Oral streptococci growth on aging and non-aging esthetic restorations after radiotherapy

Acute Radiation Syndrome and the Microbiome: Impact and Review

Study of the human microbiota has been a centuries-long endeavor, but since the inception of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Microbiome Project in 2007, research has greatly expanded, including the space involving radiation injury. As acute radiation syndrome (ARS) is multisystemic, the microbiome niches across all areas of the body may be affected. This review highlights advances in radiation research examining the effect of irradiation on the microbiome and its potential use as a target for medical countermeasures or biodosimetry approaches, or as a medical countermeasure itself. The authors also address animal model considerations for designing studies, and the potential to use the microbiome as a biomarker to assess radiation exposure and predict outcome. Recent research has shown that the microbiome holds enormous potential for mitigation of radiation injury, in the context of both radiotherapy and radiological/nuclear public health emergencies. Gaps still exist, but the field is moving forward with much promise.

Efeito da radioterapia com raios x de alta energia sobre a resistência de união da dentina humana com resina composta – estudo in vitro

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo experimental é avaliar o efeito da radiação com raios X de alta energia na resistência de união entre dentina humana e resina composta. Métodos: Trinta terceiros molares humanos hígidos foram seccionados, produzindo superfícies oclusais planas de dentina, e distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos (n=15): um não irradiado e restaurado com Resina Composta Filtek Z-250, 3M-ESPE® (G1, n=15 – grupo controle), outro irradiado e restaurado com Resina Composta Filtek Z-250, 3M-ESPE® (G2, n=15). O protocolo de radiação utilizado foi de 70 Gy no total. As amostras foram cortadas em palitos (área média de 1 mm2) e submetidas ao teste de microtração. Os dados foram comparados por meio do teste t-student (p <0,05). O padrão de fratura foi examinado em microscopia óptica e submetido ao teste exato de Fischer (p <0,05). Resultados: não houve diferença significativa entre o grupo de dentes não irradiados e irradiados (p=0,738). O grupo controle e o grupo irradiado apresentaram predominância no padrão de fratura de falhas coesivas em resina e/ou mistas e falhas adesivas foram verificadas somente no grupo dos dentes irradiados. Conclusões: A radiação não interfere significativamente na resistência de união da dentina humana restaurada com resina composta e que não houve influência significativa entre os grupos estudados em relação ao padrão de fratura.

Effect of ionizing radiation on properties of restorative materials

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of ionizing radiation from high energy X-ray on properties of restorative materials.

METHODS

Study materials (3M-ESPE) were: Z250-microhybrid resin-based composite (Filtek Z-250); Z350-nanofilled resin-based composite (Filtek Z-350XT); VIT-resin-modified glass ionomer cement (Vitremer); and KME-conventional glass ionomer cement (Ketac Molar Easymix). Sixty bar-shaped and cylinder-shaped specimens were fabricated from each material. Specimens were light activated (980mW/cm², Radii, SDI) for 60s (3×20s for Z250 and Z350) and 120s (3×40s for VIT) and thirty specimens from each shape were irradiated (IR) with 1.8Gy/day for 39days (total IR=70.2Gy). IR and non-irradiated (NI) specimens were evaluated for flexural strength (σ, n=30) followed by fractography (SEM), diametral tensile strength (DTS, n=30), hardness (H, n=10), surface roughness (R_a, n=10) and chemical composition (n=3). The IR effect on each material property was statistically analyzed using Student's t test (α=0.05). Data from σ and DTS were also analyzed using Weibull statistics.

RESULTS

IR significantly increased the mean σ values of VIT and KME and the mean DTS value of VIT (p<0.05). IR increased R_a and H values for VIT and decreased H value for Z-250 (p<0.05). The remaining materials and properties were not significantly affected by IR (p>0.05). There was no significant change on materials composition after IR.

SIGNIFICANCE

The recommended radiotherapy protocol for head and neck cancer altered some material properties, mainly for glass ionomer cements. Such variations on material properties are not related to chemical composition changes.

Microbiota and their role in the pathogenesis of oral mucositis

Oral mucositis in patients undergoing cancer therapy is a significant problem. Its prevalence ranges between 20 and 100%, depending on treatment type and protocols and patient-based variables. Mucositis is self-limiting when uncomplicated by infection. Unfortunately, the incidence of developing a local or systemic infection during the course of the treatment is very high. At this stage, it is unclear which role oral microbiota play in the onset, duration, and severity of oral mucositis. Nevertheless, there is growing interest in this underexplored topic, and new studies are being undertaken to unravel their impact on the pathogenesis of mucositis.

Surface roughness of flowable resin composites eroded by acidic and alcoholic drinks

Aim:

The aim of this study is to evaluate the surface roughness of four flowable resin composites following exposure to acidic and alcoholic drinks.

Materials and Methods:

SureFil SDR flow, TetricEvoFlow, Esthet-X Flow and Amaris Flow HT samples were immersed in artificial saliva, Coca Cola and Chivas Regal Whisky. Each specimen was examined using a Leica DCM 3D microscope: Arithmetical mean height of the surface profiles was measured (Sa).

Results:

Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences among various groups (P<0,001). Mann Whitney test was applied and control groups showed significantly lower Sa values than other groups (P=0,008). Coca Cola groups showed highest Sa values (P<0,021). No significant differences (P=0,14) in surface texture were found among the specimens of the different materials. No significant differences were found among TetricEvoFlow, Esthet-X Flow and Amaris Flow under control conditions nor after Coca Cola application. Under control condition and after Coca Cola application SureFil SDR flow showed significantly higher Sa values. Moreover, after whisky application Amaris Flow showed significantly lower Sa values then the other three groups that showed no significant differences among them.

Conclusions:

Acidic and alcoholic drinks eroded the surface roughness of all evaluated flowable resin composites.