Intraoral low-temperature degradation of monolithic zirconia dental prostheses: 5-year results of a prospective clinical study with ex vivo monitoring.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the 5-year intraoral evolution and kinetics of low-temperature degradation (LTD) of second-generation monolithic prostheses made of 3% molar yttrium-doped tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) and the influence of masticatory mechanical stresses and glaze layer on this evolution. METHODS: A total of 101 posterior tooth elements were included in this prospective clinical study, which comprised ex vivo LTD monitoring (at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years) using Raman spectroscopy (n = 2640 monoclinic phase measurement points per evaluation time) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Four types of areas (1-2 mm2 surface, six on molars, and four on premolars) were analysed on each element surface: occlusal, axial, glazed, or unglazed. Raman mapping, high-resolution SEM, and focused ion beam-SEM were performed on selected samples. RESULTS: The dental prostheses developed a tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation at the extreme surface of the material after six months in a buccal environment, and this process increased significantly over time. Over the five years of monitoring, the transformation developed nonuniformly with the presence of localised clusters of monoclinic grains. Tribological stresses generate grain pull-out from these clusters, which may raise questions regarding the release of 3Y-TZP nanoparticles into the body. The prosthesis fracture rate was 4.5% after 5 years. SIGNIFICANCE: LTD developed in vivo on the surfaces of 3Y-TZP dental prostheses and progressed slowly but significantly over time, up to 5 years investigation. However, the effects of aging on the failure rate recorded and of zirconia nanoparticles released into the body require further investigation.

Flexural Properties, Wear Resistance, and Microstructural Analysis of Highly Filled Flowable Resin Composites.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the flexural properties and two-body wear resistance of nine highly filled flowable resin composites relative to those of viscous and conventional low-filled flowable composites. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the microstructures was performed. METHODS AND MATERIALS: For each resin composite group (n=12), 12 specimen bars (25 mm × 2 mm × 2 mm) were fabricated using a silicon mold for performing flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (E), flexural toughness (FT), Weibull modulus (m) tests, and SEM microstructural analysis. For each group, ten bars were tested using a three-point flexural test on a universal testing machine, while the other two were embedded in acrylic resin before being observed by SEM for structural analysis. During the two-body wear test with a chewing simulator, 8 specimens (12 groups, n=8) of each resin composite group were manufactured in a specific mold and subjected to 120,000 cycles of wear against a steatite ball, and the depth loss was measured. Three one-way ANOVA tests followed by Tukey's post hoc tests were conducted to compare the flexural and wear properties among the different groups. RESULTS: The majority of highly filled composites tested in this study exhibited similar flexural strengths (between 105.68 MPa and 135.49 MPa) and superior wear resistance to those of viscous composites. The flexural moduli (between 5.12 GPa and 9.62 GPa) of these composites were in between those of the viscous and low-filled composites tested in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The highly filled flowable composites tested in this study exhibited different in vitro properties but were often superior to those of viscous resin composite suggesting their possible use for posterior restorations.

Intraoral low-temperature degradation of monolithic zirconia dental prostheses: Results of a prospective clinical study with ex vivo monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the intraoral development and kinetics of low-temperature degradation (LTD) in second-generation 3 mol.% yttria-doped tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (3Y-TZP) monolithic prostheses, as well as the influence of masticatory mechanical stress and glaze layer on it. METHODS: A total of 101 posterior tooth elements were included in a prospective clinical study, which included ex vivo LTD monitoring (at baseline, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years) using Raman spectroscopy (n = 2640 monoclinic phase measurement points per evaluation time) and SEM. Four types of areas (1-2 mm2 surface, 6 on molars, and 4 on premolars) were analyzed on each element surface: occlusal, axial, glazed, or unglazed. Raman depth mapping and high-resolution SEM were performed on the selected samples. RESULTS: LTD developed in 3Y-TZP monolithic restorations 6 months after intraoral placement and progressed with time. After two years, the tetragonal-to-monoclinic transformation was non-uniform, with the presence of localized clusters of transformed grains. In axial areas, the grain aspect was typical of the classical nucleation-growth process reported for LTD, which progresses from the surface to a depth of several tens of microns. However, in occlusal areas, tribological stress generated surface crushing and grain pull-out from the clusters, which induced an underestimation of the aging process when the evaluation was limited to monoclinic phase quantification. Glazing cannot be considered a protection against LTD. SIGNIFICANCE: If LTD occurs in dental prostheses in the same way as in orthopedic prostheses, its clinical impact is unknown and needs to be further studied.

