Influence of Different Undercut Depths of Clasp Fabricated by Selective Laser Melting on Retentive Force.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of undercut depths on abutment teeth regarding the retentive force of clasps fabricated through selective laser melting (SLM), and to compare them with conventional cast clasps. METHODS: Akers clasps made of cobalt chromium alloy were fabricated using the SLM method (SLM), and the retentive forces were compared with clasps made with the conventional cast method (Cast). Three undercut amounts (0.25 mm, 0.15 mm, and 0 mm) were applied on the abutment tooth. The specimens were subjected to 10,000 repetitive insertion/removal cycles. RESULTS: SLM-0.15 showed slightly lower initial retentive force than the Cast specimens, it remained within an acceptable range. During insertion/removal test, the SLM-0.15 specimen showed a significant difference between the initial retentive force and the retentive force after 5,000 cycles, indicating that SLM-0.15 was the least likely to change in retentive force within the parameters established in this study. The inner clasp surface on the SLM groups had higher surface roughness before testing compared to the Cast specimen. CONCLUSIONS: Akers clasps fabricated by SLM demonstrated optimal initial retentive forces with smaller undercuts than conventional Cast clasps, and the retentive forces changed less with repetitive insertion/removal.

Comparison of artificial tooth position in dentures fabricated by heat curing and additive manufacturing.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the displacement of tooth arrangement in dentures fabricated by additive manufacturing (AM) and heat curing. METHODS: Three-dimensional (3D) scanning was performed for edentulous jaw models. After the teeth were arranged, 3D scanning for the wax denture was performed. Heat-cured dentures were fabricated with heat-cure polymer resin. Based on data obtained by subtracting the model data from wax denture data, AM dentures were fabricated from ultraviolet-cured acrylic resin. Accuracy was verified by superimposing heat-cured and AM dentures on the tooth region data from the wax dentures and measuring displacement of the tooth arrangement. RESULTS: In the maxillary dentures, the amount of tooth displacement for the heat-cured dentures and for the AM dentures ranged from -0.08 to +0.06 mm and from -0.25 to +0.06 mm respectively. A significant difference was observed between two dentures. In the mandibular dentures, the amount of tooth displacement for the heat-cured dentures and for the AM dentures ranged from -0.09 to +0.07 mm and from -0.03 to +0.07 mm respectively. No significant difference was observed between two dentures. CONCLUSIONS: The artificial teeth of the maxillary dentures fabricated by AM showed a greater displacement compared to those by heat curing.

Fatigue strength of Ce-TZP/Al2O3 nanocomposite with different surfaces.

Ce-TZP/Al(2)O(3) nanocomposite (NANOZR) has not only higher strength, but also higher fracture toughness than conventional Y-TZP, indicating its potential for use in dental implants. Surface treatment to obtain osseointegration, however, may alter its surface topography, thus affecting the cyclic fatigue strength that plays such an important role in the durability of this material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of surface treatment on cyclic fatigue strength in NANOZR as compared with grit-blasted and acid-etched Y-TZP (125BE Y-TZP). Bi-axial flexure strength was measured in both static and cyclic fatigue tests, as recommended by ISO 6872. The cyclic fatigue test was performed by the staircase method in distilled water at 37°C, with a load of 10(6) cycles and 10 Hz. Bi-axial flexure strength of NANOZR was 1111-1237 MPa and 667-881 MPa in the static and cyclic fatigue tests, respectively. The bi-axial flexure strength of NANOZR under all conditions was greater than that of 125BE Y-TZP in the static and cyclic fatigue tests. The cyclic fatigue strength of NANOZR was more than twice that of Y-TZP as specified in ISO 13356 for surgical implants (320 MPa), indicating the promise of this material for use in dental implants.

Influence of chewing force on salivary stress markers as indicator of mental stress.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of chewing force on salivary stress markers (alpha-amylase activity, salivary cortisol level and secretory immunoglobulin A secretion rate) as indicators of mental stress. Participants comprised 20 healthy men. The first set of saliva specimens (S1) was collected at immediately after a 20-min rest to evaluate stress markers. As stress loading, the participants were required to perform arithmetic calculations for 20 min, after which the second set of saliva specimens (S2) was collected. Each participant was then required to chew a piece of tasteless gum for 10 min, after which the third set of saliva specimens (S3) was collected. After a 20-min rest, the fourth set of saliva specimens (S4) was collected. Weak, habitual and strong chewing forces were assigned. Change rates of stress markers between S2 and S3, and S2 and S4 were calculated. A significant difference was observed in the change rate of cortisol levels between S2 and S3. Cortisol level decreased more under strong chewing than under weak chewing. No significant differences were observed in the change rate of amylase activity or s-IgA secretion rate among the three chewing forces. The results suggest that differences in chewing force influence the salivary cortisol level of the three stress markers, and that a strong chewing force induces a greater reduction in mental stress than a weak one.

