PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J A Holloway

Publications and source records attributed to J A Holloway.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Effect of crystallization heat treatment on the microstructure and biaxial strength of fluorrichterite glass-ceramics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of crystallization heat treatment on the flexural strength of potassium fluorrichterite glass-ceramics for biomedical applications. After melting and casting, discs were sectioned from the glass ingots, randomly divided into 10 groups, and heat treated at various temperatures ranging between 890 degrees C and 925 degrees C for various durations. One group was air-abraded after heat treatment. XRD revealed the presence of fluorrichterite and fluormica for all heat-treated groups. SEM confirmed the presence of both fluorrichterite and fluormica crystals. Crystal size increased with temperature and duration of the heat treatment. The mean flexural strength after air abrasion was not significantly different than that of the other groups except the group heat treated at 925 degrees C. The mean flexural strength was maximum after heat treatment at 900 degrees C for 1 h (497.6 +/- 25.5 MPa) and decreased linearly with the longer durations of heat treatment at 900 degrees C.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2006

Microstructural and crystallographic surface changes after grinding zirconia-based dental ceramics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate microstructural and crystallographic phase changes after grinding 3Y-TZP dental ceramics. Ceramic blanks were sintered according to manufacturer's recommendations and divided into four groups: (A) as-sintered control, (B) diamond-ground manually under water, (C) ground and polished, and (D) ground and annealed at 1000 degrees C for 1 h. Bulk specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction to characterize the crystalline phases. The microstructure was investigated by SEM. XRD analyses showed that the control group and the group that was ground and annealed contained only tetragonal zirconia. However, after grinding or after grinding followed by polishing, rhombohedral zirconia and strained tetragonal zirconia were present, without any detectable amount of monoclinic zirconia. Annealing led to the disappearance of both residual lattice strain and the rhombohedral phase. The microstructure of the ground and polished specimens was characterized by significant residual surface damage associated with grain pullout to a depth of about 20 microm. This type of damage could have an impact on the long-term fatigue behavior of 3Y-TZP.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2005

Effect of niobium content on the microstructure and thermal properties of fluorapatite glass-ceramics.

Niobium oxide has been shown to improve biocompatibility and promote bioactivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of niobium oxide additions on the microstructure and thermal properties of fluorapatite glass-ceramics for biomedical applications. Four glass-ceramic compositions with increasing amounts of niobium oxide from 0 to 5 wt % were prepared. The glass compositions were melted at 1,525 degrees C for 3 h, quenched, ground, melted again at 1,525 degrees C for 3 h and furnace cooled. The coefficient of thermal expansion was measured by dilatometry. The crystallization behavior was evaluated by differential thermal analysis. The nature of the crystalline phases was investigated by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure was studied by SEM. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the ceramics was evaluated according to the ASTM standard F895--84. The results from X-ray diffraction analyses showed that fluorapatite was the major crystalline phase in all glass-ceramics. Differential thermal analyses revealed that fluorapatite crystallization occurred between 800 and 934 degrees C depending on the composition. The coefficient of thermal expansion varied from 7.6 to 9.4 x 10(-6)/ degrees C. The microstructure after heat treatment at 975 degrees C for 30 min consisted of submicroscopic fluorapatite crystals (200--300 nm) for all niobium-containing glass-ceramics, whereas the niobium-free glass-ceramic contained needle-shaped fluorapatite crystals, 2 microm in length. None of the glass-ceramics tested exhibited any cytotoxic activity as tested by ASTM standard F895--84.

Apatites↗
PubMed2004

Effect of heat pressing on the mechanical properties of a mica-based glass-ceramic.

Previous work has shown that heat pressing of mica-based glass-ceramics can lead to crystal alignment along the direction of pressing. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat pressing on the fracture toughness of mica-based glass-ceramics. Glass rods (12 x 60 mm) were prepared by melting the glass composition at 1400 degrees C for 2 h. Ingots (12 x 12 mm; n = 5) and discs (12 x 1.5 mm; n = 10) were cut from the rods. The discs were heat treated to simulate heat pressing and served as controls. A machinable mica-based glass- ceramic (Dicor MGC) also served as control. Bar-shaped wax patterns (2 x 4 x 22 mm) were invested and heat pressed at 875 degrees C. The elastic constants were determined with the use of the pulsed ultrasonic velocity method. The fracture toughness was measured by the indentation strength technique. The degree of texture was assessed qualitatively by X-ray diffraction and quantitatively on digital SEM micrographs. The results showed that the mean fracture toughness of the heat-pressed specimens (1.96 +/- 0.19 MPa. m(0.5)) was significantly higher than that of the heat-treated controls (1.51 +/- 0.21 MPa. m(0.5)) or the proprietary mica glass-ceramic (Dicor MGC; 1.66 +/- 0.04 MPa. m(0.5)) (p <.001). It was concluded that heat pressing led to a significant increase in fracture toughness in mica glass-ceramics because of crystal alignment along the direction of pressing.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2004

