Molecular Weight-Dependent Diffusion, Biodistribution, and Clearance Behavior of Tetra-Armed Poly(ethylene glycol) Subcutaneously Injected into the Back of Mice.

Four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)s are essential hydrophilic polymers extensively utilized to prepare PEG hydrogels, which are valuable tissue scaffolds. When hydrogels are used in vivo, they eventually dissociate due to cleavage of the backbone structure. When the cleavage occurs at the cross-linking point, the hydrogel elutes as an original polymer unit, i.e., four-armed PEG. Although four-armed PEGs have been utilized as subcutaneously implanted biomaterials, the diffusion, biodistribution, and clearance behavior of four-armed PEG from the skin are not fully understood. This paper investigates time-wise diffusion from the skin, biodistribution to distant organs, and clearance of fluorescence-labeled four-armed PEGs with molecular weight (Mw) ranging from 5-40 kg/mol subcutaneously injected into the back of mice. Changes over time indicated that the fate of subcutaneously injected PEGs is Mw-dependent. Four-armed PEGs with Mw ≤ 10 kg/mol gradually diffused to deep adipose tissue beneath the injection site and distributed dominantly to distant organs, such as the kidney. PEGs with Mw ≥ 20 kg/mol stagnated in the skin and deep adipose tissue and were mainly delivered to the heart, lung, and liver. The fundamental understanding of the Mw-dependent behavior of four-armed PEGs is beneficial for preparing biomaterials using PEGs, providing a reference in the field of tissue engineering.

Meta-analysis of physical activity and effects of social function and quality of life on the physical activity in patients with schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia patients have increased mortality and morbidity, mainly due to premature cardiovascular disease resulting from decreased physical activity (PA). However, which PA intensity is impaired in the patients and how factors such as social function and quality of life (QoL) are related to decreased PA is unknown. To assess PA, social function and QoL, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Social Functioning Scale (SFS) and Schizophrenia Quality of Life Scale (SQLS), respectively, were used in 109 schizophrenia patients and 69 healthy subjects. A meta-analysis comparing PA intensities (vigorous, moderate and light) assessed by the single PA measurement between schizophrenia patients and healthy subjects after including our case-control sample was performed. Furthermore, the effects of social function and QoL on each level of PA intensity were investigated in patients and controls. The meta-analysis in 212 schizophrenia patients and 132 healthy subjects revealed that patients showed lower total PA, particularly vigorous PA, than controls (I2 = 0, Hedges' g = - 0.41, P = 2.80 × 10-4). The decreased total PA was correlated with impaired total SFS scores (ß = 0.24, P = 2.86 × 10-3), withdrawal (ß = 0.23, P = 3.74 × 10-3) and recreation (ß = 0.23, P = 3.49 × 10-3) without significant heterogeneity between patients and controls. In contrast, the decreased total PA was affected by low independence-performance (ß = 0.22, P = 0.034), employment/occupation (ß = 0.27, P = 8.74 × 10-3), psychosocial (ß = - 0.24, P = 0.021) and motivation/energy (ß = - 0.26, P = 0.013), but only in patients. Similar findings were obtained for vigorous PA but not moderate or light PA. Our findings suggest that the impaired vigorous PA in schizophrenia patients may be mediated by schizophrenia-specific factors of social functioning and QoL. Understanding these factors has important implications for increasing PA participation in schizophrenia patients.

Smoking Rates and Number of Cigarettes Smoked per Day in Schizophrenia: A Large Cohort Meta-Analysis in a Japanese Population.

