4) (Jantz and Sahn, 1999) Both OA and DEXA improved lung mechani

4) (Jantz and Sahn, 1999). Both OA and DEXA improved lung mechanics and histology and reduced neutrophil infiltration

in experimental CLP-induced sepsis, with effects attributable to different pathways. In OA, the anti-inflammatory process was associated with modulation of iNOS (Suh et al., 1998) and upregulation of SOD expression, which may attenuate lipid peroxidation and myeloperoxidase activity (Bowler and Crapo, 2002). However, we cannot rule out an effect of OA on other cytokines and inflammatory mediators that could contribute to sepsis-related lung injury but were not investigated in this study. The reduction in neutrophil infiltration achieved with DEXA was mainly associated with a decrease in IL-6 and KC. Both OA and DEXA reduced the degree of cell apoptosis in the lung, Epigenetics inhibitor liver and kidney, but not in small intestine cells (Table 2). OA may reduce cell apoptosis through inhibition of iNOS (Tsai and Yin, 2012), whereas DEXA inhibits cell apoptosis through NF-κB mediated anti-apoptotic mechanisms (Czock et al., 2005). This study has some limitations that need to be addressed. First, CLP is a reliable model of peritonitis, Cell Cycle inhibitor but it is unclear whether these results can be directly applied to other experimental

models of sepsis, such as intravenous injection of Escherichia coli LPS or live bacteria. Second, the amount of bacteria recovered from peritoneal fluid and blood samples was not measured. Third, OA was compared with dexamethasone, which is not commonly used in the clinical setting.

Thus, we cannot rule out different effects with other types of steroids, doses, and routes of administration. Fourth, a single intraperitoneal dose of OA was administered, and, consequently, we cannot exclude the possibility that multiple doses or continuous intravenous infusion could yield different results. The methods used to quantify OA in plasma and the optimal range and route of OA administration in humans are currently being defined ( Song et al., 2006) ( Ji et al., 2009). Fifth, the association of both drugs in the current model was not assessed; however, future studies are suggested to analyze further beneficial effects. Sixth, OA was given 1 h after CLP; therefore, the effect of OA at a later phase is unknown. Finally, we measured IL-6, KC, and IL-10 in BALF, and SOD, selleckchem CAT, GPx, iNOS and Nrf2 mRNA expression in lung tissue. However, potential effects on other cytokines or genes and their levels in lung tissue were not investigated. In conclusion, in the CLP-induced model of experimental sepsis used herein, administration of a single early intraperitoneal dose of OA or dexamethasone prevented deterioration of lung mechanics and minimized histological changes, attenuating cell apoptosis in the lung, liver and kidney, through different mechanisms of action. None declared. The authors would like to express their gratitude to Mr. Andre Benedito da Silva for animal care, Mrs.

7B) Significant variation exists in active channel width ranging

7B). Significant variation exists in active channel width ranging from ∼4.0 to 24 m. Cross sections measured at bridges and near the confluence with Anderson Creek (∼60 m upstream of the confluence) illustrate both deepening and widening of the channel in the downstream direction (Fig. 8). Terrace elevations (measured at the break in slope between the terrace surface and the channel bank) were surveyed whenever accessible from the channel (Fig. 7A). Average bank height (measured between thalweg and top edge

of the adjacent Adriamycin terrace) is ∼4.8 m at upstream end of the study reach and increases to ∼8.0 m at the downstream end, a 40% change in bank height; the maximum bank height measured is 10.1 m (Fig. 7A). The difference between thalweg and terrace slope accounts for greater bank height downstream than in the upstream portion of

the reach, with reach average terrace slope Selleck SRT1720 of ∼0.0091, ∼20% less than the thalweg slope. Terraces have variable surface elevations that may result from erosion along the edge of the incised channel. For example, in one area between ∼425 m to 630 m on the longitudinal profile, a relict tributary channel is likely present, such that the tributary thalweg elevation remains hanging ∼2.0 m above the channel in Robinson Creek, lowering the apparent terrace elevation along the creek. Stratigraphic evidence suggesting that the incised alluvial unit represents one depositional environment is based on the characteristics of alluvial material exposed in vertical banks along the creek (Fig. 9). Stratigraphy exhibits a massive unconsolidated, fining upward, brownish alluvial unit. The unit is composed of rounded to subrounded sandstone gravel, cobbles and boulders, and subrounded to subangular

