In vivo interfacial adaptation of class II resin composite restorations with and without a flowable resin composite liner.

The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the interfacial adaptation of class II resin composite restorations with and without a flowable liner. In 24 premolars scheduled to be extracted after 1 month, 48 box-shaped, enamel-bordered class II cavities were prepared and restored with a flowable liner (FRC, Tetric Flow/Tetric Ceram/Syntac Single-Component) or without (TRC), cured with three different curing modes: soft start and 500- or 700-mW/cm2 continuous irradiation. Interfacial adaptation was evaluated by quantitative scanning electron microscopic analysis using replica method. Gap-free adaptation in the cervical enamel (CE) was observed for FRC and TRC in 96.2 and 90.2%, for the dentin (D) in 63.6 and 64.9%, and for occlusal enamel (OE) in 99.7 and 99.5%, respectively. The difference between the two restorations was not statistically significant (ns). Significant better adaptation was observed for OE than CE and D (p<0.01), and for CE than D (p<0.01). Gap-free adaptation with the soft-start and 500- and 700-mW/cm2 continuous-curing modes was observed for CE: 88.7%, 92.7%, 97.9% (ns); OE: 99.8%, 98.7%, 100% (ns); and D: 64.0%, 63.9%, and 64.6% (ns), respectively. It can be concluded that neither the use of flowable resin composite liner nor the curing mode used influenced the interfacial adaptation.

Interfacial adaptation of a calcium aluminate cement used in class II cavities, in vivo.

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the interfacial marginal adaptation of a calcium aluminate cement, Doxadent (DD), and to compare it intra-individually with a resin composite, Tetric Ceram/Syntac Single-Component (TC/SS), in Class II cavities. Sixteen Class II box-shaped, enamel-bordered cavities were prepared in eight premolars scheduled to be extracted after 1 month's service for orthodontic reasons. The interfacial marginal adaptation (internal surfaces) of the restorations was evaluated by a quantitative scanning electron microscope analysis using a replica method. DD showed a statistically significant, lower degree of gap-free adaptation to enamel compared with TC/SS: 84% vs. 93%. To dentin, DD showed a significantly better adaptation than TC/SS: 72% vs. 49%. A high frequency of enamel fractures perpendicular to the margins was observed for the DD restorations, which may be explained by an expansion of the calcium-aluminate cement. It can be concluded that DD showed a better adaptation to dentin while TC/SS showed a better adaptation to enamel. The dimensional changes of DD have to be investigated before clinical use can be recommended.

Capture of a dimeric intermediate during transthyretin amyloid formation.

Point mutations in the human plasma protein transthyretin are associated with the neurological disorder familial amyloidosis with polyneuropathy type 1. The disease is characterized by amyloid fibril deposits causing damage at the site of deposition. Substitution of two amino acids in the hydrophobic core of transthyretin lead to a mutant that was very prone to form amyloid. In addition, this mutant has also been shown to induce a toxic response on a neuroblastoma cell line. Renaturation of the transthyretin mutant at low temperature facilitated the isolation of an amyloid-forming intermediate state having the apparent size of a dimer. Increasing the temperature effectively enhanced the rate of interconversion from a partly denatured protein to mature amyloid. Using circular dichroism the beta-sheet content of the formed mature fibrils was significantly lower than that of the native fold of transthyretin. Morphology studies using electron microscopy also indicated a temperature-dependent transformation from amorphous aggregates toward mature amyloid fibrils. In addition, 1-anilino-8-naphtalenesulfonate fluorescence studies suggested the loss of the thyroxin-binding channel within both the isolated intermediate and the mature fibrils.

Interfacial adaptation of a Class II polyacid-modified resin composite/resin composite laminate restoration in vivo.

