Evaluation of two thione primers and composite luting agents used for bonding a silver-palladium-copper-gold alloy

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the bond strength and durability of two metal adhesive systems bonded to a silver-palladium-copper-gold (Ag-Pd) alloy. Disk specimens were cast from an Ag-Pd alloy (Castwell M.C. 12), air-abraded with 50 micro m grain-sized alumina, and they were bonded with two primer-cement bonding systems (Alloy Primer and Panavia Fluoro Cement; Metaltite and Bistite II). For each cement, unprimed specimens were also prepared as experimental controls. Shear bond strengths were determined both before and after thermocycling (4-60 degrees C, 1 min each, 100 000 cycles). The average post-thermocycling bond strengths in MPa (n=8) were: 39.0 for the Metaltite-Bistite II system, 32.2 for the Alloy Primer-Panavia Fluoro Cement system, 23.1 for the Bistite II material and 21.0 for the Panavia Fluoro Cement material. The use of proprietary primers, both of which contain thione functional monomer, enhanced the post-thermocycling bond strengths of both cements (P < 0.05). After thermocycling, however, the difference in bond strength between the two cements was not significant regardless of the use of the primers (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the combined use of the thione primer and the luting agent is necessary for bonding the Ag-Pd alloy examined.

Differentials of Yayoi immigration to Japan as derived from dental metrics

A major influx of new people, today termed Yayoi, migrated from the East Asian continent into the Japanese archipelago during the Aeneolithic and Protohistoric periods and interbred with the preexisting Jomon people. This study classifies ancient and more modern Japanese into natives or immigrants using discriminant analysis based on dental measurements in order to reconstruct the initial impact of the immigrants and the temporal and geographical differentials of mixture with the preexisting people. The results suggest that the earliest immigrants diffused into central Japan, including the Kanto region. The proportion of immigrant origin in the protohistoric Kofun was less in eastern Japan (72%) as compared to western Japan (81%-90%). The proportion of the immigrants in the Kanto District decreased during the medieval period (63%) and increased again in the early modern Edo and later modern times (75%), which might indicate that the gene flow still was occurring from west to east even in these times. Assuming the estimated proportions of either group reflect the intermixture ratio, the recent Japanese people may be regarded as hybrid of the native and immigrant groups with the following approximate ratios: 1:3 for the Kanto Japanese, 2:3 for the Ryukyu Islanders and 7:3 for the Hokkaido Ainu. These estimations support the "dual structure model" formed by Hanihara (1991) for explaining the population history of Japan.

Effect of silane primers and unfilled resin bonding agents on repair bond strength of a prosthodontic microfilled composite

This study examined the effect of silane primers and bonding agents on bonding between layers of a light-activated composite material when repaired in the laboratory process. Disk specimens were prepared with the dentin portion of a composite material (Dentacolor DA-30) and abraded with a silicon carbide rotary cutting instrument. The specimens were conditioned with either one of the two silane primers (Porcelain Liner M and Silicer) or one of the two unfilled resin bonding agents (Dentacolor Opaker liquid and New Metacolor Photo Opaque liquid), or one of four combinations of two primers and two bonding agents. An intact surface with a thin air-inhibited unpolymerized layer, and an unprimed surface with only silicone carbide abrasion were also used for references. After placement of the enamel portion of the same brand of composite material (Dentacolor SA-30) on each surface of the dentin material, the specimens were light-exposed, and stored for 24 h in either dry or wet condition. Shear bond strengths were then determined with a mechanical testing device. The results showed that combined use of a silane primer and a bonding agent generally showed the greatest magnitude of bond strength regardless of material variation. The use of an unfilled resin bonding agent after application of a silane primer (Porcelain Liner M) is recommended to ensure adequate repair bonding between layers of the composite material.

