lower when observation was restricted to the period of pandemic influenza circulation, and tended to be higher in persons <20 years old and for cataplexy cases. CONCLUSIONS: Results are compatible with an excess risk of approximately one case per million vaccine doses, mainly in persons less than 20 years of age. However, a confounding effect of the influenza infection cannot be ruled out.

Comparison of efficacy of pulverization and sterile paper point techniques for sampling root canals.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of the pulverization and sterile paper point techniques for sampling root canals using 5.25% NaOCl/17% EDTA and 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD (Dentsply, Tulsa, OK) as irrigation regimens. METHODS: Single-canal extracted human teeth were decoronated and infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Roots were randomly assigned to 2 irrigation regimens: group A with 5.25% NaOCl/17% EDTA (n = 30) and group B with 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD (n = 30). After chemomechanical debridement, bacterial samplings were taken using sterile paper points and pulverized powder of the apical 5 mm root ends. RESULTS: The sterile paper point technique did not show growth in any samples. The pulverization technique showed growth in 24 of the 60 samples. The Fisher exact test showed significant differences between sampling techniques (P < .001). The sterile paper point technique showed no difference between irrigation regimens. However, 17 of the 30 roots in group A and 7 of the 30 roots in group B resulted in growth as detected by pulverization technique. Data showed a significant difference between irrigation regimens (P = .03) in pulverization technique. CONCLUSIONS: The pulverization technique was more efficacious in detecting viable bacteria. Furthermore, this technique showed that 1.3% NaOCl/MTAD regimen was more effective in disinfecting root canals.

Effect of MTAD as a final rinse on removal of smear layer in ten-minute preparation time.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of MTAD as final rinse on removal of the smear layer subsequent to primary irrigation with 1.3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) during 10-minute instrumentation periods. METHODS: Forty teeth were divided into 2 experimental groups, each containing 15 teeth, and 1 positive control group of 10 teeth. The canals were prepared with hand and rotary instruments. In the MTAD group, the root canals were flushed with 1.3% NaOCl solution during 10-minute instrumentation, and MTAD was used as the final rinse. In other experimental group, 5.25% NaOCl was used during instrumentation, and 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was used as the final rinse. In the positive control group, sterile distilled water was used for irrigation. The overall instrumentation period for each canal was 10 minutes. The amount of the smear layer and degree of erosion qualified according to the study by Torabinejad et al by using a scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests. All statistical analyses were set with a significance level of α = 0.05. RESULTS: In the positive control group, debris and heavy smear layer covered the root canal surface and the tubules. In MTAD group, moderate smear layer covered the root canal surface and the tubules. In EDTA group, there was no smear layer on surface of canals. There were significant differences between groups (α < 0.0001). Mann-Whitney test showed significant difference between experimental groups (α = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In 10-minute instrumentation period, the use of 5.25% NaOCl during instrumentation and 17% EDTA as the final rinse is more effective than using 1.3% NaOCl as primary irrigation and MTAD as final rinse on removal of the smear layer.

Effectiveness of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and MTAD on debris and smear layer removal using a self-adjusting file.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the cleaning ability of a self-adjusting file (SAF) system regarding debris and smear layer removal using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) or MTAD. STUDY DESIGN: In total, 45 maxillary incisor teeth were randomly divided into 2 different irrigation groups of 20 canals each and a negative control group of 5 canals. The canals in each of the irrigation groups were irrigated using sodium hypochlorite (1.3%) as an initial irrigant during the first 2 minutes of operation, followed by 2 minutes continuous irrigation with either 17% EDTA or MTAD in a closed system. The negative control group was irrigated using 1.3% sodium hypochlorite. The roots were split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The presence of debris and smear layer in the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the canal was evaluated using a 5-grade scoring system with ×200 and ×2,000 magnification, respectively. RESULTS: The SAF operation with 2-minute continuous irrigation using MTAD resulted in root canal walls that were free of smear layer in 85%, 70%, and 60% and of debris in 95%, 90%, and 95% of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canals, respectively. The SAF operation with continuous irrigation using EDTA resulted in root canal walls that were free of smear layer in 85%, 60%, and 50% and of debris in 95%, 90%, and 85% of the coronal, middle, and apical thirds of the root canals, respectively. Teeth in the negative control group were totally covered with debris. Evaluation by SEM showed no significant difference between the tested irrigants in removing the smear layer and debris among the different regions of the root canal. Both groups were significantly different from the negative control group. CONCLUSIONS: When using the SAF, the protocols used in this study were effective for debridement for all regions of the root canal even for the apical thirds.