Background: Cigarette smoking is consistently more common among schizophrenia patients than the general population worldwide; however, the findings of studies in Japan are inconsistent. Recently, the smoking rate has gradually decreased among the general population. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of smoking status in a large Japanese cohort of (1) 1845 schizophrenia patients and 196845 general population and (2) 842 schizophrenia patients and 766 psychiatrically healthy controls from 12 studies over a 25-year period, including 301 patients and 131 controls from our study. Results: In our case-control sample, schizophrenia patients had a significantly higher smoking rate than healthy controls (P=.031). The proportion of heavy smokers (P=.027) and the number of cigarettes smoked per day (P=8.20×10-3) were significantly higher among schizophrenia patients than healthy controls. For the smokers in the schizophrenia group, atypical antipsychotics dosage was positively correlated with cigarettes per day (P=1.00×10-3). A meta-analysis found that schizophrenia patients had a higher smoking rate than the general population for both men (OR=1.53, P=.035; schizophrenia patients, 52.9%; general population, 40.1%) and women (OR=2.40, P=1.08×10-5; schizophrenia patients, 24.4%; general population, 11.8%). In addition, male schizophrenia patients had a higher smoking rate than male healthy controls (OR=2.84, P=9.48×10-3; schizophrenia patients, 53.6%; healthy controls, 32.9%), but the difference was not significant for women (OR=1.36, P=.53; schizophrenia patients, 17.0%; healthy controls,14.1%). Among both males and females, schizophrenia patients had a higher smoking rate than both the general population (OR=1.88, P=2.60×10-5) and healthy controls (OR=2.05, P=.018). These rates were not affected by the patients' recruitment year (P>.05). The cigarettes per day values of schizophrenia patients and the general population were 22.0 and 18.8, respectively. Conclusions: Schizophrenia patients are approximately 2 times more likely to smoke than the general population and healthy controls based on data collected over a decade in Japan.

Self-Organized Superlattice and Phase Coexistence inside Thin Film Organometal Halide Perovskite.

Organometal halide perovskites have attracted widespread attention as the most favorable prospective material for photovoltaic technology because of their high photoinduced charge separation and carrier transport performance. However, the microstructural aspects within the organometal halide perovskite are still unknown, even though it belongs to a crystal system. Here direct observation of the microstructure of the thin film organometal halide perovskite using transmission electron microscopy is reported. Unlike previous reports claiming each phase of the organometal halide perovskite solely exists at a given temperature range, it is identified that the tetragonal and cubic phases coexist at room temperature, and it is confirmed that superlattices composed of a mixture of tetragonal and cubic phases are self-organized without a compositional change. The organometal halide perovskite self-adjusts the configuration of phases and automatically organizes a buffer layer at boundaries by introducing a superlattice. This report shows the fundamental crystallographic information for the organometal halide perovskite and demonstrates new possibilities as promising materials for various applications.

Cognitive clustering in schizophrenia patients, their first-degree relatives and healthy subjects is associated with anterior cingulate cortex volume.

Cognitive impairments are a core feature in schizophrenia patients (SCZ) and are also observed in first-degree relatives (FR) of SCZ. However, substantial variability in the impairments exists within and among SCZ, FR and healthy controls (HC). A cluster-analytic approach can group individuals based on profiles of traits and create more homogeneous groupings than predefined categories. Here, we investigated differences in the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) neuropsychological battery (six subscales) among SCZ, unaffected FR and HC. To identify three homogeneous and meaningful cognitive groups regardless of categorical diagnoses (SCZ, FR and HC), cognitive clustering was performed, and differences in the BACS subscales among the cognitive cluster groups were investigated. Finally, the effects of diagnosis and cognition on brain volumes were examined. As expected, there were significant differences in the five BACS subscales among the diagnostic groups. The cluster-analytic approach generated three meaningful subgroups: (i) neuropsychologically normal, (ii) intermediate impaired and (iii) widespread impaired. The cognitive subgroups were mainly affected by the clinical diagnosis, and significant differences in all BACS subscales among clusters were found. The effects of the diagnosis and cognitive clusters on brain volumes overlapped in the frontal, temporal and limbic regions. Frontal and temporal volumes were mainly affected by the diagnosis, whereas the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) volumes were affected by the additive effects of diagnosis and cognition. Our findings demonstrate a cognitive continuum among SCZ, FR and HC and support the concept of cognitive impairment and the related ACC volumes as intermediate phenotypes in SCZ.

Spatial and temporal expression patterns of genes around nine neuroticism-associated loci.

