An in vitro study into the effect of a limited range of denture cleaners on surface roughness and removal of Candida albicans from conventional heat-cured acrylic resin denture base material

This study evaluated the abrasiveness of four denture cleaners on the surface of denture base material and assessed their ability to remove Candida albicans. Acrylic resin discs 20 mm diameter and 2 mm thick were identically produced and polished. Four cleaners were evaluated: conventional toothpaste; toothpaste with stain remover; denture cleaning paste and an immersion type cleaner, and water were used as control. These were used at dilutions of 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 with water. An electric toothbrush was used, and the discs cleaned to simulate 1 years' cleaning. The surface roughness of the discs were then measured, before and after cleaning, using a stylus profilometer, then inoculated with 1.2 x 10(6)C. albicans cells. The effectiveness of the denture cleaners to remove C. albicans cells was assessed following a single cleaning event. The immersion cleaner was significantly less abrasive than paste cleaners (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between any dilutions for any cleaner used (P > 0.05). Immersion and paste cleaners removed almost all recoverable C. albicans from the discs, as cleaning with water alone was less effective (P < 0.05). An immersion type cleaner was found to be the most suitable cleaner because of its low abrasivity and effective removal of organic debris.     

Subcutaneous tri-block copolymer produces recovery from spinal cord injury

We have studied the ability of nonionic detergents and hydrophilic polymers to seal permeabilized membranes of damaged cells, rescuing them from progressive dissolution, degeneration, and death. We report that a single subcutaneous injection of the tri-block copolymer, Poloxamer 188 (P188) 6 hr after a severe compression of the adult guinea pig spinal cord is able to: (1). preserve the anatomic integrity of the cord; (2). produce a rapid recovery of nerve impulse conduction through the lesion; and (3). produce a behavioral recovery of a spinal cord dependent long tract spinal cord reflex. These observations stood out against a control group in blinded evaluation. Conduction through the lesion was monitored by stimulating the tibial nerve of the hind limb, and measuring the arrival of evoked potentials at the contralateral sensory cortex of the brain (somatosensory evoked potentials; SSEP). Behavioral recovery was determined by a return of sensitivity of formerly areflexic receptive fields of the cutaneous trunchi muscle (CTM) reflex. This contraction of back skin in response to tactile stimulation is totally dependent on the integrity of an identified bilateral column of ascending long tract axons. A statistically significant recovery of both SSEP conduction through the lesion and the CTM reflex occurred in P188-treated animals compared to vehicle-treated controls. Quantitative 3D computer reconstruction of the lesioned vertebral segment of spinal cord revealed a statistically significant sparing of spinal cord parenchyma and a significant reduction in cavitation of the spinal cord compared to control animals We determined that the proportion of P188-treated animals that recovered evoked potentials were nearly identical to that produced by a subcutaneous injection of polyethylene glycol (PEG). In contrast, P188 was not as effective as PEG in producing a recovery of CTM functioning. We discuss the likely differences in the mechanisms of action of these two polymers, and the possibilities inherent in a combined treatment.     

Effect of cooling procedure on final denture base adaptation

Well-fitted dentures prevent hyperplasic lesions, provide chewing efficiency and promote patient's comfort. Several factors may affect final adaptation of dentures, as the type of the acrylic resin, the flask cooling procedure and the water uptake. This investigation evaluated the effect of water storage and two different cooling procedures [bench cooling (BC) for 2 h; running water (RW) at 20 degrees C for 45 min] on the final adaptation of denture bases. A heat-cured acrylic resin (CL, Clássico, Clássico Artigos Odontológicos) and two microwave-cured acrylic resins [Acron MC, (AC) GC Dent. Ind. Corp.; Onda Cryl (OC), Clássico Artigos Odontológicos] were used to make the bases. Adaptation was assessed by measuring the weight of an intervening layer of silicone impression material between the base and the master die. Data was submitted to ANOVA and Tukey's test (0.05). The following means were found: (BC) CL=0.72 +/- 0.03 a; AC=0.70 +/- 0.03 b; OC=0.76 +/- 0.04 c//(RW) CL= 1.00 +/- 0.11 a; AC=1.00 +/- 0.12 a; OC=0.95 +/- 0.10 a. Different labels join groups that are not statistically different (P > 0.05). Comparisons are made among groups submitted to the same cooling procedure (BC or RW). The conclusions are: interaction of type of material and cooling procedure had a statistically significant effect on the final adaptation of the denture bases (P < 0.05); water storage was not detected as a source of variance (P > 0.05) on the final adaptation.     