Effect of post-processing heat treatment on the fracture strength of a heat-pressed dental ceramic.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of post-processing heat treatment on the fracture strength of a heat-pressed lithium disilicate dental ceramic (OPC 3G). Bar-shaped wax patterns (2 x 4 x 22 mm; n = 60) were invested and heat pressed in an automated pressing machine according to manufacturer's recommendations. The bars were polished to 1200 grit and annealed at 600 degrees C for 1 h. Two groups were left untreated as controls, one of which was Vickers indented in oil prior to testing in three-point bending. Two groups were indented and then heat treated at either 800 or 825 degrees C for 30 min. The corresponding control groups were heat treated, then indented prior to testing. Optical micrographs of the indentations were taken before and after heat treatment under differential interference contrast. The fracture toughness and/or fracture strength of the specimens was determined by the indentation-strength technique in three-point bending. Indentation-generated cracks were not discernible by optical microscopy after heat treatment at either 800 or 825 degrees C for 30 min, even under 1000 x magnification. ANOVA and Tukey's test showed that heat treatment in air at 825 degrees C for 30 min significantly increased the fracture strength of a heat-pressable lithium disilicate ceramic. This result was attributed to healing of the flaws present in the material.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2004

Elastic constants, Vickers hardness, and fracture toughness of fluorrichterite-based glass-ceramics.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the elastic constants, Vickers hardness, and indentation fracture toughness of fluorrichterite glass-ceramics in the system SiO2-MgO-CaO-Na2O-K2O-F. METHODS: Five glass compositions were prepared with increasing sodium content. The compositions were melted at 1400 degrees C for 2 h and cast into 60 x 12 mm rods. Discs (1.5 x 12 mm) were cut from the glass rods, nucleated in the temperature range 600-650 degrees C for 1 h and crystallized at 900 degrees C for 0.5 h. The density of the glass-ceramics was measured by Archimedes' method. The elastic constants were determined by standard ultrasonic velocity technique. The fracture toughness was evaluated by the indentation technique. The indentation crack patterns and microstructure were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The crystalline phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. A commercially available lithium disilicate glass-ceramic served as control. RESULTS: The fluorrichterite glass-ceramics containing 3.8 and 5.6 wt% sodium had the lowest mean fracture toughness. The glass ceramic containing 1.9 wt% sodium and the control material had the highest mean fracture toughness. The values obtained for these two materials (2.26 +/- 0.15 MPa m0.5 and 2.29 +/- 0.31 MPa m0.5, respectively), were not significantly different (p = 0.997). There was no linear relationship between the amount of sodium present in the glass-ceramic composition and the mean fracture toughness. The fluorrichterite glass ceramics exhibited a dual microstructure consisting of both fluorrichterite and mica crystals. SIGNIFICANCE: Higher fracture toughness appeared to be associated with a higher density of fluorrichterite crystals.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed2003

Effect of processing variables on texture development in a mica-based glass-ceramic.

The purpose of this study was primarily to determine the feasibility of heat-pressing a mica-based glass-ceramic with the use of commercially available dental equipment, and secondly to evaluate the effect of various processing variables on the degree of crystal alignment in the pressed glass-ceramic. The hypotheses were that the mica-based glass-ceramic could be successfully heat-pressed and that some degree of crystal orientation would be obtained, depending on the processing variables. The glass composition was melted at 1400 degrees C for 2 h and cast into 12 x 60-mm rods. Ingots (10 x 12 mm) were cut from the glass rods, heat treated, and heat-pressed under various conditions. The microstructure of the pressed specimens was investigated by SEM and compared to that of heat-treated controls. The length of Vickers-induced cracks was measured on heat-pressed specimens and heat-treated controls. The results showed that mica-based glass-ceramics could be successfully pressed with the use of commercially available dental equipment. The resulting degree of crystal alignment (texture) along the direction of pressing varied between 35 +/- 6 and 79 +/- 6. There was a linear relationship between the degree of texture and the apparent aspect ratio of the mica platelets. A significant decrease in the length of the Vickers-induced cracks in the direction perpendicular to pressing was observed, associated with an increase in length in the direction of pressing.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2003

