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This ex-vivo study investigated the effect of a light-emitting diode (LED) curing light on the depth of penetration of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) into carious lesions. Twenty-four primary teeth with untreated caries lesions were allocated into groups and treated within 5 min after extraction: (1) n = 6 treated for 1 min with one drop of SDF followed by 10 sec rinse with tap water, (2) n = 6 treated for 10 sec with one drop of SDF and exposed to LED light for 20 sec (30 sec total SDF exposure) followed by 10 sec rinse with tap water, (3) n = 6 treated for 10 sec with one drop of SDF followed by a 10 sec rinse with tap water, (4) n = 3 untreated, and (5) n = 3 untreated but exposed to LED light for 20 sec. Samples were prepared, embedded, sectioned and silver penetration was measured using backscattered electron imaging in the scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis. Results were expressed as the average relative depth of penetration (%) = Ag depth/lesion depth × 100 from 5 sites in each lesion. Group means were compared using mixed model analysis. Mean ± standard deviation (SD) penetration was: 86.4 ± 20.7% in Group 1, 94.3 ± 13.7% in Group 2, and 26.7 ± 13.9% in Group 3. Groups 1 and 2 were statistically similar and different from Group 3 (p < 0.001). Groups 4 and 5 had no silver present. Use of LED light for 20 sec after 10 sec SDF application appears to facilitate silver penetration, similar to a 1 min SDF application. Clinical studies are needed to define the role of silver penetration in sustained caries arrest.

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BACKGROUND: While autografts to date remain the "gold standard" for bone void fillers, synthetic bone grafts have garnered attention due to their favorable advantages such as ability to be tailored in terms of their physical and chemical properties. Bioactive glass (BG), an inorganic material, has the capacity to form a strong bond with bone by forming a bone-like apatite surface, enhancing osteogenesis. Coupled with additive manufacturing (3D printing) it is possible to maximize bone regenerative properties of the BG. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to synthesize and characterize 3D printed mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG), BG 45S5, and compare to ß-Tricalcium phosphate (ß-TCP) based scaffolds; test cell viability and osteogenic differentiation on human osteoprogenitor cells in vitro. METHODS: MBG, BG 45S5, and ß-TCP were fabricated into colloidal gel suspensions, tested with a rheometer, and manufactured into scaffolds using a 3D direct-write micro-printer. The materials were characterized in terms of microstructure and composition with Thermogravimetric Analyzer/Differential Scanning Calorimeter (TGA/DSC), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Micro-Computed Tomography (µ-CT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and Mattauch-Herzog-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (MH-ICP-MS). RESULTS: Scaffolds were tested for cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation using human osteoprogenitor cells. Osteogenic media was used for differentiation, and immunocytochemistry for osteogenic markers Runx-2, Collagen-I, and Osteocalcin. The cell viability results after 7 days of culture yielded significantly higher (p < 0.05) results in ß-TCP scaffolds compared to BG 45S5 and MBG groups. CONCLUSION: All materials expressed osteogenic markers after 21 days of culture in expansion and osteogenic media.

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The elemental composition of freshwater and saltwater samples around the South Pacific island of Upolu, Samoa has been investigated together with other indicators of water quality. Up to 69 elements from Li (3) to U (92) are measured in each sample, analyzed by Mattauch-Herzog-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (MH-ICP-MS). One hundred and seventy-six samples were collected from surface freshwater sources (24 rivers, two volcanic lakes, one dam) and from seawater sources from the surface to 30 m depth (45 inner reef, reef, and outer reef locations) around Upolu Island, including river mouths and estuaries. Principal component and hierarchical clustering correlation analyses were performed on quantile normalized log transformed elemental composition data to identify groups of samples with similar characteristics and to improve the visualization of the full spectrum of elements. Human activities, such as the use of herbicides and pesticides, may relate to observed elevated concentrations of some elements contained in chemicals known to have deleterious obesogenic effects on humans that may also cause coral reef decline. Furthermore, the salinity of some saltwater samples tested were very high, possibly due to climate variability, which may additionally harm the health and biodiversity of coral reefs.

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The aim of this study was to determine the effects of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on carious lesions of human deciduous teeth. Ten extracted deciduous incisors with caries were collected and treated with SDF. After the treatment, the teeth were sectioned through the center of the carious lesion. The extent of sliver precipitation was examined using quantitative backscattered electron scanning electron microscopy (qBSE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT). The qBSE-SEM images revealed that the silver particles could penetrate through the pellicle complex, along with the rod sheaths into the demineralized enamel rods and the dentinal tubules, and form silver-enriched barriers surrounding the carious lesions at depths up to 2,490.2 µm (mean 744.7 ± 448.7 µm) within the dentinal tubules of the carious lesions, but less likely in the sound enamel. The EDX spectrum analysis revealed that carbon, oxygen, phosphorus, chlorine, silver, and calcium were the main elements detected in the lesions treated with SDF. Additionally, sodium, magnesium, aluminum, silicon, zinc, sulfur, and fluorine were detected as the minor elements within the SDF precipitation "zone." The micro-CT analysis further showed that in the deep cavitated lesions, the silver precipitation could be observed in the pulp chamber. These findings provide new evidence defining the SDF mode of action for arresting caries and suggest that the application of a highly concentrated SDF solution on deciduous teeth should be used with caution for various carious lesions.

