Correction to: Molecular karyotyping and gene expression analysis in childhood cancer patients

The correct Author names are presented in this paper.

Ochratoxin A in sultanas from Turkey I: Survey of unprocessed sultanas from vineyards and packing-houses

A method for the determination of ochratoxin A (OTA) in sultanas from Turkey using extraction with a sodium bicarbonate solution (2% NaHCO3) followed by immunoaffinity clean-up and liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection was used to assess the frequency of occurrence and level of OTA. In-house validation was carried out with spiked samples at levels of 0.15, 1.5, 5.0 and 10 microg kg-1 and average recoveries were 91, 93, 87 and 89%, respectively. The limits of detection and limit of quantification in Turkish sultanas were 0.026 and 0.09 microg kg-1, respectively. A survey for the presence of OTA was carried out on 264 unprocessed sultana samples during the production seasons between 1998 and 2000 collected annually from vineyards and from packing-houses. The analyses of unprocessed sultanas showed that 32.2% of the total number of samples contained no detectable OTA, whereas 9.8% of sultana samples had OTA concentrations above 10 microg kg-1, and the remaining 58% had levels within the range 0.026-10 microg kg-1. There were big differences in median concentrations between years. Considering the year of production, it appears that sultanas produced in 1998 and 2000 showed the lowest incidence of OTA contamination (median<0.02 microg kg-1), whereas 2002 showed the highest incidence (median=4.3 microg kg-1). The overall mean OTA concentration was calculated as 3.4 microg kg-1, and the overall median as 0.9 microg kg-1. Among the samples analysed, the highest detected level of OTA was 54 microg kg-1.

Spiral computed tomographic demonstration of C-shaped canals in mandibular second molars

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of C-shaped canals in single rooted mandibular second molars with spiral computed tomographic imaging in detail.

METHODS

One hundred and twelve single-rooted mandibular second molar samples were selected from 491 extracted mandibular second molars. The teeth were scanned by spiral computed tomographic technique to examine canal configurations.

RESULTS

The evaluation criteria of the shape of roots was based on Manning's category as round, oval and C-shaped. The prevalence of C-shaped canals was found to be 8.1% in mandibular second molars. The evaluation of the root canal configurations of C-shaped mandibular second molars with single roots (40 teeth) was based on Vertucci's classification. Vertucci type I canals were most frequently seen in C-shaped mandibular second molars (40%). Additionally, we disclosed three additional canal types.

CONCLUSION

Results of this study demonstrated that high resolution visualization of the root canal shape can be achieved by spiral computed tomographic imaging.

In vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant activities of the essential oil and methanol extracts of herbal parts and callus cultures of Satureja hortensis L

The present study was designated to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the essential oil, obtained by using a Clevenger distillation apparatus, water soluble (polar) and water insoluble (nonpolar) subfractions of the methanol extracts from aerial parts of Satureja hortensis L. plants, and methanol extract from calli established from the seeds using Gamborg's B5 basal media supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (1.0 ppm), 6-benzylaminopurine (N(6)-benzyladenine) (1.0 ppm), and sucrose (2.5%). The antimicrobial test results showed that the essential oil of S. hortensis had great potential antimicrobial activities against all 23 bacteria and 15 fungi and yeast species tested. In contrast, the methanol extract from callus cultures and water soluble subfraction of the methanol extract did not show antimicrobial activities, but the nonpolar subfraction had antibacterial activity against only five out of 23 bacterial species, which were Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus fecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enteritidis, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Antioxidant studies suggested that the polar subfractions of the methanol extract of intact plant and methanol extract of callus cultures were able to reduce the stable free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl to the yellow-colored diphenylpicrylhydrazine. In this assay, the strongest effect was observed for the tissue culture extract, with an IC(50) value of 23.76 +/- 0.80 microgram/mL, which could be compared with the synthetic antioxidant agent butylated hydroxytoluene. On the other hand, linoleic acid oxidation was 95% inhibited in the presence of the essential oil while the inhibition was 90% with the chloroform subfraction of the intact plant. The chemical composition of a hydrodistilled essential oil of S. hortensis was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC)/flame ionization detection (FID) and a GC-mass spectrometry system. A total 22 constituents representing 99.9% of the essential oil were identified by GC-FID analaysis. Thymol (29.0%), carvacrol (26.5%), gamma-terpinene (22.6%), and p-cymene (9.3%) were the main components.

Root canal morphology of maxillary premolars

The objective of this study was to investigate further internal anatomy of maxillary premolars. Six hundred recently extracted maxillary first and second premolar teeth were used in this study. One-half of the teeth were maxillary first premolars, the other half were maxillary second premolars. The teeth were stored in 10% formalin solution, and a standard clearing technique was applied with some modifications. Finally, ink-dyed root canal systems were evaluated by a dissecting light microscope. Each tooth was examined as to the number of roots and root canals and their types, ramifications of the main root canals, and location of apical foramina and transverse anastomoses. Examination of the root canal systems of the teeth was based on Vertucci's classification. The incidence of type I canals (one canal) for the maxillary first premolars was 8.66%, whereas 89.64% of the total samples demonstrated two canals (from type II to type VII). Only 1.66% of maxillary first premolars were type VIII or type IX (three canals). Regarding maxillary second premolars, the incidence of type I (one canal) was 48.66%, whereas it was 50.64% for type II to type VII (two canals). Type VIII (three canals) was found in 0.66% of the total sample.

