Search

The aim of this study is to present the characteristics and a comparison of four different commercial materials dedicated to the CAD/CAM technique in dentistry, all of which can be classified as ceramic materials. Its purpose is also to evaluate the impact of surface treatment on the cytotoxicity and microbiological properties of the materials. The CAD/CAM technique has a perpetually growing role in modern reconstructive dentistry. It requires a material's possession of peculiar characteristics, such as mechanical resistance, durability, functionality (similar to natural tissues), good aesthetics and biocompatibility. To critically evaluate a biomaterial, both manufacturer claims and in vitro tests should be considered. Further steps of evaluation may include animal tests and clinical trials. There are certain attributes of biomaterials that may be modified by surface treatment that can be crucial to the clinical success of the material. The evaluated materials were Vita Suprinity (VITA-Zahnfabrik, Germany), Vita Mark II (VITA-Zahnfabrik, Germany), Celtra Duo (Dentsply Sirona, USA) and Empress Cad (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein). They are available in the form of prefabricated blocks of various diameters and are popular among operators performing clinical procedures using CAD/CAM. Standardized blocks of each material were prepared. Half of them had their surface polished. Further, half of all the samples were covered by a nano-copper layer. The samples were evaluated for cytotoxicity, presented on a 0–4 scale, adhesion susceptibility and potential of forming a biofilm on their surface. Physicochemical properties such as the water contact angle (WCA) were evaluated for the tested materials. The influence of copper coating on cytotoxicity cannot be unequivocally stated or denied. Surface polishing did not affect the materials' cytotoxicity, but it increased the WCA of all materials and, therefore, their hydrophobicity. Different degrees of adhesion ability and biofilm formation were dependent on the species of microorganisms and properties of the dental materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alveolar bone augmentation is a complex process influenced by a multitude of factors. The materials applied in augmentation procedures must be confirmed as non-toxic, and their physicochemical properties should allow proper bone reconstruction. The specifics of oral surgical procedures require the use of regenerative biomaterials with antimicrobial properties. This study focuses on the physicochemical characteristics of chosen nanosized biomaterials, as well as their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial properties. Methods: nanosized hydroxyapatite and fluorapatite (abbreviated as nHAp and nFAp) pellets were manufactured using a microwave hydrothermal synthesis method. The impact on Candida albicans, Streptococcus mutans, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains activity and adherence to apatites was tested. Cytotoxic evaluation was performed based on the differentiation process of MC3T3 cells. The effectiveness of MC3T3 differentiation was confirmed by Alizarin Red staining. Results: Contact with both biomaterials caused a reduction in the mean microbial count of S. mutans and C. albicans strains, as observed. Studied biomaterials demonstrated enhanced proliferation of MC3T3 cells, with the exception of the 1:1 nFAp concentration. Conclusions: Both biomaterials enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts and limit the activity of specific oral pathogens in vitro. The research clearly demonstrates the advantage of nFAp over nHAp, with a notable reduction in microbial count of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans over time. The lowest microbial count reduction was observed in the case of L. rhamnosus. Further research is required in order to fully understand the specifics of nHAp and nFAp antimicrobial action. However, the results were found to be more favourable for nFAp biomaterial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Backgrounds: The titanium–aluminum–vanadium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) is frequently used in implantology due to its biocompatibility. The use of 3D printing enables the mechanical modification of implant structures and the adaptation of their shape to the specific needs of individual patients. Methods: The titanium alloy plates were designed using the 3D CAD method and printed using a 3D SLM printer. Qualitative tests were performed on the material surface using a microcomputed tomography scanner. The cytotoxicity of the modular titanium plates was investigated using the MTT assay on the L929 cell line and in direct contact with Balb/3T3 cells. Cell adhesion to the material surface was evaluated with hFOB1.19 human osteoblasts. Microbial biofilm formation was investigated on strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans using the TTC test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results: The surface analysis showed the hydrophobic nature of the implant. The study showed that the titanium plates had no cytotoxic properties. In addition, the material surface showed favorable properties for osteoblast adhesion. Among the microorganisms tested, the strains of S. mutans and S. epidermidis showed the highest adhesion capacity to the plate surface, while the fungus C. albicans showed the lowest adhesion capacity. Conclusions: The manufactured modular plates have properties that are advantageous for the implantation and reduction in selected forms of microbial biofilm. Three-dimensional-printed modular titanium plates were investigated in this study and revealed the potential clinical application of this type of materials, regarding lack of cytotoxicity, high adhesion properties for osteoblasts and reduction in biofilm formation. The 3D CAD method allows us to personalise the shape of implants for individual patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oral cavity is colonized by more than 700 bacterial species. They occur in the form of individual cells or form multispecies biofilms. The formation of biofilm, its abnormal growth combined with impaired functioning of the defense mechanisms of the body and disorders in the quantitative and qualitative composition of the oral microbiota can lead to the development of caries, gingival inflammation, parodontosis or peri-implantitis. The paper discusses the stages of biofilm formation as well as microbial interactions within this organized community. It also addresses the significance of multispecies biofilm in oral infections and, very importantly, the methods to combat it.

