Development of topical hydrogels of terbinafine hydrochloride and evaluation of their antifungal activity

The purpose of this study was to prepare hydrogels and microemulsion (ME)-based gel formulations containing 1% terbinafine hydrochloride (TER-HCL) and to evaluate the use of these formulations for the antifungal treatment of fungal infections. Three different hydrogel formulations were prepared using chitosan, Carbopol® 974 and Natrosol® 250 polymers. A pseudo-ternary phase diagram was constructed, and starting from ME formulation, a ME gel form containing 1% Carbopol 974 was prepared. We also examined the characteristic properties of the prepared hyrogels. The physical stability of hydrogels and the ME -based gels were evaluated after storage at different temperatures for a period of 3 months. The release of TER-HCL from the gels and the commercial product (Lamisil®) was carried out by using a standard dialysis membrane in phosphate buffer (pH 5.2) at 32?°C. The results of the in vitro release study showed that the Natrosol gel released the highest amount of drug, followed by Carbopol gel, chitosan gel, commercial product, and the microoemulsion-based gel in that order. In vitro examination of antifungal activity revealed that all the prepared and commercial products were effective against Candida parapsilosis, Penicillium, Aspergillus niger and Microsporum. These results indicate that the Natrosol®-based hydrogel is a good candidate for the topical delivery of TER-HCL.     

Long-term microleakage trends in access cavities conditioned with phosphoric acid and deproteinizing agent for root-canal-treated teeth: an investigation of fluid filtration and microscopy analysis

This study evaluated the long-term microleakage of access cavities conditioned with phosphoric acid and deproteinizing agents for root-canal-treated teeth using fluid filtration and microscopical analysis. Occlusal surfaces of extracted human mandibular premolars (N = 90) were removed leaving a 4 mm coronal length from the cemento-enamel junction. After root canal treatment, the specimens were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 21) and the remaining teeth were used for positive control group (n = 6): SB: 35% H₃PO₄ + Adper Single Bond 2; SSB: 35% H₃PO₄ + 5.25% NaOCl + 10% Sodium ascorbate (C₆H₇NaO₆) + Adper Single Bond 2; XP: 35% H₃PO₄₊XP Bond; SXP: 35% H₃PO₄₊5.25% NaOCl + 10% Sodium ascorbate + XP Bond. All cavities were restored with a resin composite (Filtek Z250). After removing the root filling from the apical side, teeth were subjected to fluid filtration test for 1 week, 6 and 12 months followed by ×2500 thermocycling after 1st week and 6th months each. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Dunnet T3 tests (α = 0.05). SEM analyses were carried out after each microleakage evaluation in two random teeth from all groups. Microleakage values in groups SB and XP presented no significant difference in any of the evaluated period (p > 0.05). Microleakage results of SXP (0.01665) group showed significant difference compared to XP (0.03377) and SB (0.03049) groups after 12 months. SSB group (0.00901) showed significantly less microleakage among all other groups (0.01665–0.03377) (p < 0.05). Prior to endodontic treatment, in access cavities, acid etching with 35% H₃PO₄ followed by the application of NaOCl and sodium ascorbate completely destroyed the collagen layer, reducing the microleakage and resin–dentin interface degradation up to 12 months.     

Effect of desensitizers on the microleakage of previously restored Class V resin composite restorations

Objectives: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of different desensitizers’ application on the microleakage of previously restored Class V composite resin restorations.

Materials and methods: Class V cavities were prepared on the buccal surfaces of 40 extracted human third molars. Forty box-shaped cavities were divided into four groups, based on the desensitizers used (n = 10). All teeth were restored with the same bonding agent and composite material. No desensitizer was applied in the control group. In the experimental groups, BisBlock, Gluma and Universal bonding agents were the desensitizers. The desensitizers were applied after completion of composite restorations according to manufacturers’ instructions. All specimens were then thermocycled at 5–55 °C, with a 10-s dwell time for 500 cycles. The samples were then immersed in 0.5% methylene blue dye for 24 h, sectioned into two equal halves, evaluated for microleakage using a stereomicroscope at 30× magnification and scored on a scale of 0–3. The data were analysed using the Kruskal–Wallis test at the significance level p < 0.05.

Results: There were no significant differences in microleakage after desensitizer application (p > 0.05). However, based on the obtained numerical values in our study, while the BisBlock and bonding groups showed lower microleakage at the occlusal margin, BisBlock, Gluma and bonding group showed lower microleakage at the gingival margin compared to the control group.

Conclusions: The application of desensitizers as a post-treatment option could be considered an advisable procedure to minimize microleakage.     

