A case of contact dermatitis due to herb onintment is described in a 24 year-old female patient. After topical application of herb ointment, she developed erythematous papules and plaques on the face and neck. Patch test revealed positive reactions to ammoniated mercury, thimerosal, and the herb ointment. Energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis of the herb ointment showed a striking peak for mercury.
Dermatitis, Contact* ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Female ; Humans ; Neck ; Patch Tests ; Strikes, Employee ; Thimerosal ; Young Adult

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There has been a great interest in the use of titanium for fixed and removable prostheses in recent because of its excellent biocompatibility. However, the melting temperature and chemical reactivity of titanium necessities casting system different from those used in conventional casting. The current titanium casting systems are based on an electric-arc design for melting the metal in an argon atmosphere and its exclusive investment. Despite the new development in Ti casting system, inadequate mold filling and internal porosity are frequently observed casting defects. PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to compare the castibility and reaction layer of the casting titanium under the two casting machines and their investment condition. MATERIAL AND METHOD: coping and machine-milled titanium coping according to the casting methods and the marginal configurations. The total 28 specimens were used, and these are divided into 4 groups according to 2 casting machines and 2 investments. The castings were analyzed using x-ray microanalysis and microhardness testing. The reaction layer between margin of titanium casting and the investments was observed and analyzed with scanning electron microscope. RESULT: 1. Castabiliy of casting titanium specimen was best in the group of centrifugal casting machine and Selevest CB(R) and good that of Selevest CB and pressure differential casting machine, Rematitan plus and centrifugal casting machine, Rematitan plus and pressure differential casting machine in order. 2. There was no significanct correlation in titanium castability in respect of casting machine. However ANOVA indicated that Selevest CB(R) groups had significantly better castability than Rematitan plus(R) groups.(p<0.05) 3. There was a significant microhardness difference between cetrifugal casting machine groups and pressure differential groups.(p<0.05) Titanium castings in centifugal groups had significantly harder than those in pressure differential groups. 4. The addition of zirconia decreased interfacial reactivity. CONCLUSION: above result revealed that of the castability of titanium casting specimens had little correlation in casting machines and was better in magnesia-based investment contained ZrO2 groups. However in order to practice casting titanium in clininic, its castability should be improved, also there should be more research on factor of castability so that long-span prothesis and removable partial denture metla frame may be casted completly.
Alloys* ; Argon ; Atmosphere ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Freezing ; Fungi ; Investments* ; Porosity ; Prostheses and Implants ; Titanium*

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of single and combined applications of fluoride on the amount of fluoride release, and the remineralization and physical properties of enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Each of four fluoride varnish and gel products (Fluor Protector, FP, Ivoclar Vivadent; Tooth Mousse Plus, TM, GC; 60 Second Gel, A, Germiphene; CavityShield, CS, 3M ESPE) and two fluoride solutions (2% sodium fluoride, N; 8% tin(ii) fluoride, S) were applied on bovine teeth using single and combined methods (10 per group), and then the amount of fluoride release was measured for 4 wk. The electron probe microanalysis and the Vickers microhardness measurements were conducted to assess the effect of fluoride application on the surface properties of bovine teeth. RESULTS: The amount of fluoride release was higher in combined applications than in single application (p < 0.05). Microhardness values were higher after combined applications of N with FP, TM, and CS than single application of them, and these values were also higher after combined applications of S than single application of A (p < 0.05). Ca and P values were higher in combined applications of N with TM and CS than single application of them (p < 0.05). They were also increased after combined applications of the S with A than after single application (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combined applications of fluoride could be used as a basis to design more effective methods of fluoride application to provide enhanced remineralization.
Dental Caries ; Dental Enamel ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Fluorides* ; Methods* ; Paint ; Sodium Fluoride ; Surface Properties ; Tooth

