Effect of application time of APF and NaF gels on microhardness and fluoride uptake of in vitro enamel caries

Purpose : To evaluate the effect of time of fluoride application gel, acidulated or neutral, on in vitro enamel resistance to demineralization and fluoride uptake. Materials and Methods: One hundred and ninety-two human enamel blocks were used in this study and 144 were treated with fluoride gel, acidulated or neutral, for I or 4 minutes. Ninety-six blocks treated with fluoride and 24 control blocks were submitted to a high cariogenic challenge. After the pH-cycling, enamel demineralization was assessed by surface and cross-sectional microhardness. Fluoride in the enamel blocks was also determined after removing an enamel layer by etching acid. Results: Acidulated fluoride gel formed more fluoride in enamel than neutral gel (P < 0.05), and it was also more efficient in reducing the demineralization of the enamel blocks submitted to a cariogenic challenge than the neutral one (P < 0.05). It was found that the time of application was significant in terms of fluoride uptake, but it did not render the enamel more resistant to dernineralization.

Cross-Sectional Microhardness of Human Enamel Subjected to Erosive, Cariogenic or Combined Erosive/Cariogenic Challenges

This in situ study evaluated the interaction between caries and erosion processes. In the first phase, enamel specimens were subjected to erosion without dental plaque (EO) or to erosion with plaque (EP); in the second phase, they were subjected to erosion plus cariogenic challenge (EC) or cariogenic challenge (CO), both with plaque accumulation. Cross-sectional hardness data (10-330 mu m depth) were tested using ANOVA (alpha = 0.05). EO and EP showed surface softening to 10 mu m depth. CO and EC produced subsurface lesions, of similar depth (up to 220 mu m), with CO showing higher integrated loss of hardness than EC, indicating that cariogenic and erosive challenges did not have an additive effect. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel

In vitro microhardness of glass ionomer cements

This study evaluated the surface microhardness of four glass ionomer cements and a composite resin (Fuji IX, Ketac Molar, Vidrion R, Vitromolar and Z 250). Ten specimens of each glass ionomer cement with 8.0 mm diameter and 5.0 mm high dimensions were made and Vicker's microhardness measurements were taken at 1 day and 1 week after initial setting reaction. The results were analyzed using Student's T test and Tukey test (p < 0.05) and demonstrated that the values of microhardness increased after 1 week, with the exception of Fuji IX. Resin composite Z250 presented the greatest values for microhardness.

Disinfection of Bovine Enamel by Microwave Irradiation: Effect on the Surface Microhardness and Demineralization/Remineralization Processes

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

Effect of light curing sources on microhardness of different composite resins

This study evaluated the influence of light-curing units (LCUs) on Knoop microhardness (KHN) of different composite resins formulations. Four LCUs, one Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen (QTH) for 20 s, one Argon-Ion-Laser (AL) for 10 s, one Plasma-Arc-Curing (PAC) for 9 s, and one Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) for 20 s, and three composite resins, nanofill and easy cure (Filtek (TM) Supreme), microhybrid and medium cure (Herculite XRV), and microfill and difficult cure (Heliomolar) were used. Discs (4 x 2 mm(2)) of each composite resin were divided in 12 Groups and KHN was measured at the top (T) and bottom (B) surfaces. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (p < 0.05). Top presented significantly higher KHN than bottom surface for all composite resins and LCUs tested. Statistical significant differences were observed among the LCUs. At the bottom surface QTH and LED presented higher KHN than PAC and LA. However, at the top surface PAC and LA presented similar results than QTH for nanofill and microhybrid composite resins. Different LCUs play an important effect on Knoop microhardness and the composite resin formulations were significant factor on the photosensitivity.

The Effect of Power Bleaching Actived by Several Light Sources on Enamel Microhardness

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of different light sources for in-office bleaching on surface microhardness of human enamel. One hundred and five blocks of third molars were distributed among seven groups. The facial enamel surface of each block was polished and baseline Knoop microhardness of enamel was assessed with a load of 25 g for 5 s. Subsequently, the enamel was treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide bleaching agent and photo-activated with halogen light (group A) during 38 s, LED (group B) during 360 s, and high intensity diode laser (group C) during 4 s. The groups D (38 s), E (360 s), and F (4 s) were treated with the bleaching agent without photo-activated. The control (group G) was only kept in saliva without any treatment. Microhardness was reassessed after 1 day of the bleaching treatment, and after 7 and 21 days storage in artificial saliva. The mean percentage and standard deviation of microhardness in Knoop Hardness Number were: A 97.8 +/- 13.1 KHN; B 95.5 +/- 12.7 KHN; C 84.2 +/- 13.6 KHN; D 128.6 +/- 20.5 KHN; E 133.9 +/- 14.2 KHN; F 123.9 +/- 14.2 KHN; G 129.8 +/- 18.8 KHN. Statistical analysis (p < 0.05; Tukey test) showed that microhardness percentage values were significantly lower in the groups irradiated with light when compared with the non-irradiated groups. Furthermore, the non-irradiated groups showed that saliva was able to enhance the microhardness during the measurement times. The enamel microhardness was decreased when light sources were used during the bleaching process and the artificial saliva was able to increase microhardness when no light was used.