metamorphic cobbles, derived from the Franciscan formation rocks exposed in the upstream headwaters. The larger clasts are present within a matrix of finer gravel, sand, silt, and clay (Fig. 9). Local variation is present, with a few exposures exhibiting imbricated gravel clasts, sand lenses, VAV2 and some soil development at the surface. In several locations along the incised channel, yellowish-brown clayey sandy silt exposed beneath the alluvial unit appears to be the surface of a paleosol. The presence of this alluvial unit exposed in channel banks, appears to have been deposited in a single depositional environment, typical of vertically graded floodplain deposits (sensu Wolman and Leopold, 1957 and Allen, 1964), atop a paleosol, suggesting that incision has progressed through a component of Anderson Valley’s Holocene fill deposited prior to the “Anthropocene. Grain size distributions measured at eight locations in the study reach have D50 between 8.5 mm and 38 mm, a relatively large range from boulders to sand ( Fig. 10A). Eroding channel banks composed of unconsolidated non-cohesive alluvial material including cobbles and boulders contribute a portion of the large sized sediment present on the bed of the channel ( Fig.

With only localized and minor overbank flooding, delta plain deve

With only localized and minor overbank flooding, delta plain development on the marine sector was in turn dominated by alongshore marine redistribution of sediment and coastal progradation via successive coastal sand ridge development (Giosan et al., 2005, Giosan et al., 2006a and Giosan et al., 2006b). Human intervention in the Danube delta began in the second half of the 19th century and affected the three major distributaries of

the river in different degrees. Initially, protective jetties were built and successively extended at the Sulina mouth and the corresponding branch was transformed into a shipping channel by shortening and dredging (Fig. 2a; Rosetti and Rey, 1931). After World War II, meander cuts and other engineering works on the other major distributaries also slightly changed the water and, by extension, the sediment partition among them. The main net effect PD0325901 research buy was that the Chilia branch lost ∼10% of discharge (Bondar and Panin, 2001), primarily to the Sulina channel. Polder construction for agriculture

(Fig. SCH 900776 2a) expanded until 1990 to over 950 km2 (over 25% of the ca. 3400 km2 of the delta proper) but restoration of these polders has started and will eventually recover ca. 600 km2 (Staras, 2000 and Schneider, 2010). The most extensive and persistent engineering activity in the delta was the cutting and dredging of shallow, narrow canals. Because the number of secondary channels bringing freshwater to deltaic lakes and brackish lagoons south of the delta was limited and this affected fisheries, Enzalutamide cell line several canals were dug before 1940s to aid fishing (Fig. 2a; Antipa, 1941). After WWII, the number of canals increased drastically for industrial scale fishing, fish-farming and reed harvesting

(Fig. 2a; e.g., Oosterberg and Bogdan, 2000). Most of these canals were dug to shallow depths (i.e., ca. 1–2 m) and were kept open by periodic dredging. Compared to the pre-WWII period, the length of internal channels and canals doubled from 1743 km to 3496 km (Gastescu et al., 1983). Following a slack phase after the fall of the Communist economy in Romania beginning in 1989, canal dredging is now primarily employed to maintain access for tourist boats into the interior of the delta. The exchange of water between the main distributaries and the delta plain more than tripled from 167 m3/s before 1900 to 620 m3/s between 1980 and 1989 (Bondar, 1994) as a result of canal cutting. The successive relative increases in water transiting the interior of the delta plain correspond to 3.0 and 11.3% respectively for the annual average Danube discharges of 5530 and 5468 m3/s respectively (GRDC, 2010). However, in the same time, the full sediment load entering the delta has drastically diminished from ca. 70 Mt/yr to ca. 25 Mt/yr after the intensive damming of the Danube and its tributaries in the second half of the 20th century (McCarney-Castle et al., 2012 and references therein).

