Effect of light energy density on conversion degree and hardness of dual-cured resin cement

This study evaluated the effect of different light energy densities on conversion degree (CD) and Knoop hardness number (KHN) of RelyX ARC (RLX) resin cement. After manipulation according to the manufacturer's instructions, RLX was inserted into a rubber mold (0.8 mm X 5 mm) and covered with a Mylar strip. The tip of the lightcuring unit (LCU) was positioned in contact with the Mylar surface. Quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) and light-emitting diode (LED) LCUs with light densities of 10, 20 and 30 J/cm2 were used to light-cure the specimens. After light curing, the specimens were stored dry in lightproof containers at 37°C. After 24 hours, the CD was analyzed by FT-Raman and, after an additional 24-hours, samples were submitted to Knoop hardness testing. The data of the CD (%) and KHN were submitted to two-way ANOVA and the Tukey's test (α=0.05). QTH and LED were effective light curing units. For QTH, there were no differences among the light energy densities for CD or KHN. For LED, there was a significant reduction in CD with the light energy density set at 10 J/cm2. KHN was not influenced by the lightcuring unit and by its light energy density. © Operative Dentistry.

Enamel remineralization by fluoride-releasing materials: Proposal of a pH-cycling model

This study proposes a pH-cycling model for verifying the dose-response relationship in fluoride-releasing materials on remineralization in vitro. Sixty bovine enamel blocks were selected for the surface microhardness test (SMH 1). Artificial caries lesions were induced and surface microhardness test (SMH 2) was performed. Forty-eight specimens were prepared with Z 100, Fluroshield, Vitremer and Vitremer 1/4 diluted - powder/liquid, and subjected to a pH-cycling model to promote remineralization. After pH-cycling, final surface microhardness (SMH 3) was assessed to calculate percent recovery of surface microhardness (%SMH R). Fluoride present in enamel (μg F/mm 3) and in the pH-cycling solutions (μg F) was measured. Cross-sectional microhardness was used to calculate mineral content (ΔZ). There was no significant difference between Z 100 and control groups on analysis performed on - %SMH R, ΔZ, μ F and μ F/mm 3 (p>0.05). Results showed a positive correlation between %SMH R and μg F/mm 3 (r=0.9770; p=0.004), %SMH R and μg F (r=0.9939; p=0.0000001), DZ and μg F/mm 3 (r=0.9853; p=0.0002), ΔZ and μg F (r=0.9975; p=0.0000001) and between μg F/mm 3 and μg F (r=0.9819; p=0.001). The pH-cycling model proposed was able to verify in vitro dose-response relationship of fluoride-releasing materials on remineralization.

Complete denture wearing and fractures among edentulous patients treated in university clinics

Objective: The prevalence of wearing and fracture of complete dentures was evaluated among edentulous patients treated in two dental schools in Brazil. Background: Acceptance and wearing of complete dentures are related to adaptive behaviour of edentulous patients. However, one reason that could interfere with the wearing dentures is their potential to fracture, which is still a common complication in denture rehabilitation practice. Material and methods: Two hundred and twenty-four edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete dentures from 2000 to 2005 in Araçatuba and Araraquara Dental School, University of State of São Paulo, were assessed in 2006 and 2007 to answer a questionnaire about wearing and fracture of their dentures. Statistical analysis were performed using Epi Info software and chi-squared test to compare maxillary and mandibular data (α = 0.05). Results: Almost 26% of the patients did not wear their dentures, and among the remainder, the majority wore the maxillary denture. About 30% of the dentures were fractured, with higher prevalence in the maxillary arch (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Discontinuation of wearing dentures was quite high, especially considering the treatment which was carried out in university clinics. Prevalence of fractures was also high, greater for the maxillary denture, and was one of the main reasons for non-wearing of complete dentures. © 2011 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Candida albicans adherence to an acrylic resin modified by experimental photopolymerised coatings: An in vitro study

Purpose: This study evaluated whether photopolymerised coatings containing zwitterion or hydrophilic monomers would reduce the adhesion of Candida albicans to an acrylic resin. Materials and methods: Disc-shaped samples (n = 468) were fabricated with rough or smooth surfaces. The samples did not receive any surface treatment (control) or were coated with one of the following experimental coatings (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate - HE; 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate - HP; and 2-trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride - T; and sulfobetaine methacrylate - S). The concentrations of the constituent monomers were 25, 30 or 35%. The water contact angles of the samples were measured, and half of the samples were exposed to saliva. The adherent yeast cells were counted after crystal violet staining. Results: For the smooth samples, the groups S35, HP35 and HE35 showed significantly lower number of adhered Candida than control, in the absence of saliva. There were no significant differences among the experimental and control groups for the rough samples, but the saliva decreased the cell numbers for groups S25, S30 and HP30. The photoelectron spectroscopy analysis confirmed the changes in the chemical compositions of the experimental samples. Conclusions: The experimental photopolymerised coatings changed the chemical composition and decreased C. albicans adhesion in the groups S35, HP35 and HE35, suggesting that they should be further investigated. © 2012 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Oral granuloma formation after injection of cosmetic filler

