Antibacterial activity and physical properties of conventional glass-ionomer cements containing chlorhexidine diacetate/cetrimide mixtures.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Hand excavation instruments are not as efficient as that with rotary burs in atraumatic restorative treatment (ART). PURPOSE: To evaluate the antibacterial activity (ABA), microhardness numbers (VHN), and cumulative fluoride releasing (CFR) patterns of conventional GICs (Fuji IX (FX) and Ketac Molar (KM)) containing chlorhexidine diacetate/cetrimide mixtures (2.5%/2.5%) (AB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The powders of ABs were added to powders of FX and KM selected as experimental groups (EXPs). FX and KM were assigned as controls (CNTs). ABA against S.mutans (MS) and L.casei (LB) were examined between 1-90 days. VHN were calculated after 24 hours and CFR patterns measured between 1-30 days. Analysis of variance was used for comparison (p<0.05) RESULTS: Differences were found between EXPs regarding MS levels at days 1, 7 and 60 as well as for LB at all time periods (p<0.05). VHN decreased in EXPs compared to CNTs (p<0.05), and no differences were found between EXPs (p>0.05). CFR patterns tended to decrease in EXPs compared to the CNTs, but no differences were found between EXPs (p>0.05) CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE These mixtures could be recommended for ART procedures to provide beneficial antibacterial effects without seriously deteriorating the physical properties of selected GICs.

Conversion degree, microhardness, microleakage and fluoride release of different fissure sealants.

The purpose of this study was to determine the degree of conversion (DC), microhardness, microleakage and fluoride release of a nano-filled resin based fissure sealant (Grandio Seal, GS) and compare it with an un-filled resin based fissure sealant (Clinpro, CL) and a glass-ionomer based fissure sealant (Fuji Triage, FT). Disk shaped specimens were prepared from tested fissure sealants to determine the DC, Vicker hardness (VHN) and fluoride release (FR). The DC and VHN of each material was evaluated after 24 h. The cumulative fluoride concentrations were evaluated at 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1, 7, 15 and 30 days. For microleakage evaluation, fissure sealants were applied to the etched and dried enamel surfaces of sound third molar teeth according to the manufacturer's instructions (n=10). After the thermocycling and mechanical loading procedures, microleakage assessments were carried out. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc Tukey test, the Kruskal Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). Results revealed differences regarding DC between all groups: FT (89%) > GS (55.02%) > CL (%51.10) (p<0.05). The VHN values were significantly different among all groups in the following order: GS > FT > CL (p<0.05). FT exhibited significantly higher microleakage scores compared to the CL and GS sealants (p<0.05). The FR of FT was significantly greater than CL and GS (p<0.05). Nano-filled resin based sealant can be used as an alternative to other fissure sealant materials because of its superior hardness results and feasible sealing ability.

Removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solution by waste mud.

The present study was carried out to assess the ability of original waste mud (o-WM) and different types of activated waste mud which are acid-activated (a-WM) and precipitated waste mud (p-WM), in order to remove excess of fluoride from aqueous solution by using batch technique. The p-WM exhibited greater performance than the others. Adsorption studies were conducted as a function of pH, contact time, initial fluoride concentration, adsorbent concentration, temperature, etc. Studies were also performed to understand the effect of some co-existing ions present in aqueous solutions. Adsorption process was found to be almost independent of pH for all types of waste mud. Among the kinetic models tested for p-WM, pseudo-second-order model fitted the kinetic data well with a perfect correlation coefficient value of 1.00. It was found that the adequate time for the adsorption equilibrium of fluoride was only 1h. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (DeltaG degrees ), enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ), and entropy (DeltaS degrees ) revealed that adsorption of fluoride ions on the p-WM was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic in the temperature range of 0-40 degrees C. Experimental data showed a good fit with the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Results of this study demonstrated the effectiveness and feasibility of WM for removal of fluoride ions from aqueous solution.

Removal of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by a waste mud from copper mine industry: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic study.

The objective of this study was to assess the adsorption potential of a waste mud (WM) for the removal of lead (Pb(II)) ions from aqueous solutions. The WM was activated with NaOH in order to increase its adsorption capacity. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch system as a function of solution pH, contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration, activated-waste mud (a-WM) concentration, temperature, etc. Optimum pH was specified as 4.0. The adsorption kinetic studies indicated that the overall adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second-order kinetics. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of a-WM was obtained by using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models and both models fitted well. Adsorption capacity for Pb(II) was found to be 24.4 mg g(-1) for 10 g L(-1) of a-WM concentration. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (Delta G degrees), enthalpy (Delta H degrees), and entropy (DeltaS degrees) indicated that the adsorption of Pb(II) ions on the a-WM was feasible, spontaneous and endothermic, at temperature range of 0-40 degrees C. Desorption studies were carried out successfully with diluted HCl solutions. The results indicate that a-WM can be used as an effective and no-cost adsorbent for the treatment of industrial wastewaters contaminated with Pb(II) ions.