An ex vivo, assessor blind, randomised, parallel group, comparative efficacy trial of the ovicidal activity of three pediculicides after a single application--melaleuca oil and lavender oil, eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil, and a "suffocation" pediculicide.

BACKGROUND: There are two components to the clinical efficacy of pediculicides: (i) efficacy against the crawling-stages (lousicidal efficacy); and (ii) efficacy against the eggs (ovicidal efficacy). Lousicidal efficacy and ovicidal efficacy are confounded in clinical trials. Here we report on a trial that was specially designed to rank the clinical ovicidal efficacy of pediculicides. Eggs were collected, pre-treatment and post-treatment, from subjects with different types of hair, different coloured hair and hair of different length. METHOD: Subjects with at least 20 live eggs of Pediculus capitis (head lice) were randomised to one of three treatment-groups: a melaleuca oil (commonly called tea tree oil) and lavender oil pediculicide (TTO/LO); a eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil pediculicide (EO/LTTO); or a "suffocation" pediculicide. Pre-treatment: 10 to 22 live eggs were taken from the head by cutting the single hair with the live egg attached, before the treatment (total of 1,062 eggs). TREATMENT: The subjects then received a single treatment of one of the three pediculicides, according to the manufacturers' instructions. Post-treatment: 10 to 41 treated live eggs were taken from the head by cutting the single hair with the egg attached (total of 1,183 eggs). Eggs were incubated for 14 days. The proportion of eggs that had hatched after 14 days in the pre-treatment group was compared with the proportion of eggs that hatched in the post-treatment group. The primary outcome measure was % ovicidal efficacy for each of the three pediculicides. RESULTS: 722 subjects were examined for the presence of eggs of head lice. 92 of these subjects were recruited and randomly assigned to: the "suffocation" pediculicide (n = 31); the melaleuca oil and lavender oil pediculicide (n = 31); and the eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil pediculicide (n = 30 subjects). The group treated with eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil had an ovicidal efficacy of 3.3% (SD 16%) whereas the group treated with melaleuca oil and lavender oil had an ovicidal efficacy of 44.4% (SD 23%) and the group treated with the "suffocation" pediculicide had an ovicidal efficacy of 68.3% (SD 38%). CONCLUSION: Ovicidal efficacy varied substantially among treatments, from 3.3% to 68.3%. The "suffocation" pediculicide and the melaleuca oil and lavender oil pediculicide (TTO/LO) were significantly more ovicidal than eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil pediculicide (EO/LTTO) (P < 0.0001). Ranking: 1. "Suffocation" pediculicide (68.3% efficacy against eggs); 2. Melaleuca oil and lavender oil (44.4%) pediculicide; 3. Eucalyptus oil and lemon tea tree oil (3.3%) pediculicide. The "suffocation" pediculicide and TTO/LO are also highly efficacious against the crawling-stages. Thus, the "suffocation" pediculicide and TTO/LO should be recommended as first line treatments.

MTAD in endodontics: an update review.

The major objective in endodontic therapy is to achieve complete chemomechanical debridement of the entire root canal system. This can be accomplished with biomechanical instrumentation and chemical irrigation. Various endodontic irrigants, such as sodium hypochlorite, chlorhexidene, and iodine potassium iodide, are available, each having its own advantages with some limitations. MTAD, a new endodontic irrigant, has been introduced to fulfill these limitations. MTAD is a mixture of doxycycline, citric acid, and a detergent (Tween 80). Since its introduction, it is a material that has been researched extensively for its properties. This article presents a review on the numerous properties of MTAD, such as antimicrobial activity, smear layer- and pulp-dissolving capability, effect on dentin and adhesion, and biocompatibility.

Effects of a topical microemulsion in house dust mite allergic rhinitis.

