Elderly individuals are at increased risk of oral thrush (oral candidiasis) due to decreased saliva secretion. Due to their antimicrobial properties, edible oils can be effective natural agents for oral care. The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of sesame oil, which is widely used for cooking in Asian countries, and two other edible oils on the growth of both mycelial and yeast forms of five clinical isolates of Candida albicans, a causative microorganism of oral thrush. We assessed the effect of each oil in concentrations of 0.078%, 0.156%, and 0.313% on growth of the mycelial forms of the clinical isolates over 24 hr using the crystal violet method. We also evaluated the effect of each oil on growth of the yeast forms by counting the number of viable yeast cells after culturing in the oils for 24 hr. Sesame oil inhibited the growth of both mycelial and yeast forms. Safflower and olive oil also inhibited the growth of both forms of C. albicans but to a lesser extent than sesame oil. The ability to inhibit the growth of the mycelial form correlated with sesame oil concentration. Roasting influenced growth inhibition ability and high-roasted sesame oil most effectively inhibited the yeast form. The growth inhibitory effect differed among the five isolates. We hypothesize that the sesamin and fatty acid components of sesame oil are involved in its antifungal activity.

BackgroundAntineoplastic drugs have often been shown to be mutagenic, teratogenic and carcinogenic, and these drugs are recommended to be prepared in a biological safety cabinet (BSC). Among them, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a common cytotoxic antineoplastic drug, and can potentially cause harm if not handled properly.PurposeTo investigate the relationship between the level of 5-FU contamination during normal mixing, the time spent in preparation, the operator’s experience in mixing, the number of 5-FU vials prepared during this study, and the number of anticancer agents prepared at each hospital.Material and methodsDuring preparation, 5-FU contamination was determined on 2 stainless steel plates (10 × 10 cm) in the BSC in 8 national hospitals. These stainless steel plates were collected at the end of the study period. Samples were analysed by a validated liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method.ResultsThe subjects were 16 pharmacists from 8 hospitals. The median preparation experience was 18 months (1–168 months), and the median number of 5-FU vials prepared by each pharmacist was 7 vials (2–38 vials). The level of 5-FU contamination was 2,079.5 ng (0–10,148.0 ng)/200 cm2. Comparing the level of contamination to the amount of 5-FU prepared, the time spent in preparation, the years of preparation experience, and the number of anticancer agents prepared at each hospital, no correlations were observed (r2 = 0.0062, 0.0002, 0.0562, 0.016).Conclusion5 pharmacists achieved 5-FU contamination at levels below the detection limit. Importantly, years of preparation experience varied among these pharmacists. These results suggested that even experienced pharmacists may underestimate the risk of environmental exposure during normal preparation. Routine training in mixing skills is needed to safely handle antineoplastic agents.ReferenceNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) NIOSH alert 2004-165. Preventing occupational exposures to antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs in health care settings. Cincinnati, OH: NIOSH; 2004.No conflict of interest.

Context: One of the causes of aspiration pneumonia is poor oral hygiene. We need care methods that caregivers can quickly, safely and inexpensively implement for convalescents with inadequate self-care. Edible sesame oil containing sesamin or sesaminol has already been shown to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth and have a vasodilating effect. Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of using edible sesame oils for oral hygiene management. Settings and Design: This study evaluates an oral hygiene management method using two types of sesame oils in elderly hospitalised patients resistant to oral hygiene management. Methods and Material: The inpatients received oral care for 90 days. In the intervention groups, nurses brushed and wiped the oral cavity with roasted sesame oil (RSO) or sesame salad oil, while in the control group, care with tap water alone and brushing were done. Bacteria and Candida counts from tongue swabs, water content from the tongue's surface and cheek mucosa, oral health assessment tool (OHAT) and cytology of the cheek mucosa were assessed every 30 days before and after the intervention. Results: RSO showed a tendency to reduce the number of bacteria and Candida. There was an improvement in the OHAT scores with both oils. The water content or cytology was not changing. Conclusions: Sesame oils may improve oral hygiene and maintain health in older patients.

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