Zn-alloy provides a novel platform for mechanically stable bioresorbable vascular stents.

Metallic Zn alloys have recently gained interest as potential candidates for developing platforms of bioresorbable vascular stents (BVS). Previous studies revealed that Mg alloys used for BVS can degrade too early, whereas PLLA materials may fail to provide effective scaffolding properties. Here we report on results of a new bioresorbable, metallic stent made from a Zn-Ag alloy studied in a porcine animal model of thrombosis and restenosis.

Bonding strategies for MIH-affected enamel and dentin.

Objectives: Aim of the present study was to evaluate resin composite adhesion to dental hard tissues affected by molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH).

Methods: 94 freshly extracted human molars and incisors (53 suffering MIH) were used. 68 teeth (35 with MIH) were used for μ-TBS tests in enamel and dentin, 26 (18 with MIH) for qualitative evaluation.

Comparison of micro-CT imaging and histology for approximal caries detection.

Histological sectioning is a generally accepted in vitro validation method for caries detection techniques. However, it requires cumbersome sample preparation and induces irreversible sample destruction. Micro-Computer Tomography (micro-CT) allows non-destructive imaging of tooth structure.

Three-Dimensional Arrangement of Human Bone Marrow Microvessels Revealed by Immunohistology in Undecalcified Sections.

The arrangement of microvessels in human bone marrow is so far unknown. We combined monoclonal antibodies against CD34 and against CD141 to visualise all microvessel endothelia in 21 serial sections of about 1 cm2 size derived from a human iliac crest. The specimen was not decalcified and embedded in Technovit® 9100.

Comparison of occlusal caries detection using the ICDAS criteria on extracted teeth or their photographs.

Background: Using photographs of occlusal surfaces instead of extracted teeth for the detection of caries can be useful in multicenter studies or education. Using a panel of observers, ICDAS scores on teeth or photographs were evaluated against the histological gold standard. The hypothesis was that both outcomes were equivalent.

Feature-based multi-resolution registration of immunostained serial sections.

The form and exact function of the blood vessel network in some human organs, like spleen and bone marrow, are still open research questions in medicine. In this paper, we propose a method to register the immunohistological stainings of serial sections of spleen and bone marrow specimens to enable the visualization and visual inspection of blood vessels. As these vary much in caliber, from mesoscopic (millimeter-range) to microscopic (few micrometers, comparable to a single erythrocyte), we need to utilize a multi-resolution approach.

Heterogeneity of stromal cells in the human splenic white pulp. Fibroblastic reticulum cells, follicular dendritic cells and a third superficial stromal cell type.

At least three phenotypically and morphologically distinguishable types of branched stromal cells are revealed in the human splenic white pulp by subtractive immunohistological double-staining. CD271 is expressed in fibroblastic reticulum cells of T-cell zones and in follicular dendritic cells of follicles. In addition, there is a third CD2711- and CD271+/) stromal cell population surrounding T-cell zones and follicles.

B lymphocyte compartments in the human splenic red pulp: capillary sheaths and periarteriolar regions.

The microvasculature of human spleens is still incompletely understood. Two enigmatic types of red pulp microvessels, penicillar arterioles and sheathed capillaries, have already been described in the nineteenth century without gaining much attention afterwards. We performed a detailed analysis of sheathed capillaries to clarify the cellular composition of their sheaths by immunohistological double-staining experiments.

Immunostaining of pulpal nerve fibre bundle/arteriole associations in ground serial sections of whole human teeth embedded in technovit® 9100.

A technique for embedding human undecalcified tooth specimens in Technovit® 9100 was developed, which permits immunohistological evaluation of pulp tissue in serial ground sections. Human molars were divided into 14-18 sections of about 23 µm thickness. Immunohistological double staining for S-100 and CD34 revealed unique associations of myelinated nerve fibre bundles with arterioles, which continued through the entire tooth pulp.

Detection of cavitated or non-cavitated approximal enamel caries lesions using CMOS and CCD digital X-ray sensors and conventional D and F-speed films at different exposure conditions.

Purpose: To determine the ability of digital sensors (CMOS and CCD sensors) and D and F-speed films to detect cavitated and non-cavitated enamel caries lesions at different exposure conditions compared to a gold standard.

Methods: 100 extracted human molars and premolars were selected and mounted in a block between two neighboring teeth. Sensors or films were exposed with voltages of 60 or 70 kVp at varying times.

Impact of measuring multiple or single occlusal lesions on estimates of diagnostic accuracy using fluorescence methods.

Carious lesions can occur at different sites on the occlusal surfaces of teeth and may differ in appearance and severity. This study aimed to evaluate how scoring several lesions on occlusal surfaces, as opposed to only one representative lesion, affects estimates of reproducibility and accuracy of fluorescence-based devices. Thirty-six permanent teeth with 2-3 investigation sites (n = 82) were examined by two examiners using the laser fluorescence device DIAGNOdent pen (LF) and the fluorescence camera VistaProof (FC).

Performance of a fluorescence camera for detection of occlusal caries in vitro.

The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility and accuracy in the detection and assessment of occlusal caries in extracted human teeth using the newly developed fluorescence based camera VistaProof. Serial sectioning and microscopy are considered the gold standard. The occlusal surfaces of 53 teeth (99 investigation sites) were examined by two examiners with different levels of experience in cariology (one experienced dentist, one final-year dental student) and the VistaProof.

Performance of laser fluorescence at tooth surface and histological section.

