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This study evaluated the anatomical profile of the mesial root canals of the Burmese mandibular first molar with Vertucci's type IV canal configuration (VT4) using microcomputed tomography analysis. Seventy-five mesial roots of extracted mandibular first molars were scanned and evaluated. Fourteen middle mesial canals (MMCs) were observed in the specimens; each specimen had an average of 1.63 lateral canals and 3.77 apical foramina. The lateral canals arising from the mesiobuccal canal, mesiolingual canal, MMC, and isthmus terminated at an average distance of 0.92, 0.73, 2.11, and 1.89 mm, respectively, from the apex. The mean distance between the centers of the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals at 1.5 mm coronal to the furcation was 2.60 mm. A higher incidence of isthmus was observed in the apical 2-6-mm region compared with the apical 0-2-mm region (P < 0.05). The incidence of lateral canals in the isthmus was similar to that of the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals (P > 0.05). This study shows that the mesial root of the Burmese mandibular first molar with VT4 has complex anatomical profiles comprising MMCs and isthmus and their lateral canals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the hypothesis that there are no differences in mutans streptococci (MS) adhesion between esthetic and metallic orthodontic arch wires based on their surface characteristics. Materials and Methods: Surface roughness (Ra) and apparent surface free energy (SFE) were measured for six wires--four esthetic, one nickel-titanium (NiTi), and one stainless-steel (SS)-- using profilometry and dynamic contact angle analysis, respectively. The amount of MS (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) adhering to the wires was quantified using the colony-counting method. The surfaces, coating layers, and MS adhesion were also observed by scanning electron microscopy. Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Results: The Ra values of the esthetic wires were significantly different from one another depending on the coating method (P < .05). The NiTi wire showed the highest SFE, followed by the SS wire and then the four esthetic wires. The NiTi wires produced a significantly higher MS adhesion than did the SS wires (P < .05). The esthetic wires showed significantly lower MS adhesions than did the NiTi wire (P < .05). Pearson correlation analyses found moderate significant positive correlations between the SFE and the S mutans and S sobrinus adhesions [r = .636/.427, P < 001/P = .001, respectively). Conclusions: The hypothesis is rejected. This study indicates that some esthetic coatings on NiTi alloy might reduce MS adhesion in vitro in the short term [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article evaluates the antiviral properties of green tea catechins on development of hand washing disinfectant solutions which can acts against viral transmission among humans. It mentions weakening of the virus present on the skin cell layers contact model for influenza virus transmission on washing with green tea solution. The combinational effects of green tea and antioxidants which increases the antiviral activity and shelf-life of a green tea-based hand washing solution is also analyzed.

The article determines whether dietary epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can protect the liver from cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1)-dependent alcoholic liver damage. According to the authors, the formation of a fatty liver was significantly reduced and the serum aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase levels were much lower. They add that EGCG prevents ethanol-induced hepatoxicity and inhibits the development of a fatty liver.