Maintenance of the quality and hygiene of maxillofacial prosthesis allows to maintain the health of the residual tissues. Sampling of the maxillofacial prostheses has relieved presence of microbial colonization on silicone surfaces. Cleaning procedures of maxillofacial silicones are done using mechanical means or using adjunctive with chemical means. Cleaning with a 2-4% chlorhexidine gluconate spray or dipping in solution for a minute and then washing under running water can sufficiently condition to reduce the amount of bacterial contamination. Due to rising microorganism resistance and fewer adverse effects, phytoextracts appear to be a viable option. Additionally, the use of excipients derived from plants is provides new opportunities for the pharmaceutical industry into the creation of innovative pharmaceutical products that are sustainable.
UNASSIGNED: To evaluate and compare the leaf extracts of Mangifera indica (M.indica), Anacardium occidentale(A.occidentale) and 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) on disinfection of maxillofacial silicone material surface contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) and Candida albicans (C.albicans).
UNASSIGNED: Of the 150 maxillofacial silicone elastomer silicone samples, 75 samples were contaminated with S. aureus and 75 with C.albicans. The contaminated disc was rolled on blood agar and pre-disinfection Colony Forming Units (CFU) were evaluated followed by subjecting the discs to disinfection protocols. The contaminated discs with S. aureus and C.albicans were disinfected using M.indica leaf extracts, A.occidentale leaf extracts and 0.2% CHX for 10 min. Post-disinfection CFUs were evaluated by rolling the disc on blood agar. The results were tabulated and analysed using dependent t-test, one-way ANOVA and Tukeys multiple posthoc procedure.
UNASSIGNED: Pair-wise comparison of pre-and post-disinfection log CFU counts of S.aureus gave a statistical significance between 0.2% CHX and and M.indica leaf extract. No statistically significant results were found between 0.2% CHX and A.occidentale. Pair wise comparison of the log CFU from pre-disinfection to post-disinfection of C.albicans gave a statistical significance between all the three groups.
UNASSIGNED: In the present study A.occidentale leaf extract and M.indica leaf extract have shown significant reduction in CFU of both the organisms. 0.2% CHX showed the most CFU reduction post disinfection of maxillofacial silicone material surface contaminated S.aureus and C.albicans followed by A.occidentale leaf extracts and M.indica leaf extracts. Given the limitations of the current research, A.occidentale leaf extract and M.indica leaf extract can be used as an alternative for disinfection of maxillofacial silicone prosthesis.

Sterilization of a material carries the risk of unwanted changes in physical and chemical structure. The choice of method is a challenge-the process must be efficient, without significantly changing the properties of the material. In the presented studies, we analyzed the effect of selected sterilization/disinfection techniques on the properties of nanofibrous polyurethane biomaterial. Both radiation techniques (UV, gamma, e-beam) and 20 minutes\' contact with 70% EtOH were shown not to achieve 100% sterilization efficiency. The agar diffusion test showed higher sterilization efficiency when using an antimicrobial solution (AMS). At the same time, none of the analyzed techniques significantly altered the morphology and distribution of fiber diameters. EtOH and e-beam sterilization resulted in a significant reduction in material porosity together with an increase in the Young\'s modulus. Similarly, AMS sterilization increased the value of Young\'s modulus. In most cases, the viability of cells cultured in contact with the sterilized materials was not affected by the sterilization process. Only for UV sterilization, cell viability was significantly lower and reached about 70% of control after 72 h of culture.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant based antimicrobial solutions specifically tea tree and Manuka oil on facial silicone elastomers. The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of disinfection with plant extract solution on mechanical properties and morphology on the silicone elastomer. Test specimens were subjected to disinfection using tea tree oil, Manuka oil and the staphylococcus epidermidis bacteria. Furthermore, a procedure duration was used in the disinfection process to simulate up to one year of usage. Over 500 test specimens were fabricated for all tests performed namely hardness, elongation, tensile, tear strength tests, visual inspection and lastly surface characterization using SEM. A repeated measures ANOVA revealed that hardness and elongation at break varied significantly over the time period, whereas this was not observed in the tear and tensile strength parameters of the test samples.