Fetal exposure to intact immunoglobulin E occurs via the gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Consideration of the evolutionary significance of IgE might provide insight into the immunological interactions occurring in utero and during early post-natal life that regulate later atopic disease. OBJECTIVE: We postulated that the fetal gut is exposed to intact amniotic fluid IgE that might interact with local IgE receptors. METHODS: IgE levels in matched maternal blood and amniotic fluid (n = 47) or breast milk (n = 15) collected from pregnant women in the UK (Southampton) and Brazil (Sao Paulo) were studied. Expression of IgE receptors, Fc epsilon RI and Fc epsilon RII (CD23), in fetal gastrointestinal tract (n = 19) and skin (n = 11) was examined immunohistochemically. RESULTS: Human amniotic fluid at 16-18 weeks' gestation contained intact IgE at levels that increased as maternal circulating levels increased (Spearman's rho = 0.897; P < 0.001). Circulating IgE levels from women in Sao Paulo, Brazil, associated positively not only with term (> 37 weeks' gestation) amniotic fluid (rho = 0.993; P < 0.001) but also breast milk IgE levels (rho = 0.785; P = 0.001). Maternal levels of IgE did not change significantly over pregnancy and fetal circulating levels of IgE were very low (< 0.6 IU/mL). Low-affinity IgE receptors (CD23) were expressed in lymphoid follicles of the fetal gut from 16 weeks of gestation (6/8), but not from 11 to 16 weeks (0/11) or in the skin. CONCLUSION: Amniotic fluid contains intact IgE that might bind to CD23+ cells within the lymphoid follicles of the fetal gastrointestinal tract. The evolutionary significance of these interactions might be to prepare the immune system for helminthic parasite exposure at birth via IgE-mediated antigen focusing, or "education" of the developing immune system about the prevailing extrauterine environment. However, at present in societies where helminthosis is not a significant health issue, this pathway may still be operational and associated with the development of atopic disease.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2002

Effect of sodium content on the crystallization behavior of fluoramphibole glass-ceramics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of sodium content on the crystallization behavior of glass-ceramics in the system SiO(2)-MgO-CaO-Na(2)O-K(2)O-F. Five glass compositions were prepared with increasing sodium content. The compositions were melted at 1400 degrees C for 2 h and cast into 60 x 12-mm ingots. Differential thermal analyses were performed on the glasses up to 1400 degrees C. Discs (1.5 x 12 mm) were cut from the ingots, nucleated in the temperature range 600-650 degrees C for 1-2 h, and crystallized in the temperature range 900-1000 degrees C for 0.5-4 h. The crystalline phases were analyzed by x-ray diffraction. The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. Differential thermal analyses showed that the crystallization exotherm occurred in the temperature range 600-750 degrees C. There was a linear relationship between the amount of sodium and the transformation temperatures. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of mica and diopside as major crystalline phases in the sodium-free composition. Mica, diopside, and fluorrichterite were present in all other glass-ceramics. The microstructure of the sodium-free glass-ceramic was characterized by the presence of hexagonal mica crystals and prismatic diopside crystals. All other compositions exhibited needle-shaped fluorrichterite crystals (2-5 microm in length) in addition to mica and diopside crystals.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2002

Effect of additives on the microstructure and thermal properties of a mica-based glass-ceramic.

Previous work has shown that lithium mica glass-ceramics were excellent potential candidates as dental ceramics. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of various additives on the microstructure and thermal properties of a mica glass-ceramic in the system Li(2)O-K(2)O-SiO(2)-MgO-F. Five glass compositions were prepared: a base composition and four compositions with various additives. The compositions were melted at 1400 C for 2 h and cast into 50 x 8 mm ingots. Differential thermal analyses were performed on the glasses up to 1400 C. Bars (4 x 8 x 25 mm) were cut from the ingots and heat treated at various temperatures. The crystalline phases were analyzed by x-ray diffraction. The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The percent crystallinity, crystal density, and average particle size were calculated from stereology measurements. X-ray diffraction revealed that the major crystalline phase was taeniolite for all glass-ceramics. Differential thermal analyses showed that the crystallization exotherm occurred in the temperature range 600--700 C. The addition of calcium fluoride was most efficient in promoting the growth of mica crystals. Larger mica plate diameter could be beneficial to the crack-propagation resistance of the glass-ceramic. The addition of aluminum phosphate promoted nucleation rather than crystal growth and led to a significantly lower glass transition temperature and crystallization exotherm temperature.

