Use of spin label EPR spectra to monitor peptide chain aggregation inside resin beads.

An EPR approach to monitor peptide chain aggregation inside resin beads is introduced. Model low and highly peptide-loaded resins containing an aggregating sequence were labeled with a paramagnetic amino acid derivative and studied with regard to their solvation behavior in different solvent systems. For the first time in the peptide synthesis, EPR spectroscopic has allowed the detection of differentiated levels of peptide chain aggregation as a function of solvent and resin loading. (C) 1997, Elsevier B.V. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of PLGA microparticles as a drug carrier for 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2H-benzofuro[3,2-f]-1-benzopyran-2-one. Ultrastructural study of cellular uptake and intracellular distribution

Here we describe the application of microparticles (MPs) for the delivery and release of the drug a benzopsoralen. We also evaluated the intracellular distribution and cellular uptake of the drug by using an encapsulation technique for therapeutic optimization. MPs containing the compound 3-ethoxycarbonyl-2H-benzofuro[3,2-f]-1-benzopyran-2-one (psoralen A) were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique, and parameters such as particle size, drug encapsulation efficiency, effect of the encapsulation process on the drug's photochemistry, zeta potential, external morphology, and < i > in vitro release behavior were evaluated. The intracellular distribution of MPs as well as their uptake by tissues were monitored. Size distribution studies using dynamic ligh scattering and scanning electron microscopy revealed that the MPs are spherical in shape with a diameter of 1.4 mu m. They present low tendency toward aggregation, as confirmed by their zeta potential (+10.6 mV). The loading efficiency obtained was 75%. As a consequence of the extremely low diffusivity of the drug in aqueous medium, the drug release profile of the MPs in saline phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was much slower than that obtained in the biological environment. Among the population of peritoneal phagocytic cells, only macrophages were able to phagocytose poly-d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) MP. The use of psoralen A in association with ultraviolet light (360 nm) revealed morphological characteristics of cell damage such as cytoplasmic vesiculation, mitochondria condensation, and swelling of both the granular endoplasmatic reticulum and the nuclear membrane. These results indicate that PLGA MP could be a promising delivery system for psoralen in connection with ultraviolet irradiation therapy (PUVA).

Benzocaine-loaded polymeric nanocapsules: Study of the anesthetic activities

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

Biodegradable Nanoparticles Containing Benzopsoralens: An Attractive Strategy for Modifying Vascular Function in Pathological Skin Disorders

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

EFEITO DE SURFACTANTES NA ESTABILIDADE DE COMPOSTOS DE USO TERAPEUTICO

A critical revision of literature as regards to the drug stability in the presence of surfactants were realized. The functional groups envolved in the drug decomposition were used to the development of the discussion. The analysis indicated that the detergent effect can be used to control the rates and mechanisms of drug decomposition and to obtain specific information about the drug reactivity in the environment of pharmacological action.

Effect of dentine surface treatment on leakage of root fillings with a glass ionomer sealer.

The purpose of this study was to observe the quality of seal of the glass ionomer cement, Ketac-Endo, after treatment of the root canal wall. The root canals of 140 extracted human teeth were prepared biomechanically. The root canals were treated with either EDTA or received an intracanal dressing of calcium hydroxide or camphorated paramonochlorphenol. The root canals were filled by the lateral condensation technique with gutta-percha points and the sealer Ketac-Endo, or zinc oxide-eugenol cement or Sealapex. The teeth were placed into a 2% methylene blue dye solution inside a flask, which was attached to a vacuum pump. Leakage was measured linearly. Sealapex exhibited significantly less leakage than Ketac-Endo or zinc oxide-eugenol cement (P<0.01). The use of EDTA and intermediary dressings reduced significantly (P<0.01) the leakage observed with the zinc oxide-eugenol sealer and Ketac-Endo.

Chemical communication in Apis mellifera: Temporal modulation of alarm behaviors

The effect of pheromones and their chemical analogues in honeybee alarm behaviors was studied in observation boxes. Defensive behaviors, as follows: a) attraction to scent source, b) elevation of wings in 'V', c) abdomen elevation, d) abdomen elevation and pumping and e) first leg pair elevation had been temporarily registered when the following compounds were presented: isoamyl alcohol, octyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, n-butyl acetate, n-octyl acetate, isopentyl acetate, benzyl acetate and 2-heptanone. The results were as follows: 1. the bees elicited some characteristic behaviors when chemical alarm messages were presented, 2. agression (stinging) was not completed with any compound tested, probably because there was not a target (visual stimulus), 3. in all situations the attraction to scent source was low, 4. all the behaviors were elicited in a temporarily different way, 5. the compounds that elicited stronger responses and a greater number of the investigated behaviors were: isopentyl acetate, 2-heptanone, octyl acetate and n-octyl alcohol. In all situations, the first behavior response (and the most intense one) was the elevation and pumping the abdomen. This suggests that the chemical message was promptly recognized and then transmitted to each worker. So, the results obtained in the present work, suggest that chemical alarm messages may be recognized by different mechanisms of neural integration.

pH changes at the surface of root dentin when using root canal sealers containing calcium hydroxide

The purpose of this study was to investigate long-term pH changes in cavities prepared in root surface dentin of extracted teeth after obturation of the root canal with gutta-percha and a variety of sealers containing calcium hydroxide. After cleaning and shaping, root canals in 50 recently extracted, human single-rooted teeth were divided into five groups. Each of four groups was obturated with gutta-percha and either Sealapex, Sealer 26, Apexit, or CRCS, all of which contain calcium hydroxide. The remaining group served as the control and was not obturated with gutta-percha or sealer. Cavities were prepared in the facial surface of the roots in the cervical and middle regions. The pH was measured in these dentinal cavities at the initiation of the experiment, and 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 45, 60, 90, and 120 days after obturation. Results indicate that the pH at the surface of the root does not become alkaline when calcium hydroxide cements are used as root canal sealers. Regardless of the sealer used, the observed pattern of pH change was not different from that seen in the control group of roots that were not treated with sealer. It is concluded that calcium hydroxide-containing cements, although suitable for use as root canal sealants, do not produce an alkaline pH at the root surface. If such a pH change is related to treatment of root resorption, these sealants do not contribute to this treatment. Copyright © 1996 by The American Association of Endodontists.