Toxicity testing of Senna occidentalis seed in rabbits.

The effect was investigated of administering ground Senna occidentalis seeds to rabbits in different concentrations (1%, 2%, 3% and 4%) in the ration. The experiment lasted 30 days and the toxic effects of the plant were evaluated on the basis of weight gain, histopathological, biochemical and morphometric parameters, as well as histochemistry and electron microscopy. Animals that received the ration containing 4% ground S. occidentalis seeds gained less weight (p < 0.05) and died in the third week. Histopathology revealed that the heart and liver were the main organs affected, with myocardial necrosis and centrolobular degeneration. There was a reduction in cytochrome oxidase activity in the glycogenolytic fibres, together with muscle atrophy, confirmed by the morphometric studies. Electron microscopy of the liver cells revealed dilated mitochondria, with destruction of the internal cristae.

Optically active antifungal azoles. X. Synthesis and antifungal activity of N.

New optically active antifungal azoles, N-14-(azolyl)phenyl]- and N-14-(azolylmethyl)phenyl]-N'-[(IR,2R)-2(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(IH-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyllazolones (1, 2, 3), were prepared in a stereocontrolled manner. Compounds 1-3 showed strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro. Among them, the imidazolidinones 3 showed a broad antifungal spectrum in vitro as well as potent in vivo activity against candidiasis and aspergillosis in mice. The imidazolidinones (3i, j, k) having 1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, 2H-2-tetrazolyl and IH-1-tetrazolyl moieties were found to exert strong protective effect against aspergillosis.

Optically active antifungal azoles. IX. An alternative synthetic route for 2-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4- triazol-1-yl)propyl]-4-[4-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)phenyl]- 3(2H,4H)-1,2,4-triazolone and its analogs.

A new route for the synthesis of the optically active antifungal azole TAK-187, 2-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-tria zol-1- yl)propyl]-4-[4-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-3(2H,4H)-1,2,4 - triazolone, was established. The key synthetic intermediate, 2-[(1R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-methylethyl]-4-[4-(2,2,3,3- tetrafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-3(2H,4H)-1,2,4-triazolone (8), was prepared starting from the esters (11a, b) of (S)-lactic acid in a stereocontrolled manner. This optically active propiophenone derivative 8 was converted to the one carbon-elongated (1R,2S)-diol 7, which was then reacted with 1H-1,2,4-triazole to yield TAK-187. This newly developed route was applied to the synthesis of the analogs (25a, b--28a, b) containing an imidazolone or imidazolidinone nucleus.

Optically active antifungal azoles. VIII. Synthesis and antifungal activity of 1-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluoro- and 2-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl]- 3-(4-substituted phenyl)-2(1H,3H)-imidazolones and 2-imidazolidinones.

New optically active antifungal azoles, 1-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluoro- and 2-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propyl ]-3-(4- substituted phenyl)-2(1H,3H)-imidazolones (1,2) and 2-imidazolidinones (3,4), were prepared in a stereocontrolled manner from (1S)-1-[(2R)-2-(2,4- difluoro- and 2-fluorophenyl)-2-oxiranyl]ethanols (15, 16). Compounds 1-4 showed potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo, as well as a broad antifungal spectrum for various fungi in vitro. Furthermore, the imidazolidinones, 3b--e and 4d, e, were found to exert extremely strong growth-inhibitory activity against Aspergillus fumigatus.

Optically active antifungal azoles. VII. Synthesis and antifungal activity of stereoisomers of 2-[(1R,2R)-2-(2, 4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) propyl]-4-[4-(2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropoxy)phenyl]-3(2H,4H)-1,2,4-triazo lone (TAK-187).

2-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2, 4-triazol-1-yl)propyl]-4-[4-(2,2,3,3,tetrafluoropropoxy) phenyl]-3(2H, 4H)-1,2,4-triazolone [(1R,2R)-1: TAK-187] is a new antifungal agent selected as a candidate for clinical trials. The three stereoisomers [(1S,2S)-, (1R,2S)- and (1S,2R)-1] of this compound were prepared to clarify the relationship between the stereochemistry and the biological activities. In vitro and in vivo assays of antifungal activity revealed that TAK-187 [(1R,2R)-1] is the most potent among the four stereoisomers. Furthermore, TAK-187 was found to exert strong and selective inhibitory effect on the sterol synthesis in Candida albicans as compared with that in rat liver.