Effect of disinfectants containing glutaraldehyde on bonding of a tri-n-butylborane initiated resin to dentine

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of disinfectants on the bond strength of resin to dentine. The surface of bovine dentine was exposed to formaldehyde (FA) aqueous solutions, glutaraldehyde (GA) aqueous solutions, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate aqueous solutions (HEMA), a commercially available dentine primer (Gluma CPS desensitizer, GLUMA), isotonic sodium chloride solution (IS), and distilled water (DW), and placed in a humidor (HU) at 37 degrees C, or non-stored (baseline). All dentine surfaces were conditioned with a 10% citric acid and 3% ferric chloride solution (10-3 liquid), and then bonded to an acrylic rod with a self-curing adhesive resin (Super-Bond C&B). The mean tensile bond strengths determined 24 h after bonding were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher's protected LSD test (n=5, P < or = 0.05). The exposure of dentine to IS, DW and HU for both 48 and 168 h resulted in a decrease in bond strength when compared with the baseline. The highest bond strengths after 168 h of exposure were obtained with 5% GA, 10% HEMA, and GLUMA, the values of which were equivalent to baseline and were significantly higher than that of FA. It is concluded that disinfectant pre-treatment with 5% GA or GLUMA stabilizes the bonding of tri-n-butylborane (TBB) initiated luting agent to bovine dentine conditioned with 10-3 liquid.

Influence of visible-light exposure on colour stability of current dual-curable luting composites

This study was conducted to evaluate influence of visible-light exposure on colour stability of dual-curable luting composite. Using six dual-curable luting composites [Bistite II (BI), Clapearl DC (CL), Dicor Light Activated Cement (DI), G-Cera Cosmotech II (GC), Lute-It (LU) and Variolink II (VA), disk specimens were prepared with the following two methods: (i) dual-cured specimens, exposure with visible-light from a photo-curing unit for 120 s and (ii) chemical-cured specimens, chemically cured without exposure. Five specimens were produced for each material and curing mode. After 24 h, all specimens were immersed in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 weeks, during which colour accuracy was measured with a dental colorimeter. The colours characterized in the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage (CIE) L*a*b* colour space were first determined 24 h after preparation (baseline colour evaluation), and again after 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24 weeks. The colour difference (Delta E*) values between 24 h and the other immersion periods were calculated, and then analysed by repeated measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). In addition, the Delta E* values after 24 weeks for dual-cured specimens were compared with those for chemical-cured specimens by one-way ANOVA and by contrasts for each composite (P < 0.05). The Delta E* values were influenced by the material and curing mode as well as immersion period (P=0.0001). After 24 weeks the dual-cured specimens showed significantly lower Delta E* values than the chemical-cured specimens, except for the VA material. The CL material exhibited the least colour change (1.9 +/- 0.2) among the dual-cured specimens, and the VA material showed the least (4.5 +/- 0.9) among the chemical-cured specimens after 24 weeks. Dual-curable luting composites should be polymerized with the dual modes to ensure colour stability.

Membrane electropermeabilization effects of frequency and membrane surface order on liposome leakage

Liposomes containing fluorescence marker were exposed to an alternating electric field of 80 V peak to peak square electric waves at different frequencies 0.01, 1, and 100 kHz to perturb the liposome permeation. The efflux of fluorescence dye after application of the electric field was measured by recording the fluorescence emission due to the complex formation reaction between the fluorescence dye and calcium ions in the bulk medium solution. Two independent sets of experiments were conducted: 1) calcium ions were present during electropulsation; and 2) they were added after electric field application. Two parameters, fluorescence emission intensity and increment of temperature of the solution in the chamber, were studied. The effect of membrane surface order on the fluorescence dye leakage from the liposomes was studied by addition of urea at threshold concentration before the liposomes sealed. The data demonstrate the existence of frequency dependency window at 1 kHz. Furthermore, the data were interpreted according to the theory of interactions of electromagnetic fields with highly polarized and deformed materials such as liposome particles. The urea caused an enhancement of the fluorescence dye leakage at frequency of 100 kHz. This effect could be explained as a decrease of the membrane binding rigidity due to the disordering effect of urea on the membrane lipid surface. Our conclusion is that the frequency and the membrane surface order are additional parameters that influence the processes of membrane electropermeabilization.

