Pregnancy swimming prevents early brain mitochondrial dysfunction and causes sex-related long-term neuroprotection following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia in rats

Neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a major cause of cognitive impairments in infants. Antenatal strategies improving the intrauterine environment can have high impact decreasing pregnancy-derived intercurrences. Physical exercise alters the mother-fetus unity and has been shown to prevent the energetic challenge imposed by HI. This study aimed to reveal neuroprotective mechanisms afforded by pregnancy swimming on early metabolic failure and late cognitive damage, considering animals' sex as a variable. Pregnant Wistar rats were submitted to daily swimming exercise (20' in a tank filled with 32 °C water) during pregnancy. Neonatal HI was performed in male and female pups at postnatal day 7. Electron chain transport, mitochondrial mass and function and ROS formation were assessed in the right brain hemisphere 24 h after HI. From PND45, reference and working spatial memory were tested in the Morris water maze. MicroPET-FDG images were acquired 24 h after injury (PND8) and at PND60, following behavioral analysis. HI induced early energetic failure, decreased enzymatic activity in electron transport chain, increased production of ROS in cortex and hippocampus as well as caused brain glucose metabolism dysfunction and late cognitive impairments. Maternal swimming was able to prevent mitochondrial dysfunction and to improve spatial memory. The intergenerational effects of swimming were sex-specific, since male rats were benefited most. In conclusion, maternal swimming was able to affect the mitochondrial response to HI in the offspring's brains, preserving its function and preventing cognitive damage in a sex-dependent manner, adding relevant information on maternal exercise neuroprotection and highlighting the importance of mitochondria as a therapeutic target for HI neuropathology.

Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive ceramic restorations executed by dentists with different levels of experience. Blind and prospective clinical study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive ceramic restorations executed by dentists with different levels of experience.

METHODS

Sixteen professionals were divided into 4 groups according to their experience levels. These included G1: up to 2 years since graduation, G2: 2-5 years, G3: 5-10 years, and G4: more than 10 years. All professionals were trained to follow the same standardized clinical protocol, but were unaware of the research objectives. A single evaluator followed the clinical treatments and recorded the complications and errors that occurred during the execution of the protocol. Ninety-one full crowns, 137 veneers, and 46 no-preparation veneers were prepared from lithium disilicate. Follow-ups were performed immediately and at 30, 180, and 360 days after the cementation and the evaluation based on the modified United States Public Health Service criteria. Ceramic chipping/fracture and debonding were considered failures. Fractures were replicated and submitted to fractographic analysis.

RESULTS

The highest number of failures were found in G1 followed by G3 and the lowest number of failures were found in G2. The level of success was 94% after 360 days. The fractographic analysis demonstrated the external surface of restorations as the critical area and suggested that failures might occur due to noncompliance with the clinical protocol. There was no correlation between professional experience and number of failures or patient satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Professional experience was not a decisive for patient satisfaction and success of minimally invasive ceramic restorations, and noncompliance with the clinical protocol was associated with early ceramic restoration failures.

Decreasing the dose of equine chorionic gonadotropin does not affect ovarian or pregnancy responses of purebred taurine and crossbred beef heifers

In this study there was evaluation of effects of different doses of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG: 200, 300, or 400 IU) administrated at progesterone (P4) plus estradiol-based timed AI (TAI). A total of 1080 heifers were included in the study. There was insertion of the intravaginal P4-device plus administration of 2 mg of estradiol benzoate IM. On D7, 12.5 mg of dinoprost tromethamine IM was administered and on D9, the P4 insert was removed and 0.5 mg of estradiol cypionate IM was administered. Heifers were categorized according to Reproductive Tract Status (RTS; 1-5) and were assigned to one of three treatments: 200 IU (n = 387), 300 IU (n = 357), or 400 IU (n = 336) of eCG. Estrous occurrence was evaluated at TAI 48 h later (D11). A subset of heifers (n = 213) had the largest follicle (LF) evaluated on D9 and on D11, and the formation of a new CL evaluated on D18.There was no effect of eCG treatment on LF on D11 (P = 0.79), occurrence of estrus (P = 0.92), and pregnancy at 30 days after AI (P/AI; 52.2%, 49.8%, and 51.5% for 200 IU, 300 IU, and 400 IU, respectively; P = 0.46). Regardless of the treatment, there was a greater P/AI when heifers had a functional CL, at initiation of the estrous synchronization treatment regimen. It, therefore, is efficacious to reduce the dose of eCG to 300 or 200 IU in purebred taurine and crossbred beef heifers without negative effects on ovarian, estrous or pregnancy responses.

