Allergic contact dermatitis.
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The present investigation deals with the microencapsulation of potassium chloride with mastic. Spherical potassium chloride crystals with a mean particle diameter of approximately 450 microns were used. It could be shown that with a layer of mastic wall material thicker than 21 microns the release of potassium chloride in the in vitro test can be controlled for more than 6 h. The thickness of the wall material over the tested range of 21 to 33 microns has only a limited effect on the kinetics of release of potassium chloride. Increasing the thickness of the layer from 21 to 33 microns merely leads to a reduction of about another 10% in the amount of drug released in 6 h.
Accumulating evidence suggests that the androgen receptor (AR) may play an important role in the development and progression of prostate cancer. To find new, useful compounds that effectively may attenuate the function of AR in prostate cancer cells, the authors investigated the effect of gum mastic, a natural resin, on AR activity. An androgen-responsive prostate cancer cell line LNCaP was used as a model for this study. Gene transfer, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and Western blot analysis were used to test the effect of gum mastic on the expression and function of the AR. To demonstrate the inhibitory effect of gum mastic on the function of the AR, the expression of androgen-regulated genes, including prostate-specific antigen (PSA), human kallikrein 2 (hK2), and NKX3.1 were measured. In addition, transient transfection assays with the PSA promoter and the AR promoter also were used to test the effects of mastic. The results showed that gum mastic inhibited the expression of the AR at the transcriptional level, resulting in the down-regulation of both AR messenger RNA and protein levels. Therefore, the function of the AR was inhibited, as reflected by the reduced expression of NKX3.1 and PSA and by androgen-stimulated growth. Because gum mastic exhibited a strong in vitro potency to attenuate the expression and function of the AR, further investigation will be required to determine whether this naturally occurring substance has in vivo potency to inhibit prostate cancer development.
The aim of this study was to use headspace solid phase microextraction (SPME) to reveal the presence of resin in archaeological samples, such as mummification balms, from ancient Egypt. Experiments were first performed with fresh resins of known origin. The SPME fibre readily extracted mono- and sesquiterpenes and, to a lesser extent, diterpenes. Using mass spectra and retention indices of constitutive compounds, qualitative analysis of the volatile fraction allowed us to differentiate resins or gum-resins such as myrrh, olibanum, galbanum, labdanum, mastic, and conifer resins. SPME was then successfully applied to archaeological samples from ancient Egypt in which the presence of resins was detected. Volatile components were desorbed and trapped according to the same SPME procedure as was applied to fresh resins, after a sample preparation consisting of a fine grinding.
In this study we evaluated the antibacterial activity of mastic gum, a resin obtained from the Pistacia lentiscus tree, against clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori. The minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were obtained by a microdilution assay. Mastic gum killed 50% of the strains tested at a concentration of 125 microg/ml and 90% at a concentration of 500 microg/ml. The influence of sub-MBCs of mastic gum on the morphologies of H. pylori was evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The lentiscus resin induced blebbing, morphological abnormalities and cellular fragmentation in H. pylori cells.
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Microcapsules, containing the pharmaceutical substance shikonin, were prepared by the solvent evaporation method in order to enhance shikonin stability (reduce photo-oxidation, polymerization), decrease its hydrophobicity and control its release rate. The effect of various parameters, such as type of polymer, type and concentration of surfactant, solvent volume and mastic gum (Pistacia lentiscus resin) content/concentration as core additive, on the characteristics of the produced microcapsules and the release rate of shikonin, were experimentally investigated. Among the polymers tested for matrix, ethylcellulose (EC) of viscosity 10 cp was the most successful; EC 100 cp and mastic gum result in larger/compact particles with no pores and much slower release. Sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) results in microcapsules with desirable morphological and physicochemical characteristics, while polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are not indicated as surfactants in shikonin microencapsulation. Decreasing the solvent volume (dichloromethane) results in increased mean particle size and, thus, in slower release rate of shikonin, while the incorporation of mastic gum in the capsule core results in better control of shikonin release. Finally, the combination of EC 10 cp as matrix, mastic gum as core additive, low dichloromethane (DCM) volume and low SDS concentration results in microcapsules with the best characteristics in terms of efficiency, loading, release and particle size distribution.
Resinous materials, generally added to drying oils, were often employed as final protective films in paintings, both in tempera and oil techniques. Most of the resins used in fine arts come from exudates of plants. Natural resins are mainly composed by terpenoids. Among these resins, dammar, rosin, mastic, elemi gum, Venice turpentine were frequently employed in easel paintings. The aim of this work is the identification of natural resins in samples collected from works of art. In this paper we propose to use micro-FTIR spectrometry as a preliminary and non destructive technique to detect the presence of resinous materials in microsamples collected from paintings, followed by GC-MS analyses to obtain a precise identification of the resin. To reach this aim commercial resins, employed as standard, were analysed previously by micro-FTIR spectrometry and then analysed by GC-MS chromatography, searching characteristic chemical compounds used as "markers" of resins. The results obtained on standards allowed us to successfully analyse samples collected from two works of art: the "Portrait of a Young Gentleman", by Lorenzo Lotto (XVI century), and the "Madonna with the Infant Jesus and Saints": by Carlo Maratta (XVII secolo).
