AIM: To assess the combined use of tetracycline (TTC) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on clot formation, considering that EDTA may neutralize TTC acidity.METHODS: Planed human tooth roots were treated with saline solution, EDTA, TTC and their combination (EDTA followed by TTC and TTC before EDTA). Fresh human blood was applied on the conditioned surfaces to check clot adhesion and stabilization. A previously calibrated (kappa = 0.93) and blinded examiner scored scanning electron micrographs of the samples. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test.RESULTS: Application of TTC before EDTA presented the best results with the highest number of cells adhered to the root surface (p=0.046). Use of EDTA alone and EDTA before TTC disturbed clot stabilization when compared to control group (p<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:The use of TTC before EDTA seems to be able to keep blood cells viable to establish an organized clot and could be used by clinicians together with the conventional mechanical root scaling and planing.

A deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase em neonatos pode ser a responsável pela icterícia neonatal. Este comentário científico é decorrente do relato sobre o tema publicado neste fascículo e que preocupa diversos autores de outros países em relação às complicações em neonatos de hiperbilirrubinemia, existindo inclusive proposições de alguns autores em incluir o teste para identificar a deficiência de glicose-6-fosfato desidrogenase nos recém-nascidos.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in newborn babies may be responsible for neonatal jaundice. There is a concern of many authors from other countries in respect to complications in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia; some authors even propose screening for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in newborn babies. A scientific report on this subject is published in this issue.