Copyright of Advancements of Microbiology is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Epidemiological Review / Przegląd Epidemiologiczny is the property of National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Forum Zakażeń is the property of Evereth Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Otomycosis is a fungal infection of the ear canal, causing diagnostic and therapeutic problems. It often occurs in immune-compromised patients and in those who use local long-term antibiotic therapy in chronic otitis. The key to a precise diagnosis is a thorough otoscopic examination, confirming the presence of characteristic clinical features (residual mass in the ear canal), and the specimen collection. In all cases presented here, we collected samples from the external auditory meatus for bacteriological and mycological investigation. In two patients we identified Aspergillus niger infection, and in one patient - Aspargillus terreus. Those patients were successfully treated with the anti-fungal agents, clotrimazole and itraonazole, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Forum Zakażeń is the property of Evereth Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Forum Zakażeń is the property of Evereth Publishing Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics in community medicine has resulted in a significant increase in the incidence of antibiotic associated diarrhea in outpatients. This paper describes the cases of long diagnostic road from the onset of symptoms of diarrhea to accurate diagnosis and cure. The biggest problem was to convince the primary care physicians that the etiology of Clostridium difficile diarrhea occurs not only in hospitalized patients. New indications and guidelines should be determined for the proper diagnosis of diarrhea in outpatients, including diagnostics of C. difficile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Galactomannan (GM) is a component of Aspergillus cell wall used as diagnostic marker for invasive aspergillosis (IA) in immunocompromised patients. The aim of study: The study presents the results of 2-years GM testing in patients treated in the Department of Paediatric Haematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation of Wroclaw Medical University. Material and methods: Blood samples taken weekly from high risk patients were examined using immunoenzymatic method. A total number of 108 patients, incl. 21 adults and 87 children were tested. Ninety-eight patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and 10 were on intensive chemotherapy. Results: Positive results (GMI≥0.5) were found in 10 patients (10% of all examined),among them 3 patients presented with history of aspergillosis, whereas the remaining 7 patients were treated for proven, probable, or possible aspergillosis. Among patients with negative GM results, two were classified as having possible aspergillosis. Fungal lesions were most frequently found in lungs, and in two patients also in liver and spleen. Only one patient showed sinus aspergillosis. Test sensitivity was estimated for 83%, when single positive results were considered, and 53%, when at least two consecutive positive results were required. Conclusions: GM represents highly specific marker of IA in hematologic patients, however it should be used together with classical mycology, as well as clinical picture and risk factors analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Immunosuppressed patients, also those who are HIV-positive patients, are susceptible to oral cavity fungal infections., Aim of Study: In this study, we aimed to show differences in qualitative composition of oral cavity flora between HIV-positive people and healthy controls and identify factors which affect fungal oral cavity flora., Materials and Methods: The study group contained HIV-positive people and a control group of healthy people. All cultured species were analysed using MALDI-TOF MS., Results: More HIV-positive people had two or more fungus species present than controls (p=0.008). Seven species were cultured in the study group compared to three in the control group. Smoking was associated with higher prevalence of C. albicans (p=0.03), C. glabrata (p=0.026), C. tropicalis (p=0.01). Dental prosthesis or braces was also associated with presence of more species (p=0.04).The lower level of lymphocytes CD4+ was not associated with fungus presence in oral cavity., Conclusions: HIV infection is associated with changes to oral cavity fungal flora. Given the higher number of non-albicans species among HIV-positive patients it is important to individually choose a treatment for such patients' fungal infections. Proper oral hygene and not smoking can reduce prevalence of fungi in oral cavity. Patients' immunological status did not have an impact on the frequency of Candida species isolation from the oral cavity., (© National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene.)