Towards an understanding of the chemo-mechanical influences on kidney stone failure via the material point method.

This paper explores the use of the meshfree computational mechanics method, the Material Point Method (MPM), to model the composition and damage of typical renal calculi, or kidney stones. Kidney stones are difficult entities to model due to their complex structure and failure behavior. Better understanding of how these stones behave when they are broken apart is a vital piece of knowledge to medical professionals whose aim is to remove these stone by breaking them within a patient's body. While the properties of individual stones are varied, the common elements and proportions are used to generate synthetic stones that are then placed in a digital experiment to observe their failure patterns. First a more traditional engineering model of a Brazil test is used to create a tensile fracture within the center of these stones to observe the effect of stone consistency on failure behavior. Next a novel application of MPM is applied which relies on an ultrasonic wave being carried by surrounding fluid to model the ultrasonic treatment of stones commonly used by medical practitioners. This numerical modeling of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) reveals how these different stones failure in a more real-world situation and could be used to guide further research in this field for safer and more effective treatments.

Carbon Nanotube Reinforced High Density Polyethylene Materials for Offshore Sheathing Applications.

Multiwall carbon nanotube (CNT)-filled high density polyethylene (HDPE) nanocomposites were prepared by extrusion and considered for their suitability in the offshore sheathing applications. Transmission electron microscopy was conducted to analyse dispersion after bulk extrusion. Monolithic and nanocomposite samples were subjected to accelerated weathering and photodegradation (carbonyl and vinyl indices) characterisations, which consisted of heat, moisture (seawater) and UV light, intended to imitate the offshore conditions. The effects of accelerated weathering on mechanical properties (tensile strength and elastic modulus) of the nanocomposites were analysed. CNT addition in HDPE produced environmentally resilient nanocomposites with improved mechanical properties. The energy utilised to extrude nanocomposites was also less than the energy used to extrude monolithic HDPE samples. The results support the mass substitution of CNT-filled HDPE nanocomposites in high-end offshore applications.

Molecular Interpretation of the Compaction Performance and Mechanical Properties of Caffeine Cocrystals: A Polymorphic Study.

The 1:1 caffeine (CAF) and 3-nitrobenzoic acid (NBA) cocrystal (CAF:NBA) displays polymorphism. Each polymorph shares the same docking synthon that connects individual CAF and NBA molecules within the asymmetric unit; however, the extended intermolecular interactions are significantly different between the two polymorphic modifications. These alternative interaction topologies translate to distinct structural motifs, mechanical properties, and compaction performance. To assist our molecular interpretation of the structure-mechanics-performance relationships for these cocrystal polymorphs, we combine powder Brillouin light scattering (p-BLS) to determine the mechanical properties with energy frameworks calculations to identify potentially available slip systems that may facilitate plastic deformation. The previously reported Form 1 for CAF:NBA adopts a 2D-layered crystal structure with a conventional 3.4 Å layer-to-layer separation distance. For Form 2, a columnar structure of 1D-tapes is displayed with CAF:NBA dimers running parallel to the (110) crystallographic direction. Consistent with the layered crystal structure, the shear modulus for Form 1 is significantly reduced relative to Form 2, and moreover, our p-BLS spectra for Form 1 clearly display the presence of low-velocity shear modes, which support the expectation of a low-energy slip system available for facile plastic deformation. Our energy frameworks calculations confirm that Form 1 displays a favorable slip system for plastic deformation. Combining our experimental and computational data indicates that the structural organization in Form 1 of CAF:NBA improves the compressibility and plasticity of the material, and from our tabletability studies, each of these contributions confers superior tableting performance to that of Form 1. Overall, mechanical and energy framework data permit a clear interpretation of the functional performance of polymorphic solids. This could serve as a robust screening approach for early pharmaceutical solid form selection and development.

