Percutaneous renal biopsy well-visualized by orthogonal ultrasound application using linear scanning

We attempted 24 percutaneous renal biopsies under orthogonal ultrasonic guidance in 23 children with renal diseases aged 1 to 17 years old. We used a 5 MHz linear-array transducer which was positioned on the side of the abdomen and aligned parallel to the biopsy needle so that projected ultrasound reaches the needle orthogonally. Thus, we could clearly and continuously monitor the biopsy needle and transverse plane of the kidney during the biopsy. We obtained diagnostically sufficient renal specimens in all subjects and found no significant complications, including macroscopic hematuria, in any case. We found that our method simultaneously visualized the biopsy needle and kidney much more clearly and made the biopsy far easier and safer than any other method previously proposed and we recommend the procedure be widely used in adult as well as child patients.

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome associated with Yersinia enterocolitica infection

Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) associated with Yersinia enterocolitica gastroenteritis is reported in a 6-year-old girl. Y. enterocolitica of biotype 03 was isolated from the patient's initial stool sample and was subsequently identified as serotype 03 based on the rising agglutinin titres. This paper shows that yersiniosis should be suspected as a possible cause of HUS, and investigations should include the measurement of serum agglutinin titres against antigen preparations of the genus Yersinia.

Effect of NCO-700, an inhibitor of thiol protease, on reactive oxygen production by chemotactic peptide-stimulated rabbit peripheral granulocytes

The specific thiol protease inhibitor, NCO-700, which is related to L-trans-epoxysuccinylpeptides, inhibited oxidant production by chemoattractant-stimulated rabbit polymorphonuclear leukocytes. NCO-700 could also scavenge active oxygen generated from sodium hypochlorite-hydrogen peroxide and hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase systems.

High levels of antibodies to streptococcal cell membrane antigens specifically bound to monoclonal antibodies in acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis

We produced 15 immunoglobulin G class monoclonal antibodies against antigens of the streptococcal cell membrane (SCM) of Streptococcus pyogenes (T type 12, Tanaka strain) and determined the levels in human sera of antibodies against Triton-X-extracted antigens specifically bound to each of these 15 monoclonal antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sample sera were obtained from 10 normal controls (group 1), 10 patients with streptococcal pharyngitis without sequelae (group 2), and 8 patients with acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis (APSGN) (group 3). Anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titers of the sera increased in the order of groups 1, 2, and 3. There was no relationship between ASO titer and the level of anti-SCM antibodies, and there was no significant difference in the level of anti-SCM antibodies determined with each of the 15 monoclonal antibodies between group 1 and group 2 sera. Group 3 sera had higher levels of antibodies to SCM antigens specifically bound to each of 14 of these 15 monoclonal antibodies than group 1 or group 2 sera did. Of these 14 monoclonal antibodies, 9 reacted with the four SCM antigens separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretically transferred to a nitrocellulose sheet. These results suggest that high levels of antibodies to SCM antigens are related to the development of APSGN and that the systemic immune response to SCM antigens is involved in the pathogenesis of APSGN.

A calorimetric study of the interaction of synthetic phospholipid liposomes with lipid-soluble small molecules used as dental materials and devices

The interaction of 22 lipid-soluble small molecules, widely used in dental materials and devices, with synthetic phospholipid liposomes, was investigated by the application of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), in order to clarify the mechanism of small molecules in biological systems. Dimyristoyl phosphatidyl choline (DMPC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) were used as lipids. The interaction of various monomers with liposomes has been reported by us in this journal. In this experiment, various compounds such as redox-initiator, photo-initiator or photo-sensitizer, inhibitor, root-canal disinfectant, cement-base materials (eugenol and 2-ethoxybenzoic acid) etc., were investigated. From changes in the phase transition temperature (T), enthalpy (delta H kcal mol-1) and H/HHW values of both DMPC and DPPC liposomes induced by these molecules, it was concluded that aromatic tertiary amine, benzoyl peroxide and hydroquinone monomethyl ether had a relatively large effect on liposomes, and that in phenol derivatives, m-cresol and p-chlorophenol had a large effect on liposomes compared to phenol. Eugenol used as dental cement also had a large effect on liposomes due to its high hydrophobicity. Changes in the transition properties of liposomes induced by small molecules (characterized by shift of T to a lower temperature, an increase or decrease in cooperativity (H/HHW), and a decrease in delta H of a endothermic peak) seemed to be related to biological activities.

