Objective: Evaluating the neutralization of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) by sodium thiosulfate in vitro, in different concentrations, in the prevention of para-chloroaniline (PCA) formation when in contact with CHX. Material and methods: It were collected 2 mL of NaOCl solution to 2.5% and to 6%, divided in eight groups according to the sodium thiosulfate concentration (1.0; 2.5; 5.0; 10%) (TSF). The tests were done in duplicate and in each plate, it was poured 2mL of TFS and the reaction was observed for 5 minutes. After, 2 mL of 2% Chlorhexidine (CHX) were pouring on the plates to verify the formation of PCA. The infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform was used to verify the presence of PCA, and, in each solution, the pH was verified with universal strip. Results: All analyzed samples presented presence of water and deuterium water, and there was not identification of the PCA presence. The pH result of the solutions was between 8 and 9. It was verified that in the increasing of the concentration of the TFS there was gradual formation of precipitated compound and increase of the turbidity of the final sample. Conclusion: TFS can be used as an intermediate irrigation solution to prevent the formation of para-chloroaniline in the combined use of NaOCl and CHX.

Microorganisms that infect the root canals system are the main etiologic factor of the periapical pathologies. Some microorganisms are resistant to the antimicrobial treatment and may survive in the root canal after the chemical mechanical preparation and intra-canal medication, characterizing a persistent infection. In cases of failure of the endodontic treatment, a new approach may be done using additional measures that involve this infectious process control through the elimination or maximum reduction of microorganisms. Therefore, this article aims to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of different formulations of intra-canal medication compared to strains of Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in Petri plates. It was used diffusion test in agar where each Petri plate with the inoculated bacteria presented 5 wells that were filled with each medication. The diameters of the bacterial inhibition zones were measured and registered to each tested medication at the period of 24 hours, 48 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. All the medications promoted inhibition halos; however, a higher elimination of micro-organisms can be significantly achieved through the association of different substances in the formulation of an intra-canal medication, with emphasis to HPG and Ca(OH)2 + CHX.

Background: In our practice 24 hours urine collection for free cortisol (24Hr UFC) and overnight dexamethasone suppression test (ONDST) are initial investigations to screen patients for hyper-cortisolism. I audited our practice to find our clinicians’ and patients’ choice of first screening investigation for hyper-cortisolism. Method & material: Electronic and paper medical records of patients who underwent 24Hr UFC and/or ONDST at our hospital over previous consecutive twenty four months were examined. 62 such patients were identified but 12 patients were excluded from analysis. We tried to contact 30 patients over consecutive 48 hours over the phone who underwent both 24Hr UFC and ONDST. We managed to contact 18 patients and asked them two study questions. Data & results: 33 (66%) patients were female and 17 (33%) were male. 20 (40%) had 24Hr UFC alone and 30 (60%) patients had both. In total 80 such investigations completed 30 being ONDST and 50 24hr UFC. 53 (66%) of the investigations were requested by Endocrinologists, 21 (26%) by Hospital General Physicians and 6 (8%) by General practitioners (GP). For UFC 10 (20%) were true positive, 31 (62%) were false positive, 6 (12%) were true negative and 0% false negative. 3 (6%) 24Hr UFC samples were not collected properly and were not processed for results. Out of the total false positives (31 patients), 6 (19.3%) cases were of alcohol excess, 4 (13%) of dépression, 3 (9.7%) of inhaled steroids and 1 (3.2%) of sleep apnea. For the ONDST 7 (23.3%) true positive, 4 (13.3%) false positive 19 (63.4%) true negative and 0% false negative. All 18 patients contacted over the phone answered both questions. 16 preferred ONDST over 24Hr UFC, 1 patient had no preference and 1 patient preferred 24Hr UFC over ONDST.

For a long stretch of time in the biomedical fields of knowledge the information has been accumulated about the phenomena and processes that occur in the body in the norm and in the pathology under the influence of various factors. The current stage of scientific knowledge development is characterized by the transformation of accumulated empirical information. Its tools are mathematical technologies permitting to perform in-depth analysis of the data obtained and to summarize the research results. Using a variety of mathematical approaches to the study of biological objects allows the researcher to study the connections between elements of biostructures located at the same hierarchical level, and to determine the connections between elements of biostructures at different levels.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a very common complication of diabetes mellitus. The prevalence of ED in diabetic patients, especially those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is very high compared with their non-diabetic counterparts. There are few studies on ED and its correlation with testicular volume in eugonadal type 2 diabetics globally and especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Objective: To access the prevalence and correlation of ED with testicular volume in T2DM patients attending the diabetes outpatient clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi in South-eastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional prevalence study comprising 124 subjects with T2DM and 62 non diabetic controls. Data collection was done using a study protocol. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the International Index of Erectile function (IIEF) questionnaires were used for diagnosis of anxiety/depression and erectile dysfunction respectively. Testicular volumes for the study subjects were estimated using Prader-orchidometer. Serum total testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were determined. Participants who had anxiety, depression or hypogonadism were excluded from the study. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 58.29 ± 10.02 while that of the controls was 56.48 ± 10.58 (P = 0.255). 48.4% of the subjects had ED while 4.8% of the controls had erectile dysfunction (P < 0.001). Of the subjects that had ED, 26.7% had mild, 11.7% had moderate while 61.7% had severe erectile dysfunction. Severe ED was more associated with subjects (?2= 7.230, P = 0.027). IIEF score has significant positive correlation with the mean testicular volume. Conclusion: Prevalence of ED in men with T2DM in Nigeria is high and there is a significant positive correlation between ED and testicular volume in this group of subjects.