Inhibitory effects of compounds isolated from Geranium wilfordii on IL-4 production and ß-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 cells.

This study aimed to investigate the anti-allergic activity of compounds isolated from Geranium wilfordii Maxim. and to suggest potential therapeutic agents for allergies. Nine compounds were isolated from an ethanolic G. wilfordii extract using chromatographic methods and identified chemically and by spectroscopic analysis. These compounds were identified using reported literature data as brevifolin carboxylic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), corilagin (3), ellagic acid (4), geraniol (5), kaempferol 3-O-dirhamnoside (6), kaempferol 3-O-neohesperidoside (7), protocatechuic acid (8), and gallic acid (9). All nine identified compounds were assessed for including IL-4 mRNA expression and ß-hexosaminidase release in RBL-2H3 cells stimulated with PMA/ionomycin or IgE + DNP-BSA. IL-4 gene expression assay showed that corilagin (3) potently inhibited IL-4 production, and ß-hexosaminidase release assay showed that protocatechuic acid (8) markedly reduced histamine release. The study shows that of the nine compounds isolated from G. wilfordii, corilagin (3), and protocatechuic acid (8) are potential treatments for allergy-related diseases.

Effects of heat treatment on the microstructure, residual stress, and mechanical properties of Co-Cr alloy fabricated by selective laser melting.

The mechanical properties and residual stress of dental Co-Cr-Mo (CCM) alloy depend on the manufacturing and post-processing methods, which affect the prognosis of dental prostheses. Two CCM alloys manufactured by casting and selective laser melting (SLM) were compared, and the effect of heat treatment temperature for CCM alloys manufactured by SLM method was evaluated. Specimens were fabricated by casting (Cast Co-Cr) and SLM (SLM Co-Cr). SLM Co-Cr specimens were heat treated at 750, 950, and 1150 °C to compare their properties. Microstructures were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD), and the residual stress was measured via x-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties were evaluated by a Vickers hardness test and a tensile test; fractography was performed after this. The SLM Co-Cr group exhibited a decrease in porosity, grain size, increase in solid solution limit, and high residual stress compared to Cast Co-Cr; the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness were also higher. The microstructures, residual stresses, and mechanical properties differed significantly depending on the heat treatment, and the strength and hardness showed a tendency inverse to that of the elongation. Type I residual stresses mostly decreased after 750 °C heat treatment, however type II and III residual stresses remained even after 1150 °C heat treatment. SLM presented superior mechanical properties to casting. Considering the reduction of tensile residual stress and increased ductility, CCM alloys should be heat treated at a temperature of 950 °C or higher.

Impact of Surface Chemistry Modifications on Speed and Strength of Osseointegration.

PURPOSE: To compare the bone responses of chemically modified implants using the plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition method with those of blasted implants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The titanium implants were blasted with resorbable blasting media (RBM) and designated as controls. The ion-implanted implants were divided into two test groups, namely, calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) implants. Six implants (two implants per group) were placed into the proximal tibias of 11 New Zealand white rabbits. Fluorochrome labeling was administered at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was conducted immediately after surgery and at 6 weeks of healing. The removal torque was measured in half of the tibiae. The implants in another tibia were subjected to fluorescence analysis and histologic and histomorphometric evaluations. RESULTS: The fluorescence analysis suggested that osteoconductivity was improved in the early osseointegration stages in the Ca and Mg implants. In the cortical region, the bone-to-implant contact in the Mg implants and the bone area % in the Ca and Mg implants were higher than those in the RBM implants (P < .05). All groups demonstrated similar biomechanical strengths with respect to the RFA and the removal torque measurements. CONCLUSION: The osseointegration speed and the bone contact were positively affected by the Ca and Mg ion implantation, especially in the Mg implants, because of the synergistic effect. However, no remarkable differences were found in biomechanical strength in the later osseointegration stages.

Rehabilitation of a patient with non-syndromic partial oligodontia.

Oligodontia is defined as a congenital tooth agenesis with the absence of six or more permanent teeth. This clinical report describes a patient with non-syndromic partial oligodontia, with retained deciduous teeth and the absence of 16 permanent teeth. Anterior esthetic problems were caused by interarch tooth size discrepancy, interdental space, aberrant tooth dimensions, and the absence of centric contacts of the anterior teeth. Prosthetic restoration after orthodontic and implant treatment was performed with a multi-disciplinary team approach. Favorable functional and esthetic results were obtained using a definitive prosthesis.