Neuroticism is a high-order personality trait. Individuals with higher neuroticism have increased risks of various psychiatric disorders and physical health outcomes. Neuroticism is related to physiological differences in the brain. A recent genome-wide association study identified nine distinct genomic loci that contribute to neuroticism. Brain development and function depend on the precise regulation of gene expression, which is differentially regulated across brain regions and developmental stages. Using multiple publicly available human post-mortem databases, we investigated, in brain and non-brain tissues and across several developmental life stages, the spatial and temporal expression patterns of genes arising from nine neuroticism-associated loci. Functional gene-network analysis for neuroticism-associated genes was performed. The spatial expression analysis revealed that the nearest genes (GRIK3, SRP9, KLHL2, PTPRD, ELAVL2, CRHR1 and CELF4) from index single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the nine loci were intensively enriched in the brain compared with their representation in non-brain tissues (p<1.56×10-3). The nearest genes associated with the glutamate receptor activity network consisted mainly of GRIK3 (FDR q=4.25×10-2). The temporal expression analysis revealed that the neuroticism-associated genes were divided into three expression patterns: KLHL2, CELF4 and CRHR1 were preferentially expressed during postnatal stages; PTPRD, ELAVL2 and MFHAS1 were expressed during prenatal stages; and the other three genes were not expressed during specific life stages. These findings suggest that the glutamate network might be a target for investigating the neurobiological mechanisms underlying susceptibilities to higher neuroticism and several psychiatric disorders and that neuroticism is mediated by genes specifically expressed in the brain during several developmental stages.

Effects of phosphate addition on methane fermentation in the batch and upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors.

Ammonia inhibition of methane fermentation is one of the leading causes of failure of anaerobic digestion reactors. In a batch anaerobic digestion reactor with 429 mM NH3-N/L of ammonia, the addition of 25 mM phosphate resulted in an increase in methane production rate. Similar results were obtained with the addition of disodium phosphate in continuous anaerobic digestion using an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor. While methane content and production rate decreased in the presence of more than 143 mM NH3-N/L of ammonium chloride in UASB, the addition of 5 mM disodium phosphate suppressed ammonia inhibition at 214 mM NH3-N/L of ammonium chloride. The addition prevented acetate/propionate accumulation, which might be one of the effects of the phosphate on the ammonia inhibition. The effects on the microbial community in the UASB reactor was also assessed, which was composed of Bacteria involved in hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis, and dehydrogenation, as well as Archaea carrying out methanogenesis. The change in the microbial community was observed by ammonia inhibition and the addition of phosphate. The change indicates that the suppression of ammonia inhibition by disodium phosphate addition could stimulate the activity of methanogens, reduce shift in bacterial community, and enhance hydrogen-producing bacteria. The addition of phosphate will be an important treatment for future studies of methane fermentation.

C/EBPß (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ß) mediates progesterone production through transcriptional regulation in co-operation with SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1).

The transcription factor SF-1 (steroidogenic factor-1) is a master regulator of steroidogenesis. Previously, we have found that SF-1 induces the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into steroidogenic cells. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of SF-1-mediated functions, we attempted to identify protein components of the SF-1 nuclear protein complex in differentiated cells. SF-1 immunoaffinity chromatography followed by MS/MS analysis was performed, and 24 proteins were identified. Among these proteins, we focused on C/EBPß (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ß), which is an essential transcription factor for ovulation and luteinization, as the transcriptional mechanisms of C/EBPß working together with SF-1 are poorly understood. C/EBPß knockdown attenuated cAMP-induced progesterone production in granulosa tumour-derived KGN cells by altering STAR (steroidogenic acute regulatory protein), CYP11A1 (cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) and HSD3B2 (hydroxy-δ-5-steroid dehydrogenase, 3ß- and steroid δ-isomerase 2) expression. EMSA and ChIP assays revealed novel C/EBPß-binding sites in the upstream regions of the HSD3B2 and CYP11A1 genes. These interactions were enhanced by cAMP stimulation. Luciferase assays showed that C/EBPß-responsive regions were found in each promoter and C/EBPß is involved in the cAMP-induced transcriptional activity of these genes together with SF-1. These results indicate that C/EBPß is an important mediator of progesterone production by working together with SF-1, especially under tropic hormone-stimulated conditions.

