Corneal Absorption of a New Riboflavin-Nanostructured System for Transepithelial Collagen Cross-Linking

Corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) has been described as a promising therapy for keratoconus. According to standard CXL protocol, epithelium should be debrided before treatment to allow penetration of riboflavin into the corneal stroma. However, removal of the epithelium can increase procedure risks. In this study we aim to evaluate stromal penetration of a biocompatible riboflavin-based nanoemulsion system (riboflavin-5-phosphate and riboflavin-base) in rabbit corneas with intact epithelium. Two riboflavin nanoemulsions were developed. Transmittance and absorption coefficient were measured on corneas with intact epithelia after 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes following exposure to either the nanoemulsions or standard 0.1% or 1% riboflavin-dextran solutions. For the nanoemulsions, the epithelium was removed after measurements to assure that the riboflavin had passed through the hydrophobic epithelium and retained within the stroma. Results were compared to de-epithelialized corneas exposed to 0.1% riboflavin solution and to the same riboflavin nanoemulsions for 30 minutes (standard protocol). Mean transmittance and absorption measured in epithelialized corneas receiving the standard 0.1% riboflavin solution did not reach the levels found on the debrided corneas using the standard technique. Neither increasing the time of exposure nor the concentration of the riboflavin solution from 0.1% to 1% improved riboflavin penetration through the epithelium. When using riboflavin-5-phosphate nanoemulsion for 240 minutes, we found no difference between the mean absorption coefficients to the standard cross-linking protocol (p = 0.54). Riboflavin nanoemulsion was able to penetrate the corneal epithelium, achieving, after 240 minutes, greater stromal concentration when compared to debrided corneas with the standard protocol (p = 0.002). The riboflavin-5-phosphate nanoemulsion diffused better into the stroma than the riboflavin-base nanoemulsion. © 2013 Bottos et al.

Synthesis, characterization, thermal and spectroscopic studies of solid glycolate of light trivalent lanthanides, except promethium

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of Light Activation, Agent Concentration, and Tooth Thickness on Dental Sensitivity After Bleaching

Examining three bleaching systems, this in vivo clinical trial evaluated the relationship among tooth sensitivity, light activation, and agent concentration, and it correlated dental sensitivity with tooth thickness.Materials and Methods: Eighty-seven volunteer patients were included. Inclusion criteria were the presence of anterior teeth without restorations as well as the absence of a previous bleaching experience and absence of non-carious cervical lesions or dental pain. Exclusion criteria included pregnancy or breastfeeding, a maximum of TF3 hypoplasia, tetracycline-fluorosis stains, malpositioned teeth, orthodontic treatment, periodontal disease, and/or analgesic/anti-inflammatory intake. Patients were randomly assigned to three bleaching groups: Group A (n=25) was treated with 15% H2O2 and nitrogenous-titanium-dioxide and was light activated (Lase Peroxide Lite, DMC, SaoCarlos, Sao Paulo, Brazil); Group B (n=27) was treated with 35% H2O2 and was light activated (Lase Peroxide Sensy, DMC); and Group C (n=35) was treated with 35% H2O2 (White Gold Office, Dentsply, 38West Clark Ave., Milford, USA) without light activation. Tooth sensitivity (TS) was self-reported by the patients using the visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline (TSO), immediately after treatment (TSI), and at seven days after treatment (TS7). In 46 patients, tooth thickness was determined by computed tomography. TSO, TSI, and TS7 were compared between the A and B groups to determine the effect of concentration and between the B and C groups to determine the effect of light using analysis of covariance. The correlation between tooth thickness and TSI was determined by Spearman Rho test (SPSS 15).Results: Eighty-seven patients were evaluated at baseline, and 61 were evaluated at seven days. Separated by groups, tooth sensitivity, expressed as VAS value at the time points TS0, TS1, and TS7, respectively, were as follows: Group A: 13.76 +/- 13.53, 24.40 +/- 25.24, and 5.94 +/- 5.5; Group B: 15.07 +/- 18.14, 42.4 +/- 31.78, and 8.68 +/- 17.99; and Group C: 10.80 +/- 14.83, 31.51 +/- 29.34, and 7.24 +/- 9.2. Group A showed significantly lower tooth sensitivity than group B at TSI (p=0.032). No differences were observed in the tooth sensitivities between groups B and C. No correlation was encountered between tooth thickness and tooth sensitivity immediately after treatment (Rho=-0.088,p=0.563). The median tooth thickness was 2.78 +/- 0.21 mm.Conclusions: Increases in the concentration of bleaching agents directly affect tooth sensitivity, and LED/laser activation and tooth thickness are not correlated with tooth sensitivity after dental bleaching.

