The burden of tuberculosis in crisis-affected populations: a systematic review.

Crises caused by armed conflict, forced population displacement, or natural disasters result in high rates of excess morbidity and mortality from infectious diseases. Many of these crises occur in areas with a substantial tuberculosis burden. We did a systematic review to summarise what is known about the burden of tuberculosis in crisis settings.

Lower copay and oral administration: predictors of first-fill adherence to new asthma prescriptions.

Background: Nonadherence to asthma medications is associated with increased emergency department visits and hospitalizations. If adherence is to be improved, first-fill adherence is the first goal to meet after the physician and patient have decided to begin treatment. Little is known about first-fill adherence with asthma medications and the factors for no-fill.

Susceptibility of a polycaprolactone-based root canal filling material to degradation. II. Gravimetric evaluation of enzymatic hydrolysis.

Polycaprolactone is susceptible to enzymatic biodegradation via ester bond cleavage. This study examined the susceptibility of Resilon, a polycaprolactone-based root filling material to enzymatic hydrolysis. Resilon, gutta-percha, and polycaprolactone disks, prepared by compression molding, were incubated in phosphate-buffered saline, lipase PS or cholesterol esterase at 37 degrees C for 96 h.

Susceptibility of a polycaprolactone-based root canal filling material to degradation. I. Alkaline hydrolysis.

Polycaprolactone, a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester, is reportedly susceptible to both alkaline and enzymatic hydrolyzes. This screening study examined the susceptibility of Resilon, a polycaprolactone-based root filling composite, to alkaline hydrolysis. There were 15-mm diameter disks of Resilon and Obtura gutta-percha prepared by compressive molding and immersed in 20% sodium ethoxide for 20 or 60 min.

Ultrastructural evaluation of the apical seal in roots filled with a polycaprolactone-based root canal filling material.

This in vitro study compared the ultrastructural quality of the apical seal achieved with Resilon/Epiphany and gutta-percha/AH Plus. Single-rooted extracted human teeth were prepared using a crown-down technique, debrided with NaOCl and EDTA, and obturated with either Resilon/Epiphany or gutta-percha/AH Plus. They were examined for gaps along canal walls using SEM, and for apical leakage using a transmission electron microscopy (TEM).