Sodium percarbonate as a novel intracoronal bleaching agent: assessment of the associated risk of cervical root resorption.

AIM: To evaluate the extraradicular peroxide release from sodium percarbonate compared to sodium perborate as an intracoronal bleaching agent. METHODOLOGY: Sixty mandibular single-rooted premolars with intact CEJ were selected. After root filling, gutta-percha was removed 4 mm apical to CEJ and 2 mm of GIC was condensed over the root filling. Intracoronal bleaching agents were placed into six groups of teeth (n = 10): sodium perborate with distilled water (SPW); sodium percarbonate with distilled water (SPCW); sodium perborate with 30% hydrogen peroxide (SPHP); sodium percarbonate with 30% hydrogen peroxide (SPCHP); 30% hydrogen peroxide as positive control (HP) and distilled water as negative control (CL). The teeth were then mounted in vials filled with distilled water, kept in an incubator and taken out at 1, 3 and 6 days for spectrophotometric analysis. Extraradicular peroxide release was quantified by the ferrothiocyanate method. Statistical analysis was undertaken with one-way anova and Scheffe post hoc tests. RESULTS: The greatest peroxide release occurred in the HP group, followed by the SPCHP and SPHP groups, and then by the SPCW and SPW groups. Intergroup comparison revealed that there was no significant difference in peroxide release among the groups SPCW and SPW on days 1, 3 and 6 (P > 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found between the SPCHP and SPHP treated groups on days 1, 3 and 6 (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extraradicular peroxide release from sodium percarbonate was comparable to that of sodium perborate, as the differences were not significant.

Evaluation and comparison of transverse and impact strength of different high strength denture base resins.

AIM: The present study was undertaken to evaluate and compare the impact strength and transverse strength of the high-impact denture base materials. A conventional heat polymerized acrylic resin was used as a control. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The entire experiment was divided into four main groups with twenty specimens each according to denture base material selected Trevalon, Trevalon Hi, DPI Tuff and Metrocryl Hi. These groups were further subgrouped into the two parameters selected, impact strength and flexural strength with ten specimens each. These specimens were then subjected to transverse bend tests with the help of Lloyds instrument using a three point bend principle. Impact tests were undertaken using an Izod-Charpy digital impact tester. RESULTS: This study was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance using Fisher f-test and Bonferroni t-test. There was a significant improvement in the impact strength of high-impact denture base resins as compared to control (Trevalon). However, in terms of transverse bend tests, only DPI Tuff showed higher transverse strength in comparison to control. Trevalon Hi and Metrocryl Hi showed a decrease in transverse strength. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limits of this in vitro study, (1) There is a definite increase in impact strength due to the incorporation of butadiene styrene rubber in this high strength denture base materials as compared to Trevalon used as a control. (2) Further investigations are required to prevent the unduly decrease of transverse strength. (3) It was the limitation of the study that the exact composition of the high-impact resins was not disclosed by the manufacturer that would have helped in better understanding of their behavior.

Non-hormonal post-coital contraceptive action of neem oil in rats.

Neem oil, a natural product of Azadirachta indica was investigated for various hormonal properties in relation to its post-coital contraceptive action. At subcutaneous doses up to 0.3 ml/rat, neem oil did not possess any estrogenic, anti-estrogenic or progestational activity and appeared not to interfere with the action of progesterone. These findings were confirmed using the histo-architecture of the uterus of treated rats. Since the post-coital contraceptive effect of neem oil seems to be non-hormonal, neem oil would be expected to elicit less side effects than the steroidal contraceptives.

Biochemical and histological studies of reproductive organs in cyclic and ovariectomized rats supporting a non-hormonal action for neem oil.

Subcutaneous administration of neem oil to cyclic rats caused significant damage to the luminal epithelium of the uterus and to the uterine glands. It also decreased glycogen and total protein contents in the ovary and uterus, while the activity of acid phosphatase in these organs was increased significantly. Studies in ovariectomized rats revealed that the administration of neem oil decreased protein and glycogen content and increased acid phosphatase activity in the uterus whereas its conjoint administration with estradiol dipropionate or progesterone did not cause significant changes relative to those seen with the steroids per se. Histological studies in ovariectomized rats also supported the relatively inert action of neem oil when given with hormones. It was concluded that the histological and biochemical alterations observed were due to the toxicological potential of the neem oil rather than to hormonal properties.

Cadmium toxicity induced changes in plant water relations and oxidative metabolism of Brassica juncea L. plants.

