Efficacy of varying the NMEP concentrations in the NMGly-NMEP self-etching primer on the resin-tooth bonding

It is well understood that the application of a self-etching primer enhances the bonding at the resin-teeth interface. In this study, we designed a self-etching primer consisting of N-methacryloyl glycine (NMGly) and N-methacryloyl-2-aminoethyl phosphonic acid (NMEP). The demineralization effects on the hydroxyapatite or dentin by the carboxylic acid in the NMGly and by the phosphonic acid in the NMEP and their effects on the bond strength of the resin to the tooth were examined. The application of the NMGly-NMEP solution to the enamel resulted in an increase in the bond strength when additional amounts of NMEP were added to the NMGly aqueous solution. This increase was due to the phosphonic acid in the NMEP demineralizing the enamel. Conversely, the addition of the NMEP to the NMGly solution resulted in a decrease in the bond strength to the dentin. The optimal concentration of the NMEP in the NMGly-NMEP solution resulted in bond strengths of over 20 MPa for both the enamel and dentin.     

Chronic social stress: effects on limbic brain structures

Different types of stressors are known to activate distinct neuronal circuits in the brain. Acute physiological stimuli that are life threatening and require immediate reactions lead to a rapid stimulation of brainstem and hypothalamus to activate efferent visceral pathways. In contrast, psychological stressors activate higher-order brain structures for further interpretations of the perceived endangerment. Common to the later multimodal stressors is that they need cortical processing and, depending on previous experience or ongoing activation, the information is assembled within limbic circuits connecting, e.g., the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex to induce neuroendocrine and behavioral responses. In view of the fact that stressful life events often contribute to the etiology of psychopathologies such as depressive episodes, several animal models have been developed to study central nervous mechanisms that are induced by stress. The present review summarizes observations made in the tree shrew chronic psychosocial stress paradigm with particular focus on neurotransmitter systems and structural changes in limbic brain regions.     

Titanium-porcelain system. Part III: effects of surface modification on bond strengths

During its development, titanium was found to be incompatible with conventional dental porcelains due to weak bond strength brought about by titanium's high yet oxidative nature. In spite of the development of new low-fusing porcelains designed for titanium application, previous studies have shown that sandblasting pre-treatment prior to porcelain application led to weakening of the metal-ceramic bonding. The aim of this study is to search for an effective alternative to sandblasting for the surface treatment of the titanium substrate in the titanium-porcelain system. The research evaluated the bond strength of 165 samples of titanium-porcelain systems divided into 11 groups. A three-point flexural bend test was conducted to measure the force required to fracture the porcelain on the titanium substrate. A correlation between the type of surface treatment and the bond strengths of each group was evaluated if it resulted to significant differences. The study found significantly differences in the energy-to-break of titanium-porcelain systems treated with hydrochloric acid and sandblasting compared with the control group. The bonds strength achieved by the titanium-porcelain system when treated with hydrochloric acid is comparable to that of conventional metal-ceramic alloy system. Hydrochloric acid treatment of the titanium substrate is a promising alternative to sandblasting for the surface treatment of the titanium substrate in the titanium-porcelain system.     

A finite element study on the effects of disorder in cellular structures

The susceptibility to deformation localization of simple cubic arrangements of struts, which are a simple approximation of the micro-architecture in cancellous bone, is analyzed. The coherence between structural disorder and the tendency towards deformation localization is investigated and its relevance from a biological point of view is discussed. A systematic study on the spatial deformation distribution of regular and disordered open cell structures is carried out. To this end, finite element models are employed which account for elastic-plastic bulk material and large strain theory, and a methodology for the estimation of the degree of deformation localization is introduced.     

Role of sensory stimuli in the formation of cortical effects on hypothalamic structures

Unit discharges were recorded in the ventromedial and posterior hypothalamic nuclei of immobilized cats during electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral and contralateral nerves of the brachial plexus, somatosensory areas I and II (SI and SII) of the visual cortex, and the mesencephalic reticular formation. Reversible cold block of areas SI and SII did not change the effects of nerve stimulation. Stimulation of the posteroventral thalamic nucleus did not change spontaneous activity during stimulation of SII. Cortical influences on hypothalamic structures arising during stimulation of nerves and the posteroventral thalamic nucleus are thus mild in degree.     

