Wood-plastic composites from bio-based polymers and wood fibers (bio-WPC) provide an improved sustainability and carbon footprint compared to conventional composites. Actually, the implementation of this approach into industrial applications is hindered by the missing knowledge on the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of such bio-WPC. In this study, the properties of a bio-WPC from bio-based polyamide 11 (PA 11) and chemically modified beech fibers were investigated. The chemical modification of the beech fibers by an alkaline treatment with an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was done to support the melt processing and adhesion to the PA 11 matrix. Analysis of the modified fibers by Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) proved an increased thermal stability, as identified by an increase of the extrapolated TGA onset temperature from 290 to 330 °C. This improvement resulted from hemicellulose removal, as confirmed through Attenuated Total Reflection Inf rared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). Consequently, mechanical and thermo-mechanical analysis of the processed bio-WPC showed an increase in elastic modulus and storage modulus of the composites by the chemical treatment of the fibers. This effect was attributed to an increased number of hydrogen bonds between the modified beech fibers and the PA 11 matrix. The overall mechanical properties of the investigated bio-WPCs support their use as sustainable construction material for technical applications

Introduction:The purpose of this study was to compare solubility of a new calcium silicate-based cement, Biodentine with three commonly used root-end filling materials viz. glass-ionomer cement (GIC), intermediate restorative material (IRM), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA).Materials and Methods:Twenty stainless steel ring molds were filled with cements corresponding to four groups (n = 5). The weight of 20 dried glass bottles was recorded. Samples were transferred to bottles containing 5 ml of distilled water and stored for 24 h. The bottles were dried at 105΀C and weighed. This procedure was repeated for 3, 10, 30, and 60 days. Data was analyzed with one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test (P < 0.05).Results:Biodentine demonstrated significantly higher solubility than MTA for 30- and 60-day immersion periods. Statistical difference was noted between the solubility values of Biodentine samples amongst each of the five time intervals.Conclusions:Biodentine exhibited higher solubility in comparison with all other cements.

Aim: The aim of this preliminary study was to compare outcomes of two regenerative endodontic protocols in necrotic teeth with open apices. Methodology: Forty teeth with open apices in patients with an age range of 15-54 were randomly distributed in two groups: group 1, with whole blood clot in the canal ( n =20) and group 2, whole blood with Platelet rich plasma (PRP) in the canal ( n =20). Clinical and radiological follow up assessments were undertaken over a period ranging from 6 months to one year. Radiographic Root Area (RRA) was measured using the freeware ImageJ. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent samples t test and the Chi-squared test, the significance level was set at p=0.05. Results: There was no difference in the percentage change in RRA between the PRP group and whole blood-clot + PRP group. Conclusion: Whole blood clot and PRP are comparable on the grounds of percentage change in RRA and there is no statistically significant difference between the two in a follow-up period of up to one year.

Objective:To evaluate and compare the antimicrobial efficacy of 6% Morinda citrifolia, Azadirachta indica, and 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) as root canal irrigants.Materials and Methods:Thirty nonvital maxillary anteriors were randomly assigned to one of the three groups corresponding to the irrigant to be tested; 6% Morinda citrifolia juice (MCJ) (n = 10), A. indica (n = 10) and 3% NaOCl (n = 10). After the root canal access opening a root canal culture sample was taken with two paper points and cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Cleaning and shaping were completed with irrigation by 10 mL of respective irrigants and 5 mL of final rinse. The patients were recalled after 3 days and canals were rinsed again with 5 mL of the test irrigants. This was followed by obtaining a posttreatment root canal culture sample and culturing and analyzed by counting the colony forming units (CFUs).Results:Six percentage MCJ, A. indica, and 3% NaOCl showed a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in the mean CFU counts for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria between baseline and 3 days.Conclusion:There was no difference in the antimicrobial efficacy of 6% M. citrifolia, A. indica, and 3% NaOCl as root canal irrigants.

Introduction:Pulp sensitivity testing, even with its limitations and shortcomings, has been and still remains a very helpful aid in endodontic diagnosis. Pulp sensitivity tests extrapolate pulpal health from the sensory response. The aim of the present study was to identify the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values (NPVs) of thermal and electrical tests of pulp sensitivity.Materials and Methods:Pulp tests studied were two cold and heat tests respectively and electrical test. A total of 330 teeth were tested: 198 teeth with vital pulp and 132 teeth with necrotic pulps (disease prevalence of 40%). The ideal standard was established by observing bleeding within the pulp chamber.Results:Sensitivity values of the diagnostic tests were 0.89 and 0.94 for cold test, 0.84 and 0.87 for the heat tests, and 0.75 for electrical pulp test and the specificity values of the diagnostic tests were 0.91 and 0.93 for the cold tests, 0.86 and 0.84 for the heat tests, and 0.90 for electrical pulp test. The NPVs were 0.91 and 0.96 for the cold tests, 0.89 and 0.91 for the heat tests, and 0.84 for electrical pulp test. The positive predictive values were 0.89 and 0.90 for the cold tests, 0.80 and 0.79 for the heat tests and 0.88 for electrical pulp test. The highest accuracy (0.9393) was observed with cold test (icy spray).Conclusions:The cold test done with icy spray was the most accurate method for sensitivity testing.