Shear bond strength of adhesive precoated brackets: A comparative in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the shear bond strength of orthodontic precoated brackets from different manufacturers. METHODS: Sixty extracted human premolar teeth were divided into six groups (n=10). The groups were bonded with one of the following brackets: 3M™ Unitek Victory™ Series™ with APC, 3M™ Unitek Clarity™ Advanced Ceramic™ with APC, TP Nu-Edge® NX Cobalt-Chromium and TP In-Vu® ceramic Readi-Base® both with eXact® orthodontic adhesive, 3M™ Unitek Clarity Advanced Ceramic™ and 3M™ Unitek Victory™ Series™ both with Transbond™ XT Adhesive. Each group was tested for shear bond strength using a universal testing machine. Each sample was observed under a dissecting microscope and received an adhesive remnant index (ARI) score. Statistical analysis was performed using Tukey's Standardized Range (HSD) Test to make comparisons among all groups and a Wilcoxon rank-sum test to evaluate for pairwise comparisons between the groups. The P-values<0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The ceramic control was not statistically different from the metal control, 3M™ Victory™ APC™, TP In-Vu® ceramic eXact® or TP Nu-EDGE® eXact® in terms of shear bond strength (7.69±1.41MPa, 7.72±1.25MPa, 8.70±1.93MPa, 4.90±1.76MPa, 5.33±0.78MPa, respectively). However, it was statistically different from 3M™ Ceramic APC™ (10.29±2.78MPa). In terms of modulus, there were no statistical differences. TP's Nu-edge® had the lowest average ARI score, but was not statistically different when compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: 3M™ Unitek's Ceramic APC had a statistically higher SBS than the non-precoated brackets and TP Orthodontics' precoated brackets. However, all SBS were 4.9 MPA or above, which is deemed clinically acceptable in terms of laboratory forces. There was no statistical difference between manufacturing companies or precoated vs. non-precoated modulus and ARI scores.

Formulation and characterization of experimental orthodontic adhesive containing antibacterial dimethacrylate DABCO monomers: An in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the antibacterial efficacy and mechanical properties of experimental orthodontic adhesives containing newly synthesized antibacterial dimethacrylate monomers with doubly charged 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) group (dication). METHODS: Experimental orthodontic adhesives were formulated using varying compositions of synthesized antibacterial dimethacrylate monomers containing DABCO dication, C16DC2DMA and BisC11DCDMA, replacing part of the control group, Transbond™XT. The concentrations of monomers tested were 5% C16DC2DMA, 10% C16DC2DMA, 5% BisC11DCDMA, and 10% BisC11DCDMA. The biofilm-inhibition effects of the experimental adhesives against Streptococcus mutans were tested. Brackets were then bonded to extracted human teeth utilizing the experimental adhesives in the bonding protocol. The shear bond strength and modulus of elasticity of the control and experimental groups were tested. The adhesive remnant index scores were recorded. RESULTS: The experimental adhesives containing 5% or 10% BisC11DCDMA and 10% C16DC2DMA showed significantly lower S. mutans colony forming units (CFU) than the control. Both BisC11DCDMA experimental groups displayed similar mechanical properties as compared to the control, although 10% C16DC2DMA showed a reduction in shear bond strength as compared to the control. For all experimental adhesives, the adhesive remnant index scores were not significantly different compared to the control. CONCLUSION: BisC11DCDMA is a novel antibacterial dimethacrylate monomer that exhibits the significant ability to inhibit bacterial growth while maintaining acceptable mechanical properties. When incorporated into orthodontic adhesives, this monomer may reduce the occurrence of white spot lesions around brackets in orthodontic patients.

Comparison of Tie Wing Fracture Resistance of Differing Ceramic Brackets.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the tie wing fracture resistance of 4 different manufacturers' ceramic brackets currently on the market. METHODS: The tie wings of ceramic brackets from 4 manufacturers were tested with 10 samples in each group. The brackets were Ormco Symetri, 3M Clarity, American Radiance Plus, and Dentsply Ovation S. The brackets were mounted and fixed in a universal testing machine. A stainless steel ligature wire was looped around a tie wing and the mean tensile strength was both tested and recorded. RESULTS: There was a significant overall difference in tensile strength among the 4 groups (P < .0001) with the 3M Clarity brackets having the highest MPa. When the groups were compared to each other, they also showed a significant difference in mean tensile strength with the exception being the American Radiance Plus and Ormco Symetri brackets. CONCLUSION: Test results concluded that the 3M Clarity brackets had the highest resistance to tie wing fracture, while the Dentsply Ovation S brackets had the lowest resistance.

Impact of surface topography on biofilm formation by Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is a fungal pathogen that causes serious biofilm-based infections. Here we have asked whether surface topography may affect C. albicans biofilm formation. We tested biofilm growth of the prototypical wild-type strain SC5314 on a series of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) solids. The surfaces were prepared with monolayer coatings of monodisperse spherical silica particles that were fused together into a film using silica menisci. The surface topography was varied by varying the diameter of the silica particles that were used to form the film. Biofilm formation was observed to be a strong function of particle size. In the particle size range 4.0-8.0 µm, there was much more biofilm than in the size range 0.5-2.0 µm. The behavior of a clinical isolate from a clade separate from SC5314, strain p76067, showed results similar to that of SC5314. Our results suggest that topographic coatings may be a promising approach to reduce C. albicans biofilm infections.

Effects of Colloidal Crystals, Antibiotics, and Surface-Bound Antimicrobials on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Surface Density.

We examined the effect of a crystalline layer of silica particles in the size range 0.5-4 µm on the adsorption and surface growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Growth on these colloidal crystal monolayers (CCMs) was compared to growth on a flat plate of silica. All surfaces were coated with a thin film of silica to provide chemical uniformity of the different topographies. The results showed that the CCM reduces the density of colony forming units (CFU) on the solid by 99-99.9% when the suspension load was 103 CFU. We also examined the interaction between the CCM and either antibiotics or a chemically bound antimicrobial. The addition of 20 µg/mL tobramycin after an initial 24 h growth period caused a further decrease in CFU counts of about 99-99.9% for all topographies. The percentage reduction as a result of the antibiotics was similar for all topographies, which suggested that there was no particular synergy between the topography and antibiotics. On the other hand, the additive nature of the two effects suggested promise for clinical studies: the large percentage reduction in CFU density on addition of the antibiotic to a flat surface was maintained on the topography, even starting from a much lower CFU density. A similar result was obtained for the combination of CCM and a covalently bound layer of antimicrobial poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). The PAH reduced the CFU, and the CCM caused a further reduction; the two factors behaved approximately independently. Overall the CCM was found to be very effective at reducing the density of adsorbed P. aeruginosa both with and without the additional reductions caused by antibiotics or surface-bound antimicrobials.

Serrulatane Diterpenoid from Eremophila neglecta Exhibits Bacterial Biofilm Dispersion and Inhibits Release of Pro-inflammatory Cytokines from Activated Macrophages.

The purpose of this study was to assess the biofilm-removing efficacy and inflammatory activity of a serrulatane diterpenoid, 8-hydroxyserrulat-14-en-19-oic acid (1), isolated from the Australian medicinal plant Eremophila neglecta. Biofilm breakup activity of compound 1 on established Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms was compared to the antiseptic chlorhexidine and antibiotic levofloxacin. In a time-course study, 1 was deposited onto polypropylene mesh to mimic a wound dressing and tested for biofilm removal. The ex-vivo cytotoxicity and effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine release were studied in mouse primary bone-marrow-derived macrophage (BMDM) cells. Compound 1 was effective in dispersing 12 h pre-established biofilms with a 7 log10 reduction of viable bacterial cell counts, but was less active against 24 h biofilms (approximately 2 log10 reduction). Compound-loaded mesh showed dosage-dependent biofilm-removing capability. In addition, compound 1 displayed a significant inhibitory effect on tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion from BMDM cells, but interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) secretion was not significant. The compound was not cytotoxic to BMDM cells at concentrations effective in removing biofilm and lowering cytokine release. These findings highlight the potential of this serrulatane diterpenoid to be further developed for applications in wound management.

Advanced biopolymer-coated drug-releasing titania nanotubes (TNTs) implants with simultaneously enhanced osteoblast adhesion and antibacterial properties.

Here, we report on the development of advanced biopolymer-coated drug-releasing implants based on titanium (Ti) featuring titania nanotubes (TNTs) on its surface. These TNT arrays were fabricated on the Ti surface by electrochemical anodization, followed by the loading and release of a model antibiotic drug, gentamicin. The osteoblastic adhesion and antibacterial properties of these TNT-Ti samples are significantly improved by loading antibacterial payloads inside the nanotubes and modifying their surface with two biopolymer coatings (PLGA and chitosan). The improved osteoblast adhesion and antibacterial properties of these drug-releasing TNT-Ti samples are confirmed by the adhesion and proliferation studies of osteoblasts and model Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus epidermidis). The adhesion of these cells on TNT-Ti samples is monitored by fluorescence and scanning electron microscopies. Results reveal the ability of these biopolymer-coated drug-releasing TNT-Ti substrates to promote osteoblast adhesion and proliferation, while effectively preventing bacterial colonization by impeding their proliferation and biofilm formation. The proposed approach could overcome inherent problems associated with bacterial infections on Ti-based implants, simultaneously enabling the development of orthopedic implants with enhanced and synergistic antibacterial functionalities and bone cell promotion.