Luminescent threat: toxicity of light stick attractors used in pelagic fishery

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Time reduction of light curing: Influence on conversion degree and microhardness of orthodontic composites

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of curing time and power on the degree of conversion and surface microhardness of 3 orthodontic composites. Methods: One hundred eighty discs, 6 mm in diameter, were divided into 3 groups of 60 samples according to the composite used-Transbond XT (3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif), Opal Bond MV (Ultradent, South Jordan, Utah), and Transbond Plus Color Change (3M Unitek)-and each group was further divided into 3 subgroups (n = 20). Five samples were used to measure conversion, and 15 were used to measure microhardness. A light-emitting diode curing unit with multiwavelength emission of broad light was used for curing at 3 power levels (530, 760, and 1520 mW) and 3 times (8.5, 6, and 3 seconds), always totaling 4.56 joules. Five specimens from each subgroup were ground and mixed with potassium bromide to produce 8-mm tablets to be compared with 5 others made similarly with the respective noncured composite. These were placed into a spectrometer, and software was used for analysis. A microhardness tester was used to take Knoop hardness (KHN) measurements in 15 discs of each subgroup. The data were analyzed with 2 analysis of variance tests at 2 levels. Results: Differences were found in the conversion degree of the composites cured at different times and powers (P < 0.01). The composites showed similar degrees of conversion when light cured at 8.5 seconds (80.7%) and 6 seconds (79.0%), but not at 3 seconds (75.0%). The conversion degrees of the composites were different, with group 3 (87.2%) higher than group 2 (83.5%), which was higher than group 1 (64.0%). Differences in microhardness were also found (P < 0.01), with lower microhardness at 8.5 seconds (35.2 KHN), but no difference was observed between 6 seconds (41.6 KHN) and 3 seconds (42.8 KHN). Group 3 had the highest surface microhardness (35.9 KHN) compared with group 2 (33.7 KHN) and group 1 (30.0 KHN). Conclusions: Curing time can be reduced up to 6 seconds by increasing the power, with a slight decrease in the degree of conversion at 3 seconds; the decrease has a positive effect on the surface microhardness.

Nonmesonic Weak Decay Spectra of Light Hypernuclei

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of delayed start of light-curing on microtensile bond strengths of two adhesives bonded to dentin

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength to dentin (ATBS) of two total-etching adhesives applied with delays of 1-30 s for curing. Fifty extracted molar teeth were used. Occlusal enamel was sectioned to expose flat dentin surface, which was further polished with 600-grit paper for smear layer standardization. The specimens were divided into two groups, G1: Single Bond total-etching adhesive (SB), and G2: Prime & Bond NT total-etching adhesive (PB). Each group was further divided into 5 subgroups according to the delayed light-cure initiation after the adhesive systems application (n=5): Subgroup 1s - 1 s; Subgroup 5s -5 s; Subgroup 10s - 10 s; Subgroup 20s - 20 s; Subgroup 30s - 30 s. Composite resin cones 5 mm height and 10 mm in diameter were fabricated. Specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h and sectioned to obtain 1 x 1 mm(2) transversal specimens. Specimens were thermocycled and mu TBS was measured. Data were submitted to two-way ANOVA (AdhesiveXDelay time) and Tukey's test. The level of significance was set at 5%. The results in mean MPa(+/- SD) for interaction between adhesive and delay time were: PB/1s - 23.82 +/- 2.54a; SB/5s - 19.52 +/- 2.67b; PB/5s - 18.56 +/- 3.06bc; SB/1s - 15.49 +/- 2.69cd; SB/20s - 16.33 +/- 2.55d; SB/10s - 13.88 +/- 1.67d; PB/10s - 11.04 +/- 1.28e; PB/30s - 10.89 +/- 1.31e; PB/20s - 10.24 +/- 2.33e; SB/30s - 9.19 +/- 1.91e. It was concluded that light-cure initiation timing of total-etching adhesives interferes negatively with mu TBS to dentin. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, thermal and spectroscopic study of light lanthanide nicotinate, in the solid state

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Measurement of the muon charge asymmetry in inclusive pp -> W plus X production at root s=7 TeV and an improved determination of light parton distribution functions

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The community-level effect of light on germination timing in relation to seed mass: a source of regeneration niche differentiation

Within a community, species may germinate at different times so as to mitigate competition and to take advantage of different aspects of the seasonal environment (temporal niche differentiation). We illustrated a hypothesis of the combined effects of abiotic and biotic competitive factors on germination timing and the subsequent upscale effects on community assembly. We estimated the germination timing (GT) for 476 angiosperm species of the eastern Tibetan Plateau grasslands under two light treatments in the field: high (i.e. natural) light and low light. We also measured the shift in germination timing (SGT) across treatments for all species. Furthermore, we used phylogenetic comparative methods to test if GT and SGT were associated with seed mass, an important factor in competitive interactions. We found a significant positive correlation between GT and seed mass in both light treatments. Additionally, small seeds (early germinating seeds) tended to germinate later and large seeds (late germinating seeds) tended to germinate earlier under low light vs high light conditions. Low light availability can reduce temporal niche differentiation by increasing the overlap in germination time between small and large seeds. In turn, reduced temporal niche differentiation may increase competition in the process of community assembly.