The aim of the present study is to compare the corrosion tendency using two kinds of NiTi files in the various environmental conditions through the visual examination and electrochemical analysis. ProTaper Universal S2, 21 mm (Dentsply Maillefer, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and Hero 642, 0.06 tapers, size 25, 21 mm (Micromega, Besancon, France) rotary instruments were tested. The instruments were randomly divided into eighteen groups (n = 5) by the immersion temperature, the type of solution, the brand of NiTi rotary instrument and the presence of mechanical loading. Each file was examined at various magnifications using Scanning Electron Microscope (JEOL, Akishima, Tokyo, Japan) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). EDX was used to determine the components of the endodontic file alloy in corroded and noncorroded areas. The corrosion resistance of unused and used NiTi files after repeated uses in the human teeth was evaluated electrochemically by potentiodynamic polarization test using a potentiostat (Applied Corrosion Monitoring, Cark-in-Cartmel, UK). Solution temperature and chloride ion concentration may affect on passivity of NiTi files. Under the conditions of this in vitro study, the corrosion resistance is slightly increased after clinical use.
Alloys ; Androsterone ; Collodion ; Corrosion ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Electrons ; Humans ; Immersion ; Tokyo ; Tooth

BACKGROUND: Ion capture cytochemistry(the potassium oxalate pyroantimonate method), semi- quantitatively, and proton probe X-ray microanalysis, quantitatively, have been applied to investigate the epidermal calcium distribution. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the epidermal calcium distribution with confocal laser scanning microscopy(CLSM) in an attempt to evaluate the possibility of another method in epidermal calcium study. METHODS: The change of epidermal calcium distribution after barrier perturbation with tape stripping was investigated with CLSM and was compared to the results of ion capture cytochemistry. RESULTS: The calcium distribution pattern in normal murine epidermis demonstrated by CLSM show a normal calcium gradient, from a low level of calcium ions in the basal and spinous layer, followed by a progressive increase with a level of calcium ions reaching its maximal density within the outer stratum granulosum. Disruption of the epidermal barrier with tape stripping induced an immediate loss of the calcium gradient and the calcium gradient after 36h was almost normalized, in parallel with the recovery of barrier function. CONCLUSION: These results show that calcium gradient in murine epidermis after tape-stripping is restored by 36h and CLSM study can be used as a new method in epidermal calcium study.
Calcium* ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Epidermis ; Histocytochemistry ; Ions ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Oxalic Acid ; Protons

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the chemical and biological properties of fast-set white mineral trioxide aggregate (FS WMTA), which was WMTA combined with calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl₂·2H₂O), compared to that of WMTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Surface morphology, elemental, and phase analysis were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. The cytotoxicity and cell attachment properties were evaluated on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLFs) using methyl-thiazol-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) assay and under SEM after 24 and 72 hours, respectively. RESULTS: Results showed that the addition of CaCl₂·2H₂O to WMTA affected the surface morphology and chemical composition. Although FS WMTA exhibited a non-cytotoxic profile, the cell viability values of this combination were lesser than WMTA, and the difference was significant in 7 out of 10 concentrations at the 2 time intervals (p < 0.05). HPLFs adhered over the surface of WMTA and at the interface, after 24 hours of incubation. After 72 hours, there were increased numbers of HPLFs with prominent cytoplasmic processes. Similar findings were observed with FS WMTA, but the cells were not as confluent as with WMTA. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of CaCl₂·2H₂O to WMTA affected its chemical properties. The favorable biological profile of FS WMTA towards HPLFs may have a potential impact on its clinical application for repair of perforation defects.
Calcium Chloride* ; Calcium* ; Cell Survival ; Cytoplasm ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Miners* ; Periodontal Ligament ; X-Ray Diffraction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the crystallographic properties of the mineral phases of normal enamel and dentin (dental apatite) in deciduous and permanent teeth.

METHODSThree kinds of physical methods including X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared absorption spectroscope (IR) and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA) were utilized in this study.

RESULTSDental apatite was not uniphase, but multiphase, which could be described as carbonate-substituted hydroxyapatite. Compared to dentin apatite, the higher crystallinity and expanded a-axis lattice parameters were found in enamel. Chemical analyses demonstrated that higher concentrations of Mg and CO(3)(2-) were found in dentin than those of enamel. But enamel had higher Cl content.

CONCLUSIONSThe differences among enamel and dentin, in terms of lattice parameter and crystallinity may be partially attributed to the incorporation of Mg, CO(3)(2-) and Cl minor elements.

