Cytotoxicity of denture base acrylic resins: A literature review

Acrylic resins are widely used in the fabrication of denture bases and have been shown to be cytotoxic as a result of substances that leach from the resin. The primary eluate is residual monomer. Numerous reports suggest that residual monomer may be responsible for mucosal irritation and sensitization of tissues. This information is important, not only to assess the biologic effects of such materials, but also to enable a comparison among the different polymerization methods, thus assisting the clinician in selecting a material with minimal cytotoxicity. This article reviews the literature published from 1973 to 2000, selected by use of a Medline search, associated with cytotoxic effects usually ascribed to acrylic denture base materials.

Weak ferromagnetism in poly(3-methylthiophene)(PMTh)

Ferromagnetic behaviour at 300 K has been observed from SQUID experiments in ClO4- doped PMTh, the samples were prepared electrochemically at 25 degreesC in acetonitrile with 0.1M LiClO4 and then partially reduced. Atomic absorption analysis discards magnetic particles contamination. Hysteresis curves were observed for pressed pellets in ail range of temperatures (300K-2K). The remanence at 300 K and pressed at 250 bar was around 8.06x10(-4) emu/g with coercitivity of 130 Oe. The influence of water content in the solvent during the sample synthesis and the pressure is shown. We discuss a model that explains our data in terms of the anisotropic superexchange Dziatoshinski-Moriya interaction giving rise to weak ferromagnetism.

Light-induced relief gratings and a mechanism of metastable light-induced expansion in chalcogenide glasses

We report on a metastable light-induced volume expansion in Ge25+xGa10-xS65 glasses under irradiation with band gap (UV) light, which can result in recording of relief gratings on their surface in the case of irradiation with two interfering beams. We propose a mechanism for the expansion, which is based on the light-induced change in the polarizability of secondary (van der Waals type) bonds and the effect of this change on primary (covalent type) bonds of the glass. The effect is suggested to be due to an interference of electrons, which belong to a chalcogen atom and participate in the formation of secondary and primary bonds, respectively. We suggest that a minimum point of the Lennard-Jones potential, which corresponds to the equilibrium position of a chalcogen atom is shifted in the course of irradiation to a larger interatomic distance. This shift causes a volume expansion and allows a diffusion of chalcogen atoms into the irradiated area. We show that light-induced polymerization of the glass network is an important attribute of the light-induced volume expansion.

Structural studies of NaPO3-WO3 glasses by solid state NMR and Raman spectroscopy

Vitreous samples were prepared in the (100 2 x) NaPO3-x WO3 (0 <= x <= 70) glass forming system using conventional melting-quenching methods. The structural evolution of the vitreous network was monitored as a function of composition by thermal analysis, Raman spectroscopy and high resolution one- and two-dimensional P-31 solid state NMR. Addition of WO3 to the NaPO3 glass melt leads to a pronounced increase in the glass transition temperatures, suggesting a significant increase in network connectivity. At the same time Raman spectra indicate that up to about 30 mol% WO3 the tungsten atoms are linked to some non-bridging oxygen atoms (W-O- or W=O bonded species), suggesting that the network modifier sodium oxide is shared to some extent between both network formers. W-O- W bond formation occurs only at WO3 contents exceeding 30 mol%. P-31 magic angle spinning (MAS)-NMR spectra, supported by two-dimensional J-resolved spectroscopy, allow a clear distinction between species having two, one, and zero P-O-P linkages. The possible formation of some anionic tungsten sites suggested from the Raman data implies an average increase in the degree of polymerization for the phosphorus species, which would result in diminished P-31/Na-23 interactions. This prediction is indeed confirmed by P-31{Na-23} and Na-23{P-31} rotational echo double resonance (REDOR) NMR results, which indicate that successive addition of WO3 to NaPO3 glass significantly diminishes the strength of phosphorus-sodium dipole-dipole couplings.

Effects of chemical disinfectants on the transverse strength of denture base acrylic resins

The disinfection of dental prostheses by immersion in a chemical solution should be capable of rapid inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms, without causing any adverse effect on the denture base resins. This study evaluated the effect of disinfection immersion on the transverse strength of two heat-cured resins. The denture base resins (Lucitone 550 and QC 20) were polymerized according to the manufacturers' instructions. After polymerization, the specimens were polished, and then stored in water at 37 degreesC for 50 +/- 2 h prior immersion in one of the following solutions for 10 min: 4% chlorhexidine, 1% sodium hypochlorite and 3.78% sodium perborate. The specimens were submitted to disinfection twice, simulating when dentures come from the patient and before being returned to the patient. Ten specimens were made for each group. The transverse strength was evaluated by a 3-point bend test. The flexural strength of the two denture base acrylic resins evaluated remained unaffected after immersion in the three solutions evaluated. In general, the QC 20 resin specimens exhibited lower transverse strength than the Lucitone 550 resin specimens, regardless of immersion solutions.

