PubMed HealthSearch

Biomedical subjects

H J Mueller

Publications and source records attributed to H J Mueller.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Inhibition of protein kinase C mu by various inhibitors. Differentiation from protein kinase c isoenzymes.

Various inhibitors were tested for their potential to suppress the kinase activity of protein kinase C mu (PKC mu) in vitro and in vivo. Among the staurosporine-derived, rather selective PKC inhibitors the indolocarbazole Gö 6976 previously shown to inhibit preferentially cPKC isotypes proved to be a potent inhibitor of PKC mu with an IC50 of 20 nM, whereas the bisindolylmaleimide Gö 6983 was extremely ineffective in suppressing PKC mu kinase activity with a thousand-fold higher IC50 of 20 microM. Other strong inhibitors of PKC mu were the rather unspecific inhibitors staurosporine and K252a. Contrary to the poor inhibition of PKC mu by Gö 6983, this compound was found to suppress in vitro kinase activity of PKC isoenzymes from all three subgroups very effectively with IC50 values from 7 to 60 nM. Thus, Gö 6983 was able to differentiate between PKC mu and other PKC isoenzymes being useful for selective determination of PKC mu kinase activity in the presence of other PKC isoenzymes.

3T3 Cells

Study of devitrification of Dicor glass.

The nucleation and crystallization of tetrasilicic fluormica crystals in the Dicor group of glass ceramics is not as well understood as the crystallization sequence of trisilicic mica in the Macor group of glass ceramics. The main aim of this investigation was to obtain kinetic data of crystallization and to examine the devitrification process at different stages of heat treatment during non-isothermal heating. The kinetic parameters, such as the activation energy, Ec, the reaction order, n, and the frequency factor, v, for the devitrification reaction were computed using the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami (JMA) equation and the data from differential thermal analysis (DTA). The crystallization at different stages of devitrification was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with KBr-reflectance technique. All DTA curves at different heating rates showed a single exothermic crystallization peak, just above the glass transition temperature in the temperature range of 745-850 degrees C. Linear relationships between the logarithm of heating rate and the reciprocal of temperature, and the logarithm of temperature rise and the reciprocal of temperature were observed. The computation of kinetic parameters gave the values for activation energy, Ec = 203 kJ mol-1, the reaction order n = 3.4 +/- 0.20 and the frequency factor v = 2.88 x 10(11) s-1. SEM observation showed precipitation of crystals in the DTA run which were considerably finer (approximately 0.1 micron) than the block shaped mica plates (approximately 4 microns) observed in the sample subjected to recommended non-isothermal-isothermal heating cycle. The FTIR spectra of beyond the exothermic peak DTA run samples, and the completely cerammed samples showed two additional peaks at wave numbers of 705 and 671 cm-1 compared with the ascast glass and the samples heated before the onset of the exothermic peak. Similar peaks in FTIR spectra also appeared from MgF2- powder at the same wave numbers. Based upon these results, it is proposed that during non-isothermal heating a spinodal decomposition of glass matrix occurs, which is followed by the exothermal precipitation of round tetrasilicic fluormica crystals by a cellular precipitation mechanism.

Chemical Phenomena

Effect of food and oral simulating fluids on structure of adhesive composite systems.

This work evaluates the degradation of three adhesive/composite systems (Tenure/Marathon One. Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Z100 and Optibond/Herculite XRV) upon immersion in 75% ethanol solution and in an artificial saliva (Moi-Stir). Shear bond strength (SBS) and diametral tensile strength (DTS) specimens were employed for this study. For the SBS specimens, the bonded interface and composite were exposed to food and oral simulating fluids at 37 degrees C for up to 30 days. A similar control series was stored in air. DTS specimens were stored in 75% ethanol at 37 degrees C for up to 30 days. The SBS specimens were sheared to failure. Small quantities of bonding resin were removed from the tooth side of the fractured surface and from the non-fractured fractured end of the composite for Fourier transform infrared microscopic evaluation. Similar scrapings were taken from DTS specimen surfaces. The infrared absorbance intensity (AI) of the major peaks was measured as a function of storage time and ratioed against the aromatic C = C (1609.4 cm-1) peak. The data were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey LSD test. The AI of major peaks was similar for the materials stored either in air or in Moi-Stir for all testing periods. Storage in ethanol caused the AI of aliphatic C = C (1638 cm-1) and of O-H (approximately 3500 cm-1) bonds to significantly decrease (30-50%) for specimens of bonding resin while the AI of C = O bonds (1730 cm-1) increased (60-120%).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adhesives

