Solid-phase synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides using nucleobase N-unprotected oxazaphospholidine derivatives bearing a long alkyl chain.

In this study, we developed a new approach for the solid-phase synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) using nucleobase-unprotected oxazaphospholidine derivatives. We tackled the problem of the difficult purification of N-unprotected monomers due to their high affinity to silica gel by introducing a tetrahydrogeranyl group into the oxazaphospholidine monomers, thereby enhancing the lipophilicity and facilitating the isolation. In addition, the cyclic structure of oxazaphospholidine enabled a hydroxy-group-selective condensation with sufficient efficiency. Unmodified and boranophosphate/phosphate chimeric ODNs were successfully synthesized using this strategy. This synthetic method can be expected to afford ODNs containing base-labile functional groups.

Synthesis of P-Modified DNA from Boranophosphate DNA as a Precursor via Acyl Phosphite Intermediates.

In this study, we successfully synthesized several kinds of P-modified nucleic acids from boranophosphate DNAs via an acyl phosphite intermediate in solution and on a solid support. In the solution-phase synthesis, phosphorothioate diester, phosphotriester, and phosphoramidate diester were synthesized in a one-pot reaction from boranophosphodiester via the conversion of an acyl phosphite as a key intermediate. In addition, doubly P-modified nucleic acid derivatives which were difficult to synthesize by the phosphoramidite and H-phosphonate methods were also obtained by the conversion reaction. In the solid-phase synthesis, a boranophosphate derivative was synthesized on a solid support using the H-boranophosphonate method. Then, an acyl phosphite intermediate was formed by treatment with pivaloyl chloride in pyridine, followed by appropriate transformations to obtain the P-modified derivatives such as phosphotriester and phosphorothioate diester. Notably, it was suggested that the conversion reaction of a boranophosphate to a phosphorothioate diester proceeded with retention of the stereochemistry of the phosphorous center. In addition, a phosphorothioate/phosphate chimeric dodecamer was successfully synthesized from a boranophosphate/phosphate chimeric dodecamer using the same strategy. Therefore, boranophosphate derivatives are versatile precursors for the synthesis of P-modified DNA, including chimeric derivatives.

Effects of air polishing on the resin composite-dentin interface.

The aim of this study was to examine defect depths and volumes at the resin composite-dentin (R/D) interface after air polishing with different particles and spray angles. Samples were 54 dentin specimens that were formed in saucer-shaped cavities filled with resin composite. Each specimen was air polished with either sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) or one of two glycine (Gly) powders. The air polisher was set at angles of 90° to the interface and at 45° to the interface from both the dentin and resin composite sides. Air polishing with Gly powder produced defects with less depth and volume than NaHCO3 powder (p < 0.05). Air polishing with a spray angle of 45° to the interface from the resin composite side produced fewer defects (p < 0.05) than polishing from the dentin side. Air polishing to the R/D interface from the resin composite side produced fewer defects to the interface because the hardness of the resin composite was higher than that of dentin.

Wear and mechanical properties of composite resins consisting of different filler particles.

To investigate the effects of different fillers and their contents on the wear of composite resins, four composites (CS: non-porous spherical silica, AS: porous spherical silica, AZ: porous spherical zirconium silicate, and IS: non-porous irregular-shaped silica) were experimentally prepared using different fillers (CS, AZ, AS and IS). Simulated occlusal wear and toothbrush wear were evaluated for these composites and their worn surfaces were observed. The mechanical properties (flexural strength, elastic modulus and hardness) of these composites were determined to examine the relationships between wear and these mechanical properties. CS showed the highest occlusal wear, but the lowest toothbrush wear among four composites. AS and AZ had lower occlusal wear than CS and IS, while their toothbrush wear was higher than CS and close to that of IS. All composites showed increase in the occlusal wear as filler content increased. CS and IS showed decrease in the toothbrush wear as the filler content increased, whereas AS and AZ did not. The occlusal wear surfaces of CS and IS had concavities, while those of AZ and AS were relatively smooth with flattened filler. The toothbrush wear surfaces of CS and IS revealed the extrusion of filler from resin matrix, whereas those of AZ and AS were smooth with flattened filler. The toothbrush wear of CS and IS decreased as the mechanical properties increased, whereas those of AS and AZ did not. The occlusal wear of all composites increased as the mechanical properties increased, which would not reflect effects of these mechanical properties.

Surface textures of composite resins after combined wear test simulating both occlusal wear and brushing wear.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between the texture of worn surfaces of composite resins and the maximum wear depth. Three types of composite resins were investigated: a hybrid composite resin consisting of irregular-shaped inorganic filler particles (APX); a composite resin which contained small, irregular-shaped, inorganic filler particles and large organic composite filler particles (SRE); and another which contained spherical inorganic filler particles and large organic composite filler (SDX). Surface profile measurement and elemental analysis were carried out on the worn surfaces of these three composite resins using an electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA). For the composite resin which exhibited the largest maximum wear depth, its surface texture was slightly rough with fine pores and grooves. For the composite resin with lowest maximum wear depth, it had a smooth worn surface due to the large organic composite filler being abraded during the combined wear test.