Aluminum Compounds↗
PubMed2001

Phase transformations in a leucite-reinforced pressable dental ceramic.

The objectives of this study were to determine the conditions for the formation of sanidine in a pressable dental ceramic (OPC; Jeneric/Pentron). Ceramic discs (16 mm in diameter, 1.3 mm thick; n = 60) were pressed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. One group was left as pressed as the control; the other groups were further heat-treated at temperatures ranging from 700 degrees C to 1100 degrees C for times ranging from 10 min to 24 h. X-ray diffraction was performed on powdered specimens. The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). X-ray diffraction showed that sanidine was the only crystalline phase present after heat treatment at 900 degrees C for 24 h, whereas a mix of tetragonal leucite and sanidine was found in the specimens heat-treated at 900 degrees C for 12 h and 800 degrees C for 24 h. Tetragonal leucite was the only phase present in the control specimens after heat treatment at 950 degrees C and higher, and in the specimens heat-treated up to 1 h at 850 degrees C or 900 degrees C. Tetragonal and cubic leucite were found in the specimens treated at 750 degrees C or 800 degrees C for 30, 60, and 180 min and 700 degrees C for 24 h. SEM confirmed the presence of sanidine in the specimens heat-treated at 900 degrees C for 24 h. All specimens treated for up to 20 min at temperatures ranging from 700 degrees C to 950 degrees CC contained only tetragonal leucite. The clinical significance of this study is that the formation of sanidine is unlikely to occur at the temperature and time ranges needed for the staining or veneering of this leucite-reinforced pressable dental ceramic.

Aluminum Silicates↗
PubMed2001

Expression of the high-affinity IgE receptor on peripheral blood dendritic cells: differential binding of IgE in atopic asthma.

BACKGROUND: Dendritic cells can express the high-affinity IgE receptor (FcepsilonRI), which, in the presence of specific IgE, facilitates the uptake of allergen, leading to increased activation of allergen-specific T cells. FcepsilonRI expression by dendritic cells is higher in the airways of atopic asthmatic subjects than in those of healthy, nonatopic control subjects. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to determine whether a similar difference in FcepsilonRI expression occurs between dendritic cells in the peripheral blood of atopic asthmatic subjects and healthy individuals and also whether an altered ability of FcepsilonRI(+) peripheral blood dendritic cells to bind IgE accompanies the atopic asthmatic state. METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to analyze the surface expression of FcepsilonRI and exogenously bound IgE on dendritic cells identified as lineage negative (CD3, CD14, CD16, CD19, and CD56) and HLA-DR bright. RESULTS: The total expression of FcepsilonRI on the surface of dendritic cells from healthy and asthmatic subjects was not significantly different. However, in vivo, dendritic cells from atopic asthmatic subjects had higher levels of receptor occupancy by IgE and bound exogenous IgE in vitro more efficiently than dendritic cells from healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The similar levels of expression of FcepsilonRI on peripheral blood dendritic cells from healthy and asthmatic subjects suggest that the local environment in the airway is responsible for the upregulation of surface FcepsilonRI on airway dendritic cells in asthma. The results also suggest that the functional ability of FcepsilonRI to bind IgE is differentially controlled in the atopic state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Detection of house-dust-mite allergen in amniotic fluid and umbilical-cord blood.

Mononuclear cells in umbilical-cord blood display allergen-specific reactivity, but how allergen exposure occurs in utero is unknown. We investigated the presence of a common inhalant allergen (Der p 1), to which mothers are exposed throughout pregnancy, by ELISA in matched maternal blood and amniotic fluid samples at 16-17 weeks of gestation, and in matched maternal and umbilical-cord blood at term (> or =37 weeks of gestation). Der p 1 was detectable in 24 of 43 amniotic fluid samples where it was also present in maternal blood, and in 15 of 24 cord-plasma samples at significantly higher concentrations than in the maternal plasma (p=0.022). The detection of Der p 1 in the amniotic fluid and the fetal circulation provides direct evidence of transamniotic and transplacental allergen exposure.

