Biomedical subjects

Min-Huey Chen

Publications and source records attributed to Min-Huey Chen.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2007

Effects on microstrain and conversion of flowable resin composite using different curing modes and units.

The flowable resin composite, Tetric Flow, was used to measure microstrain and degree of conversion after hardening with each of three curing machines: XL3000(XL) for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s; Optilux 501 using conventional mode (OC) for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s, as well as Optilux boost (OB, 10 s) and ramp modes (OR, 20 s); and LEDemetron (LEDe) for 10, 20, 30, and 40 s. The emitted power density and spectral distribution of the three light curing units were also measured. The LEDe output energy spectrum was centralized between 425 and 490 nm, which encompasses the excited wavelength of camphorquinone. The microstrain produced by the curing process is as a second-degree polynomial for each light source. The OB microstrain was highest, while the OR microstrain was lower. The ranking in order of degree of monomer conversion was as follows: XL10 <or=<or= OC10 <or=<or= LED 10 = OR = XL 20 = OC 20 = XL 30 <or=<or= LED 20 <or=<or= OC30 = LED 40 = XL 40 = OC40 = LED 30 <or= OB. The degree of conversion cured with OB was significant higher than other curing modes except OC30, OC40, LEDe30, LEDe40, and XL40. The conversion value of XL10 was the lowest. The LEDe produced higher conversion for the same emitted energy compared to the two halogen units.

Composite Resins↗

PubMed2006

Tensile bond strength of Er,Cr:YSGG laser-irradiated human dentin and analysis of dentin-resin interface.

OBJECTIVES: As the bond strength of composite resin to Er,Cr:YSGG laser-irradiated dentin has not yet been evaluated, the objectives of this study were to investigate the tensile bond strength and to analyze the resin-dentin interface among bur-cut/acid-etched, Er,Cr:YSGG laser-ablated/acid-etched and Er,Cr:YSGG laser-ablated human dentin. METHODS: Crown dentin disks prepared from extracted human third permanent molars were used for the observation of surface morphological changes by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The laser energy parameters were 3.5 W and 20 Hz with water spray (air pressure level, 80%; water pressure level, maximum level). Another group of crown dentin disks were prepared for composite resin restoration and observation of resin-dentin bond interface after demineralization in 6N hydrochloric acid (HCl) for 1 min and deproteinization in 1% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl) for 10 min. The tensile bond strengths of the three groups were measured by a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Fracture types at the dentin-resin interface were analyzed using the digital stereoscopic microscope and fractured surfaces of the debonded specimens were examined by SEM. RESULTS: All three groups showed that the treated surfaces were free of dentin debris and smear layer. The peritubular dentin protruded from the surrounding intertubular dentin after laser irradiation. The dentin-resin interface treated with Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation and acid etching demonstrated numerous resin tags converging into a bulge and then diverging again. The length of resin tags was greater than 100 microm. The tensile bond strengths of bur-cut/acid-etched, laser-ablated/acid-etched and laser-ablated human dentin were 5.37+/-1.51, 5.17+/-1.41 and 3.29+/-0.86 MPa, respectively. No statistical significance was found between the bur-cut/acid-etched and laser-ablated/acid-etched groups. The predominant fracture modes of bur-cut/acid-etched, laser-ablated/acid-etched and laser-ablated human dentin were Type 1 (50%), Type 2 (70%) and Type 1 (70%), respectively. SIGNIFICANCE: Er,Cr:YSGG laser irradiation affects adversely adhesion of resin to dentin but acid etching following laser irradiation could increase the tensile bond strength as high as that of bur-cut/acid-etched human dentin.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

PubMed2006

Bactericidal effects of diode laser on Streptococcus mutans after irradiation through different thickness of dentin.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A reliable method to eradicate the bacteria of residual carious dentin has not yet been developed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of a diode laser on Streptococcus mutans through different thickness (500, 1,000, and 2,000 microm) of human dentin. The thermal effect of laser irradiation was also investigated. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dentin specimens were inoculated with 2 microl of S. mutans on one side and irradiated by a diode laser on the other side with a power output ranging from 0.5 to 7 W. The laser tip was swept with the whole irradiation area of 7 mm x 3 mm at a speed of about 10 mm/second with a total irradiation time of 30 seconds. Cooling with distilled water (30 ml/minute) was applied simultaneously during laser irradiation. After laser irradiation, the bacteria was removed from the dentin surfaces and cultured for 48 hours at 37 degrees C anaerobically to assess the colony forming units (CFU) per ml. The morphology of the lased bacteria and the temperature rise during laser irradiation were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and measured by thermocouple, respectively. RESULTS: The results revealed that 7 W of laser power could kill 97.7% of CFU through 500 microm thickness of dentin. However, the bactericidal efficiency was significantly reduced as the dentin thickness was increased. The morphological changes of lased bacteria ranged from less affected such as loss of their wall bands and existence of minicells to more severely degenerated, such as disintegration and fusion of cells with pores on the cell wall. Only the dentin specimens with a thickness of 500 microm exhibited a temperature rise greater than 5.5 degrees C after receiving 5 or 7 W of laser irradiation. CONCLUSIONS: A diode laser can eliminate the Streptococcus mutans of the residual carious dentin without inducing high pulpal temperature rise when the remaining dentin thickness is greater than 1 mm.

