Pulsed laser deposition of hydroxyapatite on titanium substrate with titania interlayer

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been used to deposit hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramic over titanium substrate with an interlayer of titania. PLD has been identified as a potential candidate for bioceramic coatings over metallic substrates to be used as orthopedic and dental implants because of better process control and preservation of phase identity of the coating component. However, direct deposition of hydroxyapatite on titanium at elevated temperature results in the formation of natural oxide layer along with some perovskites like calcium titanate at the interface. This leads to easy debonding of ceramic layer from the metal and thereby affecting the adhesion strength. In the present study, adherent and stable HA coating over Ti6Al4V was achieved with the help of an interlayer of titania. The interlayer was made to a submicron level and HA was deposited consecutively to a thickness of around one micron by exposing to laser ablation at a substrate temperature of 400°C. The deposited phase was identified to be phase pure HA by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry. The mechanical behavior of coating evaluated by scratch test indicates that the adhesion strength of HA coating was improved with the presence of titania interlayer.

Interesting growth features in potassium dihydrogen phosphate: unravelling the origin and dynamics of point defects in single crystals

In a potassium dihydrogen phosphate single crystal grown by the temperature-lowering technique, some interesting growth features revealing the origin of point defects, their agglomeration and dynamics were observed. High-resolution X-ray diffractometry was employed for in-depth studies of the observed defects. Since the crucial properties of crystal-based devices are very much influenced by such defects, this is an important experimental finding with respect to improving growth techniques or conditions to avoid such defects.

Phytochemical Screening and Toxicity Studies on the Leaves of Capparis sepiaria Linn. (Capparidaceae)

Capparis sepiaria Linn. (Family: Capparidaceae) is a rare indigenous in South India but has widespread distribution in many tropical and sub-tropical countries. The present study intended with various phytochemical screening and toxicity studies were carried out on the leaves of the Capparis sepiaria. Preliminary phytochemical evaluation of the ethanolic extract of revealed that the presence of reducing sugar, flavonoids, steroids, tannins, glycosides, alkaloids, gums, resins, amino acids, proteins and anthraquinones. The toxicity studies were performed as acute, sub-acute and chronic toxicity determined the LD50 value of 300-5000 mg/kg body weight 4-6 weeks. The results of the various phytochemical tests indicated that the plant to be rich in various biologically active compounds which could serve as potential source of the crude drugs and in addition the plant is not toxic to the experimental model.

Long-term outcome after sequential resections of liver and lung metastases from colorectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Surgical resection of colorectal liver metastases (CLM) is an established form of treatment. Limited data exists on the value of sequential hepatic and pulmonary metastasectomy. We analysed patients who underwent sequential liver and lung resections for CLM.

METHODS

A total of 910 patients who underwent liver resection for CLM between January 2000 and December 2007, were analysed to identify patients with resectable pulmonary metastases (n= 43; 4.7%). Patient demographics, overall survival and survival difference between synchronous and metachronous pulmonary metastasectomy groups were compared. In addition, outcomes in the 'liver and lung resection' group were compared with a matched group of 'liver resection only' patients (matched for age, primary disease stage, interval to liver resection and liver disease stage).

RESULTS

Forty-three patients (median age 62, range 43-83 years, 22 males) underwent sequential liver and lung resection. A total of 36 patients underwent major hepatic resections, 18 patients had bilobar disease and the median number of liver lesions resected was 3 (range 1-5 lesions). Ten patients had synchronous liver and lung metastases. The median interval between liver and lung metastasectomy was 25 months (range 2-88 months). A total of two patients underwent major lobectomies, three patients had bilateral disease and the median number of lung lesions resected was one (range 1-3). The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates after first metastasectomy were 100%, 87.1% and 53.9%, respectively, with a median survival of 42 months.

PATIENTS

Undergoing metachronous pulmonary metastasectomy had better 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates than those with synchronous disease (100%, 88.9% and 60.9% vs. 100%, 75% and 0%, respectively; P= 0.02, log rank test). There was no significant survival difference between the 'liver and lung resection' and the 'liver resection only' groups.

CONCLUSION

Sequential liver and lung resection for CLM is associated with good long-term survival in selected patients, except in those presenting with synchronous lung and liver metastases.