Effect of food and oral simulating fluids on dentine bond and composite strength.

The effect of up to 30 days' immersion in 75% ethanol solution and in an artificial saliva (Moi-Stir) on the dentine shear bond strength (SBS) of three adhesive/composite systems (Tenure/Marathon One, Scotchbond Multi-Purpose/Z100 and Optibond/Herculite XRV) was evaluated. Two control series were stored either in 100% humidity or in air. Diametral tensile specimens (DTS) of the composites studied were stored in 75% ethanol for up to 30 days. The fracture mode and morphology of the failure interface were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analysed using ANOVA and the Tukey LSD test. The SBS for all systems stored in Moi-Stir (24.8 +/- 3.0 MPa) and air (28.3 +/- 3.0 MPa) was not influenced by length of storage. Microscopic (SEM) examination of the debonded air, and Moi-Stir stored specimens showed that failure had primarily occurred through the dentine. Significant decreases (30-50%) in the SBS of all systems occurred after immersion in 75% ethanol. There was no significant difference among brands. The DTS of the composites showed significant decreases as a function of ethanol exposure. Marathon One and Herculite XRV showed significantly lower DTS after 14 days' storage while Z100 showed no reduction in DTS until after 30 days. The decrease in both SBS and DTS after storage in ethanol was a function of the square root of time (P < 0.001) and followed Fick's laws of diffusion. Ethanol diffusivity was approximated as 1.8 x 10(-6) cm2 s-1 for both SBS and DTS specimens, suggesting that alcohol attack in SBS specimens occurred primarily in the composite system.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Composite Resins

Leaching from glass ionomer cements.

This study compared the electrical conductivities, pH and leached ion (F-, Ca, Al, Si) concentrations in supernatant liquids obtained from four glassionomer cements, a buffered ionomer cement, a polycarboxylate cement and a zinc phosphate cement, at three different levels of settings. The result indicated that the measured parameters are highest for the unset condition of cements and decreases as the set condition is approached, except for pH, which shows the opposite trend. Two pulp sensitive glassionomer cements, Chem Bond and Ketac Cem showed high Ca:F ratios as well as high Ca and F concentrations. Further, it is suggested that the cytotoxicity of leached F-, Si, Al and Zn at high concentration and at low pH may induce sensitivity in tooth structure.

Aluminum

Heats of reactions between dentine bonding agents and tooth components.

The heat of reaction of dentine bonding agents alone and dentine bonding agents with dentine, hydroxyapatite and collagen were measured using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) in the isothermal mode. The bonding agents were Scotchbond and Panavia Ex adhesives, and GC Fuji-II glass ionomer cement. The heat of reaction for Scotchbond and Panavia Ex bonding adhesives were 44.3 and 6.9 mcal/mg, respectively. Furthermore, results support the view that the glass ionomer cements adhere to tooth structure by chemical bonding.

Calorimetry, Differential Scanning

Fracture toughness, diametrical strength, and fractography of amalgam and of amalgam to amalgam bonds.

