Effect of nebulised BromAc® on rheology of artificial sputum: relevance to muco-obstructive respiratory diseases including COVID-19

Respiratory diseases such as cystic fibrosis, COPD, bronchiectasis asthma and COVID-19 are difficult to treat owing to viscous secretions in the airways that evade mucocilliary clearance. Since earlier studies have shown success with BromAc as mucolytic agent for treating a rare disease known as pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), we tested the formulation on two gelatinous airway representative sputa models, in order to determine whether similar efficacy exist. The sputum (1.5 ml) lodged in an endotracheal tube was treated to aerosolised N-acetylcysteine, bromelain, or their combination (BromAc) using a nebuliser with 6.0 ml of the agents in phosphate buffer saline, over 25 min. Controls received phosphate buffer saline. The dynamic viscosity was measured before and after treatment using a capillary tube method, whilst the sputum flow (ml/sec) was assessed using a 0.5 ml pipette. Finally, the sequestered agents (concentration) in the sputa after treatment were quantified using standard bromelain and N-acetylcysteine chromogenic assays. Results indicated that bromelain and N-acetylcysteine affected both the dynamic viscosities and pipette flow in the two sputa models, with changes in the former parameter having immense effect on the latter. BromAc showed a greater rheological effect on both the sputa models compared to individual agents. Further, correlation was found between the rheological effects and the concentration of agents in the sputa. Hence, this study indicates that BromAc may be used as a successful mucolytic for clearing airway congestion caused by thick mucinous immobile secretion, however further studies with patient sputum samples using aerosol BromAc is warranted.

Pengaruh Injeksi Introvit-E-Selen terhadap Lama Force Molting dan Hen Day Ayam Isa Brown

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Intovit-E-Selen injection on the length of force molting and Hen Day of Isa Brown hens. The experimental animal used was 80-week-old Isa Brown hens. A total of 80 Isa Brown hens were divided into 4 treatments with 20 replications. The treatments consisted of P0 (0.3 ml Phosphate Buffer Saline), P1 (0.3 ml Intovit-E-Selen Injection), P2 (0.6 ml Intovit-E-Selen Injection), and P3 (0.9 ml Intovit-E-Selen Injection). The study was conducted by calculating the length of force molting and Hen Day. The research results were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by further tests using the Duncan test. The results showed that the treatment of P3 (0.9 ml of Introvit-E-Selen Injection) had an influence on the length of force molting with an average value of 30.55 ± 2.74 and the treatment of P2 (0.6 ml of Introvit-E-Selen Injection) had an influence on Hen Day with an average value of 80.25 ± 1.48. Introvit-E-Selen injection in Isa Brown chickens can shorten the time of force molting and increase the percentage of Hen Day.

Investigation of surface topography of different root-end filling materials: An in vitro study

Aim: Although there are many materials that can be used for retrograde filling in surgical endodontics, none of them can be regarded as an ideal material yet. The purpose of this study was to compare the surface topography of three different root-end filling materials.Methods: 36 extracted single rooted human incisor teeth were cleaned and decoronated to standardized 10 mm root lengths. The root segments were prepared and 2 mm apical resection were performed. The samples were randomly separeted to three groups (Group A: Ca(OH)2, Group B: MTA Angelus, Group C: ProRoot MTA), each comprised of 12 roots. Materials were placed as 2 mm apical barriers and obturated with guttapercha and AH-Plus sealer. Each group dimidiated two subgroups (A1,A2,B1,B2,C1,C2). Groups A1,B1,C1 were stored in normal saline (NS), groups A2,B2,C2 were stored in neutral phosphate buffer saline (NPBS) solution and samples were incubated at 370C for 2 weeks. Stereomicroscope (32X) was used to photograph the root-end filling.Results: All specimens demonstrated white crystals formation and sediment over the root-end filling materials and on the superficial border of the root-end cavities’ wall as a white plague. A2,B2,C2 samples have more crystal sediment on root-end fillings than samples A1,B1,C1. Dissolution and corrosion were observed in groups A1, A2.Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that calcium hydroxide is more resorbable than MTA Angelus and ProRoot MTA. The crystals formation and precipitation were observed in neutral phosphate buffer saline solution was more than normal saline solution for all groups as a hydroxiapatite crystals.