Effect of particle diameter on air polishing of dentin surfaces.

We examined the abrasiveness of glycine powders with particle diameters of 63 and 100 mum by measuring the depth and volume of defects produced during air polishing of human dentin. A total of 36 extracted human teeth were embedded in acrylic resin. The resin blocks were polished until the dentin surfaces were exposed. The nozzle of an air polisher was mounted 4 mm from the dentin surface, and the dentin surface was treated for 5 s at one of two angles of incidence (45 degrees or 90 degrees). Three materials were used in the polishing process: NaHCO(3) powder with a mean particle diameter of 100 microm (Handy Jet Powder), glycine powder with a mean particle diameter of 63 microm (Handy Jet Powder PMTC), and glycine powder with a mean particle diameter of 100 microm (Handy Jet Powder Recall). The defect depth at both angles was significantly deeper after treatment with Handy Jet Powder or Handy Jet Powder PMTC. The defect volume was the greatest with Handy Jet Powder, followed by Handy Jet Powder PMTC, and Handy Jet Powder Recall. The larger diameter glycine powder resulted in less damage to the dentin.

Effects of abrasive and fiber components in medium on wear of composite resins.

Effects of abrasive and fiber components in a medium on the wear behavior of composite resins were evaluated. Calcium diphosphate and methyl cellulose were included in the medium as abrasive and fiber components respectively. A range of 0, 4, or 8% abrasive- or fiber-containing media were applied on a composite resin specimen during a simulated occlusal wear test. Four composite resins, Clearfil AP-X, Z100 Restorative, SOLARE P, and SOLIDEX F, were tested to evaluate the effects of these components in the medium. Presence of abrasive material in the medium increased the wear of composite resins significantly, but its effect differed among the composite resins. Presence of fiber material in the medium significantly decreased the wear of two composite resins, whereas the other two composites showed no significant differences. Nonetheless, presence of fiber in the medium generally tended to prevent the wear of composite resins.

Effects of occlusal and brushing cycles on wear of composite resins in combined wear test.

The effects of occlusal cycles and brushing cycles on wear of composite resins were investigated using a combined wear test, which carried out occlusal and toothbrush wear tests alternately. Worn volume and maximum worn depth were measured to evaluate wear under four combinations of two different cycles (occlusal cycles: 50 and 150 cycles; brushing cycles: 20 and 50 cycles). With composite resin APX, which consisted of relatively large and irregular-shaped filler particles, its worn volume and worn depth significantly increased with the number of occlusal cycles. With composite resin Z100, which consisted of relatively small and irregular-shaped filler particles, its wear values significantly increased with both brushing and occlusal cycles. With composite resin SRE, which consisted of small, irregular-shaped, inorganic filler particles and large organic filler particles, its worn volume significantly increased with the occlusal cycle when under a lower brushing cycle. With composite resin SDX, which consisted of spherical inorganic filler particles and large organic filler particles, its wear was not influenced by increases in both brushing and occlusal cycles.

[Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy for localized refractory non-Hodgkin's lymphoma--report of two cases].

Localized refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCL) were treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Case 1 had right cervical lymphadenopathy. Lymphoma enlarged even after the fourth courses of chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone (CHOP). The second case had a pharyngeal tumor and bilateral cervical lymphadenopathy. A lymphoma enlarged after eighth courses of CHOP. Both cases were treated with concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. Chemotherapy consisted of mitoxantrone, methotrexate, ifosfamide,and prednisolone (MMIP). The dose of radiation to the involved sites was 40 Gy. The first case received chemotherapy three days after radiotherapy was started. The second case was treated with chemotherapy, and radiotherapy was begun one day after. Both cases show mucositis and leukopenia. One case received two courses of chemotherapy after chemo-radiotherapy, and the other received no additional chemotherapy. Both cases achieved complete remission after the combined therapy, however, lymphoma in one case recurred three months after the therapy. It is possible that this concurrent chemo-radiotherapy is effective for localized DLBCL which did not disappear after standard chemotherapy.

Effects of occlusal and brushing forces on wear of composite resins.

Effects of occlusal and brushing forces on the wear of composite resins were investigated using three different wear tests: simulated occlusal wear test, toothbrush wear test, and combined wear test which carried out toothbrush wear test and occlusal wear test alternately. Test specimens were prepared from four commercial composite resins. Worn volume and maximum worn depth were measured under different occlusal forces (40 N and 80 N) and brushing forces (1.5 N and 3 N) in the three wear tests. Worn surfaces were observed using a SEM. In all the three wear tests, both higher occlusal and brushing forces resulted in significantly greater worn volume and higher maximum worn depth. The effects of occlusal force on worn volume and maximum worn depth varied with different composites, indicating that the four tested composites showed different wear behaviors under different occlusal forces and brushing forces. It was suggested that their different wear behaviors most probably stemmed from the differences in their filler systems.