The increased use of orofacial fillers in cosmetic procedures has led to new diagnostic challenges for dentists and oral pathologists. Here, we describe a case with multiple oral foreign body granulomas, which were formed after a polymethylmetacrylate injection for cosmetic purposes. © 2011 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

Antimicrobial activity and surface properties of an acrylic resin containing a biocide polymer

Objective: To evaluate the antimicrobial activity and surface properties of an acrylic resin containing the biocide polymer poly (2-tert-butylaminoethyl) methacrylate (PTBAEMA). Background: Several approaches have been proposed to prevent oral infections, including the incorporation of antimicrobial agents to acrylic resins. Materials and methods: Specimens of an acrylic resin (Lucitone 550) were divided into two groups: 0% (control) and 10% PTBAEMA. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by adherence assay of one of the microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans. Surface topography was characterised by atomic force microscopy and wettability properties determined by contact angle measurements. Results: Data of viable cells (log (CFU + 1)/ml) for S. aureus (control: 7.9 ± 0.8; 10%: 3.8 ± 3.3) and S. mutans (control: 7.5 ± 0.7; 10%: 5.1 ± 2.7) showed a significant decrease with 10% of PTBAEMA (Mann-Whitney, p < 0.05). For C. albicans (control: 6.6 ± 0.2; 10%: 6.6 ± 0.4), there was no significant difference between control and 10% of PTBAEMA (Kruskal-Wallis, p > 0.05). Incorporating 10% PTBAEMA increased surface roughness and decreased contact angles. Conclusion: Incorporating 10% PTBAEMA into acrylic resins increases wettability and roughness of acrylic resin surface; and decreases the adhesion of S. mutans and S. aureus on acrylic surface, but did not exhibit antimicrobial effect against C. albicans. © 2012 The Gerodontology Society and John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Effect of experimental photopolymerized coatings on the hydrophobicity of a denture base acrylic resin and on Candida albicans adhesion

Objective: This study investigated the effect of experimental photopolymerized coatings, containing zwitterionic or hydrophilic monomers, on the hydrophobicity of a denture base acrylic resin and on Candida albicans adhesion. Methods: Acrylic specimens were prepared with rough and smooth surfaces and were either left untreated (control) or coated with one of the following experimental coatings: 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HE); 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate (HP); and 2-trimethylammonium ethyl methacrylate chloride (T); and sulfobetaine methacrylate (S). The concentrations of these constituent monomers were 25%, 30% or 35%. Half of the specimens in each group (control and experimentals) were coated with saliva and the other half remained uncoated. The surface free energy of all specimens was measured, regardless of the experimental condition. C. albicans adhesion was evaluated for all specimens, both saliva conditioned and unconditioned. The adhesion test was performed by incubating specimens in C. albicans suspensions (1 × 10 7 cell/mL) at 37 °C for 90 min. The number of adhered yeasts were evaluated by XTT (2,3-bis[2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-5-[{phenylamino} carbonyl]-2H-tetrazolium-hydroxide) method. Results: For rough surfaces, coatings S (30 or 35%) and HP (30%) resulted in lower absorbance values compared to control. These coatings exhibited more hydrophilic surfaces than the control group. Roughness increased the adhesion only in the control group, and saliva did not influence the adhesion. The photoelectron spectroscopy analysis (XPS) confirmed the chemical changes of the experimental specimens, particularly for HP and S coatings. Conclusions: S and HP coatings reduced significantly the adhesion of C. albicans to the acrylic resin and could be considered as a potential preventive treatment for denture stomatitis. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.