Compounds from Geijera parviflora with prostaglandin E2 inhibitory activity may explain its traditional use for pain relief.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Australian Aboriginal people used crushed leaves of Geijera parviflora Lindl. both internally and externally for pain relief, including for toothache (Cribb and Cribb, 1981). This study tested the hypothesis that this traditional use might be at least in part explained by the presence of compounds with anti-inflammatory activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A crude extract (95% EtOH) was prepared from powdered dried leaves. From the CH3Cl fraction of this extract compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided fractionation and tested for: (1) cytotoxicity in RAW 264.7 murine leukemic monocyte-macrophages, (2) prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) inhibitory activity in 3T3 Swiss albino mouse embryonic fibroblast cells, as well as (3) nitric oxide (NO) and (4) tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitory activity in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. Isolated compounds were also tested for (5) antibacterial activity against a panel of Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 35984, biofilm-forming) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853) strains by broth microdilution. RESULTS: Eleven compounds were isolated, including one new flavone and one new natural product, with a further four compounds reported from this species for the first time. Some of the compounds showed good anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. In particular, flindersine (1) and N-(acetoxymethyl) flindersine (3) inhibited PGE2 release with IC50 values of 5.0µM and 4.9µM, respectively, without any significant cytotoxicity. Several other compounds showed moderate inhibition of NO (5, 6, 7) and TNF-α (6), with IC50 in the low micromolar range; however much of this apparent activity could be accounted for by the cytotoxicity of these compounds. None of the compounds showed anti-bacterial activity. CONCLUSIONS: The inhibition of PGE2, an important mediator of inflammation and pain, by flindersine and a derivative thereof, along with the moderate anti-inflammatory activity shown by several other compounds isolated from Geijera parviflora leaf extract, support the traditional use of this plant for pain relief by Australian Aboriginal people.

Antibacterial anthranilic acid derivatives from Geijera parviflora.

Five anthranilic acid derivatives, a mixture I of three new compounds 11'-hexadecenoylanthranilic acid (1), 9'-hexadecenoylanthranilic acid (2), and 7'-hexadecenoylanthranilic acid (3), as well as a new compound 9,12,15-octadecatrienoylanthranilic acid (4) together with a new natural product, hexadecanoylanthranilic acid (5), were isolated from Geijera parviflora Lindl. (Rutaceae). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements, and the positions of the double bonds in compounds 1-3 of the mixture I were determined by tandem mass spectrometry employing ozone-induced dissociation. The mixture I and compound 5 showed good antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive strains.

Biologically active dibenzofurans from Pilidiostigma glabrum, an endemic Australian Myrtaceae.

In an effort to identify new anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents with potential application in wound healing, five new dibenzofurans, 1,3,7,9-tetrahydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-4,6-di(2-methylbutanoyl)dibenzofuran (1), 1,3,7,9-tetrahydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-4-(2-methylbutanoyl)-6-(2-methylpropionyl)dibenzofuran (2), 1,3,7,9-tetrahydroxy-2,8-dimethyl-4,6-di(2-methylpropionyl)dibenzofuran (3), 1,3,7,9-tetrahydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2-(2-methylbutanoyl)-8-(2-methylpropionyl)dibenzofuran (4), and 1,3,7,9-tetrahydroxy-4,6-dimethyl-2,8-di(2-methylpropionyl)dibenzofuran (5), were isolated from the leaves of Pilidiostigma glabrum together with one previously described dibenzofuran. Structure elucidation was achieved by way of spectroscopic measurements including 2D-NMR spectroscopy. Compounds with 2,8-acyl substitutions had potent antibacterial activity against several Gram-positive strains (MIC in the low micromolar range), while compounds with 4,6-acyl substitutions were less active. All compounds except 3 inhibited the synthesis of nitric oxide in RAW264 macrophages with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range. Compounds with 2,8-acyl substitutions also inhibited the synthesis of PGE(2) in 3T3 cells, whereas 4,6-acyl-substituted compounds were inactive. None of the compounds inhibited the synthesis of TNF-α in RAW264 cells. The compounds showed variable but modest antioxidant activity in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. These findings highlight that much of the Australian flora remains unexplored and may yet yield many new compounds of interest. Initial clues are provided on structure/activity relationships for this class of bioactives, which may enable the design and synthesis of compounds with higher activity and/or selectivity.