A retrospective study of fixed dental prostheses without regular maintenance.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate survival rate and the reasons of failure of fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) without having regular maintenance in a long-term after insertion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 55 patients (69 FDPs, 142 abutment teeth) who had received no regular maintenance after insertion of FDPs at the Prosthodontic Clinic, Tohoku University Dental Hospital in Japan from 1983 to 1989. Extraction of abutment teeth or removal of FDPs was considered as failure. Abutment teeth and FDPs requiring additional treatments were considered as the complications. The survival curves were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The reasons for failures and their frequency as well as complications were also examined. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 16.5 years. 14 out of 142 abutment teeth were extracted, resulting in 10% failure rate. 22 out of total 66 FDPs were removed; the failure rate of FDPs was 33%. The most common reason for the failure and complication was periodontal disease. The mean value of plaque index was 43.2%. The analysis of the survival curves with the Kaplan-Meier method showed that the survival rates of FDPs at 15 years after insertion were 74%. As the status before treatment was not clearly stated, we cannot make an easy comparison; however, our data presented very similar results with reports from previous long-term clinical studies. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that the abutment teeth and FDPs in patients without regular maintenance had many periodontal problems due to dental plaque.

[Application of continuous controlled administration of three agents for total intravenous anesthesia].

General anesthesia was maintained by continuous administration of propofol, rocuronium and remifentanil. The dose of the medicine was determined by the effect site concentration calculated on a pharmacokinetics simulator respectively. Furthermore, a pharmacokinetics simulator enabled us to predict duration before the appearance of awareness.

Mechanical properties of hard resins for crowns and bridges.

PURPOSE: Hard resins for crowns and bridges are widely used for esthetic restorations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of new commercial hard resins and to compare the results with those of the other hard resins previously investigated. METHODS: Dentin and enamel made with two new hard resins (Epricord: EP, Kuraray, Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan and Prossimo: PR, GC, Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan) were used in this study. Regarding the fundamental characteristics, the thermal expansion/shrinkage coefficient, the filler content, the polymerization shrinkage, and the wear were examined. Regarding the strength of resin, the bending strength, hardness, compression strength, elastic modulus, and fracture strength of a jacket crown were measured. RESULTS: These resins showed comparatively lower levels than the other hard resins regarding the bending strength, hardness, compression strength, and fracture strength of the jacket crown. The total filler content rate and wear amount of these resins exhibited similar values to those of the other resins. The thermal expansion/ shrinkage coefficients of these resins exhibited higher values than those of the other resins. EP showed a different tendency from PR about the compression strength, elastic modulus, and polymerization shrinkage. CONCLUSIONS: PR and EP did not show dramatically better physical properties. However, the results of each examination in this study may be acceptable clinically. The results of each investigation changed according to the products used, and proper use for each case and application was suggested.

Galvanic corrosion of ferritic stainless steels used for dental magnetic attachments in contact with an iron-platinum magnet.

This study was an examination of the galvanic corrosion of ferritic stainless steels, namely SUS 444, SUS XM27, and SUS 447J1, in contact with a Fe-Pt magnet. The surface area ratio of each stainless steel to the Fe-Pt magnet was set at 1/1 or 1/10. Galvanic corrosion between the stainless steels and the magnet was evaluated by the amount of released ions and the electrochemical properties in 0.9% NaCl solution. Although each stainless steel showed sufficient corrosion resistance for clinical use, the amount of ions released from each tended to increase when the stainless steel was in contact with the magnet. When the surface area ratio was reduced to 1/10, the amount of Fe ions released from the stainless steels increased significantly more than when there was no contact. Since contact with the magnet which possessed an extremely noble potential created a very corrosive environment for the stainless steels, 447J1 was thus the recommended choice against a corrosion exposure as such.

[What prosthodontic therapy should we select for periodontally compromised patients? Part 1: Review of the literature focusing on implant therapy for periodontally compromised patients].

PURPOSE: From a large number of experimental and clinical studies, it has been suggested that dental implant therapy has good prognosis for totally and partially edentulous patients. However, it is unclear whether we can use the implants for periodontally compromised patients. The aim of the present study was is to consider scientific evidence on implant treatment for periodontitis-susceptible subjects with partially edentulous dentate. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical studies that documented survival rates or success rates of implant therapy for periodontally compromised patients were selected and reviewed. RESULTS: Most of the 22 reports that were reviewed suggested good survival or success rate of implant therapy in short-term or medium-term clinical results. CONCLUSION: Although there were only a few long-term follow up studies, it was indicated that individuals who had susceptibility to periodontal disease can be treated successfully with the implants. In all reports, treatment for infection was done before implants installation, and the importance of regular maintenance after the installation has been emphasized. From this literature review, it was advocated that periodontally compromised patients could be treated successfully with the implants. However, implant therapy should be reconsidered if oral infection cannot be satisfactorily controlled.