Adhesive bonding of composite material to cast titanium with varying surface preparations

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the surface preparation effects of eight metal conditioners and an adhesive system on bonding between a prosthodontic composite material and cast titanium. Eight primers designed for conditioning base metal alloys (Acryl Bond, All-Bond 2 Primer B, Alloy Primer, Cesead II Opaque Primer, Eye Sight Opaque Primer, Metafast Bonding Liner, Metal Primer II, and MR Bond) as well as a surface modification technique (Siloc) were assessed. Disk specimens cast from titanium (T-Alloy H) were either primed with one of the eight primers or treated with the Siloc system, and then bonded with a light-activated composite material (Artglass). Bond durability was evaluated by thermocycling (4 and 60 degrees C, 1 min each, 20, 000 cycles). After thermocycling, two groups either primed with the Cesead II Opaque Primer material or treated with the Siloc system exhibited significantly greater bond strength (20.0 and 19.0 MPa) than the other groups (0.2-12.6 MPa, P < 0.05). These two systems are considered to be useful for improving bonding between the titanium and the composite material tested.

Relation between cavity design and marginal adaptation in a machine-milled ceramic restorative system

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the influence of inclination of the cusp as well as convergence/divergence of the cavity wall on marginal adaptation in a machine-milled ceramic restorative system. Sixty inlay specimens were prepared from a pre-fabricated feldspathic porcelain (Vitablocs Mark 2) by means of a computer integrated manufacturing system (Cerec 2). Specimens were divided into 12 groups according to original cavity preparations consisting of four inclinations of the cusp (0 degree, 15 degrees, 30 degrees and 45 degrees) and three types of cavity form (tapered box, regular box, and undercut box). The restorations were cemented with a dual-activated luting agent (Clapearl DC) and cut into two halves with a low speed cutting saw, after which adaptation at the occlusal surface of each inlay specimen was measured with a microscope. The results showed that the inclination of the cusp did not affect adaptation of the restorations (P > 0.05), whereas the inlay specimens inserted into undercut cavity preparation exhibited significantly poor adaptation as compared with those inserted into regular and tapered cavities in two inclinations of the cusp (0 degree and 15 degrees; P < 0.05). The experimental results suggest that either regular or tapered box form cavity preparation is preferable to the undercut box form to improve occlusal marginal adaptation of the Cerec 2 ceramic restorative system.

[Activities of thymidylate synthase and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase in patients with colorectal cancer]

Between 1998 and 2001, 82 colorectal cancers were resected in our hospital. The activities of TS and DPD were evaluated. TS activities in tumor tissues were significantly higher than in normal tissue, but the DPD activities had no significant difference between them. TS and DPD showed a correlation between normal and tumor tissues in stage III or IV patients. The TS value of patients with recurrence tended to be higher than that of patients with no recurrence. Especially in stage I or II patients with recurrence, who were administered 5-FU before recurrence, the TS value was significantly higher than in non-treated patients. In stage III or IV patients, it was considered that DPD prevention was important for 5-FU to effectively prevent TS. The TS value might be a new prospective risk factor for recurrence. Moreover, TS and DPD would be the index of biological malignancy.