Dental Caries↗

PubMed2005

Interactions of acinar cells on biomaterials with various surface properties.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the interactions of rat parotid acinar cells on biomaterials with different surface properties. The biomaterials used in this study included polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), chitosan, poly (ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol) (EVAL), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Cell morphology was observed by photomicroscope. Cell growth and differentiated characteristic function were separately assayed with 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction activity and amylase activity. Results indicated that behaviors of acinar cells on materials might differ to a great extent depending on the surface hydrophilicity and morphology of the materials. On the relatively hydrophobic materials, the abilities of acinar cells to adhere and proliferate increased simultaneously. In addition, porous PVDF had higher cell growth compared with dense PVDF. Therefore, the hydrophobic PVDF with a porous structure was the best substrate for culturing acinar cells. According to our findings, a tubular PVDF scaffold with dense outer surface to prevent saliva leakage and with porous inner surface for the cell growth was proposed to serve as an artificial salivary gland for future use in the treatment of patients with salivary hypofunction.

Amylases↗

PubMed2005

Low shrinkage light curable nanocomposite for dental restorative material.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to develop a low shrinkage visible light curable nanocomposite dental restorative material without sacrificing the other properties of conventional materials. This nanocomposite was developed by using an epoxy resin 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-(3,4-epoxy)cyclohexane carboxylate (ERL4221) matrix with 55% wt of 70-100 nm nanosilica fillers through ring-opening polymerization. GPS (gamma-glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane) was used to modify the surfaces of silica nanoparticles. RESULTS: The nanocomposite was shown to exhibit low polymerization shrinkage strain, which is only a quarter of currently used methacrylate-based composites. It also exhibited a low thermal expansion coefficient of 49.8 microm/m degrees C which is comparable to that of the methacrylate based composites (51.2 microm/m degrees C). The strong interfacial interactions between the resin and fillers at nanoscales were demonstrated by an observed high strength and high thermal stability of the nanocomposite. A microhardness of 62 KHN and a tensile strength of 47 MPa were reached. A high degree of conversion ( approximately 70%) can be obtained after less than 60 s of irradiation upon the nanocomposite. A transmission electron microscope (TEM) study of the nanocomposite showed no aggregation of fillers. Comparable results to the methacrylate based composites were obtained from the one day MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide) cytotoxicity test. SIGNIFICANCE: The developed epoxy resin based nanocomposite demonstrated low shrinkage and high strength and is suitable for dental restorative material applications.

Coloring Agents↗

PubMed2005

Repair of porcine articular cartilage defect with autologous chondrocyte transplantation.

