The Influence of Different Bleaching Protocols on Dentinal Enzymatic Activity: An In Vitro Study

This study aimed to investigate matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in human dentin using in-situ and gelatin zymography, after at-home and in-office bleaching, related to their clinical exposure times. Dentin specimens (n = 5) were treated with 35% hydrogen peroxide (50 min per session/4 sessions), 10% carbamide peroxide (180 min/21 sessions), or no treatment. All were subjected to in-situ zymography. Dentin slices were, subsequently, obtained, covered with fluorescein-conjugated gelatin, and examined with confocal laser-scanning microscopy. The fluorescence intensity was quantified and statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests (α = 0.05). Furthermore, gelatin zymography was performed on protein extracts obtained from dentin powder (N = 8 teeth), treated with hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, with different exposure times (10/50 min for hydrogen peroxide; 252/1260 min for carbamide peroxide). The results of the in-situ zymography showed no statistical differences between the bleached specimens and the control group, with a medium level of gelatinolytic activity expressed in the dentin tubules. The results of gelatin zymography showed an increased expression of pro-MMP-9 in carbamide peroxide groups. The expression of pro-MMP-2 decreased in all the experimental groups. The bleaching treatments performed on the enamel of sound teeth do not influence dentinal enzymatic activity. However, when unprotected dentin tissue is bleached, matrix metalloproteinases are more expressed, particularly when carbamide peroxide is used, proportional to the exposure time.     

Determination of methylamines and trimethylamine-N-oxide in particulate matter by non-suppressed ion chromatography

An ion chromatography method with non-suppressed conductivity detection was developed for the simultaneous determination of methylamines (methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine) and trimethylamine-N-oxide in particulate matter air samples. The analytes were well separated by means of cation-exchange chromatography using a 3 mM nitric acid/3.5% acetonitrile (v/v) eluent solution and a Metrosep C 2 250 (250 mm × 4 mm i.d.) separation column. The effects of the different chromatographic parameters on the separation were also investigated. Detection limits of methylamine, dimethylamine, trimethylamine, and trimethylamine-N-oxide were 43, 46, 76 and 72 μg/L, respectively. The relative standard deviations of the retention times were between 0.42% and 1.14% while the recoveries were between 78.8% and 88.3%. The method is suitable for determining if methylamines and trimethylamine-N-oxide are a significant component of organic nitrogen aerosol in areas with high concentration of these species.     

Equilibrium dynamics of an associating polymer melt in narrow slits by computer simulation

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to study the dynamics of a coarse-grained model of a melt of polymer chains with associating terminal groups, confined in a narrow slit by two layers of Lennard-Jones sites. Simulations were carried out as a function of wall separation and attracting strength. We found that confinement has an important effect on the overall dynamics of the system. Strongly attracting walls can significantly modify the dynamics of the melt, giving an aggregation structure with extremely long relaxation times. A noticeable degree of anisotropy was found for the dynamics of both the individual chains and the aggregates formed by the associating terminal groups.     

Tetrathiophene on Graphite: Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Summary: We describe molecular dynamics simulations of α‐tetrathiophene molecules deposited on a flat graphite substrate, at two different temperatures (300 K and 400 K) and several degrees of coverage (from approximately one to three molecular layers). The simulations employ a modified version of the CFF91 force field, with the torsion parameters tailored on high‐level ab initio calculations on 2,2′‐bithiophene. We found that the molecules in the first layer were relatively planar and packed against the underlying surface, while those outside it were not arranged in well‐defined layers and were more conformationally disordered. On the time scale of the simulation, the molecules did not crystallize but rather achieved a liquid crystalline‐like state with their average director parallel to the surface.

Side view of the final configuration in the simulation of 24 tetrathiophenes at 300 K. Molecules are depicted with different shades of gray according to their z coordinate (first, second or third layer).     

Mechanism of smectic arrangement of montmorillonite and bentonite clay platelets incorporated in gels of poly(acrylamide) induced by the interaction with cationic surfactants

Structure transitions, induced by the interaction with the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride in nanocomposite gels of poly(acrylamide) with incorporated suspensions of the two closely related layered clays bentonite and montmorillonite, were studied. Unexpectedly, different behaviors were revealed. X-ray diffraction measurements confirm that, due to the interaction with the surfactant, initially disordered bentonite platelets arrange into highly ordered structures incorporating alternating clay platelets and surfactant bilayers. The formation of these smectic structures also in the cross-linked polymer gels, upon addition of the surfactant, is explained by the existence of preformed, poorly ordered aggregates of the clay platelets in the suspensions before the gel formation. In the case of montmorillonite, smectic ordering of the disordered platelets in the presence of the surfactant is observed only after drying the suspensions and the clay-gel composites. Rheology studies of aqueous suspensions of the two clays, in the absence of both surfactant and gel, evidence a much higher viscosity for bentonite than for montmorillonite, suggesting smaller clay-aggregate size in the latter case. Qualitatively consistent results are obtained from optical micrographs.     

Polymer association in poor solvents: from monomolecular micelles to clusters of chains and phase separation

We report some recent results obtained in our laboratory on the poor‐solvent behavior of macromolecules. We first discuss the globular collapse of short chains that, unlike long ones, may form compact ordered states. We then address the collapse of random AB copolymers, which may provide significant clues to understanding biophysical issues such as the protein folding problem or the DNA arrangement in a living cell. Afterwards, we turn to the many‐chain problem of homopolymer aggregation into polymolecular micelles or clusters of chains and eventually phase separation. The unifying feature of our approach consists in the self‐consistent free‐energy minimization with inclusion of intra‐ and inter‐molecular interactions, whenever they are required, that enables us to describe the chain conformation in detail.