Nippon Shika Yakuhin Co. Ltd.

Gelatin hydrogel sponges incorporating bioactive glasses (Gel-BG) were fabricated. We evaluated the characteristics of Gel-BG as scaffolds from the perspective of their mechanical properties and the formation of hydroxyapatite by the incorporation of bioactive glasses (BG). In addition, the Gel-BG degradation and the profile of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) release from the Gel-BG were examined. Every Gel-BG showed an interconnected pore structure with the pore size range of 180-200 µm. The compression modulus of sponges incorporating BG increased. The time profiles of degradation for the 72-h crosslinked gelatin hydrogel sponges incorporating 10 wt% BG (Gel-BG(10)) and 50 wt% BG (Gel-BG(50)) were analogous to that of the 24-h crosslinked gelatin hydrogel sponge without BG (Gel-BG(0)). In measuring the release of FGF-2 from Gel-BG, the Gel-BG(10) and Gel-BG(50) showed almost analogous 100% cumulative release within 28 days in vivo. Additionally, a bioactivity evaluation showed that the presence of gelatin does not affect the in vitro bioactivity of Gel-BG. These sponges showed mechanical and chemical functionality as scaffolds, featuring both the controlled release of FGF-2 and the induction of hydroxyapatite crystallization.

PlastSeal is an easy-to-use temporary filling resin.Its benefits are: (1) quick filling with simple brush-on-technique right after cavity preparation, and (2) easy removal in one piece with an explorer.Its outstanding benefits differing from conventional temporary filling materials are: (3) excellent sealing ability by administration of the patented Abietic Acid, and (4) elasticity for smooth insertion of an explorer and easy removal without damaging preparation margins even when slight undercuts are present.(1)Microleakage test by Ag⁺ penetration after thermal cycle at 60°C and 4°C, 50 times, showed excellent sealing ability for PlastSeal both at the enamel and the dentin margins, while the other com. available products showed extensive amount of leakage.PlastSeal exhibited the lower resistance in an explorer insertion test and the more elastic property in a shore hardness test than the conventional temporary filling resins.Unpolymerized monomer released from PlastSeal was significantly less than that from an imported temporary filling resin.Exothermic temperature of PlastSeal on polymerization was significantly lower than those of compared products, and the least affects are expected on the living dentin-pulp complex.It is concluded that PlastSeal meets the ideal clin. standards requested for temporary filling, and its excellent clin. performance is expected.

Presteron (PS) is an anti-inflammatory drug.It was reported that PS had no side effects like steroids on oral administration and i.m. injection in human.The purpose of this study was to compare the subacute toxicity of PS with a general steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, dexamethasone (Dex) in rat.21 Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups with 7 rats in each.The rats were injected s.c. for 14 days in each 0.1mL/100g body weight/day with: a control solution (saline contained CMC and Tween20).CT group: a control solution containing 16mg/mL PS.PS group: a control solution containing 0.1mg/mL Dex, Dex group.CT group and PS group showed no difference in behavior and body weight of rats, but Dex group revealed significantly marked suppression of increasing body weightIn blood test Dex group showed significant increase of erythrocyte, Hb, hematocrit.In histol. Dex group was demonstrated markedly degenerative changes, but no marked change was observed with PS group.It was indicated that Dex yields the typical steroidal side effects such as marked atrophy in adrenal gland, spleen and thymus.On the other hand, it was concluded that PS systemically exhibits no adverse effect like steroids on administration of about 20-fold clin. dose for 14 days.