Chevron-notch fracture toughness, diametrical tensile strength and fractography were evaluated for bulk amalgams and for bonds formed between new and 1-day-old amalgams of the same type. Three types of bonded specimens were prepared: 1) by mechanically roughening the 1-day-old amalgam with 600-grit paper; 2) using a new mercury-rich amalgam; and 3) using a bonding resin, either 4-META or a phosphate ester monomer. Similar values in bond properties were obtained with all bonding techniques for two commercial dispersed-phase bonded amalgams, one of which contained palladium; however, bulk fracture toughness of the palladium-containing amalgam was significantly less than for the palladium-free amalgam. This result reveals that the bonding of amalgam to amalgam, at least for these two amalgams, is a surface-related phenomenon, and thus, the traditional reporting of bonding properties as a percentage of bulk properties loses meaning. Short-rod geometry was more representative of the interfacial bond properties since these samples fractured within the interfacial bonds, while diametrical strength samples often fractured slightly away from the interface. The use of bonding resins did not improve bond fracture toughness for either amalgam, while the diametrical strength improved for one of the amalgams. The use of mercury-rich amalgam significantly improved the fracture toughness over all other techniques for one amalgam while proving to be similar to a 600-grit preparation for the second amalgam.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Boron Compounds

Copper-, indium-, tin-, and calcium-fluoride admixed amalgams: release rates and selected properties.

A conventional (Minimax), two single-particle high-Cu (Summalloy and Aristaloy CR), and two dispersed-phase (Cluster and Phasealloy) amalgam alloys were each admixed with 0.5 wt% of CuF2, InF3, SnF2, and CaF2, and evaluated for F-, Cu, and Sn release, as well as for corrosion resistance, microstructure, and compressive strength. Over a 43-week interval, only Cluster revealed somewhat of a sustained F- release in artificial saliva. A ranking for F- release was Cluster (highest), Summalloy, Phasealloy, Minimax, and Aristaloy CR. The effectiveness of the F- compounds in releasing F- followed CuF2 (highest), SnF2, InF3 (1.0%), InF3, and CaF2. Amalgams with admixed CuF2 released both the most Cu and increased Sn. For three amalgams, CaF2 admixtures also increased the Cu release. Constant-potential coulometry distinguished among the different fluoride amalgams. Only Minimax revealed a significant reduction in compressive strength with two admixtures. Microstructural analysis revealed an increased pore distribution around the Ag-Cu dispersed particles, and it was assumed that the F- particles were contained within the pores, since SEM, EDS with a low element detector, and ESCA were all unable to detect the F- particles.

Calcium Fluoride

Fracture toughness and fractography of dental cements, lining, build-up, and filling materials.

The plane strain fracture toughness (K1c) at 23 degrees C and the fractography of zinc phosphate and zinc polycarboxylate cements, buffered glass ionomer liner, amalgam alloy admixed glass ionomer build-up material, and glass ionomer, microfilled and conventionally filled bis-GMA resin composite filling materials were analyzed by elastic-plastic short-rod and scanning electron microscopy methodologies. Results indicated that significant differences occurred in their K1c's from the lowest to the highest in the following groups of materials, (i) buffered glass ionomer, (ii) zinc phosphate, glass ionomer, zinc polycarboxylate, and alloy mixed glass ionomer, (iii) microfilled resin, and (iv) conventionally filled resin. All materials except the microfilled resin, which fractured via crack jumping, fractured via smooth crack advance. Filler debonding without any crack inhibiting process was related to materials with low K1c values. The incorporation of either buffering compounds or alloy particles into glass ionomer had no beneficial effect upon fracture toughness. This was in contrast to microfilled and conventionally filled resins where either crack blunting or crack pinning processes, respectively, were likely involved with their increased K1c's. For microfilled resin, distinct radial zones positioned around the chevron apex and characterized by plastically deformed deposited material were related to distinct crack jumps that occurred in the load versus displacement behavior. Finally, for the two remaining materials of zinc phosphate and polycarboxylate, particle cleavage and matrix debonding for the former and shear yielding for the latter occurred.

