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Thermal effects of lasers on dental tissues.

The thermal effects of Nd:YAG, argon, and CO2 laser beams are observed on enamel, dentin, and dental pulp by means of computerized infrared thermography and thermocouple. This study shows that the Nd:YAG laser beam deeply diffuses through the enamel and dentin to the pulp. The argon laser effects are inconsistent depending on whether the enamel surface is cleaned, but after cleaning, the superficial and deep temperatures are low. With the CO2 laser, the enamel and dentin surfaces reach very high temperatures, but only low temperatures are measured in the pulp chamber.

Body Temperature↗

In vitro percutaneous absorption of cobalt.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate skin absorption of cobalt powder in an in vitro system. Experiments with volunteers show that cobalt powder can permeate through the skin, but there are no data with regard to the mechanism or the amount of permeation. METHODS: Skin permeation was calculated by the Franz diffusion cell method with human skin. A physiological solution was used as receiving phase and the cobalt powder was dispersed in synthetic sweat. The amount of metal passing through the skin was analysed by electro-thermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Parallel polarographic analysis (differential pulse polarography-DPP) allowed evaluation of cobalt present as ions (Co(2+)) in donor and receiving phases. Measurements of cobalt skin content were also performed. RESULTS: Evaluation of metal in the receiving phase allowed us to demonstrate the permeation of cobalt through the skin. Steady-state flow of percutaneous cobalt permeation was calculated as 0.0123+/-0.0054 microg cm(-2) h(-1), with a lag time of 1.55+/-0.71 h. CONCLUSIONS: The experiments show that cobalt powder can pass through the skin when applied as a dispersion in synthetic sweat, oxidising metallic cobalt into ions, which permeate the skin. These experiments show for the first time how cobalt can permeate the skin.

Cobalt↗

Molecular dynamics simulation studies of the transport and adsorption of a charged macromolecule onto a charged adsorbent solid surface immersed in an electrolytic solution.

Molecular dynamics simulations were performed in order to study the transport and adsorption of a charged macromolecule (desmopressin) onto a charged solid surface in an electrolytic solution. The strong Coulombic interaction from the charged solid surface represents the major force for accelerating, orienting, entrapping in the electrical double layer, and adsorbing the macromolecule onto the charged solid surface. The macromolecule is flattened as it approaches the charged surface, giving rise to a stronger surface exclusion effect that shields surface sites. When adsorbed, the macromolecule is restrained by a surface interaction more than one hundred times stronger than the thermal energy, of which 99.8% results from the strong dominant Coulombic interaction, and trapped by a hydration layer adjacent to the surface. This leads to zero lateral displacement of the adsorbed macromolecule and indicates that surface diffusion is a physically implausible mechanism in similar systems. Explicit solvent is required for realistic representation of the macromolecular structure and the surface interaction energy. The adsorbed macromolecule also decreased the electrostatic potential gradient perpendicular to the charged solid surface and introduced additional electrostatic potential gradients laterally. The results obtained from the molecular dynamics simulations confirm the importance of electrophoretic migration and support the physical mechanisms used in a macroscopic continuum model that predicts an overshoot in the concentration of a charged macromolecule in the adsorbed phase under certain conditions of pH and ionic strength.

Adsorption↗

Ultrasound facilitates and improves removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution by the discarded tire rubber.

Some of the heavy metal ions such as cadmium are toxic and represent as hazardous pollutants due to their persistence in the environment. In this study the ground discarded tire rubber was used for the sorption of cadmium from aqueous solution. The batch sorption tests were conducted to investigate the sorption of Cd(II) by discarded tire rubber in the presence and absence of ultrasound. To assess the capability of sorbent, research parameters such as ultrasonic waves, solution temperature, particle size of ground tire and others were investigated. The experimental data were fitted in Langmuir model better than Freundlich one. Therefore, the former model was applied to the sorption equilibrium in order to determine the maximum metal sorption capacity in the presence and absence of ultrasound. The Langmuir constants were also obtained from the isotherms under different conditions. In the presence of ultrasound the tire rubber was a more efficient sorbent for this pollutant than its absence. According to the results, the internal porous and film diffusions were both effective in the sorption process. The porous and film diffusion coefficients of the ground tire rubber were, respectively, about 1.8 and 2.7 times more in the presence of ultrasound than its absence. The effect of ultrasound on the sorption process could be explained by the thermal and non-thermal properties of ultrasonic field.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Photoregulated transmembrane charge separation by linked spiropyran-anthraquinone molecules.