Influence of light guide tip used in the photo-activation on degree of conversion and hardness of one nanofilled dental composite

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of 0.05% sodium fluoride solutions on microhardness of resin-modified glass ionomer cements

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of fluoride-containing mouthrinse solutions (Fluorgard and Oral B) on the superficial microhardness of two resin-modified glass ionomer cements (Vitremer and Fuji II LC). Fifteen discs-shaped specimens of each glass ionomer cement (0 10 mm; 2 mm thick) were prepared, thereby forming two groups. After 24-hour storage in artificial saliva, the microhardness was measure and the data were recorded. Next, each group was divided into three subgroups (n = 5), according to the solution to be immersed in. Control specimens were kept in artificial saliva along the whole experiment. The test specimens were kept in mouthrinse solution for 30 days. Vickers surface microhardness was analyzed at predetermined evaluation periods: 24 h, 48 h, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days after specimens' preparation. Data were subjected to three-way ANOVA and to Tukey test (p < 0.05). A better behavior of Fuji II LC was observed and Fluorgard affected most the characteristics of the tested materials. It may be concluded that fluoride-containing solutions influenced the tested characteristics of materials, mainly of Vitremer.

A machine learning approach for genome-wide prediction of morbid and druggable human genes based on systems-level data

Background: The genome-wide identification of both morbid genes, i.e., those genes whose mutations cause hereditary human diseases, and druggable genes, i.e., genes coding for proteins whose modulation by small molecules elicits phenotypic effects, requires experimental approaches that are time-consuming and laborious. Thus, a computational approach which could accurately predict such genes on a genome-wide scale would be invaluable for accelerating the pace of discovery of causal relationships between genes and diseases as well as the determination of druggability of gene products.Results: In this paper we propose a machine learning-based computational approach to predict morbid and druggable genes on a genome-wide scale. For this purpose, we constructed a decision tree-based meta-classifier and trained it on datasets containing, for each morbid and druggable gene, network topological features, tissue expression profile and subcellular localization data as learning attributes. This meta-classifier correctly recovered 65% of known morbid genes with a precision of 66% and correctly recovered 78% of known druggable genes with a precision of 75%. It was than used to assign morbidity and druggability scores to genes not known to be morbid and druggable and we showed a good match between these scores and literature data. Finally, we generated decision trees by training the J48 algorithm on the morbidity and druggability datasets to discover cellular rules for morbidity and druggability and, among the rules, we found that the number of regulating transcription factors and plasma membrane localization are the most important factors to morbidity and druggability, respectively.Conclusions: We were able to demonstrate that network topological features along with tissue expression profile and subcellular localization can reliably predict human morbid and druggable genes on a genome-wide scale. Moreover, by constructing decision trees based on these data, we could discover cellular rules governing morbidity and druggability.

EIGENVALUES of FIBONACCI STOCHASTIC ADDING MACHINE

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Effects of chlorhexidine and sodium hypochlorite on the microhardness of root canal dentin

Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of endodontic irrigants on the microhardness of root canal dentin.Study design. Thirty extracted single-rooted human teeth were used. The crowns were sectioned at the cementoenamel junction. Each root was transversely sectioned into cervical, middle, and apical segments, resulting in 90 specimens. The 3 sections of each root were separately mounted in an individual silicon device with acrylic resin. The specimens were randomly divided into the following 3 groups (n = 30), according to the irrigant solution used: (1) group 1, control (saline solution); (2) group 2, 2% chlorhexidine gluconate solution; and (3) group 3, 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). After 15 minutes of irrigation, dentin microhardness was measured on each section at 500 mu m and 1000 mu m from the pulp-dentin interface with a Vickers diamond microhardness tester in Vickers hardness number (VHN).Results. Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance and the Tukey test (5%). Specimens irrigated with 2% chlorhexidine (group 2) or 1% NaOCl (group 3) presented lower values of dentin microhardness, with significant difference in relation to the control group (P < .05).Conclusion. It could be concluded that chlorhexidine and NaOCl solutions significantly reduced the microhardness of root canal dentin at 500 mu m and 1000 mu m from the pulp-dentin interface.

