METHODS: PMMA pellets were prepared with three separate concentrations of each of the two antibiotics tested. They were tested to determine the effect of increasing concentration of antibiotics on the biomechanical properties of PMMA and antibiotic activity by measuring the zone of inhibition and broth elution assay.
RESULTS: Ceftaroline PMMA at 3 wt%, three-point bending was 37.17 ± 0.51 N ( p < 0.001) and axial loading was 41.95 N ± 0.51 ( p < 0.001). At 5-wt% vancomycin-PMMA, three-point bending was 41.65 ± 0.79 N ( p = 0.02) and axial loading was 49.49 ± 2.21 N ( p = 0.01). Stiffness of ceftroline-loaded PMMA in low and medium concentration was significantly higher than the vancomycin. The zone of inhibition for ceftaroline was higher than vancomycin. Ceftaroline at 3 wt% eluted up to 6 weeks (0.3 ± 0.1 μg/ml) above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and vancomycin at 2.5 wt% eluted up to 3 weeks, same as MIC, that is, 0.5 ± 0.0 μg/ml.
CONCLUSIONS: Ceftaroline, loaded at similar concentrations as vancomycin into PMMA, is a more potent alternative based on its more favourable bioactivity and elution properties, while having a lesser effect on the mechanical properties of the cement. The use of 3-wt% ceftaroline as antibiotic laden PMMA against MRSA is recommended. It should be noted that this was an in vitro study and to determine the clinical efficacy would need prospective, controlled and randomized studies.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the wettability of 3 different artificial saliva substitutes on heat-polymerized acrylic resin and to compare these properties with natural saliva and distilled water.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 150 heat-polymerized acrylic resin specimens were prepared with 25×15×2 mm dimensions. The specimens were divided into 5 groups (n=30): human saliva, distilled water, Aqwet, Mouth Kote, and Stoppers 4. The advancing and receding contact angle values were measured by using a goniometer, and the contact angle hysteresis and equilibrium angle were calculated. One-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni multiple comparisons test were performed to determine the difference between contact angle values among the groups (α=.05).
RESULTS: The means of the 5 groups differed significantly (P
METHODS: Vancomycin at various concentrations was added to JectOS and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). Then, the cement was molded into standardized dimensions for in vitro testing. Cylindrical vancomycin-JectOS samples were subjected to compressive strength. The results obtained were compared to PMMA-vancomycin compressive strength data attained from historical controls. The zone of inhibition was carried out using vancomycin-JectOS and vancomycin-PMMA disk on methicillin-resistant strain culture agar.
RESULTS: With the addition of 2.5%, 5%, and 10% vancomycin, the average compressive strengths reduced to 8.01 ± 0.95 MPa (24.6%), 7.52 ± 0.71 MPa (29.2%), and 7.23 ± 1.34 MPa (31.9%). Addition of vancomycin significantly weakened biomechanical properties of JectOS, but there was no significant difference in the compressive strength at increasing concentrations. The average diameters of zone of inhibition for JectOS-vancomycin were 24.7 ± 1.44 (2.5%) mm, 25.9 ± 0.85 mm (5%), and 26.8 ± 1.81 mm (10%), which outperformed PMMA.
CONCLUSION: JectOS has poor mechanical performance but superior elution property. JectOS-vancomycin cement is suitable as a void filler delivering high local concentration of vancomycin. We recommended using it for contained bone defects that do not require mechanical strength.
OBJECTIVES:: The aim was to investigate their dynamic characteristics and create a relationship between these dynamic data and the prescription of foot.
STUDY DESIGN:: Experimental Assessment.
METHODS:: This article presents the modal analysis results of the full range of Össur Flex-Run™ running feet that are commercially available (1LO-9LO) using experimental modal analysis technique under a constant mass at 53 kg and boundary condition.
RESULTS:: It was shown that both the undamped natural frequency and stiffness increase linearly from the lowest to the highest stiffness category of foot which allows for a more informed prescription of foot when tuning to a matched natural frequency. The low damping characteristics determined experimentally that ranged between 1.5% and 2.0% indicates that the feet require less input energy to maintain the steady-state cyclic motion before take-off from the ground. An analysis of the mode shapes also showed a unique design feature of these feet that is hypothesised to enhance their performance.
CONCLUSION:: A better understanding of dynamic characteristics of the feet can help tune the feet to the user's requirements in promoting a better gait performance.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The dynamic data determined from this study are needed to better inform the amputees in predicting the natural frequency of the foot prescribed. The amputees can intuitively tune the cyclic body rhythm during walking or running to match with the natural frequency. This could eventually promote a better gait performance.
