Crestal module design optimization of dental implants: finite element analysis and in vivo studies.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical behavior of Bone Level dental implants with four different neck designs in contact with cortical bone. Numerical simulations were performed using a Finite Element Method (FEM) based-model. In order to verify the FEM model, the in silico results were compared with the results obtained from histological analysis performed in an in vivo study with New Zealand rabbits. FEM was performed using a computerized 3D model of Bone Level dental implants inserted in the lower jaw bone with an applied axial load of 100 N. The analysis was performed using four different implant neck designs: even surfaced, screwed, three-ring design and four-ring design. Interface are of bone growth was evaluated by analyzing the Bone-Implant-Contact (BIC) parameter obtained from in vivo histological process and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Bone Level implants were inserted in the rabbit tibia, placing two implants per tibia. The BIC was evaluated after three and six weeks of implantation. FEM studies showed that the three-ring design presented lower values of stress distribution compared to the other studied designs. The lower levels of mechanical stress were then correlated with the in vivo studies, showing that the three-ring design presented the highest BIC value after 3 and 6 weeks of implantation. In silico and in vivo results both concluded that the implants with three-ring neck design presented the best biomechanical and histological behavior in terms of new bone formation, enhanced mechanical stability and optimum osseointegration.

Unravelling the effect of macro and microscopic design of dental implants on osseointegration: a randomised clinical study in minipigs.

Several dental implants are commercially available and new prototype design are constantly being fabricated. Nevertheless, it is still unclear what parameters of the design affect most the osseointegration of dental implants. The purpose of this study is to assess the effects of the microscopic and macroscopic design of dental implants in the osseointegration by comparing three macroscopic designs (Straumann tissue level (STD), essential cone (ECD) and prototype design (PD)) and six surface treatments. A total of 96 implants were placed in 12 minipigs. The implant stability quotient (ISQ), was assessed at the time of implantation, as well as at 2, 4 and 8 weeks. Histomorphometric and statistical analyses were conducted at the different sacrifice times, being 2, 4 and 8 weeks, to analyse the bone to implant contact (BIC), the bone area density (BAT) and the density of bone outside the thread region (ROI). The macroscopic design results showed higher ISQ values for the ECD, whereas the histomorphometric analysis showed higher ossoeintegration values for the STD. Regarding the microscopic design, both Sandblasted plus acid etching (hydrochloric/sulphuric acid) in a nitrogen atmosphere (SLActive) and Shot-blasted or bombarded with alumina particles and posterior alkaline immersion and thermal treatment (ContacTi) showed superior results in terms of osseointegration and reduced the osseointegration times from 8 weeks to 4 weeks compared to the other analysed surfaces. In conclusion, each of the macroscopic and microscopic designs need to be taken into account when designing novel dental implants to enhance the osseointegration process.

Frequency of dental caries in active and inactive systemic lupus erythematous patients: salivary and bacterial factors.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine dental caries frequency and to analyze salivary and bacterial factors associated with active and inactive systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) patients. Also, a proposal to identify dental caries by a surface, teeth, and the patient was developed. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, blinded study that included 60 SLE patients divided into two groups of 30 subjects each, according to the Activity Index for Diagnosis of Systemic Lupus Erythematous (SLEDAI). The decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index and Integrative Dental Caries Index (IDCI) were used for analyzing dental caries. The saliva variables recorded were: flow, pH, and buffer capacity. The DNA copies of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus were estimated by real-time PCR. RESULTS: The caries frequency was 85% for SLE subjects (73.3% for inactive systemic lupus erythematous (ISLE) and 100% for active systemic lupus erythematous (ASLE)); DMFT for the SLE group was 12.6 ± 5.7 and the IDCI was (9.8 ± 5.9). The ASLE group showed a salivary flow of 0.65 compared with 0.97 ml/1 min from the ISLE group; all variables mentioned above showed a statistical difference (p < 0.05). The salivary pH was 4.6 (6.06 for ISLE and 3.9 for ASLE). The DNA copies of S. mutans and S. sobrinus were high; all variables mentioned above show a significant statistical difference (p < 0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: SLE patients had high DMFT and IDCI scores that were associated with a decrease in salivary flow, pH, and buffer capacity. There were high counts of S. sobrinus and S. mutans species, and IDCI is a useful tool to provide more detail about dental caries in epidemiological studies.

Hidden sources of mercury in clinical laboratories.