Ti-15Mo Alloy Decreases the Stress Concentration in Mandibular Angle Fracture Internal Fixation Hardware

Objectives

Comparison of the mechanical stability of 2.0 plates made of commercially pure titanium (cpTi) and a titanium-molybdenum (Ti-15Mo) alloy and two methods of internal fixation employed mandibular angle fractures, using 3D finite element analysis.

Materials and Methods

Four groups were evaluated. For the cpTi: group Eng 1P, one 4-hole plate and 4 screws 6 mm long, in the tension zone of the mandible; group Eng 2P, two 4-hole plates, one in the tension zone of the mandible and the other in the compression zone, both were fixed with 8 screws 6 mm long. The same groups were created for the Ti-15Mo alloy. A 100 N compressive load was applied to the occlusal surface of the mandibular first molar on the plated side.

Results

When considering the von Mises equivalent stress (σ _vM) values for the comparison between both groups with one plate, a decrease of 10.5% in the plate and a decrease of 29.0% in the screws for the Ti-15Mo group was observed. Comparing the same groups with two plates, a decrease of 28.5% in the screws was shown for the Ti-15Mo alloy group. No significant differences were observed when considering maximum and minimum principal stresses (σ _max, σ _min), and maximum principal strain (ε _max) to the mandibular bone. The Ti-15Mo alloy plates substantially decreased the stress concentration in the screws for both internal fixation techniques and in the plate for the Ti-15Mo 1 plate group.

Conclusion

From a clinical standpoint, the use of Ti-Mo alloy with reduced stiffness will decrease the stress shielding between the hardware and bone, influencing the outcome of the treatment.

Differential glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate metabolism confers an intrinsic neuroprotection to the immature brain in a rat model of neonatal hypoxia ischemia

Neonatal hypoxia ischemia (HI) is the main cause of newborn mortality and morbidity. Preclinical studies have shown that the immature rat brain is more resilient to HI injury, suggesting innate mechanisms of neuroprotection. During neonatal period brain metabolism experience changes that might greatly affect the outcome of HI injury. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate how changes in brain metabolism interfere with HI outcome in different stages of CNS development. For this purpose, animals were divided into 6 groups: HIP3, HIP7 and HIP11 (HI performed at postnatal days 3, 7 and 11, respectively), and their respective shams. In vivo [¹⁸F]FDG micro positron emission tomography (microPET) imaging was performed 24 and 72 h after HI, as well as ex-vivo assessments of glucose and beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) oxidation. At adulthood behavioral tests and histology were performed. Behavioral and histological analysis showed greater impairments in HIP11 animals, while HIP3 rats were not affected. Changes in [¹⁸F]FDG metabolism were found only in the lesion area of HIP11, where a substantial hypometabolism was detected. Furthermore, [¹⁸F]FDG hypometabolism predicted impaired cognition and worst histological outcomes at adulthood. Finally, substrate oxidation assessments showed that glucose oxidation remained unaltered and higher level of BHB oxidation found in P3 animals, suggesting a more resilient metabolism. Overall, present results show [¹⁸F]FDG microPET predicts long-term injury outcome and suggests that higher BHB utilization is one of the mechanisms that confer the intrinsic neuroprotection to the immature brain and should be explored as a therapeutic target for treatment of HI.