Dentine microhardness after different methods for detection and removal of carious dentine tissue

There are several methods for identifying carious dentinal tissue aiming to avoid removal of healthy dentinal tissue. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test different methods for the detection of carious dentinal tissue regarding the amount of carious tissue removed and the remaining dentin microhardness after caries removal. Material and methods: The dentin surfaces of 20 bovine teeth were exposed and half of the surface was protected with nail polish. Cariogenic challenge was performed by immersion in a demineralizing solution for 14 days. After transverse cross-section of the crown, the specimens were divided into four groups (n=10), according to the method used to identify and remove the carious tissue: "Papacarie", Caries-detector dye, DIAGNOdent and Tactile method. After caries removal, the cross-sectional surface was included in acrylic resin and polished. In a microhardness tester, the removed dentin thickness and the Vickers microhardness of the following regions were evaluated: remaining dentin after caries removal and superficial and deep healthy dentin. Results: ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha=0.05) were performed, except for DIAGNOdent, which did not detect the presence of caries. Results for removed dentin thickness were: "Papacarie" (424.7 +/- 105.0; a), Caries-detector dye (370.5 +/- 78.3; ab), Tactile method (322.8 +/- 51.5; bc). Results for the remaining dentin microhardness were: "Papacarie" (42.2 +/- 10.5; bc), Caries-detector dye (44.6 +/- 11.8; bc), Tactile method (24.3 +/- 9.0; d). Conclusions: DIAGNOdent did not detect the presence of carious tissue; Tactile method and "Papacarie" resulted in the least and the most dentinal thickness removal, respectively; Tactile method differed significantly from "Papacarie" and Caries-detector dye in terms of the remaining dentin microhardness, and Tactile method was the one which presented the lowest microhardness values.

Influence of Remineralizing Gels on Bleached Enamel Microhardness In Different Time Intervals

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

Conversion Degree of Indirect Resin Composites and Effect of Thermocycling on Their Physical Properties

Purpose: This study evaluated the degree of conversion (DC) of four indirect resin composites (IRCs) with various compositions processed in different polymerization units and investigated the effect of thermal aging on the flexural strength and Vicker's microhardness.Materials and Methods: Specimens were prepared from four IRC materials, namely Gr 1: Resilab (Wilcos); Gr2: Sinfony (3M ESPE); Gr3: VITA VMLC (VITA Zahnfabrik); Gr4: VITA Zeta (VITA Zahnfabrik) using special molds for flexural strength test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (25 x 2 x 2 mm(3), ISO 4049), for Vicker's microhardness test (N = 80, n = 10 per group) (5 x 4 mm(2)) and for DC (N = 10) using FT-Raman Spectroscopy. For both flexural strength and microhardness tests, half of the specimens were randomly stored in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 hours (Groups 1 to 4), and the other half (Groups 5 to 8) were subjected to thermocycling (5000 cycles, 5 to 55 +/- 1 degrees C, dwell time: 30 seconds). Flexural strength was measured in a universal testing machine (crosshead speed: 0.8 mm/min). Microhardness test was performed at 50 g. The data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (alpha = 0.05). The correlation between flexural strength and microhardness was evaluated with Pearson's correlation test (alpha = 0.05).Results: A significant effect for the type of IRC and thermocycling was found (p = 0.001, p = 0.001) on the flexural strength results, but thermocycling did not significantly affect the microhardness results (p = 0.078). The interaction factors were significant for both flexural strength and microhardness parameters (p = 0.001 and 0.002, respectively). Thermocycling decreased the flexural strength of the three IRCs tested significantly (p < 0.05), except for VITA Zeta (106.3 +/- 9.1 to 97.2 +/- 14 MPa) (p > 0.05) when compared with nonthermocycled groups. Microhardness results of only Sinfony were significantly affected by thermocycling (25.1 +/- 2.1 to 31 +/- 3.3 Kg/mm(2)). DC values ranged between 63% and 81%, and were not significantly different between the IRCs (p > 0.05). While a positive correlation was found between flexural strength and microhardness without (r = 0.309) and with thermocycling (r = 0.100) for VITA VMLC, negative correlations were found for Resilab under the same conditions (r = -0.190 and -0.305, respectively) (Pearson's correlation coefficient).Conclusion: Although all four IRCs presented nonsignificant DC values, flexural strength and microhardness values varied between materials with and without thermocycling.

Influence of Potentially Remineralizing Agents on Bleached Enamel Microhardness

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