Beneficial effects of an arginine-calcium carbonate desensitizing paste for treatment of dentin hypersensitivity.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a single professional application of a Pro-Relief desensitizing fluoride-free paste containing 8% arginine and calcium as compared to a fluoride-free prophylaxis paste on dentin hypersensitivity reduction in adults with a clinical diagnosis of dentin hypersensitivity. METHODS: This single-center, parallel group, double-blind and randomized clinical study conducted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic included 50 (25 per group) adult male and female subjects. Each study subject had two teeth hypersensitive to air blast stimuli when applied directly at its cervical surface (gingivo-facial 1/3). An air blast hypersensitivity score equal or greater to 2 (Schiff Cold Air Sensitivity Scale) was randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups (1) Pro-Relief in-office desensitizing fluoride-free paste containing 8% arginine and calcium carbonate (Test Paste group), and (2) a fluoride-free prophylaxis paste (Control Paste group). Prior to their baseline examination, subjects were instructed to return to the clinical facility having refrained from eating and drinking for 2 hours. An assessment of air blast hypersensitivity and examinations of oral soft and hard tissue were performed at the baseline. Subjects were provided a professional in-office prophylaxis with their assigned prophylaxis paste. A post hypersensitivity examination was performed immediately after the oral prophylaxis. RESULTS: All subjects completed the study. At the post-hypersensitivity examination, subjects assigned to the Test Paste group and Control Paste group both exhibited statistically significant (P = 0000) reductions (compared to baseline), to air blast hypersensitivity of 44.7% and 25.6%, respectively. At the post-hypersensitivity examination, subjects in the Test Paste group exhibited a statistically significant (P = 0.005) reduction of 24.4% in mean air blast hypersensitivity scores as compared to the Control Paste group.

Long-term silicone central venous catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin decrease rates of catheter-related bloodstream infection in cancer patients: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of long-term nontunneled silicone catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin (M-R) in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial was conducted at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, a tertiary care hospital in Houston, TX. All patients in the trial had a malignancy. RESULTS: Between September 1999 and May 2002, 356 assessable catheters were used: 182 M-R and 174 nonimpregnated. The patients' characteristics were comparable between the two study groups. The mean (+/- standard deviation) duration of catheterization with M-R catheters was comparable to that of nonimpregnated catheters (66.21 +/- 30.88 v 63.01 +/- 30.80 days). A total of 17 catheter-related bloodstream infections occurred during the course of the study. Three were associated with the use of M-R catheters and 14 were associated with the nonimpregnated catheters, with a rate of catheter-related bloodstream infection of 0.25 and 1.28/1,000 catheter-days, respectively (P = .003). Gram-positive cocci accounted for the majority of the organisms causing the infections. There were no allergic reactions associated with M-R catheters. CONCLUSION: Long-term nontunneled central venous catheters impregnated with minocycline and rifampin are efficacious and safe in reducing catheter-related bloodstream infections in cancer patients.