Radiopacity of computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing composite resin blocks.

This study aimed to clarify the degree of difference in radiopacity between sixteen CAD/CAM composite resin blocks, one ceramic block, and teeth of the same thickness on radiographs. The radiographic density of CAD/CAM composite resin blocks was measured and the results were compared with the corresponding values for enamel and dentin. Additionally, the study analyzed the constituent elements of each type of CAD/CAM composite resin block and conducted an examination to identify those elements exerting an influence on radiopacity. Compared to the enamel, there were five blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, two blocks with the same level in radiopacity, and ten blocks with notably lower radiopacity. Compared to the dentin, there were ten blocks with significantly higher radiopacity, one block with the same level in radiopacity, and six blocks with notably lower radiopacity. All of the CAD/CAM composite resin blocks for molars contained barium and strontium. This result suggests that the addition of heavy metals, for example, barium, strontium, and zirconium, would be effective in providing CAD/CAM composite resin blocks with radiopacity.

Surface properties and gloss of CAD/CAM composites after toothbrush abrasion testing.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the surface properties and gloss of CAD/CAM composites after toothbrush abrasion testing. Four CAD/CAM composites for molars (Cerasmart 300, Estelite P block, Katana Avencia P block, and KZR-CAD HR3 Gammatheta), one CAD/CAM composite for premolars (Shofu Block HC Hard), and one feldspathic ceramics (Vitablocs Mark II) were assessed. Knoop hardness number, gloss, and surface roughness (Ra, Rz, and Sa) were measured before and after toothbrush abrasion testing. Knoop hardness number values were in the order Vitablocs Mark II > Katana Avencia P block > Estelite P Block > Shofu Block HC Hard > Cerasmart 300 > KZR-CAD HR3 Gammatheta. After testing, the gloss of Estelite P block and KZR-CAD HR3 Gammatheta was greatly decreased and surface roughness was greatly increased. Periodic recall and re-polishing may thus be necessary when these products are used clinically.

Properties of indirect composites polymerized with laboratory light-emitting diode units.

This study evaluated the light intensity of light-emitting diode (LED) units and the effects of five laboratory polymerization units on hardness and flexural strength. Two indirect composite materials (Cesead N and Solidex Hardura) were polymerized with five units (α-Light II, Hyper LII, LED Cure Master, Twinkle LED, and α-Light V). The light intensity of the devices was measured with a spectroradiometer. After light exposure, Knoop hardness number, flexural strength, and elastic modulus were determined. Evaluation of light intensity, using a wavelength range of 400 to 500 nm, revealed that the α-Light V and Hyper LII units had the highest light intensity. For the top surface of the two composites, the Knoop hardness number was significantly higher for the α-Light V and Hyper LII. For the two composite materials, flexural strength did not differ among the five polymerizing units. The present results indicate that the Cesead N and Solidex Hardura composites can be adequately polymerized with laboratory LED units.

Effect of a self-etching primer containing 4-META and sodium sulfite after phosphoric acid etching on bonding strength of MMA-TBB resin to human enamel.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the shear bond strength and durability of MMA-TBB resin to human enamel applied a self-etching primer with phosphoric acid etching. METHODS: A self-etching primer (Teeth primer, TP) containing 4-methacryloyloxyethyl trimellitate anhydride (4-META) and sodium sulfite and two etchants having different phosphoric acid concentrations (K-etchant gel, KE, 35-45%: Red gel, RG, 20-25%) were used as treatment agent, and MMA-TBB resin was used as luting agent. Enamel surfaces were treated with six methods which were as follow: KE, RG, TP, KE+TP, and RG+TP. After enamel specimens were bonded with MMA-TBB resin and stored in distilled water for 24h, the shear bond strength test was done at 0 thermocycling or 20,000 thermocycling. These results were statistically verified with Steel-Dwass multiple comparisons and Man-Whitney U test. RESULTS: The shear bond strength of TP group, KE+TP group, and RG+TP group were significantly higher than KE group and RG group in pre-thermocycling. KE+TP group and RG+TP group were significantly higher than other groups in post-thermocycling. CONCLUSIONS: Applying TP with phosphoric acid etching can increased shear bond durability despite difference of phosphoric acid concentrations (35-45% or 20-25%).

Trace of organic sulfur compounds detected from debonded interface between transparent acrylic resin and gold alloy.

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the bonding performance of two single-liquid primers, which contained 6-(4-vinylbenzyl-n-propyl) amino-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-dithione (VTD) or 6-methacryloyloxyhexyl 2-thiouracil 5-carboxylate (MTU-6), used for bonding between metals and an acrylic resin. A gold alloy and high-purity titanium were used as adherend materials, and a transparent acrylic resin initiated with tri-n-butylborane derivative was selected as the luting material. Both adherends were treated with one of the primers and bonded with the luting material, after which shear bond strength was determined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze debonded resin specimens. Shear bond strength to gold alloy was significantly greater than that to titanium for both the VTD and MTU-6 primers. A trace of thiol structure, probably derived from VTD and MTU-6, was detected on resin surfaces debonded from gold alloy. These results indicate that the two organic sulfur compounds, which are stable in an atmospheric environment, are tautomerized into a thiol structure, thus allowing adsorption onto noble metals. In addition, the adsorbed thiol compounds contribute to chemical bonding between the acrylic resin and noble metal alloy, as polymerizable adhesive functional monomers.

