PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the bonding characteristics of a new self-adhesive resin cement to dentin, which does not require bonding and conditioning procedure of the tooth surface, and conventional resin cement. The effect of phosphoric acid etching prior to application of self-adhesive resin cement on the shear bond strength was also evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fortyfive non-carious human adult molars extracted within 6 months were embedded in chemically cured acrylic resin. The teeth were ground with a series of SiC-papers ending with 800 grit until the flat dentin surfaces of the teeth were exposed. The teeth were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups. In group 1, self-adhesive resin cement, RelyX Unicem (3M ESPE, Seefeld, Germany) was bonded without any conditioning of teeth. In group 2, RelyX Unicem was bonded to teeth after phosphoric acid etching. For group 3, Syntac Primer (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) was applied to the teeth before Syntac adhesive (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) and Helibond (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein) followed by conventional resin cement, Variolink II (Ivoclar Vivadent AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). To make a shear bond strength test model, a plastic tuble (3 mm diameter, 3 mm height) was applied to the dentin surfaces at a right angle and filled it with respective resin cement, and light-polymerized for 40 seconds. All the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 degree C for 24 hours before test. Universal Testing Machine (Z020, Zwick, Ulm, Germany) at a cross head speed of 1 mm/min was used to evaluate the shear bond strength. The failure sites were inspected under a magnifier and Scanning Electron Microscope. The data was analyzed with One way ANOVA and Scheffe test at alpha = 0.05. RESULTS: (1) The shear bond strengths to dentin of RelyX Unicem was not significantly different from those of Variolink II/Syntac. (2) Phosphoric acid etching lowered the shear bond strength of RelyX Unicem significantly. (3) Most of RelyX Unicem and Variolink II showed mixed fractures, while all the specimens of RelyX Unicem with phosphoric acid etching demonstrated adhesive failure between dentin and resin cement. CONCLUSION: Shear bond strength to dentin of self-adhesive resin cement is not significantly different from conventional resin cement, and phosphoric acid etching decrease the shear bond strength to dentin of self-adhesive resin cement.
Acrylic Resins ; Adhesives ; Adult ; Collodion ; Composite Resins ; Dentin ; Dentin-Bonding Agents ; Electrons ; Head ; Humans ; Molar ; Phosphoric Acids ; Plastics ; Polyurethanes ; Resin Cements ; Tooth ; Water

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Colonization of microorganisms on pollutants is the first indication of the potential ability of microbes to utilize plastic pollutants as a carbon source by sequential biodegradation into usable form for sustenance. The Philippines is considered the third highest country contributing to global mismanaged plastic waste. To locally manage and find a natural and innovative solution to this worldwide concern, this study aimed to evaluate the capacity of Xylaria sp. SDM (sterile dark mycelia) wild type, which was previously reported to colonize polyethylene plastic and mutant strains to colonize polystyrene, a plastic pollutant widely produced in the world. Assessment of the ability of local Xylaria sp. strains to grow, penetrate, and damage the surface and inner structures of polystyrene was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

METHODOLOGY: Xylaria sp. strains were cultured in a pH 5.0 mineral medium with 0.5% glucose as carbon source and polystyrene as a co-carbon source, and stored at 25?C for 50 days. At the end of the incubation period, due to irremovable fungal strains on the surface of the polystyrene strips, samples of polystyrene from each strain were subjected to SEM.

RESULTS: On the 20th day of incubation, the presence of mucilaginous sheaths and fungal growth was observed on the surface of treated polystyrene strips. At the end of the 50-day incubation period, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed fungal growth and colonization, through the presence of mycelial mats and hyphae, of the wild type and mutant strains on the surface and inner structures of polystyrene except the control. Moreover, physical surface damage in the form of holes, cracks, and crevices on polystyrene demonstrated the active burrowing action of Xylaria sp. strains further supporting the potential of this fungus to damage polystyrene plastic.

CONCLUSION: Whereas fungal growth on a polymer surface is necessary but not sufficient to conclude the process of carbon assimilation as the final biodegradation step, the initial colonization of Xylaria sp. strains on polystyrene supports its ability to establish itself and physically damage the pollutant. Hence, this study extended the existing knowledge on the colonizing ability of Xylaria sp. on plastic making it a potential candidate organism to biodegrade plastic waste, which is one of the topmost environmental waste hazards in the world today.