Ultimate tensile strength of total and self-etch adhesives: effect of light irradiation distance

Objective: To evaluate the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of total and self- etch adhesives irradiated at different distances. Materials and Methods: Sixty cylindrical specimens of 0.78mm diameter and 10 mm length were prepared of two types of adhesive systems total etch Excite DSC (EX ­ Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and one-step self-etch Clearfil S3 Bond (S3, Kuraray Medical Inc., Tokyo, Japan). Specimens of each adhesive were divided into three groups according to the light irradiation distance (0, 2, 4mm) (n=10). Each specimen was attached to universal testing machine (Digital Force Gauge, IMADA CO., LTD, Japan) and loaded at cross head speed of 1mm/min until failure. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Independent Student t-test at p< 0.05. Results: Mean UTS for total etch (24.63, 18.19, 17.26 Mpa) and for self-etch (12.68, 8.53, 7.58Mpa) at (0, 2, 4mm) distances. Specimens irradiated directly show significantly the highest UTS while those irradiated at 4mm show the lowest values (p<0.05). Excite DSC total etch adhesive have higher UTS than Clearfil S3 self-etch adhesive regardless of irradiation distance (p<0.05).Conclusions: The UTS of the evaluated adhesives was light irradiation distance and adhesive system dependant.

Ribose pre-treatment can protect the fatigue life of γ-irradiation sterilized bone.

Structural bone allografts are often sterilized with γ-irradiation to decrease infection risk, which unfortunately degrades the bone collagen connectivity, making the bone weak and brittle. In previous studies, we successfully protected the quasi-static mechanical properties of human cortical bone by pre-treating with ribose, prior to irradiation. This study focused on the quasi-static and fatigue tensile properties of ribose treated irradiated sterilized bone allografts. Seventy-five samples were cut from the mid-shaft diaphysis of human femurs into standardized dog-bone shape geometries for quasi-static and fatigue tensile testing. Specimens were prepared in sets of three adjacent specimens. Each set was made of a normal (N), irradiated (I) and ribose pre-treated + irradiation (R) group. The R group was incubated in a 1.2 M ribose solution before γ-irradiation. The quasi-static tensile and decalcified tests were conducted to failure under displacement control. The fatigue samples were tested under cyclic loading (10 Hz, peak stress of 45MP, minimum-to-maximum stress ratio of 0.1) until failure or reaching 10 million cycles. Ribose pre-treatment significantly improved significantly the mechanical properties of irradiation sterilized human bone in the quasi-static tensile and decalcified tests. The fatigue life of the irradiated group was impaired by 99% in comparison to the normal control. Surprisingly, the R-group has significantly superior properties over the I-group and N-group (p < 0.01, p < 0.05) (> 100%). This study shows that incubating human cortical bone in a ribose solution prior to irradiation can indeed improve the fatigue life of irradiation-sterilized cortical bone allografts.

Influência de diferentes fotoiniciadores na resistência de união na dentina bovina / Influence of different photoinitiators on the bond strength in bovine dentin

em polímeros, resulta em propriedades mecânicas satisfatórias para a adesão. Alterações na formulação dos materiais resinosos têm sido propostas com intuito de solucionar os problemas relacionados à polimerização desses sistemas, desta forma, fotoiniciadores diferentes da canforoquinona e que relatam maior grau de conversão têm sido utilizados. No entanto, o uso inadvertido de sistemas adesivos associados a compósitos odontológicos com diferentes sistemas de fotoiniciadores pode ocasionar uma redução na eficicácia da polimerização e, como consequência, da resistência adesiva. O objetivo deste estudo in vitro foi avaliar a influência dos fotoiniciadores na resistência à microtração de sistemas adesivos e resinas compostas na dentina bovina. Quarenta fragmentos dentais, com superfícies em dentina planificadas e lisas, obtidos da face vestibular coronária de incisivos bovinos hígidos, foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 4 grupos experimentais (n=10) de acordo com os diferentes sistemas adesivos e resinas compostas utilizados: Grupo AAPS + VAPS (Ambar APS + Vittra APS); Grupo AAPS + O (Ambar APS + Opallis); Grupo A + VAPS (Ambar + Vittra APS); Grupo A + O (Ambar + Opallis). Após restauração com compósito, as amostras foram seccionadas para obtenção de palitos que foram submetidos ao teste de microtração (1,0 mm/min). Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à análise estatística. O teste de Kruskal-Wallis revelou não haver diferenças significativas entre os grupos (p<0,05). Valores em MPa foram: AAPS + VAPS - 19,56 MPa; AAPS + O - 19,77 MPa; A + VAPS - 17,78 MPa; A + O - 22,44 MPa. O resultado do teste de Mann-Whitney mostrou não haver diferenças significativas em função do adesivo (Ambar Universal- 19,11 MPa, Ambar APS Universal- 21,70 MPa) e da resina composta utilizada (Vittra APS- 18,75 MPa, Opallis- 23,75 MPa). Concluiu-se que a utilização de diferentes fotoiniciadores na composição dos sistemas adesivos e compósitos restauradores não influenciou seus valores de resistência adesiva devido à padronização dos fatores que influenciam o padrão de polimerização dos mesmos. (AU)

