OBJECTIVE To characterize the hydration products of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). METHODOLOGY Mineral trioxide aggregate, white Portland cement and bismuth oxide were evaluated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Rietveld XRD. The cements were tested un-hydrated and after hydration and curing for 30 days at 37 degrees C. Analysis of hydrated cement leachate was performed week...

The present work uses X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis to compare the chemical composition of native oxide films formed spontaneously on commercial pure magnesium and AZ31, AZ80 and AZ91D magnesium alloys. The study considers both the outer surface and inner regions of the films with the assistance of argon ion bombardment. Possible relationships are established between the alloy...

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity and pH changes induced by Portland cement (PC) alone and in association with radiopacifiers. Methods. The materials tested were pure PC, PC + bismuth oxide, PC + zirconium oxide, PC + calcium tungstate, and zinc oxide and eugenol cement (ZOE). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated by agar diffusion test using the followi...

Our previous studies have shown that inflammatory mediators increase microvascular permeability through a phospholipase C-nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-guanylate cyclase cascade. The aim of this study is to delineate in more detail the signaling pathway leading to microvascular hyperpermeability. Endothelial cytosolic calcium and the apparent permeability coefficient of albumin ( P a) were measur...

BACKGROUND Nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) are involved in proinflammatory processes in cattle, including in the increased expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells. However, the mechanisms underlying these effects are still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of NEFAs on the intracellular calcium (Ca(2+) i) influx, nitric oxide production, and ICAM-1 and IL-8...

BACKGROUND The neuronal isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS-1) may be an important regulator of cardiac contractility by modifying calcium release and uptake from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Our working hypothesis was that NOS-1 modulates cardiomyocyte contractility more markedly in rat lines with low versus high congenital aerobic fitness. METHODS AND RESULTS Rats performed high-intensity inte...

We present a biochemical model of the wall shear stress-induced activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in an endothelial cell. The model includes three key mechanotransducers: mechanosensing ion channels, integrins, and G protein-coupled receptors. The reaction cascade consists of two interconnected parts. The first is rapid activation of calcium, which results in formation of c...

The purpose of this study was to improve the operability of calcium silicate cements (CSCs) such as mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) cement. The flow, working time, and setting time of CSCs with different compositions containing low-viscosity methyl cellulose (MC) or hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) additive were examined according to ISO 6876-2012; calcium ion release analysis was also conducted....