Bonding All-Ceramic Restorations with Two Resins Cement Techniques: A Clinical Report of Three-Year Follow-Up

Ceramics have been widely used for esthetic and functional improvements. The resin cement is the material of choice for bonding ceramics to dental substrate and it can also dictate the final esthetic appearance and strength of the restoration. The correct use of the wide spectrum of resin luting agents available depends on the dental tooth substrate. This article presents three-year clinical results of a 41 years old female patient B.H.C complaining about her unattractive smile. Two all-ceramic crowns and two laminates veneers were placed in the maxillary incisors and cemented with a self-adhesive resin luting cement and conventional resin luting cement, respectively. After a three-year follow-up, the restorations and cement/teeth interface were clinically perfect with no chipping, fractures or discoloration. Proper use of different resin luting cements shows clinical appropriate behavior after a three-year follow-up. Self-adhesive resin luting cement may be used for cementing all-ceramic crowns with high predictability of success, mainly if there is a large dentin surface available for bonding and no enamel at the finish line. Otherwise, conventional resin luting agent should be used for achieving an adequate bonding strength to enamel. (Eur J Dent 2011;5:478-485)

Influence of resin cement thickness and temperature variation on mechanical behavior of dental ceramic fragment restoration

To evaluate the stress behavior of ceramic fragment restoration, varying the thickness of the cement layer and intraoral temperature variation. A solid model of a upper lateral incisor was obtained and a defect at enamel distal/incisal edge was restored with a ceramic fragment. Based on this initial model, 4 different models (M) were built: M1 - absence of cement layer (CL) (0 μm of thickness); M2 - CL with an uniform thickness of 50 μm; M3 - CL with 50 μm at the margin of ceramics and 100 μm in the inner area far from margins; M4 - CL with 50 μm at the margin of ceramics and 200 μm in the inner area far from margins. The environment temperature changed from 5 °C to 50 °C in 4 increments. The finite element analysis was performed. Increase the cement layer thickness generated higher stress levels on ceramic surface in all temperatures, as well as on cement interface. In general hot temperature was the worst scenario for ceramic fragments integrity, since tensile and compressive stress were more intense. The maximum principal stress on ceramic fragment was found 90 MPa for M4 at 50 °C, followed for M3 (87 Mpa). For CL, the peak of stress was found for M3 at 5 °C (47 MPa). Is it possible to conclude that thick resin cement layer contribute to higher stress concentration on ceramic fragment, and extremely hot temperatures increase the risk of structural failure, since both ceramic and \cl are exposed to higher compressive and tensile stresses.

Emergence profile customization technique during implant transfer

This case report aimed to describe the clinical considerations in oral rehabilitation with prostheses on implants in the anterior region, using emergence profile customization technique during implant transfer. A patient presented with a missing left upper central incisor and with not satisfactory esthetic in the other upper incisors. After diagnosis, a treatment plan was elaborated: implant placement in this region; ceramic laminates for teeth 11 and 22, and full crown for tooth 12. During the impression procedure, the implant transfer was customized by copying the gingival profile. The prostheses were made using IPS e.max ceramic system and luted with resin cement. The patient was submitted to annual follow-up examinations that did not show any irregularity or deficiency in the prostheses. The technique performed is a viable alternative that can be used in oral rehabilitation with implants involving anterior teeth because it allows a predictable level of adaptation.

Level of circulating concentrations of progesterone during ovulatory follicle development affects timing of pregnancy loss in lactating dairy cows

The objective of this experiment was to determine the effect of high versus low progesterone (P4) during the pre-dominance or dominance phase (or both) of ovulatory follicle development on follicular dynamics and fertility of lactating dairy cows. Progesterone (P4) was manipulated to reach high (H) or low (L) serum concentrations during the pre-dominance phase (d 0 to 4 of the wave) and dominance phase (d 5 to 7 of the wave) of a second follicular wave ovulatory follicle, creating 4 treatments: H/H, H/L, L/H, and L/L. Luteolysis was induced with PGF_2α on d 7 of the wave and ovulation was induced with GnRH 56 h after PGF_2α. Cows (n = 558) received artificial insemination (AI) 16 h following GnRH. Pregnancy was determined at 6 intervals during gestation and at calving to quantify pregnancy loss beginning at d 23 post-AI utilizing pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) in novel within-cow comparisons. Cows with single ovulations assigned to the L/L treatment had greater pre-ovulatory follicle diameter compared with cows assigned to the L/H or H/L treatments. Cows with single ovulations had greater pre-ovulatory follicle diameter compared with cows with double ovulations. Low P4 in H/L, L/H, and L/L increased double ovulation rate compared with H/H. Cows with double ovulations had greater pregnancies per AI (P/AI) on d 23 post-AI compared with cows with single ovulations but had greater losses if ovulations were unilateral. Cows with low P4 during the entire period of the ovulatory follicle development also had greater P/AI on d 23 post-AI compared with cows with high P4 during both phases. However, full-term P/AI was not different between treatments. This was a result of the greater incidence of pregnancy losses between d 35 and 56 of gestation for cows with unilateral double ovulations compared with bilateral double ovulations and single ovulatory cows. Cows with single ovulation and low circulating P4 during the dominance period of follicle development had increased pregnancy losses between d 35 and 56 of gestation compared with cows with single ovulations and high P4. The PSPB measurements on d 16 and 23 post-AI were highly accurate in the prediction of pregnancy at d 28. The PSPB differed on d 23 and 28 between cows that had versus cows that did not have pregnancy losses between d 28 and 35 of gestation. In summary, circulating concentrations of P4 during ovulatory follicle development affected numbers of follicles ovulated and timing of subsequent pregnancy losses.