Effects of photoinitiators for the visible-light resin system on hemolysis of dog erythrocytes and lipid peroxidation of their components

The visible-light (VL) polymerizing resin system with photoinitiators (photosensitizer and reducing agent) is widely used in modern dentistry. In this system, polymerization is initiated by photochemical reactions between the photosensitizers (aromatic or aliphatic ketones) and reducing agents (tertiary amines) during VL irradiation. In order to simulate the VL resin-induced toxicity in dental pulps, the present investigation was conducted to determine whether hemolysis of dog erythrocytes and lipid peroxidation of their components occur on exposure to a VL resin system containing aromatic (9-fluorenone, benzil) or aliphatic ketones (camphoroquinone) plus tertiary amine [2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate]. It was demonstrated that the hemolysis and lipid peroxidation with aromatic ketones were markedly higher than with those of aliphatic ketones, even when the latter were used at higher concentrations. It was clear that peroxidation-induced hemolysis occurred and, further, that surface-active complexes between photosensitizers and reducing agents, which are formed by irradiation, promote hemolytic activity due to their hydrophobic interactions. VL resin-induced responses to dental pulps are probably promoted due to the double effects of unpolymerized monomers and of both radicals and surface-active complexes formed during irradiation.

[Clinical experience of methylcobalamin (CH3-B12)/clomiphene citrate combined treatment in male infertility]

Infertile men (excluding azoospermia) were divided into three groups to test methylcobalamin (CH3-B12) + clomiphene citrate (Clomid) treatment. Group M: CH3-B12 (1,500 micrograms/day, daily for 8 to 60 weeks), Group C: Clomid (25 mg/day for 25 days followed by a 5-day rest period, for 8 to 48 weeks), and Group MC: CH3-B12 + Clomid (CH3-B12: 1,500 micrograms/day, daily and Clomid: 25 mg/day for 25 days followed by a 5-day rest period, for 12 to 24 weeks semen analysis was conducted before and after these administrations. Judging by our criteria, 60.0% (24/40) of the cases in Group M, 71.4%(25/35) in Group C, and 66.7% (8/12) in Group MC were improved. However, in patients whose sperm concentrations were over 10 X 10(6)/ml, 61.9% (13/21) of the cases in Group M, 69.2% (9/13) in Group C, and 80.0% (4/5) in Group MC were improved. Therefore, CH3-B12 + Clomid treatment was successful for patients whose sperm concentrations was over 10 X 10(6)/ml.

[Anencephalus immunogenetic factor]

The T/t complex in the mouse is considered to be a gene locus that brings about neural tube defects. This locus is found to exist near the H-2 complex, which is the MHC of the mouse. Accordingly, it is conceivable that there exists a T/t-like complex near the HLA complex in humans. Studies on the HLA-A, -B, -DR, -DRw52, -53 and DQ loci of parents with anencephalus and affected offspring were undertaken with the aim of revealing the relationship between anencephalus and the HLA complex. The following results were obtained: The gene frequency of HLA-DR5 in a mother with anencephalus was significantly higher than in controls. HLA-DR materno-paternal compatibility was significantly higher than in control couples. An increase in HLA-DR, -DRw52, -53 and DQ homozygosity were observed among the affected offspring. These results indicated that there may exist an anencephalus immunogenetic factor in the HLA-D region.

[Clinical evaluation of Cernilton in benign prostatic hypertrophy]

Twenty patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy were treated with Cernilton, 6 tablets a day for an average of 13.2 weeks. Subjective effectiveness was observed in the improvement of sense of residual urine (92%), retardation (86%), night frequency (85%), strain on urination (56%), protraction (53%) and forceless urinary stream (53%). The overall subjective effectiveness was 80% of patients, and the overall objective effectiveness was 54% of patients. Night frequency, residual urine volume and tidal urine volume were improved significantly. The overall effectiveness was 80%. No side effects were observed.

