Proteoglycan expression by human trabecular meshworks

The aim of the present study was to clinically assess the peri-implant and periodontal conditions 1 year after placement of oral implants (ITI Dental Implant System) in partially edentulous patients. In all, 127 patients (median age 50 years, range 17 to 79) were examined. They were all treated according to a concept of comprehensive dental care and had received fixed partial dentures (FPD). Significant differences were observed between implants and contralateral control teeth with respect to mean pocket probing depth (PPD) (2.55 mm at implants/2.02 mm at teeth), mean probing attachment level (PAL) (2.97 mm/2.53 mm) and bleeding on probing (BOP) (24%/12%) (Wilcoxon matched pairs sign rank test, P < or = 0.01), whereas mean modified plaque index (0.22/0.30), mean modified bleeding index (0.35/0.44) and mean recession (-0.42 mm/-0.51 mm) did not significantly differ between implants and teeth. Compared to control teeth, the width of keratinized mucosa at implants was significantly smaller at lingual, but not at buccal aspects. Regression analyses showed no significant association between the amount of keratinized mucosa and degree of inflammation. Recession, PPD and PAL were slightly influenced by the amount of keratinized mucosa indicating greater resistance to probing. Grouping the implants according to various lengths, type of fixation of the FPD or combination with natural teeth did not result in statistically significant different clinical parameters, whereas grouping according to different localization within the oral cavity did. For example, the mean PAL in 83 anterior implants was 2.52 mm, whereas 175 posterior implants had a mean PAL of 3.18 mm (Mann-Whitney U-test, P < or = 0.01). Regression analyses between the mean PAL for all implants in each patient and the mean PAL of the corresponding dentition revealed an r2 of 0.23 (P < or = 0.01). Using multiple regression analysis, the mean PAL of the implants showed to be significantly influenced by the combined factors "fullmouth" PII, "fullmouth" BOP and mean PAL of all teeth. The results of this study suggest that in partially edentulous patients the overall periodontal condition may influence the clinical condition around implants and thus reinforces the importance of periodontal treatment prior to and supportive periodontal therapy after the incorporation of osseointegrated oral implants.     

Analysis of the energy input during wire coating from a cylindrical magnetron source

In order to deposit thin films on a substrate several techniques can be used, e.g. chemical vapour deposition, atomic layer deposition or sputter deposition, depending on their specific advantages and disadvantages due to the related application. A significant parameter is the energy incident upon the substrate by the specific technique, especially when the heat capacitance of the substrate is low. Within this paper we analyse the energy transported into a thin wire (few 10 μm in diameter) during a dynamic inline aluminium sputter process in a cylindrical magnetron source. The evoked heating is important for the tensile strength of the wire and uniformity of the sputtered layer. Therefore, mathematical models were created to estimate the energy input into the wire supported by monte-carlo-simulations of the sputtering process using the TRIM-simulation (Transport and Range of Ions in Matter). Measurements with a Langmuir probe and the corresponding deposition rate were used to quantify these models, showing that at an aluminium coating process of a gold wire, the significant energy input is only due to electrons and ions of the processing gas (argon). Using the heat equation based on the sputtering apparatus' parameters, it was also possible to determine the energy input into the wire with in situ electrical resistance measurements. Both methods did show similar results, whereby the resistance results were more stable. The determined energy input made it possible to calculate the temperature profile during the wire-coating process which can be useful for estimations about film diffusion and process optimisation.     

Poly(arylazophosphonate)s: A New Polymer Class with Arylazophosphonate Units in the Main Chain

Poly(arylazophosphonate)s are synthesized from bifunctional diazonium salts and bifunctional phosphoric diesters by interfacial polycondensation at the interface water/organic solvent. The azo unit is formed via N-P coupling during the polycondensation reaction in satisfying yield and selectivity. Fifteen new polymers were synthesized and characterized by common methods such as 1H, 13C, and 31P NMR, FTIR, UV/visible spectroscopy, and DSC and GPC measurements. According to first laser ablation experiments as well as film forming properties and thermal and photochemical behavior, poly(arylazophosphonate)s seem to be suitable materials for ablation with XeCl excimer lasers.     