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the interfacial adaptation of Class II resin composite open sandwich restorations with a polyacid-modified resin composite as a stress-absorbing layer (PMRC/RC). Twenty Class II box-shaped, enamel-bordered cavities were prepared in 10 premolars scheduled to be extracted for orthodontic reasons. An open PMRC/RC sandwich restoration was placed in 1 of the cavities of each tooth. The first layer, PMRC, in the proximal box extended to the periphery in the cervical part of the cavity. The following RC layers were placed with a horizontally incremental technique. The PMRC was excluded from the control cavity. The teeth were extracted after 1 month and the interfacial adaptation of the restorations was studied with quantitative scanning electron microscope analysis using a replicate technique. Gap-free interfacial adaptation was observed for the PMRC/RC and RC restorations in cervical enamel in 97% and 73%, respectively (P = 0.006). The gap-free scores for dentin were 87% and 64%, respectively (P = 0.022). Excellent interfacial adaptation was observed in both groups for the occlusal enamel 99% and 100%, respectively. The adaptation to occlusal enamel for the direct resin composite restorations was significantly better than to dentin or cervical enamel. A higher frequency of enamel fractures was observed parallel to the cervical margins compared to the occlusal. No dentin fractures were observed in the experimental groups. The PMRC/RC sandwich technique showed a statistically significant improved interfacial adaptation to dentin and cervical enamel in Class II enamel-bordered cavities. The clinical significance of the differences has to be evaluated.

Role of motility in adherence to and invasion of a fish cell line by Vibrio anguillarum.

To understand further the role of the flagellum of Vibrio anguillarum in virulence, invasive and adhesive properties of isogenic motility mutants were analyzed by using a chinook salmon embryo cell line. Adhesion was unaffected but invasion of the cell line was significantly decreased in nonmotile or partially motile mutants, and the chemotactic mutant was hyperinvasive. These results suggest that active motility aids invasion by V. anguillarum, both in vivo and in vitro.

Temporomandibular joint condyle changes after surgically induced non-reducing disk displacement in rabbits: a macroscopic and microscopic study.

Experimentally induced displacement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk has previously been shown to induce shortening of the mandibular ramus on the ipsilateral side. The aim of this investigation was to reveal whether this shortening develops due to primary influence on condyle growth or by secondary loss of condyle mass due to degenerative tissue breakdown. Disk displacement was created in the right TMJ in seven 3-month-old rabbits, the posterior disk attachment kept intact. Seven rabbits underwent surgical opening of the TMJ without disk intervention. Seven additional animals served as references. After a 3-month experimental period, the animals were sacrificed. Previous analysis revealed shortening of mandibular height and length caused by ipsilateral TMJ disk displacement. The condyles were examined macroscopically and by histologic sectioning or scanning electron microscopy. All condyles were covered with smooth articulating soft tissue and without visible signs of degenerative changes. Four condyles from joints with disk displacement demonstrated substantial regressive remodeling resulting in a change of condyle shape with forward/downward rotation of an enlarged articulating surface. It was concluded that TMJ disk displacement in a growing individual can induce reduction of mandibular height and length before a stage where visible osteoarthrotic changes develop. It implies a primary adverse effect on condyle growth.

Bronchoalveolar inflammation after exposure to diesel exhaust: comparison between unfiltered and particle trap filtered exhaust.

OBJECTIVES: Air pollution particulates have been identified as having adverse effects on respiratory health. The present study was undertaken to further clarify the effects of diesel exhaust on bronchoalveolar cells and soluble components in normal healthy subjects. The study was also designed to evaluate whether a ceramic particle trap at the end of the tail pipe, from an idling engine, would reduce indices of airway inflammation. METHODS: The study comprised three exposures in all 10 healthy never smoking subjects; air, diluted diesel exhaust, and diluted diesel exhaust filtered with a ceramic particle trap. The exposures were given for 1 hour in randomised order about 3 weeks apart. The diesel exhaust exposure apperatus has previously been carefully developed and evaluated. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed 24 hours after exposures and the lavage fluids from the bronchial and bronchoalveolar region were analysed for cells and soluble components. RESULTS: The particle trap reduced the mean steady state number of particles by 50%, but the concentrations of the other measured compounds were almost unchanged. It was found that diesel exhaust caused an increase in neutrophils in airway lavage, together with an adverse influence on the phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages in vitro. Furthermore, the diesel exhaust was found to be able to induce a migration of alveolar macrophages into the airspaces, together with reduction in CD3+CD25+ cells. (CD = cluster of differentiation) The use of the specific ceramic particle trap at the end of the tail pipe was not sufficient to completely abolish these effects when interacting with the exhaust from an idling vehicle. CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that exposure to diesel exhaust may induce neutrophil and alveolar macrophage recruitment into the airways and suppress alveolar macrophage function. The particle trap did not cause significant reduction of effects induced by diesel exhaust compared with unfiltered diesel exhaust. Further studies are warranted to evaluate more efficient treatment devices to reduce adverse reactions to diesel exhaust in the airways.