Infrared spectroscopy investigation of various plasma-deposited polymer films irradiated with 170 keV He+ ions

This work illustrates the advantages of using p-polarized radiation at an incidence angle of 70 degrees in contrast to the conventional unpolarized beam at normal (or near-normal) incidence for the infrared spectroscopic study of polycarbosilane, polysilazane and polysiloxane thin films synthesized by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and subsequently irradiated with 170 keV He+ ions at fluences from 1 x 10(14) to 1 x 10(16) cm(-2). Several bands not seen using the conventional mode could be observed in the polarized mode. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Laserlike emission from silica inverse opals infiltrated with rhodamine 6G

Monodisperse latex spheres were obtained by a surfactant free styrene polymerization method and used to obtain colloidal crystals by controlled centrifugation settling. Silica inverse opals were then prepared by using the colloidal crystals as templates and TEOS/ethanol solution. The inverse opals were infiltrated with Rhodamine 6G and laserlike emission was observed at 590 nm under 532 nm pump wavelength. The data show line narrowing of the dye fluorescence and a laser threshold of similar to 0.1 mJ/pulse. Local-field effects and light scattering due to structural defects are the main mechanisms contributing to generation of the laser-action observed. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electrical characterization of in situ polymerized polyaniline thin films

The alternating conductivity, sigma*(f) = sigma'(f) + i sigma ''(f), of in situ polymerized polyaniline thin films doped with hydrochloric acid, deposited on top of an interdigitated gold line array previously deposited on glass substrates, were measured in the frequency (f) range between 0.1 Hz to 10 MHz and in the temperature range from 100 to 430 K. The results for sigma'(f) are typical of a disordered solid material: for frequencies lower than a certain hopping frequency gamma(hop), log[sigma'(f)] is frequency-independent rising almost linearly for in logf > gamma(hop). A master curve was thus obtained by plotting the real component of the conductivity using normalized scales sigma'(f)/sigma(dc) and f/gamma(hop) which is indicative of a single process operating in the whole frequency range. An expression encompassing the conduction through a disordered structure taken from previous random free energy barrier model for hopping carriers, as well a dielectric function to represent the capacitive behavior of the PAni was employed to fit the experimental results. The dielectric constant and activation energy for hopping carriers were obtained as function of the polymer doping level. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gelation of siloxane-poly(oxypropylene) composites

The viscoelastic properties of siloxane-poly(oxypropylene) (PPO) nanocomposites prepared by the sol-gel process has been analyzed during gelation by dynamic rheological measurements. The changes of storage and loss moduli, complex viscosity and phase angle has been measured as a function of time showing the newtonian viscosity of the sol in the initial step of gelation, and its progressive transformation to a viscoelastic gel. The rheologic properties have been correlated to mass fractal, nearly linear growth models and percolation theory. This study, completed by quasi-elastic light scattering and Si-29 solid state nuclear magnetic resonance measurements, shows that the mechanisms of gelation of siloxane-PPO hybrids depend on the molecular weight of the polymer and on the pH of the hybrid sol. For hybrids prepared in acid medium, a polymerization involving silicon reactive species located at the extremity of the polymer chains and presenting a functionality f = 2 occurs, forming a fractal structure during the first stage of sol-gel transition. For samples prepared under neutral pH, the fractal growth is only observed for hybrids containing short polymer chains (M-w similar to 130 gmol(-1)). The fractal dimensionality determined from the change in the rheological properties, indicates that the fractal growth mechanism changes from reaction-limited to diffusion-limited aggregation when the molecular weight of the PPO increases from 130 to 4000 gmol(-1) and as catalyst conditions change from acidic to neutral. Near the gel point, these hybrid gels have the typical scaling behavior expected from percolation theory. (C) 2002 Elsevier B.V. B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and properties of branched polyethylene/high-density polyethylene blends using a homogeneous binary catalyst system composed of early and late transition metal complexes

Branched polyethylene/high-density polyethylene blends (BPE/HDPE) with a wide range of molecular weights, melt flow indexes (MFI), and intrinsic viscosity were prepared using the homogeneous binary catalyst system composed by Ni(alpha-diimine)Cl-2 (1) (alpha-diimine = 1,4-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)-acenaphthenediimine) and {Tp(Ms*)} TiCl3 (2) (Tp(Ms*)=hydridobis(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)(5-mesityl-pyrazol-1-yl)) activated with MAO and/or TIBA in hexane at two different polymerization temperatures (30 and 55 degreesC) and by varying the nickel loading molar fraction (x(Ni)). At all Temperatures, a non-linear correlation between the x(Ni) and the productivity was observed, suggesting the occurrence of a synergistic effect between the nickel and the titanium catalyst precursors, which is more pronounced at 55 degreesC. The molecular weight of the BPE/HDPE blends considerably decreases with increasing Al/M molar ratio. The melt flow indexes (MFI) and intrinsic viscosities (eta) are strongly affected by x(Ni), but the melting temperatures are nearly constant, 132 +/- 3 degreesC. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) shows the formation of different polymeric materials where the stiffness vanes according, to the x(Ni) and temperature used in the polymerization reaction. The surface morphology of the BPE/HDPE blends studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a low miscibility between the PE phases resulting in the formation of a sandwich structure after etching with o-xylene.