We have previously demonstrated that a topical microemulsion can attenuate symptoms and signs of seasonal allergic rhinitis. This likely reflects that the microemulsion interferes with the interaction between the allergen and the mucosa. Whether or not the finding translates to conditions caused by other inhaled agents such as house dust mite allergen is unknown. Patients with perennial allergic rhinitis caused by house dust mite were subjected to topical microemulsion treatment in a randomized, double-blinded and crossover design with isotonic saline as control. Morning symptoms were monitored, change from baseline was assessed and the treatments were compared. On the first days of the isotonic saline and microemulsion runs, before any treatment was given, total nasal symptoms were scored to 2.8 and 3.1 (range 0-9), respectively. Nasal symptoms were reduced by intervention with the microemulsion: the change from baseline was consistent for the microemulsion and the difference between the microemulsion and isotonic saline reached statistical significance in favour of the former. We conclude that intervention with a microemulsion may reduce symptoms of house dust mite allergic rhinitis at natural allergen exposure. Our findings suggest the possibility that topical microemulsions can be a useful option to reduce nasal mucosal exposure to allergen in perennial allergic rhinitis..

Bacopa monniera alleviates N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine arginine-induced but not MK-801-induced amnesia: a mouse Morris watermaze study.

N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and nitricoxide syntheses are the emerging target sites for development of novel drug molecules because their modulation affects the long term potentiation (LTP) process. NMDA receptor antagonists and nitric oxide synthase inhibitors induce amnesia in animals and therefore have been employed for evaluation of efficacy of several novel antiamnesic agents.Bacopa monniera Linn (syn. Brahmi) is commonly used in the ancient Indian medical system for improvement of memory deficit.We have earlier described the involvement of GABAergic and cholinergic system to account for the antiamnesic effects of B. monniera on diazepam- and scopolamine-induced amnesia.In extension to our previous study this study was designed to investigate the downstream mechanism of B. monniera by evaluation of its effect on MK-801 (an NMDA receptor antagonist) and N(w)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (a nitric oxide inhibitor)induced memory deficit. We used a Morris water maze scale and compared the degree of reversal of amnesia induced by the two agents. Male Swiss albino mice were subjected to a Rotarod muscle incoordination test followed by water maze tasks.Our data revealed that L-NNA and MK-801 produced anterograde and retrograde amnesia and B. monniera significantly attenuated the L-NNA-induced anterograde amnesia, partially reversing L-NNA-induced retrograde amnesia. On the other hand, B. monniera neither attenuated the MK-801-induced anterograde amnesia nor improved retrograde amnesia caused by it.

Microporous, demineralized collagen matrices in intact radicular dentin created by commonly used calcium-depleting endodontic irrigants.

The use of calcium-depleting solutions in restorative dentistry results in demineralization of intact coronal dentin beneath smear layers. Likewise, application of calcium-depleting irrigants as final rinses might create demineralized collagen matrices in intact radicular dentin after removal of root canal wall smear layers created during canal shaping. These unsupported collagen matrices collapse on desiccation and might be difficult to detect in scanning electron microscopy dehydration techniques traditionally used in endodontic research. Demineralized collagen matrices were identified, by using a hexamethyldisilazane dehydration protocol, on the surface of smear layer-depleted radicular dentin when NaOCl was used as initial rinse, followed by the use of 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or BioPure MTAD as the final rinse. Compaction of conventional root filling materials over a demineralized collagen matrix in instrumented dentin is analogous to performing the same procedure against the predentin collagen network in the uninstrumented parts of root canals. The potential consequences of this process are, however, unknown.

Effect of MTAD on Enterococcus faecalis-contaminated root canals of extracted human teeth.

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the antimicrobial effect of MTAD (a mixture of a tetracycline isomer, an acid, and a detergent) with that of NaOCl with and without EDTA. Eighty-five extracted human teeth were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis for 4 weeks. After biomechanical instrumentation using 1.3% or 5.25% NaOCl as root canal irrigant, the root canal and the external surface of each tooth were exposed to a 5-min application of MTAD, 1.3% NaOCl, 5.25% NaOCl or a 1-min application of EDTA followed by irrigation with 5 ml of 1.3% NaOCl or 5.25% NaOCl. Teeth or dentin shavings were cultured to determine presence or absence of the test bacteria. Fisher's exact test showed that the combination of 1.3% NaOCl as a root canal irrigant and MTAD as a final rinse was significantly more effective against E. faecalis than the other regimens. The chi2 test showed no difference between the other regimens.