Amniotic Fluid↗
PubMed2000

Effect of magnesium content on the microstructure and crystalline phases of fluoramphibole glass-ceramics.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of magnesium content on the microstructure and crystalline phases of glass-ceramics in the system SiO(2)-MgO-CaO-Na(2)O-K(2)O-F. Four glass compositions were prepared with magnesium content varying from 12-18 wt%. The compositions were melted at 1400 degrees C for 2 h and cast into 30 x 8 mm ingots. Differential thermal analyses were performed on the powdered glasses at a heating rate of 20 degrees C/minute up to 1400 degrees C. Bars (4 x 8 x 25 mm) were cut from the ingots with a low-speed diamond saw, nucleated in the temperature range 600-650 degrees C for 1-2 h and crystallized in the temperature range 900-1000 degrees C for 4-6 h. The crystalline phases were analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The Vickers hardness was determined after indentation under a 9.81 N load. Differential thermal analyses revealed that crystallization occurred in the temperature range 700-800 degrees C. X-ray diffraction showed the presence of fluorrichterite as major crystalline phase regardless of the magnesium content in the parent glass or heat treatment temperature. The microstructure consisted of interlocked acicular crystals (5-10 micrometers). The highest magnesium content led to the coexistence of both a mica phase and fluorrichterite. This microstructure promoted crack deflections and arrest.

Bone Substitutes↗
PubMed1999

Effect of heat treatment on microcrack healing behavior of a machinable dental ceramic.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of annealing in air on the crack healing behavior of a machinable dental ceramic (Vita Mark II). The glass transition temperature and the softening point were determined by dilatometry. Polished Vita Mark II blocks (n = 12) were indented with a Vickers indenter under a 9.8 N load. Optical micrographs were taken immediately after indentation, and the crack lengths were measured. The specimens were annealed at 900 degrees C for either 30 min, 1 h, or 2 h. One group was indented and heat treated at 400 degrees C for 2 h as control. The ratio of crack length after annealing to crack length before annealing treatment was calculated for each indentation. Scanning electron microscopy was performed before and after annealing at 900 degrees C for 1 h. Scanning electron microscopy revealed shortening and blunting of the cracks after annealing. Annealing in air at 900 degrees C for either 30 min, 1 or 2 h significantly reduced the mean crack length of an indented machinable dental ceramic compared to the control group. However, the mean biaxial flexural strength was not significantly affected by an annealing treatment.

Ceramics↗
PubMed1998

Crystallization kinetics of a low-expansion feldspar glass for dental applications.

Previous studies have shown that the crystallization of glasses in the system K2O-Al2O3-SiO2, in the primary field of leucite, is not possible without modification of the composition. Leucite (KAlSi2O6) is used as a reinforcing phase in some compositions for all-ceramic dental restorations. However, because of their higher coefficient of thermal expansion, these materials cannot be veneered with conventional metal-ceramic porcelains. The purposes of this study were to investigate the crystallization behavior of a glass in the system K2O-Al2O3-SiO2 and to evaluate the effect of heat treatment on the crystal size, percent crystallinity, and coefficient of thermal expansion of the material. Ion-exchanged glass powder was prepared by mixing the glass with rubidium nitrate and heat-treating at 450 degrees C for 4, 8, 24, or 48 h. Bars were made from these powders and baked under vacuum at 1038 degrees C for 2 min. The bars made from the powder ion-exchanged for 48 h were further heat-treated for 4 h at either 800 degrees C, 850 degrees C, 900 degrees C, 950 degrees C, or 1038 degrees C. X-ray diffraction analyses showed cubic leucite was the only crystalline phase in the specimens made from the powders ion-exchanged for 4, 8, 24, or 48 h and baked at 1038 degrees C for 2 min. Further heat treatment for 4 h at either 800 degrees C, 850 degrees C, 900 degrees C, 950 degrees C, or 1038 degrees C promoted the growth of cubic leucite. In addition, a second phase identified as tetragonal rubidium-leucite was present in the specimens heat-treated for 4 h at 1038 degrees C. SEM observations showed that all specimens made from the powders ion-exchanged for 48 h exhibited small spherical crystals dispersed in a glassy matrix. The percent crystallinity ranged from 18.9% to 42.9% and the average particle size was between 0.64 to 1.18 microns. The coefficients of thermal expansion ranged between 8.076 and 8.788 x 10(-6)/degree C.

Aluminum Silicates↗