UNASSIGNED: Impressions that maintain their dimensional stability after autoclaving effectively control cross-infection and contamination resulting from a patient\'s oral secretions.
UNASSIGNED: The study aimed to assess the dimensional stability of autoclavable polyvinyl siloxanes after disinfection and sterilization.
UNASSIGNED: A stainless steel metal model containing three full veneer crown preparations was fabricated according to ANSI/ADA specification No. 19. Reference grooves were established on the occlusal and axial surfaces of the abutments for accurate measurements. Forty impressions were created from the master model using single-step impression technique monophase polyvinyl siloxane material (AFFINIS, Coltene/Whaledent, Altstatten, Switzerland). The impressions were categorized into four groups: Group A (control, ten untreated impressions), Group B (ten disinfected impressions with 5.25 % sodium hypochlorite [NaOCl]), Group C (ten disinfected impressions with 2 % glutaraldehyde), and Group D (ten autoclaved impressions at 134 °C for 18 min). Subsequently, stone casts were produced using type IV gypsum products (Gelstone R, BK Giulini Chemie, Ludwigshafen/Rh., Germany). The dimensional accuracy of the obtained casts was assessed by measuring the inter-abutment measurements (between the abutments) and the intra-abutment measurements (diameter and height of the abutments). These measurements were performed using a universal measuring microscope (Olympus stereomicroscope B061 Imaging Corp. Tokyo, Japan) with a precision of 0.001 mm. The dimensions of the stone casts from the study groups were then compared to those of the control group. Data analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA with a significance level of α = 0.05.
UNASSIGNED: AFFINIS impressions subjected to chemical disinfection in 5.25 % NaOCl and 2 % glutaraldehyde with different immersion times showed slight expansion in the intra- and inter-abutment measurements. The impressions autoclaved at 134 °C for 18 min showed slight shrinkage in the intra- and inter-abutment measurements. The dimensional change was statistically non-significant, and the percent of dimensional changes within the experimental groups was within the clinically accepted limit (α < 0.5).
UNASSIGNED: AFFINIS polyvinyl siloxanes retain dimensional stability suitable for clinical use when subjected to chemical disinfection and steam autoclaving.

UNASSIGNED: The aim of the study is to determine the effect of autoclaving on the cyclic fatigue resistance (CFR) in respect to three different rotary nickel-titanium (NiTi) systems.
UNASSIGNED: Three rotary NiTi files with different manufacturing process were selected and arranged into three groups. Group 1: Neolix Neoniti files (n = 15), Group 2: Edge Files (n = 15), Group 3: NeoendoFlex files (n = 15). Each group was then subdivided into three subgroups containing 5 samples each based on the number of cycles of autoclaving (0, 1, 5 cycles). The instruments were subjected to autoclave without usage. The files of size 25, taper 6%, and 25 mm length were taken. After the autoclaving cycles, the files were rotated in cyclic fatigue testing device with simulated canal curvature of 60° until file separation. Time taken for the instrument separation (in minutes) was multiplied by the number of rotations per minute to attain the mean number of cycles to failure for every file. The obtained results were subjected to statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA and Newman-Keuls multiple post hoc procedures.
UNASSIGNED: Neolix Neoniti files exhibited the maximum CFR (98.80) than EdgeFiles (80.47) and Neoendo Flex files (41.80) (P = 0.0001). Reduction in CFR was observed with increase in the number of cycles of autoclaving (i.e., 0, 1, 5 cycles).
UNASSIGNED: Autoclaving has a negative influence on the CFR of the rotary NiTi files used. Neolix Neoniti files exhibited greater CFR than EdgeFiles and Neoendo Flex files.

OBJECTIVE: The effect of any sterilization methods (cold chemical, or hot) on film removal from coated archwires has not yet been investigated. Thus, we assessed it.
METHODS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 observations: 40 macroscopically intact coated archwires from 4 brands were purchased (n=10 archwires/brand). Five wires from each brand underwent cold and 5 underwent hot sterilization. Wires were applied in 40 non-extractions patients at alignment phase of treatment (one month). Afterwards, 3 inter-bracket segments from each wire were examined microscopically, and the percentage of coating loss was recorded for each segment. Coating losses of the 4 brands and 2 sterilization methods were compared using a two-way ANOVA and a Welch t-test (α=0.05). Surfaces were also evaluated using scanning electron microscopy.
RESULTS: The mean surface coating loss of hot (autoclave) and cold (glutaraldehyde) sterilization methods was 25.6±28.7 and 28.1±30.8 percent respectively. The mean surface coating removal of the Ortho Organizers, American Orthodontics, SIA, and Gestenco brands were 24.1±28.4, 36.7±36.0, 23.0±24.4, and 23.6±28.0 percent, respectively. The two-way ANOVA indicated a lack of overall significant differences among wire brands (P=0.189) and between sterilization types (P=0.629). However, the interaction of sterilization and brands was significant (P=0.005).
CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this 1-month clinical trial limited to 4 coated NiTi archwire brands only, the average coating removal of examined brands might not differ much, amounting to about 26% within a month. Glutaraldehyde and autoclave sterilization might not affect the average speed of coating loss in all brands, although each sterilization method might be favourable for certain brands.

