Effect of airborne-particle abrasion on dentin with experimental niobophosphate bioactive glass on the microtensile bond strength of resin cements.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of two resin cements bonded to dentin pre-treated with experimental niobophosphate bioactive glass (NBG). METHODS: The experimental bioactive glass was prepared by mixing different amounts of NbO5; (NH4)2HP4; CaO; Na2CO3. The particle size distribution and composition of the bioactive glass powder were determined. Twenty flat dentin surfaces from sound extracted human molars were polished with 600-grit SiC paper and air-abraded using experimental bioactive glass niobium powder. The bonding procedures were accomplished by the application of two resin cements: self-etching Panavia F or self-adhesive RelyX U-100. The resin-bonded specimens were cut and the µTBS test was performed after 24h. The failure mode was determined with a stereomicroscope at 40× magnification. The results were statistically analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Tukey tests (α=0.05). RESULTS: The two-way ANOVA did not detect interactions between factors, but only a difference between the self-etching and self-adhesive cement (p=0.001). The self-etching resin cement Panavia F obtained a higher µTBS than the self-adhesive cement Relyx U-100. The predominant failure mode of the cements was adhesive/mixed between the resin cement and dentin. CONCLUSION: A new bioactive glass containing niobium did not interfere with the immediate bonding performance of self-etching and self-adhesive cements.

Upconversion luminescence and decay kinetics in a diode-pumped nanocrystalline Nd3+:YVO4 random laser.

Random lasing in nanocrystalline Nd(3+):YVO(4) powder is demonstrated. A method that analyzes the decay kinetics after long-pulse excitation is used to determine the laser characteristics. This method permits to measure the fractional contribution of spontaneous and stimulated emission as well as upconversion as a function of the pump intensity. We observed that maximum linewidth narrowing is achieved when the stimulated emission reaches 50% of fractional contribution in the backscattering cone.

Size and specificity of radiopharmaceuticals for sentinel lymph node detection.

BACKGROUND: Biological performance of radiotracers for sentinel node detection analyzed in the light of molecular design and dimension is not widely available. PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of dextran molecular size and the presence of tissue-binding units (mannose) within the model of (99m)Tc-carbonyl conjugate for sentinel lymph node detection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four dextran conjugates with and without mannose in the chemical backbone were included. All polymers were radiolabeled using the precursor [(99m)Tc(OH(2))(3)(CO)(3)](+). Radiolabeling conditions targeted the best radiochemical purity and specific activity for each radiopharmaceutical, and partition coefficients were also defined. Lymphoscintigraphy and ex-vivo biodistribution in popliteal lymph node, liver and kidneys were performed in Wistar rats. The effects of molecular weight and mannose presence were assessed by a two-level factorial design. RESULTS: Radiochemical purity was indirectly related to molecular weight and presence of mannose in the polymer structure. All products were able to detect popliteal lymph node, however, uptake was strongly influenced by use of mannose (4-fold higher). Excretion was similarly modulated by differences in molecular weight. Mannose-enhanced lymph node uptake and higher molecule size in the range under study benefitted lymphoscintigraphic performance. CONCLUSION: Screening of radiopharmaceuticals for lymphoscintigraphy might improve with attention to the mentioned physico-chemical features of the molecule.

Influence of colloid particle profile on sentinel lymph node uptake.

INTRODUCTION: Particle size of colloids employed for sentinel lymph node (LN) detection is not well studied. This investigation aimed to correlate particle size and distribution of different products with LN uptake. METHODS: All agents (colloidal tin, dextran, phytate and colloidal rhenium sulfide) were labeled with (99m)Tc according to manufacturer's instructions. Sizing of particles was carried out on electron micrographs using Image Tool for Windows (Version 2.0). Biodistribution studies in main excretion organs as well as in popliteal LN were performed in male Wistar rats [30 and 90 min post injection (p.i.)]. The injected dose was 0.1 ml (37 MBq) in the footpad of the left posterior limb. Dynamic images (0-15 min p.i.) as well as static ones (30 and 90 min) were acquired in gamma camera. RESULTS: Popliteal LN was clearly reached by all products. Nevertheless, particle size remarkably influenced node uptake. Colloidal rhenium sulfide, with the smallest diameter (5.1 x 10(-3)+/-3.9 x 10(-3) microm), permitted the best result [2.72+/-0.64 percent injected dose (%ID) at 90 min]. Phytate displayed small particles (<15 microm) with favorable uptake (1.02+/-0.14%ID). Dextran (21.4+/-12.8 microm) and colloidal tin (39.0+/-8.3 microm) were less effective (0.55+/-0.14 and 0.06+/-0.03%ID respectively). Particle distribution also tended to influence results. When asymmetric, it was associated with biphasic uptake which increased over time; conversely, symmetric distribution (colloidal tin) was consistent with a constant pattern. CONCLUSION: The results are suggesting that particle size and symmetry may interfere with LN radiopharmaceutical uptake.