Articular cartilage is known to have poor healing capacity after injury. Autologous chondral grafting remains the mainstay to treat well-defined, full-thickness, symptomatic cartilage defects. We demonstrated the utilization of gelatin microbeads to deliver autologous chondrocytes for in vivo cartilage generation. Chondrocytes were harvested from the left forelimbs of 12 Lee-Sung pigs. The cells were expanded in monolayer culture and then seeded onto gelatin microbeads or left in monolayer. Shortly before implantation, the cell-laden beads were mixed with collagen type I gel, while the cells in monolayer culture were collected and re-suspended in culture medium. Full-thickness cartilage defects were surgically created in the weight-bearing surface of the femoral condyles of both knees, covered by periosteal patches taken from proximal tibia, and sealed with a porcine fibrin glue. In total, 48 condyles were equally allotted to experimental, control, and null groups that were filled beneath the patch with chondrocyte-laden beads in gel, chondrocytes in plain medium solution, or nothing, respectively. The repair was examined 6 months post-surgery on the basis of macroscopic appearance, histological scores based on the International Cartilage Repair Society Scale, and the proportion of characteristic chondrocytes. Tensile stress-relaxation behavior was determined from uniaxial indentation tests. The experimental group scored higher than the control group in the categories of matrix nature, cell distribution pattern, and absence of mineralization, with similar surface smoothness. Both the experimental and control groups were superior to the null group in the above-mentioned categories. Viable cell populations were equal in all groups, but the proportion of characteristic chondrocytes was highest in the experimental group. Matrix stiffness was ranked as null > native cartilage > control > experimental group. Transplanted autologous chondrocytes survive and could yield hyaline-like cartilage. The application of beads and gel for transplantation helped to retain the transferred cells in situ and maintain a better chondrocyte phenotype.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Long-term effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser irradiation on cultured human periodontal fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effect of Nd:YAG laser irradiation on cultured human periodontal fibroblasts (hPF). STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cultured hPF were irradiated by pulsed Nd:YAG laser. The power delivery was 50 mJ x 10 pps (pulse per second) with irradiation duration 60, 120, 180, or 240 seconds. The viability and collagen content of laser-irradiated hPF were assessed on day 5 after laser treatment. Light microscope and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to observe cytomorphological change. The irradiated hPF cultured in mineralizing medium for 28 days were examined by alizarin red S and Von Kossa stain. RESULTS: The cellular viability and collagen content of hPF decreased after Nd:YAG laser irradiation. Cell damage was noted with retraction of cellular processes, loss of normal architecture, and lysis of some cells. However, survived hPF proliferated and migrated to the cell-debris-associated deposits. The electron-dense cytoplasm and amorphous organelles in laser-damaged cells was revealed by TEM. In vitro mineralization was demonstrated in the long-term laser-irradiated hPF cultured in mineralizing medium. CONCLUSION: Nd:YAG laser irradiation induced partial loss of cellular viability and collagen content. The co-existence of viable cells and progressive degeneration of laser-damaged cells was associated with the in vitro mineralization of hPF.

Calcification, Physiologic↗

PubMed2005

The effects of distraction osteogenesis on mandibular growth in growing minipigs: a report on three-dimensional morphologic changes.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to investigate the morphologic changes of distraction osteogenesis performed on the mandible in growing minipigs. METHODS: Eighteen piglets were divided into four groups. In group A (n = 6), animals received unilateral osteotomy and the distractor device was activated for 2 weeks after a 1-week latency period. In group B (n = 6), animals underwent the osteotomy procedure and distractor placement. In group C (n = 3), animals received the distractor, and in group D (n = 3), only four reference pins were placed. After completion of distraction, the head portions were sent for computed tomography scanning. The coordinates of each selected mandibular landmark were recorded on three-dimensional computed tomographic reconstruction images for further mathematical linear and angular measurements to quantify morphologic changes. RESULTS: The sagittal length related to gonial region was increased in group A but decreased in group B. Although all groups had the tendency of increased ramus width, it was only significant in group B. The distraction also reduced the gonial angle and elevated the ramus inclination to the Frankfort horizontal plane at the operated side. On the contrary, osteotomy alone opened the gonial angle and flattened the ramus inclination. CONCLUSIONS: Distraction could lengthen the mandibles in growing minipigs by reducing the gonial angle and displacing the mandible posteriorly. This effect, which allows for developing a prominent gonial angle, could be further explored in treating syndromic patients with the deficiency in the gonial region. A greater amount of overcorrection should be considered while treating growing patients because the mandibular osteotomy procedure itself seems to retard the growth.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Relationship of chondrocyte apoptosis to matrix degradation and swelling potential of osteoarthritic cartilage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Softening of cartilage is the initial degenerative step of osteoarthritic cartilage by matrix degradation and corruption of interconnection of the collagen fibrillar network. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of chondrocyte apoptosis, matrix degradation, and the corruption of collagen architecture in the development of severe swelling of osteoarthritic cartilage. METHODS: Twenty osteoarthritic and 7 normal femoral neck fractured cartilage samples were obtained from patients with knee osteoarthritis and normal patients with femoral neck fracture at the time of total hip joint replacement surgery. Apoptosis was verified by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine 5-triphosphate nick end-labeling) staining and structural changes were observed under phase-contrast microscopy. Matrix degradation was evaluated by histochemical analysis of proteoglycans. Swelling tests were performed by immersing the cartilage slices in hypotonic solution. The results of ultrastructural study of collagen architecture of osteoarthritic cartilage performed by scanning electron microscopy before and after swelling were compared. RESULTS: Matrix degradation was most prominent in the middle zone of osteoarthritic cartilage. The percentage of chondrocytes in osteoarthritic cartilage showing apoptosis ranged from 15 to 20% (average, 18%; standard deviation (SD) = 3.2%) and was correlated with the extent of structural changes and matrix degradation. The swelling strain of the osteoarthritic cartilage varied from 120 to 200% (average, 160%; SD = 40%) depending on the degree of matrix degradation and structural changes. The loss of interconnectivity of collagen fibrillar architecture was correlated with the increased swelling potential of osteoarthritic cartilage. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that chondrocyte apoptosis was correlated with matrix degradation and the corruption of fibrillar architecture and that the extent of these manifestations correlated with the swelling potential of osteoarthritic cartilage. These findings also emphasize the importance of the fibrillar architecture in maintaining the mechanical properties of cartilage.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Identification and initial characterization of small cells in adult cartilage and bone marrow.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Small cells in the range of less than 5 microm have been suspected to lie dormant and to be dispersed throughout the parenchyma of every tissue in the body. In bone marrow, small mesenchymal stem cells with rapidly renewing properties and differentiation potentials have been found. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify small cells from normal and osteoarthritic cartilages and compare their properties with those of small stem cells in bone marrow. METHODS: Small cells were isolated from cartilages and bone marrow. Characterization of these small cells was performed by hematoxylin and eosin staining and bromodeoxyuridine labeling. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopy were used for ultrastructural investigation and analysis of the cells. RESULTS: Small cells (< or = 5 microm) from both cartilages and bone marrow were shown to have mitotic activity on the basis of bromodeoxyuridine labeling, with the same replication time of 18 to 20 hours for population doubling. Ultrastructural and atomic force microscopy revealed these cells had spherical shape and were about 0.2 to 2.2 microm in diameter. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the presence of small cells in adult cartilage and bone marrow, which were about 0.2 to 2.2 microm in diameter and exhibited proliferation potential. These cells were able to be activated and differentiate into chondrocytes, and might have differentiation potential similar to small stem cells in bone marrow and thus play an important role in cartilage regeneration.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Multipotential mesenchymal stem cells from femoral bone marrow near the site of osteonecrosis.