The effects of three different desensitizing agents on the shear bond strength of composite resin bonding agents

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of three desensitizing agents on the shear bond strengths of four different bonding agents used to bond composite resin to dentin.A total of 160 extracted human molars were sectioned parallel to the occlusal plane under water cooling, polished and randomly divided into 4 groups of 40. Each group was treated with a different desensitizing agent (Tooth Mousse, Ultra-EZ, Cervitec Plus), except for an untreated control group. Each group was then randomly subdivided into 4 groups of 10, and a different dentin bonding agent (XP Bond, AdheSE, Adper Prompt L-pop, GBond) was applied to each group in order to bond the specimens to a resin composite (Gradia Direct) built up using a plastic apparatus. A Universal Testing Machine was used to measure the shear bond strength of each specimen. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s tests.With the exception of the Control/AdheSE and Ultra-EZ/XP Bond groups, no statistically significant differences were found in the shear bond strength values of the groups tested. These findings suggest that the use of different desensitizing agents does not affect the shear bond strength of various adhesive systems used to bond resin composite to dentin.     

Genomics perspective on disulfide bond formation

Disulfide bond formation, reduction, and isomerization in substrate proteins are catalyzed by designated pathways composed of thiol-dependent enzymes. Disulfides are generated in oxidizing environments, such as bacterial periplasm and eukaryotic endoplasmic reticulum (ER), but could also be formed in the cytosol. Major contributors to the formation of intramolecular disulfides in proteins are thiol/disulfide oxidoreductases containing a conserved CxxC motif (two cysteines separated by two other residues), which in turn transfer reducing equivalents to adapter or membrane-bound oxidoreductases. Disulfide bond formation is accompanied by disulfide bond reduction and isomerization processes, allowing disulfide repair and quality control. Higher eukaryotes evolved a complex network of thiol/disulfide oxidoreductases that are involved in disulfide bond formation and isomerization and thiol-dependent protein retention. Emerging evidence suggests that these ER functions might be assisted by mammalian selenocysteine-containing oxidoreductases Sep15 and SelM.     

The pKa effects of the carboxylic acid in N-methacryloyl-omega-amino acid on the demineralization and bond strengths to the teeth

It is understood that the application of a self-etching primer to the tooth enhances the bonding of the resin to the tooth. In this study, we designed a self-etching primer consisting of a series of three N-methacryloyl-omega-amino acids (NMomegaA) with different methylene chain lengths. The demineralization aspect of the teeth components by the carboxylic acid in the NMomegaA and its effects on the bond strength of the resin to the tooth were examined. The amount of decalcification of the hydroxyapatite or dentin by the carboxylic acid in the NMomegaA was strongly dependent on the carboxylic acid's pKa value in the NMomegaA. However, the bond strength's mean values for both the enamel and dentin were not influenced by the degree of demineralization by the carboxylic acid in the NMomegaA. The greater mean value of the dentin's bond strength than with the enamel's was due to differences in the adhesion mechanism types, since the NMomegaA not only exhibited an etching efficacy but also a priming efficacy to the collagen that had been exposed by the NMomegaA conditioning.     

Relationship of chemical structures of anthraquinones with their effects on the suppression of immune responses

A series of 37 anthraquinones were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the induction of cytolytic T-lymphocytes in a mixed lymphocyte culture system, useful as a preliminary screen for immunosuppressive agents. These compounds were also tested for their ability to prevent the production of antibody in mice. It was demonstrated that 1,4-bis [(2-aminoethyl)amino]-5, 8-dihydroxy-9,10-anthracenedione dihydrochloride (AEAD, 2) derived from mitoxantrone (MX, 1) by removing hydroxyethyl groups from both side chains was extremely active in depressing immune responses in vitro and in vivo. Four additional anthraquinones related to AEAD were also identified to share similar suppressive activity. They include a Schiff base, 1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis[[2-[(3-pyridinylmethylene)amino]ethyl]amino] -9,10-anthracenedione; a dimer with N-terminals methylated, 1,1-[ethylenebis (iminoethyleneimino)]-bis [5,8-dihydroxy-4-[(2-methylamino-ethyl)amino] anthraquinone tetrahydrochloride; an oxazolidine, 1,4-dihydroxy-5,8-bis [[2-(2-propyl-3-oxazolidinyl)ethyl]amino] anthraquinone; and its polymeric oxazolidine, poly [5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-anthraquinonyleneiminoethylene-3,2-oxazolidine- diyltrimethylene-2,3-oxazolidinediylethyleneimino]. These compounds may warrant further consideration as candidates for the treatment of refractory autoimmune diseases and in organ transplantation.     