Antioxidant activity of the melanin pigment extracted from Aspergillus nidulans

Melanins are pigments of high molecular weight formed by oxidative polymerization of phenolic or indolic compounds. A number of fungi, including Aspergillus nidulans, produce pigments related or identical to melanin, which are located on cell walls or exist as extracellular polymers. The aim of the present study was to assess the antioxidant activity of synthetic melanin and of the pigment extracted from the mycelium and culture medium after growth of the highly melanized strain (MEL1) from A. nidulans. The ability of the melanin pigment to scavenge the oxidants HOCl and H2O2 was evaluated by inhibition of the oxidation of 5-thio-2-nitrobenzoic acid (TNB) using several melanin concentrations. The results showed that the pigment of the MEL1 strain competes with TNB for H2O2 and HOCl, inhibiting TNB oxidation in a concentration-dependent manner. For the HOCl oxidant, this inhibition was comparable to that of synthetic melanin, whose IC50 values were quite close for both pigments. Thus, our results suggest that the melanin from A. nidulans is a potential HOCl scavenger and may be considered a promising material for the cosmetic industry for the formulation of creams that protect the skin against possible oxidative damage.

Helium ion irradiation of polymer films deposited from TMS-Ar plasmas

Polymer films synthesized from plasmas of a tetramethylsilane - Ar mixture were modified by irradiation with 170 keV He ions at fluences ranging from 1 x 10(14) to 1 x 10(16) cm(-2). As revealed by infrared spectroscopy, the ion beam produced intense bond rearrangements, such as the depletion of bonding groups (C-H and Si-H), and induced the formation of new ones, such as O-H and Si-O. From the nanoindentation measurements, a remarkable increase in the surface hardness of the films was observed as the ion fluence was increased. The increases in hardness were accompanied by an increase in the film compaction as shown by using a combination of RBS and film thickness measurements. From both hardness and infrared measurements A was concluded that, under the He ion bombardment, the polymer structure is transformed into a silicon oxycarbide network.

Resin-based composite reinforced sealant

Purpose: To describe and picture a technique for using a resin-bonded sealant reinforced by inclusion of resin-based composite, before polymerization. Method: Using an extracted mandibular molar, embedded in plaster and isolated with a rubber dam, a step-by-step depiction of the technique is shown. Results: A picture of a six-year-old sealant in a first permanent molar, still in perfect condition, is shown. Conclusion: This technique offers a reliable method for treating pits and fissures.

Aquatic humus from an unpolluted Brazilian dark-brown stream: general characterization and size fractionation of bound heavy metals

The main pool of dissolved organic carbon in tropical aquatic environments, notably in dark-coloured streams, is concentrated in humic substances (HS). Aquatic HS are large organic molecules formed by micro-biotic degradation of biopolymers and polymerization of smaller organic molecules. From an environmental point of view, the study of metal-humic interactions is often aimed at predicting the effect of aquatic HS on the bioavailability of heavy metal ions in the environment. In the present work the aquatic humic substances (HS) isolated from a dark-brown stream (located in an environmental protection area near Cubatao city in São Paulo-State, Brazil) by means of the collector XAD-8 were investigated. FTIR studies showed that the carboxylic carbons are probably the most important binding sites for Hg(II) ions within humic molecules. C-13-NMR and H-1-NMR studies of aquatic HS showed the presence of constituents with a high degree of aromaticity (40% of carbons) and small substitution. A special five-stage tangential-flow ultrafiltration device (UF) was used for size fractionation of the aquatic HS under study and for their metal species in the molecular size range 1-100 kDa (six fractions). The fractionation patterns showed that metal traces remaining in aquatic HS after their XAD-8 isolation have different distributions. Generally, the major percentage of traces of Mn, Cd and Ni (determined by ICP-AES) was preferably complexed by molecules with relatively high molecular size. Cu was bound by fractions with low molecular size and Co showed no preferential binding site in the various humic fractions. Moreover, the species formed between aquatic HS and Hg(II), prepared by spiking (determined by CVAAS), appeared to be concentrated in the relatively high molecular size fraction F-1 (> 100 kDa).

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from ethylene using Tp(Ms)NiCl (Tp(Ms) = hydridotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) and CP2ZrCl2 as a tandem catalyst system

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with different branching contents were prepared from ethylene, without the addition of alpha-olefin comonomer, using a combination of catalyst precursors {Tp(Ms)}NiCl (1) (Tp(Ms) = hydridotris(3-mesitylpyrazol-1-yl)) and Cp2ZrCl2 (2) activated with MAO/TMA (1:1) in toluene at 0degreesC and by varying the nickel loading mole fraction (x(Ni)). The polymerization results showed that the turnover frequencies are strongly dependent on the x(Ni) varying from 6.6 x 10(3) to 32.1 x 10(3) mol[C2H4]/mol[Zr] h. The C-13 NMR spectra of the copolymers showed that the branch contents of the polymers increase as the x(Ni) increase in the medium promoting the production of polymers with a wide range of melting point (T-m) (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.