Stem cell-based therapies for degenerative disorders and injuries are promising in the new era. Multipotential mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from bone marrow (BM) are on the leading edge because they are easy to expand in culture while maintaining their multilineage potential. In vitro assessment of the chondrogenic and osteogenic potentials of cultured MSCs has been established, and the BM used in those experiments was exclusively from healthy donors via iliac crest aspiration. It is unknown whether human marrow obtained from femurs also contains these multipotential MSCs. We collected marrow from proximal femurs of two patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery for femoral head osteonecrosis and isolated and culture expanded MSCs to about 20 population doublings. These cells were homogeneously positive for beta1-integrin. When pelleted into aggregates and cultured in a medium containing transforming growth factor-beta3 for 14 days, the cells began to express mRNA for aggrecan and collagen type II and to deposit immunoreactive collagen type II and sulfated proteoglycans in the matrix, hallmarks of chondrogenic differentiation. These MSCs could also be differentiated into osteocytic lineage in vitro, as shown by increased expression of alkaline phosphatase activity and deposition of mineral content onto culture plates. These results indicate that femoral BM obtained during hip surgeries also contained multipotential MSCs. These data imply that direct replacement therapy using MSCs from in situ marrow may be possible in the future and that an MSC bank may be established by using marrow from this approach, bypassing the necessity for iliac marrow aspiration from healthy donors.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Proliferation and phenotypic preservation of rat parotid acinar cells.

The purpose of this study is to develop an initial step in salivary gland tissue engineering through proliferation and phenotypic preservation of rat parotid acinar cells in vitro. By using the explant outgrowth technique and M199 medium with the addition of sialic acid, acinar cells not only survived for more than 30 days in the absence of basement membrane substrates but also proliferated to yield cells with acinar phenotypic expression. Furthermore, we tested whether chitosan can be used as a synthetic extracellular matrix to culture salivary acinar cells. Chitosan is a deacetylated product of chitin, which is a plentiful polysaccharide found in nature and is safe for the human body, but little is known about the utility of chitosan in culturing salivary acinar cells. It was found that coating fibronectin on chitosan membrane improved the attachment of acinar cells in the initial stage. However, the poor attachment of acinar cells on pure chitosan membrane did not affect cell growth after longer culture times, indicating that chitosan is potentially useful as a tissue-engineering scaffold of the salivary gland. These in vitro results are encouraging because such a culture system may serve as an artificial salivary gland for future use in the treatment of patients with salivary hypofunction.

Animals↗