OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of folic acid coated-crosslinked urethane-doped polyester elastomer (fCUPE) nerve conduit in repairing long distance peripheral nerve injury. METHODS: Thirty-six 3-month-old male Sprague Dawley rats weighing 180-220 g were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each consisting of 12 rats: CUPE nerve conduit transplantation group (group A), fCUPE nerve conduit transplantation group (group B), and autologous nerve transplantation group (group C), the contralateral healthy limb of group C served as the control group (group D). A 20-mm-long sciatic nerve defect model was established in rats, and corresponding materials were used to repair the nerve defect according to the group. The sciatic function index (SFI) of groups A-C was calculated using the Bain formula at 1, 2, and 3 months after operation. The nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of the affected side in groups A-D was assessed using neuroelectrophysiological techniques. At 3 months after operation, the regenerated nerve tissue was collected from groups A-C for S-100 immunohistochemical staining and Schwann cell count in groups A and B to compare the level of nerve repair and regeneration in each group. RESULTS: At 3 months after operation, the nerve conduits in all groups partially degraded. There was no significant adhesion between the nerve and the conduit and the surrounding tissues, the conduit was well connected with the distal and proximal nerves, and the nerve-like tissues in the conduit could be observed when the nerve conduit stents were cut off. SFI in group A was significantly higher than that in group C at each time point after operation and was significantly higher than that in group B at 2 and 3 months after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in SFI between groups B and C at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). NCV in group A was significantly slower than that in the other 3 groups at each time point after operation ( P<0.05). The NCV of groups B and C were slower than that of group D, but the difference was significant only at 1 month after operation ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between groups B and C at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the nerve tissue of group A had an abnormal cavo-like structure, light tissue staining, and many non-Schwann cells. In group B, a large quantity of normal neural structures was observed, the staining was deeper than that in group A, and the distribution of dedifferentiated Schwann cells was obvious. In group C, the nerve bundles were arranged neatly, and the tissue staining was the deepest. The number of Schwann cells in group B was (727.50±57.60) cells/mm ², which was significantly more than that in group A [(298.33±153.12) cells/mm ²] ( t=6.139, P<0.001). CONCLUSION The fCUPE nerve conduit is effective in repairing long-distance sciatic nerve defects and is comparable to autologous nerve grafts. It has the potential to be used as a substitute material for peripheral nerve defect transplantation.
Rats ; Animals ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Polyesters ; Peripheral Nerve Injuries/surgery* ; Elastomers ; Urethane ; Sciatic Nerve/injuries* ; Carbamates ; Nerve Tissue ; Nerve Regeneration/physiology*

Microenvironmental biophysical factors play a fundamental role in controlling cell behaviors including cell morphology, proliferation, adhesion and differentiation, and even determining the cell fate. Cells are able to actively sense the surrounding mechanical microenvironment and change their cellular morphology to adapt to it. Although cell morphological changes have been considered to be the first and most important step in the interaction between cells and their mechanical microenvironment, their regulatory network is not completely clear. In the current study, we generated silicon-based elastomer polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrates with stiff (15:1, PDMS elastomer vs. curing agent) and soft (45:1) stiffnesses, which showed the Young's moduli of ~450 kPa and 46 kPa, respectively, and elucidated a new path in cytoskeleton re-organization in chondrocytes in response to changed substrate stiffnesses by characterizing the axis shift from the secreted extracellular protein laminin β1, focal adhesion complex protein FAK to microfilament bundling. We first showed the cellular cytoskeleton changes in chondrocytes by characterizing the cell spreading area and cellular synapses. We then found the changes of secreted extracellular linkage protein, laminin β1, and focal adhesion complex protein, FAK, in chondrocytes in response to different substrate stiffnesses. These two proteins were shown to be directly interacted by Co-IP and colocalization. We next showed that impact of FAK on the cytoskeleton organization by showing the changes of microfilament bundles and found the potential intermediate regulators. Taking together, this modulation axis of laminin β1-FAK-microfilament could enlarge our understanding about the interdependence among mechanosensing, mechanotransduction, and cytoskeleton re-organization.
Cell Adhesion ; Chondrocytes ; Cytoskeleton/metabolism* ; Elastomers/metabolism* ; Laminin/metabolism* ; Mechanotransduction, Cellular