Arylazophosphonate containing polymers designed for XeCl excimer laser ablation

Applying the N‐P coupling technique, fifteen new poly(arylazophosphonate)s were synthesized by interfacial polycondensation from bifunctional diazonium salts and bifunctional phosphoric diesters. Because of their excellent film forming properties and absorption behaviour poly(arylazophosphonate)s are suitable materials for laser ablation experiments with XeCl excimer lasers (308 nm). A variety of ablated structures have been generated by irradiation of the polymer films with a commercially available pulsed XeCl excimer laser. Macro experiments indicate remarkable structures with sharp edges, clear contours, and flat bottoms. Moreover, various patterns with μm dimensions were generated by micro experiments and were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The resolution of these structures indicate that poly(arylazophosphonate)s are suitable materials for applications in microtechnology.     

Poly(arylazophosphonates): New Arylazophosphonate‐Containing Polyurethanes and Polyesters for Laser Ablation Structuring

In this article we report the preparation of new arylazophosphonate‐containing polymers, poly(arylazophosphonates), via polycondensation reactions of bifunctional hydroxy functionalized arylazophosphonate‐containing monomers with isocyanate or acid chloride comonomers. The polyurethanes and polyesters were characterized by common methods such as ¹H, ¹³C, ³¹P NMR, FTIR, UV/visible spectroscopy, DSC, and GPC measurements. In addition, a number of polymer structuring experiments (macro and micro experiments) by means of laser ablation with a XeCl excimer laser were performed. In macro experiments, pulse number and fluence were investigated systematically and their influence on the ablation depth was discovered. In micro experiments, structures of high quality were obtained which possess clear contours without any debris on the polymer surface. Structures in the sub micron range were created by applying a phase mask. These high quality results indicate that the poly(arylazophosphonates) are well suited materials for laser ablation structuring with XeCl excimer lasers (e.g. for microstructuring or microlithography).

SEM image of sub micro structures of polymer APU 5 generated in experiments using a phase mask (line width: 0.3–0.5 μm, trench width: 0.3–0.5 μm, fluence: 3 J/cm²).     

Synthesis of Migrastatin and its Macroketone Analogue and In Vivo FRAP Analysis of the Macroketone on E‐Cadherin Dynamics

An efficient and scalable synthesis of a key acyclic intermediate used for the preparation of migrastatin and its macroketone analogue is described; Brown alkoxyallylation is the key step for this synthesis. The macroketone was prepared on 100 mg scale by this route. Treatment of invasive pancreatic cancer cells grown on a cell‐derived matrix or as subcutaneous tumours in nude mice with the macroketone inhibited E‐cadherin dynamics in a manner consistent with increased cell adhesion and reduced invasive potential.     

Latest rotary kiln burner technology: possibilities and experiences

The author describes the development of a rotary kiln burner for pulverized coal. A distinction is made between three generations of burners, with their typical design and process philosophies. Since environmental concerns led to considerable research on the mechanisms of the formation and behavior of nitrogen oxides in rotary kilns, the possibilities burners give for less NO_x formation are given special attention. Experience with the latest developments in burners is described, and recommendations are given for further improvements. The author concludes that the latest flame philosophy, producing a slim, slightly longer but concentrated flame without divergence, is the right way to reduce NO_x formation and gives the best process results     

Influence of Molecular Characteristics and Size Effects in Polystyrene Pyrolysis

Understanding the structure-property-process relationships in pyrolysis-based recycling of polymers offers new possibilities, like, energy-efficient process designs and tailored products. With the consideration of sample size as well as thermal rate effects, the influence of the molecular weight distribution of polystyrene on the pyrolysis kinetics is investigated. It is shown that molecular weight distribution significantly impacts pyrolysis kinetics. Thermal rate and sample weight affect the material conversion rate and are decisive for determining the thermal processing window.     

Fragmentation of chromatin with 125I radioactive disintegrations

The DNA in Chinese hamster cells was labeled first for 3 h with [3H]TdR and then for 3 h with [125I]UdR. Chromatin was extracted, frozen, and stored at -30 degrees C until 1.0 X 10(17) and 1.25 X 10(17) disintegrations/g of labeled DNA occurred for 125I and 3H respectively. Velocity sedimentation of chromatin (DNA with associated chromosomal proteins) in neutral sucrose gradients indicated that the localized energy from the 125I disintegrations, which gave about 1 double-strand break/disintegration plus an additional 1.3 single strand breaks, selectively fragmented the [125I] chromatin into pieces smaller than the [3H] chromatin. In other words, 125I disintegrations caused much more localized damage in the chromatin labeled with 125I than in the chromatin labeled with 3H, and fragments induced in DNA by 125I disintegrations were not held together by the associated chromosomal proteins. Use of this 125I technique for studying chromosomal proteins associated with different regions in the cellular DNA is discussed. For these studies, the number of disintegrations required for fragmenting DNA molecules of different sizes is illustrated.