This study aimed to evaluate a laser fluorescence device (the DIAGNOdent) and a visual classification system (ICDAS-II) for occlusal caries diagnosis. It also aimed to determine whether fluorescence measurements taken at the tooth surface correlate with the fluorescence measurements taken within the body of the lesion. The occlusal surfaces of 100 extracted permanent teeth were examined using ICDAS-II and DIAGNOdent (LF-tooth).

Occlusal caries: Evaluation of direct microscopy versus digital imaging used for two histological classification systems.

Objective: Histology is frequently used as a gold standard to validate caries detection devices. Poor assessment consistency could lead to apparent changes in diagnostic accuracy. In multi-center, multi-examiner studies electronic transfer of information would be convenient, provided there is no deteriation in quality.

Impact of Scoring Single or Multiple Occlusal Lesions on Estimates of Diagnostic Accuracy of the Visual ICDAS-II System.

Carious lesions can occur at different sites on the occlusal surfaces of teeth and may differ in appearance and severity. This study aimed to evaluate how estimates of reproducibility and accuracy of ICDAS-II were affected when all lesions on occlusal surfaces, or only a representative lesion, were scored. 100 permanent teeth with 1-4 investigation sites on the occlusal surface were examined visually by four examiners.

Pre-clinical endodontics: a survey amongst German dental schools.

Aim: To evaluate the state and level of pre-clinical endodontic education in German dental schools and to evaluate differences with regard to intensity and extent of teaching, time devoted to teaching pre-clinical endodontics, personnel resources in teaching and technical equipment.

Methodology: Twenty-eight questionnaires were e-mailed to those in charge of pre-clinical endodontic education in German dental schools. The extent of education, the student-teacher ratio, the teaching content as well as the application of teaching materials and technologies were asked.

The disinfecting effect of ozonized oxygen in an infected root canal: an in vitro study.

Objectives: To determine the disinfecting effect of ozonized oxygen (120 seconds from the HealOzone generator, KaVo) on Enterococcus faecalis, representing bacteria that are difficult to eliminate in the root canals of human teeth, and to compare it with the conventional irrigants: sterile physiologic sodium chloride solution (negative control group), 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, 0.2% chlorhexidine solution, 1.5% sodium hypochlorite solution, and 3% sodium hypochlorite solution (positive control group).

Reproducibility and accuracy of the ICDAS-II for detection of occlusal caries in vitro.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intra-examiner reproducibility and accuracy in the detection and assessment of occlusal caries in extracted human teeth using a newly developed visual method for caries diagnosis (International Caries Detection and Assessment System, ICDAS-II). Serial sectioning and microscopy were used as the 'gold standard'.

Methods: The occlusal surfaces of 100 teeth were examined by 4 dentists using the ICDAS-II graded scores 0-6.

Approximal caries diagnosis after data import from different digital radiography systems: interobserver agreement and comparison to histological hard-tissue sections.

Aims: To evaluate the agreement of approximal caries diagnosis obtained with different types of digital radiography systems after image import into a reference system.

Methods: Digital radiographs were taken from 30 extracted human premolars with 60 diagnostic surfaces using a reference and two test systems from which images were imported as TIFF files. Four observers evaluated the radiographs using the reference software.

Survival of inlays and partial crowns made of IPS empress after a 10-year observation period and in relation to various treatment parameters.

Unlabelled: This study evaluated the long-term survival of inlays and partial crowns made of IPS Empress. For this purpose, the patient data of a prospective study were examined in retrospect and statistically evaluated.

Materials And Methods: All of the inlays and partial crowns fabricated of IPS-Empress within the Department of Operative Dentistry at the School of Dental Medicine of Philipps University, Marburg, Germany were systematically recorded in a database between 1991 and 2001.

Phenotypic differences between red pulp capillary and sinusoidal endothelia help localizing the open splenic circulation in humans.

The distribution of capillaries, sinuses and larger vessels was investigated by immunohistology in paraffin sections of 12 adult human spleens using a panel of antibodies. Double staining for CD34 and CD141 (thrombomodulin) revealed that capillary endothelia in the cords of the splenic red pulp and at the surface of follicles were CD34(+)CD141(-), while red pulp sinus endothelia had the phenotype CD34(-)CD141(+). Only in the direct vicinity of splenic follicles did sinus endothelial cells exhibit both antigens.

Root canal preparation with the NiTi systems K3, Mtwo and ProTaper.

The aim of this paper was to examine the result of rotary root canal preparation with the nickel-titanium (NiTi) systems K3, ProTaper and Mtwo. One hundred and fifty curved artificial root canals and 60 mesial canals of human mandibular molars were selected. In the group of curved artificial canals, all canals were prepared to size 35/0.

Determination of root canal curvatures before and after canal preparation (part II): A method based on numeric calculus.

The aim of this paper is to present a new method based on numeric calculus to provide data on any type of root canal curvature at any point of the long axis of the canal. Twenty severely curved, simulated root canals were prepared with rotary FlexMaster and Profile instruments in the crown-down technique and manually in the step-back technique. The inner and outer curvatures were registered in a system of coordinates before and after preparation in increments of 0.

On the effect of an internal light conductor on the marginal integrity of class-II composite fillings.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the marginal behavior of class-II double surface fillings made with newly designed light transmitting inserts. These inserts guide the polymerization light directly into the body of the filling.

Material And Methods: Sixty standardized two-surface cavities have been prepared into freshly extracted human molars and filled with Herculite XRV.

Determination of root canal curvatures before and after canal preparation (part 1): a literature review.

The continuing development of methods and materials for root canal preparation is resulting in enhanced preparation techniques with only minor alterations to the canal morphology. Improved evaluation methods are required for differentiated assessment of these innovations. One criterion for assessment of the preparation quality of curved root canals is preparation-induced straightening of the canal.