Optically active antifungal azoles. VI. Synthesis and antifungal activity of N-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazo l-1- yl)propyl]-N'-(4-substituted phenyl)-3(2H,4H)-1,2,4-triazolones and 5(1H,4H)-tetrazolones.

A new series of optically active antifungal azoles, N-[(1R,2R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-hydroxy-1-methyl-3-(1H-1,2,4-tria zol-1- yl)propyl]-N'-(4-substituted phenyl)-3(2H,4H)-1,2,4-triazolones (1,2) and 5(1H,4H)-tetrazolones (3), were prepared from the triflate derivative of (1S)-1-[(2R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2-oxiranyl]ethanol (13) by an SN2 displacement reaction with the anion of an azolone (17-19) and subsequent ring-opening reaction with 1H-1,2,4-triazole. The optically active oxiranylethanol 13 was synthesized from methyl (R)-lactate in a stereo-controlled manner. The azolones 1-3 prepared showed potent antifungal activities in vitro and in vivo.

A simple CT method for location of auditory brain stem implant electrodes.

A method for locating auditory brain stem implant electrodes that have been placed in the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle is described. CT bone window images are "inverted" to black on white, then manually superimposed onto soft-tissue window images to enable identification of electrodes in relation to soft-tissue structures.

Optically active antifungal azoles. IV. Synthesis and antifungal activity of (2R,3R)-3-azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanols.

(2R,3R)-3-Azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanols (III) were prepared from (2R,3S)-3-methyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyloxiranes (21a-f) by a ring-opening reaction with 1H-1,2,3-triazole and 1H-tetrazole and evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. The optically active oxiranes (21a--f) which serve as the key synthetic intermediates, were synthesized from 1-[(2R)-2-(3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)oxypropanoyl]morpholin e (24) and substituted phenylmagnesium bromide (23) via six steps in a stereocontrolled manner. The 3-(1H-1,2,3,-triazol-1-yl)-(IIIa) and 3-(2H-2-tetrazolyl)-2-butanol (IIId) derivatives showed strong protective effects against candidosis in mice.

Optically active antifungal azoles. V. Synthesis and antifungal activity of stereoisomers of 3-azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2- butanols.

The (2S,3S)-, (2R,3S)- and (2S,3R)-stereoisomers of (2R,3R)-3-azolyl-2-(substituted phenyl)-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanols [(2R,3R)-1a--d] were prepared and evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo to clarify the relationships between stereochemistry and biological activities. The results revealed that the in vitro antifungal activity in each set of the four stereoisomers [(2R,3R)-, (2S,3S)-, (2R,3S)- and (2S,3R)-1a--d] definitely paralleled the in vivo antifungal activity against candidosis in mice, and the order of potency was (2R,3R) >> (2R,3S) > or = (2S,3S) > or = (2S,3R). In addition, the four stereoisomers in each set were assessed for sterol biosynthesis-inhibitory activities in C. albicans and rat liver. The (2R,3R)-isomer was found to exert a strong and selective inhibitory effect on the sterol synthesis in C. albicans as compared with that in rat liver.

Optically active antifungal azoles. III. Synthesis and antifungal activity of sulfide and sulfonamide derivatives of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-b utanol.

In an effort to find potent antifungal agents, optically active sulfur-containing triazole derivatives, sulfides (3) and sulfonamides (4), were prepared and evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. The sulfides (3) were prepared by the reaction of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl )-2-butanol (1) with various heteroarylmethyl chlorides in the presence of sodium methoxide. The sulfonamides (4) were synthesized starting from the disulfide (15) in three steps including oxidation of the corresponding sulfenamides (17). Some of the sulfur-containing triazole derivatives (3, 4) showed strong protective effects against candidosis in mice.

Optically active antifungal azoles. I. Synthesis and antifungal activity of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-b utanol and its stereoisomers.

(2R,3R)-2-(2,4-Difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl )-2-butano l [(2R,3R)-7] and its stereoisomers [(2S,3R)-, (2S,3S)- and (2R,3S)-7] were prepared from the optically active oxiranes 6 by a newly developed ring-opening reaction and evaluated for antifungal activity. The thiol (2R,3R)-7 showed extremely potent antifungal activity in vitro and in vivo. The optically active oxirane (2R,3S)-6, a useful intermediate for the synthesis of sulfur-containing antifungal azoles 5, was synthesized from methyl (R)-lactate [(R)-8] via eight steps in a stereocontrolled manner. The key step in the synthesis is the Grignard reaction of an amide derivative [(R)-12a] of (R)-lactic acid with 2,4-difluorophenyl-magnesium bromide (13).

