Modified three-dimensional skull base model with artificial dura mater, cranial nerves, and venous sinuses for training in skull base surgery: technical note.
(66/155)
Experience with dissection of the cavernous sinus and the temporal bone is essential for training in skull base surgery, but the opportunities for cadaver dissection are very limited. A modification of a commercially available prototype three-dimensional (3D) skull base model, made by a selective laser sintering method and incorporating surface details and inner bony structures such as the inner ear structures and air cells, is proposed to include artificial dura mater, cranial nerves, venous sinuses, and the internal carotid artery for such surgical training. The transpetrosal approach and epidural cavernous sinus surgery (Dolenc's technique) were performed on this modified model using a high speed drill or ultrasonic bone curette under an operating microscope. The model could be dissected in almost the same way as a real cadaver. The modified 3D skull base model provides a good educational tool for training in skull base surgery. (+info)
Reversible switching of the shear modulus of photoresponsive liquid-crystalline polymers.
(67/155)
Ocular toxicity of low-molecular-weight components of silicone and fluorosilicone oils.
(68/155)
Silicone oil (SiO) and fluorosilicone oil (FSiO) are injected into the vitreous cavity in difficult cases of retinal detachment surgery. SiO and FSiO contain linear and cyclic low-molecular-weight components (LMWC) that are thought to cause ocular toxicity. Using the purified oils (without LMWC) and some of the individual LMWC, the authors evaluated the relation of the LMWC to the short-term ocular toxicity of the oils. When octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane or other single small species of linear and cyclic LMWC of SiO were injected into the rabbit anterior chamber, severe inflammation and corneal edema were induced. The ocular responses to the single species of the LMWC of SiO decreased with an increase of the molecular weights. Cyclic LMWC of FSiO (a mixture of trimethyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylcyclotrisiloxane and tetramethyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropylcyclotetrasiloxane) also induced inflammation and corneal edema. However, unpurified SiO and FSiO, as well as purified oils (via solvent fractionation), did not cause significant adverse ocular response, presumably because the amounts of LMWC (especially the smallest species) in the oils were relatively small. Using gas chromatography, the authors analyzed SiO and FSiO recovered from rabbit and human vitreous cavities up to 2 yr after injection. In most of the cases, the concentrations of LMWC in SiO decreased after injection. This is consistent with the possibility that LMWC diffused from the oils into the ocular tissues. The long-term effect of LMWC in intraocular SiO and FSiO has not been determined. However, diffusion of LMWC into ocular tissues may relate to the chronic ocular toxicity of the oils. (+info)
In vitro interactions between splenocytes and dansylamide dye-embedded nanoparticles detected by flow cytometry.
(69/155)
Effects of different solutions on the surface hardness of composite resin materials.
(70/155)
In this study, the surface hardness of five light-cured composite resins were evaluated, namely: filled (Estelite), nanofil (AElite), unfilled (Valux Plus), hybrid (Tetric ceram), and Ormocer-based (Admira) composite resins. The microhardness values of composite specimens were measured at the top and bottom surfaces after 24 hours or 30 days of immersion in different solutions (tea, coffee, Turkish coffee, mouthwash, cola, and distilled water). Comparisons were made with univariate analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test. It was found that rough specimens of reinforced nano-hybrid composite material immersed in cola for 30 days had the lowest surface hardness (33.20), whereas rough specimens of hybrid composite material immersed in cola for 24 hours had the highest surface hardness (156.00). In both tea and coffee, the top surfaces tended to be harder than the bottom ones. In conclusion, the five different materials exhibited different hardnesses, and that the hardness values of composite materials were statistically different in different immersion solutions. (+info)
Effects of food-simulating liquids on the mechanical properties of a silorane-based dental composite.
(71/155)
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of food-simulating liquids (FSL) on the hardness and flexural strength (FS) of a new silorane-based composite and to compare it with methacrylate-based composites (MBCs). Four restorative materials (Filtek Silorane, P60, Z250, and Supreme XT) were used. Specimens for the FS and hardness measurements were fabricated in customized molds. Immediately after polymerization, the materials were stored in the following dietary simulating solvents at 37 degrees C for 1 week: distilled water, 0.02 N citric acid, heptane, and 75% aqueous ethanol solution. After conditioning, the FS and hardness values were measured. Data were subjected to ANOVA/Scheffe's test at a significance level of 0.05. The hardness and FS of Filtek Silorane were not significantly affected by FSL (p>0.05). Conversely, the hardness of MBCs significantly decreased after conditioning in water and ethanol (p<0.05). Similarly, the FS values of MBCs were significantly affected after conditioning in ethanol. (+info)
Fabrication of protein dot arrays via particle lithography.
(72/155)