An effective polymerization of the composite resin provides a higher monomer degree conversion into polymers, resulting in satisfactory mechanical properties for adhesion. Changes in the formulation of resinous materials have been proposed with the aim to solve the problems related to the polymerization of these systems. Thus, different photoinitiators from camphorquinone and that report higher degree of conversion have been used. However, the inadvertent use of adhesive systems associated with dental composites with different photoinitiators systems can lead to a reduction in the efficiency of the cure and, consequently, of the adhesive resistance. The objective of this in vitro was to evaluate the influence of photoinitiators on the microtensile strength of adhesive systems and composite resins to bovine dentin. Forty dental fragments with smooth and straightened dentin surfaces obtained from the coronary vestibular surface of healthy bovine incisors were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups (n = 10) according to the different adhesive systems and composite resins used: Group: AAPS + VAPS (Ambar APS + Vittra APS); Group: AAPS + O (Ambar APS + Opallis); Group: A + VAPS (Ambar + Vittra APS); Group: A + O (Ambar + Opallis). After composite restoration, the samples were sectioned to obtain sticks that were submitted to the microtensile test (1.0mm/min). The data were submitted to statistical analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test revealed no significant diferences between groups (p<0.05). Values in MPa were: AAPS + VAPS - 19,56 MPa; AAPS + O - 19,77 MPa; A + VAPS - 17,78 MPa; A + O - 22,44 MPa. The result of the Mann-Whitney test showed no significant statistical difference as a function of adhesives (Ambar Universal- 19.11 MPa, Ambar Universal APS - 21,70 MPa) and the composite resin used (Vittra APS - 18.75 MPa, Opallis - 23.75 MPa). It was concluded that the use of different photoinitiators in the composition of adhesive systems and restorative composites did not influence their adhesive strength values due the standardization of the factors that influence the curing pattern of the adhesive systems. (AU)

Microstructures and properties of photophobic films composed of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and different salts.

Monosodium phosphate (MP), sodium citrate (SC), sodium lactate (SL) and magnesium citrate (MC) can be blended with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) to make photophobic (white) films at lower drying temperatures. Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), wide angle X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), whiteness determination, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and texture analysis were adopted to study the variation of microstructures and properties. These four kinds of HPMC/salt films showed decreased crystallinity and increased compactness and smoothness of the self-similar structures in larger scale ranges. HPMC/MP, HPMC/SC and HPMC/SL film showed coarser and porous morphologies, lower mechanical parameters and higher whiteness than pure HPMC film. HPMC/MC film showed smoother morphologies, higher tensile strength, elongation and whiteness than pure HPMC film. Porous structures and more compact self-similar structures might contribute to the photophobic property of these films, and relatively smooth morphology might dominate the increasing mechanical parameters of HPMC/MC film.