Effect of desensitizers on bond strength of adhesive luting agents to dentin

The current study investigates the influence of three dentin hypersensitivity treating agents (Gluma CPS, MS Coat and Saforide) on bond strength to dentin of two luting agents (Panavia Fluoro Cement and Super-Bond C & B). Sixty bovine dentin substrates were divided into 12 combinations of four treatment conditions (Gluma CPS, MS Coat, Saforide and control) and three adhesive systems (AD Gel sodium hypochlorite + Panavia Fluoro Cement, Panavia Fluoro Cement without AD Gel and Super-Bond C & B). After bonding the treated teeth to steel rods, 24-h tensile bond strengths were determined, and average values (n=5) were compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Without application of the desensitizers, bond strengths of the two groups (Super-Bond C & B, 10.2 MPa; AD Gel + Panavia, 11.5 MPa) were comparable, and they were greater than the group bonded with the Panavia material with no AD Gel conditioning (7.1 MPa). Application of the Saforide ammoniated silver fluoride desensitizer reduced bond strength of both the Super-Bond and Panavia luting agents, whereas the MS Coat polymeric agent negatively affected bond strength of the Panavia cement only. The use of the Gluma desensitizer did not affect bond strength of any of the three adhesive systems, and the bond strength of the Panavia cement with the AD Gel conditioning was not reduced by application of any of the three desensitizers. The four combinations of two desensitizers (MS Coat and Gluma CPS) and two adhesive systems (Super-Bond C & B and AD Gel + Panavia) are deemed to be applicable to fixed prosthodontic treatment.

Palladium-catalyzed coupling of two alkynes and an alkenyl iodide: formation of pentasubstituted fulvenes

[reaction: see text]. Disubstituted alkynes reacted with alkenyl iodide in the presence of a catalytic amount of Pd(OAc)2 and Ag2CO3 to give pentasubstituted fulvene derivatives in excellent yields. Other Ag salts such as AgNO3, AgBF4, and AgOTf are not effective, whereas a combination of AgNO3 and K2CO3 has a remarkable effect on the formation of fulvene.

Effect of medetomidine on electroencephalography and use of a quantitative electroencephalograph for evaluating sedation levels in dogs

This study was designed to characterize the effect of medetomidine (Med) on canine electroencephalography (EEG), to evaluate the use of quantitative EEG for assessing sedation levels and to explore the correlation between the serum concentration of Med and the quantitative EEG. Four groups of dogs were given Med at doses of 20, 40, 80 and 160 microg/kg (Med-20, Med-40, Med-80 and Med-160 groups). Following Med administration, there was synchrony between each unipolar EEG lead. On EEG power spectrum analysis of the bipolar leads, all groups showed a significant depression of the 14-30 Hz components. The power of the 1-3 Hz component in the Med-80 and Med-160 groups was significantly increased, although there were few changes in the other groups. Similar results were obtained from raw data analysis. As a result of quantitative EEG analysis, spectrum edge frequency 90 analysis (SEP90) showed that the frequency was significantly reduced in all groups after Med administration. A dose-response effect was observed in all groups except for the Med-160 group. Both of these EEG analyses were significantly correlated with the serum concentration of Med. However, the result of the SPF90 analysis sugested a stronger correlation than that for median edge frequency analysis. In conclusion, care must be taken in veterinary clinical diagnoses when Med is used during EEG recording, as Med may cause increased activity in the low frequency band and a decrease in high frequency band activity. In addition, quantitative EEG analysis may be useful in assessing the depth of sedation and in further studies on Med administration.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase from spinach chloroplasts

Glutathione-dependent dehydroascorbate reductase (GSH-DHAR) catalyzes the reduction of dehydroascorbate to ascorbate using reduced glutathione as the electron donor. GSH-DHAR from spinach chloroplasts produced in Escherichia coli was crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The crystals were monoclinic, space group C2, with unit-cell parameters a = 98.25, b = 39.96, c = 106.86 A, beta = 110.46 degrees. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules, giving a crystal volume per enzyme mass (V(M)) of 2.06 A(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 40.3%. A full set of X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.2 A Bragg spacing from three native crystals with an overall R(merge) of 6.5% and a completeness of 93.4%.

Bonding of prosthetic composite material to Ti-6Al-7Nb alloy with eight metal conditioners and a surface modification technique

PURPOSE

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the adhesive performance of metal conditioners and a surface modification system when used for bonding between a prosthetic composite material and a titanium alloy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight metal conditioners (Acryl Bond, All-Bond 2 Primer B, Alloy Primer, Ces II Opaque Primer, Eye Sight Opaque Primer, Metafast Bonding Liner, Metal Primer II, and MR Bond) and a bonding system (Siloc) were assessed. Cast disk specimens made of a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-7Nb, T-Alloy Tough) were either primed with one of the eight primers or treated with the Siloc system and bonded with a light-activated prosthetic composite material (Artglass). Shear bond strengths were determined both before and after thermocycling (4 C-60 C, 60 s each, 20,000 cycles) for evaluation of the durability of the bonds.