Dental Materials

Microscopy analysis of dental titanium casting investment materials.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis and qualitative energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDS) of investment materials for dental titanium casting were performed. Two commercial investment materials, Ohara and Castmatic, and an experimental zirconia material were analyzed. The microstructural constituents and the unfired and fired structures were included. Larger refractory particles and matrix embedding smaller particles were observed with each material. Detection of aluminum, silicon, magnesium, zirconium and oxygen provided a basis to reason the presence of alumina (Al2O3), silica (SiO2), magnesia (MgO), and zirconia (ZrO2). Hence, Ohara contained quartz and an alumino-silicate, Castmatic contained magnesia and quartz and experimental zirconia contained zirconia and an alumino-silicate, taken to be kyanite, as components providing refractoriness and expansion. Even though unequivocal detection of phosphorous in the spectra for Ohara was not obtained (P K alpha = 2.013 keV; Zr L alpha = 2.042 keV), an emission peak at 2.0 keV was taken to be due to P and related, along with MgO, to bonding by magnesium phosphate. For Castmatic, unfired strength was thought to be due to calcium chloride and calcium silicate and fired strength to forsterite, (2MgO.SiO2). Detection of calcium and chlorine also suggested bonding of experimental zirconia via calcium chloride. Extensive microcracking occurred around refractory particles and through matrix in experimental zirconia which is likely to have resulted from the firing of kyanite to 1400 degrees C, to the monoclinic to tetragonal transformation of any unstabilized ZrO2, or to the thermal expansion mismatch between kyanite and matrix.

Dental Casting Investment

Corrosion of dental burs in sterilizing and disinfecting solutions.

Potentiodynamic anodic polarization, SEM, and energy dispersive microanalysis techniques were used to determine electrochemical aggressiveness of disinfecting and sterilizing solutions on carbide and stainless steel burs. The importance of galvanic cell formation in carbide burs caused by mixed metal coupling was examined. The following conclusions were reached. 1. Anodic polarization methods are an effective means for discriminating among the relative corrosiveness of sterilizing and disinfecting agents on dental instruments, particularly dental burs. 2. The relative degree of corrosiveness on stainless steel burs shows Omni II and Omnicide solutions the best, Sterall and Sporicidin solutions the poorest, and Glutarex solution intermediate. Omnicide and Glutarex solutions show the least degree of corrosiveness on the carbide burs. 3. SEM analysis of ground, polished, and treated surfaces shows corrosion deposition over the soldered joint of the carbide burs. The stainless steel shank is a cathodic component of a three-way galvanic cell, whereas the silver soldered joint is an anodic component.

Carbon

Surface analysis of tarnished dental alloys.

Six crown and bridge alloys ranging in nobility between 25-63 wt % (18-45 at %) were analyzed by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), as well as by L*a*b* colorimetry before and after in vitro tarnishing in artificial saliva with and without additions of 0.00016, 0.016, and 1.6 % Na2S with a rotating wheel apparatus. All alloys except the lowest of 18 at % changed colors to about the same degree after 72 h of tarnishing. All alloys decreased in L*, while increased in both a* and b*, thus appearing darker and with increased redness and yellowness. This was due to localized darkening and to other products. For all alloys except one, saliva without sulfide promoted color changes more severe than for saliva with 0.016 % Na2S. For the most part, analysis by EDS was unable to detect differences between the tarnished films and the as-polished surfaces. SIMS analysis, however, showed changes in the substrate ion (Cu, Ag, Pd, and In) peak intensities. In most cases the intensities decreased and with the decrease greater with the sulfide-free saliva than with sulfide-containing. This indicated that sulfide promoted insoluble deposition of products. Changes in the Ag, Pd, and In peak intensities followed much the same pattern as with Cu. The as-polished surfaces, even though carefully prepared, showed much contamination in the form of organics, namely C, CH, N, NH, O, CHN, CN, as well as from Na, K, Ca, Si, S, Cl, and others. Most tarnished surfaces showed large increases in Na, K, and Ca, and with the sulfide-free saliva being more severe in this regard. The mass spectrum also showed peaks with atomic mass units in the range 55-58 related to only some of the tarnished surfaces.