Efficiency of automotive cabin air filters to reduce acute health effects of diesel exhaust in human subjects.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficiency of different automotive cabin air filters to prevent penetration of components of diesel exhaust and thereby reduce biomedical effects in human subjects. Filtered air and unfiltered diluted diesel exhaust (DDE) were used as negative and positive controls, respectively, and were compared with exposure to DDE filtered with four different filter systems. METHODS: 32 Healthy non-smoking subjects (age 21-53) participated in the study. Each subject was exposed six times for 1 hour in a specially designed exposure chamber: once to air, once to unfiltered DDE, and once to DDE filtered with the four different cabin air filters. Particle concentrations during exposure to unfiltered DDE were kept at 300 micrograms/m3. Two of the filters were particle filters. The other two were particle filters combined with active charcoal filters that might reduce certain gaseous components. Subjective symptoms were recorded and nasal airway lavage (NAL), acoustic rhinometry, and lung function measurements were performed. RESULTS: The two particle filters decreased the concentrations of diesel exhaust particles by about half, but did not reduce the intensity of symptoms induced by exhaust. The combination of active charcoal filters and a particle filter significantly reduced the symptoms and discomfort caused by the diesel exhaust. The most noticable differences in efficacy between the filters were found in the reduction of detection of an unpleasant smell from the diesel exhaust. In this respect even the two charcoal filter combinations differed significantly. The efficacy to reduce symptoms may depend on the abilities of the filters investigated to reduce certain hydrocarbons. No acute effects on NAL, rhinometry, and lung function variables were found. CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown that the use of active charcoal filters, and a particle filter, clearly reduced the intensity of symptoms induced by diesel exhaust. Complementary studies on vehicle cabin air filters may result in further diminishing the biomedical effects of diesel exhaust in subjects exposed in traffic and workplaces.

The effect of pretreatment with an oxalic acid solution on marginal adaptation to enamel in vivo.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: New acids such as oxalic acid have been introduced as a conditioning agent in the total-etch technique. There is concern about long-term retention of the acid on enamel in relation to the superficial etch effect. PURPOSE: This in vivo study evaluated the marginal adaptation to enamel conditioned with either and oxalic acid solution or a phosphoric acid with SEM replica technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four patients received one of each of three class III restorations. Two cavity preparations were pretreated with aluminum nitrate/oxalic acid/glycine solution 1 of the Gluma 2000 system. The first cavity was primed and sealed with Gluma 2000 solution 2, the second cavity with Gluma 3 and 4. The third cavity was conditioned with phosphoric acid (Gluma 1) and sealed with the bonding resin Gluma 4. All three cavities were restored with a hybrid resin composite (Pekafill). At baseline and after 1 year, replica impressions were made to study the margins with SEM. Semiquantitative analysis of the enamel interfaces was performed (x200 and x1000 magnifications). Marginal quality of the three restorative systems were compared and tested intraindividually. RESULTS: The three restorations exhibited good enamel marginal adaptation and a high percentage of gap-free margins at baseline, 96% to 97% of the total length of margins investigated. Marginal quality decreased significantly after 1 year for all three groups. Gap-free margins were observed in 81% to 85% of the marginal length. No significant differences were found among the groups. CONCLUSION: Despite a less pronounced etch pattern created by conditioning of enamel with the oxalic acid solution, a good enamel marginal quality was observed at both evaluation times, comparable to the marginal adaptation of the phosphoric acid conditioned cavities.

Phosphoinositide metabolism and shape control in sheep red blood cells.

Metabolic depletion of sheep red blood cells leads to decreased intracellular concentrations of ATP and reduced glutathione as well as degradation of phosphoinositides. In sheep red blood cells, depletion of ATP induced two types of shape transformation: one early phase involving formation of protrusions on the cell surface similar to those observed upon depletion of human red blood cells; and one late phase, in which the sheep red blood cells develop long, rod-shaped projections. During the initial stages of shape changes, degradation of the phosphoinositides parallels the discocyte-echinocyte transformation, thus giving further support to a shape-controlling mechanism based on the bilayer-couple hypothesis. However, formation of the long projections does not coincide with turnover of the phosphoinositides but rather with the level of reduced glutathione. This indicates that development of these rod-like extensions on the cell surface is induced by oxidative processes that may well involve cross-linking of membrane skeleton proteins.