Wear characteristics of polished and glazed lithium disilicate ceramics opposed to three ceramic materials.

This study compared the wear characteristics of a heat-pressed lithium disilicate ceramic material opposed to feldspathic porcelain, a lithium disilicate glass ceramic, and zirconia materials. Ceramic plate specimens were prepared from feldspathic porcelain (EX-3 nA1B), lithium disilicate glass ceramics (e.max CAD MO1/C14), and zirconia (Katana KT 10) and then ground or polished. Rounded rod specimens were fabricated from heat-pressed lithium disilicate glass ceramic (e.max press LT A3) and then glazed or polished. A sliding wear testing apparatus was used for wear testing. Wear of glazed rods was greater than that of polished rods when they were abraded with ground zirconia, ground porcelain, polished porcelain, or polished lithium disilicate ceramics. For both glazed and polished rods, wear was greater when the rods were abraded with ground plates. The findings indicate that application of a polished surface rather than a glazed surface is recommended for single restorations made of heat-pressed lithium disilicate material. In addition, care must be taken when polishing opposing materials, especially those used in occlusal contact areas. (J Oral Sci 58, 117-123, 2016).

Prototype micropump for insulin administration based on electrochemical bubble formation.

As part of the development of a percutaneous artificial pancreas islet, an insulin injection micropump was fabricated using micromachine techniques. The major components of the device were a thin-film, two-electrode system incorporated in a closed compartment, a silicone rubber diaphragm to separate an electrolyte solution from an insulin solution, a reservoir for insulin and a microneedle attached to the outlet. Hydrogen bubbles were formed on a platinum working electrode when current was applied. This caused the diaphragm to deform and to exert pressure on the insulin solution in the reservoir on the other side of the diaphragm. The injection of insulin was smooth and the injection rate could be controlled by the electrode potential or current. When the insulin solution was injected into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, a decrease in plasma glucose level (PGL) was observed which was dependent on the dose of insulin. No substantial difference was observed compared to manual injection.

Generation of hybrid hepatocytes by cell fusion from monkey embryoid body cells in the injured mouse liver.

Monkey embryonic stem (ES) cells have characteristics that are similar to human ES cells, and might be useful as a substitute model for preclinical research. When embryoid bodies (EBs) formed from monkey ES cells were cultured, expression of many hepatocyte-related genes including cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 3a and Cyp7a1 was observed. Hepatocytes were immunocytochemically observed using antibodies against albumin (ALB), cytokeratin-8/18, and alpha1-antitrypsin in the developing EBs. The in vitro differentiation potential of monkey ES cells into the hepatic lineage prompted us to examine the transplantability of monkey EB cells. As an initial approach to assess the repopulation potential, we transplanted EB cells into immunodeficient urokinase-type plasminogen activator transgenic mice that undergo liver failure. After transplantation, the hepatocyte colonies expressing monkey ALB were observed in the mouse liver. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization revealed that the repopulating hepatocytes arise from cell fusion between transplanted monkey EB cells and recipient mouse hepatocytes. In contrast, neither cell fusion nor repopulation of hepatocytes was observed in the recipient liver after undifferentiated ES cell transplantation. These results indicate that the differentiated cells in developing monkey EBs, but not contaminating ES cells, generate functional hepatocytes by cell fusion with recipient mouse hepatocytes, and repopulate injured mouse liver.

Expression of the liver-specific gene Cyp7a1 reveals hepatic differentiation in embryoid bodies derived from mouse embryonic stem cells.

Hepatic differentiation from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells via the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs) has been revealed by the expression of hepatocyte-related genes such as alpha-fetoprotein and albumin. It is known, however, that the visceral endoderm differentiates in early EBs and expresses these hepatocyte-related genes. Thus, it remains unclear whether ES cells are capable of differentiating into hepatocytes derived from definitive endoderm in vitro. In the present study, yolk sac tissues isolated from the foetal mouse were found to express many hepatocyte-related genes. Among the hepatocyte-related genes examined, cytochrome P450 7A1 (Cyp7a1) was identified as a liver-specific gene that was not expressed in the yolk sac. Cyp7a1 was induced in developing EBs, and hepatic differentiation was preferentially observed in the developing EBs in attached culture as compared to those in suspension culture. Leukaemia inhibitory factor permitted the differentiation of visceral endoderm, but inhibited the expression of gastrulation-related genes and the hepatic differentiation in cultured EBs. ES cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the control of the Cyp7a1 enhancer/promoter showed that cultured EBs contained GFP-positive epithelial-like cells. These results demonstrate that ES cells can differentiate in vitro into hepatocytes derived from definitive endoderm.

Selective determination of tryptophan by using a carbon paste electrode modified with an overoxidized polypyrrole film.

We report on the selective determination of tryptophan, using a carbon paste electrode coated with an overoxidized polypyrrole film. Out of 21 protein amino acids, only tryptophan and tyrosine exhibited an oxidative voltammetric response with this electrode. Tryptophan, which was preferentially concentrated to the electrode under an open circuit condition, was determined by the stripping voltammetric technique with a linear response range of 10-100 microM. For the determination of 10 microM tryptophan, interference from a 15-fold excess of tyrosine gave an positive error of 6%, while the other amino acids did not exhibit any detectable interference.