Resynchronization improves reproductive efficiency of suckled Bos taurus beef cows subjected to spring-summer or autumn-winter breeding season in South Brazil

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of estrus resynchronization (RE) after the first Timed Artificial Insemination (TAI) protocol on reproductive efficiency of suckled Bos taurus beef cows (n = 1052; Angus and Brangus) subjected to two different breeding season (BS) in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. In experiment 1, cows were maintained in native pasture on conventional BS (spring-summer), and in experiment 2, cows were maintained in a grazing area cultivated in an integrated crop-livestock system on modified BS (autumn -winter). Experiment 1 cows (n = 92) were randomly distributed in two reproductive managements: 1) TAI at the first day of the BS (Day 0), followed by natural service (NS) on day 10 until the end of the BS (TAI + NS; n = 45) or, 2) TAI on day 0, followed by RE 22 days after the first TAI and then followed by NS on day 42 until the end of the BS (TAI + RE22 + NS; n = 47). Experiment 2 cows (n = 960) were subjected to one of four reproductive managements: 1) only NS for 90 days of the BS (NS; n = 266); 2) TAI on day 0, followed by NS on day 10 until the end of the BS (TAI + NS; n = 200); 3) TAI on day 0, followed by RE 22 days after the first TAI and then followed by NS on day 42 until the end of the BS (TAI + RE22 + NS; n = 249) or, 4) TAI on day 0, followed by RE 30 days after the first TAI and then followed by NS on day 50 until the end of the BS (TAI + RE30 + NS; n = 245). In experiment 1, conception rate after first TAI was similar for treatments TAI + NS (42%, 19/45) and TAI + RE22 + NS (48%, 23/47; P = 0.4107). Total pregnancy rates at day 60 of the BS were 55.6% and 66.6% for TAI + NS and TAI + RE22 + NS, respectively (P = 0.006). In experiment 2, only 3% of the females submitted to NS were pregnant 30 days after the onset of BS, a lower rate compared to other groups (TAI + NS = 40%; TAI + RE22 + NS = 39.8%; TAI + RE30 + NS = 40%; P < 0.001). At 70 days of the BS, the groups TAI + RE22 + NS and TAI + RE30 + NS obtained greater pregnancy rate (66.3% and 69.4%, respectively) than other groups (NS = 16.9%; TAI + NS = 48%; P < 0.001). Pregnancy rate at the end of BS was greater in RE groups (TAI + RE22 + NS = 81.5%; TAI + RE30 + NS = 83.7%) than the NS (45.1%) or TAI + NS (71%). In conclusion, resynchronization increases pregnancy rate per AI (P/AI) and reproductive efficiency of suckled Bos taurus beef cows during spring-summer or autumn-winter breeding season in natural pasture or cultivated pasture, respectively.