In the Frome a GSSI SIR3000 with 200 MHz antennae was used, colle

In the Frome a GSSI SIR3000 with 200 MHz antennae was used, collecting data with a survey wheel and using a 5 gain point signal amplification. Dating used both radiocarbon AMS and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). AMS dates were calibrated using Stuiver et al. (1998) and where possible identified macroscopic plant remains were dated. In both

catchments the data were input to a GIS model (ArcGIS version 8.3) along with Landmap Ordnance Survey data with a 10 m posting. More detailed satellite interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR) data with a 5 m posting relief data were Ruxolitinib obtained for part of the Frome catchment in the lower reaches of the valley in order to create a bare-earth DTM. Other data were taken from published Ferroptosis inhibitor drugs sources and archaeological data were taken from the historic environment register (HER) of each area. Valley cross-sections were logged, augered and cored at 7 locations from the headwaters to the confluence with the river Lugg (Fig. 4). As can be seen from the long-section, which uses the maximum valley thickness in each reach, the valley fill is dominated by a thick (up to 5 m) silty-sand unit (Fig. 5). This unit which was clearly seen on the GPR transects overlies blue-grey clays with organics and in places sand and gravel. As can be seen from Fig. 5a the fill thickens dramatically between Sections 3 and 4 and this corresponds

with the confluence of a tributary which drains an area of the north west of the catchment which has stagnogleyic argillic brown earth soils that are particularly erodible. At the base of the over-thickened superficial valley unit was a series of small palaeochannels and hydromorphic soils (Fig. 6) which were not

truncated. One Atorvastatin particularly prominent palaeochannel at Yarkhill (Section 5) has started to infill with the silty sand of the superficial unit. From these channel fills plant macrofossils were obtained and AMS dated (Table 2). The AMS dates all fall within the period 4440–3560 PB (2490–1610 cal BCE at 95% confidence). This time window corresponds with the British late Neolithic and early Bronze Age. Both pastoral and arable agriculture started here in the early Neolithic (c. 4000 BCE) but it was restricted and sporadic and did not really expand until the late Neolithic (Stevens and Fuller, 2012). In order to test the hypothesis that farming within this catchment followed this trajectory and was therefore co-incident with this major stratigraphic discontinuity we undertook pollen and spore analysis on three bank sections and two cores. Only a summary is given here with more details in Brown et al. (2011). The results showed that the organic rich unit at Sections 4 and 5 was deposited during a period of significant change in the vegetation of the floodplain and adjacent slopes.

Ginsenoside Rg3 in methanol extraction of heat-processed ginseng

Ginsenoside Rg3 in methanol extraction of heat-processed ginseng has antioxidative and antitumor effects [8]. Ginsenoside Rh2 is a major active anticancer saponin in ginseng extracts [9]. Ginsenoside Rh2 treatment modulates the protein expression level of p21 and cyclin D, and leads to a marked reduction in the proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells [10]. It also provokes apoptosis through activating p53 and inducing

the proapoptotic regulator Bax in colorectal cancer cells [11]. In addition, Rh2 markedly reduces the viability of breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) by arresting the G1 phase cell cycle via p15 INK4B and p27 KIP1-dependent inhibition of cyclin-dependent GW-572016 in vivo kinases [12]. Many studies on BG have been performed because interest in it has increased PS-341 mouse recently. The main component of BG is reportedly Rg5 (Fig. 1) [13]. Studies demonstrate it has diverse physiological activity such as anti-inflammatory effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated BV2 microglial cells [14], protective effects on scopolamine-induced memory deficits in mice [15], and inhibitory effects in a mouse model with oxazolone-induced chronic

dermatitis [16]. Rg5 reportedly blocks the cell cycle of SK-HEP-1 cells at the Gl/S transition phase by downregulating cyclin E-dependent kinase activity [17]. Breast cancer is a very common cancer in women worldwide. In the United States, it is estimated that breast cancer is the leading cause of all cancers (29%) and the second leading cause of death (14%) [18]. In

Korea, 16,015 new cases of breast cancer were reported in 2011 [19]. Anticancer activity of BG extract in the MCF-1 breast cancer cell line exhibited three-fold cytotoxicity, compared with Red ginseng Decitabine extract [20]. However, ginseng fine roots contain a higher content of ginseng saponin than ginseng main roots [2]. In the present study, we therefore aimed to investigate anti-breast cancer activity (in the MCF-7 cell line) and the action mechanisms of FBG ethanol extract (EE), FBG butanol fraction (BF; primarily containing saponin), and Rg5 as the major saponin. Fine Black ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer) for experiments was purchased from Kumsan Town, Chungcheongnam Province, the Republic of Korea in August 2009. All other chemicals were of an analytical reagent grade. Distilled water for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and acetonitrile were purchased from J.T. Baker SOLUSORB (Philipsburg, NJ, USA). The standards were purchased from Chromadex (Santa Ana, CA, USA) and Ambo Institute (Seoul, South Korea). Proton magnetic resonance, carbon magnetic resonance, heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence and heteronuclear multiple bond coherence spectra were measured with INOVA-500 (500 MHz) (Varian). The mass spectrum was taken on a fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry device (JMS-700; Jeol, Seoul, Korea). For the experiments, Rg3 was purchased from Chromadex.