Color

Noise level evaluation of dental handpieces.

We evaluated the noise level of fourteen air-driven handpieces, six low speed (less than 20,000 rev/min) and eight high speed (greater than 160,000 rev/min), with respect to a three-directional co-ordinate system and distances of 6, 12 and 18 in. in each chosen direction. A two-way analysis of variance of the noise level between handpieces and positions indicates that large significant differences exist amongst handpieces and in different positions, and that interaction is just barely significant. The ranking and least significant differences for the mean of all handpieces v. position and for the mean of all positions v. handpiece were compared with the results for the ranking and significances from the one-way ANOVAS for each handpiece v. position and for each position v. handpiece. A trend exists with some of the handpieces of straight design (all low speed) for increased noise levels in a direction perpendicular to the handpieces and decreased levels in a direction parallel to the handpieces. For handpieces of angled design (all high speed) both directions parallel and perpendicular (the perpendicular to the longitudinal turbine axis) to the rotor axis indicate increased noise levels. The parallel direction includes the exiting air from the exhaust port. The perpendicular direction can be indicative of an aerodynamic factor associated with the established air flow patterns. The extremes in noise level were 56.8 dBA for a low-speed handpiece of straight design at the 18 in. distance in a direction parallel to the handpiece, and 87.3 dBA for a high speed handpiece at the 6 in. distance in a perpendicular direction.

Dental High-Speed Equipment

Particle and pore size distributions of investments.

The particle-size distributions of investment powders and the pore-size distributions of set-fired investments were investigated by electrozone size analysis, and by mercury intrusion scanning porosimetry, respectively, for a number of different investments, representing all three types available, namely: the gypsum-, phosphate- and silicate-bonded. The pore volume (V), the pore surface area (S), and their first derivatives with respect to radius, r, dV/dr and dS/dr, were obtained with pressures up to 414 MPa corresponding to spherical pores of 0.0018 micron radius if the Washburn equation is to apply. Results distinguished pores with a range of different sizes. Besides the porosity due to the matrix binder, porosity was also attributable to the refractory components. This latter type of porosity occurred with pore radii below about 0.03 micron, whereas matrix porosity occurred above this pore size. Matrix porosity for the phosphate materials was smallest at about 0.03 to 0.5 micron in radius, followed by the gypsum materials at about 0.3 to 0.6 micron, and by the silicate materials at about 1 to 10 micron. The particle-size distribution of the investment powders may affect both types of porosities, whereas the setting chemistries of the particular investment types may affect matrix porosity, by the generation of gaseous by-products. No major distinctions in pore size and distributions occurred between air-set and hygroscopic-set materials. This study emphasizes that at present, knowledge of the total pore volume only is inadequate for characterizing porosity distribution and hence investment permeability.

Calcium Sulfate

Binding of corroded ions to human saliva.

Employing equilibrium dialysis, the binding abilities of Cu, Al, Co and Cr ions from corroded Cu-Al and Co-Cr dental casting alloys towards human saliva and two of its gel chromatographic fractions were determined. Results indicate that both Cu and Co bind to human saliva i.e. 0.045 and 0.027 mg/mg protein, respectively. Besides possessing the largest binding ability, Cu also possessed the largest binding capacity. The saturation of Cu binding was not reached up to the limit of 0.35 mg protein/ml employed in the tests, while Co reached full saturation at about 0.2 mg protein/ml. Chromium showed absolutely no binding to human saliva while Al ions did not pass through the dialysis membranes. Compared to the binding with solutions that were synthetically made up to contain added salivary-type proteins, it is shown that the binding to human saliva is about 1 order of magnitude larger, at least for Cu ions.

Aluminum