Effect of disinfectant agents on dimensional stability of elastomeric impression materials.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Difficulties in sterilizing impressions by traditional methods have led to chemical disinfection as an alternative, and some studies have shown that disinfectants may adversely affect impressions. PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of disinfection methods on the dimensional stability of 6 elastomeric materials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Impression materials were submitted to the following treatments: immersion in 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution for 10 minutes, immersion in 2% glutaraldehyde solution for 30 minutes, and no immersion (control). After treatments, impressions were poured, and respective stone casts were measured with a Nikon Profile projector and compared with the master model. RESULTS: The elastomeric materials had different reproduction capacities, and the disinfecting treatments did not differ from the control.

Superoxide radical and nephrotoxic effect of cadmium exposure

Pollution and industrial practices result in concentrations of metals and other environmental agents that are related to environmental toxicity. Concentrations of metals are widely related to biochemicals values which are used in disease diagnosis due to environmental toxicity. This work was carried out in order to verify the nephrotoxic effect of cadmium and to clarify the contribution of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this process. Cadmium chloride was tested for nephrotoxic damage in rats by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection Cd 2+ (2 mg/kg) and oral intake (Cd2 +-100 mg/l-from CdCl 2). The cadmium-induced biochemical alterations included significant increased levels of serum creatinine concentrations, in rats with i.p. injection. Total urinary protein concentrations were only increased in rats with cadmium intake. Lipoperoxide was also increased after 3 and 7 days of the Cd 2+ treatment. No changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase activities. Cadmium-induced damage might be due to superoxide radicals (O 2 -), since Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase activities were decreased by Cd 2+ treatment. This study allows tentative conclusions to be drawn regarding which reactive oxygen metabolites play a role in cadmium nephrotoxicity. We concluded that the superoxide radical may be produced as a mediator of nephrotoxic action of cadmium.

Microleakage evaluation of pit and fissure sealants done with different procedures, materials, and laser after invasive technique

This study evaluated the microleakage of pit and fissure sealants after different surface preparation (invasive technique and laser irradiation) and the use of different materials (fluoride resin-filled sealant, resin-modified glass ionomer cement and adhesive system). Eighty-four pre molars were used in this study, which were divided into seven groups. After the accomplishment of the different treatments, these were submitted to thermocycling process and assess for microleakage by examination under an epifluorescent microscope and scored zero to seven. Two specimens of each group were observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that laser irradiation did not lessen microleakage in pit and fissures when using a filled-resin sealant with fluoride or a resin-modified glass ionomer cement. The use of laser irradiation and adhesive system, followed by a resin-filled sealant with fluoride, showed the lowest microleakage scores in pit and fissures. Comparing this group to the resin-modified glass ionomer cement group, there was statistical significance. The use of a adhesive system decreased microleakage when using a fluoride resin-filled sealant with or without previous laser irradiation; although it was not statistically significant.

Improved Conductivity Induced by Photodesorption in SnO2 Thin Films Grown by a Sol-Gel Dip Coating Technique

Thin films of undoped and Sb-doped SnO2 have been prepared by a sol-gel dip-coating technique. For the high doping level (2-3 mol% Sb) n-type degenerate conduction is expected, however, measurements of resistance as a function of temperature show that doped samples exhibit strong electron trapping, with capture levels at 39 and 81 meV. Heating in a vacuum and irradiation with UV monochromatic light (305 nm) improve the electrical characteristics, decreasing the carrier capture at low temperature. This suggests an oxygen related level, which can be eliminated by a photodesorption process. Absorption spectral dependence indicates an indirect bandgap transition with Eg ≅ 3.5 eV. Current-voltage characteristics indicate a thermionic emission mechanism through interfacial states.

Effect of α-tocopherol on superoxide radical and toxicity of cadmium exposure

Contamination with cadmium compounds poses high potential risk for the health of populations and for this reason the treatment of their toxic effects should urgently be established. The present study was carried out to determine whether α-tocopherol intake can protect tissues against damage induced by cadmium, and to clarify the contribution of superoxide radicals (O 2 -) in this process. Cadmium chloride was tested for tissue damage by a single intraperitoneal injection of Cd 2+ ions (2 mg Kg -1). To determine the potential therapeutic effect of vitamin E, a group of Cd 2+-treated rats received a drinking solution of α-tocopherol (40 mg l -1) for 15 days. Cadmium induced increased serum creatinine and total lactate dehydrogenase, reflecting renal and cardiac damage. The increased lipoperoxide and decreased Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase levels indicated the generation of superoxide radicals in cadmium-treated rats. Tocopherol induced increased serum high-density lipoprotein and depressed the toxic effects of Ca 2+ alone, since creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase determinations were recovered to the control values. Tocopherol decreased lipoperoxide and led the superoxide dismutase activities to approach those of the control values. We concluded that superoxide radicals are produced as mediators of cadmium toxicity. Tocopherol possesses a significant anti-radical activity and inhibits the cadmium effect on superoxide dismutase activity. Tocopherol also protected tissues from the toxic effects of cadmium by a direct antioxidant action which decreased lipoperoxide formation.