Clinical behavior of second-generation zirconia monolithic posterior restorations: Two-year results of a prospective study with Ex vivo analyses including patients with clinical signs of bruxism.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate (1) clinical outcomes of second-generation zirconia restorations, including patients with bruxism clinical signs, and (2) the material wear process. METHODS: A total of 95 posterior monolithic zirconia tooth-elements in 45 patients were evaluated, 85 on implants and 10 on natural teeth, and 20.3% of restorations being fixed partial dentures (FPDs). Occlusal contact point areas were determined and half of those areas were left unglazed and just polished. Restorations were clinically evaluated following criteria of the World Dental Federation and antagonistic teeth were examined at each evaluation time. Wear ex vivo analyses using SEM and 3D laser profilometry were performed at baseline and after 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years respectively, temporarily removing the prostheses. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier survival rate of restorations was 93.3% (100% for FPDs) and the success rate was 81.8%, with 4 abutment debondings, 3 tooth-supported crown debondings (provisional cement use), 1 restoration fracture, 1 minor chipping, 1 core fracture, 1 root fracture, and 2 implant losses. 80% of catastrophic failures occurred in patients with clinical signs of bruxism (61.7% of patients). Complications were also observed on antagonistic teeth (3 catastrophic failures). Clinical evaluation of the restorations showed good results from the aesthetic, functional, and biological perspective. Zirconia wear was inferior to 15 µm, while glaze wear was observed on all occlusal contact areas after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Monolithic zirconia FPDs are promising but the failure rate of single-unit restorations was not as high as expected in this sample including patients with bruxism clinical signs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Within study limitations, FPDs showed excellent short-term results but further research is needed for single-unit restorations considering samples, which do not exclude bruxers. The weak link is the restoration support or the antagonist tooth, one hypothesis being that zirconia stiffness and lack of resilience do not promote occlusal stress damping.

[Obesity and reproduction: a literature review]. / Obésité et reproduction: revue de la littérature.

Obesity is a growing public health problem because of the morbimortality factors linked to it. In obstetrics and gynecology, consequences on fertility and contraception are notable: infertility, low assisted reproductive technologies (ART) results, miscarriages, congenital abnormalities, obstetrical and neonatal complications, low hormonal contraception efficacy. These effects are partially corrected by weight loss which can be achieved by behavioural, medical or surgical treatment. Gynaecologists should always participate in a multidisciplinary management of obesity before hormonal contraception or ART.

Inhibition of arginase in rat and rabbit alveolar macrophages by N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine, effects on L-arginine utilization by nitric oxide synthase.

1. Alveolar macrophages (AM phi) exhibit arginase activity and may, in addition, express an inducible form of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS). Both pathways may compete for the substrate. L-arginine. The present study tested whether two recently described potent inhibitors of liver arginase (N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine and 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine) might also inhibit arginase in AM phi and whether inhibition of arginase might affect L-arginine utilization by iNOS. 2. AM phi obtained by broncho-alveolar lavage of rat and rabbit isolated lungs were disseminated (2.5 or 3 x 10(6) cells per well) and allowed to adhere for 2 h. Thereafter, they were either used to study [3H]-L-arginine uptake (37 kBq, 0.1 microM, 2 min) or cultured for 20 h in the absence or presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cultured AM phi were incubated for 1 h with [3H]-L-arginine (37 kBq, 0.1 microM) and the accumulation of [3H]-L-citrulline (NOS activity) and [3H]-L-ornithine (arginase activity) was determined. 3. During 1 h incubation of rabbit AM phi with [3H]-L-arginine, no [3H]-L-citrulline, but significant amounts of [3H]-L-ornithine (150 d.p.m x 1000) were formed. N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine and 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine, present during incubation, concentration-dependently reduced [3H]-L-ornithine formation (IC50: 2 and 45 microM, respectively). 4. N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine (up to 100 microM) had no effect on [3H]-L-arginine uptake into rabbit AM phi, whereas 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition (IC50: 300 microM). 5. Rat AM phi, cultured in the absence of LPS, formed significant amounts of [3H]-L-citrulline and [3H]-L-ornithine (133 and 212 d.p.m x 1000, respectively) when incubated for 1 h with [3H]-L-arginine. When AM phi had been cultured in the presence of 0.1 or 1 microgram ml-1 LPS, the formation of [3H]-L-citrulline was enhanced by 37 +/- 8.3 and 99 +/- 12% and that of [3H]-L-ornithine reduced by 21 +/- 8.7 and 70 +/- 2.5%, respectively. 6. In rat AM phi, cultured in the absence or presence of LPS, N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine (10 and 30 microM) greatly reduced formation of [3H]-L-ornithine (by 80-95%) and this was accompanied by increased formation of [3H]-L-citrulline. However, only 20-30% of the [3H]-L-arginine not metabolized to [3H]-L-ornithine after inhibition of arginase was metabolized to [3H]-L-citrulline, when the AM phi had been cultured in the absence of LPS (i.e. low level of iNOS). On the other hand, when the AM phi had been cultured in the presence of LPS (i.e. high level of iNOS), all the [3H]-L-arginine not metabolized by the inhibited arginase was metabolized to [3H]-L-citrulline. 7. In conclusion, N omega-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine is a potent and specific inhibitor of arginase in AM phi. In cells in which, in addition to arginase, iNOS is expressed, inhibition of arginase can cause a shift of L-arginine metabolism to the NOS pathway. However, the extent of this shift appears to depend in a complex manner on the level of iNOS.