With substantial evidence that hunter-gatherer, pastoral, and agr

With substantial evidence that hunter-gatherer, pastoral, and agricultural peoples have profoundly altered terrestrial and marine ecosystems for millennia (Redman, 1999, Kirch, 2005 and Erlandson and Rick, 2010), archeology provides unique tools to help contextualize human–environmental interactions in the past and present. This deep historical record also supplies insights that can assist modern conservation biology, restoration, and management (Lotze et al., 2011, Lyman, 2012, Rick and

Lockwood, 2013, Wolverton and Lyman, 2012, Lyman, 2006 and Wolverton et al., 2011). In this paper, we evaluate the Anthropocene concept by investigating archeological and historical data from islands around the world. Olaparib solubility dmso Globally, islands and archipelagos are often important reservoirs of biological and ecological

diversity. Archeologically, BMS-907351 datasheet islands offer a means to evaluate human environmental interactions on a circumscribed and smaller scale than continents. As Kirch, 1997 and Kirch, 2004 noted, islands often serve as microcosms of the larger processes operating on continents. Once viewed as scientific laboratories and more recently as model systems (see Evans, 1973, Kirch, 2007, Fitzpatrick and Anderson, 2008 and Vitousek, 2002), islands around the world have been inhabited by humans for millennia and have long been affected by human activities, including over-exploitation, burning and landscape clearance, the introduction of exotic flora and/or fauna, and increased productivity (Kirch, 2005, Erlandson and Fitzpatrick, 2006, Fitzpatrick and Keegan, 2007 and McGovern et al., 2007). As some scholars have noted, the generally

more limited terrestrial biodiversity and circumscription on islands have made human impacts more obvious than those on continents (Grayson, 2001, Steadman and Martin, 2003 and Wroe et al., 2006). There are also examples of people actively managing or enhancing ecosystems on islands and continents, and researchers are now revisiting classic cases of human environmental degradation, including Rapa Nui (Easter Island; Hunt and Lipo, 2009) isothipendyl and the Maya collapse at Copan (McNeil et al., 2010), demonstrating the complexities of environmental change and the role of people in influencing such changes and responding to them. Much remains to be learned about the implications of island archeology and paleoecology for helping understand the potential environmental, social, and political consequences of the Anthropocene. After reviewing the chronology of human settlement of islands around the world, we present case studies from three heavily studied island groups. These include Polynesia occupied by maritime agriculturalists, the Caribbean occupied by agriculturalists and hunter-gatherers, and California’s Channel Islands occupied entirely by hunter-gatherers. We explore three interrelated questions.

Hillslope failure, river channel widening, and/or construction ac

Hillslope failure, river channel widening, and/or construction activity may mobilize sediment from deeper (i.e., meters) sources. Aeolian deposition may be a third source, although

no evidence supports aeolian deposition as a significant source to the rivers studied here. The relative contributions from these sources may change both temporally and spatially in a river. These changes allow only limited see more conclusions to be drawn from a single data point, limiting the success of a mitigation effort that is applied uniformly across a watershed. Contemporary sediment sources are frequently augmented and supplemented by legacy sediment. Legacy sediment comes from anthropogenic sources and activities, such as disturbances in land use/cover and/or surficial processes (James, 2013). For rivers, legacy sediments can originate from incised floodplains (Walter and Merritts, 2008), impoundments behind dams (Merritts et al., 2011), increased hillslope erosion due to historic deforestation (DeRose et al., 1993 and Jennings et al., 2003), and anthropogenic activities

such as construction selleck chemicals llc and land use changes (Wolman and Schick, 1967 and Croke et al., 2001). Legacy sediment can also deliver high loads of contaminants to river systems (Cave et al., 2005 and Lecce et al., 2008). The current supply of sediment is high (Hooke, 2000), as humans are one of the greatest current geomorphic agents. Consequently, combining legacy sediment with increased anthropogenic geomorphic activity makes it even more important to identify the source of sediments in rivers. Sediment sources can be distinguished ID-8 using the radionuclides lead-210 (210Pb) and cesium-137 (137Cs). 210Pb is a naturally-occurring isotope resulting from the decay of 238Uranium in rock to eventually 222Radon. This gas diffuses into the atmosphere and decays into excess 210Pb, which eventually settles to the ground. This diffusion process creates a fairly consistent level of excess 210Pb in