Endodontic treatment of a fused maxillary lateral incisor

A case report of endodontic treatment of a maxillary lateral incisor that fused with a supernumerary tooth is presented. The fused maxillary lateral incisor was in supraposition on the maxillary dental arch and required orthodontic treatment. The fused tooth was prepared for endodontic therapy. Cleaning and shaping of the root canals were performed. Then, the Ultrafil technique was used for obturation of the root canals. After orthodontic treatment, the teeth was mesiodistally reduced in size and restored with an anterior composite resin.

The effect of a varnish with fluoride on the hardness of the exposed human dentine tissue

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new varnish with fluoride, Fluoridin N-5, on the exposed dentine tissue in situ. Human incisors which were mounted into intra-oral devices were worn by six volunteers and the test materials were applied three times a day for fourteen days. Three different materials were used as three test groups: Novalite, Fluoridin gel N-5 and Amalgam liner. Although both the control and test groups showed some increases in hardness, the mean hardness increase of all of the test groups was significantly higher than that of the control group (p = 0.007). However, the comparison of mean increases in hardness values showed no significant difference among the test groups.

Smooth coronal surface, resin restoration and microleakage

The space between the resin and the cavity walls has always become interesting to search. The aim of this study was to evaluate any differences on leakage values of Class 5 type resin restorations prepared on surrounding surfaces of the tooth crown. Ninety human teeth were prepared as Class 5 cavities on buccal, lingual, mesial and distal surfaces and were randomly divided into groups for bevelling, groove preparation and as control. The subgroups were arranged as fluoride gel and/or sealant applications. Fluoride gel was applied following the cavity preparations. Sealant was applied over composite resin restorations. Treated teeth were thermocycled and immersed into dye solution for 96 hours. The restorations were evaluated in a stereo-microscope following the sectioning. Bevelling of the cavosurfaces and/or preparation of a groove addition to cavity procedures did not make any difference on the microleakage scores of the restorations done on either surfaces statistically.

The degrees and configurations of mesial canal curvatures of mandibular first molars

The objective of this study was to determine the frequency, degree of curvature, and the configuration of mesiobuccal and mesiolingual root canals of mandibular first molars. The degree of curvature and configuration of root canals creates some technical difficulties to the clinician during biomechanical preparation. Therefore this knowledge is essential for successful endodontic therapy. Six hundred and ninety-seven freshly extracted mandibular first molars were used in this study. After introducing 0.8 to 15 K reamers into the mesial root canals, the teeth were radiographed in buccolingual (clinical) and mesiodistal (proximal) directions. All samples showed curvatures at varying degrees in both views. There was a significant correlation between the degree of primary curvature of mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals in clinical directions for total samples. When the primary curvature values of the mesial root canals were evaluated in Vertucci classification, the mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals in Vertucci type VI were found as significantly correlated (r = 0.7173, p < 0.05). A significant correlation was seen between the secondary curvature values of clinical and proximal views of mesiolingual canal in Vertucci type VI (r = 0.9891, p < 0.05). The secondary curvature values in the clinical views of mesiobuccal and mesiolingual canals were found as significantly correlated in Vertucci type II.

Root canal morphology of mandibular incisors

In this study, 100 mandibular central and lateral incisors were used to determine the number of root canals and their types, the ramifications of the root canal, the location of apical foramina, and the frequency of apical deltas. The teeth were immersed in India ink, decalcified, and cleared. The examination of root canal systems of the teeth was based on Vertucci's classification. Two more root canal types which are not defined in that classification have also been determined and grouped as new types.

Evaluation of the variation in chemical composition and surface topography of different brands of gutta percha cones

There have been many studies on the gutta percha cones used in endodontic therapy. Variations exist between different brands of cone. Since an appropriate cone plays a very important role in the prognosis of therapy, this study examined the surface topography and chemical composition of eight different brands of cone by, a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic absorption spectrometry. There were some differences between all brands of gutta percha cones.

The incidence of mandibular premolars with more than one root canal in a Turkish population

One hundred and eighty seven mandibular premolars taken from a Turkish population were examined in this study. The teeth were soaked in India ink and then decalcified, cleared and used in an in vitro study to determine the number of root canals and their types, the ramifications of root canals, the location of apical foraminae and the frequency of apical deltas. It was found that the incidence of more than one canal in mandibular premolars was 27.76%; that of finding two or three separate canals in the same root was 9.62% and that of having more than one canal at the apex was 23.49%.

Evaluation of the apical leakage of isobutyl cyanoacrylate when used as a root canal sealant

The sealing properties of isobutyl cyanoacrylate were evaluated in extracted single-rooted human teeth. In the experimental group, instrumented root canals were obturated with isobutyl cyanoacrylate and gutta-percha by using the lateral condensation technique. In the control group instrumented root canals were obturated with gutta-percha only. The penetration of radioactive 131I was evaluated by an autoradiographic technique. No leakage was observed in the experimental group. This study shows that isobutyl cyanoacrylate is a good apical sealant.