In search of an optimum plutonium density measurement fluid

Density measurements of plutonium metal and its alloys are performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) using a technique based on the Archimedes principle. The goal is to find and characterize a fluid for density determination of large objects made of plutonium to replace the currently used monobromobenzene. Physical and chemical properties must be considered while selecting the fluid. Chemical properties of the fluid must ensure low corrosion rates and good resistance to radiological decomposition. The study was carried on to evaluate the corrosion rates of Pu metal cause by FC-43 and the FC-43 decomposition products of radiolysis. The results of these studies proved favourable for this application. The evaluation of the surface reactions between FC-43 and Pu metal will be conducted in the near future.

Optical, dielectric and microhardness studies on (100) directed ADP crystal

(100) directed ammonium dihydrogen phosphate single crystal has been grown using the uniaxially solution-crystallization method of Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy (SR). The size of the grown crystal is 40 mm in diameter and 50mm in thickness. The grown crystals were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, Vickers hardness and dielectric studies. Comparing the (100) plane of the conventional method grown ADP crystal with (100) directed SR method grown ADP crystal, optical transparency, dielectric constant and Vickers hardness number are increased and dielectric loss is decreased in SR method grown crystal.

Soluble endostatin is a novel inhibitor of epithelial repair in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Aberrant angiogenesis and defective epithelial repair are key features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Endostatin is an antiangiogenic peptide with known effects on endothelial cells. This study aimed to establish the levels of endostatin in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in IPF and to investigate its actions on distal lung epithelial cells (DLEC) and primary type II cells.

METHODS

20 patients with IPF and 10 controls underwent BAL. Endostatin was measured by ELISA. BALF cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 were measured by Luminex array. Primary DLEC monolayers were wounded and treated with endostatin. Apoptosis and cell viability were assessed.

RESULTS

Endostatin was elevated in the BALF and plasma of patients with IPF compared with normal controls. There was a negative correlation between endostatin, forced vital capacity and gas transfer. Endostatin correlated with a number of proinflammatory cytokines and MMP3. Physiological endostatin doses inhibited DLEC wound repair by 44% in an effect that was partially FasL and caspase dependent. Endostatin increased apoptosis rates by 8% and reduced their viability by 34%. Similar effects of endostatin were seen in primary type II cells in terms of inhibition of wound repair and proliferation.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated BALF endostatin levels correlated with a number of elevated cytokines, MMP3 and lung function in IPF. Endostatin is a novel inhibitor of DLEC wound repair, inducing apoptosis and reducing cell viability in a FasL and caspase dependent manner. Endostatin may play a role in aberrant epithelial repair in IPF.

Dentigerous cyst associated with an ectopic third molar in the maxillary sinus: a rare entity

Ectopic eruption of teeth into a region other than the oral cavity is rare although there have been reports of teeth in the nasal septum, mandibular condyle, coronoid process, palate, chin and maxillary sinus. Occasionally, a tooth may erupt in the maxillary sinus and present with local sinonasal symptoms attributed to chronic sinusitis. We present a case of an ectopic maxillary third molar tooth that caused chronic purulent sinusitis in relation to the right maxillary sinus.

Comparison of morbidity following the removal of mandibular third molar by lingual split, surgical bur and simplified split bone technique

BACKGROUND

The methods frequently used for surgical removal of impacted third molars are bur technique, lingual split and simplified split bone technique. The morbidity rates following the use of these different surgical techniques are not completely resolved. The use of a surgical method with minimum postoperative complication is needed.

AIM

This study was conducted to compare the morbidity rates of the three different surgical techniques and their efficacy with regard to postoperative pain, swelling, labial and lingual sensation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety patients with a symptomatic impacted mandibular third molar with the age range of 14-62 years were divided into three groups of 30 patients each for surgical bur technique, lingual split technique and simplified split bone technique. All patients were operated by the same surgeon under local anesthesia (2% lignocaine) in the dental chair. The severity of pain and swelling was recorded on a visual analogue scale and the presence or absence of sensory disturbance at 6, 24, 48 hours and seven days after operation. The pain was scored according to a visual analogue 4-point scale. Patients were asked to indicate which side was more swollen and to record this assessment on the swelling scale.

RESULTS

Lingual split technique was more painful than the other two techniques. Surgical bur technique had more swelling than the other two techniques. Labial and lingual sensations were not altered in all the techniques.

CONCLUSION

The simplified split bone technique had the least morbidity than the lingual split and surgical bur technique.