Optically active antifungal azoles. II. Synthesis and antifungal activity of polysulfide derivatives of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H- 1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)-2-butanol.

In an effort to find potent antifungal agents, a variety of optically active triazole derivatives with a polysulfide structure, 3, 4 and 5, were prepared and evaluated for antifungal activity against Candida albicans in vitro and in vivo. The symmetrical polysulfides 3 (m = 2-4) were obtained by an oxidative coupling reaction of (2R,3R)-2-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-mercapto-1-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl )-2-butanol (1) or by the treatment of its thiocarbonate derivative 8 with potassium tert-butoxide. The unsymmetrical disulfides 5 were synthesized by the reaction of the thiol 1 with Bunte salts 11 or the thiosulfinate 12 or by the reaction of the thiocarbonate 8 with various thiols 13. All of these polysulfides showed potent antifungal activity against candidosis in mice.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of new alkylphospholipids containing modifications of the phosphocholine moiety.

New antitumor alkylglycerophospholipids, in which primarily the phosphocholine moiety of the platelet activating factor (PAF) molecule was modified, were synthesized from 1-alkyl-2-substituted glycerols by introducing polar head phosphoryl groups having methylene bridges of various lengths (from 2 to 14 carbons). They were tested for PAF agonistic activity and antitumor properties. In a series of 1-octadecyl-2-acetoacetylglycerophospholipids (1a-f), an increase in the length of the methylene bridge separating the phosphate and trimethylammonio group in the polar head side chain at position 3 of the glycerol backbone resulted in a progressive decrease in PAF agonistic activity and a characteristic change in antitumor activity against human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). Maximal potency was obtained with the compound having a decamethylene bridge (1e, IC50 value = 1.5 microgram/ml). Thus, alkylphospholipids possessing a decamethylene bridge and a variety of substituents at position 2 (1g-n) were synthesized. They showed potent inhibitory activity with IC50 values ranging from 0.4 to 1.9 micrograms/ml, depending on the nature of the 2-substituent in the phospholipid molecule. In in vivo tests of the present series of alkylglycerophospholipids (1a--n), using mice bearing sarcoma 180 and mice with mammary carcinoma MM46 (both cells and compounds were given i.p.), 1-octadecyl-2-acetoacetyl-3-glyceryl omega-trimethylammoniodecyl phosphate (1e) showed the most potent life-prolonging effect. The structure-activity relationships are discussed.

Platelet activating factor antagonists: synthesis and structure-activity studies of novel PAF analogues modified in the phosphorylcholine moiety.

New analogues of platelet activating factor (PAF), in which the phosphate and trimethylammonium moieties were replaced with an acylcarbamoyl moiety and a quaternary cyclic ammonium group, were synthesized. Their biological activities as PAF antagonists were evaluated by the inhibition of PAF-induced rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro and protective effects on PAF-induced hypotension in rats and PAF-induced death in mice. Investigation of structure-activity relationships revealed that PAF antagonist activity is strongly influenced by the acyl substituent of the nitrogen atom on the carbamoyl group and the nature of the polar head group at the 3-position of the glycerin backbone. Among the compounds tested, 2-[[N-acetyl-N-[[2-methoxy-3-[ (octadecylcarbamoyl)oxy]propoxy]-carbonyl]amino] methyl]-1-ethylpyridinium chloride (21, CV-6209) was one of the most potent compounds in the in vitro assay (IC50 = 7.5 X 10(-8) M) and the most potent and long-lasting in the in vivo assays. (R)-(-)-21 and (S)-(+)-21 were also synthesized, and no significant differences were observed in PAF antagonist activity in vitro and an inhibitory effect on PAF induced hypotension in vivo between (RS)-21 and its enantiomers.

Computed tomographic appearance of resectable pancreatic carcinoma.

Thirteen patients with resectable pancreatic carcinoma were examined by computed tomography (CT). Nine had a mass, 2 had dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, 1 appeared to have ductal dilatation, and 1 had no sign of abnormality. Resectable carcinoma was diagnosed retrospectively in 8 cases, based on the following criteria: a mass with a distinct contour, frequently containing a tiny or irregular low-density area and accompanied by dilatation of the caudal portion of the main pancreatic duct without involvement of the large vessels, liver, or lymph nodes. Including unresectable cancer, chronic pancreatitis, and obstructive jaundice from causes other than cancer, the false-positive rate was less than 6%. However, a small cancer without change in pancreatic contour is difficult to detect with CT.