[What prosthodontic therapy should we select for periodontally compromised patients? Part 2: Review of the literature focusing on conventional prosthodontic therapy for periodontally compromised patients and clinical implication (RPD vs FPD vs implant)].

PURPOSE: To review the clinical literature on fixed partial denture (FPD) and removable partial denture (RPD)treatment for periodontally compromised patients with partial dentate. In addition, prosthodontic management in periodontitis-susceptible subjects was evaluated from the results of Part 1 and Part 2. STUDY SELECTION: Clinical studies that documented survival rates of FPD in periodontally compromised patients were selected and reviewed. RESULTS: There was no RPD study that fulfilled the criteria of this review paper. On the other hand, 8 reports that were reviewed in this study showed good survival rate of FPD in long-term clinical results. CONCLUSION: Since the number of reports on RPD is very few, it was difficult to evaluate the RPD treatment for periodontally compromised patients. From the results of some long-term follow-up retrospective studies, however, it was suggested that FPD of high-risk design showed excellent results. Regarding management in periodontits- susceptible subjects, it should be discussed whether positive prosthodontic treatment is necessary. Strict plaque control by both doctors and patients before/after treatment is indispensable for prosthodontic management in periodontally compromised patients.

[Thermal expansion of layering porcelains for the tetragonal stabilized zirconia].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage of an all-ceramic system (cercon) smart ceramics, DeguDent) utilizing tetragonal stabilized zirconia. METHODS: The coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage of the core material and the layering porcelains (dentin and enamel) used in this study were measured according to the ISO 9693 standard. Five specimens for the core material and ten specimens for each layering porcelain were tested. The core specimens were milled, sintered, ground and polished. Five of the specimens for each layering porcelain were fired two times, and the remaining five specimens were fired four times. The fired layering porcelain specimens were ground and polished. The coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage were evaluated using a push-rod dilatometer at a heating rate of 5 degrees C /min over temperature ranges of 25-700 degrees C for the core, and 25-550 degrees C for the layering porcelain. For each specimen, the coefficients of thermal expansion was determined to be between 25 and 500 degrees C from the plotted curve of expansion versus temperature. RESULTS: For the core material, the coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage showed almost the same value (10.8 x 10(-6)/ degrees C). For the layering porcelains, the coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage ranged from 9.3-11.1 x 10(-6)/ degrees C. The difference of the coefficients of thermal expansion and shrinkage between the core materials and the layering porcelains was -0.3-1.5 x 10(-6)/ degrees C. The specimens fired two times and the specimens fired four times exhibited almost the same value for each layering porcelain. CONCLUSION: The core material and layering porcelains have a suitable relationship.

[Rheological study of hard resin for crown and bridge].

PURPOSE: For the purpose of evaluating the flow properties influencing the formativeness of commercial hard resin pastes used in the construction of crowns and bridges, we examined the behaviors of various resin pastes and their temperature dependence during manipulation. METHODS: Five types of hard resins currently in use for the construction of crowns and bridges in the clinical setting, namely, New Meta Color INFIS, Solidex, Ceramage, Gradia, and Estenia C&B, were examined. The components and flow properties of each resin paste were investigated in relation to the dentine and enamel colors. The viscosities of the resin pastes before curing were measured by a cone-plate viscometer. RESULTS: Each resin paste demonstrated a non-Newtonian flow, and the flow curve showed a hysteresis loop, in which the upward and downward curves were different. When the shear stress at the beginning of the holding time of the flow curve (20 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 30 degrees C) of each resin paste was measured, the shear stress at 20 degrees C was found to be significantly higher than that at 25 degrees C and 30 degrees C, and the shear stress at 25 degrees C was found to be significantly higher than that at 30 degrees C. The viscosity was found to be higher at lower temperatures than at higher temperatures. Comparison of the shear stresses at the beginning and at the end of the holding time revealed that the stress at the beginning of the holding time was significantly higher than that at the end of the holding time for all except the Estenia C&B resin paste. CONCLUSIONS: Each of the resin pastes used in the present study showed temperature dependence of its characteristics in the temperature range examined (20-30 degrees C) and thixotropic fluidity. However, the flow characteristics of these resin pastes differed significantly, suggesting that the flow characteristics may affect the manipulation of resin formativeness.

