Dextranase enzyme and Enterococcus faecium probiotic have anti-biofilm effects by reducing the count of bacteria in dental plaque in the oral cavity of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Periodontal disease is a common clinical complication and has a negative impact on the quality of life and the welfare of companion dogs. Periodontal disease occurs when pathogenic bacteria are accumulated in the gingival sulcus, which favors biofilm formation. The oral health of dogs can be significantly compromised by dental plaque accumulation. Thus, this investigation demonstrates the effect of Enterococcus faecium probiotic, dextranase enzyme, and their combination on dental biofilm in the oral cavity of dogs. ANIMALS: The 30 dogs were referred to Polyclinic with no oral ulcers, severe periodontitis, and internal diseases. PROCEDURES: Dextranase enzyme, E faecium probiotic, and their combination were administered in the oral cavity of dogs. Microbiological samples were obtained from tooth surfaces and gums before and after intervention with the substances. Bacterial colonies were enumerated by using a colony counter. Also, Porphyromonas gingivalis hmuY gene expression was evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR analysis. RESULTS: The total colony count of the bacterial culture indicated that the dextranase enzyme, E faecium probiotic, and their combination significantly reduced the total bacteria count in the oral cavity. Moreover, in the reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR analysis it was observed that using the combination of E faecium probiotic and dextranase enzyme decreases the hmuY gene expression of P gingivalis bacteria. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The results clearly indicated that the dextranase enzyme and E faecium probiotic could be used as preventive agents to reduce oral biofilm in dogs. Furthermore, no side effects were observed while using these substances.

Effects of Probiotic Lactobacilli plantarum in Treatment of Experimentally Induced Periodontal Disease in Rabbits.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum in experimentally induced periodontal disease in rabbits. The incisor teeth of 24 rabbits were scaled under general anesthesia. Two weeks later, silk ligatures were placed at the gingival margin of the incisor teeth to induce periodontal disease. After confirming the presence of periodontal disease by periodontal probing four weeks later, incisor mucogingival flaps were created and gingival pocket lavage and debridement was performed. The rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1: Control; Group 2: Microencapsulated form of the probiotic; Group 3: Planktonic form of the probiotic; and Group 4: Biofilm form of the probiotic. The rabbits were euthanized eight weeks later, and gingival connective tissue and epithelium were resected for histopathological and histomorphometric evaluation. The results showed that the rate of epithelial regeneration was lower and bone regeneration was significantly higher in the treatment groups compared to the Control group. The highest level of bone regeneration was in Group 2 (Microencapsulated probiotic). There was no significant difference in bone regeneration observed between the biofilm and planktonic probiotic groups. This study showed that applying the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum in microencapsulated form improved bone regeneration in experimentally induced periodontal disease in rabbits.

Evaluation of hemosponge in promoting dental socket healing after 3rd mandibular premolar extraction in a feline model

Aim: To investigate the healing process following use of collagen sponges in the dental socket after extraction. Wound complications during the study were also evaluated. Methods: 32 cats wereincluded in this study. IV administration of the combination of diazepam (0.22 mg/kg) and ketamine(10 mg/kg) was used to induce general anesthesia. Surgical extraction of both 3rd mandibular premolars was performed. The open dental sockets were divided in two groups. In Group A, theopen dental socket on the left side was closed using 4-0 Monocryl in simple interrupted pattern. In Group B, the right dental socket was filled with lyophilized hydrolyzed collagen and the buccal andlingual flaps were sutured using 4-0 Monocryl and simple interrupted pattern. Meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was used to manage the post-extraction pain in all cats. Ampicilline 20 mg/kg was used asprophylaxis. The wounds were observed during the study to evaluate any signs of inflammationor dehiscence. Radiographs were taken to compare healing of the socket 3 weeks after theprocedure. A 1 mm biopsy punch sample was taken from sockets in all cats for comparison of the healing in both groups. Results: Hemorrhage occurred only in the sockets of Group A. Remissionof radiolucent area occurred in both groups. Mean score of inflammation was lower and meanscores of fibrotic reaction and fibroplasia were higher in Group B (p<0.05). Conclusions: Use ofhemosponge in alveolar socket may accelerate fibroplasia and formation of the connective tissueand reduce inflammation after tooth extraction. Therefore, post-extraction use of the hemostaticagent in the dental socket is recommended.

Evaluation of patency of arteriovenous fistula and its relative complications in diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: To study the arteriovenous fistula patency, duration of its maintenance, and its relative complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and thirty patients who had undergone hemodialysis during five years (1996 to 2001) were included in this study. The patency rate and complications, including paresthesia, pain induced by ischemia, venous hypertension, infection, erythema, and edema, were assessed. Data were recorded in the pre-designed questionnaire and statistically analyzed using t test. RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation age of the patients was 58.08 ± 11.73 years (range, 18 to 80 years). Most of the fistulas were created at the left bracheocephalic (58 subjects). Side-to-side technique was the mostly applied technique (99.2%). The fistula patency was 100%, 92.64%, 89.48%, 84.38%, and 83.61% at year 1 to 5, respectively. There was a significant negative correlation between the subjects' age and maintained patency (P = .02). However, no significant difference was observed between the maintained patency and other variables, including gender, location of the fistula, and the type of the technique applied for creation of the fistula (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Diabetes does not have a negative impact on the rate of patency and its duration in arteriovenous fistula. However, further investigations on a larger population are recommended.

Endoscopic treatment of vesicoureteral reflux using calcium hydroxyl apatite in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Injection of biomaterial to suburetral region, using minimally invasive procedure, has become an interesting topic for urologists to treat vesicoureteral reflux. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of injecting newly introduced calcium hydroxyl apatite to suburetral region, for treating an experimentally induced vesicoureteral reflux in dogs. FINDINGS: Bilateral vesicoureteral refluxed (VUR) mixed breed dogs (n = 12; 10-15 kg live weight, 3-6 months of age) were selected for this study. The presence and grade of the reflux were determined using cystography. Accordingly, 6 dogs displayed grade 1 & 2 and the other 6 showed grade 3 & 4 bilateral VUR. Every single dog, with bilateral VUR, underwent endoscopic treatment and received an injection of calcium hydroxyl apatite (an Iranian made product) into the left (treated side) and an injection of the similar volume of normal saline in to the right (control side) subureteric space. One week, 3 and 6 months after treatment, cystography was performed. On each occasion, 4 dogs were euthanized by gas inhalation and biopsy samples were collected for histopathological study from ureter, bladder, kidney, lung and spleen in order to investigate the biomaterial migration into different organs. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared test. In control sides, radiographs confirmed the same grade of VUR, found at the initiation of the study. VUR was resolved in 100% (6/6) of Grade 1 & 2 and 83.33% (5/6) of Grade 3 & 4 in treated side. Therefore, the total success rate of this study was 91.67% (11/12). Macroscopic examination of the vesicouretral region of the treated side revealed a firm and consistent biomaterial mass at the site of injection. Histological findings confirmed inflammation at treated side. In contrast, there was no tissue reaction on control side. There was no evidence for biomaterial migration in macroscopic and microscopic observations in this study. CONCLUSION: In the present study, a new biocompatible material produced a firm, consist and sustainable biomaterial mass in the suburetral region for treating vesicouretral reflux without any evidence of biomaterial migration.