A polymeric micellar carrier for the solubilization of biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate

A polymeric micelle drug delivery system was developed to enhance the solubility of poorly-water soluble drug, biphenyl dimethyl dicarboxylate, DDB. The block copolymers consisting of poly(D,L-lactide) (PLA) as the hydrophobic segment and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) as the hydrophilic segment were synthesized and characterized by NMR, DSC and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy. The size of the polymeric micelles measured by dynamic light scattering showed a narrow monodisperse size distribution with the average diameter less than 50 nm. The MW of mPEG-PLA, 3000 (MW of mPEG, 2 K; MW of PLA, 1 K), and the presence of hydrophilic and hydrophobic segments on the polymeric micelles were confirmed by MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopy and NMR, respectively. Polymeric micelle solutions of DDB were prepared by three different methods, i.e. the matrix method, emulsion method and dialy-sis method. In the matrix method, DDB solubility was reached to 13.29 mg/mL. The mPEG-PLA 2K-1 K micelle system was compared with the poloxamer 407 micelle system for their critical micelle concentration, micelle size, solubilizing capacity, stability in dilution and physical state. DDB loaded-polymeric micelles prepared by the matrix method showed a significantly increased aqueous solubility (>5000 fold over intrinsic solubility) and were found to be superior to the poloxamer 407 micelles as a drug carrier.     

Surfactant-free microspheres of Poly(ε-caprolactone)/poly (ethylene glyco I )/poly(ε-caprolactone) triblock copolymers as a protein carrier

The aim of this study is to prepare biodegradable microspheres without the use of surfactants or emulsifiers for a novel sustained delivery carriers of protein drugs. A poly(epsilon-caprolactoney poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (CEC) triblock copolymer was synthesized by the ring-opening of epsilon-caprolactone with dihydroxy poly (ethylene glycol) to prepare surfactant-free microspheres. When dichloromethane (DCM) or ethyl formate (EF) was used as a solvent, the formation of microspheres did not occur. Although the microspheres could be formed prior to lyophilization under certain conditions, the morphology of microspheres was not maintained during the filtration and lyophilization process. Surfactant-free microspheres were only formed when ethyl acetate (EA) was used as the organic solvent and showed good spherical microspheres although the surfaces appeared irregular. The content of the protein in the microsphere was lower than expected, probably because of the presence of water channels and pores. The protein release kinetics showed a burst release until 2 days and after that sustained release pattern was showed. Therefore, these observations indicated that the formation of microsphere without the use of surfactant is feasible, and, this the improved process, the protein is readily incorporated in the microsphere.     