Amide-linked spiropyran-anthraquinone (SP-AQ) conjugates were shown to mediate ZnTPPS(4-)-photosensitized transmembrane reduction of occluded Co(bpy)3(3+) within unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles by external EDTA. Overall quantum yields for these reactions were dependent upon the isomeric state of the dye; specifically, 30-35% photoconversion of the closed-ring spiropyran (SP) moiety to the open-ring merocyanine (MC) form caused the quantum yield to decrease by 6-fold in the simple conjugate and 3-fold for an analogue containing a lipophilic 4-dodecylphenoxy substituent on the anthraquinone moiety. Transient spectroscopic and fluorescence quenching measurements revealed that two factors contributed to these photoisomerization-induced changes in quantum yields: increased efficiencies of fluorescence quenching of 1ZnTPPS4- by the merocyanine group and lowered transmembrane diffusion rates of the merocyanine-containing redox carriers. Transient spectrophotometry also revealed the sequential formation and decay of two reaction intermediates, identified as 3ZnTPPS4- and a species with the optical properties of a semiquinone radical. Kinetic profiles for Co(bpy)3(3+) reduction under continuous photolysis in the presence and absence of added ionophores indicated that transmembrane redox mediated by SP-AQ was electroneutral, but reaction by the other quinone-containing mediators was electrogenic. The minimal reaction mechanism suggested from the combined studies is oxidative quenching of vesicle-bound 3ZnTPPS4- by the anthraquinone unit, followed by either H+/e- cotransport by transmembrane diffusion of SP-AQH* or, for the other redox mediators, semiquinone anion-quinone electron exchange leading to net transmembrane electron transfer, with subsequent one-electron reduction of the internal Co(bpy)3(3+). Thermal one-electron reduction of Co(bpy)3(3+) by EDTA is energetically unfavorable; the photosensitized reaction therefore occurs with partial conversion of photonic energy to chemical and transmembrane electrochemical potentials.

2,2'-Dipyridyl↗

Chemical waves in self-oscillating gels

The behaviors of a poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPA) gel coupled with the Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction has been investigated as a function of temperature and catalyst concentration. In this type of gel, the chemical oscillation in the BZ reaction induces periodic and autonomous swelling-shrinking volume changes of the gel, and conversely a volume change of the PNIPA gel affects the propagation of the chemical wave. Our attention was focused on the effects of mechanical changes on the chemical wave by utilizing the thermally driven volume phase transition of the gel. Both the velocity and the frequency of the chemical wave increased with increasing temperature, and abruptly decreased at the volume transition temperature of the gel, T(c). The diffusion of HBrO2, which is essential for wave propagation, was hindered with increasing temperature. The diffusion of HBrO2 through the gel network in the low temperature region was explained in the same way as a simple diffusion of inactive molecules through a restricted environment.

Journal Article↗

Unfolding rates for the diffusion-collision model.

In the diffusion-collision model, the unfolding rates are given by the likelihood of secondary structural cluster dissociation. In this work, we introduce an unfolding rate calculation for proteins whose secondary structural elements are alpha helices, modeled from thermal escape over a barrier that arises from the free energy in buried hydrophobic residues. Our results are in good agreement with currently accepted values for the attempt rate.

Biophysical Phenomena↗

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of a macromolecular antitumour antibiotic, C1027.

C1027 is a macromolecular antitumour antibiotic produced by Streptomyces globispourus C1027 and consists of an apoprotein and a non-protein labile chromophore. Little is known about how the thermally unstable chromophore is stabilized by the apoprotein. The purified C1027 was monodisperse according to dynamic light-scattering measurements and crystallized in two different crystal forms from two different starting conditions using the vapour-diffusion method. Condition I yielded hexagonal prism crystals having space group P3(1)/P3(2) and unit-cell parameters a = b = 66.8, c = 55.4 A. Diffraction data were collected to 2.1 A resolution using an in-house Rigaku rotating Cu anode X-ray generator. Another condition produced rod-like crystals with space group P3(1)21/P3(2)21 and unit-cell parameters a = b = 55.15, c = 55.87 A. A data set to 1.8 A resolution was collected from a rod-like crystal using a MAR CCD detector at the SRS synchrotron source.