[The effect of immunochemotherapy with PSK in malignant tumors of the female reproductive organs]

In our series of investigations concerning immunopotentiators, we evaluated the host immunocompetence of patients triggered by PSK. Our subjects for screening consisted of seven patients with malignant tumors of female reproductive organs chosen at random from our patients. Four of them were treated with chemotherapy (CAPF) alone and served as controls, whereas the other three were administered PSK, 3.0 g/day, plus chemotherapy as above. Cellular and humoral immunities were measured at three points. Firstly prior to chemotherapy, secondly, two weeks after the start of chemotherapy, and thirdly, prior to next chemotherapy. The results indicated higher values of T-cell subset ratio OKT-4/8 of 2.73 +/- 0.56 on the average for cellular immunocompetence as compared to 1.35 +/- 0.45 for normal subjects in the PSK-administered group, whereas there was no increase in the non-PSK-administered group, in which the value was 1.28 +/- 0.30. Thus, PSK was considered to extert an immunopotentiating effect on the T-lymphocytes.

Comparison of pulmonary accumulation of pyrilamine and pyrilamine N-oxide

Our previous studies have indicated that a phenothiazine drug, chlorpromazine, and a tricyclic antidepressant, imipramine, are metabolized by the isolated perfused rat lungs via N-oxidation from whence their N-oxides are released into the circulation. This work was undertaken to compare the pulmonary accumulation of another pneumophilic tertiary amine drug, pyrilamine, with that of its N-oxide. Approximately 10-fold greater accumulation of pyrilamine than that of its N-oxide was observed in the mouse lung after a single pass perfusion with 40 microM of the drug for a 3 min period. The largest difference between accumulation of pyrilamine and its N-oxide was noted in the lung among the various tissue slices tested, suggesting the tissue specificity of affinity.

[The effectiveness of chemotherapy and craniotomy for brain metastasis of non-seminomatous testicular tumor]

Four patients with non-seminomatous testicular tumor who already had brain metastasis were treated with combination chemotherapy. Three patients had received craniotomy in an effort to remove the metastatic lesion and intracranial hematoma. Two of them who were treated with PVB chemotherapy, which was effective against pulmonary and retroperitoneal metastasis but not against the brain metastatic lesions, died within 3 months; the other patient is receiving intense postcraniotomy chemotherapy using Cisplatin and large doses of Methotrexate administered with the Leucovorin rescue method which has shown a remarkable response against the brain metastasis of choriocarcinoma. The remaining patient has been receiving VAB VI protocol for 3 months. The metastatic lesion in the temporal lobe of his brain may consolidate through calcification, similar to the calcified change observed in the retroperitoneal lymph-node after chemotherapy. We discuss potential ways to induce improved therapeutic effects against brain metastasis of the non-seminomatous testicular tumor: It may be difficult to achieve an effective drug concentration level in the tissue immediately adjacent to the intracerebral tumor, because of the blood brain barrier. As induction therapy, a large dose of Cisplatinum (230 mg/body) or Methotrexate (10 g/body) was effective in attaining an effective drug concentration level in the tissue adjacent to tumor. Prior to the stem cell assay of the brain metastatic tumor, 1,100 mg Cisplatinum and 1,700 mg VP 16 were administered for treatment. The results of the stem cell assay in vitro showed a resistance to Cisplatinum and VP 16. Routine brain CT scanning is useful for detecting a metastatic lesion in its development. If detected, multidisciplinary chemotherapy should be performed.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

HLA antigens-antibodies system and its association with severe toxemia of pregnancy

HLA antigens and antibodies were investigated in order to study the relationship between severe toxemia of pregnancy (toxemia) and the HLA system, which is in a close relationship with the immune response. The frequencies of 8 HLA-A antigens, 21 HLA-B antigens, 10 HLA-DR antigens and 4 HLA-MT antigens were determined in 21 patients with toxemia and their husbands and some of their children, 45 fertile couples without a history of abnormal pregnancy and 206 healthy adult controls (DR were in 106 controls). Sera from toxemias and normal pregnant women in the 3rd. trimester and postpartum intra-uterine blood in women with normal deliveries were tested for Warm-T and Warm-B cell antibody against 30 panel lymphocytes. Results obtained were as follows: In toxemic couples there is a much higher incidence of HLA-DR and MT sharing between wives and husbands, mothers and children. In those sera with toxemias, there is a higher incidence of Warm-T antibody and a lower incidence of Warm-B antibody compared with those with a normal pregnancy. From the immunogenetic point of view, when the HLA-DR X MT locus of a certain fetus is homozygous, the mother tends to manifest toxemia. These results indicated that matching of HLA-DR X MT loci in parents possibly plays a role in causing severe toxemia, and genetic prediction of its onset and prognosis can be carried out through HLA typing.

