Nicotine is a potent extracellular polysaccharide inducer in Fusobacterium nucleatum biofilms

The purpose of this in vitro study was to analyze the influence of nicotine on the extracellular polysaccharides in Fusobacterium nucleatum biofilm. Methods: F. nucleatum (ATCC 10953) biofilms supplemented with different concentrations of nicotine (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mg/mL) were grown in two different BHI broth conditions [no sucrose and 1% sucrose]. Extracellular polysaccharides assay, pH measurements, and a spectrophotometric assay were performed. Data were submitted for ANOVA and Tukey honestly significant difference analyses (HSD) tests (α =.05). Results: Extracellular polysaccharides synthesis was influenced by an interaction between nicotine concentrations and growth medium solution containing sucrose (P<.05). The pH values declined in the sucrose-exposed biofilm were greater than in the group exposed only to nicotine (P<.05). The biofilm exposed to sucrose and nicotine had a higher total biofilm growth (P<.05) than the nicotine-treated biofilm without sucrose. Conclusions: Regardless of sucrose exposure, biofilms exposed to different nicotine concentrations influenced the amount of extracellular polysaccharides

Comparative analysis of ceramic flexural strength in co-cr and ni-cr alloys joined by TIG welding and conventional brazing

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the flexural strength of specimens made of nickel-chromium(Ni-Cr) and cobalt-chromium (Co-Cr) alloys and joined by tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding and conventional brazing. Ni­Cr and Co­Cr base metal specimens (n = 40, each) were cast and welded by TIG or brazing. The specimens were divided into six groups (2 base metals, four welded specimens). Ceramic systems were applied to the central part of all the specimens. A three-point bending test with a velocity of 0.5 mm/m was performed on the specimens up to the point of the first ceramic bond failure by measuring the flexural strength. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni's tests. Conventional welding showed the lowest flexural strength results for both alloys, while the TIG weld and the control group presented with varying bond strengths for the alloys studied. We concluded that TIG welding was superior to the conventional welding method for both Ni­Cr and Co­Cr alloys with regard to the flexural strength of the ceramic (AU)