Aim To evaluate the shaping ability of the single‐file XP‐endo Shaper system (XP‐S; FKG Dentaire, La Chaux‐de‐Fonds, Switzerland) employing a different working time and of the multiple‐file ProTaper Next system (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) using micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) technology. Methodology Twenty long oval‐shaped canals in mandibular incisors were matched anatomically and scanned by micro‐CT (Skyscan 1172; Bruker micro‐CT, Kontich, Belgium). The canals were divided into two groups (n = 10) according to the canal preparation protocol: XP‐endo Shaper (XP‐S) with an extra 45 s of instrumentation and ProTaper Next (PTN X4). The images recorded before and after preparation were evaluated for morphometric measures of volume, surface area, structure model index and untouched walls. The data were compared statistically (Student's t‐test for homogenous variances and Mann–Whitney test) between the two groups (XP‐S and PTN X4) at α = 5%. Results Root canal preparation significantly increased all parameters (volume, surface area, structure model index and untouched walls) tested in each group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the percentage increase of volume (107.50%–93.13%), surface area (27.74%–29.68%) or untouched canal wall (13.08%–11.74%) between XP‐S and PTN X4, respectively. Conclusions The XP‐endo Shaper system (single‐file) with an extra 45 s of instrumentation and the ProTaper Next system (multiple files) had a similar root canal shaping ability. Neither technique was able to fully prepare the long oval‐shaped canals of mandibular incisors.

No abstract

Citrus processing waste is a leftover from the citrus processing industry and is available in large amounts. Typically, this waste is dried to produce animal feed, but sometimes it is just dumped. Its main component is the peel, which consists mostly of pectin, with D-galacturonic acid as the main monomer. Aspergillus niger is a filamentous fungus that efficiently produces pectinases for the hydrolysis of pectin and uses the resulting D-galacturonic acid and most of the other components of citrus peel for growth. We used engineered A. niger strains that were not able to catabolise D-galacturonic acid, but instead converted it to L-galactonic acid. These strains also produced pectinases for the hydrolysis of pectin and were used for the conversion of pectin in orange peel to L-galactonic acid in a consolidated process. The D-galacturonic acid in the orange peel was converted to L-galactonic acid with a yield close to 90%. Submerged and solid-state fermentation processes were compared.

Zoledronic acid (ZA) is often prescribed for osteoporosis or resorptive metabolic bone disease. This study aims to evaluate the effect of ZA on orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and root and bone resorption and its repercussion on root, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone tissues. The experimental group consisted of 72 Wistar rats divided in four subgroups: Naive, Saline and Zoledronic Acid groups at the concentration of 0.2 mg/kg [ZA (0.2)] or 1.0 mg/kg [ZA (1.0)]. The animals were subjected to i.v (dorsal penile vein) administrations of ZA or saline solution, on days 0, 7, 14 and 42. Under anesthesia, NiTi springs were installed in the first left maxillary molar with 50gf allowing the OTM, except for the negative control group (N) for mesial movement of the left first maxillary teeth. The animals were sacrificed and maxillae were removed for macroscopic and histopathological analyzes, scanning electron microscopy, computerized microtomography and confocal microscopy. Treatment with ZA decreased the OTM and the number of osteoclasts and loss of alveolar bone when compared to the naive and saline groups. Reduction of radicular resorption, increased necrotic areas and reduced vascularization in the periodontal ligament were observed in the ZA groups. ZA interferes with OTM and presents anti-resorptive effects on bone and dental tissues associated with a decreased vascularization, without osteonecrosis.

The development of ‘smart’ scaffolds has achieved notoriety among current prospects for bone repair, especially for chronic osteopathy, such as osteoporosis. Millions of individuals in the world suffer from poor bone healing due to osteoporosis. The objective of this work was to produce and characterize castor polyurethane (PU) scaffolds (Ricinus communis L.) and evaluate its in vitro biocompatibility with stem cells and osteoinductive effect in vivo on bone failures in a leporid model of osteoporosis. The material was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, and porosity analysis. Then, the biocompatibility was assessed by adhesion using SEM and cytotoxicity in a 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium assay. The osteoinductive effect in vivo was determined in bone defects in rabbit tibias (Oryctolagus cuniculus) submitted to castor PU scaffold, castor PU scaffold associated with stem cells, and negative control, after four and eight weeks, evaluated by computed microtomography and histopathology. The scaffolds were porous, with an average pore size of 209.5 ± 98.2 µm, absence of cytotoxicity, and positive cell adhesiveness in vitro. All the animals presented osteoporosis, characterized by multifocal osteoblastic inactivity and areas of mild fibrosis. There were no statistical differences between these treatments in the fourth week of treatment. In the eighth week, the treatment with castor PU scaffold alone induced more significant bone formation when compared to the other groups, followed by treatment with an association between castor PU scaffold and stem cells. The castor PU scaffold was harmless to cell culture, favoring cell adhesiveness and proliferation, in addition to inducing bone neoformation in osteoporotic rabbits.