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BACKGROUND: As silver diamine fluoride (SDF) gains popularity for caries arrest, the authors aimed to investigate the content of fluoride and silver in 38% SDF produced for the US market and its short-term stability. METHODS: Five samples of 38% SDF were evaluated when the bottle was first opened, and at 7 and 28 days. Fluoride concentrations were determined with a fluoride ion-selective electrode, and silver concentrations were determined with a simultaneous inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. pH was measured with a pH probe. Weight and volume of individual drops were measured. RESULTS: At day 0, 40% of individual measured values were above the expected fluoride concentration, and at day 28, 93% were above the expected fluoride concentration (P = .005). At day 0, 19% of individual measured values were below the lowest expected silver concentration, and at day 28, 93% were below (P < .001). Acidity (pH 10) was consistent over the 3 periods. Mean (standard deviation) weight of a drop was 40 (4.0) milligrams, and mean (standard deviation) volume was 32.55 (1.89) microliters, 30% more than the reported value of 25 µL. CONCLUSION: Over 28 days, the product pH is stable, whereas the fluoride content tends to increase and the silver content tends to decrease. Drops were larger than expected when dispensed from the bottle. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Drops are larger than expected, so each delivers higher than expected quantities of silver and fluoride. Clinicians should exercise caution when using this product on young children, replace the cap immediately, and use as soon as dispensed.

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Quantitative analysis of multi-element concentrations in aqueous solutions, such as water, beverages and biofluids, has long been performed by sequential inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Recently, a fully simultaneous mass spectrum monitoring ICP-MS instrument that fits a compact Mattauch-Herzog geometry (MH-ICP-MS) with a permanent magnet and a large, spatially resolving semiconductor ion detector has been introduced. This technology allows coverage of the complete inorganic relevant mass range from 6Li to 238U in a single measurement, which helps to mitigate the restriction on the number of inorganic elements whose concentrations may be routinely measured from one sample, thus reducing operational assay times and aqueous sample volumes for evaluations across the breadth of the periodic table. We report here on a detailed method for utilizing MH-ICP-MS to detect all elements of the relevant inorganic spectrum in aqueous samples; 7 types of water, 4 types of beverage, and 4 biofluid biological samples. With this method 71 elements can be routinely detected simultaneously in seconds and in as little as 1-4 mL sample, when using a specific set of calibration and internal standards. Quantitative results reveal distinct element patterns between each sample and within types of samples, suggesting that different types of aqueous solutions can be recognized and distinguished by their elemental patterns. The method has implications for understanding elemental distribution and concentration for many fields, including nutrition, studies of the biosphere, ecological stoichiometry, and environmental health fields, among others, where broad elemental information is actually required.

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Occupational exposure by inhalation in copper smelter is associated with several subclinical health phenomena. The respiratory tract is usually involved in the process of detoxication of inhaled noxious agents which, as arsenic, can act as inductors of oxidative stress (Lantz, R.C., Hays, A.M., 2006. Role of oxidative stress in arsenic-induced toxicity. Drug Metab. Rev. 38, 791-804). It is also known that irritating fumes affect distal bronchioles of non-ciliated, epithelial Clara cells, which secrete anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive Clara cell protein (CC16) into the respiratory tract. The study group comprised 39 smelters employed at different workplaces in a copper foundry, matched for age and smoking habits with the control group (n=16). Subjective neurological symptoms (SNS), visual evoked potentials (VEP), electroneurographic (EneG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) results were examined in the workers and the relationships between As concentration in the air (As-Air) and urine (As-U) were assessed. Effects of exposure were expressed in terms of biomarkers: CC16 as early pulmonary biomarker and beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)M) in urine and serum and retinol binding protein (RBP) as renal markers, measured by sensitive latex immunoassay. The concentrations of arsenic exceeded about two times the Threshold Limit Values (TLV) (0.01 mg/m(3)). The contents of lead did not exceed the TLV (0.05 mg/m(3)). Low CC16 levels in serum (12.1 microg/l) of workers with SNS and VEP symptoms and highest level As-U (x(a) 39.0 microg/l) were noted earliest in relation to occupational time. Moreover, those effects were associated with increased levels of urinary and serum beta(2)M and urinary RBP. Results of our study suggested the initiative key role of oxidative stress in triggering the processes that eventually lead to the subclinical effects of arsenic on the nervous system.

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Epidemiological studies have indicated that exposure of humans to inorganic arsenic in drinking water is associated with the occurrence of bladder cancer. The mechanisms by which arsenic induces this malignancy are still uncertain; however, arsenic metabolites are suspected to play a pivotal role. The aim of the present study was the investigation of uptake capabilities of human urothelial cells (UROtsa) compared with primary human hepatocytes (phH) as well as the intracellular distribution of the arsenic species. Additionally, we were interested in the cyto- and genotoxic potential (comet assay, radical generation) of the different arsenic compounds in these two cell types. Our results show that UROtsa cells accumulate higher amounts of the arsenic species than the phH. Differential centrifugation revealed that the arsenic compounds are preferentially distributed into nuclei and ribosomes. After 24-h exposure, arsenic is mainly found in the ribosomes of UROtsa cells and in the nuclei and mitochondria of phH. In contrast to the pentavalent arsenic species, the trivalent species induced a 4- to 5-fold increase of DNA damage in hepatocytes. Radical generation, measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was more pronounced in hepatocytes than in urothelial cells. In summary, the uptake of arsenic compounds appears to be highly dependent upon cell type and arsenic species. The nonmethylating urothelial cells accumulate higher amounts of arsenic species than the methylating hepatocytes. However, cyto- and genotoxic effects are more distinct in hepatocytes. Further studies are needed to define the implications of the observed accumulation in cellular organelles for the carcinogenic activity of arsenic.

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