Effect of photodynamic therapy on the mechanical properties and bond strength of glass-fiber posts to endodontically treated intraradicular dentin.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The use of photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy promotes intraradicular microbial reduction during nonsurgical endodontic therapy. However, studies are lacking on the consequences of the application of these agents on the mechanical properties of intraradicular dentin and on the bond strength of glass-fiber posts. PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy on the bond strength of glass-fiber posts using a push-out test and, additionally, to measure the Martens hardness (MH) and elastic indentation modulus (Eit) of intraradicular dentin when different photosensitizers are used. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty bovine teeth were used to simulate experimental endodontic treatments. Biomechanical instrumentation was performed for all root canals, and the teeth were distributed into 5 groups: control-deionized water; methylene blue 50 mg/L + red laser; methylene blue 100 mg/L + red laser; curcumin 500 mg/L + blue LED; and curcumin 1000 mg/L + blue LED. The MH and Eit of intraradicular dentin were measured using an ultramicrohardness tester under a load of 3 mN (n=8). The push-out bond strength of glass-fiber posts to dentin was measured using a universal testing machine (n=8). Mechanical properties and bond strength data were subjected to the Kruskal-Wallis test, ANOVA, and Fisher least significant difference test (α=.05). Images of representative specimens were obtained using a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: The MH, Eit, and bond strength of intraradicular dentin were influenced by the photosensitizer used. In general, curcumin promoted lower mechanical properties values but higher bond strength values. CONCLUSIONS: Photosensitizers influenced the mechanical properties of intraradicular dentin and the bond strength of glass-fiber posts, and methylene blue at 50 mg/L had no marked effect on the mechanical properties of the dentin or the bond strength values.

Efficacy of Various Pretreatments on the Bond Strength of Denture Teeth to Denture Base Resins.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro study evaluated the shear bond strength (SBS) of heat-cured denture base resin (PMMA) to acrylic resin teeth treated with different pretreatments, especially laser irradiation of different powers (1-4 W). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The acrylic resin teeth were separated into seven groups (n = 10) for the following different pretreatments: control group (no surface treatment) (G1), grinding with a tungsten carbide bur (G2), sandblasting (G3), and erbium, chromium: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser irradiation at 1 W, 2 W, 3 W, 4 W output powers in (G4-7), respectively. Test specimens were produced according to the PMMA manufacturers' instructions and were subjected to a SBS test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min until fracture. Debonded surfaces were evaluated by a stereomicroscope for the type of failure. SEM (scanning electron microscope) analyses were done to estimate the surface changes of the acrylic resin teeth. The data were submitted using a one-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison tests (p = 0.05). RESULTS: The highest bond strength was obtained in G3, and similar SBS values were considered in other groups, and no significant differences were found among the surface treatments and the control group (p < 0.05). All groups had a high percentage of adhesive failures. CONCLUSIONS: Laser irradiations promote surface topography alterations. However laser irradiation of the adhesive surface was found ineffective. The SBS of acrylic resin teeth to a PMMA denture base material is independent of the surface pretreatments Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation, sandblasting, and grinding with a carbide bur. All the surface treatments provided a similar bond between the acrylic denture base and the teeth.

Photochemically Induced Crosslinking of Tarsal Collagen as a Treatment for Eyelid Laxity: Assessing Potentiality in Animal Tissue.

PURPOSE: An experimental study to demonstrate in animal eyelids that the controlled exposure of excised tarsal plate to ultraviolet-A radiation can induce a rigidification effect due to photochemical crosslinking of the constitutive collagen. METHODS: Excised strips of sheep tarsus were irradiated with ultraviolet-A rays (wavelength 365 nm) at low and high irradiances, in the presence of riboflavin as a photosensitizer, using radiation sources available for corneal collagen crosslinking procedure. The tensile strength and Young's modulus (stiffness) of irradiated and control samples were measured in a mechanical tester and analyzed statistically. Histologic examination of the specimens was carried out to evaluate the effect of radiation on the meibomian glands and collagen organization. RESULTS: Mechanical evaluation showed that irradiation induced both stiffening and strengthening of the tarsal plate specimens, and this effect was enhanced at the higher levels of irradiance. The changes in mechanical properties can be attributed to a process of photochemically induced crosslinking of tarsal collagen. Histology revealed no changes in the meibomian glands or in the fibrous collagen system of the tarsus. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that irradiation of tarsal collagen leading to tissue stiffening could be a safe procedure for treating lax eyelid conditions in human patients.