RESULTS

The results showed that the Siloc-treated group recorded the greatest post-thermocycling bond strength, followed by the two groups conditioned with the Cesead II Opaque Primer and Alloy Primer agents, both of which contain an identical hydrophobic phosphate-methacrylate functional monomer.

Fluctuation of extracellular hypocretin-1 (orexin A) levels in the rat in relation to the light-dark cycle and sleep-wake activities

Hypocretins/orexins are neuropeptides implicated in sleep regulation and the sleep disorder narcolepsy. In order to examine how hypocretin activity fluctuates across 24 h with respect to the sleep-wake cycle, we measured changes in extracellular hypocretin-1 levels in the lateral hypothalamus and medial thalamus of freely moving rats with simultaneous sleep recordings. Hypocretin levels exhibited a robust diurnal fluctuation; levels slowly increased during the dark period (active phase), and decreased during the light period (rest phase). Levels were not correlated with the amount of wake or sleep in each period. Although an acute 4-h light-shift did not alter hypocretin levels, 6-h sleep deprivation significantly increased hypocretin release during the forced-wake period. Hypocretin activity is, thus, likely to build up during wakefulness and decline with the occurrence of sleep. These findings, together with the fact that a difficulty in maintaining wakefulness during the daytime is one of the primary symptoms of hypocretin-deficient narcolepsy, suggest that hypocretin activity may be critical in opposing sleep propensity during periods of prolonged wakefulness.

Clinicopathological features of serum TTV DNA-positive non-A-G liver diseases in Japan

This study was undertaken to detect TTV DNA in serum samples from patients with non-A, non-B, non-C, non-E, and non-G (non-A-G) liver diseases and from blood donors, and to investigate the clinicopathological features of TTV infection including its prevalence and influence on liver disease. The study population consisted of 20 patients with non-A-G liver diseases (nine with chronic hepatitis (CH), six with liver cirrhosis (LC), and five with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as 47 blood donors. Detection of TTV DNA was conducted with 200 &mgr;l of serum by the nested polymerase chain reaction. The detection rate of TTV DNA by subject category was CH 55.9; LC 66.7; HCC 60%; and blood donors 28%. Regarding blood biochemistry, TTV DNA-positive patients tended to show higher levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, as well as lower levels of platelet counts. Long-term follow-up revealed that TTV DNA-positive patients exhibited characteristic, multiple peaks of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. The histologic findings in the livers of TTV DNA-positive patients with CH consisted of moderate necro-inflammatory reactions. In conclusion, it is possible that the TTV genotype 1b infection caused liver injury.

Colour reproducibility of a photo-activated prosthetic composite with different thicknesses

This study determined the colour accuracy of a photo-activated prosthetic composite with various thicknesses and shades for the purpose of evaluating the relationship between material thickness variation and colour reproducibility. Four light shades (A1, B1, C1 and D2) and four dark shades (A4, B4, C4 and D4) of a representative photo-activated prosthetic composite (Artglass) for body paste were assessed. The specimens were prepared with thicknesses of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mm. The L*a*b* colour parameter of each shade was measured using a dental colorimeter (ShadeEye) connected to a computer. The overall colour accuracy of groups of five specimens was compared by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe's S multiple range test (P=0;05). In addition, L*a*b* colour difference (Delta E*) values between the 3.0 mm thickness and the other thicknesses were calculated. Three-factor ANOVA revealed that all colour parameters were influenced by the thickness as well as by the shade letter and shade tab (P < 0.05). The L* value consistently decreased for all shades as thickness increased, although there was no obvious correlation between the thickness of the material and either the a* or b* values. Among the Delta E* values, the values between the 2.5 and 3.0 mm thicknesses were the lowest, and values were found to be lower than 2.0 for all shades. The colour accuracy of the photo-activated prosthetic composite was related to the thickness of the material regardless of the shade. For acceptable colour reproducibility, a composite material thickness of at least 2.5 mm was found to be required.