The relation between the acupoint structures and the clinical therapeutic effects

We performed a histological study upon the acupuncture points and their effectiveness of clinical treatment; the background was the clinic evidence that a multitude of points are used in treating a disease, but only some of which may have an efficacy, since the others did not. After a comparative histological and anatomic study, it comes out that those points, which are more effective from a structural point of view, identify a neural fibrillar concentration, a well developed capillary network and an increased mucopolysaccharides (MPS) concentration, in particular, acid mucopolysaccharides. The present paper presents histological data, which demonstrate the difference in the structure of the acupuncture points, postulating their specific influence on clinical treatment.     

微波消融对正常家猪各级支气管及伴随结构的影响

目的通过观察各级支气管及伴随结构的病理变化,探讨微波消融对各级支气管及伴随血管、淋巴管、神经的影响,为临床治疗提供实验依据。方法10只健康家猪分为2组,进行经皮穿刺正常肺组织微波消融,分别于消融后3d（A组）、28d（B组）各宰杀5只,观察微波消融后消融损伤区形态及各级支气管和伴随血管、淋巴管、神经的病理表现。结果①随着支气管腔的变小,微波对支气管的损伤加重;对主支气管、二级支气管的损伤较轻,各级支气管消融后28d呈恢复表现。②微波消融对于肺组织中的大血管有轻度损伤,对小血管损伤较重。③微波消融对于淋巴管、神经均有损伤,且神经损伤未恢复正常。结论CT引导下经皮穿刺微波消融治疗肺部肿瘤是一种可以耐受且对大支气管、大血管影响轻微的微创治疗方法。     

Mannan-binding lectin and C1q bind to distinct structures and exert differential effects on macrophages

While the interaction of complement component C1q with cellular proteins is extensively studied, much less is known about the binding of the structurally related molecule, mannan-binding lectin (MBL) to various cells. Here we show by cytofluorimetry that the interaction of MBL with immunocompetent cells is much more restricted than that of C1q. It is shown that under conditions of physiological ionic strength MBL binds to human monocyte-derived macrophages (Mphi) and monocytoid cell lines, but not to T and B lymphocytes, in contrast to C1q, which interacts with all these cells under the same conditions. As opposed to the binding of C1q, low ionic strength does not improve the interaction of MBL with Mphi. No competition for cellular binding sites was found when MBL and C1q were added simultaneously to the cells. Studying the functional consequences of the interaction, we found that the release of TNF-alpha from Mphi is induced by C1q but not by MBL. Production of complement C3 by Mphi is stimulated by C1q strongly, while the effect of MBL is much weaker. C3 produced upon C1q-mediated triggering is shown to opsonize RBC, resulting in enhanced phagocytosis. These results suggest that cell membrane molecules binding MBL and C1 q are not identical; moreover, biological functions exerted by these proteins are also markedly different.     

Rapid effects of EGF on cytoskeletal structures and adhesive properties of highly metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells

In the highly metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell clone MTLn3, EGF induced increased adhesion to fibronectin while in the human epidermoid carcinoma cell line A431 EGF induced diminished adhesive properties. Flattening of cells with extensive formation of fllopodia was observed in MTLn3 cells within 5 min of EGF addition, while in A431 cells EGF induced rounding up and only occasional formation of filopodia. Immunofluorescent analysis revealed extension of microtubutes (MT) into the filopodia and Western blot analysis demonstrated an EGF-induced 2- to 3-fold increase in the amount of assembled tubulin in MTLn3 but not in A431 cells. In MTLn3, but only marginally in A431 cells, EGF treatment resulted in phosphorylation of a 280 kD cytoskeleton-associated protein, which was rapid and dose-dependent. These results suggest differential signal transduction pathways of cytoskeleton-associated EGFRs in highly metastatic MTLn3 as compared with A431 cells.     