Materials and methods: A novel bone scaffold has been developed using polyurethane (PE) added with wintergreen (WG) and titanium dioxide (TiO2). The developed nanocomposites were characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle measurement, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and tensile testing. Furthermore, anticoagulant assays, cell viability analysis and calcium deposition were used to investigate the biological properties of the prepared hybrid nanocomposites.
Results: FESEM depicted the reduced fibre diameter for the electrospun PE/WG and PE/WG/TiO2 than the pristine PE. The addition of WG and TiO2 resulted in the alteration in peak intensity of PE as revealed in the FTIR. Wettability measurements showed the PE/WG showed decreased wettability and the PE/WG/TiO2 exhibited improved wettability than the pristine PE. TGA measurements showed the improved thermal behaviour for the PE with the addition of WG and TiO2. Surface analysis indicated that the composite has a smoother surface rather than the pristine PE. Further, the incorporation of WG and TiO2 improved the anticoagulant nature of the pristine PE. In vitro cytotoxicity assay has been performed using fibroblast cells which revealed that the electrospun composites showed good cell attachment and proliferation after 5 days. Moreover, the bone apatite formation study revealed the enhanced deposition of calcium content in the fabricated composites than the pristine PE.
Conclusion: Fabricated nanocomposites rendered improved physico-chemical properties, biocompatibility and calcium deposition which are conducive for bone tissue engineering.
METHODS: Six makes, three each monocrystalline (M) and polycrystalline (P) were used; PureSapphire (M), SPA Aesthetic (M), Ghost (M), Mist (P), Reflections (P), and Dual Ceramic (P). The Ortholux™ Light Curing Unit (LCU) was used to cure the orthodontic adhesive Transbond™XT. The LCU's tip irradiance was measured and TLE transmitted through the ceramic bracket was obtained, then adhesive added to the bracket, and transmitted TLE measured through bracket-plus-adhesive samples. The LCU was set at five seconds as recommended for curing adhesive through ceramic brackets.
RESULTS: Mean tip irradiance was 1859.2±16.2mW/cm2. The TLE transmitted through brackets alone ranged 1.7 to 3.9J/cm2, in the descending order: Ghost>Pure Sapphire>Reflections>Mist>SPA Aesthetics>Dual Ceramic. The TLE transmitted through bracket-plus-adhesive samples ranged 1.6 to 3.7J/cm2, in the descending order: Ghost>Mist>Reflections>Pure Sapphire>SPA Aesthetics>Dual Ceramic. TLE was reduced with the addition of adhesive (range -0.1 to -0.7J/cm2). There was a significant difference for Pure Sapphire, Reflections, and Mist (P<0.05), but not for SPA Aesthetics, Ghost, and Dual Ceramic. There was no overall significant difference between the monocrystalline and polycrystalline makes. The two best makes were of the monocrystalline type, concerning TLE transmission, but with the exception of polycrystalline Dual Ceramic; the next worst make was a monocrystalline bracket, SPA Aesthetics.
CONCLUSION: Light energy attenuation through ceramic orthodontic brackets is make-dependent, with no overall difference between monocrystalline and polycrystalline brackets. Light energy is further attenuated with the addition of resin-based orthodontic adhesive.
SIGNIFICANCE: A strong need exists for the development of transdermal patch having improved bioavailability at the site of action with fewer side effects at off-target organs.
METHODS: The patches were physically characterized by texture analysis (color, flexibility, smoothness, transparency, and homogeneity), in vitro dissolution test and FTIR analysis. Furthermore, functional properties essential for TDDS, in vitro percentage of moisture content, percentage of water uptake, in vitro permeation by following different kinetic models, in vivo drug content estimation and skin irritation were determined using rabbit skin.
RESULTS: The optimized patches were soft, of uniform texture and thickness as well as pliable in nature. Novel transdermal patch showed ideal characteristics in terms of moisture content and water uptake. FTIR analysis confirmed no interaction between TZH and cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP). The patch showed sustained release of the drug which increased the availability of short acting TZH at the site of action. The patch also showed its biocompatibility to the in vivo model of rabbit skin.
CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that topically applied transdermal patch will be a potential medicated sustain release patch for muscle pain which will improve patient compliance.
METHODS: PubMed and Science Direct were searched for papers published between the years 1974 and 2018. The search was restricted to articles written in English related to modification of glass ionomer cements. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were included. The search included literature reviews, in vitro, and in vivo studies. Articles written in other languages, without available abstracts and those related to other field were excluded. About 198 peer-review articles in the English language were reviewed.
CONCLUSION: Based on the finding, most of the modification has improved physical-mechanical properties of glass ionomer cements. Recently, researchers have attempted to improve their antimicrobial properties. However, the attempts were reported to compromise the physical-mechanical properties of modified glass ionomer cements.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: As the modification of glass ionomer cement with different material improved the physical-mechanical and antimicrobial properties, it could be used as restorative material for wider application in dentistry.