BACKGROUND: Toothbrushes in regular use can become heavily contaminated with microorganisms, which can cause infection or reinfection. There is a need for toothbrush disinfection methods, which are rapidly effective, cost-effective, nontoxic, and that can be easily implemented.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of 3% neem, garlic of concentration 4.15 mg/mL and green tea of concentration 40 mg/mL with 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthwash as toothbrush disinfectants.
METHODS: The study was a parallel in vitro comparative experimental trial conducted among 75 randomly selected boys aged between 18 years and 21 years. The subjects were divided into five groups, namely, Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV, and Group V. They were provided with a new set of precoded toothbrushes and nonfluoridated tooth pastes. After 14 days of tooth brushing, the toothbrushes were immersed in antimicrobial solution for 12 h [Group I--distilled water (control), Group II--3% neem, Group III--garlic of concentration 4.15 mg/mL, Group IV--green tea of concentration 40 mg/mL, and Group V--0.2% chlorhexidine] and then subjected to microbial analysis to check the presence of Streptococcus mutans. The t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were done using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.
RESULTS: All test solutions showed a statistically significant reduction of Streptococcus mutans count (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between the efficacies of neem, garlic, and green tea when compared with chlorhexidine mouthwash (P > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Neem, garlic, and green tea are equally efficacious as chlorhexidine and these herbal products can be used as potent alternatives to chlorhexidine as disinfectant for toothbrushes.

The antilisterial efficacy of novel coating solutions made with organic acids, lauric arginate ester, and chitosan was evaluated in a three-stage study on inoculated roast beef for the first time. Ready-to-eat roast beef was specially ordered from the manufacturer. The meat surface was inoculated with five-strain Listeria monocytogenes cocktail inoculums at two different levels, ~3 and 6 Log CFU/cm(2) and treated with the stock solution (HAMS), the 1:5 diluted solution (MAMS), and the 1:10 diluted solution (LAMS) (stage 1). During the 20 min contact time, the antimicrobial coatings reduced the Listeria populations by approximately 0.9-0.3 Log CFU/cm(2). The higher the concentrations of the antimicrobial solution, the better the antilisterial effects were. The treated inoculated beef samples were then stored at 4 °C for 30 days. During storage, Listeria growth inhibition effects were seen. While no growth was seen from the HAMS-treated samples, a 1.6 Log CFU/cm(2) increase was seen for MAMS-treated samples, a 4.6 Log CFU/cm(2) increase was seen for LAMS-treated samples, and a 5.7 Log CFU/cm(2) increase was seen for NoAMS-treated samples on Day 30 (~3 Log CFU/cm(2) inoculation level). In the second stage, the impact of the roast beef storage time on solution\'s antilisterial effect was evaluated. Results showed that the effect of the antimicrobial solution was dependent on both the initial inoculation levels and storage times. In stage 3, the effect of the antimicrobial solution on roast beef quality was studied with both instrument measurement and sensory evaluation. Minor changes in color, pH, and water activity were found. However, only limited sensory differences were seen between the treated and untreated samples. When panels were able to accurately find color differences between samples, they preferred the treated samples. The findings of this research proved the antilisterial efficacy of the novel antimicrobial solution and showed its potential for being used as a roast beef cut surface coating to control Listeria contamination and for color protection.

