Effect of insertion method on knoop hardness of high viscous glass ionomer cements

The aim of this study was to assess the Knoop hardness of three high viscous glass ionomer cements: G1 - Ketac Molar; G2 - Ketac Molar Easymix (3M ESPE) and G3 - Magic Glass ART (Vigodent). As a parallel goal, three different methods for insertion of Ketac Molar Easymix were tested: G4 - conventional spatula; G5 - commercial syringe (Centrix) and G6 - low-cost syringe. Ten specimens of each group were prepared and the Knoop hardness was determined 5 times on each specimen with a HM-124 hardness machine (25 g/30 s dwell time) after 24 h, 1 and 2 weeks. During the entire test period, the specimens were stored in liquid paraffin at 37ºC. Significant differences were found between G3 and G1/G2 (two-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test; p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the results among the multiple ways of insertion. The glass ionomer cement Magic Glass ART showed the lowest hardness, while the insertion technique had no significant influence on hardness

Immune Receptors and Co-receptors in Antiviral Innate Immunity in Plants

Plants respond to pathogens using an innate immune system that is broadly divided into PTI (pathogen-associated molecular pattern- or PAMP-triggered immunity) and ETI (effector-triggered immunity). PTI is activated upon perception of PAMPs, conserved motifs derived from pathogens, by surface membrane-anchored pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). To overcome this first line of defense, pathogens release into plant cells effectors that inhibit PTI and activate effector-triggered susceptibility (ETS). Counteracting this virulence strategy, plant cells synthesize intracellular resistance (R) proteins, which specifically recognize pathogen effectors or avirulence (Avr) factors and activate ETI. These coevolving pathogen virulence strategies and plant resistance mechanisms illustrate evolutionary arms race between pathogen and host, which is integrated into the zigzag model of plant innate immunity. Although antiviral immune concepts have been initially excluded from the zigzag model, recent studies have provided several lines of evidence substantiating the notion that plants deploy the innate immune system to fight viruses in a manner similar to that used for non-viral pathogens. First, most R proteins against viruses so far characterized share structural similarity with antibacterial and antifungal R gene products and elicit typical ETI-based immune responses. Second, virus-derived PAMPs may activate PTI-like responses through immune co-receptors of plant PTI. Finally, and even more compelling, a viral Avr factor that triggers ETI in resistant genotypes has recently been shown to act as a suppressor of PTI, integrating plant viruses into the co-evolutionary model of host-pathogen interactions, the zigzag model. In this review, we summarize these important progresses, focusing on the potential significance of antiviral immune receptors and co-receptors in plant antiviral innate immunity. In light of the innate immune system, we also discuss a newly uncovered layer of antiviral defense that is specific to plant DNA viruses and relies on transmembrane receptor-mediated translational suppression for defense

Latex allergy in dentistry: clinical cases report

Generally natural rubber latex (NRL) allergy is detected after some exposition to the material. As NRL is com- monly found in different materials used daily in dental clinic, the allergy can be manifested in the pediatric dentistry clinic. The first clinical manifestation can be smooth but also severe, therefore it is important to know different manifestations and how to prevent them. Objective: Report two clinical cases of natural rubber latex allergy in children and to present the safety measures that must be taken during clinical assistance, as using metallic saliva ejector, vinyl gloves for the treatment procedures and as an option to rubber dam. Cases Report: Case 1- Patient presented body swellings after contact with latex. Case 2- Patient presented skin eruptions and urticaria after contact with balloons suggesting possible NRL allergy. Conclusions: The precautions must always be taken during the dental treatment of natural rubber latex allergic patients in order to achieve satisfactory results by avoiding dermatitis or even anaphylactic shock

SEMI-ANALYTICAL SOLUTION OF THE HEAT CONDUCTION IN A PLATE WITH HEAT GENERATION

In the present work, a formulation for the solution of the two-dimensional steady state heat conduction with heat generation is presented. The classical integral transform technique (CITT) is used to solve the problem in a semi- analytical manner. CITT deals with expansions of the sought solution in terms of infinite orthogonal basis of eigenfunctions, keeping the solution process always within a continuous domain. For the particular problem, the resulting system is composed of a set of uncoupled differential equations which can be solved analytically. However, a truncation error is involved since the infinite series must be truncated to obtain numerical results. For comparison and validation purposes, the second order central finite difference method (FDM) is also implemented. The convergence analysis showed that CITT has a greater performance having no difficulties to obtain accurate results with very few terms in the solution summation. The FDM had convergence troubles specially for the positions near the center and for high concentration of heat generation in the center of the plate