Comparison of methanol/hydrochloric,ferric chloride acid versus tribochemical silica coating for adhesion of resin cement to zirconium dioxide

This study compared air-abrasion and etching regimens on adhesion of resin luting agent to zirconium dioxide. Ceramic specimens (LAVA, 3 M ESPE) (N = 16) were embedded in acrylic resin and exposed surfaces were polished. The specimens were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 12, 3 specimens for each disc): SC: Air-borne particle abrasion (30 μm aluminum oxide particles coated with silica, CoJet, 3 M ESPE); MH: Heated chemical solution (Methanol-800 mL; 37% Hydrochloric Acid-200 mL; Ferric Chloride-2 g) at 100 °C for 30 min, MHP: Primer (Metal/Zirconia Primer, Ivoclar Vivadent) + MH, P: Primer only (Metal/Zirconia Primer). Cylindrical molds (internal diameter: 0.7 mm; height: 1.5 mm) were placed on each conditioned specimen, filled with resin cement (Multilink Automix) and photo-polymerized for 60 s. After 24 h, the molds were removed and the specimens were stored in distilled water at 37 °C for six months). Microshear test was performed in a Universal Testing Machine (1 mm/min). Failures types were classified as adhesive, mixed, or cohesive. In another set of specimens (n = 2 per group) contact angle measurements were recorded. Data were analyzed statistically using Kruskal–Wallis and Dunn’s tests (α = 0.05). The surface conditioning method significantly affected the mean bond strength (MPa) (p < 0.0001): SC(18.3 ± 0.3)^a < P(5.00 ± 0.07)^b < MHP(4.7 ± 0.08)^c < MH(0.84 ± 0.01)^c. While Group SC showed mainly adhesive (58%) and mixed (41.7%) failure types, groups MH, MHP, and P presented exclusively adhesive failures. SC, MHP, and P (29–32°) showed lower contact angle than MH (78.9°). Volume loss was the highest with MHP (9.92 μl) followed by SC (9.67 μl).     

Analysis of structural,morphological alterations,wettability characteristics and adhesion to enamel after various surface conditioning methods

Minimal invasive dental reconstructions and orthodontic appliances are bonded to enamel without removing the enamel with rotating instruments but the top layer of enamel may be partially aprismatic and impair adhesion. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of mechanical surface conditioning methods for removing enamel on its structural, morphological alterations, wettability characteristics, and adhesion of resin-based cement to the conditioned surfaces. Maxillary human incisors (N = 40, n_quadrant = 160) were obtained and coronal sections were embedded in acrylic with their labial surfaces exposed. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups and the enamel surface of each tooth was divided into four quadrants. The surfaces were conditioned in a clockwise manner by one of the following methods: (1) Non-conditioned enamel acted as the control group (C); (2) Silicone-coated disk (Sof-Lex disc, Black, 3 M ESPE) (SD); (3) Diamond bur at slow speed (DB) and (4) Airborne particle abrasion (50 μm Al₂O₃, 2 bar, 5 s) (AA). Surface roughness was measured at each quadrant using a non-contact digital profilometer and contact angle measurements were performed using a goniometer. Enamel surfaces were then etched with 37% H₃PO₄ for 60 s and roughness and wettability measurements were repeated. The enamel surfaces in each quadrant received resin composite luting cement (Variolink II, Ivoclar Vivadent) incrementally in a polyethylene mold (diameter: 1 mm²; height: 4 mm) and photopolymerized. The specimens were stored in distilled water for 24 h at 37 °C until the testing procedures and then shear force was applied to the adhesive interface until failure occurred in a Universal Testing Machine (0.5 mm/min). Microshear bond (μSBS) was calculated by dividing the maximum load (N) by the bonding surface area of the resin cement. Representative enamel surfaces were analyzed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) (x5000) to assess the surface morphology. Failure types were analyzed using optical microscope and SEM. Data (MPa) were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey`s test for each parameter and Linear model for group comparisons (α = 0.05). Surface conditioning method significantly affected the adhesion results (p < 0.001), surface roughness (p = 0.017), and contact angle (p < 0.001). Interaction terms were significant (p > 0.05). AA (338 ± 182) created significantly higher surface roughness compared to SD (308 ± 180) and DB (242 ± 197) (p < 0.05). After etching with 37% H₃PO₄, DB (307 ± 223) resulted in significantly lower roughness than those of SD (385 ± 173) and AA (414 ± 193) (p < 0.05). AA (40 ± 11) delivered significantly lower contact angle compared to those of SD (61 ± 9) and DB (59 ± 10). After etching with 37% H₃PO₄, AA (42 ± 10) and DB (50 ± 10) presented the lowest contact angle (p < 0.05). Mean μSBS results (MPa) showed significant difference between the experimental groups (p = 0.011) and were in descending order as follows: DB (20 ± 8)^a?a b < C (12 ± 5)^b. Failure types were predominantly mixed failure type between the enamel and the resin cement with more than half of the resin remained on the enamel surface (32 to 33 out of 40) in all groups. Cohesive failure in the enamel was not observed in any of the groups. SEM analysis showed that AA group leaves abundant particles on the enamel surface and after DB and AA, etching could not remove the particles completely and expose the enamel prisms.     

Inline electron holography and VEELS for the measurement of strain in ternary and quaternary (In,Al,Ga)N alloyed thin films and its effect on bandgap energy

We present the use of (1) dark‐field inline electron holography for measuring the structural strain, and indirectly obtaining the composition, in a wurtzite, 4‐nm‐thick InAlGaN epilayer on a AlN/GaN/AlN/GaN multinano‐layer heterosystem, and (2) valence electron energy‐loss spectroscopy to study the bandgap value of five different, also hexagonal, 20–50‐nm‐thick InAlGaN layers. The measured strain values were almost identical to the ones obtained by other techniques for similarly grown materials. We found that the biaxial strain in the III‐N alloys lowers the bandgap energy as compared to the value calculated with different known expressions and bowing parameters for unstrained layers. By contrast, calculated and experimental values agreed in the case of lattice‐matched (almost unstrained) heterostructures.