Attachment of gold nanoparticles to glassy carbon electrode and its application for the voltammetric resolution of ascorbic acid and dopamine

Gold nanoparticles have been attached on glassy carbon electrode surface through sulfhydryl-terminated monolayer and the gold nanoparticles-immobilized glassy carbon electrodes have been applied to the electrocatalytic oxidation of ascorbic acid, reducing the overpotential by about 200 mV with obviously increased current response. Due to its strong electrocatalytic activity towards ascorbic acid, the gold nanoparticles modified electrode can resolve the overlapped voltammetric waves of ascorbic acid and dopamine into two well-defined voltammetric peaks with peak-to-peak separation in potentials of about 300 mV. This can be used to allow the selective determination of ascorbic acid in the presence of dopamine. The catalytic current obtained from differential pulse voltammetry is linearly dependent on ascorbic acid concentration over the range of 6.5 × 10^?6 to 1.45 × 10^?4 M with correlation coefficient of 0.998 in the presence of dopamine. The detection limit (3σ) for AA was found to be 2.8 × 10^?6 M. The simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and dopamine in their binary mixture has also been investigated. The modified electrode shows good selectivity, stability and anti-fouling properties. The proposed methods have been used for the selective determination of ascorbic acid in the presence of dopamine and for the simultaneous determination of both them in their mixtures with satisfactory results.     

VDR deficiency affects alveolar bone and cementum apposition in mice

Objective

To compare the mineralisation density (MD), morphology and histology of alveolar bone and cementum amongst VDR +/+, VDR −/−, and VDR −/− groups supplemented with a diet TD 96348, containing 20% lactose, 2.0% calcium and 1.25% phosphorous.

Methods

Four groups of mice (6 mice/group) were identified by genotyping: VDR +/+ mice (VDR wild type), VDR −/− mice (VDR deficient), VDR −/− offsprings derived from VDR −/− parents receiving a supplemental diet (early rescued), and VDR −/− mice fed with a supplemental diet beginning at age one month (late rescued). All mice were sacrificed at age 70.5 days. Micro-CT was used to compare MD and morphology of alveolar bone and cementum. H–E and Toluidine blue staining was used to examine the ultrastructure of the alveolar bone and cementum at matched locations.

Results

In VDR −/− group, alveolar bone and cementum failed to mineralise normally. Early rescue increased MD of alveolar bone in VDR −/− mice with excessive alveolar bone formation, but which not observed in late rescue group. MD and morphology of cementum–dentine complex in both early and late rescue groups were comparable with VDR +/+ group when feeding with high-calcium rescue diet.

Conclusions

VDR affects alveolar bone mineralisation and formation systemically and locally. However, cementum apposition and mineralisation is mainly regulated by calcium concentrations in serum.     

IFN-γ enhances the anti-tumour immune response of dendritic cells against oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective

To investigate the expression of antigen processing-1 (Tap-1) and Tapasin in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), and observe the immune response against OSCC by use of IFN-γ-antigen induced dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro and in vivo.

Design

Expression of Tap-1 and Tapasin in different cell lines was analysed. CAL27 cells were treated with IFN-γ. Antigen from the treated cells was presented by DCs. Pulsed DC was then co-cultivated with CD8+ T lymphocyte to induce antigen specific cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs). The immune response elicited by CTLs against OSCC was observed.

Results

A significant lower expression of Tap-1 and Tapasin was observed in OSCC cell lines. IFN-γ exerted time-dependent effect for increasing the expression of these genes. Antigen from the treated CAL27 cells was presented by DCs. CTLs were induced and generated a strong immune response in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

Tap-1 and Tapasin were downregulated in OSCC. IFN-γ increased the expression of these genes. Use of IFN-γ-antigen induced DCs could induce stronger immune response in vitro and in vivo.     

Monitoring bacterial-demineralization of human dentine by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Objective

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to monitor bacterial biofilm formation and bacteria-induced demineralization of dentine in situ by using electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS); (2) to examine the relationship between EIS findings and changes in the chemical composition and ultrastructure of dentine during bacteria-induced demineralization.

Methods

In this study, dentine demineralization was induced by Streptococcusmutans (ATCC 25175) in the presence of sucrose in culture medium and was monitored using two EIS measurement systems (Type A with a working electrode and Type B without a working electrode). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to examine the morphology, element contents and crystallinity of hydroxyapatite (HAP) on the dentine surface. Transverse microradiography (TMR) was used to characterize the lesion depth and degree of mineral loss during demineralization.

Results

The resistance of the bulk dentine (R_d) and the apparent resistance of dentine (R_a) measured from the Type A and Type B EIS systems, respectively, decreased gradually with demineralization. The resistance of the biofilm formed on dentine surface was determined by fitting the EIS data with equivalent circuits. The presence of biofilm slightly increased R_a of dentine before demineralization. However, the electrochemical behavior of biofilm did not affect the decreasing impedance of dentine with demineralization. The SEM, EDX, XRD and TMR results demonstrated that the surface and bulk dentine gradually became more porous due to the loss of minerals during demineralization, which in turn resulted in the decrease in R_d and R_a values obtained from EIS systems.

Conclusions

This investigation highlighted EIS as a potential technique to monitor biofilm formation and bacterial-induced demineralization in situ.     