The healthcare sector is an important contributor to mercury (Hg) pollution because of the potential presence of mercury in thermometers, blood pressure cuffs, amalgams, etc. There are also other potential sources of mercury in this sector which are used frequently and in high volumes where the presence of the metal is not obvious and which might be collectively contributing to pollution. For instance, some chemicals used for the clinical diagnosis of illness may contain mercury. The goal of this study was to investigate potential sources of mercury pollution, which originate from clinical laboratory discharges, using an exploratory approach. The focus was on the residue generated during automatic analysis of patients' bodily fluids at a medical center in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. This study shows an overview of what might be happening in the region or the country related to non-obvious sources of mercury in the healthcare sector. The results showed measurable levels of mercury in the residues coming from urine sediment analysis. These amounts do not exceed the maximum allowed by Mexican environmental regulations; nevertheless, the frequency and cumulative volume of residues generated, combined with the potential for persistence and the bioaccumulation of mercury in the environment, warrant attention. The work carried out in this study is being taken as a model for future studies for pollution prevention in the healthcare sector with the goal of measuring mercury emissions to the environment from clinical laboratory wastewater, including identifying sources which--while not obvious--could be important given the frequency and volume of their use in the clinical diagnosis.

Determination of parabens and endocrine-disrupting alkylphenols in soil by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following matrix solid-phase dispersion or in-column microwave-assisted extraction: a comparative study.

Two rapid methods were evaluated for the simultaneous extraction of seven parabens and two alkylphenols from soil based on matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE). Soil extracts were derivatized with N,O-bis(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide and analyzed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. Extraction and clean-up of samples were carried out by both methods in a single step. A glass sample holder, inside the microwave cell, was used in MAE to allow the simultaneous extraction and clean-up of samples and shorten the MAE procedure. The detection limits achieved by MSPD were lower than those obtained by MAE because the presence of matrix interferences increased with this extraction method. The extraction yields obtained by MSPD and MAE for three different types of soils were compared. Both procedures showed good recoveries and sensitivity for the determination of parabens and alkylphenols in two of the soils assayed, however, only MSPD yielded good recoveries with the other soil. Finally, MSPD was applied to the analysis of soils collected in different sites of Spain. In most of the samples analyzed, methylparaben and butylparaben were detected at levels ranging from 1.21 to 8.04 ng g(-1) dry weight and 0.48 to 1.02 ng g(-1) dry weight, respectively.

Iron nanoparticles to recover a co-contaminated soil with Cr and PCBs.

Little attention has been given to the development of remediation strategies for soils polluted with mixture of pollution (metal(loid)s and organic compounds). The present study evaluates the effectiveness of different types of commercial iron nanoparticles (nanoscale zero valent iron (nZVI), bimetallic nZVI-Pd, and nano-magnetite (nFe3O4)), for the remediation of an industrial soil co-contaminated with Cr and PCBs. Soil samples were mixed with nZVI, nZVI-Pd, or nFe3O4 at doses selected according to their reactivity with PCBs, homogenized, saturated with water and incubated at controlled conditions for 15, 45 and 70 days. For each sampling time, PCBs and chromium were analyzed in aqueous and soil fractions. Cr(VI) and Cr leachability (TCLP test) were determined in the soil samples. The treatment with the three types of iron nanoparticles showed significant reduction in Cr concentration in aqueous extracts at the three sampling times (> 98%), compared to the control samples. The leachability of Cr in treated soil samples also decreased and was stable throughout the experiment. Results suggested that nZVI and nZVI-Pd immobilized Cr through adsorption of Cr(VI) on the shell and reduction to Cr(III). The mechanism of interaction of nFe3O4 and Cr(VI) included adsorption and reduction although its reducing character was lower than those of ZVI nanoparticles. PCBs significantly decreased in soil samples (up to 68%), after 15 days of treatment with the three types of nanoparticles. However, nFe3O4 evidenced reversible adsorption of PCBs after 45 days. In general, nZVI-Pd reduced PCB concentration in soil faster than nZVI. Control soils showed a similar reduction in PCBs concentration as those obtained with nZVI and nZVI-Pd after a longer time (45 days). This is likely due to natural bioremediation, although it was not effective for Cr remediation. Results suggest that the addition of nZVI or nZVI-Pd and pseudo-anaerobic conditions could be used for the recovery of soil co-contaminated with Cr and PCBs.

Cell response to collagen-calcium phosphate cement scaffolds investigated for nonviral gene delivery.