OBJECTIVES: This work aimed to synthesize a novel injectable alginate impression material and evaluate its accuracy. METHODS: Certain proportions of sodium alginate, trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate, potassium fluorotitanate, diatomaceous earth, and other ingredients were dissolved in water and mixed evenly with a planetary centrifugal mixer to obtain a certain viscosity base paste. Certain proportions of calcium sulfate hemihydrate, magnesium oxide, glycerin, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400 were mixed evenly with a planetary centrifugal mixer to obtain the reactor paste with the same viscosity as the base paste. The base and reactor pastes were poured into a two-cylinder cartridge at a 2∶1 volume ratio. A gun device was used to accomplish mixing by compressing materials into a mixing tip. The samples were divided into three groups: injectable alginate impression materials (IA group) as the experimental group, and Jeltrate alginate impression materials (JA group) and Silagum-putty/light addition silicone rubber impression materials (SI group) as the two control groups. RESULTS: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the injectable alginate impression materials had a denser structure and fewer bubbles than the commercial alginate impression material. The accuracy of the three kinds of impression materials was evaluated by 3D image superposition. The deviations between the three test group models and the standard model (trueness) were 49.58 μm±1.453 μm (IA group), 54.75 μm±7.264 μm (JA group), and 30.92 μm±1.013 μm (SI group). The deviations of the models within each test group (precision) were 85.79 μm±8.191 μm (IA group), 97.65 μm±11.060 μm (JA group), and 56.51 μm±4.995 μm (SI group). Significant differences in trueness and precision were found among the three kinds of impression materials (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The accuracy of the new injectable alginate impression material was better than that of the traditional powder-type alginate impression material but worse than that of the addition silicone rubber impression materials. The novel injec-table alginate impression material demonstrated good operation performance and impression accuracy, showing broad application prospect.
Alginates/chemistry* ; Silicone Elastomers/chemistry* ; Dental Impression Materials/chemistry* ; Powders

PURPOSE: Although dental impression disinfection is determinant to reduce the cross-infection risk, some studies have shown that, in real practice, the disinfection procedures vary considerably. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effectiveness and the impact on the dimensional stability of addition silicone' impressions of water wash and the most clinically used disinfection solutions: 3% hydrogen peroxide, commercial disinfectant MD520 (Durr) and 1% and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this investigation, dental impressions were taken on 16 volunteer dental students. The antimicrobial effectiveness of each procedure was evaluated by pour plate method. The dimensional stability was evaluated using a standardized stainless-steel model, according to ANSI/ADA nº19 specification. RESULTS: The study results showed that water wash does not alter the dimensional stability of addition silicone impressions but doesn't reduce the microbial load of the material (P>.05). On the other hand, addition silicone disinfection by immersion with 3% hydrogen peroxide, MD520 (Durr), or sodium hypochlorite at 1% and 5.25% does not alter the dimensional stability significantly but reduces > 99.9% of the microbial load of the impressions (P<.001). CONCLUSION: Addition silicone impressions should always be disinfected after water wash in order to reduce effectively the cross-infection risk. All disinfectants tested showed high antimicrobial efficiency without significant changes in three-dimensional shape of impressions. Hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite are of particular importance because are easily accessible in dental setting. The less explored hydrogen peroxide could be a valuable alternative for silicone impressions disinfection.
Disinfectants ; Disinfection ; Hand ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Immersion ; Methods ; Silicon ; Silicone Elastomers ; Silicones ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Students, Dental ; Volunteers ; Water

We report the case of a patient who presented with rupture of a silicone breast implant showing acute and chronic inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed silicone foci outside the implant shell and inside the pectoralis muscles that represented intra- and extracapsular ruptures of the implant and silicone granuloma. There were distinct fluid-fluid levels of various signal intensities and no signs of implant collapse such as ‘linguine sign.’ Rather, we detected enlargement of both the implant shell and the breast.
Breast Implants ; Breast ; Granuloma ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pectoralis Muscles ; Rupture ; Silicon ; Silicone Elastomers ; Silicones

Transoral microresection for treatment of vocal cord lesions involving the anterior commissure may result in anterior glottic webs. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 54 patients who underwent microsurgery for bilateral lesions involving the anterior commissure and categorized them into two groups. The keel placement and control groups received endoscopic keel placement and mitomycin C, respectively. During the follow-up of at least 1 year, the laryngeal web formation rate significantly decreased in the keel placement group compared with that in the control group (18.6% versus 54.5%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the voice handicap index-10 scores for patients without web formation decreased in both the keel placement and control groups (P < 0.0001 and P < 0.001, respectively). A pseudomembrane covering the vocal cords was detected in 16.3% (7 of 43) cases after keel removal. A total of 100% (7 of 7) of these cases and 2.8% (1 of 36) of the other cases formed laryngeal webs (P < 0.0001). Endoscopic keel placement could be an effective method for preventing anterior glottic webs after surgery for bilateral vocal cord diseases involving the anterior commissure. The pseudomembrane observed at the time of keel removal may imply a high risk of web formation.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngoscopy ; Laryngostenosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Larynx ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicone Elastomers ; Young Adult

