Evaporating solvents with a warm air-stream: effects on adhesive layer properties and resin-dentin bond strengths

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of a warm or cold air-dry stream for solvent evaporation on the microtensile resin-dentin bond strength (muTBS), nanoleakage pattern (SEM), degree of conversion (DC) and solvent evaporation rates (SE) of an ethanol/water- (Adper Single Bond, [SB] 3MESPE) and an acetone-based (Prime & Bond 2.1, [PB] Dentsply), two-step etch-and-rinse adhesive system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adhesives were applied on demineralized dentin surfaces. For SE, a warm or cold air-dry stream (10 s) was applied prior to light-activation (10 s). Bonded sticks (0.8mm2) were tested in tension (0.5 mm/min). Two bonded sticks from each tooth were immersed in a 50% (w/v) solution of silver nitrate (24 h), photodeveloped (8 h) and analyzed by SEM. The DC and solvent evaporation rate of the adhesives were evaluated under FTIR and analytical balance, respectively. Data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (alpha=0.05). RESULTS: Higher muTBS and lower nanoleakage were observed when the SE step was performed with warm air-dry stream. However, the DC of the adhesives was not altered by the use of a warm air-dry. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a warm air-dry stream seems to be a clinical tool to improve the bond strength and the quality of the hybrid layer (less nanoleakage infiltration), since it might reduce the number of pores within the adhesive layer.     

64-Slice CT angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries: comparison of the diagnostic efficacy of iobitridol 350 mgI/ml versus iomeprol 400 mgI/ml in a prospective, randomised, double-blind multi-centre trial

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of iodine concentration on diagnostic efficacy in multi-detector-row computed tomography (MDCT) angiography of the abdominal aorta and abdominal arteries.

Methods

IRB approval and informed consent were obtained. In this double-blind trial, patients were randomised to undergo MDCT angiography of the abdominal arteries during administration of iobitridol (350 mgI/ml) or iomeprol (400 mgI/ml). Each centre applied its own technique for delivery of contrast medium, regardless of iodine concentration. Diagnostic efficacy, image quality, visualisation of the arterial wall and arterial enhancement were evaluated. A total of 153 patients received iobitridol and 154 received iomeprol.

Results

The ability to reach a diagnosis was “satisfactory” to “totally satisfactory” in 152 (99.3%) and 153 (99.4%) patients respectively. Image quality was rated as being “good” to “excellent” in 94.7 and 94.8% segments respectively. Similar results were observed for image quality of arterial walls (84.3 vs. 83.2%). The mean relative changes in arterial enhancement between baseline and arterial phase images showed no statistically significant differences.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the non-inferiority of the 350 versus 400 mgI/ml iodine concentration, in terms of diagnostic efficacy, in abdominal MDCT angiography. It also confirmed the high robustness and reliability of this technique across multi-national practices.     

Iron and folic acid supplements and reduced early neonatal deaths in Indonesia

Objective

To examine the relationship between antenatal care, iron and folic acid supplementation and tetanus toxoid vaccination during pregnancy in Indonesia and the risk of early neonatal death (death in days 0–6 of life).

Methods

We analysed pooled data on neonatal survival in singleton infants born in the 5 years before each of the Indonesian demographic and health surveys of 1994, 1997 and 2002–2003. Only the most recently born infant of each mother was included. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors linked to early neonatal death.

Findings

Of the 40 576 infants included, 442 experienced early neonatal death. After adjustment, the risk of early neonatal death was significantly reduced for infants of mothers who received either any form of antenatal care (hazard ratio, HR: 0.48; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.31–0.73), any quantity of iron and folic acid (HR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.36–0.77) or ≥ 2 tetanus toxoid injections (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48–0.92). When we analysed different combinations of these measures, iron and folic acid supplementation provided the main protective effect: early neonatal deaths were still significantly reduced among infants whose mothers received iron and folic acid supplements but no other form of antenatal care (HR: 0.10; 95% CI: 0.01–0.67), or the supplements but < 2 tetanus toxoid injections (HR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.29–0.73). Subsequent analysis showed that 20% of early neonatal deaths in Indonesia could be attributed to a lack of iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy.

Conclusion

Iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy in Indonesia significantly reduced the risk of early neonatal death and could also do so in other low- and middle-income countries.     

Review of epidemiology of depression and implications for community nursing practice

Depression is regarded as one of the most common mental disorders, but available data point out that only less than one third of adults with depression obtain appropriate professional treatment. This is attributed (amongst other reasons) to the under-recognition of the problem by the health professionals including the general practice nurses. In order to improve recognition rates it is imperative that nurses and especially those working at community settings appreciate the importance of prompt diagnosis which, on one hand presumes an understanding and knowledge of basic aspects of the problem and on the other hand an understanding of their role. This overview presents basic epidemiological data and the potential consequences on daily functioning and other aspects of life that depression may have as to become aware and sensitive regarding to depressive clients. It also discusses the role of nurses in the community, in order to improve recognition rates.     