Surface topography is a crucial factor in bracket sliding mechanics. Literature on surface roughness of aesthetic archwires is scarce, and there is no study on surface topography of such archwires affected by any sterilization methods. The aim of this study was to compare the surface topography of plain nickel-titanium (NiTi) versus as-received aesthetic coated NiTi wires versus aesthetic wires sterilized by autoclaving or glutaraldehyde immersion.
This in vitro study was performed on 80 atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations, 160 profilometry observations, and 40 scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images from rectangular wires of the brands \'American Orthodontics, Ortho Organizers, SIA, and Gestenco\'. AFM consisted of 8 subgroups of NiTi orthodontic wires, consisting of 4 subgroups of 4 brands of coated orthodontic wires and 4 subgroups of 4 brands of uncoated wires from the same brands. Profilometry consisted of 16 subgroups of NiTi orthodontic wires, consisting of 4 subgroups of 4 brands of coated orthodontic wires and 12 subgroups of 4 brands of uncoated wires from the same brands (4 as-received wire subgroups, 4 autoclaved, and 4 cold-sterilized subgroups). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and AFM images were subjectively evaluated. AFM and profilometry data were analysed statistically (α=0.05).
Overall, the difference between surface roughness parameters of coated versus uncoated archwires was not significant (P>0.05). However, surface roughness of brands differed significantly. Mann-Whitney did not show any significant differences between sterilized wires (both sterilization methods together as one group) and unsterilized wires (both unsterilized coated and uncoated as one group) (P>0.460). After excluding plain uncoated NiTi group, the coated wires in 3 sterilization groups (no sterilization, autoclaving, glutaraldehyde) were not significantly different in terms of average overall surface roughness (Ra) and maximum roughness depths (Rq) of different sterilization groups (P>0.1) but the average maximum peak to valley heights (Rz) values of 3 sterilization groups were significantly different (P=0.0415). Dunn test showed that among three post-hoc pairwise comparisons of Rz values, only the comparison of \"no sterilization versus autoclaving\" was significant (P<0.05) and the other two were non-significant.
Coating might not affect the surface roughness considerably. Brands have different surface roughnesses. Autoclaving but not cold sterilization might affect the surface roughness of coated archwires.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the feasibility of high-temperature solid-state fermentation (SSF) using soybean meal (SBM) during the non-sterile process, Bacillus stearothermophilus was employed to assess the nutritional quality and bioactivity of SBM after fermentation.
RESULTS: The fermented SBM (FSBM) without autoclaving showed significant improvements in nutritional quality and bioactivity. The contents of peptides and crude and soluble proteins increased by 131.21%, 5.3% and 15.52%, respectively. Meanwhile, DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging ability, reducing ability and hydroxyl free radical-scavenging activity rose by 57.07%, 238.92% and 368.26%, respectively. The inhibitory activity of angiotensin I-converting enzyme increased from 1.43 ± 0.83% to 26.89 ± 1.03%, while the trypsin inhibitor activity decreased by 74.05%. The contents of neutral and alkaline proteases and the growth of microorganisms in FSBM without autoclaving were higher and better than in steam-treated FSBM. After steam treatment, the water-holding capacity of SBM decreased, and a high crosslink density was observed on the surface of SBM particles.
CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to ferment SBM by high-temperature SSF using B. stearothermophilus under non-sterile conditions. Adverse effects of SSF using sterile SBM might be owing to the low water-holding capacity caused by autoclaving. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate comparatively the effects of multiple autoclaving on surface topography and cyclic fatigue of three different rotary nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) instruments.
METHODS: Twenty-one files each of Twisted Files (TF), Revo-S, and RaCe were used in this study. They were grouped as group 1-TF, group 2-Revo-S, and group 3-RaCe. All the files were autoclaved and subjected for scanning electron microscopic analysis and cyclic fatigue analysis.
RESULTS: Data were subjected to statistical analysis using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey\'s Kramer multiple comparison test. TF exhibited the highest cyclic fatigue resistance followed by Revo-S and RaCe. Scanning electron photomicrographs showed no obvious surface changes in the files after three autoclaving cycles.
CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this study, it can be concluded that Twisted Files was the most fatigue resistant compared to Revo-S and RaCe, and multiple autoclaving cycles did not have any significant alterations in the cyclic fatigue resistance of rotary Ni-Ti files.