Morphological tongue and palate characterizations in Trachemys adiutrix (Vanzolini, 1995) turtles.

Morphological studies on the oropharyngeal cavity of turtles are an interesting tool in understanding evolutionary processes associated with feeding habits. There is paucity of morphological information on the oropharyngeal cavity of the Trachemys adiutrix turtle. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe the tongue and palate morphology of T. adiutrix to establish a standard model for the species, providing information that may improve knowledge on the species feeding habits. Gross dissection, light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy assessments of 11 specimens were carried out. The tongue of T. adiutrix is triangular with a slightly rounded apex and broad base and lingual papillae widely distributed throughout the entire dorsal surface. The palate is composed of bony structures, displaying a triangular apex with one pair of choanae and palatine raphe that begin in the middle region, dividing the two openings. The body was elongated and smooth. The root was wrinkled and opened into the oesophagus. The tongue was lined by non-keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, rich in mucous cells and a large number of different-shaped papillae and taste buds. The palate was mainly lined by a pseudostratified cylindrical ciliated epithelium rich in mucous cells. In conclusion, the tongue and palate characteristics of T. adiutrix include evidence that these animals are semiaquatic, displaying morphological characteristics associated with aquatic and terrestrial trophic ecology, similar to that observed in other semiaquatic and terrestrial chelonian species.

Antimicrobial effects of silver nanoparticles and extracts of Syzygium cumini flowers and seeds: Periodontal, cariogenic and opportunistic pathogens.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial effects of lyophilized hydroalcoholic extract (HEScSeed and HEScFlower) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs-HEScSeed and AgNPs-HEScFlower) of S. cumini seed and flower, and to characterize some compounds of these extracts and their NPs. DESIGN: Phytochemical screening was performed by GC-MS. Nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrophotometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and field emission gun (FEG), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential (ZP). Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were analyzed by broth microdilution and agar diffusion methods. RESULTS: HEScSeed and HEScFlower showed 7 and 17 phytochemical compounds, respectively. AgNPs-plant extracts were reported as stable and with variable shapes and sizes. All studied species (A. naeslundii, C. albicans, F. nucleatum, S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. mutans, S. oralis and V. dispar) were susceptible to extracts and AgNPs-plant extracts, with varying degrees of antimicrobial activities (extract: 648.4-5,187.5 µg/mL; AgNPs-plant: 31.2-2,000 µg/mL). CONCLUSION: The extracts of S. cumini seed and flower have antimicrobial action against pathogens of medical and dental interest, whose MIC and MMC are species-dependent. The AgNPs-HEScSeed and AgNPs-HEScFlower have different shapes, sizes, organic compounds, stability and electronegativity (capping), characteristics that contribute to their bacteriostatic and fungistatic effects, but at significantly lower concentrations than plant extracts.

Charred: Forensic dental identification and scanning electron microscope.

The identification of bone and dental remains to establish identity, requested by police and judicial authorities, has increased annually because criminals have been using sophisticated methods that make this identification impractical. This study reports a murder case by charring, which creates dental and bone calcination. In 2013, a completely burned car was examined by forensic experts, containing charred, calcined human bones and teeth inside its trunk, thus an identity needed to be established. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used as a supporting method and indicated the presence of restorative materials, which were compatible and consistent with the chart and radiographic shots provided by the victim's dental surgeon. The SEM examination reinforced the positive identification of the alleged victim performed by comparative radiographic examinations (antemortem and postmortem) in the dental fragments found. It is a supporting method that, even though it does not establish the identity, it helps in the process of identification.

Solubilidade de cimentos de ionômero de vidro indicados para o Tratamento Restaurador Atraumático / Solubility of Glass Ionomer Cements Indicated for Atraumatic Restorative Treatment

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e comparar a solubilidade de quatro cimentos de ionômero de vidro disponíveis comercialmente e indicados para a técnica do Tratamento Restaurador Atraumático (ART), quando expostos ao meio ácido (tampão lactato) e neutro (água). Para cada cimento de ionômero de vidro, 8 corpos-de-prova foram obtidos em matrizes plásticas com dimensões especificadas pela ISO 7849. Dois corpos-de-prova suspensos por fios de aço inoxidável dentro de cada frasco "pesa filtro", foram imersos em 50 mL de água deionizada ou 50 mL de solução tampão lactato (pH 2,74), preparada segundo as recomendações da ISO 9917. Para cada série de experimento, outro frasco "pesa filtro" contendo apenas os 50mL de solução tampão lactato ou água destilada foi usado como controle. Nestas condições, os frascos "pesa filtro" foram armazenados sob temperatura de 37oC, durante 23 horas. O conteúdo solúvel para cada par de corpos-de-prova, em porcentagem, foi calculado seguindo a especificação da ISO 7849. O cimento de ionômero de vidro Ketac Molar Easymix apresentou valor percentual de solubilidade significantemente (p< 0,05) menor tanto no tampão lactato (8,70%) como em água (0,06%), em relação aos demais materiais Vitro Molar (12,17% e 0,10%), Vidrion R (13,29% e 0,26%) e Maxxion R (30,07% e 1,85%). Os quatro cimentos de ionômero de vidro foram significativamente mais solúveis em meio ácido do que em água e o material Ketac Molar Easymix apresentou menor solubilidade em ácido e água.