Stress distribution in delayed replanted teeth splinted with different orthodontic wires: a three-dimensional finite element analysis

AIM

The aim was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of the supporting bony structures of replanted teeth and the periodontal ligament (PDL) of adjacent teeth when orthodontic wires with different mechanical properties are applied, with three-dimensional finite element analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Based on tomographic and microtomographic data, a three-dimensional model of the anterior maxilla with the corresponding teeth (tooth 13-tooth 23) was generated to simulate avulsion and replantation of the tooth 21. The teeth were splinted with orthodontic wire (Ø 0.8 mm) and composite resin. The elastic modulus of the three orthodontic wires used, that is, steel wire (FA), titanium-molybdenum wire (FTM), and nitinol wire (FN) were 200 GPa, 84 GPa, and 52 GPa, respectively. An oblique load (100 N) was applied at an angle of 45° on the incisal edge of the replanted tooth and was analyzed using Ansys Workbench software. The maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stresses generated in the PDL, cortical and alveolar bones, and the modified von Mises (σvM) values for the orthodontic wires were obtained.

RESULTS

With regard to the cortical bone and PDL, the highest σmin and σmax values for FTM, FN, and FA were checked. With regard to the alveolar bone, σmax and σmin values were highest for FA, followed by FTM and FN. The σvM values of the orthodontic wires followed the order of rigidity of the alloys, that is, FA > FTM > FN.

CONCLUSION

The biomechanical behavior of the analyzed structures with regard to all the three patterns of flexibility was similar.

Effect of long-term storage on nanomechanical and morphological properties of dentin-adhesive interfaces

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the influence of storage time on the elastic modulus, micromorphology, nanoleakage, and micromechanical behavior of the dentin-adhesive interfaces of five adhesive systems (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose, Clearfil SE Bond, One Up Bond F, Adper Easy One, and Filtek LS Adhesive) after 24h (T0) and 12 months (T1).

METHODS

Fifty teeth were restored and distributed according to each adhesive system (n=10). At least four specimens were obtained from each tooth. One specimen was evaluated under SEM to obtain the micromorphology of dentin-adhesive interface (DAI). Two specimens were used to assess nanoleakage, one tested in T0 and the other in T1. The last specimen was used for nanoindentation, in T0 and T1, to obtain the initial and final mechanical properties of DAI structures. Two non-restored teeth were evaluated under SEM to obtain the dentin morphology. Laboratorial data were used to build 15 finite element models to assess the maximum principal stress in each time of analysis.

RESULTS

Storage resulted in hydrolysis of the dentin-adhesive interfaces for all groups. Silver impregnation increased for all groups after 1 year storage (p<.05), except for Clearfil SE Bond. In general, a decrease in elastic modulus values was observed for all groups from T0 to T1 (p<.05), mainly at the hybrid layer. The FEAs showed higher stress levels at T1 than T0 simulations for all adhesives.

CONCLUSION

At T1, degradation occurred at the dentin-adhesive interface formed by all adhesives, and the intensity of degradation differed depending on the type of adhesive system used. The interface formed by the self-etching primer containing the 10-MDP functional monomer showed the highest stability among the adhesive systems after 12 months of storage.

Influence of platform and abutment angulation on peri-implant bone. A three-dimensional finite element stress analysis

The aim of this study was to evaluate stress distribution on the peri-implant bone, simulating the influence of Nobel Select implants with straight or angulated abutments on regular and switching platform in the anterior maxilla, by means of 3-dimensional finite element analysis. Four mathematical models of a central incisor supported by external hexagon implant (13 mm × 5 mm) were created varying the platform (R, regular or S, switching) and the abutments (S, straight or A, angulated 15°). The models were created by using Mimics 13 and Solid Works 2010 software programs. The numerical analysis was performed using ANSYS Workbench 10.0. Oblique forces (100 N) were applied to the palatine surface of the central incisor. The bone/implant interface was considered perfectly integrated. Maximum (σmax) and minimum (σmin) principal stress values were obtained. For the cortical bone the highest stress values (σmax) were observed in the RA (regular platform and angulated abutment, 51 MPa), followed by SA (platform switching and angulated abutment, 44.8 MPa), RS (regular platform and straight abutment, 38.6 MPa) and SS (platform switching and straight abutment, 36.5 MPa). For the trabecular bone, the highest stress values (σmax) were observed in the RA (6.55 MPa), followed by RS (5.88 MPa), SA (5.60 MPa), and SS (4.82 MPa). The regular platform generated higher stress in the cervical periimplant region on the cortical and trabecular bone than the platform switching, irrespective of the abutment used (straight or angulated).