Calcium hydroxide root canal sealers: Evaluation of pH, calcium ion concentration and conductivity

The calcium hydroxide ionization of four root canal sealers (Sealapex, CRCS, Sealer 26, and Apexit) was studied by measuring conductivity and pH and by conducting atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Samples 6 mm in diameter and 15 mm long were prepared from these sealers. After setting and 48 h storage in a desiccator, five samples of each material were placed in 50 mL distilled water and analysed after 0,1,2,4, 6 and 24 h and 5, 15 and 30 days. The results showed that Sealapex was the root canal sealer showing the highest pH, ionic calcium and total calcium values (P<0.05) throughout the experimental period, followed by CRCS, Apexit and Sealer 26.

Calcium hydroxide and a corticosteroid-antibiotic association as dressings in cases of biopulpectomy. A comparative study in dogs' teeth.

The subject of this paper was to study the behavior of the periapical tissues of dogs' teeth after biopulpectomy and dressing with calcium hydroxide or a corticosteroid-antibiotic association, before root canal filling with zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE) or Sealapex sealers. The teeth were overinstrumented and dressed for 7 days before the root canal filling. The animals were sacrificed 180 days after treatment and the specimens were prepared for morphological analysis. Specimens treated with Sealapex presented a higher number of cases with biological closure than ZOE. When the root canals were filled with ZOE, better results were observed with the use of the Ca(OH)2 dressing.

Preparation and thermal decomposition of solid-state cinnamates of lighter trivalent lanthanides

Some new compounds of cinnamic acid with lighter trivalent lanthanides were prepared in the solid state. The compounds have general formula ML3·H2O, where L is cinnamate (C6H5-CH=CH-COO-) and M is La, Ce, Pr, Nd or Sm. Thermogravimetry, derivative thermogravimetry, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared absorption spectra and X-ray diffraction powder patterns were used to characterize and to study the thermal stability and thermal decomposition of these compounds.

Evaluation of cell culture cytotoxicity of five root canal sealers

The cytotoxicity of four calcium hydroxide-based root canal sealers (Sealapex, CRCS, Apexit, and Sealer 26) and one zinc oxide-eugenol-based sealer (Fill Canal) was evaluated microscopically for morphological changes in rat peritoneal macrophages. The least cytotoxic sealer was Fill Canal, followed in increasing order of cytotoxicity by CRCS, Sealer 26, Apexit, and Sealapex. Copyright © 2000 by The American Association of Endodontists.

Use of one-bottle adhesive as an intermediate bonding layer to reduce sealant microleakage on saliva-contaminated enamel

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of three different adhesives, each used as an intermediary layer, on microleakage of sealants applied under condition of salivary contamination. Materials and Methods: Six different experimental conditions were compared, 3 with adhesives and 3 without. After prophylaxis and acid etching of enamel, salivary contamination was placed for 10 s. In Group SC the sealant was applied after saliva without bonding agent and then light-cured. In Group SCA, after saliva, the surface was air dried, and then the sealant was applied and cured. In Groups ScB, SB and PB, a bonding agent (Scotchbond Dual Cure/3M, Single Bond/3M and Prime & Bond 2.1/Dentsply, respectively) was applied after the saliva and prior to the sealant application and curing. After storage in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hrs, the teeth were submitted to 500 thermal cycles (5°C and 55°C), and silver nitrate was used as a leakage tracer. Leakage data were collected on cross sections as percentage of total enamel-sealant interface length. Representative samples were evaluated under SEM. Results: Sealants placed on contaminated enamel with no bonding agent showed extensive microleakage (94.27% in SC; 42.65% in SCA). The SEM revealed gaps as wide as 20 μm in areas where silver nitrate leakage could be visualized. In contrast, all bonding agent groups showed leakage less than 6.9%. Placement of sealant with a dentin-bonding agent on contaminated enamel significantly reduced microleakage (P< 0.0001). The use of a bonding agent as an intermediary layer between enamel and sealant significantly reduced saliva's effect on sealant microleakage.

Thermal analysis of conductive blends of PVDF and poly(o-methoxyaniline)

The thermal behavior of blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride), or PVDF, and poly(o-methoxyaniline) doped with toluene sulfonic acid was studied by thermogravimetic analysis, electrical conductivity measurements, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Blends with thermal and electrical conductivity stabler than the conductive polymer alone were obtained. Nevertheless, degradation occurs after a long period of time (500 h) at high temperatures. The possible association of the conductivity decay with dopant loss, degradation and structural and morphological changes of the blend is discussed. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Ácido glicólico: Agente despigmentante e rejuvenescedor

The skin pigmentation caused by ultraviolet light irradiation as a defense against the carcinogenic action of solar light may lead to early skin aging and to hyperchromia, which treatment requires the use of photo-protective, depigmenting and rejuvenating agents. Recently, there have been used many substances for the prevention and/or treatment of skin aging as well as to lowering the skin pigmentation. Glycolic acid is the alpha-hydroxy acid most commonly used in cosmetic and dermatological prepatations. This use is due to its depigmentating and rejuvenating properties and its efficacy at different concentrations, when incorporated to different kind of excipients.