Characterization of a glucose- and solvent-tolerant extracellular tannase from Aspergillus phoenicis

Tannases have attracted wider attention because of their biotechnological potential, especially enzymes from filamentous fungi and other microorganisms. However, the biodiversity of these microorganisms has been poorly explored, and few strains were identified for tannase production and characterization. This article describes the production, purification and characterization of a glucose- and solvent-tolerant extracellular tannase from Aspergillus phoenicis. High enzymatic levels were obtained in Khanna medium containing tannic acid up to 72 h at 30 °C under 100 rpm. The purified enzyme with 65% of carbohydrate content had an apparent native molecular mass of 218 kDa with subunits of 120 kDa and 93 kDa and was stable at 50 °C for 1 h. Optima of temperature and pH were 60 °C and 5.0-6.5, respectively. The enzyme was not affected significantly by most ions, detergents and organic solvents. While glucose did not affect the tannase activity, the addition of a high concentration of gallic acid did. The Km values were 1.7 mM (tannic acid), 14.3 mM (methyl-gallate) and 0.6 mM (propyl-gallate). The enzyme was able to catalyze the transesterification reaction to produce propyl-gallate. All biochemical properties suggest the biotechnological potential of the glucose- and solvent-tolerant tannase from A. phoenicis. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Primordial germ cells (spermatogonial stem cells) of bullfrogs express sex hormone-binding globulin and steroid receptors during seasonal spermatogenesis

In vertebrate species, testosterone seems to inhibit spermatogonial differentiation and proliferation. However, this androgen can also be converted, via aromatase, into estrogen which stimulates spermatogonial differentiation and mitotic activity. During seasonal spermatogenesis of adult bullfrogs Lithobates catesbeianus, primordial germ cells (PGCs) show enhanced testosterone cytoplasm immunoexpression in winter; however, in summer, weak or no testosterone immunolabelling was observed. The aim of this study was to confirm if PGCs express stem cell markers-alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and GFRα1 (glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor)-and verify whether testosterone is maintained in these cells by androgen receptors (ARs) and/or sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) in winter. Furthermore, regarding the possibility that testosterone is converted into estrogen by PGCs in summer, the immunoexpression of estrogen receptor (ER)β was investigated. Bullfrog testes were collected in winter and in summer and were embedded in glycol methacrylate for morphological analyses or in paraffin for the histochemical detection of AP activity. GFRα1, AR, SHBG and ERβ expression were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The expression of AP activity and GFRα1 in the PGCs suggest that these cells are spermatogonial stem cells. In winter, the cytoplasmic immunoexpression of ARs and SHBG in the PGCs indicates that testosterone is maintained by these proteins in these cells. The cytoplasmic immunoexpression of ERβ, in summer, also points to an ER-mediated action of estrogen in PGCs. The results indicate a participation of testosterone and estrogen in the control of the primordial spermatogonia during the seasonal spermatogenesis of L. catesbeianus. © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Influence of CVD diamond tips and Er:YAG laser irradiation on bonding of different adhesive systems to dentin

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the microtensile bond strength of three adhesive systems, using different methods of dentin preparation. Materials and methods: A hundred and eight bovine teeth were used. The dentin from buccal face was exposed and prepared with three different methods, divided in 3 groups: Group 1 (DT)- diamond tip on a high-speed handpiece; Group 2 (CVD)-CVD tip on a ultrasonic handpiece; Group 3 (LA)-Er: YAG laser. The teeth were divided into 3 subgroups, according adhesive systems used: Subgroup 1-Adper Single Bond Plus/3M ESPE (SB) total-etch adhesive; Subgroup 2-Adper Scotchbond SE/3M ESPE (AS) selfetching adhesive; Subgroup 3-Clearfil SE Bond/Kuraray (CS) selfetching adhesive. Blocks of composite (Filtek Z250-3M ESPE) 4 mm high were built up and specimens were stored in deionized water for 24 hours at 37°C. Serial mesiodistal and buccolingual cuts were made and stick-like specimens were obtained, with transversal section of 1.0 mm2. The samples were submitted to microtensile test at 1 mm/min and load of 10 kg in a universal testing machine. Data (MPa) were subjected to ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). Results and conclusion: Surface treatment with Diamond or CVD tips associated with Clearfil SE Bond adhesive produced significantly lower bond strength values compared to other groups. Surface treatment with Er: YAG laser associated with Single Bond Plus or Clearfil SE Bond adhesives and surface treatment with CVD tip associated with Adper Scotchbond SE adhesive produced significantly lower bond strength values compared to surface treatment with diamond or CVD tips associated with Single Bond Plus or Adper Scotchbond SE adhesives. Clinical significance: Interactions between laser and the CVD tip technologies and the different adhesive systems can produce a satisfactory bonding strength result, so that these associations may be beneficial and enhance the clinical outcomes.