Directed polymerization shrinkage versus a horizontal incremental filling technique: interfacial adaptation in vivo in Class II cavities.

PURPOSE: (1) To evaluate the interfacial adaptation to dentin and enamel of Class II composite resin restorations placed in vivo with the directed shrinkage technique, a combination of a self-curing (Bisfil 2B) and a light-curing composite resin (AElitefil); (2) To compare this technique with a horizontal incremental filling technique, where the gingival layer of the light-curing composite resin was cured with a transparent light-tip; (3) To evaluate the effect of a hydrophilic bonding system (All-Bond 2) on the marginal adaptation of both application techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In each of 34 premolars, scheduled to be extracted for orthodontic reasons, a mesial and a distal cavity was restored with composite resin filling material using the directed shrinkage technique (Bisfil 2B/AElitefil) and a horizontal incremental filling technique (AElitefil). In six groups, a hydrophilic dentin bonding system (All-Bond 2) was applied. As control, an enamel bonding agent (Gluma 4) was used in one of the directed shrinkage and in one of the horizontal incremental filling groups. For conditioning of the cavities a 10% phosphoric acid gel was used in six groups and a 32% acid gel in the other two groups. The teeth were extracted after 1 month, sectioned and replicas of the sections were made. Quality of the interfacial adaptation was studied with a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: On the pairwise comparisons between the two application groups, no significant differences were found between the directed shrinkage technique and the horizontal incremental filling technique. The groups using the hydrophilic bonding system showed a significant better adaptation, with gap-free attachment in 77%-87% of the length of the dentin margins investigated. No significant differences for adaptation to enamel were seen between the investigated groups. The adhesive failures were found mostly between the hybrid layer and the composite resin, while the dentin was still sealed. No significant difference in interfacial quality was seen between the cavities using the 10% or the 32% phosphoric acid conditioning. A relative high frequency of enamel fractures, parallel to the interfaces, was found in the 10% phosphoric acid-conditioned cavities, especially in the cervical enamel interfaces.

Interfacial adaptation of in vivo aged polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) restorations in primary molars. A SEM evaluation.

Polyacid-modified resin composite (PMC) restorations are being increasingly used in class II cavities in primary teeth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the interfacial adaptation of 1-month- and 30-month-old in vivo restorations by quantitative scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation. Twelve PMC restorations were performed under clinically controlled conditions in primary molars planned for extraction 1 month later for orthodontic reasons. Eleven other PMC restorations, aged 30 months (range 1.5-3 years) and part of a multicenter study, were collected after exfoliation. To observe the interfacial adaptation of each restoration at several levels a thin layer of the proximal surface was ground off 2-3 times. Replica impressions of each level were prepared for SEM. The interfaces of the replicas were evaluated at x200 and x1000. In the 1-month-old restorations gap-free adaptation to enamel was found in 87% and to dentin in 84% of the total interfacial length investigated. For the 30-month-old restorations gap-free adaptation was registered in 59 and 63%, respectively. The interfacial quality was significantly better in the 1-month-old restorations than in those 30 months of age. Adaptation to enamel was significantly better in the cervical part of the 1-month-old restorations than in the axial walls, whereas there was no significant difference in dentin. No significant difference was found between the cervical and axial cavity walls of the 30-month-old restorations. Enamel fractures were registered in 31 and 24%, respectively of the interfacial length of the 1-month- and 30-month-old restorations. The corresponding findings in dentin were 0 and 0.9%. It can be concluded that restorations aged for a short time showed a high percentage of sealing, which decreased significantly for the 30-month-old ones.

Marginal adaptation to enamel of a polyacid-modified resin composite (compomer) and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement in vivo.