Effect of light-curing on the antibacterial activity of dentin bonding agents

Aim: This study evaluated the effect of light-activation on the antibacterial activity of dentin bonding systems. Methods: Inocula of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus casei cultures were spread on the surface of BHI agar and the materials were applied and subjected or not to light-activation. Zones of bacterial growth inhibition around the discs were measured. Results: Excite, Single Bond and the bond of Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and Clearfil Protect Bond (CP) did not show any antibacterial activity. The strongest inhibitory activity was observed for the primers of CP and Prompt (PR) against S. mutans and the primers of SE and PB against L. casei. Conclusion: Light-activation significantly reduced or suppressed the antibacterial activity of the initially active uncured dentin bonding systems

Influence of light source and immersion media in surface roughness and hardness of a nanofilled composite resin

The study evaluated the influence of light curing units and immersion media on superficial roughness and microhardness of the nanofilled composite resin Supreme XT (3M/ESPE). Light curing units used were: XL 3000 (3M/ESPE), Jet Lite 4000 Plus (JMorita) and Ultralume Led 5 (Ultradent) and immersion media were artificial saliva, Coke®, tea and coffee, totaling 12 experimental groups. Specimens (10mm x 2mm) were immersed in each respective solution for 5 seconds, three times a day, during 60 days and so, were submitted to measure of superficial roughness (Ra) and Vickers hardness. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA test (p<0.05). Results showed that only the light source factor showed statistically difference for hardness. It was observed that the hardness of the composite resin Filtek Supreme XT (3M/ESPE) was influenced by the light source (p<0.01) independently of the immersion media (p= 0.35) and the Jet Lite 4000 Plus (JMorita) was the light curing unit that presented lower values. In relation to surface roughness, it was noted no-significant statistical difference for light source (p=0.84), when specimens were immersed in different beverages (p=0.35).

Influence of light curing units and fluoride mouthrinse on morphological surface and color stability of a nanofilled composite resin

Composite resin is a dental material susceptible to color change over time which limits the longevity of restorations made with this material. The influence of light curing units and different fluoride mouthrinses on superficial morphology and color stability of a nanofilled composite resin was evaluated. Specimens (N = 150) were prepared and polished. The experimental groups were divided according to the type of light source (halogen and LED) and immersion media (artificial saliva, 0.05% sodium fluoride solution-manipulated, Fluordent Reach, Oral B, Fluorgard). Specimens remained in artificial saliva for 24-h baseline. For 60 days, they were immersed in solutions for 1 min. Color readout was taken at baseline and after 60 days of immersion. Surface morphology was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) after 60 days of immersion. Color change data were submitted to two-way Analysis of Variance and Tukey tests (α = 0.05). Surface morphology was qualitatively analyzed. The factor light source presented no significant variability (P = 0.281), the immersion media, significant variability (P < 0.001) and interaction between factors, no significant variability (P = 0.050). According to SEM observations, no difference was noted in the surface of the specimens polymerized by different light sources, irrespective of the immersion medium. It was concluded that the light source did not influence the color stability of composite, irrespective of the immersion media, and among the fluoride solutions analyzed, Fluorgard was the one that promoted the greatest color change, however, this was not clinically perceptible. The immersion media did not influence the morphology of the studied resin. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:941–946, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical and morphological features of dental composite resin: influence of light curing units and immersion media

Aims: The study evaluated the influence of light curing units and immersionmedia on superficial morphology and chemistry of the nanofilled composite resin Supreme XT (3M)through the EDX analysis and SEM evaluation. Light curing units with different power densitiesand mode of application used were XL 3000 (480 mW/cm2), Jet Lite 4000 Plus (1230mW/cm2), andUltralume Led 5 (790 mW/cm2) and immersion media were artificial saliva, Coke1, tea and coffee,totaling 12 experimental groups. Specimens (10 mm 3 2 mm) were immersed in each respectivesolution for 5 min, three times a day, during 60 days and stored in artificial saliva at 378C 6 18Cbetween immersion periods. Topography and chemical analysis was qualitative. Findings: Groupsimmersed in artificial saliva, showed homogeneous degradation of matrix and deposition of calciumat the material surface. Regarding coffee, there was a reasonable chemical degradation with loss ofload particles and deposition of ions. For tea, superficial degradation occurred in specific areaswith deposition of calcium, carbon, potassium and phosphorus. For Coke1, excessive matrix degra-dation and loss of load particles with deposition of calcium, sodium, and potassium. Conclusion:Light curing units did not influence the superficial morphology of composite resin tested, but theimmersion beverages did. Coke1affected material’s surface more than did the other tested drinks.Microsc. Res. Tech. 73:176–181, 2010.

Synthesis, evolved gas analysis (EGA) during pyrolysis and spectroscopic study of light lanthanide nicotinate in solid state

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)