Photo-producible and photo-degradable starch/TiO2 bionanocomposite as a food packaging material: Development and characterization.

In current study, starch/TiO2 bionanocomposites were produced by photochemical reactions as a biodegradable food packaging material. Physical, mechanical, thermal and water-vapor permeability properties were investigated. Then, the photo-degradation properties of nanocomposite films were studied. This is the first report of the photo-producible and photo-degradable bionanocomposite as a food packaging material. Film-forming solutions were exposed to ultraviolet A (UV-A) for different times. Our results showed that UV-A irradiation increased the hydrophobicity of starch films. With increasing UV-A exposure time, tensile strength and Young's modulus of the specimens were decreased. On the other hand, elongation at break of the films was increased with increasing UV-A irradiation. The glass transition temperature and melting point of the films were increased by increasing UV-A exposure time. Nevertheless, the results showed that photo-degradation properties of photo-produced starch/TiO2 nanocomposite were significantly higher than virgin starch and virgin starch/TiO2 films. According to obtain results and bibliography a schema was developed to describe the mechanism of photo-production and photo-degradation of starch/TiO2 by UV-A ray. It can be concluded, the modification of starch based biopolymer by UV-A and nano-TiO2, is an easy and accessible process to improve the packaging properties and photo-degradability of biopolymer based films.

Preparation and antibacterial activities of chitosan-gallic acid/polyvinyl alcohol blend film by LED-UV irradiation.

Active blend films from chitosan-gallic acid (CGA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were prepared via a simple mixing and casting method through the addition of citric acid as a plasticizer. The CGA/PVA blend films were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The mechanical properties including tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (%E), degree of solubility (S) and swelling behavior (DS), water vapor adsorption, and antimicrobial activities of the CGA/PVA blend films with and without LED (light emitting diode)-UV irradiation were also investigated. The CGA/PVA blend films exposed to UV irradiation exerted a higher TS (43.5MPa) and lower %E (50.40), S (0.38) and DS (2.73) compared to the CGA/PVA blend films (TS=41.7MPa, %E=55.40, S=0.42, and DS=3.16) not exposed LED-UV irradiation, indicating that the cross-linkage between CGA and PVA had been strengthened by LED-UV irradiation. However, the water vapor adsorption in the CGA/PVA blend films increased due to the changes of surface roughness and pore volume after LED-UV irradiation, and all values increased by increasing the CGA concentrations in the CGA/PVA blend films. The antimicrobial activities of the CGA/PVA blend films showed that the efficient concentration of CGA in the CGA/PVA blend films was over 1.0%. Taken together, the CGA/PVA blend films have potential for use as food packing materials.

Photobiomodulation of wound healing via visible and infrared laser irradiation.

Fibroblast cells are known to be one of the key elements in wound healing process, which has been under the scope of research for decades. However, the exact mechanism of photobiomodulation on wound healing is not fully understood yet. Photobiomodulation of 635 and 809 nm laser irradiation at two different energy densities were investigated with two independent experiments; first, in vitro cell proliferation and then in vivo wound healing. L929 mouse fibroblast cell suspensions were exposed with 635 and 809 nm laser irradiations of 1 and 3 J/cm2 energy densities at 50 mW output power separately for the investigation of photobiomodulation in vitro. Viabilities of cells were examined by means of MTT assays performed at the 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours following the laser irradiations. Following the in vitro experiments, 1 cm long cutaneous incisional skin wounds on Wistar albino rats (n = 24) were exposed with the same laser sources and doses in vivo. Wound samples were examined on 3rd, 5th, and 7th days of healing by means of mechanical tensile strength tests and histological examinations. MTT assay results showed that 635 nm laser irradiation of both energy densities after 24 h were found to be proliferative. One joule per square centimeter laser irradiation results also had positive effect on cell proliferation after 72 h. However, 809 nm laser irradiation at both energy densities had neither positive nor negative affects on cell viability. In vivo experiment results showed that, 635 nm laser irradiation of both energy densities stimulated wound healing in terms of tensile strength, whereas 809 nm laser stimulation did not cause any stimulative effect. The results of mechanical tests were compatible with the histological evaluations. In this study, it is observed that 635 nm laser irradiations of low energy densities had stimulative effects in terms of cell proliferation in vitro and mechanical strength of incisions in vivo. However, 809 nm laser irradiations at the same doses did not have any positive effect.