Potential usefulness of 99mTc-labeled monoclonal antibody A7 for immunoscintigraphy of human pancreatic carcinoma

BACKGROUND

To improve survival rates of patients with pancreatic carcinoma, it is critical to develop new technology for early and certain diagnosis. One possibility is the application of radioimmunoscintigraphy using radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Monoclonal antibody A7 (Mab A7) was labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc) and injected into athymic nude mice bearing human pancreatic carcinoma xenografts in order to examine its usefulness for radioimmunoscintigraphy.

RESULTS

The binding activity of 99mTc labeled Mab A7 was nearly identical to that of non-labeled Mab A7. When 99mTc-labeled Mab A7 was injected intravenously into tumor-bearing nude mice, tumor accumulation of 99mTc-labeled Mab A7 increased until 24 hours after injection and then decreased slowly. The tumor tissue/blood ratio of radioactivity was significantly greater than that of normal mouse IgG.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that 99mTc-labeled Mab A7 is suitable for radioimmunoscintigraphy of human pancreatic carcinoma.

Shear bond strength of resin composite veneering material to gold alloy with varying metal surface preparations

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Although adequate surface preparation is indispensable to achieve a consistent and durable bond between resin composite materials and the metal substructures of veneered restorations, information on the bonding performance of current metal adhesive systems is limited.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface preparation effects of 4 metal conditioners and 1 adhesive system on bonding between a prosthetic resin composite veneering material and a gold casting alloy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Four primers containing sulfur derivative monomer and designed for conditioning noble metal alloys (Alloy Primer, Infis Opaque Primer, Metal Primer II, and Metaltite) and a surface modification technique (Siloc) were assessed. Cast disk specimens made of gold alloy (Pontor LFC) were either primed with 1 of the 4 primers or treated with the Siloc system and bonded with a light-activated prosthetic resin composite material (New Metacolor Infis). Control specimens were also prepared without the use of a bonding agent. Shear bond strengths were determined before and after thermocycling (20,000 cycles) for evaluation of bond durability.

RESULTS

All of the primed and Siloc-treated groups showed improved 24-hour shear bond strengths compared with the control group. After thermocycling, the groups either primed with the Metaltite conditioner or treated with the Siloc system exhibited the highest mean shear bond strengths.

CONCLUSION

The Metaltite conditioner and Siloc system each represent a useful method for improving the bond between the gold alloy and resin composite material tested.

Cones of skin occur where hypertrophic scar occurs

Hypertrophic scarring is devastating for the patient, however the pathophysiology and treatment remain unknown after decades of research. The process follows deep dermal injury, occurs only on certain body parts, does not occur in the early fetus or in animals, and is a localized event. This suggests that an anatomic structure in human, deep dermis may be involved. The dermis is a matrix perforated by cones containing many structures including skin appendages and fat domes. We hypothesized that studying the cones might reveal a structure related to scarring. We examined tangential wounds from various body parts on human cadavers along with skin histology from various human body parts, the early fetus, partial thickness burns, hypertrophic scars, and two other species-rats and rabbits. We found that the cones may in fact be the structure. They exist where hypertrophic scar occurs-cheek, neck, chest, abdomen, back, buttock, arm, forearm, dorsal hand, thigh, leg, dorsal foot, helix and ear lobe. They do not exist where hypertrophic scar does not occur-scalp, forehead, concha, eyelid, palm, early fetus, and in rat, or rabbit. It also became apparent that the cones have been omitted from most considerations of skin histology. We suggest that the cones need to be studied in relation to hypertrophic scarring and restored to skin diagrams.