A calorimetric study of the interaction of synthetic phospholipid liposomes with vinyl monomers, acrylates and methacrylates

Mono-, di-, and trimethacrylates (monomers) are widely used in dentistry as restorative materials, adhesives, prosthetic devices, etc. It is known that the residual monomers released from the cured resin have been implicated in toxicological effects. In order to monitor the biological actions at the membrane level induced by monomers, we studied the changes in the phase transition temperature (T) and enthalpy (delta H) of dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylcholine liposomes induced by 37 different monomers using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The monomers that caused large changes in the T and delta H were vinyl monomers; acrylates; monomethacrylates that contain hydroxy, carbonyl, amino and phenyl groups; dimethacrylates with short-chain substituents; and aliphatic trimethacrylates. It is suggested that the changes in the T and delta H values may be due not only to hydrophobic interactions, but also to interactions induced by the double bonds or the functional groups in the monomers. On the other hand, methacrylates with simple alkyl ester linkage and dimethacrylates with bisphenol A groups exhibited the smallest changes. The changes in the T and delta H induced by highly hydrophobic methacrylates were small due to their slower interaction. These changes in transition properties of liposomes seem to be related to biological activities.

Anti-streptococcal cell membrane and anti-human glomerular basement membrane titers in sera of patients with poststreptococcal acute glomerulonephritis and anaphylactoid purpura

To clarify the immunological mechanisms in poststreptococcal acute glomeulonephritis (PSAGN) and anaphylactoid purpura (AP), anti-streptococcal cell membrane (anti-SCM) and anti-human glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) titers in the sera of patients with PSAGN and AP were determined by passive hemagglutination with chromic chloride-treated sheep erythrocytes. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) soluble SCM and collagenase soluble GBM were used as soluble antigens. Positive anti-SCM titers (greater than 1:8) were demonstrated in 10 of 14 patients (71.4%) with PSAGN and in 4 of 9 patients (44.4%) with AP with evidence of antecedent streptococcal infection. Two of 4 patients with AP without evidence of antecedent streptococcal infection had positive anti-SCM titers. No correlation was noted between anti-streptolysin O (ASO) titers and anti-SCM titers in patients with PSAGN or AP, but many patients with high ASO titers also had high anti-SCM titers. No positive anti-GBM reactions were detected in patients with PSAGN or AP. No cross-reactions were noted between SLS soluble SCM and collagenase soluble GBM.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopic studies of the interaction of phospholipids with stabilizing lysosome agents

The interaction between phospholipids and stabilizing lysosome agents such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), colchicine (CC), prednisolone (PD), etc., was studied using NMR spectroscopy. The peak intensity of protons arising from these compounds was reduced in liposomes containing lecithin and various agents with a molar ratio of 1:1 in D2O. The reduced percentage of protons in the agents differed due to their molecular structures: ASA was about 20%, CC about 30%, and PD about 100%.

Paraquat-induced enhancement of vascular permeability

Paraquat, intradermally injected in the dorsal skin of rats, demonstrated three phasic actions; enhancement of vascular permeability within 30 min (Phase I) and at 6-24 hr after the injection (Phase II) by dye leakage method and bleeding in skin at 2-7 days after the injection (Phase III). Phase I was induced in the presence of paraquat in the skin. However, phases II and III occurred in the absence of paraquat. Morphological study indicated inflammatory observations such as infiltration of mononuclear cells and swelling of venular endothelial cells throughout these three phases. And the most severe morphological changes occurred in phase II. Aspirin, indomethacin, tripelennamine and dexamethasone decreased dye leakage but superoxide dismutase increased it in phase I. These drugs including superoxide dismutase decreased dye leakage in phase II. Bleeding in phase III was decreased by the administration of aspirin and indomethacin. Because of higher effective dose of indomethacin used in this experiment as compared with a clinical dose, aspirin seemed among drugs examined in our experimental models to be the most potent drug that depressed the progression of paraquat-induced enhancement of permeability.

Action of drugs on liposomes with varying charges

The effects of 12 amphipathic compounds--such as aromatic and aliphatic carboxylic acids, amines, imines, nitrogen-substituted derivatives, and aldehydes--on multilamellar liposomes with varying charges were monitored in biological systems. The stabilization-lysis action of amphipathic compounds on liposomes was influenced by either the electrostatic repulsion or the attraction force between these compounds and liposomes.