Evaluation of the Effects of Photobiomodulation on Bone Healing in Healthy and Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effects of Photobiomodulation (PBM) with pulsed wave laser on Hounsfield unit (HU) and bone strength at a catabolic response (bone resorption) of a callus bone defect in healthy and streptozotocin (STZ)- induced type I diabetes mellitus (TI DM) in rats. BACKGROUND DATA: Conflicting results exist regarding the effect of PBM on bone healing in healthy and diabetic animals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomly divided 20 adult female rats into the following groups: (1) control, no TI DM, and no PBM; (2) no TI DM and PBM; (3) TI DM and no PBM; and (4) TI DM and PBM. TI DM was induced by STZ. All rats underwent partial transversal standardized osteotomies in their right tibias. The rats received PBM (890 nm, 80 Hz, 1.5 J/cm2) thrice per week during 30 days. At 4 weeks after the surgery, the rats were sacrificed and their tibias submitted to computed tomography scanning to measure HU. The samples underwent a three-point bending test to evaluate bone strength. RESULTS: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) (p = 0.013) results showed that treatment by PBM significantly increased the biomechanical property (stress high load) of the callus defect from the partial tibia osteotomy in healthy rats compared to the control groups. However, we observed no significant increase in the biomechanical properties of the laser-treated diabetic bone defect compared to the control diabetic group. The ANOVA for the HU of callus density produced a p value of 0.000. A significant increase existed in the mean callus density in the healthy groups compared to the diabetic groups. CONCLUSIONS: The 80-Hz laser did not significantly enhance bone repair from an osteotomy of the tibia in an experimental model of TI DM rats.

Bond Strength of Abraded and Non-Abraded Bleached Enamel to Resin After Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Irradiation.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to evaluate the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of a composite resin to abraded or non-abraded bleached enamel after Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation and to observe the fracture patterns of the tested interfaces. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two hundred twenty-eight bovine incisors were sectioned, resulting in 228 enamel blocks (7 × 4 × 4 mm3) that were divided into 12 groups (n = 19) according to the factors "adhesion" after bleaching (immediate adhesion; after 14 days; and a control group with adhesion on unbleached teeth); enamel "abrasion" (with or without abrasion simulating cavity preparation); and "laser" (with or without Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation). Bleached enamel groups were treated with 20% carbamide peroxide, 8 h/day for 21 days. Abrasion was performed with silicon carbide sandpaper. Specimens were restored with adhesive system and a composite resin (Adper Single Bond 2 and Z250; 3M ESPE). After 7 days, specimens were prepared by cutting into 1 mm beans to µTBS test performed in a universal testing machine. Fracture mode analysis was performed by using a stereoscopic loupe. The µTBS data were statistically analyzed by three-way analysis of variance with 95% confidence level and compared by running a Tukey post hoc test (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between triple interaction and double interactions among factors. There was no significant difference between the factors "adhesion," "abrasion," and "laser." Laser irradiation produced significantly lower bond strength values in irradiated groups compared with the non-irradiated ones. All groups had a high percentage of adhesive failures. CONCLUSIONS: Abrasion provided no benefit to bond strength of composite resins to bleached enamel. Er,Cr:YSGG (20 Hz, 0.5 W, 3.97 J/cm2) treatment reduced the bond strength of composite resins to enamel.

Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser Pulse Frequency on Microtensile Bond Strength to Enamel.

Literature regarding the influence of Er,Cr:YSGG laser pulse frequency with different output power levels on adhesion properties of adhesive resin to lased enamel is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of laser pulse frequency (20, 35, and 50 Hz) at two different output power settings (3 and 6 W) of Er,Cr:YSGG on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) of adhesive resin to enamel. Crowns of 35 intact bovine incisors were embedded into self-cure acrylic resin individually, and then flat enamel surfaces were prepared with 600-grit silicon carbide papers under water cooling. Teeth were divided randomly into seven groups. Enamel surfaces were irradiated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser operated at one of six output power-pulse frequency combinations (6 W20 Hz, 6 W-35 Hz, 6 W-50 Hz, 3 W-20 Hz, 3 W-35 Hz, and 3 W-50 Hz) in groups 1-6, respectively. Bur-treated surfaces served as a control in group 7. After surface treatments and bonding procedures, composite build-ups were done in three layers up to a height of 4 mm. Next, all bonded teeth were sectioned into the resin-enamel sticks to be tested in a µTBS testing machine. The µTBS data were analyzed with univariate analysis of variance under a general linear model with the factor 'tooth' added as a random effect to the design. Resin-enamel interfaces were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The µTBS to laser-irradiated enamel in group 1 (6 W-20 Hz) was significantly lower than those of bur-treated enamel (p<0.05). However, group 6 (3 W-50 Hz) showed significantly higher µTBS values than did bur-treated teeth (p<0.05). SEM evaluation revealed enormous morphological alterations of laser-irradiated specimens, such as extensive vertical and horizontal microcracks and gaps, with the exception of group 6. The bonding effectiveness of adhesive resin to laser-irradiated enamel was affected by the pulse frequency of the Er,Cr:YSGG laser. Although the parameters recommended by the manufacturer lowered µTBS, increasing the pulse rate may maintain optimum µTBS.

Efeito da irradiação com laser de diodo sobre adesivos dentinários: estudo in vitro / Effect of diode laser irradiation on dentin-bonding agents

A irradiação de sistemas adesivos com laser tem obtido resultados promissores, no entanto, seu mecanismo de ação, bem como a longevidade da camada híbrida obtida após a irradiação com laser ainda não estão bem estabelecidos na literatura. A presente tese teve como objetivo: avaliar a absorvância do laser de Diodo por diferentes sistemas adesivos por meio de espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo; avaliar a evaporação de água e solventes proporcionada pelo laser por meio da variação da massa analisada em balança de precisão; avaliar a resistência de união por meio de teste de microtração após envelhecimento de 12 meses. Os dados obtidos foram analisados por modelos de ANOVA, seguidos de teste Tukey (p<0,05) e os resultados demonstraram que: a irradiação no infravermelho próximo, área do espectro eletromagnético que compreende o laser de Diodo, não apresenta interação com os sistemas adesivos testados; o laser de Diodo é capaz de proporcionar maior alteração de massa, mesmo após contínua evaporação dos solventes com jatos de ar por 60s; sistemas adesivos simplificados apresentaram valores de resistência de união imediato semelhantes aos valores obtidos após 12 meses de envelhecimento. Os dados obtidos neste estudo sugerem que a irradiação com laser de Diodo pode contribuir favoravelmente para a adesão em dentina com sistemas adesivos simplificados após 1 ano.(AU)