[A review of clinical follow-up studies focusing on pretreatment conditions of abutment and clinical examination parameters].

PURPOSE: When patients have their teeth taken care of, one of their biggest concerns is how long the solution will last. Studies on the longevity or prognosis of bridges published so far have mainly reported on the evaluation of the survival rate for each kind of bridge. We believe that abutments need to be researched more carefully and clinically in the future. STUDY SELECTION: A Medline search was conducted, as well as manual searching of bibliographies from relevant articles. Studies reporting the survival rate were selected from the reports mentioning the prognosis of bridges. We mainly reviewed 1) the conditions of abutments before treatments and 2) applicable parameters in each case. RESULTS: We found no study that mentioned the detailed conditions of abutments before treatment using systematic evaluation parameters. Most parameters concerned the prosthodontics itself and bacteria. Only 21. 2% described objective parameters. CONCLUSION: This review indicates the necessity for establishing a classification of abutments based on some evidence so that the after-treatment conditions can be predicted from the pre-treatment conditions. It also indicates that we have to consider objective parameters carefully when conducting prospective research on the prognosis of fixed partial dentures or when establishing a new clinical evaluation system.

Fit of metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy for different abutment finish line curvature.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the fit of metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy and investigate the effect of abutment finish line curvature on the fit of crowns. METHODS: Three types of finish line curvature abutments were prepared (1, 3 and 5mm-curvature). For each type of abutment, five metal ceramic crowns of the facial veneered type were fabricated, which were cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy. Used as controls, another fifteen specimens were made from a commercially available gold alloy. The fit was measured in the as-cast and after porcelain application. RESULTS: In the as-cast specimens, the greater the finish line curvature was, the larger the gaps exhibited at the mesial and distal margins of copings, compared with labial and lingual margins. The distal margin of copings for 5mm-curvature abutments showed the largest gap (35 (7) microm). After porcelain application, the greater was the finish line curvature, the larger the labial marginal gap became (mean 44, 34, 25 microm, respectively, for 5, 3, 1mm-curvature). However, there was no significant difference on marginal gaps between specimens of Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy and control gold alloy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study indicated that the metal ceramic crowns cast in Au-1.6 wt% Ti alloy had equivalent accuracy to those that cast in control gold alloy, and the abutment finish line curvature had a significant effect on the marginal fit of metal ceramic crowns.

Quantitative evaluation of axial wall taper in prepared artificial teeth.

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the axial wall taper of prepared artificial teeth using a non-contact three-dimensional shape measuring system. A total of 54 artificial teeth prepared by pre-clinical dental students for complete cast restorations were evaluated. For quantitative analysis, five cross sections were computer-graphically placed perpendicularly to the z-axis. The surface coordinate values (x, y, z) of each cross section were converted into polar coordinate values (r, theta), which were then graphically rendered to a two-dimensional plane. At four points, each 90 degrees from the distal center point of the cross section, the axial wall taper was quantitatively calculated using a formula based on the differences in radius between the highest and lowest positions of the cross sections of the prepared tooth. The average calculated taper was 5.8 degrees in the distal region, 21.7 degrees in the buccal region, 14.9 degrees in the mesial region and 12.5 degrees in the lingual region. These results suggest that the axial wall taper of prepared teeth can be quantitatively evaluated using this measuring system.

Electrochemical properties and released ions of Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy.

The electrochemical properties and released ions of binary Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy were evaluated in 0.9% NaCl and 1% lactic acid solutions and compared with those of Au-Ag-Pd alloy and Type 4 gold alloy. Rest potential and anodic polarization curve of Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy were almost the same as those of pure gold regardless of thermal condition (softening, hardening, or as cast). Among the alloys in comparison, the anodic polarization curve of Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy showed that it had the least current density and best stability when subject to electrochemical oxidation. Though Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy did release a small amount of Ti ions in 1% lactic acid solution, the amount of released Ti ions was not more than 1/5 of the amount released by pure titanium under the same condition. In the same vein, the total amount of ions released from Au-1.6mass%Ti alloy was much lower than that of the precious alloys in both solutions.