Background Fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (F eno ) and blood eosinophil count (B-Eos) values, markers of local and systemic eosinophilic inflammation, respectively, are increased in asthmatic ...patients. Little is known about the relation of these markers to reported wheeze and asthma events in a random population sample. Objectives We sought to determine the individual and independent values of B-Eos and F eno in relation to wheeze, asthma diagnosis, and asthma events in a cross-sectional study. Methods F eno and B-Eos values were measured in 12,408 subjects aged 6 to 80 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Current wheeze and asthma diagnosis, as well as asthma attacks and asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits within the last 12 months, were assessed by means of questionnaires. Results Intermediate or high F eno values and intermediate or high B-Eos values were independently associated with having asthma, wheeze, and asthma attacks. However, only intermediate and high B-Eos values were independently associated with asthma-related ED visits. High F eno (≥50 ppb) and B-Eos (≥500 cells/mm3 ) values rendered an adjusted odds ratio of 4.5 of having wheeze, 5.1 of having asthma, 5.4 for asthma attacks, and 2.9 for asthma-related ED visits compared with normal F eno (<25 ppb) and B-Eos (<300 cells/mm3 ) values. Conclusions Exhaled nitric oxide and B-Eos values offered independent information in relation to the prevalence of wheeze, asthma diagnosis, and asthma events in this random population sample. The clinical importance of these findings in asthmatic patients with regard to phenotyping and individualized treatment, considering both local and systemic eosinophilic inflammation, needs to be determined.
Abstract Introduction The aim of the study was to evaluate the cytotoxicity, radiopacity, pH, and flow of a calcium silicate–based and an epoxy resin–based endodontic sealer, MTA Fillapex (Angelus, ...Londrina, PR, Brazil) and AH Plus (Dentsply, Konstanz, Germany), respectively. Methods Cytotoxicity, radiopacity, and flow evaluation were performed following ISO requirements. The pH level was measured at periods of 3, 24, 72, and 168 hours. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay to check the Balb/c 3T3 cells viability at 1- to 4-week periods. Data were statistically analyzed by analysis of variance and the Tukey test with a significance level of 5%. Results In all tested periods, MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than AH Plus ( P < .05). Although AH Plus presented higher radiopacity than MTA Fillapex ( P < .05), both sealers showed minimum required values. MTA Fillapex presented alkaline pH in all experimental times, whereas AH Plus cement showed a slightly neutral pH and a flow significantly lower than that of MTA Fillapex ( P < .05). Conclusions Although MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than AH Plus, it showed suitable physicochemical properties for an endodontic sealer.
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