PURPOSE: Finite element study on the effect of abutment length and material on implant bone interface against dynamic loading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two dimensional finite element models of cylinderical implant, abutments and bone made by titanium or polyoxymethylene were simulated with the aid of Marc/Mentat software. Each model represented bone, implant and titanium or polyoxymethylene abutment. Model 1: Implant with 3 mm titanium abutment, Model 2: Implant with 2 mm polyoxymethylene resilient material abutment, Model 3: Implant with 3 mm polyoxymethylene resilient material abutment and Model 4: Implant with 4 mm polyoxymethylene resilient material abutment. A vertical load of 11 N was applied with a frequency of 2 cycles/sec. The stress distribution pattern and displacement at the junction of cortical bone and implant was recorded. RESULTS: When Model 2, 3 and 4 are compared with Model 1, they showed narrowing of stress distribution pattern in the cortical bone as the height of the polyoxymethylene resilient material abutment increases. Model 2, 3 and 4 showed slightly less but similar displacement when compared to Model 1. CONCLUSION: Within the limitation of this study, we conclude that introduction of different height resilient material abutment with different heights i.e. 2 mm, 3 mm and 4 mm polyoxymethylene, does not bring about significant change in stress distribution pattern and displacement as compared to 3 mm Ti abutment. Clinically, with the application of resilient material abutment there is no significant change in stress distribution around implant-bone interface.
Dental Implants ; Displacement (Psychology) ; Finite Element Analysis ; Titanium

Objectives: The relationship between weight-related load and bone mineral density (BMD)/bone microstructure under normal load conditions using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) remains unconfirmed. The study aims to investigate the differences in effect of body mass index (BMI) on BMD/bone microstructure of loaded and unloaded bones, respectively, in Japanese postmenopausal women. Methods: Fifty-seven postmenopausal women underwent HR-pQCT on the tibia and radius. Correlation analysis, principal component (PC) analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were performed to examine the relationship between BMI and HR-pQCT parameters. Results: Several microstructural parameters of the tibia and radius correlated with BMI through a simple correlation analysis, and these relationships remained unchanged even with an age-adjusted partial correlation analysis. PC analysis was conducted using seven bone microstructure parameters. The first PC (PC1) reflected all parameters of trabecular and cortical bone microstructures, except for cortical porosity, whereas the second PC (PC2) reflected only cortical bone microstructure. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI was more strongly related to BMD/bone microstructure in the tibia than in the radius. Furthermore, BMI was associated with trabecular/cortical BMD, and PC1 (not PC2) of the tibia and radius. Thus, BMI was strongly related to the trabecular bone microstructure rather than the cortical bone microstructure. Conclusions Our data confirmed that BMI is associated with volumetric BMD and trabecular bone microstructure parameters in the tibia and radius. However, although BMI may be more related to HRpQCT parameters in the tibia than in the radius, the magnitude of association is modest.

Objectives: The relationship between weight-related load and bone mineral density (BMD)/bone microstructure under normal load conditions using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) remains unconfirmed. The study aims to investigate the differences in effect of body mass index (BMI) on BMD/bone microstructure of loaded and unloaded bones, respectively, in Japanese postmenopausal women. Methods: Fifty-seven postmenopausal women underwent HR-pQCT on the tibia and radius. Correlation analysis, principal component (PC) analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were performed to examine the relationship between BMI and HR-pQCT parameters. Results: Several microstructural parameters of the tibia and radius correlated with BMI through a simple correlation analysis, and these relationships remained unchanged even with an age-adjusted partial correlation analysis. PC analysis was conducted using seven bone microstructure parameters. The first PC (PC1) reflected all parameters of trabecular and cortical bone microstructures, except for cortical porosity, whereas the second PC (PC2) reflected only cortical bone microstructure. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis indicated that BMI was more strongly related to BMD/bone microstructure in the tibia than in the radius. Furthermore, BMI was associated with trabecular/cortical BMD, and PC1 (not PC2) of the tibia and radius. Thus, BMI was strongly related to the trabecular bone microstructure rather than the cortical bone microstructure. Conclusions Our data confirmed that BMI is associated with volumetric BMD and trabecular bone microstructure parameters in the tibia and radius. However, although BMI may be more related to HRpQCT parameters in the tibia than in the radius, the magnitude of association is modest.

Objectives: Physical activity to maintain bone mass and strength is important for hip fracture prevention. We aim to investigate the relationship between physical performance/activity status and bone mineral density (BMD)/hip structural analysis (HSA) parameters among postmenopausal women in Japan. Methods: Sixty-two postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis (mean age: 72.61 ± 7.43 years) were enrolled in this cross-sectional observational study. They were evaluated for BMD and HSA in the proximal femur by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and underwent several physical performance tests, the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale of 25 questions (GLFS-25). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to summarize data on the BMD/HSA parameters. Partial correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM) were performed to investigate the relationship between physical performance/activity status and BMD/HSA parameters of the proximal femur. Results: In a partial correlation analysis adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI), GLFS-25 scores were correlated with HSA parameter (|r| = 0.260–0.396, P < 0.05). Principal component 1 (PC1) calculated by PCA was interpreted as more reflective of bone strength based on the value of BMD/HSA parameters. The SEM results showed that the model created by the 3 questions (Q13, brisk walking; Q15, keep walking without rest; Q20, load-bearing tasks and housework) of the GLFS-25 had the best fit and was associated with the PC1 score (β = −0.444, P = 0.001). Conclusions The GLFS-25 score was associated with the BMD/HSA parameter, which may reflect the bone strength of the proximal femur as calculated by PCA.

The anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effect of equine placental extract (ePE) on epidermal keratinocytes was examined. ePE reduced mRNA levels of TNF-α (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α) and IL-6 (Interleukin-6) among the inflammatory cytokines released by epidermal keratinocytes after ultraviolet light (UVB: 290-320 nm) exposure. ePE also activated Nrf2, a transcription factor known to be activated by oxidative stress to promote the expression of antioxidant enzymes and suppress inflammation, and it increased the mRNA level of the antioxidant enzyme HO-1 (Heme Oxygenase-1). These results suggest that ePE suppresses UV-induced inflammation of epidermal keratinocytes via activation of Nrf2.