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Plastics*

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Plastics*

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Plastics*

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Plastics

PURPOSE: To compare the CT numbers on 3 cone-beam CT (CBCT) images with those on multi-detector CT (MDCT) image using CT phantom and to develop linear regressive equations using CT numbers to material density for all the CT scanner each. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mini CT phantom comprised of five 1 inch thick cylindrical models with 1.125 inches diameter of materials with different densities (polyethylene, polystyrene, plastic water, nylon and acrylic) was used. It was scanned in 3 CBCTs (i-CAT, Alphard VEGA, Implagraphy SC) and 1 MDCT (Somatom Emotion). The images were saved as DICOM format and CT numbers were measured using OnDemand 3D. CT numbers obtained from CBCTs and MDCT images were compared and linear regression analysis was performed for the density, rho (g/cm3), as the dependent variable in terms of the CT numbers obtained from CBCTs and MDCT images. RESULTS: CT numbers on i-CAT and Implagraphy CBCT images were smaller than those on Somatom Emotion MDCT image (p<0.05). Linear relationship on a range of materials used for this study were rho=0.001H+1.07 with R2 value of 0.999 for Somatom Emotion, rho=0.002H+1.09 with R2 value of 0.991 for Alphard VEGA, rho=0.001H+1.43 with R2 value of 0.980 for i-CAT and rho=0.001H+1.30 with R2 value of 0.975 for Implagraphy. CONCLUSION: CT numbers on i-CAT and Implagraphy CBCT images were not same as those on Somatom Emotion MDCT image. The linear regressive equations to determine the density from the CT numbers with very high correlation coefficient were obtained on three CBCT and MDCT scan.
Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Linear Models ; Nylons ; Plastics ; Polystyrenes ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Water

Plastics are widely used in daily life. Due to poor management and disposal, about 80% of plastic wastes were buried in landfills and eventually became land and ocean waste, causing serious environmental pollution. Recycling plastics is a desirable approach, but not applicable for most of the plastic waste. Microbial degradation offers an environmentally friendly way to degrade the plastic wastes, and this review summarizes the potential microbes, enzymes, and the underpinning mechanisms for degrading six most commonly used plastics including polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyurethane. The challenges and future perspectives on microbial degradation of plastics were proposed.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Plastics ; Polyurethanes ; Recycling

This study investigated the effect of intermittent polymerization on the rate of polymerization shrinkage and cuspal deflection in composite resins. The linear polymerization shrinkage of each composite was measured using the custom-made linometer along with the light shutter specially devised to block the light at the previously determined interval. Samples were divided into 4 groups by light curing method; Group 1) continuous light (60s with light on); Group 2) intermittent light (cycles of 3s with 2s light on & 1s with light off for 90s); Group 3) intermittent light (cycles of 2s with 1s light on & 1s with light off for 120s); Group 4) intermittent light (cycles of 3s with 1s light on & 2s with light off for 180s). The amount of linear polymerization shrinkage was measured and its maximum rate (Rmax) and peak time (PT) in the first 15 seconds were calculated. For the measurement of cuspal deflection of teeth, MOD cavities were prepared in 10 extracted maxillary premolars. Reduction in the intercuspal distance was measured by the custom-made cuspal deflection measuring machine. ANOVA analysis was used for the comparison of the light curing groups and t-test was used to determine significant difference between the composite resins. Pyramid showed the greater amount of polymerization shrinkage than Heliomolar (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the linear polymerization shrinkage among the groups. The Rmax was group 4 < 3, 2 < 1 in Heliomolar and group 3 < 4 < 2, 1 in Pyramid (p < 0.05). Pyramid demonstrated greater cuspal deflection than Heliomolar. The cuspal deflection in Heliomolar was group 4 < 3 < 2, 1 and group 4, 3 < 2, 1 in Pyramid (p < 0.05). It was concluded that the reduced rate of polymerization shrinkage by intermittent polymerization can help to decrease the cuspal deflection.
Acrylic Resins ; Bicuspid ; Composite Resins ; Light ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes ; Tooth

Dental composite resin is a kind of material which has been widely used in dental restoration. Research has found that the influence of residual monomer on the material mechanical, chemical and biological properties cannot be ignored. This paper elaborates these harms of residual monomers. The effects of resin matrix, inorganic filler and initiating system, illumination, secondarily treatment on the degree of conversion were also analyzed. The paper also discusses the effective measures to increase the conversion, and offers theoretical basis for the clinical application and development of composite resin.
Acrylic Resins ; Composite Resins ; Humans ; Light ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes