An analytical method for quantitative estimation of the cytotoxicity of dental alloys using MTT assay,ICP analysis and effective cytotoxicity calculation

The two most important criteria for dental materials are their biofunctional and biocompatible endurance within the anticipated life-span of the dental restoration in the mouth. Biocompatibility relates mainly to the allergenicity and the toxicity of the material. To test the non-specific toxicity of dental materials, in vitro cell culture assays have been developed. For in vitro screening, such tests are recommended to check the cytotoxicity of dental materials (ISO 10993 5). Various studies have already been performed to quantitatively determine the cytotoxicity level of dental alloys. However, as long as only dental alloys and the cell culture technique are applied, it is not possible to determine which of the alloying elements cause the cytotoxicity. Therefore, an analytical method is needed. Wataha et al determined in 1991 the TC50 values of 9 metal cations of various dental casting alloys, using cell culture methods. Kapert et al reported in 1994 a complex in vitro test concept, where the ICP analysis (inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy) was introduced to measure the trace elements extracted from various alloys. Experimentelle Zahnheilkunde, Universitts ZMK Klinik Freiburg, Germany (Lü XY and Kappert HF) The aim of the present study was to find a relation between the ICP results, the TC50 value of metal cations, and the cytotoxicity of dental alloys. The cytotoxicity levels of various dental alloys and the TC50 values of 10 metal cations were established using the MTT assay, an effective cell culture of method. Then, the concentrations of the corrosively soluted metal cations in the extracts of the alloys were measured using the ICP method. From all these experimental results it was found that the relation between the effective cytotoxicity Z eff of an alloy, the concentrations C i of i th trace element and the TC50 values T Ci of the i th metal cation can approximately be expressed by Z eff =∑iC i2·T Ci . Two significant applications of this expression are a) The cytotoxicity of an alloy can be estimated by ICP analysis of the extract if the TC50 values of the trace elements are know. b) The cytotoxicity of a new-developed-alloy can be estimated in advance, according to the alloying components.

Using yttrium as an indicator to estimate total rare earth element concentration:a case study of anthracite-associated clays from northeastern Pennsylvania

This study demonstrated using yttrium(Y)as an indicator to estimate the total rare earth element and Y contents(REY)in coal-associated samples and to facilitate selection of samples with high REY assays in a fast and inexpensive manner.More than 10 anthracite-associated samples were collected from each of three Pennsylvanian sites(sites B,J and C)based on Thorium gamma ray logging suggesting high REY content.Several samples from each site were analyzed by ICP-MS to determine the rare earth distribution patterns and to establish the site-specific linear equations of Y and REY.The Y contents of the remaining samples were measured by a portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer,and the REY values were estimated based on the site-specific linear equation developed earlier.R-squared values above 0.70 were obtained for all the estimation equations from all three sites on both a whole sample basis and an ash basis.Previously,ash content has been widely used as an indicator of high REY content.This may not be applicable for a specific site.Site B in this study is an example where ash contents could not be statistically correlated with REY,so using Y for estimation is more applicable.The demonstrated sample screening process is suitable for samples from sites that share more similar distribution patterns(either MREY or LREY or HREY)as well as for samples from sites that share multiple distribution patterns(LREY/MREY/HREY)depending on the desirable accuracy.The demonstrated process lowers the analytical cost from$70 to 80 dollars per sample to$10-15 per sample while significantly reducing the processing time and acid consumption for ICP digestion.This is particularly true when a relatively large sample size is involved,for example,100 samples from one site analyzed by ICP-MS/OES.

Analysis of HSV-I ICP22 effects on HCMV major immediate-early promoter structure

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate-early (MIE) promoter has strong transcriptional promoting capability. Its cis-acting regulatory elements form a special structure in this region that is repeated multiple times; the biological significance of these elements and their different compositions in the transcriptional promoting process remain unclear. Our results demonstrate that the HSV-I MIE protein ICP22 can generate strong repression of many viral and cellular promoters and enhancers. We further studied the transcriptional effects of ICP22 on structural elements and mutations in various HCMV MIE promoters by using a CAT assay. In spite of different transcriptional effects of all the ele- ments in the presence of ICP22, the transcriptional efficiencies exhibited by mutations generated by different compositions and an entire HCMV promoter, are not the simple sum of the functions of these elements. Furthermore, the transcriptional activities of specific sequences were not affected by the presence of ICP22. Therefore, it is assumed that the HCMV MIE promoter co-regulates expression of downstream genes by using viral and cellular specific factors via a specific pathway.

Chemical composition of oscillatory zoned garnets from the largescale Mengya'a Pb–Zn skarn deposit: implications for fluid physicochemical conditions and formation

The Mengya’a Lead–zinc deposit is a large skarn deposit in the north of the eastern segment of Gangdese metallogenic belt.The garnet is the main altered mineral in the Mengya’a area.The color of the garnet varies from chartreuse to dark yellow brown and to russet.The brown garnet(Grt1)is related to pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite,and the green garnet(Grt2)is associated with lead–zinc mineralization.LA-ICP-MS is the induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry.This paper has used this technique to investigate Grt1 and Grt2.Grt1 develops core–rim textures with strong oscillation zone occurring in rim,whereas Grt2lacks core–rim textures and featured by oscillation zone.LA–ICP–MS analysis shows that garnets of Mengya’a are rich in CaO(29.90–37.52%)and FeO(21.17–33.35%),but low in Al_(2)O_(3)(0.05–4.85%).The calculated end members belong to grandite(grossular–andradite)garnets andradite.The negative Al(IV)versus Fe^(3+),positive Al(IV)versus total Al stoichiometric number,the positive Al(IV)versus Fe^(3+),and the negative Al(IV)versus total REE,all indicate that the substitution of REEs in garnets is controlled by YAG.All Garnets are depleted in large lithophile elements(e.g.,Rb=0.00–4.01 ppm,Sr=0.03–8.56 ppm).The total REE in Grt1 core is high(ΣREE=233–625 ppm),with HREE enriched pattern(LREE/HREE=0.33–1.69)and weak negative Eu anomalies(δEu=0.21–0.47).In contrast,the total REEs in the Grt1 rim and Grt2 are low(ΣREE=12.4–354 ppm;ΣREE=21.0–65.3 ppm),with LREE enriched pattern(LREE/HREE=0.54–34.4;LREE/HREE=11.4–682)and positive Eu anomalies(δEu=0.35–27.2;δEu=1.02–30.7).After data compilation of garnet chemicals,we found that the early fluid responsible for the core of Grt1 was a relatively closed and chloride-depleted fluid system.It was close-to-neutral,with a low water–rock ratio.The core of garnet was formed by fluid diffusion in metasomatic processes.The fluid was changed into a relatively open system with reduced,chloride-rich,and weakacid fluid.It was fluid infiltration and metasomatism that resulted in the formation of Grt1 rim and Grt2.

Synthesis and catalytic properties of iron-cerium phosphate prepared in ethylene glycol using additives

The effects of cerium substitution,use of additives,and heating temperature on the chemical composition and catalytic activity of iron phosphate were evaluated.Iron-cerium phosphate was prepared from iron nitrate,ammonium cerium nitrate,and sodium phosphate in ethylene glycol using sodium dodecyl-sulfate or acetylacetone as additive.The chemical composition,particle shape and size distribution of the obtained samples were respectively evaluated based on ICP and XRD,SEM,and laser diffraction/scattering analysis.The catalytic activity was evaluated based on the decomposition of the complex formed from formaldehyde,ammonium acetate,and acetylacetone.XRD peaks corresponding to FePO_(4) were observed for the samples heated at 600℃whereas samples treated at lower temperatures were amorphous.Iron-cerium phosphates heated at 200℃and 400℃exhibited high catalytic activity for the decomposition of the aforementioned complex.