Recently, new restoratives, such as resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGIC) and polyacid-modified resin composites (PMC) were introduced for class III and class V cavities. Both materials use simplified cavity conditioning methods. The well-established treatment of enamel with phosphoric acid has been replaced with treatment using weaker acids. The purpose of this study was to investigate in vivo the quality and durability of the marginal bond to enamel of these restorative system and compare it with a resin composite restorative, Seventeen patients received class III restorations of each of the three restoratives. At baseline and after 1 year replica impressions were made for investigation of the vestibular margins with the scanning electron microscope. Semi-quantitative analysis of the enamel-restorative interfaces was performed at x200 and x1000 magnifications. The three restorative systems showed good marginal adaptation and high percentages of the length of the margins investigated at baseline were gap-free (82%-92%). The resin composite showed significantly better adaptation than the other materials. The marginal quality decreased significantly after 1 year for the resin composite and the polyacid-modified resin composite. The RMGIC showed improved sealing after 1 year in vivo, probably due to continuing water uptake. The percentages of gap-free margins of the total marginal length observed at 1 year were 73%, 90%, and 84%, respectively, for the PMC, the RMGIC and the resin composite. The difference between the PMC and the RMGIC was significant. In conclusion, a good marginal quality was seen for all three restorative systems in class III cavities after a period of 1 year.

Marginal breakdown of 5-year-old direct composite inlays.

OBJECTIVES: The marginal fit of tooth-coloured inlays luted with composite resin luting materials has been considered to be the weak link of the inlays. The marginal breakdown of 5-year-old direct composite resin inlays was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. METHODS: Replica impressions were made of the occlusal, axial-proximal and accessible cervical-proximal margins of 21 inlays and the marginal quality was quantified. RESULTS: More than 84% of the total investigated length of the enamel/luting composite agent-luting composite/composite inlay interfaces revealed gap free margins. Proximal margins showed the largest breakdown at the enamel/composite resin interface, while the occlusal margin interfaces showed only a slight difference between the interfaces. The composite inlay and the luting composite resin showed a similar degree of wear in more than 50% of the evaluated marginal length. Medium gap width varied between 60 microns for the occlusal and axial-proximal and 87 microns for the cervical-proximal margins, with a range of 7.6-266 microns. CONCLUSIONS: The direct composite inlays investigated showed good marginal integrity after 5 years in clinical service.

Identification and characterization of additional flagellin genes from Vibrio anguillarum.

Previously, the flagellar filament of Vibrio anguillarum was suggested to consist of flagellin A and three additional flagellin proteins, FlaB, -C, and -D. This study identifies the genes encoding FlaB, -C, and -D and a possible fifth flagellin gene that may encode FlaE. The flagellin genes map at two separate DNA loci and are most similar to the four polar flagellin genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, also located at two DNA loci. The genetic organization of these two loci is conserved between both organisms. For each gene, in-frame deletions of the entire gene, the 5' end, and the 3' end were made. Mutant analysis showed that each mutation, except those in flaE, caused a loss of flagellin from the filament. However, no obvious structural loss in the filament, as determined by electron microscopy, and only slight decreases in motility were seen. Virulence analysis indicated that all but two of the mutations gave a wild-type phenotype. The 5'-end deletions of flaD and flaE decreased virulence significantly (>10(4)-fold) of infections via both the intraperitoneal and immersion routes. These results indicate that, like FlaA, FlaD and FlaE may also be involved in virulence.

Flagellin A is essential for the virulence of Vibrio anguillarum.

A flagellin gene from the fish pathogen Vibrio anguillarum was cloned, sequenced, and mutagenized. The DNA sequence suggests that the flaA gene encodes a 40.1-kDa protein and is a single transcriptional unit. A polar mutation and four in-frame deletion mutations (180 bp deleted from the 5' end of the gene, 153 bp deleted from the 3' end of the gene, a double deletion of both the 180- and 153-bp deletions, and 942 bp deleted from the entire gene) were made. Compared with the wild type, all mutants were partially motile, and a shortening of the flagellum was seen by electron microscopy. Wild-type phenotypes were regained when the mutations were transcomplemented with the flaA gene. Protein analysis indicated that the flaA gene corresponds to a 40-kDa protein and that the flagellum consists of three additional flagellin proteins with molecular masses of 41, 42, and 45 kDa. N-terminal sequence analysis confirmed that the additional proteins were flagellins with N termini that are 82 to 88% identical to the N terminus of FlaA. Virulence studies showed that the N terminal deletion, the double deletion, and the 942-bp deletion increased the 50% lethal dose between 70- and 700-fold via immersion infection, whereas infection via intraperitoneal injection showed no loss in virulence. In contrast, the polar mutant and the carboxy-terminal deletion mutant showed approximately a 10(4)-fold increase in the 50% lethal dose by both immersion and intraperitoneal infection. In summary, FlaA is needed for crossing the fish integument and may play a role in virulence after invasion of the host.