Synthesis of manganese porphyrinosilica imprinted with templates using the sol-gel process

The optimized conditions for the preparation of a new manganese porphyrinosilica-template material are reported. The manganese porphyrinosilica-template was prepared by the sol-gel process, by the reaction of -SO2Cl groups present in the phenyl rings of MnTDC(SO2Cl)PPCl with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. The reaction produces a precursor porphyrinopropylsilyl species, which were then polymerized with tetraethoxysilane. The presence of manganese porphyrin on xerogel is confirmed by ultraviolet visible absorption spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The prepared materials have surface areas between 19 and 674 m2 g-1. Electron spectroscopy imaging of the materials show that manganese distribution in the xerogel is uniform. Both manganese(III) porphyrinosilica-template and a similar iron(III) porphyrinosilica-template can catalyze the epoxidation of cyclooctene using iodozylbenzene as oxygen donor. The metalloporphyrinosilica-template presents catalytic activity similar to that of metaloporphyrin in solution. © 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Minimization of lead and copper interferences on spectrophotometric determination of cadmium using electrolytic deposition and ion-exchange in multi-commutation flow system

A new strategy for minimization of Cu2+ and Pb2+ interferences on the spectrophotometric determination of Cd2+ by the Malachite green (MG)-iodide reaction using electrolytic deposition of interfering species and solid phase extraction of Cd2+ in flow system is proposed. The electrolytic cell comprises two coiled Pt electrodes concentrically assembled. When the sample solution is electrolyzed in a mixed solution containing 5% (v/v) HNO3, 0.1% (v/v) H2SO4 and 0.5 M NaCl, Cu2+ is deposited as Cu on the cathode, Pb2+ is deposited as PbO2 on the anode while Cd2+ is kept in solution. After electrolysis, the remaining solution passes through an AG1-X8 resin (chloride form) packed minicolumn in which Cd2+ is extracted as CdCl4/2-. Electrolyte compositions, flow rates, timing, applied current, and electrolysis time was investigated. With 60 s electrolysis time, 0.25 A applied current, Pb2+ and Cu2+ levels up to 50 and 250 mg 1-1, respectively, can be tolerated without interference. For 90 s resin loading time, a linear relationship between absorbance and analyte concentration in the 5.00-50.0 μg Cd 1-1 range (r2 = 0.9996) is obtained. A throughput of 20 samples per h is achieved, corresponding to about 0.7 mg MG and 500 mg KI and 5 ml sample consumed per determination. The detection limit is 0.23 μg Cd 1-1. The accuracy was checked for cadmium determination in standard reference materials, vegetables and tap water. Results were in agreement with certified values of standard reference materials and with those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry at 95% confidence level. The R.S.D. for plant digests and water containing 13.0 μg Cd 1-1 was 3.85% (n = 12). The recoveries of analyte spikes added to the water and vegetable samples ranged from 94 to 104%. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.

MnO2 influence on the electrical properties of SnO2-based ceramic systems

Tin dioxide is an n-type semiconductor that when doped with other metallic oxides exhibits non-linear electric behavior with high non-linear coefficient values typical of a varistor. In this work, electrical properties of the SnO2.CoO.Ta2O5 and SnO2.CoO.MnO2.Ta2O5 ceramics systems were studied with the objective of analyzing the influence of MnO2 on sintering behavior and electrical properties of these systems. The compacts were prepared by powder mixture process and sintered at 1300°C for 1 hour, in air, using a constant heating rate of 10°C/min. The morphological and structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The densities of the sintered ceramics were measured using the Archimedes method. The SnO2.CoO.Ta2O5 and SnO2.CoO.MnO2.Ta2O5 systems presented breakdown fields (Eb) about 3100 V.cm-1 and 3800 V.cm-1, respectively, and non-linear coefficient (α) about 10 and 20, respectively.

Healing process of dog dental pulp after pulpotomy and pulp covering with mineral trioxide aggregate or Portland cement.

Considering several reports about the similarity between the chemical compositions of the mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement (PC), the subject of this investigation was to analyze the behavior of dog dental pulp after pulpotomy and direct pulp protection with these materials. After pulpotomy, the pulp stumps of 26 roots of dog teeth were protected with MTA or PC. Sixty days after treatment, the animal was sacrificed and the specimens removed and prepared for histomorphological analysis. There was a complete tubular hard tissue bridge in almost all specimens. In conclusion, MTA and PC show similar comparative results when used in direct pulp protection after pulpotomy.