Action of drugs, detergents, and monomers on liposomes

Interactions of 14 organic compounds, such as phenols, aromatic carboxylic acids, steroids, and methacrylates with the multi-lamellar lecithin-cholesterol liposomes, were monitored in biological systems. It was found that their actions with our artificial liposomes were quite similar to those of biological membranes described previously.

Determination of partition coefficients of acrylates, methacrylates, and vinyl monomers using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Retention times (Rt) for acrylates, methacrylates, and vinyl monomers were measured with two different columns (C18 Corasil and C8 LiChrosorb) using reverse-phase HPLC in order to obtain their partition coefficients between 1-octanol and water (log P). The log P values of test compounds were determined from the regression curves between RT and log P values of a number of standards using C8 LiChrosorb. The log P values obtained in this manner agreed closely with the log P values observed in previous studies. However, the peaks of these compounds were not sharp and some compounds were eluted for more than 10 min. Thus, the measurement of accurate Rt values is tedious. C18 Corasil was therefore used for this experiment in a mobile phase (methanol : water = 85 : 15). The Rt of some methacrylates with P values over 4 were delayed due to the hydrophobic interaction between these compounds and the C18 packing material. However, in the measurable region of the log P values (about -1 to +4), log P correlated linearly with log Rt following two different regression curves: one for aliphatic and aromatic compounds with the functional groups (r = 0.92), and the other for compounds without these groups (r = 0.99). It is concluded that log P values of methacrylates widely used in dentistry can be determined easily and accurately by HPLC.

[Determination of hydrophobic parameters (log PHPLC) for methacrylates, initiators and miscellaneous compounds used in dentistry by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (author's transl)]

The use of partition coefficients Poct obtained from an n-octanol-water partitioning system has become a standard method for modelling biological membranes and thereby quantifying the hydrophobicity of a given compound as log Poct = log Coct--log Cwater. However, there is no convenient method available to determine the log Poct value accurately. The conventional flask-shaking method is a laborious and time consuming procedure, often complicated by instability in aqueous media, impurities and the tendency for the compound to dissociate. There have been recently attempts using HPLC to determine the hydrophobicity of organic compound. The retention behaviour of about fifty organic compounds in HPLC systems have been examined. Using methanol-water as the mobile phase, a linear relationship between the volume fraction of organic modifier and the logarithm of the capacity factor (log K') over limited range was obtained for standards. However, unfortunately, the correlation between log Kw obtained from the extrapolated K' values with pure water as eluent and log Poct values was not good (r = 0.83). Using this octadecylsilyl column with the mobile phase (methanol: water = 70:30), standards fall on the three straight lines with good correlations (r = 0.99) between the log Poct and log K' values.: one for benzenes and aliphatic compounds, the second for phenols, anilines and hydrogenacceptor benzene derivatives and the third for benzoic acids, respectively. The PHPLC values of methacrylates, initiators and miscellaneous compounds which are widely in dentistry were determined using these three regression lines.

Binding of eugenol and o-ethoxybenzoic acid to bovine serum albumin

The binding constants (log K) of eugenol, o-ethoxy-benzoic acid, and their analogues, plus other organic compounds widely used in dentistry with bovine serum albumin, were examined with respect to the partition coefficients of these compounds in octanol-water (log P). Linear relationships between log K and log P values were obtained with high relative coefficients. Eugenol and o-ethoxybenzoic acid showed a relatively large log K value.

Study on the absorption and protein binding of carbaryl, dieldrin and paraquat in rats fed on protein diet

Carbaryl was well absorbed from the small intestine of rats. In the cytosol fraction of intestinal mucosa, it was bound to a smallmolecular component (M. W. 2,200 daltons). In serum, carbaryl was bound mainly to albumin and partly to globulins. Dieldrin was slowly absorbed from small intestine. The peak of dieldrin concentration in blood was observed 2.5 hr after the administration. Binding of dieldrin to mucosal protein in cytosol was not detectable. In serum, dieldrin was bound to lipoproteins, globulins and partly to albumin. Absorption of paraquat from the small intestine was more rapid than that of dieldrin in situ study. However, in vivo study, the absorption of paraquat was the lowest among these three chemicals. In the cytosol fraction of intestinal mucosa, paraquat was bound to a small-molecular component (M. W. 3,100 daltons). In serum, it was present in unbound fraction. In the comparative studies with protein diets, absorption of paraquat from small intestine in situ was higher in low protein diet rats than that in high protein diet rats. However, difference in absorption in vitro and in histopathological study was not noted between low protein diet rats and high protein diet rats.