Negative effects of a disulfide bond mismatch in anti-rabies G protein single-chain antibody variable fragment FV57

Rabies virus (RV) causes a fatal infectious disease requiring efficient post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which includes a rabies vaccine and rabies immunoglobulin (RIG). The single-chain antibody variable fragment (scFv), a small engineered antibody fragment derived from an antibody variable heavy chain and light chain, has the potential to replace the current application of RIG. In previous studies, we constructed and evaluated an anti-rabies virus G protein scFv (FV57) based on the monoclonal antibody CR57. Of the five cysteines in FV57, four are linked in intra-chain disulfide bonds (Cys-V_H28/Cys-V_H98 and Cys-V_L16/Cys-V_L84), and one is free (Cys-V_L85). However, the thiol in Cys-V_L85 neighboring Cys-V_L84 in the CDR3 of the light chain is likely to mismatch with the thiol in Cys-V_L16 during the renaturing process. In order to study effects of the mismatched disulfide bond, Cys-V_L85 and Cys-V_L84 of FV57 were mutated to serine to construct mutants FV57^VL85S and FV57^VL84S. Furthermore, the disulfide bonds in the light chain of FV57, FV57^VL85S and FV57^VL84S were deleted by mutating Cys-V_L16 to serine. All mutants were prepared and evaluated along with the original FV57. The results indicated that the mismatched disulfide bond of FV57 linking the light chain FR1 and CDR3 would confer deleterious negative effects on its activity against RV, likely due to spatial hindrance in the light chain CDR3. Moreover, avoidance of the disulfide bond mismatch provided an additional 30% protective efficacy against RV infection in the mouse RV challenge model. Thus, modifications of FV57 to eliminate the disulfide bond mismatch may provide a candidate therapeutic agent for effective PEP against rabies.     

Toxic effects of paracetamol and related structures in V79 Chinese hamster cells

Exposure of V79 Chinese hamster cells to non-cytotoxic concentrationsof paracetamol (4-hydroxyacetanilide, 4-HAA) increased sisterchromatid exchange (SCE) in the absence of an external activationsystem. Furthermore, a selective inhibition of DNA synthesiswas observed at low 4-HAA concentrations. The inhibition couldbe counteracted by the addition of ascorbate, indicating thatthe effect is caused by an oxidation product of 4-HAA. In attemptto clarify possible relationships between cytotoxicity, inhibitionof DNA synthesis and increased SCE, we studied the effect of4-HAA and some related structures on these parameters. The relativeposistion of the amino group and the hydroxyl group on the aromaticringappear to be important for the inhibition of DNA synthesis.Removal of either of the two groups, N-acetylation and/or alkylationof the aromatic ring or phenolic oxygen decreased the effectof the aromatic amine on DNA synthesis. A significant responseon SCE was observed with 4-aminophenol, 4-HAA, 2-HAA, 3, 5-dimethyl-4-HAA,3-HAA and 2, 6-dimethyl-4-HAA (none of the other compounds weretested). The increase in SCE frequency caused by 4-HAA and itsanalogs does not seem to be related to more general cytotoxiceffects. The relative potencies of the compounds for SCE inductionparalleled, for the most part, their effects on DNA synthesis.However, the induction of SCE and the inhibition of DNA synthesisdid not occur at comparable concentrations. Thus, the possibilitythat 4-HAA increases the frequency of SCE through some othermechanism cannot be excluded.     

金属正畸托槽粘结强度的研究

目的 体外评价金属网底托槽与牙面间的粘结强度,研究其影响因素。方法 以国内外两种金属网底托槽为研究对象,进行体外粘结强度测试,观察托槽底面结构状态,采用显微硬度测试技术进行硬度测试,采用能谱分析对托槽进行组成元素分析。结果 （1）两种托槽的体外粘结强度值相差较大;（2）样品底面结构有明显差异;（3）两样品硬度值基本接近;（4）两种托槽的组成元素及相对含量基本相同。结论 网底托槽的底面结构对其粘结强度有较大的影响。