BACKGROUND: We classified the hips of Korean women into 6 types based on shape and contour, and have performed gluteal augmentation using Elastomere implants with lipoplasty of the flank, gluteal fold, and saddle bags of the thigh according to the hip type. METHODS: We analyzed the shapes and contour of the buttocks of 148 patients from September 2009 to September 2015. We performed buttock augmentation with implants using Gonzalez's XYZ method, as well as liposuction and fat injection lipoplasty of the surrounding areas in these 148 patients. RESULTS: We defined the following 6 types: the oval type (30%), the straight type (17%), the peach type (9%), the trapezoid type (20%), the heart type (11%), and the W type (13%). Ninety-seven patients underwent hip augmentation with an implant only or combined with lipoplasty, and 51 patients underwent lipoplasty for buttock shape correction. Patients were followed up for at least 3 months, with the longest follow-up being 4 years. Implants were removed postoperatively in 8 of 97 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The hip augmentation not only involves the simple insertion of implants, but also complex surgical procedures on the surrounding flank and thigh areas. Appropriate procedures should be utilized based on the 6 different hip types to ensure the best outcomes.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Buttocks ; Classification ; Elastomers ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Hip ; Humans ; Lipectomy ; Methods ; Prunus persica ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; Surgical Flaps ; Thigh

Although breast implants have been in clinical use for almost 6 decades and have undergone considerable development during this time, implant rupture is still a dreaded long-term complication. Some obvious external factors, such as trauma, can lead to implant rupture, but many studies have reported a high rate of “spontaneous” implant rupture. Herein, we present two cases with the aim of raising awareness of a new possible cause of “spontaneous” implant rupture: mechanical irritation by bony protrusions.
Breast Implants* ; Breast* ; Exostoses ; Female ; Mammaplasty ; Rupture* ; Silicone Elastomers

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate an appropriate degree of prestretch for orthodontic synthetic elastomeric chains focusing on time-dependent viscoelastic properties. METHODS: Orthodontic synthetic elastomeric chains of two brands were prestretched to 50, 100, 150, and 200% of the original length in one and three cycles, and the hysteresis areas of the obtained stress-strain curves were determined. Acrylic plates were employed to maintain constant strain during the experiment. A total of 180 samples were classified into nine groups according to brand, and their stresses and permanent deformations were measured immediately after prestretch (0 hour), after 1 hour and 24 hours, and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks. The relationship between stress relaxation and permanent deformation was investigated for various degrees of prestretch, and the estimated stress resulting from tooth movement was calculated. RESULTS: The degree of prestretch and the stress relaxation ratio exhibited a strong negative correlation, whereas no correlation was found between the degree of prestretch and the average normalized permanent strain. The maximal estimated stress was observed when prestretch was performed in three cycles to 200% of the original length. CONCLUSIONS: Although prestretch benefited residual stress, it did not exhibit negative effects such as permanent deformation. The maximal estimated stress was observed at the maximal prestretch, but the difference between prestretch and control groups decreased with time. In general, higher residual stresses were observed for product B than for product A, but this difference was not clinically significant.
Elastomers* ; Relaxation* ; Tooth Movement

PURPOSE: Vinyl polyether silicone (VPES) has a different composition from other elastomeric impression materials as it combines vinyl polysiloxane (VPS) and polyether (PE). Therefore, it is important to study its properties and behavior under different test conditions. This study investigated the dimensional stability of 5 VPES consistencies when stored for up to 2 weeks, with and without using a standard disinfection procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 40 discs of each VPES consistency (total 200) were made using a stainless steel die and ring as described by ANSI /ADA specification No. 19. 20 discs of each material were immersed in a 2.5% buffered glutaraldehyde solution for 30 minutes. Dimensional stability measurements were calculated immediately after fabrication and repeated on the same discs after 7 and 14 days of storage. The data was analyzed using two-way ANOVA with a significance level set at α = 0.05. RESULTS: The discs mean contraction was below 0.5% at all test times ranging from 0.200 ± 0.014 to 0.325 ± 0.007. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a statistically significant difference after 2-week storage between the disinfected and non-disinfected groups (P < .001). Although there was no statistically significant difference between the materials at the time of fabrication, the contraction of the materials increased with storage for 1 and 2 weeks. CONCLUSION: The dimensional changes of VPES impression discs after disinfection and prolonged storage complied with ANSI/ADA standard. The tested VPES impression materials were dimensionally stable for clinical use after disinfection for 30 minutes in glutaraldehyde and storage for up to 2 weeks.
Disinfection* ; Elastomers ; Glutaral ; Silicon* ; Silicones* ; Siloxanes ; Stainless Steel