Microwave-cured acrylic resins and silicone-gypsum moulding technique

This study evaluated the residual monomer (RM), Knoop hardness (KHN) and transverse strength (TS) of two microwave‐cured acrylic resins (Acron MC^® (A), GC Dent. Ind. Corp., Tokyo, Japan and Onda Cryl^® (O), AO Classico Ltda, São Paulo, Brazil) when processed with an all‐type III gypsum moulding technique (G) or a silicone–gypsum moulding technique (S). One hundred and forty four specimens were fabricated and equally distributed into four groups (AG, AS, OG and OS). The TS tests were conducted after 48 h of water storage, and KHN values were obtained after 24, 48, 72 h and 30 days. The RM was determined every 24 or 48 h over a period of 288 h. The acrylic resins were prepared and processed according to the manufacturer’s directions. Both AS and OS showed the highest means (P < 0·05) for RM (μg cm^–2) only after 24 h (AS = 56·84 ± 27·39/AG = 7·51 ± 5·75/OS = 3·59 ± 1·60/OG = 1·02 ± 0·3), 48 h (AS = 28·99 ± 9·35/AG = 2·65 ± 2·17/OS = 2·37 ± 0·84/OG = 0·68 ± 0·49) and 72 h (AS = 15·98 ± 9·01/AG = 1·40 ± 0·57/OS = 1·87 ± 0·52/OG = 0·75 ± 0·44). Both AS and OS showed the highest means (P < 0·02) for KH after 24 h (AS = 18·69 ± 2·3/AG = 17·79 ± 0·7/OS = 18·41 ± 1·0/OG = 16·04 ± 0·6). After 48 h the mean values for OS and OG differed significantly (P < 0·03) (OS = 18·67 ± 0·8/OG = 16·75 ± 0·8). No differences of KHN were found among the groups during the storage periods. The TS values for A and O were not affected by either G or S (P > 0·05). Silicone–gypsum mould technique affected the RM and KHN of the resins in the first 2 and 5 days of analysis, respectively. The type of mould did not affect TS, and the acrylic resins differed from each other for all properties regardless of the type of mould.     

Development of a membrane-controlled transdermal therapeutic system containing isosorbide dinitrate

The formulation of a transdermal delivery system for isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) was examined. It was found that the target release rate should be 4.01 mg/h per 20 cm² for optimal dosing. In order to reach such this zero order release rate, a membrane permeation controlled transdermal therapeutic system (TTS) formulation was developed, with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVAC) and polyethylene (PE) membranes as rate controlling membranes; a carbomer gel was used as the drug reservoir. The release of ISDN from this drug delivery device was studied in vitro using FDA recommended method. PIB adhesive on the EVAC or PE membrane caused a decreased flux of ISDN; the release kinetics fitted Higuchi matrix kinetics. TTS with EVAC membrane release ISDN at a rate much lower than the calculated target release rate, but with PE membranes, the release rate was very close to the target. Release rate studies have revealed that, as the VA content in EVAC membrane increased, the flux of ISDN increased. All these results were compared with the commercial product Frandol^® Tape S from Japan. It was found that the release rate of Frandol was close to target release rate and fitted matrix kinetics. These results suggested that TTS that contain PE membrane as rate controlling membrane, polyisobutylene (PIB) adhesive and carbomer gel as a reservoir can be applicable as a TTS for ISDN.     

Laboratory evaluation of mouthguard material

Abstract – The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro , the EVA material (polyvinylacetate-polyethylene copolymer) most commonly used in the fabrication of mouthguards and thus to help understand mouthguard performance and to improve mouthguard design. The material was tested for tensile strength, elongation, hardness and water absorption using specimens and tests described by the American Society for Testing and Materials Standards. Standard EVA sheets of 1, 2, 3 and 5 mm thickness were prepared. With increase in the thickness of the material, both the ultimate tensile strength and the elongation were decreased. The hardness and water absorption were unaffected. It was concluded that, overall, the thicker 5 mm EVA material was recommended for mouthguards as it displayed the least deformation to load and performed equally as well in the tests as other thicknesses.     

控释型硝酸甘油透皮膜剂的制备与体内外释药

本文介绍了一种能在24h 内预防或缓解心绞痛发作的控释型经皮吸收硝酸甘油膜剂(NGTTS)的简易制法和体内外释药试验。NGTTS 由 EVA 控释膜、硝酸甘油药物贮库、EVA 粘着层及铝塑背膜组成。其体外平均释药速率约为600μg/h。经对大鼠和家兔的降血压试验证实可持续向体内释药24h,无刺激与过敏现象。经初步临床研究证明是一种有效的、副作用较小的新剂型。