Modulation of cholinergic airway reactivity and nitric oxide production by endogenous arginase activity.

Cholinergic airway constriction is functionally antagonized by agonist-induced constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS)-derived nitric oxide (NO). Since cNOS and arginase, which hydrolyzes L-arginine to L-ornithine and urea, use L-arginine as a common substrate, competition between both enzymes for the substrate could be involved in the regulation of cholinergic airway reactivity. Using a perfused guinea-pig tracheal tube preparation, we investigated the modulation of methacholine-induced airway constriction by the recently developed, potent and specific arginase inhibitor N(Omega)-hydroxy-nor-L-arginine (nor-NOHA). Intraluminal (IL) administration of nor-NOHA caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of the maximal effect (E(max)) in response to IL methacholine, which was maximal in the presence of 5 microM nor-NOHA (E(max)=31.2+/-1.6% of extraluminal (EL) 40 mM KCl-induced constriction versus 51.6+/-2.1% in controls, P<0.001). In addition, the pEC(50) (-log(10) EC(50)) was slightly but significantly reduced in the presence of 5 microM nor-NOHA. The inhibition of E(max) by 5 microM nor-NOHA was concentration-dependently reversed by the NOS inhibitor N(Omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), reaching an E(max) of 89.4+/-7.7% in the presence of 0.5 mM L-NAME (P<0.01). A similar E(max) in the presence of 0.5 mM L-NAME was obtained in control preparations (85.2+/-9.7%, n.s.). In the presence of excess of exogenously applied L-arginine (5 mM), 5 microM nor-NOHA was ineffective (E(max)=33.1+/-5.8 versus 31.1+/-7.5% in controls, n.s.). The results indicate that endogenous arginase activity potentiates methacholine-induced airway constriction by inhibition of NO production, presumably by competition with cNOS for the common substrate, L-arginine. This finding may represent an important novel regulation mechanism of airway reactivity.

Effect of water storage on the flexural strength of four self-etching adhesive resin cements and on the dentin-titanium shear bond strength mediated by them.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water storage on the flexural strength (σf) of four self-etching adhesive resin cements (SEARC) and on the dentin-titanium shear bond strength (SBS) mediated by them. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The selected SEARC were Rely X Unicem, G-Cem, Maxcem, and SmartCem2. For each material, 50 bars (2×2×25 mm) were made and stored in water at 37°C for 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and 60 days before σf was determined via a three-point bend test. Titanium cylinders were bonded to freshly exposed human dentin surfaces using the selected cements. Fifty samples were obtained for each SEARC and were stored in water at 37°C for 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and 60 days before SBS was determined. The results were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffé multiple means comparisons (α=0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient between σf and SBS was determined. RESULTS: Significantly different σf and SBS values were obtained for the four cements. With regards to the effect of water storage, the σf of all materials increased during the first 7 days, was not significantly different between materials by 30 days, and then remained relatively constant or decreased for SmartCem2; SBS was not affected by water storage, with the exception of Maxcem, where a significant drop in SBS was detected after 1 day and no deterioration thereafter. No correlation was found between σf and SBS. CONCLUSIONS: Under the experimental conditions of this study, 60 days of water storage negatively affected the σf of SmartCem2 but did not negatively affect the SEARC-mediated dentin-titanium SBS (Maxcem showed a significant drop in SBS after 1 day but no deterioration thereafter). The dentin-titanium adherence afforded by Rely X and G-Cem was significantly higher than that of Maxcem and SmartCem2.

Effect of chlorhexidine application on the long-term shear bond strength to dentin of a resin-modified glass ionomer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) application on the shear bond strength (SBS) of a resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) to polyalkenoic acid-preconditioned dentin after 24 hours, six months, and 12 months of water storage at 37°C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cylindrical molds, placed on flat, polyalkenoic acid (Cavity Conditioner® [GC]) preconditioned dentin surfaces of 90 human teeth embedded in resin, were filled with Fuji II LC® (GC), a RMGIC, with (n=45) or without (n=45) the prior application of a 0.05% CHX solution. Within each group, SBS was determined after 24 hours (n=15), six months (n=15), and 12 months (n=15) of storage in water at 37°C. The results were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey multiple means comparisons (p<0.05). The type of bond failure (adhesive/cohesive/mixed) was noted and the results were analyzed with chi-square test (p<0.05). RESULTS: After 24 hours, the SBS of RMGIC was not significantly different with (9.0 ± 2.8 MPa) or without (8.3±0.6 MPa) the application of CHX. After six months, however, SBS increased significantly in the group without CHX (12.7±3.4 MPa) but remained unchanged in the CHX group (9.4±4.0 MPa). Similar results without CHX (12.6±3.8 MPa) and with CHX (9.5±3.2 MPa) were obtained after 12 months. No significant differences in the type of debonding were found between the various groups tested. CONCLUSION: The application of 0.05% CHX after dentin preconditioning did not seem to have affected the 24-hour SBS of RMGIC. However, the six- and 12-month SBS was significantly lower for CHX-treated samples, possibly as a result of CHX interference with both the bonding mechanism and the maturation reaction of RMGIC.