Degree of conversion of polymer-matrix composite assessed by FTIR analysis

Aims and objectives: The behavior of polymer-matrix composite is dependent on the degree of conversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of two resin cements following storage at 37°C immediately, 24 and 48 hours, and 7 days after light-curing by FTIR analysis. Materials and methods: The specimens were made in a metallic mold and cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm2 for 30 seconds. The specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FTIR following storage times. Statistical analysis used: ANOVA (two-way) and Tukey's post hoc. Results: To the polymer-matrix composites between 24 and 48 hours does not show a significant increase (p > 0.05), however, the highest values were found after 7 days. Conclusion: The polymer-matrix composites used in this study showed similarity on the degree of conversion and increased of according to the time of storage.

Dental students' familiarity with the medical management of dental patients at Brazilian dental schools

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Synthesis, characterization and antifungal activity of quaternary derivatives of chitosan on Aspergillus flavus

Two series of new chitosan derivatives were synthesized by reaction of deacetylated chitosan (CH) with propyl (CH-Propyl) and pentyl (CH-Pentyl) trimethylammonium bromides to obtain derivatives with increasing degrees of substitution (DS). The derivatives were characterized by 1H NMR and potentiometric titration techniques and their antifungal activities on the mycelial growth of Aspergillus flavus were investigated in vitro. The antifungal activities increase with DS and the more substituted derivatives of both series, CH-Propyl and CH-Pentyl, exhibited antifungal activities respectively three and six times higher than those obtained with commercial and deacetylated chitosan. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were evaluated at 24, 48 and 72h by varying the polymer concentration from 0.5 to 16g/L and the results showed that the quaternary derivatives inhibited the fungus growth at polymer concentrations four times lower than that obtained with deacetylated chitosan (CH). The chitosans modified with pentyltrimethylammonium bromide exhibited higher activity and results are discussed taking into account the degree of substitution (DS). © 2012 Elsevier GmbH.

Preconcentration and determination of metal ions from fuel ethanol with a new 2,2'-dipyridylamine bonded silica

A silica surface chemically modified with [3-(2,2'-dipyridylamine) propyl] groups was prepared, characterized, and evaluated for its metal ion preconcentration in fuel ethanol. To our knowledge, we are the first authors who have reported the present modification on silica gel surface. The material was characterized using infrared spectra, scanning electronic microscopy, and 13C and 29Si solid-state NMR spectra. Batch and column experiments were conducted to investigate for metal ion removal from fuel ethanol. The results showed that the Langmuir model describes the sorption equilibrium data of the metal ions in a satisfactory way. From the Langmuir isotherms, the following maximum adsorption capacities (in mmolg -1) were determined: 1.81 for Fe(III), 1.75 for Cr(III), 1.30 for Cu(II), 1.25 for Co(II), 1.15 for Pb(II), 0.95 for Ni(II), and 0.87 for Zn(II). Thermodynamic functions, the change of free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) showed that the adsorption of metal ions onto Si-Pr-DPA was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The sorption-desorption of the metal ions made possible the development of a preconcentration and quantification method of metal ions in fuel ethanol. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.

Adsorption of heavy metal ions and epoxidation catalysis using a new polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane

The objective of this research was the preparation of a silsesquioxane functionalized with eight chloropropyl chains (T8-PrCl) and of a new derivative functionalized with a pendant linear chain (2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole - ATD; T8-Pr-ATD). The two nanostructured materials were characterized by 13C and 29Si NMR, FTIR and elemental analysis. The new nanostructured material, octakis[3-(2-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole)propyl] octasilsesquioxane (T8-Pr-ATD), was tested as a ligand for transition-metal ions with a special attention to adsorption isotherms. The adsorption was performed using a batchwise process and the organofunctionalized surface showed the ability to adsorb the metal ions Cu (II), Co (II), and Ni (II) from water and ethanol. The adsorption isotherms were fitted by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) model. The kinetics of adsorption of metals were performed using three models such as pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and Elovich. The Langmuir and Elovich models were the most appropriate to describe the adsorption and kinetic data, respectively. Furthermore, the T8-Pr-ATD was successfully applied to the analysis of environmental samples (river and sea water). Subsequently, a new nanomaterial was prepared by functionalization of the T8-Pr-ATD with a Mo (II) organometallic complex (T8-Pr-ATD-Mo). Only a few works in the literature have reported this type of substitution, and none dealt with ATD and Mo (II) complexes. The new Mo-silsesquioxane organometallic nanomaterial was tested as precursor in the epoxidation of cyclooctene and styrene. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.