Structural and electrical properties of strontium barium niobate thin films crystallized by conventional furnace and rapid-thermal annealing process

Strontium barium niobate (SBN) thin films were crystallized by conventional electric furnace annealing and by rapid-thermal annealing (RTA) at different temperatures. The average grain size of films was 70 nm and thickness around 500 nm. Using x-ray diffraction, we identified the presence of polycrystalline SBN phase for films annealed from 500 to 700 °C in both cases. Phases such as SrNb2O6 and BaNb2O6 were predominantly crystallized in films annealed at 500 °C, disappearing at higher temperatures. Dielectric and ferroelectric parameters obtained from films crystallized by conventional furnace and RTA presented essentially the same values.

Design studies of the magnetic properties of structural materials affecting the magnetic field of high-homogeneity superconducting magnets

Austenitic stainless steel presents phase changes caused by heat treatment and welding processes. Because it represents a problem in the design of high-homogeneity magnets, we have been studying the magnetic properties of Ti alloys for their use instead of stainless steel as structural material for superconducting magnet construction. In this work, we present the comparative study of the influence of magnetic properties of steel and Ti alloys on the magnetic-field homogeneity of a superconducting coil through numerical calculation using the measured magnetic properties. © 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Behavior of bromide in the photoelectrocatalytic process and bromine generation using nanoporous titanium dioxide thin-film electrodes

In this study, the photoelectrocatalytic behavior of bromide and generation of bromine using TiO2 was investigated in the separate anode and cathode reaction chambers. Our results show that the generation of bromine begins around a flatband potential of -0.34 V vs. standard calomel electrode (SCE) at pH 3.0 under UV illumination and increases with an increase in positive potential, finally reaching a steady-state concentration at 1.0 V vs. SCE. Maximum bromine formation occurs over the range of pH 4-6, decreasing sharply at conditions where the pH > 7. © 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Influence of oxygen atmosphere on LiNbO3 thin films prepared by Pechini process

Thin films of lithium niobate were deposited on the Pt/Ti/SiO2 (111) substrates by the polymeric precursor method (Pechini process). Annealing in static air and oxygen atmosphere was performed at 500°C for 3 hours. The films obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The dielectric constant, dissipation factor and resistance were measured in frequency region from 10 Hz to 10 MHz. Electrical characterizations of the films pointed to ferroelectricity via hysteresis loop. The influence of oxygen atmosphere on crystallization and properties of LiNbO3 thin films is discussed.

Red, green, and blue upconversion luminescence in ytterbium-sensitized praseodymium-doped lead-cadmium-germanate glass

Blue, green, red, and near-infrared upconversion luminescence in the wavelength region of 480 - 740 nm in Pr3+/Yb3+-codoped lead-cadmium-germanate glass under 980 nm diode laser excitation, is presented. Upconversion emission peaks around 485, 530, 610, 645, and 725 nm which were ascribed to the 3P0 - 3HJ (J=4, 5, and 6), and 3P0 - 3FJ (J=2, and 3,4), transitions, respectively, were observed. The population of the praseodymium upper 3P0 emitting level was accomplished through a combination of ground-state absorption of Yb3+ ions at the 2F7/2, energy-transfer Yb3+(2F 5/2) Pr3+(3H4), and excited-state absorption of Pr3+ ions provoking the 1G4 - 3P0 transition. The dependence of the upconversion luminescence upon the Yb3+-concentration and diode laser power, is also examined, in order to subsidize the proposed upconversion excitation mechanism.

Comparative study of MTA and other materials in retrofilling of pulpless dogs' teeth

This in vivo study compared the effect of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), IRM, Super EBA and ZOE in a puttylike consistency, used as retrofilling materials, in the healing process of periapical tissue of pulpless dogs' teeth submitted to a conventional retrofilling technique. Twenty-four premolars obtained from three dogs were used. At the first intervention, the animals were anesthetized, coronal access was obtained and pulpectomy was done. Root canals were kept open to the oral environment for 180 days to induce the formation of apical lesions. After surgical removal of the lesions with curettes, 2 mm of the apical root was cut out perpendicular to the long axis of the teeth, and root-end cavities were shaped with a low-speed round bur. The bone cavities were irrigated and dried, and the root-end cavities were filled with MTA, IRM, Super EBA and ZOE in a puttylike consistency. The bone cavities were passively filled with blood and flaps were sutured. The coronal access openings were cleaned and double-sealed with ZOE and amalgam. After 180 days, the animals were killed by anesthetic overdose, maxilla and mandible were removed and the pieces were processed for histomorphologic analysis. Data were evaluated blindly on the basis of several histopathologic events and the scores obtained were analyzed statistically using the Kruskal Wallis test. No significant differences were observed among MTA, Super EBA and IRM (p>0.05). However, ZOE had a significantly more negative influence on the apical healing (p<0.05). In conclusion, MTA, Super EBA and IRM had similar histopathologic effects among each other and better performance than ZOE used in a puttylike consistency. Furthermore, only MTA stimulated hard tissue deposition in direct contact with the retrofilling material, even when it was inserted under critical conditions.