Collagen-hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds for the non-viral delivery of a plasmid encoding the osteoinductive protein bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-7 were developed. The collagen-HA was obtained by the combination of calcium phosphate cement in a collagen template. The effect on cell behavior of increasing amounts of HA in the scaffolds was evaluated. Collagen-HA scaffolds containing 13, 23 or 83 wt% HA were prepared. Cell proliferation was reduced in the 83% HA scaffold after 1 day compared to 13 and 23% HA, but by 14 days the number of cells in 83% HA considerably increased. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was 8 times higher for the 83% HA scaffolds. BMP-7 plasmid was incorporated into the 83% HA scaffold. The transfection was low, although significant levels of BMP7 were expressed, associated with an increase in cell proliferation.

Development of a structured sensory honey analysis: application to artisanal Madrid honeys.

In this work a methodology to evaluate the sensory properties of honeys has been developed. The sensory analysis was carried out by means of a quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) method, based on several reference scales, for the coverage of the designed range for each descriptor. The peculiarity of this sensory analysis is that the reference scales have been constituted by common foodstuffs agreed upon by consensus of the panel. The main sensory attributes evaluated in the analyses were: adhesiveness, viscosity, bitterness, aroma, sweetness, acidity, color and granularity. Both the intensity and persistence of honey aromas have also been estimated, together with the classification of the identified aromatic attributes into different groups. The method was applied to 55 artisanal honeys from Madrid (Spain) with the following results: (i) the developed sensory profile sheet allowed a satisfactory description of Madrid honeys; (ii) correlations between sensory attributes of three broad groups of Madrid honeys were obtained and (iii) aroma persistence, sweetness, bitterness, color and granularity appeared as the main sensorial characteristics of honey with discrimination power between floral and honeydew honeys.

Fatigue of Narrow Dental Implants: Influence of the Hardening Method.

The use of narrow titanium dental implants (NDI) for small ridges, reduced interdental space, or missing lateral incisors can be a viable option when compared to the conventional wider dental implants. Furthermore, in many cases, standard diameter implant placement may not be possible without grafting procedures, which increases the healing time, cost, and morbidity. The aim of this study was to analyze the mechanical viability of the current narrow implants and how narrow implants can be improved. Different commercially available implants (n = 150) were tested to determine maximum strength, strain to fracture, microhardness, residual stress, and fatigue obtaining the stress-number of cycles to fracture (SN) curve. Fractography was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that when the titanium was hardened by the addition of 15% of Zr or 12% cold worked, the fatigue limit was higher than the commercially pure grade 4 Ti without hardening treatment. Grade 4 titanium without hardening treatment in narrow dental implants can present fractures by fatigue. These narrow implants are subjected to high mechanical stresses and the mechanical properties of titanium do not meet the minimal requirements, which lead to frequent fractures. New hardening treatments allow for the mechanical limitations of conventional narrow implants to be overcome in dynamic conditions. These hardening treatments allow for the design of narrow dental implants with enhanced fatigue life and long-term behavior.

Control of stem cell response and bone growth on biomaterials by fully non-peptidic integrin selective ligands.

In this communication we report that anchoring αvß3 or α5ß1 integrin-selective RGD peptidomimetics to titanium efficiently tunes mesenchymal stem cell response in vitro and bone growth in rat calvarial defects. Our results demonstrate that this molecular chemistry-derived approach could be successful to engineer instructive coatings for orthopedic applications.

Liposuction and diabetes type 2 development risk reduction in the obese patient.

Obesity is a disabling disease which has gained greater attention worldwide and particularly in the United States. It significantly increases the risk for other diseases such as insulin independent diabetes mellitus also known as diabetes type 2. The most common surgical procedure for obesity is liposuction. It is traditionally performed either as small-volume liposuction or large-volume liposuction, the majority being small-volume liposuction procedures. Large-volume and small-volume liposuction have been clinically shown to improve insulin sensitivity in obese patients thus reducing their risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In this paper, evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that liposuction disrupts the pathway that brings about insulin insensitivity in the obese patient. It is proposed that using liposuction in the overall treatment of obesity could lead to an improvement in insulin sensitivity and thus greatly improve the quality of life of the obese patient.

Bioerosion caused by the sea urchin Diadema Mexicanum (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) at Bahías de Huatulco, Western Mexico.