This study evaluated and compared the solubility of four commercially available glass ionomer cements indicated for Atraumatic Restorarative Treatment (ART), after immersion in acid and water environments. Eight specimens for each brand were obtained using a plastic ring mold with dimensions specified by ISO 7849. Two specimens of the same material were suspended by a platinum wire inside weighing bottles containing 50 mL of water or a lactate buffer solution (pH=2.74) prepared according to ISO 9917. Simultaneously, a clean weighing bottle with either lactate buffer or distilled water was used as a blank estimation for each specimen pair. The weighing bottles were stored at 37oC for 23 hours. The leachable content of each specimen pair in acid or water was calculated as a percentage by mass, according to ISO 7849. Ketac Molar Easymix revealed the statistically lowest solubility in acid (8.70%) and neutral water environments (0.06%) compared to Vitro Molar (12.17% and 0.10%), Vidrion R (13.29% and 0.26%) and Maxxion R (30.07% e 1.85%). All glass ionomer cements showed statically higher solubility in acid compared to water. Ketac Easy Mix cement presented the lowest solubility in both environments.

Assessment of current adhesives in class I cavity: Nondestructive imaging using optical coherence tomography and microtensile bond strength.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the sealing ability and the microtensile bond strength (MTBS) of different adhesive systems bonded to dentin in class I cavities. METHODS: Round tapered dentin cavities (3-mm diameter, 1.5-mm height) prepared in extracted human molars were restored using composite resin (Clearfil Majesty Posterior) with two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2: ASB2), two-step self-etch adhesive (Clearfil SE Bond: CSEB), all-in-one adhesives (G-Bond Plus: GBP; Tri-S Bond Plus: TSBP), or no adhesive (Control), or bonded using low-shrinkage composite with its proper adhesive (Filtek Silorane, Silorane Adhesive System: FSS). After 24-h water storage or 10,000 cycles of thermal stress, the specimens were immersed into a contrast agent. Two and three-dimensional images were obtained using optical coherence tomography (OCT). The mean percentage of high brightness (HB%) at the interfacial zone in cross-sectional images was calculated as an indicator of contrast agent or gap at the interface. The specimens were then sectioned into beams and the MTBS measured. RESULTS: The HB% (ASB2=TSBP=CSEBTSBP=GBP=FSS, ASB2>FSS) differed significantly among the adhesives. After aging, HB% increased for GBP and FSS specimens, and the MTBS decreased for FSS specimens (ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc, p<0.05). The HB% and MTBS were significantly and negatively correlated (p=0.002). Confocal laser scanning and scanning electron micrographs confirmed contrast agent infiltration within the gap. SIGNIFICANCE: There was a significant correlation between sealing performance and bond strength of the adhesives in the whole cavity. After aging, the two-step systems showed equal or superior performance to the all-in-one and Silorane systems.

Hybridization quality and bond strength of adhesive systems according to interaction with dentin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the hybridization quality and bond strength of adhesives to dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten human molars were ground to expose the dentin and then sectioned in four tooth-quarters. They were randomly divided into 5 groups according to the adhesive used: Two single-step self-etch adhesives - Adper Prompt (ADP) and Xeno III (XE), two two-step self-etching primer systems - Clearfil SE Bond (SE) and Adhe SE (ADSE), and one one-step etch-and-rinse system - Adper Single Bond (SB). Resin composite (Filtek Z250) crown buildups were made on the bonded surfaces and incrementally light-cured for 20 s. The restored tooth-quarters were stored in water at 37°C for 24 h and then sectioned into beams (0.8 mm(2) in cross-section). Maximal microtensile bond strength (µ-TBS) was recorded (0.5 mm/min in crosshead speed). The results were submitted to one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test (α = 0.05). Thirty additional teeth were used to investigate the hybridization quality by SEM using silver methenamine or ammoniacal silver nitrate dyes. RESULTS: SE reached significantly higher µ-TBS (P < 0.05); no significance was found between ADSE and XE (P > 0.05), and between SB and ADP (P > 0.05); ADSE and XE were significantly higher than SB and ADP (P < 0.05). The bonding interface of SB showed the most intense silver uptake. SE and ADSE showed more favorable hybridization quality than that observed for ADP and XE. CONCLUSIONS: The bond strength and hybridization quality were affected by the interaction form of the adhesives with dentin. The hybridization quality was essential to improve the immediate µ-TBS to dentin.

Permeability of Dental Adhesives - A SEM Assessment.

OBJECTIVES: To morphologically evaluate the permeability of different commercial dental adhesives using scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: SEVEN ADHESIVE SYSTEMS WERE EVALUATED: one three-step system (Scotchbond Multi-Purpose - MP); one two-step self-etching primer system (Clearfil SE Bond - SE); three two-step etch-and-rinse systems (Single Bond 2 - SB; Excite - EX; One-Step - OS); and two single-step self-etching adhesives (Adper Prompt - AP; One-Up Bond F - OU). The mixture of primer and bond agents of the Clearfil SE Bond system (SE-PB) was also tested. The adhesives were poured into a brass mold (5.8 mm x 0.8 mm) and light-cured for 80 s at 650 mW/cm2. After a 24 h desiccation process, the specimens were immersed in a 50% ammoniac silver nitrate solution for tracer permeation. Afterwards, they were sectioned in ultra-fine slices, carbon-coated, and analyzed under backscattered electrons in a scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: MP and SE showed slight and superficial tracer permeation. In EX, SB, and OS, permeation extended beyond the inner superficies of the specimens. SE-PB did not mix well, and most of the tracer was precipitated into the primer agent. In AP and OU, "water-trees" were observed all over the specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Different materials showed distinct permeability in aqueous solution. The extent of tracer permeation varied according to the composition of each material and it was more evident in the more hydrophilic and solvated ones.