Effect of material and configuration of antagonist on combined wear.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of antagonist material and configuration on combined wear, which was produced by alternating toothbrush wear and simulated occlusal wear on one specimen. Worn volume and maximum worn depth comparisons were done using two antagonist materials (steel and ceramic) and two antagonist configurations (flat and round). For the material factor, worn volume by the ceramic antagonist was greater than that by steel antagonist in the combined wear test. For the configuration factor, the round ceramic antagonist induced a greater volume loss of the resin composite. As for maximum worn depth, both the material and configuration of antagonist were influencing factors in the combined wear test--where the round ceramic antagonist induced a deeper wear of the resin composite. Based on the results of this study, we concluded that a round ceramic antagonist is suitable to be used for evaluating the wear behavior of resin composites.

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys Part 2. Application of developed investment for type 4 gold alloy.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the developed investment for the prevention of blackening of a cast Type 4 gold and to analyze the oxides on its surface in relation to the blackening of the alloy. The experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which boron (B) or aluminum (Al) was added as a reducing agent. A Type 4 gold alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment. The effect of the additives was evaluated from the color difference (deltaE*) between the as-cast surface and the polished surface of the cast specimen. B and Al were effective to prevent the blackening of a Type 4 gold alloy and the color of the as-cast surface approached that of the polished surface with increasing B and Al content. The prevention of the blackening of the gold alloy can be achieved by restraining the formation of CuO.

Wear test combining simulated occlusal wear and toothbrush wear.

A new wear testing system, which carries out toothbrush wear and simulated occlusal wear tests alternately, was developed. Differences in wear behavior among three modes of wears, combined wear, toothbrush wear and simulated occlusal wear, were investigated using polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and two commercial resin composites (Z100, APX). The area of the material loss after each test was measured on the worn surfaces to evaluate the different modes of wears. On PMMA and Z100, the toothbrush wear corresponded to the combined wear, suggesting that toothbrush wear was dominant in the combined wear for these materials. On the other hand, the occlusal wear was dominant corresponding to the combined wear on APX. Both the simulated occlusal wear and toothbrush wear tests are essential to evaluate the wear behavior of restorative materials, and the combined wear test is effective to analyze the wear behavior of restorative materials under different wear processes which consist of toothbrush wear and simulated occlusal wear.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative material. Part 5: Evaluation of the bonding between Ag-Sn particle and 4-META coupling agent of the metal-resin composite.

This study evaluated the oxide characteristics on a Ag-Sn particle surface modified by acid and heat in order to understand the bonding mechanism. Nine different Ag-Sn particles including standard Sn, SnO and SnO2 were evaluated by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The particles were also used for preparing the composite to test the flexural properties following the ISO 4049. A high correlation between flexural strength of the composites and Sn3d binding energy of their filler particles was found. Different oxide forms (SnO and SnO2) showed different adhesive abilities to bond with 4-META, regarding the difference in flexural strength of the composite. The highest flexural strength composite showed Sn3d binding energy of its filler at 486.4 eV, which was the SnO binding area. This implies that SnO was responsible for a good bond between particle surface and 4-META coupling agent.

Development of casting investment preventing blackening of noble metal alloys part 1. Application of developed investment for Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy.

The objective of this study is to develop a casting investment that prevents the blackening of the cast surface of noble metal alloys. The experimental investments were prepared using a gypsum-bonded investment in which the metallic powders such as boron (B), silicon (Si), aluminum (Al) and titanium (Ti) were added as oxidizing agents. An Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy was cast into the mold made of the prepared investment. The effect of the addition of each metal powder was evaluated from the color difference between the as-cast surface and the polished surface of the cast specimen. The color of the as-cast surface approached that of the polished surface with increasing B and Al content. A lower mean value in the color difference was obtained at 0.25-1.00 mass% B content. B and Al are useful as an additive in a gypsum-bonded investment to prevent the blackening of an Ag-Pd-Cu-Au alloy. The effects of Si and Ti powder addition could not be found.

Development of metal-resin composite restorative material. Part 4. Flexural strength and flexural modulus of metal-resin composite using Ag-In alloy particles as filler.

The flexural strength and flexural modulus of an experimental metal-resin composite, which used Ag-In alloy particle as the filler, were evaluated. The effect of acid treatment and heat treatment on the Ag-In alloy particle was investigated. The flexural strength of the experimental metal-resin composites ranged from 65.5 MPa to 91.0 MPa. The flexural strength of the metal-resin composite increased with the temperature of the heat treatment until 350 degrees C, but its effect varied with the concentrations of HCl of the acid treatment. A metal-resin composite, which used acid-treated and 350 degrees C heat-treated Ag-In alloy fillers, matched the requirement of strength of ISO 4049. The average of flexural modulus of the experimental metal-resin composite was 9.1 GPa. The flexural modulus of the metal-resin composite did not vary with the treatment conditions of the metal filler. The flexural modulus of a metal-resin composite, which used Ag-In alloy particle as the filler, was lower than that of Ag-Sn alloy metal-resin composite, which was reported previously. However, the flexural strength of the Ag-In alloy metal-resin composite was similar to that of Ag-Sn alloy metal-resin composite. We can control a flexural modulus of a metal-resin composite without decreasing flexural strength by choosing filler materials.