Mexican Pacific sea urchin studies have been focused mainly on species distribution, ecology and fisheries. Reef degradation by sea urchin bioerosion has not been studied previously en these reefs. We investigate the importance of Diadema mexicanum as a bioerosive agent of coral carbonate at Bahias de Huatulco, and the relative magnitude of coral accretion and bioerosion. At each of five localities in Bahias de Huatulco, sea urchin density, feeding and mechanical (spine) erosion was determined for three size class intervals. In general, D. mexicanum do not exert any significant role on coral reef community structure (live coral, dead coral or algal coverage) at the Huatulco area, probably because they are generally small (2.9-4 cm test size) and few in number (1.0-6.8 ind.m-2). Mean bioerosion rates are consistent with those measured for other diadematoids, as well as other urchin species in various eastern Pacific localities. However, the degree of bioerosive impact depends on species, test size, and population density of urchins. Coral carbonate removal by D. mexicanum erosion varies from 0.17 to 3.28 kgCaCO3m(-2)yr(-1). This represents a carbonate loss of < 5% of the annual coral carbonate production at Jicaral Chachacual, San Agustín and Isla Cacaluta, but 16 and 27% at Isla Montosa and La Entrega. On balance, coral accretion exceeds sea urchin erosion at all sites examined at Huatulco. At Bahias de Huatulco coral reef communities are actively growing, though in the coming years, it might be necessary to investigate the local effects of the interaction among erosion, and environmental and human induced perturbations.

Dihydroxynitrobenzaldehydes and hydroxymethoxynitrobenzaldehydes: synthesis and biological activity as catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitors.

A series of nitro derivatives of dihydroxy- and hydroxymethoxybenzaldehyde was synthesized and tested as potential inhibitors of partially purified pig liver catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT). All the dihydroxynitrobenzaldehydes prepared were potent inhibitors of COMT, but only one hydroxymethoxynitrobenzaldehyde (3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde) showed activity as a COMT inhibitor. Although previously reported data showed that the presence of electron-withdrawing substituents at position 5 seemed to be very important for activity as COMT inhibitor, our results suggest that the requirement necessary to enhance the activity of the dihydroxyni-trobenzaldehyde derivatives toward COMT is the presence of the nitro group in a position ortho with respect to one hydroxyl group. The assayed compounds showed a reversible inhibition of COMT, which was mixed for all the dihydroxynitro derivatives but noncompetitive for 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde when pyrocatechol was the variable substrate and uncompetitive in all the inhibitors with respect to S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

High creatinine excretion ratio predicts a good outcome in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The creatinine excretion (CrEx) ratio was first described as a method for detecting noncompliance in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. However, a high CrEx ratio is not specific for noncompliance and may also be found in compliant patients with a relatively greater lean body mass (LBM). A cohort of 44 PD patients was followed up for a mean of 13 +/- 8 months after measurement of baseline CrEx ratio to investigate whether greater values were predictive of good or poor clinical outcomes. During this follow-up, 11 patients died, 12 patients transferred to hemodialysis, 4 patients underwent transplantation, 1 patient recovered renal function, and 16 patients continued on PD. The mean CrEx ratio in all patients was 1.14 +/- 0.32. It did not differ between men and women (1.15 versus 1.13, respectively; P = 0.76) but showed a trend toward being less in patients with diabetes (1.03 versus 1.19; P = 0. 19). The mean weekly Kt/V, weekly creatinine clearance, normalized protein equivalent of nitrogen appearance, and serum albumin values were 2.18 +/- 0.57, 73.57 +/- 33.75 L/1.73 m(2), 0.80 +/- 0.22 g/kg/d, and 3.22 +/- 0.59 g/dL, respectively. Technique failure (P < 0.001) and death (P < 0.05) were significantly more common in patients with a CrEx ratio less than 1 compared with those with a CrEx ratio greater than 1. On Cox regression analysis, the CrEx ratio was the only significant predictor of technique failure and was also an independent predictor of death. High CrEx ratio is a predictor of good, rather than poor, outcome in PD patients, perhaps because it is primarily an index of nutrition. This further weakens the argument that it is a reliable or useful marker of noncompliance.

Inhibition of catechol-O-methyltransferase by 1-vinyl derivatives of nitrocatechols and nitroguaiacols. Kinetics of the irreversible inhibition by 3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitro benzylidene)-2,4-pentanedione.