Children have chewed gum since the Stone Age. Black lumps of prehistoric tar with human tooth impressions have been found in Northern Europe dating from approximately 7000 BC (Middle Stone Age) to 2000 BC (Bronze Age). The bite impressions suggest that most chewers were between 6 and 15 years of age. The Greeks chewed resin from the mastic tree (mastic gum). North American Indians chewed spruce gum. The first manufacturing patent for chewing gum was issued in 1869 for a natural gum, chicle, derived from the Sopadilla tree, indigenous to Central America. Chewing gum sold today is a mixture of natural and synthetic gums and resins, with added color and flavor sweetened with corn syrup and sugar. Chewing gum is big business. A significant amount of the $21 billion US candy industry sales is from chewing gums, many of which appeal almost exclusively to children. Despite the history and prevalence of gum chewing, the medical literature contains very little information about the adverse effects of chewing gum. In the present report, we briefly review gum-chewing complications and describe three children who developed intestinal tract and esophageal obstruction as a consequence of swallowing gum.
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to determine the nature of organic materials used in mummification balms. A comparative analysis of samples taken from Egyptian mummies is developed. The results are given in two parts. First, it is shown that the chemical composition of the balm is practically independent of the part of the mummy from which it is taken. This study was done on a Ptolemaic mummy (circa 100 BC from the Guimet Museum in Lyon). Fats, beeswax, and diterpenic resins were the main components: they were found everywhere. Castor oil was also very often detected (in half of the samples). This particular fat is present in the balm inside the thorax but not in the skull. Moreover it is shown that a vegetable tannin was employed. Components indicative of vegetable tannin input (gallic acid and inositols) were found in seven samples out of eighteen, particularly close to the body and on the canopic pack of the heart. Secondly, some conclusions from a comparative study of the composition of balms from mummies of various social levels as well as of different Egyptian periods are reported. It is shown that beeswax was used as from very early times (XVIIIth dynasty). The mixture of beeswax, fats, and diterpenoid resins would appear to be more recent. The balms of three mummies dating from more recent Egyptian periods (XIXth to XXVth dynasty) were analysed. No evidence of a resin, gum-resin, or plant gum could be found. Some mummies would appear to have been embalmed with fats or beeswax. Finally, the entrails canopic pack said to belong to Ramses II undoubtedly shows an embalming process with a triterpenic resin of the mastic type. The adopted analytical methodology enabled us to achieve simultaneous detection of four components of the balm of the Ptolemaic mummy. Analysis of the other five mummies revealed far less complex chemical compositions for the balms. This may be an indication of different embalming processes, although we should bear in mind the question of organic matter preservation through the ages.
Interim restorations are vulnerable to inadvertent fracture during mastication. Autopolymerizing acrylic resins have traditionally been selected for fabrication of provisional restorations. Triad light-polymerizing tooth-colored acrylic resin was recently introduced as an alternative material for this procedure. This material does not contain methyl methacrylate monomer and permits an increased working time. Heavy occlusal forces may initiate cracks within these restorations, and propagation of these cracks may ultimately lead to failure. Various forms of reinforcement fibers are available and are marketed for strengthening dental resins used for provisional restorations. Investigators have demonstrated that the mechanical properties of acrylic resins may be improved with the incorporation of reinforcing fibers, but a published evaluation of fiber-reinforced light-polymerizing provisional restorative materials is lacking. This investigation recorded and compared two mechanical properties of one light-polymerizing provisional restorative material with and without incorporation of vertically and horizontally oriented woven, matted, polyethylene fibers. No significant difference in modulus of rupture was recorded between groups with and without fibers. The mean flexural elastic modulus of the group with the horizontally oriented fibers was significantly greater than the mean flexural elastic modulus of the specimens without incorporated fibers.
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The purpose of this project was to investigate and evaluate dental composite restorative materials classified according to filler particle size (microfill, small particle, hybrid) regarding fracture characteristics and susceptibility to stress corrosion. The composite materials were tested by cyclic fatigue in distilled water at 37 degrees C. No trend was observed between the number of cycles to fracture and the cycling load as a percentage of the modulus of rupture. Linear regression analysis correlation was weak for most of the composites used to determine the stress corrosion resistance constant, which ranged from 0.80 to 12.05. Observation of the fracture interface revealed inter- and intraparticle fracture for the small particle and hybrid composites. The microfills fractured between and through the prepolymerized particles.
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The authors, after discussing the general importance of the use of splints in parodontological therapy, give a detailed description of the manufacture of composite splints. The experience and results obtained after eighteen months of use of fifteen splints are discussed and compared with data reported in the international literature.
The collision-and-abrasion test was performed to reproduce the change of the surface structures of posterior composite resins by the stress of mastication and occlusion. Also the effect of the stress on wear and marginal fracture of composites was estimated qualitatively and quantitatively between the cavities with round bevel, straight bevel and butt joint. Extracted human posterior teeth were used as materials, and round or straight bevels were prepared along the margin of the standardized cavities using the bevel-preparing burs which had been designed by us. Light cured posterior composite resin (Occlusin/ICI Co.) was used as the restoration material. Also the surface structures were examined before and after the collision-and-abrasion test with the scanning electron microscope and laser measuring device for the surface morphology. The following results were obtained. 1. The collision-and-abrasion test with use of the slurry of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) powder as abrasive showed better reproducing ability of the in vivo change of the posterior composite restorations. 2. The collision stress was found to be one of the main causes for the wear and marginal fracture of composites. 3. It was found that the measurement for wear and marginal fracture of restorations could be performed three-dimensionally with high precision and in shorter time by using a laser device. 4. Marginal fracture resistance of composite resins is influenced by the adhesion with tooth structure and the marginal thickness. Therefore, the best marginal shape for posterior composite restoration is the round bevel.
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