Binding of methyl methacrylate to bovine serum albumin

Binding constants for methacrylates, acrylates, and miscellaneous vinyl monomers with bovine serum albumin were determined using 2-(4'-hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid (HABA). The influence of hydrophobic binding appeared to be more dominant in the bindings of methyl methacrylate.

Effect of captopril, a converting enzyme inhibitor on renal vascular resistance in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs

The effects of captopril administered intravenously in a dose of 1 mg/kg on systemic blood pressure (SBP), renal blood flow (RBF) and renal vascular resistance (RVR) were examined in pentobarbital anesthetized dogs. Untreated dogs were used in experiments in which the renal artery remained intact and others in which the renal artery was partially occluded (RAO). Captopril significantly decreased SBP, increased RBF and decreased RVR in untreated dogs. RAO induced an increase in arterial plasma renin activity and this increase was accompanied by an increase in RVR in the contralateral kidney and rise in SBP. During RAO, captopril induced qualitatively similar, but greater decreases in SBP and RVR of the contralateral kidney compared with those in the untreated dogs. These results suggest the vasodilator effect of captopril depends on the background level of angiotensin II and the enhanced effect would be expected under conditions such as RAO where circulating angiotensin II contributes to vascular tone.

Distribution and biliary excretion of carbaryl, dieldrin and paraquat in rats: effect of diets

Carbaryl and dieldrin were accumulated mostly in the liver, and paraquat was accumulated in the kidney of normal diet (casein 24.5%) rats at 1 hr after the oral administration. At 5 hr after the administration, the concentration of carbaryl in liver or fat, and that of paraquat in kidney were markedly decreased. However, dieldrin in liver, kidney, lung, fat or others was signficantly increased at the same period. The absorption of paraquat from gastrointestinal tract was the least among the chemicals used. Biliary excretion of carbaryl was the highest and that of paraquat was the least by 5 hr after intravenous administration. The excretion ratio was about 100: 10: 1 for carbaryl, dieldrin and paraquat in normal diet rats. Biliary excretion of these chemicals was higher in high protein diet (casein 45%) rats and retention of the chemicals in tissue was higher in low protein diet (casein 5%) rats.

[The in vitro biological evaluation of dental cements using elution and binding by bovine serum albumin (author's transl)]

In order to evaluate in vitro biological properties of dental cements sixteen different cements including zinc oxide eugenol (ZOE), EBA, resin, polycarboxylate, glass ionomer cement and calcium hydroxide base material were tested regarding elution and binding by bovine serum albumin (BSA). The persistency of elution over long time after subsequent transfer to fresh water was calculated at 210 nm absorbance with ultra violet spectrometer. Also the eluates obtained were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatograpy. The continuous leaching of eugenol from ZOE cement was observed. Binding of eluates from cement to BSA was evaluated spectrophotometrically by utilizing the competition with 2-(4' hydroxyphenylazo) benzoic acid (HABA). EBA cement showed the highest binding ability by BSA because of the leaching o-ethoxybenzoic acid from this cement. The relevance of protein and pulp toxicity is discussed.

[Solubility and degree of hemolysis as methods for the in vitro evaluation of dental filling materials]

For the biological examination of dental resin filling materials, a solubility and hemolysis test is recommended as an in-vitro testing method. Solubility and degree of hemolysis were examined in various filling materials based on MMA and BIS-GMA. It was found that, at the beginning, solubility was considerably higher in MMA-containing materials than in the BIS-GMA systems, and that after a while the conditions were reversed. The degree of hemolysis decreased in the following order with the individual materials: 1. Posite, Sevriton, Adatpic, 2. Epoxylite, Smile, Palakav, 3. MMA-BPO/Amin and MMA-TBBO. Comparison between the MMA and BIS-GMA monomers showed that corresponding to the same molar amounts, BIS-GMA materials developed a higher degree of hemolysis.

[The adhesion of sealants to dental enamel]

The test product VM 4 of the Kulzer company, Bad Homburg v.d.H., was tested and compared with the commercial products Nuva Seal, Enamelite, and Palakav. Extracted and sealed teeth were kept in water at 37 degrees C for 67 days and subsequently the adhesive strength between dental surface and sealant was tested in tensile strength tests.