Marginal breakdown of fired ceramic inlays cemented with glass polyalkenoate (ionomer) cement or resin composite.

The marginal breakdown of fired porcelain inlays in vivo, luted with either a dual-cured resin composite or a glass polyalkenoate(ionomer) cement, was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Immediately following polishing (baseline) and after 1 year, replica impressions were made of the occlusal and proximal margins of two inlays, one cemented with the resin composite and the other with the glass ionomer cement, in each of 12 patients. At baseline the best marginal adaptation was observed along the proximal margins of the composite luted inlays, while occlusally glass ionomer luted inlays showed better marginal qualities than the composite luted inlays. At 1 year the composite luted inlays showed significantly better marginal adaptation than the glass ionomer luted ones at all interfaces. The greatest breakdown was observed occlusally, especially in the glass ionomer luted inlays. Gap sizes varied proximally between 83 and 100 microns and occlusally between 107 and 143 microns. Severe ditching was observed occlusally in the glass ionomer luted inlays. The overall marginal quality was significantly better for the inlays luted with the resin composite both at baseline and after 1 year.

Evaluation of an exposure setup for studying effects of diesel exhaust in humans.

Diesel exhaust is a common air pollutant and work exposure has been reported to cause discomfort and affect lung function. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental setup which would allow investigation of acute effects on symptoms and lung function in humans exposed to diluted diesel exhaust. Diluted diesel exhaust was fed from an idling lorry through heated tubes into an exposure chamber. During evaluations of the setup we found the size and the shape of the exhaust particles to appear unchanged during the transport from the tail pipe to the exposure chamber. The composition of the diesel exhaust expressed as the ratios CO/NO, total hydrocarbons/NO, particles/NO, NO2/NO, and formaldehyde/NO were almost constant at different dilutions. The concentrations of NO2 and particles in the exposure chamber showed no obvious gradients. New steady state concentrations in the exposure chamber were obtained within 5-7 min. In a separate experiment eight healthy nonsmoking subjects were exposed to diluted exhaust at a median steady state concentration of 1.6 ppm NO2 for the duration of 1 h in the exposure chamber. All subjects experienced unpleasant smell, eye irritation, and nasal irritation. Throat irritation, headache, dizziness, nausea, tiredness, and coughing were experienced by some subjects. Lung function was not found to be affected during the exposure. The experimental setup was found to be appropriate for creating different predetermined steady state concentrations in the exposure chamber of diluted exhaust from a continuously idling vehicle. The acute symptoms reported by the subjects were relatively similar to what patients reported at different workplaces.

Bronchial mucosal structure after histamine inhalation.

Previous studies have shown an increased number of inflammatory cells and an increased level of hyaluronan in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, 24 h after the inhalation of histamine. In the present report, the influence of histamine inhalation on the bronchial mucosa was, therefore, investigated in 20 subjects. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that small areas of the mucosal surface were altered or lacked cilia more frequently in the bronchial biopsies taken 24 h after the inhalation of histamine than in the control biopsies. In contrast, light and transmission electron microscopy revealed no increase in epithelial damage and no changes in the subepithelial morphology. The results indicate that inhalation of histamine does not significantly alter the structure of the bronchial mucosa, which means that bronchial biopsies can be taken for routine morphological examination within 24 h after a histamine test. When using the biopsies in research, one should consider the possible influence of the histamine test.

Comparative SEM studies of the enamel surface appearance following the use of glass ionomer cement and a diacrylate resin for bracket bonding.

The enamel surface appearance after the use of glass ionomer cement and a diacrylate resin for orthodontic bracket bonding was compared in an in vivo test using scanning electron microscopy and an enamel surface index system. Significant alterations in the enamel surface were found irrespective of the bonding procedure. The use of glass ionomer cement resulted however in a somewhat less affected enamel surface compared to the acrylate resin.