Quantitative analysis, by ultrastructural in situ hybridization, of mitochondrial genomes and their expression in mid-gut and ovarian cells of a mutant strain of Drosophila subobscura.

In the mitochondrial deletion mutant strain studied here, two types of DNA coexist (heteroplasmy): intact mtDNA (15.9 kb) and mutant mtDNA (10.9 kb), which represents about 80% of the mitochondrial genomes in somatic tissues. The heteroplasmy level is lower in ovary (63%). Mutation is transmitted unchanged through generations. Quantitative analysis of in situ DNA hybridization demonstrated that for the 12SrDNA probe, of a gene outside the deletion, the mitochondrial DNA cellular content in the studied cells of the mutant strain is 1.5 times higher than in the wild-type strain. For the probe encoding Cyto b, a mitochondrial gene affected by the mutation, the ratios (mutant versus wild-type content) differ according to cell type: close to 0.4 in MGE cells and 0.7 in ovary cells. These values indicate heteroplasmic levels of about 72% in MGE cells and 50% in stage 10 oocytes, which is lower than that previously reported for stage 14 oocytes (60%) and embryos (69%). Analysis of in situ RNA hybridization showed that for the 12SrDNA probe, the transcript concentrations do not differ significantly between MGE cells and cells of germinal origin from the two strains. For the Cyto b probe, the mutant RNA/wild-type RNA ratios are lower in somatic cells than in stage 10 nurse cells and oocytes, but in each case less than expected. These studies indicate that the progressive heteroplasmy increase may be related to intense phases of mitochondria biogenesis and that different compensatory phenomena may exist.

Coordination chemistry of the heme in cystathionine beta-synthase: formation of iron(II)-isonitrile complexes.

Interaction of rat and human cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS) with various potential ligands has been studied by visible and EPR spectroscopy in order to explore the coordination chemistry of this atypical hemeprotein. Ferric CBS did not react with any classical hemeprotein ligands, such as various imidazole and pyridine derivatives, N(-)(3) and isonitriles RNC. Ferrous CBS also failed to bind these nitrogenous ligands or nitrosoalkanes. However, it reacts with various isonitriles RNC, leading to complexes characterized by a Soret peak at 433 +/- 2 nm. Binding of isonitriles to ferrous CBS is a relatively slow process; its rate markedly depends on the nature of R. It thus seems that the only exogenous ligands able to bind CBS iron are carbon-centered, very strong heme-Fe(II) ligands such as CNR, CO, and CN(-), presumably after dissociation of the CBS-iron(II)-cysteinate bond. Isonitriles appear as interesting tools for further studies on the topology of CBS active site.

Disruption of differentiated functions during viral infection in vivo. V. Mapping of a locus involved in susceptibility of mice to growth hormone deficiency due to persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) Armstrong strain selectively and persistently infects the majority of growth hormone (GH) producing cells in the anterior lobe of pituitary glands of C3H/St mice but negligibly infects GH producing cells of BALB/WEHI mice (Oldstone et al., Virology 142, 175--182, 1985; Oldstone et al., Science 218, 1125--1127, 1982). Although infected GH cells remain free of structural damage, disrupted initiation of GH transcription (Klavinskis and Oldstone, J. Gen. Virol. 68, 1867--1873, 1989; Valsamakis et al., Virology 156, 214--220, 1987) occurs with a resultant decrease in the synthesis of GH, leading to a failure of growth and development (Oldstone et al., Science 218, 1125--1127, 1982). Microsatellite mapping of DNA obtained from 101 individual C3H/St x BALB/WEHI F1 x F1 mice shows that the growth failure correlates with host genes linked (P value 0.0008) on chromosome 17 just outside of the H-2D MHC site between D17 Mit24 and D17 Mit51, a distance of 2.5 cM. The genetic mapping done here excludes alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG), a known receptor for LCMV (Cao et al., Science 282, 2079--2081, 1998) in pathogenesis of GH disease, as alpha-DG is encoded in the mouse by a gene residing on chromosome 9 (Yotsumoto et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 5, 1259--1267, 1996).