It is well known that activated alkene derivatives react with thiol groups according to a Michael's addition reaction. On the basis of the presence of at least one thiol group essential for the activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), several 1-vinyl derivatives of nitrocatechol and nitroguaiacol were synthesized and tested as potential irreversible active site-directed inhibitors of COMT. All the synthesized products were potent inhibitors of partially purified pig liver COMT. However, the inhibition was reversible in most cases, with the exception of 3-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)-2,4-pentanedione (compound 2) which inhibited COMT in an irreversible manner. When the inhibition of COMT was measured as a function of the length of time of pre-incubation with 2, biphasic kinetics were observed, suggesting the modification of at least two thiol groups which are essential for COMT activity. The analysis of the two parts of the inhibition curve as a function of the inhibitor concentration showed that compound 2 modified the more reactive group in a non-specific manner, while it behaved as an active site-directed inhibitor on the second slow-reacting thiol group. Importantly, a saturating concentration of S-adenosyl-L-methionine (AdoMet) in the pre-incubation mixture gave pseudo-first order kinetics, suggesting total protection of one thiol group. Magnesium ions had no effect on the protection of COMT by AdoMet. In the presence of 3,5-dinitrocatechol (DNC) slight protection of COMT was observed; when the inactivation of both groups was analysed independently, protection of the specifically modified group was detected, while the reaction with the other group was faster in the presence of DNC. When both AdoMet and DNC were present, inactivation of COMT by 2 was not observed, suggesting that both reacting groups are located at or near the active site.

Hypofibrinogenemia-dysfibrinogenemia and von Willebrand's disease in the same family.

Two Puerto Rican families were studied. One family included a number of members with dysfibrinogenemia occasionally associated with hypofibrinogenemia. The second family had members with von Willebrand's disease. The two diseases merged in the proband's immediate family; the affected members of this family exhibited a mild bleeding disorder. Others in the two families had no obvious bleeding tendency.

Vascular calcification presenting as necrosis of penis in patient with chronic renal failure.

An unusual presentation of metastatic calcification as gangrene of the penis is reported in a patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance hemodialysis. Calcification of the vessels of the penis was documented radiographically and pathologically. Recognition of the possible occurrence of this complication becomes of great importance in younger patients on dialysis or with kidney transplants.

Angiotensin II binding sites in the hamster brain: localization and subtype distribution.

This study was designed to characterize the distribution of angiotensin II (AII) binding sites in the hamster brain. Brain sections were incubated with [125I][sar1,ile8]-angiotensin II in the absence and presence of angiotensin II receptor subtype selective compounds, losartan (AT1 subtype) and PD123177 (AT2 subtype). Binding was quantified by densitometric analysis of autoradiograms and localized by comparison with adjacent thionein stained sections. The distribution of AII binding sites was similar to that found in the rat, with some exceptions. [125I][sar1,ile8]-angiotensin II binding was not evident in the subthalamic nucleus and thalamic regions, inferior olive, suprachiasmatic nucleus, and piriform cortex of the hamster, regions of prominent binding in the rat brain. However, intense binding was observed in the interpeduncular nucleus and the medial habenula of the hamster, nuclei void of binding in the rat brain. Competition with receptor subtype selective compounds revealed a similar AII receptor subtype profile in brain regions where binding is evident in both species. One notable exception is the medial geniculate nucleus, predominately AT1 binding sites in the hamster but AT2 in the rat. Generally, the AII binding site distribution in the hamster brain parallels that of the other species studied, particularly in brain regions associated with cardiovascular and dipsogenic functions. Functional correlates for AII binding sites have not been elucidated in the majority of brain regions and species mismatches might provide clues in this regard.

Determination of cereal herbicide residues in environmental samples by gas chromatography.

Gas chromatographic analysis of cereal herbicide residues in water, soil, plant and air is reviewed. Herbicides widely used in spring and winter cereals, i.e., phenoxyacids, benzonitriles, ureas, triazines, dinitroanilines, chloroacetamides and thiocarbamates, are considered. The main procedures used in the residue analysis, extraction, clean-up, derivatization and gas chromatographic determination are summarized and discussed.

Analysis of endosulfan isomers and endosulfan sulfate in air and tomato leaves by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection and confirmation by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Rapid analytical methods for the determination of endosulfan isomers and endosulfan-sulfate in air and plant samples were developed. The insecticides were trapped from air using a column containing Florisil and extracted with a low volume of ethyl acetate, assisted by sonication. Pesticide residues were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection using a nonpolar capillary column. Residue identities were confirmed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Recoveries of these compounds from air samples were always higher than 78% with an RSD lower than 11% and the detection limits obtained were at least 0.3 ng/l air. Leaf samples were homogenised with ethyl acetate and extracts cleaned-up on an aluminium oxide column. Pesticides were eluted with a hexane-ethyl acetate (80:20, v/v) mixture. Recoveries obtained from plant samples were higher than 78% with an RSD lower than 14% and detection limits in leaves were 0.02 microg/g for each pesticide. These methods were applied to study the volatilisation of endosulfan from tomato leaves under laboratory conditions. A volatilisation rate near 1% of the initial amount of endosulfan per hour was obtained during the first 24 h at room temperature.