Influence of powder/liquid mixing ratio on porosity and translucency of dental porcelains

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Dental technicians use a variety of techniques when condensing dental porcelains. It is unclear whether these techniques affect the total porosity and translucency of dental porcelains. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to determine whether varying the powder/liquid ratio during condensation affects porosity and translucency of porcelains.Material and methods Duceram LFC dentin, Duceram LFC incisal, IPS Eris dentin, and IPS Eris incisal porcelains were studied. For each specimen, 1.0 g of porcelain powder was mixed with 1 of 3 different volumes of deionized water to form a slurry with a thin, medium, or thick consistency. The slurries were condensed in a plastic syringe mold, fired, and polished to a 3-microm finish to form 12 groups of 4 specimens each (14-mm diameter, 1.10-mm thickness). The apparent density (g/mL) of each specimen was measured using Archimedes method, and the porosity (%) calculated. Each specimen was coupled to standard ceramic tiles using an immersion liquid, and the color shade was measured in CIE Yxy coordinates using a tristimulus colorimeter. Translucency was assessed by calculating the contrast ratio of shade value (Y) in front of black versus white backgrounds. Two-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison tests (alpha = .05) were used to test for significant effects of factors. RESULTS: Porcelain type and powder/liquid ratio had a significant interactive effect on the apparent density (P < .001) and on total porosity (P = .003); however, there was no consistent trend. The powder/liquid ratio did not significantly affect translucency (P = .28), but porcelain type had a significant effect on translucency (P < .001). CONCLUSION: In this in vitro study, total porosity of specimens prepared using 4 porcelains was found to be sensitive to powder/liquid ratio; whereas translucency was found to be insensitive to powder/liquid ratio.     

正畸儿童龋病的口腔综合防治

目的：观察口腔综合防治措施对正畸儿童龋病的作用。方法：以56名12-16岁的正畸患者为观察对象，观察矫治前、矫治后半年及1年的龋指数、变形链球菌计数、乳酸杆菌计数的改变。实验组采用口腔综合保健措施。结果：实验组的变形链球菌计数、乳酸杆菌计数明显低于对照组，差异有显著性；实验组无新龋发生，对照组龋均比实验组有所上升，但两组之间无统计学上的差异。结论：正畸治疗患者龋病通过口腔综合防治措施是可以治疗和预防的。     

Sliding contact fatigue of graded zirconia with external esthetic glass

Veneer chipping and fracture are common failure modes for porcelain-veneered zirconia dental restorations. We hypothesized that the graded glass/zirconia/glass with external esthetic glass (e-GZG) can increase the lifetime and improve resistance to veneer chipping and fracture relative to porcelain-veneered zirconia, while providing necessary esthetics. Previously, we have demonstrated that a graded glass-zirconia surface possesses excellent resistance to occlusal-like sliding contact fatigue. Here, we investigated the sliding contact fatigue response of this graded glass-zirconia surface with external esthetic glass. This external glass is essential for shade options, for preventing excessive wear of opposing dentition, and for protecting Y-TZP from hydrothermal degradation. e-GZG plates were bonded to composite blocks and subjected to prolonged sliding contact up to 10 million cycles at 200 N in water. The resistance to sliding contact fatigue of e-GZG matches that of monolithic Y-TZP, and both of these materials demonstrated lifetimes that were orders of magnitude longer than that of porcelain-veneered zirconia. Graded e-GZG is a promising restorative material.     

Digital subtraction arthrography and arthrofluoroscopic dynamic observations on TMJ dysfunction syndrome

Digital subtraction arthrography and arthrofluoroscopic dynamic observation were performed for seventy cases with TMJ dysfunction syndrome. A comparative study between the findings of digital subtraction arthrography and the operative findings was carried out for eleven cases who underwent surgery. It has been found that digital subtraction arthrography can overcome the disadvantages of conventional arthrography and has important diagnostic value for TMJ dysfunction syndrome, especially for disc perforation. In addition. The procedure of digital subtraction arthrography, the normal and abnormal manifestations of digital subtraction arthrograms were described in the present study.     

类风湿性关节炎患者牙周骨丧失程度的临床研究

目的:揭示类风湿性关节炎患者关节炎严重程度与牙周骨丧失程度的相关性。方法: 70例类风湿关节炎患者根据牙周附着丧失与牙槽骨吸收程度分为2组:无、轻度骨丧失组和中、重度骨丧失组。分别检查患者晨僵持续时间、红细胞沉降率以及血清C反应蛋白,并进行分析。结果:经统计学分析, 2组在晨僵时间、红细胞沉降率及C反应蛋白水平均有显著性差异,中、重度组均高于无、轻度组。结论:类风湿关节炎患者牙周骨丧失的程度与其类风湿临床症状严重程度密切相关。     

倾斜种植体在上颌后牙区骨量不足患者中的应用

目的:探讨倾斜种植体作为一种避免上颌窦植骨的方法,应用于上颌骨后牙区骨量不足患者种植修复的可靠性。方法:2005年1月—2007年12月间,21例患者共27个固定桥修复上颌后牙缺失,分别使用ITI和Br覽nemark 2种种植系统共植入78颗种植体,其中34颗种植体采用倾斜植入,44颗轴向植入。所有患者均为上颌后牙区骨量不足无法直接接受常规种植体植入。种植体植入后常规愈合3个月,除1颗种植体失败外,其余种植体均功能性负载支持固定义齿修复,修复方式为黏结固位和螺丝固位。每例患者均于负载后12、24和36个月接受临床和放射学随访检查。采用SPSS11.0软件包对数据进行统计学处理。结果:上颌有1颗轴向种植体在术后2个月时失败,倾斜种植体无失败。随访时间为36个月。上颌轴向种植体的累积存活率为97.72%,倾斜种植体的累积存活率为100%,修复成功率为100%。随访期间,种植体周围软组织保持稳定,平均探诊深度和附着水平无明显变化。结论:倾斜种植体作为一种上颌骨后牙区骨量不足患者的治疗方法是可靠的,能有效避免植骨手术,并节约治疗时间。