Excess of cadmium (Cd) induced changes in oxidative scenario and water status of plants viz.., total water content, specific water content, water saturation deficit (WSD) and transpiration of Brassica juncea plants grown in soil pot culture. Although lower and marginal levels of excess cadmium (100 and 250 ppm) improved growth but higher levels (500 ppm) caused significant suppression. Significant accumulation of proline, an indicator of water stress, occurred at higher level of Cd. Gradual increases in activities of certain antioxidant enzymes such as catalase and peroxidase along with increased lipid peroxidation are suggestive of disturbed oxidative metabolism. Taking together, the deleterious effects of Cd and its effects on oxidative metabolism clearly indicate enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to be instrumental in producing toxic effects of Cd. The excess levels of Cd also decreased the concentrations of soluble protein and chlorophylls and increased the ratio of chlorophyll a/b.

Coincidental diagnosis of tuberculous lymphadenitis: a case report.

The aim of this case report was to present a case of multiple calcified tuberculous lymph nodes found on a panoramic radiograph coincidently diagnosed in an endodontic clinic. A detailed discussion on the differential diagnosis of similar such calcification found in the same region is also presented. A 14-year-old girl was referred to our department with the complaint of painless swelling in the left side of the lower jaw. Clinical and radiographical examinations were performed, leading to the initial diagnosis of chronic periapical abscess. The patient's medical history was re-evaluated. Advanced imaging and excisional biopsy were performed in order to confirm the final diagnosis. Regarding the presenting signs and symptoms of bilateral carious mandibular molars, a periapical inflammatory process was considered in the provisional diagnosis. A thorough examination and investigations were suggestive of cervical tuberculous lymphadenitis (scrofula), and the patient underwent excision of the same. The clinician should consider the possibility of chronic granulomatous inflammatory lesions in the differential diagnosis of radiopaque lesions.

Single Step Endodontic Management of Immature Apices using MTA.

AIM: To examine the clinical and radiographic appearance of teeth with immature apices that were treated by single step procedure using mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). SUMMARY: Creation of a physiological hard tissue barrier with calcium hydroxide in a nonvital tooth although quite predictable has certain limitations, such as the very long duration of the treatment spread over multiple visits and increased risk of root fracture. Plugging the root canal end with MTA has been advocated as an alternative treatment modality for open apices. The technique has been proven to be successful in many recently reported cases. The cases reported here present the successful treatment of two traumatized maxillary central incisors with open apices and periapical lesions using MTA. In this case report, MTA has been used to create a hard tissue barrier after disinfection of the root canal.

Radix Entomolaris: A Clinical Challenge.

A major anatomical variant of the two-rooted mandibular first molar is a tooth with an additional distolingual third root: The radix entomolaris (RE). It is essential to anticipate and find all roots and canals during root canal treatment. Proper angulations and interpretation of radiographs help to identify pulp chamber and root anatomy. If present, an awareness and understanding of this unusual root and its root canal morphology can contribute to the successful outcome of root canal treatment.

The legislative scheme of pre-trial destruction or lawful disposal of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India.

The present article provides a description of the practice of pre-trial destruction of seized narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in India as provided for in the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and the Customs Act, 1962, and in the context of the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988. It includes explanations of why, as well as how, the pre-trial destruction of such substances should be carried out.

Hormonal properties of ethanolic extract of juniperus communis linn.

To evaluate antifertility mode of action of extracts of Juniperus communis Linn., its various extracts were investigated for estrogenic, antiestrogenic, progestagenic and antiprogestagenic properties in laboratory animals. Investigations reveal that the extract possessed only antiprogestational activity which accounts for its antifertility effect.

Anti-implantation activity of some indigenous plants in rats.

Various extracts of one hundred and eight medicinal plants were screened for their anti-implantation activity in female albino rats. Out of these, 50% ethanolic extract of Codonospis ovata Benth (PL); 50% ethanolic, acetone and benzene extracts of Puararia tuberosa DC (TUB); aqueous and methanolic extracts of Punica granatum Linn. (PX) and ethanolic and acetone extracts of Rubus ellipiticus Smith (PX) inhibited pregnancy in 70-90% of rats. Similarly ethanolic extract of Adhatoda vasica Nees (LF) and Kigelia pinnata DC (PL); ethanolic and acetone extracts of Acrostichum aureum Linn. (PL), Juniperus communis Linn. (SD), Lepidium capitatum H.f. & T. (PL); ethanolic and benzene extracts of Citrulus colocynthus Schrad (LF) and acetone extract of Codonopsis ovata Benth (PL) showed 60-70% anti-implantation activity. Extracts of a few plants VIZ. Dolichos biflorus Linn. (SD), Ferule orientalis Linn. (PL), Nerium odoratum Lamk (RT), Randia dumetorum Lamk (SD) and Ruta graveolens Linn. (PL) could inhibit pregnancy in 50-60% of rats. The rest of the plants were either inactive or showed insignificant antifertility activity.