Influence of customized composite resin fibreglass posts on the mechanics of restored treated teeth

AIM

To evaluate the mechanical behaviour of the dentine/cement/post interface of a maxillary central incisor using the finite element method and to compare the stresses exerted using conventional or customized post cementation techniques.

METHODOLOGY

Four models of a maxillary central incisor were created using fibreglass posts cemented with several techniques: FGP1, a 1-mm-diameter conventionally cemented post; CFGP1, a 1-mm-diameter customized composite resin post; FGP2, a 2-mm-diameter conventionally cemented post; CFGP2, a 2-mm-diameter customized composite resin post. A distributed load of 1N was applied to the lingual aspect of the tooth at 45° to its long axis. Additionally, polymerization shrinkage of 1% was simulated for the resin cement. The surface of the periodontal ligament was fixed in the three axes (X =Y = Z = 0). The maximum principal stress (σ(max) ), minimum principal stress (σ(min)), equivalent von Mises stress (σ(vM) ) and shear stress (σ(shear)) were calculated for the dentine/cement/post interface using finite element software.

RESULTS

The peak of σ(max) for the cement layer occurred first in CFGP1 (1.77 MPa), followed by CFGP2 (0.99), FGP2 (0.44) and FGP1 (0.2). The shrinkage stress (σ(vM) ) of the cement layer occurred as follows: FGP1 (35 MPa), FGP2 (34), CFGP1 (30.7) and CFGP2 (30.1).

CONCLUSIONS

Under incisal loading, the cement layer of customized posts had higher stress concentrations. The conventional posts showed higher stress because of polymerization shrinkage.

Bonding all-ceramic restorations with two resins cement techniques: a clinical report of three-year follow-up

Ceramics have been widely used for esthetic and functional improvements. The resin cement is the material of choice for bonding ceramics to dental substrate and it can also dictate the final esthetic appearance and strength of the restoration. The correct use of the wide spectrum of resin luting agents available depends on the dental tooth substrate. This article presents three-year clinical results of a 41 years old female patient B.H.C complaining about her unattractive smile. Two all-ceramic crowns and two laminates veneers were placed in the maxillary incisors and cemented with a self-adhesive resin luting cement and conventional resin luting cement, respectively. After a three-year follow-up, the restorations and cement/teeth interface were clinically perfect with no chipping, fractures or discoloration. Proper use of different resin luting cements shows clinical appropriate behavior after a three-year follow-up. Self-adhesive resin luting cement may be used for cementing all-ceramic crowns with high predictability of success, mainly if there is a large dentin surface available for bonding and no enamel at the finish line. Otherwise, conventional resin luting agent should be used for achieving an adequate bonding strength to enamel.

Influence of voids in the hybrid layer based on self-etching adhesive systems: a 3-D FE analysis

The presence of porosities at the dentin/adhesive interface has been observed with the use of new generation dentin bonding systems. These porosities tend to contradict the concept that etching and hybridization processes occur equally and simultaneously. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the micromechanical behavior of the hybrid layer (HL) with voids based on a self-etching adhesive system using 3-D finite element (FE) analysis. Material and Methods: Three Fe models (Mr) were built: Mr, dentin specimen (41x41x82 μm) with a regular and perfect (i.e. pore-free) HL based on a self-etching adhesive system, restored with composite resin; Mp, similar to M, but containing 25% (v/v) voids in the HL; Mpp, similar to Mr, but containing 50% (v/v) voids in the HL. A tensile load (0.03N) was applied on top of the composite resin. The stress field was obtained by using Ansys Workbench 10.0. The nodes of the base of the specimen were constrained in the x, y and z axes. The maximum principal stress (σ_max) was obtained for all structures at the dentin/adhesive interface. Results: The Mpp showed the highest peak of σ_max in the HL (32.2 MPa), followed by Mp (30 MPa) and Mr (28.4 MPa). The stress concentration in the peritubular dentin was high in all models (120 MPa). All other structures positioned far from voids showed similar increase of stress. Conclusion: Voids incorporated into the HL raised the σ_max in this region by 13.5%. This behavior might be responsible for lower bond strengths of self-etching and single-bottle adhesives, as reported in the literature.