Aminoglycosides↗

Preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of a novel phytase from a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain.

A novel bacterial phytase from a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain was crystallized using the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method. The amino-acid sequence of the enzyme does not show any homology to those of other known phytases or phosphatases, with the exception of a phytase from Bacillus subtilis. The enzyme exhibits a thermal stability which is strongly dependent on calcium ions. High-quality single crystals of the enzyme in the absence of calcium ions were obtained using a precipitant solution containing 20% 2-methyl-2, 4-pentanediol and 0.1 M MES (pH 6.5). Native diffraction data to 2.0 A resolution were obtained from a flash-frozen crystal at 110 K using a rotating-anode X-ray source. The crystals belong to space group P212121 with unit-cell dimensions a = 50.4, b = 64.1, c = 104. 2 A and contain one monomer per asymmetric unit. Structure determination using heavy-atom derivative crystals is in progress, along with an effort to crystallize the calcium ion bound form of the enzyme.

6-Phytase↗

Permeability of thermally damaged skin: I. Immediate influences of 60 degrees C scalding on hairless mouse skin.

Freshly sacrificed hairless mice were burned dorsally by direct contact with 60 degrees C water for periods ranging from 15 seconds to 8 min. Wounds ranging in degree from superficial epidermis damage to injury penetrating well into subcutaneous musculature were inflicted. Burned skin sections and reference abdominal skin sections were excised, placed in diffusion cells and investigated with regards to their permeabilities to water, methanol, ethanol, n-butanol and n-octanol. The data were couched in terms of ratios of permeability coefficients of burned skin to normal skin (scalding coefficients) for the same animal. Scalding increased permeability of skin to all compounds studied but the effects leveled out by 60 seconds. Protracted scalding was without great effect despite progressively increased depth of damage to the tissue as noted in histological sections. The degree of lost barrier competency attributable to 60 degrees C scalding was not marked for any compound but was definitely different for different alkanols. An approximately 3-fold permeability increase was noted with n-butanol, the most affected compound. The data demonstrate that near instantaneous alterations in permeability of skin accompany scalding, that decreased barrier competency does not correlate with the severity of a burn as measured in depth of the burn, and that thermal alteration of permeabilities is dependent on the physicochemical characteristics of the permeants.

Abdomen↗

Developing a quality control protocol for diffusion imaging on a clinical MRI system.

This work describes the development of a quality control protocol, which can be implemented to assess the accuracy, precision and reproducibility of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurement on a clinical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The precision and accuracy of the ADC measurement are analysed with regard to MRI system noise, signal reproducibility and differences between nominal and effective b values. Two aqueous test-solutions of CuSO4 and sucrose are prepared for the quality control protocol. ADC measurement with the CuSO4 solution is more sensitive to differences between nominal and effective b values, on account of the solution's high ADC. ADC measurement with the sucrose solution is more sensitive to signal reproducibility due to the solution's low baseline signal intensity. The ADC of the test-solutions is measured on an MRI system at our centre with a sequence used for clinical studies using diffusion imaging. Two parameters, Q and R, are defined for the analysis of the quality control ADC values. The Q parameter is the ratio of the standard deviation of the quality control mean ADC values over time to the optimal standard deviation, as derived from the effect of thermal noise on the ADC measurement uncertainty. Analysis with the Q parameter indicates that signal reproducibility errors contribute to ADC variations on our MRI system when imaging with high b values (b > 500 mm s(-2)), whereas differences between nominal and effective b values have a greater impact on the ADC measurement when imaging with low b values (b < 500 mm s(-2)). The R parameter is defined as the ratio of the directional variation of the ADC quality control values to the uncertainty of the ADC measurement. Analysis with the R parameter shows that the effect of directional variation of the ADC measurement on our MRI system is more pronounced when imaging with low b values. The quality control protocol identified a systematic error, which introduced a small system-induced anisotropy in the ADC measurement. This error is currently taken into account in the analysis of clinical studies employing the diffusion imaging sequence used in this quality control protocol.