The laser irradiation of adhesive systems has obtained promising results, however, its mechanism of action, as well as the longevity of the hybrid layer obtained after laser irradiation are still not yet well established in the literature. This thesis aimed to: assess the diode laser interaction with different adhesive systems by means of near infrared spectroscopy; evaluate the evaporation of solvents and water provided by the laser through the mass variation analyzed at a precision balance; evaluate the bond strength through microtensile bond strength test after 12 months of aging. The data was analyzed through ANOVA models, followed by Tukey test (p<0.05), and the results demonstrated that: in the near-infrared irradiation area, the electromagnetic spectrum comprising the diode laser, shows no interaction with the adhesive systems tested; the diode laser was able to provide greater mass variation, even after continual evaporation of solvents with air jets for 60s; simplified adhesive systems presented immediate bond strength values similar to the ones verified after 12 months of aging. The data obtained in this study suggest that the Diode laser irradiation can contribute favorably for the adhesion between dentin and simplified adhesive systems after 1 year.(AU)

Mechanical Properties of Calcium Fluoride-Based Composite Materials.

Aim of the study was to evaluate mechanical properties of light-curing composite materials modified with the addition of calcium fluoride. The study used one experimental light-curing composite material (ECM) and one commercially available flowable light-curing composite material (FA) that were modified with 0.5-5.0 wt% anhydrous calcium fluoride. Morphology of the samples and uniformity of CaF2 distribution were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). Mechanical properties were tested after 24-hour storage of specimens in dry or wet conditions. Stored dry ECM enriched with 0.5-1.0 wt% CaF2 showed higher tensile strength values, while water storage of all modified ECM specimens decreased their tensile strength. The highest Vickers hardness tested after dry storage was observed for 2.5 wt% CaF2 content in ECM. The addition of 2.0-5.0 wt% CaF2 to FA caused significant decrease in tensile strength after dry storage and overall tensile strength decrease of modified FA specimens after water storage. The content of 2.0 wt% CaF2 in FA resulted in the highest Vickers hardness tested after wet storage. Commercially available composite material (FA), unmodified with fluoride addition, demonstrated overall significantly higher mechanical properties.

Evaluation of microtensile and tensile bond strength tests determining effects of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet laser pulse frequency on resin-enamel bonding.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare two different bond strength test methods (tensile and microtensile) in investing the influence of erbium, chromium: yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er, Cr: YSGG) laser pulse frequency on resin-enamel bonding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and twenty-five bovine incisors were used in the present study. Two test methods were used: Tensile bond strength (TBS; n = 20) and micro-TBS (µTBS; n = 5). Those two groups were further split into three subgroups according to Er, Cr: YSGG laser frequency (20, 35, and 50 Hz). Following adhesive procedures, microhybrid composite was placed in a custom-made bonding jig for TBS testing and incrementally for µTBS testing. TBS and µTBS tests were carried out using a universal testing machine and a microtensile tester, respectively. RESULTS: Analysis of TBS results showed that means were not significantly different. For µTBS, the Laser-50 Hz group showed the highest bond strength (P < 0.05), and increasing frequency significantly increased bond strength (P < 0.05). Comparing the two tests, the µTBS results showed higher means and lower standard deviations. CONCLUSION: It was demonstrated that increasing µTBS pulse frequency significantly improved immediate bond strength while TBS showed no significant effect. It can, therefore, be concluded that test method may play a significant role in determining optimum laser parameters for resin bonding.

Silkworm Gut Fiber of Bombyx mori as an Implantable and Biocompatible Light-Diffusing Fiber.

This work describes a new approach to the delivery of light in deeper tissues, through a silk filament that is implantable, biocompatible, and biodegradable. In the present work, silkworm gut fibers (SGFs) of Bombyx mori L., are made by stretching the silk glands. Morphological, structural, and optical properties of the fibers have been characterized and the stimulatory effect of red laser light diffused from the fiber was assayed in fibroblast cultures. SGFs are formed by silk fibroin (SF) mainly in a ß-sheet conformation, a stable and non-soluble state in water or biological fluids. The fibers showed a high degree of transparency to visible and infrared radiation. Using a red laser (λ = 650 nm) as source, the light was efficiently diffused along the fiber wall, promoting a significant increment in the cell metabolism 5 h after the irradiation. SGFs have shown their excellent properties as light-diffusing optical fibers with a stimulatory effect on cells.