Single-molecule detection and super-resolution imaging with a portable and adaptable 3D-printed microscopy platform (Brick-MIC).

Over the past decades, single-molecule spectroscopy and super-resolution microscopy have advanced significantly and by now represent important tools for life science research. Despite rapid progress and ongoing development, there is a growing gap between the state-of-the-art and what is accessible to non-optics specialists, e.g., biologists, biochemists, medical researchers, and labs with financial constraints. To bridge this gap, we introduce Brick-MIC, a versatile and affordable open-source 3D-printed micro-spectroscopy and imaging platform. Brick-MIC enables the integration of various fluorescence imaging techniques with single-molecule resolution within a single platform and enables exchange between different modalities within minutes. In this work, we present three variants of Brick-MIC that facilitate single-molecule fluorescence detection, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and super-resolution imaging. With the three variants, we were able to observe conformational changes and absolute inter-dye distances in single macromolecules and perform single-molecule localization microscopy (STORM and PAINT) of DNA origami nanostructures. Detailed descriptions of the hardware and software components, as well as data analysis routines are provided, to allow non-optics specialist to operate their own Brick-MIC with minimal effort and investments. We foresee that our affordable, flexible, and open-source Brick-MIC platform will be a valuable tool for many laboratories worldwide.

Self-Healing Dyes-Keeping the Promise?

Self-healing dyes have emerged as a new promising class of fluorescent labels. They consist of two units, a fluorescent dye and a photostabilizer. The latter heals whenever the fluorescent dye is in danger of taking a reaction pathway toward photobleaching. We describe the underlying concepts and summarize the developmental history and state-of-the-art, including latest applications in high-resolution microscopy, live-cell, and single-molecule imaging. We further discuss remaining limitations, which are (i) lower photostabilization of most self-healing dyes when compared to solution additives, (ii) limited mechanistic understanding on the influence of the biochemical environment and molecular oxygen on self-healing, and (iii) the lack of cheap and facile bioconjugation strategies. Finally, we provide ideas on how to further advance self-healing dyes, show new data on redox blinking caused by double-stranded DNA, and highlight forthcoming work on intramolecular photostabilization of fluorescent proteins.

Clinical Performance of Anterior Full Veneer Restorations Made of Lithium Disilicate with a Mean Observation Time of 8 Years.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the survival and complication rates of full veneer restorations after up to 11 years of clinical service. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six patients (four men, two women, median age 42.3 ± 4.7 years) were restored with a total of 40 adhesively luted anterior full veneers (maxilla: 36; mandible: 6; mostly canine to canine) made of lithium disilicate ceramic. Patients were treated between July 2007 and January 2014. All restorations were examined during annual recall visits using the modified United States Public Health Service criteria for color match, marginal discoloration, secondary caries, marginal integrity, surface texture, and restoration fracture, rated as Alpha, Bravo, or Charlie. Data were statistically analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimation with log-rank test. RESULTS: Time of clinical service was 68 to 139 months (median: 8.1 ± 2.0 years) without any dropouts. Full veneer restorations in the anterior dentition presented a survival rate of 100% and a complication rate of 12.5% due to reparable minor chippings (technical complication/restoration fracture rated Bravo) of four restorations (one after 11 months, one after 20 months, and two after 66 months) and a crack in one restoration (after 38 months) due to trauma. No further technical (debonding or discoloration) or biologic (secondary caries) complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Based on the present results, minimally invasive anterior full veneer restorations might be considered as a reliable treatment option, but further clinical data are essential.

CAD/CAM-generated high-density polymer restorations for the pretreatment of complex cases: a case report.

Complex rehabilitations represent a particular challenge for the restorative team, especially if the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) needs to be reconstructed or redefined. The use of provisional acrylic or composite materials allows clinicians to evaluate the treatment objective over a certain period of time and therefore generates a high predictability of the definitive rehabilitation in terms of esthetics and function. CAD/CAM technology enables the use of prefabricated polymer materials, which are fabricated under industrial conditions to form a highly homogeneous structure compared with those of direct fabrication. This increases long-term stability, biocompatibility, and resistance to wear. Furthermore, they offer more suitable CAD/CAM processing characteristics and can be used in thinner thicknesses than ceramic restorative materials. Also, based on the improved long-term stability, the transfer into the definitive restoration can be divided into multiple treatment steps. This article presents different clinical cases with minimally invasive indications for CAD/CAM-fabricated temporary restorations for the pretreatment of complex cases.

Sucesso previsível como resultado do trabalho em equipe: reabilitação oral complexa usando cerâmica pura: parte 2 / Predictable success as a result of teamwork: complex full-mouth rehabilitation using all-ceramics: part 2

A escolha dos materiais e dos passos do tratamento exigidos somente deverá ser iniciada quando as metas finais do tratamento estiverem totalmente definidas. Desse modo, será possível obter-se sincronização entre eles, para possibilitar resultado com sucesso. Nesta segunda parte do artigo, os autores mostram um modo sistemático para a confecção de reabilitações orais em casos complexos. A primeira parte deste artigo tratou do eficiente planejamento e da seleção de materiais cerâmicos apropriados, esta segunda parte é dedicada aos procedimentos da fabricação e incorporação de restaurações extensas.

Only if the treatment goals have been well defined before the treatment is started may the range of materials and the required treatment steps be synchronized with each other and streamlined towards a successful outcome. In this two-part article Prof. Dr Daniel Edelhoff and Oliver Brix present a systematic way to the full-mouth rehabilitation of complex cases. The first part deals with the efficient planning and targeted selection of appropriate ceramic materials. This part is dedicated to the fabrication and incorporation of extensive restorations.

Sucesso previsível como resultado do trabalho em equipe: reabilitação oral complexa usando cerâmica pura: parte 1 / Predictable success as a result of teamwork: complex full-mouth rehabilitation using all-ceramics: part 1

A infinidade de materiais e as etapas de tratamento necessárias poderão ser sincronizadas e eficientes, no sentido de um desfecho de sucesso, somente se os objetivos do tratamento forem definidos antes de seu início. Neste artigo de duas partes, os autores apresentam um modo sistemático para a confecção de reabilitações orais em casos complexos. A primeira parte do artigo trata do eficiente planejamento e da seleção de materiais cerâmicos apropriados...

Only if the treatment goals have been well defined before the treatment is started may the range of materials and the required treatment steps be synchronized with each other and streamlined towards a successful outcome. In this two-part article Prof. Dr Daniel Edelhoff and Oliver Brix present a systematic way to the full-mouth rehabilitation of complex cases. The first part deals with the efficient planning and targeted selection of appropriate ceramic materials...

All-ceramic restorations in different indications: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Encompassing a vast array of materials, today's all-ceramic systems are suitable for a large range of indications in almost all areas of fixed restorative dentistry. METHODS: The authors describe five clinical cases involving different indications to illustrate the use of different ceramic materials and combinations of materials. They describe the collaboration between the dentist and dental technician for single-tooth restorations and for complex cases, including all stages of the restorative procedures from treatment planning with an analytic wax-up to the selection of appropriate materials, tooth preparation and cementation. RESULTS: The patients described experienced significant functional and esthetic improvement, even those who had severely discolored teeth. This was possible because the authors executed the working steps in a strictly synchronized manner and selected the restorative materials carefully to meet the specific needs of each patient. CONCLUSIONS: All-ceramic systems have expanded the range of restorative treatment options significantly; at the same time, their handling has been simplified substantially. The use of lithium disilicate glass-ceramic-and zirconium oxide-based frameworks along with an identical veneering ceramic enables the dental care professional to cover almost all indications in fixed prosthodontics while achieving the same esthetic results.