Anisotropy↗

Elongational flow studies on DNA in aqueous solution and stress-induced scission of the double helix.

Elongational flow techniques are used to investigate the birefringent response and flow-induced molecular scission of monodisperse phage-DNA samples in aqueous solution. A 4-roll mill apparatus was used to characterize the solutions at low stain rates, epsilon less than or equal to 300 s-1, and the opposed jets apparatus used to study fracture of the DNA molecules at strain rates up to 15 x 10(3) s-1. The molecular weight values were measured before and after fracture in elongational flow using the high-resolution technique of pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The birefringent response incorporates both rigid and flexible components. The birefringence is nonlocalized and rises gradually to a plateau value, similar to rigid-rod behavior. In addition a certain minimum value in the strain rate is necessary, an onset value epsilon 0, before the signal appears, indicating a flexible component. This behavior is consistent with a hinged-rod model and is similar to that observed for the protein collagen molecule at elevated temperature. We propose that this type of behavior is likely for multistrand rope-like macromolecules where localized separation or partial untwisting of the intertwined chains occurs, creating temporary hinges, in accordance with biochemical evidence for sequence-specific sites of flexibility. Results are presented on the entanglement effects at high concentrations. We have calculated rotational diffusion rates as a function of concentration and molecular weight. Using PFGE to measure the molecular weight profiles, our fracture studies at high strain rates demonstrate chain halving and quartering in accordance with the predictions of the thermally activated barrier to scission theory for single-chain polymers.

DNA, Viral↗

Morphine blocks descending pain inhibitory controls in humans.

In man, heterotopic painful thermal conditioning stimuli induce parallel decreases in the spinal nociceptive flexion (RIII) reflex and the concurrent sensation of pain elicited by electrical stimulation of the sural nerve at the ankle. Such phenomena may be related to the diffuse noxious inhibitory controls (DNIC) which were initially described in the rat and subsequently documented in humans. In 9 subjects in the present study, a 2 min application of a moderately noxious temperature (46 degrees C) to the contralateral hand strongly depressed the RIII reflex elicited in the biceps femoris muscle by electrical stimulation of the sural nerve at 1.2 times the reflex threshold. These depressive effects were maximal during the second min of the conditioning period, showing a 80% inhibition of the RIII reflex which gradually recovered to its baseline value 7 min after the end of the conditioning period. Such inhibitory effects were completely blocked 15-26 min after administration of a low dose of morphine hydrochloride (0.05 mg/kg, i.v.). The lifting of the inhibitions was compatible with an action at the opioid receptors since the inhibitions were re-observed 5-16 min after naloxone injection (0.006 mg/kg, i.v.). During all the experimental sessions, heart and respiratory rates remained stable at their control levels. Since it has been shown previously that such a dose of morphine could not have a direct effect within the spinal cord (Willer 1985), it is concluded that this opiate blocks, in a naloxone-reversible fashion, those bulbo-spinal controls which are triggered by heterotopic nociceptive events. Possible implications for hypoalgesia based on the principles of counter-irritation are discussed.

Adult↗

Changes in physical and chemical properties of a dental palladium-silver alloy during metal-porcelain bonding.

The hardening ability of a dental palladium-silver (Pd-Ag-Sn-In) bonding alloy has been investigated, and the distribution of the elements along the metal-ceramic interface have been studied by microprobe analysis. The alloy was found to be highly heterogeneous in its 'as-cast' condition, but homogenized alloy was obtained after heating the alloy at 1000 degrees C for 2 h. Hardening occurred after annealing at 650 degrees C for 1 h. A longer thermal treatment caused the hardness to decrease (over-ageing). The change in hardness could be attributed to an internal oxidation phenomenon. The additional elements tin and indium segregated towards the ceramic-metal interface, with a diffusion of indium only into the porcelain. Diffusion of silver in the ceramics, supposed to be the cause of the 'greening' of dental porcelains baked on silver-rich alloys, has not been detected by the microprobe across the interface.