Light-cured or chemically cured orthodontic adhesive resins? A selection based on the degree of cure,monomer leaching,and cytotoxicity

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the degree of cure and monomer leaching of a light-cured and a chemically cured (no-mix) adhesive and to assess their biologic properties. MATERIAL: The degree of cure of adhesive specimens prepared with a procedure identical to the clinical bonding process was assessed by infrared spectroscopy. The adhesives were then immersed in normal saline solution for 2 months, and the residual monomer leached from the adhesives was quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed by liquid chromatography. The effect of the immersion media on human gingival fibroblasts' viability and proliferation was also evaluated with the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis assays, respectively. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey test (alpha = .05). RESULTS: No difference was found between the 2 adhesives with respect to their degree of cure and the amount of triethylene glycol dimethacrylate released; no diglycidyl dimethacrylate monomer was detected in the eluent. However, significant qualitative changes in the composition of the substances eluted from the 2 adhesives were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas no cytotoxic effect was shown for either immersion media, a moderate reduction in the DNA synthesis was obtained by both adhesives, implying a minor cytostatic effect. Further research is required to assess the long-term biologic properties of adhesives, including potential estrogenic action.     

Abdominal imaging in child abuse

Introduction  

Abdominal injuries in abused children are less common than musculoskeletal and craniocerebral injuries; however they carry high mortality and morbidity rates. In every case of trauma, regardless of aetiology, radiologists are responsible for the documentation and evaluation of injuries.     

A synergistic interaction between lapatinib and chemotherapy agents in a panel of cell lines is due to the inhibition of the efflux pump BCRP

Lapatinib is a specific HER1 and 2 targeted tyrosine kinase inhibitor now widely used in combination with chemotherapy in the clinical setting. In this work, we investigated the interactions between lapatinib and specific chemotherapy agents (cisplatin, SN-38, topotecan) in a panel of cell lines [breast (n = 2), lung (n = 2), testis (n = 4)]. A high-sensitivity cell proliferation/cytotoxicity ATP assay and flow cytometry were used to determine cell viability, apoptosis, and the effect of the drugs on cell-cycle distribution. CalcuSyn analysis was employed to formally identify synergistic interactions between drugs. Intracellular concentrations of SN-38 were measured using a novel high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) technique. Flow cytometry and HPLC techniques were used to identify the effect of lapatinib on drug influx and efflux pumps, using specific substrates and inhibitors of these pumps. Results showed significant synergy between SN-38, and lapatinib in the majority of cell lines (combination index < 0.75), associated with increased apoptosis. This synergy was not universal but, when observed (Susa S/R, H1975, H358, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines), was related to SN-38 intracellular accumulation (2.2- to 4.8-fold increase, P < 0.05 for each), attributable to the inhibition of the breast cancer-related protein (BCRP) efflux pump by lapatinib. Flow cytometry analysis showed that lapatinib (10 μmol/L) inhibited the efflux of mitoxantrone, a specific substrate of the BCRP pump, in a manner similar to fumitremorgin C, a known BCRP inhibitor, confirming lapatinib as a BCRP inhibitor. This work shows that lapatinib has a direct inhibitory effect on BCRP accounting for the synergistic findings. The synergy is cell line dependent and related to the activity of specific efflux pumps.     

Variable expression of activation-linked surface antigens on human mast cells in health and disease

Summary: Mast cells (MC) are multipotent effector cells of the immune system. They contain an array of biologically active mediator substances in their granules. MC also express a number of functionally important cell surface antigens, including stem cell factor receptor (SCFR=kit=CD117), high affinity IgER (FcεRI), or C5aR (CD88). Respective ligands can induce or promote degranulation, migration, or cytokine production. Other integral surface molecules can mediate adhesion or cell aggregation. Recent data suggest that a number of critical molecules are variably expressed on the surface of human MC. In fact, depending on the environment (organ), stage of cell maturation, type of disease, and other factors, MC express variable amounts of activation-linked antigens (CD25, CD63, CD69, CD88), cell recognition molecules (CD2, CD11, CD18, CD50, CD54), or cytokine receptors. At present, however, little is known about the mechanisms and regulation of expression of such antigens. The present article gives an overview of MC phenotypes in health and disease, and attempts to provide explanations for the phenotypic variability of MC.
This study was supported by Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung in Österreich – FWF grants # P12517 and # P14031, Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias de la Seguridad Social (FIS 98/1345), and Fundación Oftalmológica J. Cortés.