BACKGROUND: Citrate solution has been suggested as an effective and safe catheter lock in hemodialysis. However, whether a citrate lock is superior to a heparin lock in preventing catheter-related infections and maintaining catheter patency is inconclusive.
METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed by searching in PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases and major nephrology journals.
METHODS: Patients receiving hemodialysis with central venous catheters.
METHODS: Randomized controlled trials comparing citrate locks with heparin locks in hemodialysis patients with central venous catheters.
METHODS: Locking central venous catheters with citrate locks.
RESULTS: Primary outcomes include catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI), exit-site infection, catheter removal for poor flow, and thrombolytic treatment.
RESULTS: 13 randomized controlled trials (1,770 patients, 221,064 catheter-days) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled analyses found that citrate locks could significantly reduce the incidence of CRBSI (risk ratio [RR], 0.39; 95% CI, 0.27-0.56; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that antimicrobial-containing citrate locks (citrate + gentamicin, citrate + taurolidine, and citrate + methylene blue + methylparaben + propylparaben) were superior to heparin locks in the prevention of CRBSI (P < 0.001, P = 0.003, and P = 0.008, respectively), whereas citrate alone failed to show a similar advantage (P = 0.2). Low- (1.04%-4%) to moderate-concentration (4.6%-7%) citrate locks were associated with decreased CRBSI incidence (P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively), but patients receiving high-concentration (30%-46.7%) citrate and heparin locks had similar incidences (P = 0.3). The incidence of bleeding episodes (RR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.76; P = 0.002) was significantly lower in patients receiving citrate locks, whereas both groups were similar in terms of exit-site infection (P = 0.2), catheter removal for poor flow (P = 0.9), thrombolytic treatment (P = 0.8), all-cause death (P = 0.3), catheter thrombosis (P = 0.9), mean catheter duration (P = 0.2), CRBSI-free catheter survival (P = 0.2), and catheter-related readmission (P = 0.5).
CONCLUSIONS: All studies used in the meta-analysis were performed in Western countries. The applicability of our findings to other regions remains to be clarified.
CONCLUSIONS: An antimicrobial-containing citrate lock is better than a heparin lock in the prevention of catheter-related infection, while citrate alone fails to show a similar advantage. Citrate locks of low to moderate concentrations, rather than high concentration, were superior to heparin locks in preventing CRBSI. Citrate locks also might decrease bleeding episodes. No difference has been identified in the efficacy to prevent exit-site infection or preserve catheter patency between citrate and heparin locks.

BACKGROUND: Daily disinfection of maxillofacial prosthesis may reduce their service-life and lead to replacement.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate possible alterations in the mechanical behavior of two maxillofacial elastomers after application of four different disinfection procedures.
METHODS: The materials tested were two maxillofacial elastomers, a commercially available polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and an experimental chlorinated polyethylene (CPE). Different disinfection procedures such as microwave exposure, hypochlorite solution, neutral soap and a commercially antimicrobial solution, were applied for a period which simulates one year of a real service life. Mechanical behavior was investigated through tensile and microindentation tests in various depths. Mathematical models were fitted to tensile curves. Alterations in tensile parameters (maximum stress, maximum strain, elasticity and viscoelasticity parameter) were subjected to two way ANOVA and Tukey\'s post hoc tests (α=.05).
RESULTS: Most of the tensile parameters presented significant alterations among different disinfection procedures and maxillofacial materials which became also harder. Microwave exposure caused greater changes in PDMS and CPE elastomer whereas commercial antimicrobial solution and neutral soap did not significantly affect them. Microindentation and tensile tests revealed similar changes in materials\' elastic modulus and hardness whereas the observed changes were greater into smaller depths.
CONCLUSIONS: Tensile and microindentation properties of PDMS and CPE elastomers presented changes after disinfected with four different procedures. Changes in the surface of both materials were more intense than in the bulk of the materials. Microwave exposure affected most the two elastomers, so concerning the findings of this study is not recommended for the disinfection of the examined PDMS and CPE elastomers. Moreover, microwave exposure and hypochlorite solution caused greater changes in the surface (3μm) of CPE samples as indicated by microindentation results. PDMS affected less from the commercial antimicrobial agent and CPE from neutral soap, which seems to be the most suitable disinfection techniques.