Dental Enamel ; chemistry ; Dentin ; chemistry ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; methods ; Humans ; Spectrophotometry, Infrared ; methods ; Tooth ; chemistry ; X-Ray Diffraction ; methods

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of annealing on the nanostructure and hardness of Co-Cr metal ceramic samples that were fabricated with a direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five groups of Co-Cr dental alloy samples were manufactured in a rectangular form measuring 4 x 2 x 2 mm. Samples fabricated by a conventional casting technique (Group I) and prefabricated milling blanks (Group II) were examined as conventional technique groups. The DMLS samples were randomly divided into three groups as not annealed (Group III), annealed in argon atmosphere (Group IV), or annealed in oxygen atmosphere (Group V). The nanostructure was examined with the small-angle X-ray scattering method. The Rockwell hardness test was used to measure the hardness changes in each group, and the means and standard deviations were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA for comparison of continuous variables and Tukey's HSD test was used for post hoc analysis. P values of <.05 were accepted as statistically significant. RESULTS: The general nanostructures of the samples were composed of small spherical entities stacked atop one another in dendritic form. All groups also displayed different hardness values depending on the manufacturing technique. The annealing procedure and environment directly affected both the nanostructure and hardness of the Co-Cr alloy. Group III exhibited a non-homogeneous structure and increased hardness (48.16 +/- 3.02 HRC) because the annealing process was incomplete and the inner stress was not relieved. Annealing in argon atmosphere of Group IV not only relieved the inner stresses but also decreased the hardness (27.40 +/- 3.98 HRC). The results of fitting function presented that Group IV was the most homogeneous product as the minimum bilayer thickness was measured (7.11 A). CONCLUSION: After the manufacturing with DMLS technique, annealing in argon atmosphere is an essential process for Co-Cr metal ceramic substructures. The dentists should be familiar with the materials that are used in clinic for prosthodontics treatments.
Alloys ; Argon ; Atmosphere ; Ceramics ; Dental Alloys* ; Dentists ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Hardness Tests ; Hardness* ; Humans ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Nanostructures* ; Oxygen ; Prosthodontics

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of porcelain firing cycle on microstructure of 4 metal ceramic alloys, and to analyze the changes of their corrosion resistance in the artificial saliva. METHODS: We simulated the process of firing and repolishing when fabricating porcelain-fused-to-metal restoration in clinic,and then observed the microstructures of Ni-Cr, Ni-Cr-Ti, Co-Cr alloys and high gold alloy by field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The electrochemical corrosion behavior of alloys in artificial saliva was analyzed by polarization curves and corrview 2 corrosion analysis software. The data of self-corrosion potential and transpassive potential were obtained and analyzed. RESULTS: After the porcelain firing cycle, the surface composition changed slightly, and the morphological in the 3 predominate base metal alloys also changed. The self-corrosion potential turned to more negative, and the transpassive potential declined. CONCLUSION The procedure of porcelain firing cycle can affect the surface microstructure and increase the corrosion of 4 metal-ceramic alloys.
Corrosion ; Dental Casting Technique ; Dental Porcelain ; chemistry ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; chemistry ; Saliva, Artificial ; Surface Properties

Most silica-contaminated wounds of the skin heal without complications. Cutaneous silica granuloma is a poorly understood, uncommon condition resembling a sarcoidosis. We report a case of silica granuloma after intermittent intramuscular injections. A 70-year-old man presented a painless mass in his right buttock for 2 weeks. He had received intermittent intramuscular injections of antihistamine drugs due to chronic dermatitis for 30 years. The histolopathological findings showed numerous hyalinized collagenous nodules with concentric layers, and an ill-defined chronic granulomatous inflammation containing foreign material. A polarized light microscopic examination revealed birefrigent particles. The presence of silica components was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis.
Aged ; Buttocks ; Collagen ; Dermatitis ; Electron Probe Microanalysis ; Granuloma* ; Humans ; Hyalin ; Inflammation ; Injections, Intramuscular* ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Sarcoidosis ; Silicon Dioxide* ; Skin ; Wounds and Injuries