Chemical Phenomena↗

Insulin release from islets of Langerhans entrapped in a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) polymer gel.

A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (98 mol% in feed) and acrylic acid, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAm-co-AAc)), was prepared by free radical polymerization for development of a thermally reversible polymer to entrap islets of Langerhans for a refillable biohybrid artificial pancreas. A 5 wt% solution of the polymer in Hanks' balanced salt solution forms a gel at 37 degrees C that exhibits no syneresis. Diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextrans having molecular weights of 4400 and 70000 were used to evaluate mass transport in the gel at 37 degrees C. Insulin secretion from islets in the polymer gel was also investigated in both static and dynamic systems. The polymer gel exhibited excellent diffusion of FITC dextran 4400 and FITC dextran 70000 with diffusion ratios, D/D0 (ratio of diffusion in the gel to diffusion in water), of 0.20+/-0.04 and 0.35+/-0.17, respectively. Human islets entrapped in the polymer gel showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to basal (5.5 mM) glucose concentration compared to free human islets. Rat islets showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to high (16.5 mM) glucose concentrations compared to free rat islets. Rat islets in the polymer gel maintained insulin secretion in response to the higher glucose concentration for over 26 days. Rat islets entrapped by the polymer also released higher quantities of insulin more rapidly in response to changes in concentrations of glucose and other stimulants than rat islets entrapped in an alginate control. These results suggest that this material would provide adequate diffusion for rapid insulin release in an application as a synthetic extracellular matrix for a biohybrid artificial pancreas.

Acrylamides↗

Assessment of tissue viability by thermography after experimentally produced frostbite of the rabbit ear.

Since it is difficult and time-consuming to monitor the formation of a demarcation line in frostbite by visual inspection only, thermography was used to study experimental freezing injuries of the rabbit ear. In 8 rabbits, anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride, frostbite was induced by pressing the bottom of a glass bottle 2 cm in diameter, filled with liquid nitrogen against the shaved ear skin. Thermography was performed on both ears after 2, 24, and 48 hours, and one and 3 weeks. At 2 to 48 hours the frost-bitten area was clearly warmer than the surroundings, after one week there were ill-defined diffuse cold spots in the injured area, and after 3 weeks a cold area had become clearly demarcated with a warm zone between the cold area and the surroundings. Thermography is an easy, noninvasive method for monitoring thermal changes after experimental frostbite, but its clinical value is as yet unresolved.

Animals↗

Permeability of lipid bilayers to water and ionic solutes.

The lipid bilayer moiety of biological membranes is considered to be the primary barrier to free diffusion of water and solutes. This conclusion arises from observations of lipid bilayer model membrane systems, which are generally less permeable than biological membranes. However, the nature of the permeability barrier remains unclear, particularly with respect to ionic solutes. For instance, anion permeability is significantly greater than cation permeability, and permeability to proton-hydroxide is orders of magnitude greater than to other monovalent inorganic ions. In this review, we first consider bilayer permeability to water and discuss proposed permeation mechanisms which involve transient defects arising from thermal fluctuations. We next consider whether such defects can account for ion permeation, including proton-hydroxide flux. We conclude that at least two varieties of transient defects are required to explain permeation of water and ionic solutes.

Diffusion↗

Isotope and thermal effects in chemiosmotic coupling to the flagellar motor of Streptococcus.

The torque generated by the flagellar motor of Streptococcus strain V4051 has been determined from rates of rotation of cells tethered by a single flagellum in media of different isotopic composition and temperature. Starved cells were energized artificially with either a potassium diffusion potential or a pH gradient. The torque increased linearly with protonmotive force. Identical results were obtained in media made with D2O or H2O; there was no solvent isotope effect. At a fixed protonmotive force, the torque was approximately constant over a temperature range of 4 degrees -38 degrees C. In cells chemotactically inert to changes in cytoplasmic pH, the motor turned counterclockwise when protons moved inward and clockwise when they moved outward. We conclude that the motor is a reversible engine driven by simple acid-base dissociation. A detailed model is discussed.

Chemotaxis↗