Correlation of clinical and MRI findings of tempero mandibular joint internal derangement

The most common clinical features of tempero-mandibular joint internal derangement are correlated with the MRI findings of shape of the disc in an attempt to find the etiology of tempero-mandibular joint internal derangement. In this study, the clinical parameters of pain, muscle tenderness, clicking with in the joint (like early, middle and late) are correlated with the MRI findings of disc shapes. (like biconcave, thick, lengthened, folded, adhesion). The study reveals any trauma that leads to muscle tenderness results in internal derangement of tempero-mandibular joint.

A clinical profile to assess the etiology of t.m. joint ankylosis

A clinical profile to assess the etiologic factors on TMJ ankylosis, In this study an evaluation of 18 cases according to the age of onset, sex, etiologic factors, sides affected on the face and the type of ankylosis. This article strives to project a relationship between the etiology and clinical presentation of TMJ Ankylosis.

A comparison between radiography and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of zygomatic arch fracture

A comparison between submentovertex view radiograph and real time ultrasonography in the diagnosis of zygomatic arch fractures. The materials are 6 patients with zygomatic arch fracture alone and 6 patients with combination of zygomatico-maxillary complex with arch fracture. In 34% of patients with zygomatico-maxillary complex with arch fracture. In 34% of patients with zygomatico-maxillary complex fractures, zygomatic arch fractures were confirmed by radiographs, in 66% of the cases the isolated arch fractures were confirmed by radiographs. In 100% of the cases ultrasonography confirmed arch fractures in both the sets of cases.

Finger tapping activates spikes in benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

A case of benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECT) is reported, in whom tapping of fingures activated typical spikes.

A clinical profile to assess the potential risk factors for cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common malformations in man. Although the subject of a great deal of investigation, etiologic factors contributing to these congenital deformities remain largely unknown. Various factors like race, sex, parental age at the time of conception etc. have been listed as the exogenous factors. This article strives to project any significant relationship of these factors to cleft lip and cleft palate.

A comparative evaluation of apical linear dye penetration of Glass ionomer based sealers with conventional root canal sealers. An in vitro study

This study was done to evaluate the clinical practicality of a new Water mixable Glass ionomer root canal sealer with conventional type 11a Glass ionomer cement, if used as a sealer, along with Zinc oxide Eugenol and Calcium Hydroxide containing sealers. Forty freshly extracted single rooted Maxillary incisors were selected for the study. Ten teeth were assigned for each sealer group. Access cavity was prepared, wording length determined, modified step-back preparation and obturation of the root canal done with lateral condensation technique. Assigned groups were Group 1--Type 11a Glass ionomer cement, Group 11--Mixed Tubliseal, Group 111--Mixed Sealapex, Group IV--Endion. Micro leakage Values were assessed by the amount of linear dye penetration in to the apical pulp space. Statistical analysis was done with one way analysis (ANOVA), using Fisher's 'F' test and students unpaired 't' test. Seal apex exhibited the least micro leakage value and found to be the best sealer among the four sealer groups.

Application of glass ionomer cements in restorative dentistry

Dentistry was marked with radical changes in clinical restorative procedures. If the inherent characteristic of the ionomer cement was examined, it becomes very clear to the researcher as well as the dentist, that no other material has had an impact as comparable to glass ionomer cements on restorative dentistry. This scientific paper highlights the clinical applications of the cement in restorative dentistry. Glass ionomer cements are bioactive, by forming permanent adhesive bonds to dentin and enamel which enables them to prevent the development of secondary caries by providing an impermeable seal against the intrusion of oral fluids and other caries producing agents. The hydrophilic nature of the cement also makes them susceptible to the action of aqueous fluids before they are fully set, requiring that the freshly placed restoration be protected by varish, petroleum jelly or a low viscosity photo polymerizing bonding agent.

Modification of glass ionomer cements

Glass Ionomer cement (the term was coined by B.E. Kent) has been described as a hybrid of silicate cements and zinc polycarboxylates. Scientific efforts were devoted to improving properties to make it a fully practical material for anterior and posterior restorations and secondarily properties were modified to extend its range of application. First half of 90's witnessed modifications that replace part or most of the original formulation with alternative filler particles or matrix setting reactions to make these materials more composite like. This article focuses on the various modifications of the basic Glass ionomer cement.