the atmosphere and minimizes local differences that exist in the production of radon. Rain and settling can subsequently result in the deposition of excess 210Pb, with a half-life of 22.3 years. This atmospheric deposition of excess 210Pb, is added to the background levels that originate from the decay of radon in the soil. “Excess” atmospheric 210Pb occurs because, if the material (in this case the sediment) is isolated from the source (i.e., the atmosphere), this level will decay and decrease in activity. As this excess 210Pb is then correlated with the time of surficial exposure, it is commonly used as a sediment tracer (e.g., D’Haen et al., 2012, Foster et al., 2007, Whiting et al., 2005 and Matisoff et al., 2002). 137Cs is also used as a sediment tracer, although its source is different. It is the byproduct of nuclear fission through reactors and weapon activities, and is not naturally found in the world.

0 programme (http://www cbs dtu dk/services/SignalP/) [31]

0 programme (http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/SignalP/) [31]

and domain identification was analysed with the PROSITE and SMART programmes (http://smart.embl-heidelberg.de/). The phylogeny was inferred using the Mega 4 programme and distance analysis by the neighbour-joining (NJ) method [32]. The values supporting each node were derived from 2000 re-samplings. The RbFas mRNA expression levels were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR using gene-specific primers (Fig. 1). β-Actin was amplified as a control using β-actin F and β-actin R primers [33]. Tissue-specific mRNA expression was analysed in healthy rock bream gill, intestine, head kidney, trunk kidney, liver, peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs), erythrocytes and spleen. More specifically, RNA isolated from these tissues was reverse transcribed into cDNA using a First-Strand cDNA Synthesis Kit (GE Healthcare, Little

Chalfont, Buckinghamshire, UK). Caspase inhibitor For analyses of expression in mitogen-stimulated PBLs, PBLs were isolated from five fish and pooled. The GDC-941 PBLs were prepared as described previously [26]. Total RNA was purified from PBLs stimulated with LPS (500 μg/ml) (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) or poly I:C (5 μg/ml) (Sigma-Aldrich). For the bacterial challenge experiment, S. iniae (FP5228) was obtained from the Fish Pathology Division, National Fisheries Research & Development Institute (Pusan, Republic of Korea). For bacterial infection with S. iniae (3×108 cells/fish) by intraperitoneal injection, sublethal doses were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline buffer. For viral infection, iridovirus was isolated from rock bream farmed in the Republic of Korea and propagated and titrated as previously described [34]. Experimental challenges were conducted on 100 fish (approximately 11–13 cm in body length) with a dose of 1×106 copies/fish iridovirus Clomifene administered by intraperitoneal injection. Kidneys and spleens

were taken from five fish at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 h postinfection (pi) and frozen at –80 °C for RNA extraction. The cDNAs were synthesised for real-time PCR from stimulated and non-stimulated leucocytes. The threshold cycle (Ct) values were automatically calculated based on the cycle when the fluorescence of the sample exceeded a threshold level that corresponded to 10 standard deviations from the mean of the baseline fluorescence. Amplification was performed as follows: 1 cycle at 94 °C for 2 min and 30 cycles at 94 °C for 30 s, 59 °C for 30 s and 72 °C for 1 min, with a final extension step at 72 °C for 5 min. Thermal cycling and fluorescence detection were conducted using the Thermal Cycler DICE Real Time System (TaKaRa, Tokyo, Japan). All data are given in terms of the amount of RbFas mRNA relative to that of β-actin mRNA, expressed as the mean±standard error of the mean (SEM). The results were subjected to t-test analysis, and P-values less than 0.05 were considered to be statistically significant.

Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections are often used as an al

Intra-articular glucocorticoid injections are often used as an alternative or adjunct to systemic glucocorticoid therapy. They Sorafenib can alleviate the local symptoms and inflammation and induce few side effects [71]. In patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate and: • presence of adverse prognostic factors, add-on biologic therapy may be considered (TNFα

antagonist, abatacept, tocilizumab or, in specific situations, rituximab2); This recommendation differentiates two strategies based on the prognostic factors. Outcome prediction relies in particular on the combination of the following criteria: presence or progression of structural damage (the main criterion), marked clinical and/or laboratory activity, and high titers of rheumatoid factors and/or ACPA [72], [73], [74] and [75]. In patients with an inadequate response or intolerance to methotrexate but no factors of adverse prognostic significance, the recommended treatment is either combined synthetic DMARD therapy

(e.g., methotrexate + sulfasalazine + hydroxychloroquine) or substitution selleck chemicals of another synthetic DMARD for the methotrexate. The role for combination synthetic DMARD therapy was recently a focus of controversy, as discussed in part in recommendation #6 (Section 3.2.2.1). The task force considered that the triple drug combination should not be used for the first-line treatment of RA but is supported by recent data for the second-line treatment of patients who have no factors of adverse prognostic significance. A suggested alternative consists in switching to another synthetic DMARD used alone [76]. In patients with factors of adverse Aspartate prognostic significance (structural damage, marked clinical and/or laboratory activity, high RF and/or ACPA titers), add-on biological therapy can be considered. The biologics licensed for use in this

indication are TNFα antagonists (four given subcutaneously, namely, adalimumab, certolizumab-pegol, etanercept, and golimumab; and infliximab, given as intravenous infusions), the interleukin 6-receptor antagonist tocilizumab, et the T-cell co-stimulation modulator abatacept. All these biological agents have been proven effective in alleviating the symptoms and slowing structural disease progression in patients with RA refractory to methotrexate [9] and [77]. The task force was unable to identify one of these biologics as preferable over the others, since the efficacy and safety profiles were similar in several meta-analyses and a few head-to-head trials; and since no factors predicting the response to a given biologic are available to date for guiding drug selection [78], [79] and [80].

Despite the high chemical interaction potential of 10-MDP and the

Despite the high chemical interaction potential of 10-MDP and the related nano-layering, it was showed that the application of an experimental 10-MDP:EtOH:H2O self-etching primer followed by the bonding agent of the commercially available Clearfil SE Bond did not suffice to reach a bond strength comparable to that of the complete Clearfil SE Bond system (when also using the commercially available 10-MDP-based self-etching primer) [52]. However, when camphorquinone

(CQ) was added as a photo-initiator to the experimental 10-MDP:EtOH:H2O self-etching primer, a high bond strength to dentin and similar to that of Clearfil SE Bond (the self-etching primer of which also contains Metformin cell line CQ) was measured. This finding highlights the need for adequate polymerization, which has been thought to be very important in the case that nano-layering

produces a relatively thick intermediary layer. Such a layer can only polymerize and thus resist de-bonding during bond-strength testing when a sufficient amount of photo-initiator is provided locally [65]. Adding CQ to the subsequently applied bonding agent of Clearfil SE Bond appeared insufficient, most likely because of the less penetrable nano-layering arrangement. XRD analysis of the interfacial interaction of 10-MDP revealed significantly more intense nano-layering at dentin than at enamel, and both were enhanced when the experimental 10-MDP-based self-etching primer was actively rubbed on the surface [61]. Since the nano-layering formed at enamel was not relatively thick, adding CQ to the experimental self-etching primer appeared unnecessary Florfenicol C59 molecular weight (in contrast to bonding to dentin; see above) to reach a bond strength to enamel equivalent to that achieved by the commercial Clearfil SE Bond system. XPS provided evidence of chemical bonding of glass-ionomers to apatitic substrates. For self-etching adhesives, functional monomers with strong chemical affinity to calcium of HAp are essential. Correlative XRD and solid-state NMR disclosed that the two functional

monomers Phenyl-P and 10-MDP should be regarded as the two extremes: Phenyl-P “etches,” while 10-MDP “bonds” to HAp (with 4-MET behaving somewhat in between). All the above-described data support the AD-concept, which prescribes that stable ionic-bond formation to apatite competes with the deposition of less stable calcium-phosphate salt deposition (DCPD). For durable bonding, Ca-monomer salt formation should precede/exceed DCPD deposition. This study was supported in part by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of Japan. “
“During the past decade, zirconium dioxide (zirconia) ceramics have seen increasing usage as a framework material for all-ceramic restorations. Their use in dentistry was made possible by the CAD/CAM technology [1].