The aim of this study in vitro investigation was to evaluate the alterations caused by warmed gutta-percha solvents on the calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels of root dentin. Extracted human anterior teeth, whose crowns and apical root thirds had been removed were used as root dentin specimens. The roots were sectioned longitudinally into two segments, cleaned and dried. Segments were divided into 12 groups (n=12). In 6 groups, the specimens received treatment with the following solvents at room temperature (22 degrees C): Chloroform, xylene, eucalyptol, orange oil, halothane and saline (control). Within each group, the specimens were further subgrouped into two to be incubated (100% humidity at 37 degrees C) for 5 and 10 min, respectively, following treatment with the solvents. The remaining six groups were treated with the same solvents which had been previously warmed to body temperature (37 degrees C) and received the same experimental procedures. The levels of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in each specimen were analysed using energy dispersive spectrometric microanalysis. Statistical analysis of the readings showed that neither warming of the solvents nor prolonged incubation (treatment) time was capable of altering the histochemical composition of cut root dentin surfaces.

Calcitonin (CT) is reported to be an effective medication for the treatment of inflammatory root resorption and to be capable of stimulating osteoblast proliferation in cell culture studies. In this study the effect of CT on the healing of osseous defects was evaluated in the mandibles of guinea pigs. After raising tissue flaps two experimental cavities were created on both sides of the corpus mandible of 33 guinea pigs. CT was applied into cavities either in hydroxypropyl methycellulose (HPMC) gel or gelatin as carrier. HPMC and gelatin alone and an empty cavity were also examined as control groups. Histopathological examinations under light microscopy were performed on weeks 1, 3, and 6. At week 1 in CT+gelatin and CT+HPMC groups, prominent osteoblastic activity was observed when compared with control groups. At week 3 the presence of woven bone in the experimental cavity areas reflected the increased osteoblastic activity in all groups. At the end of week 6 woven bone was gradually replaced by osteogenic tissue undergoing remodelization with Haversian systems in all groups. It is suggested that the osseous healing of the experimental cavity was enhanced by CT application in early stages (i.e. at week 1). However there was no significant difference of osteogenic activity between the control and CT-treated groups at the end of weeks 3 and 6.

An extraction method was tested for biomonitoring the biofilm samples containing heavy metals. The fractionation of metal complexes was performed via C-18-HPLC-ICP-MS and MALDI-MS, respectively. The extraction power of some reagents was determined for the heavy metal extraction from biofilm samples collected in Erdemli coast in the Mediterranean Sea. The ammonium acetate solution giving the highest extraction results was found as a suitable extraction reagent. The concentration and pH of the ammonium acetate solution were optimized and found as 1 M and 5, respectively. The chromatograms of metal complexes with the C-18-HPLC-ICP-MS system were taken to determine the effect of the pH of the metal complexes. After performing the extraction, metal bounded biomolecules were characterized by MALDI-MS for the fractions in the C18-HPLC system. It was seen that ammonium acetate extraction (1M, pH 5) might be used in biomonitoring studies due to relatively simple procedure, short analysis period, and low cost. The evaluation of the applicability of the method in biomonitoring studies might be supported by further studies with biofilms having similar characteristics.