Wiegand, Birgit Bremer, Andreas Geipel, Corinna M Bremer, Anika

Wiegand, Birgit Bremer, Andreas Geipel, Corinna M. Bremer, Anika Wranke, Dieter Glebe Introduction: Hepatitis delta is the most severe

form of viral hepatitis with a fast progression of fibrosis to cirrhosis. Treatment options are still very limited as PEG-interferon alfa is effective only in a minority of patients. Therefore, appropriate determination of stage of liver disease is desired. Non-invasive fibrosis scores used for other liver diseases including APRI-score, AST/ALT ratios or FIB-4 index do not perform well in hepatitis delta. We here aimed to develop novel non-invasive fibrosis scores optimized for patients with hepatitis delta. Methods: In the ongoing HIDIT-2 treatment trial learn more 120 patients with chronic hepatitis delta were recruited. Liver biopsies were evaluated centrally by two independent pathologists. Additionally, Fostamatinib 50 cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and angiogenic factors were measured in sera of 100 of the 120 patients using multiplex technology (Bio-Plex System). Anti-HDV-IgM-testing was performed in all patients by the ETI-DELTA-IGMK-2

assay (Diasorin). T-test was used to identify factors associated with cirrhosis or fibrosis. MCE公司 With ROC curve analysis and calculation of the Youden index cut offs were determined differentiating cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis as well as fibrosis and non-fibrosis for each factor. In a last step logistic regression was used to identify the most important factors differentiating fibrosis and cirrhosis

in order to create the new score. Results: Four factors were identified differentiating between cirrhosis and Ishak scores <5 (MIF, AST/ALT ratio, age, HGF). Defined cut-offs were determined for each factor (MIF >3400 ng/ml, AST/ALT >0.8, age >35 and HGF >370 ng/ml) which were then included in the following equitation (1 point × the indicated factor for each variable if above the cut-off): 5*MIF+2*(AST/ALT)+AGE+HGF. The AUC of the new score was 0.84; >2 points predicted cirrhosis with a sensitivity of 85%, a specificity of 69%, a PPV of 72% and a NPV of 83%. In order to differentiate between fibrosis (Ishak-score >2) and non-fibrosis, another score was similarly determined based on 6 variables: 0.

g, nerve cells, leukocytes, quiescent stellate cells, etc) The

g., nerve cells, leukocytes, quiescent stellate cells, etc.). These results compared favorably with previously reported studies using tissue digestion and point-counting studies conducted www.selleckchem.com/products/gsk1120212-jtp-74057.html on normal murine and human livers.18-22 Although difficult to compare, the current method is probably more sensitive and accurate because the WSIs were created with a high-resolution objective

(Supporting Fig. 1B) and neither tissue disruption nor digestion, which can destroy and/or exclude cells, is needed. Because tissue-tethered cytometry enables harvesting of complex quantitative cell-specific data it was selected for all remaining analyses. Quantitative cytometric data generated from tissue-tethered cytometry on various cell populations from normal adult livers confirmed previous observations using more SB203580 laborious

techniques (Supporting Table 1 and Fig. 1). For example, hepatocyte nuclei are significantly larger (Fig. 1B) than all other liver cell types and perivenular hepatocyte nuclei are larger and more often binucleate (7.7 ± 1.8% versus 6.4 ± 1.0%; P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney t test, Fig. 1D) than periportal hepatocytes (Fig. 1B) (reviewed23). BEC nuclei lining large septal bile ducts (80-150 μm diameter) were also significantly larger than BEC nuclei lining small bile ducts from the same liver (<25 μm diameter; Fig. 1C), as previously shown in rodent whole liver digestion studies.24 The record of individual cell X-Y coordinates enabled a diagrammatic reconstruction of histological structure (Fig. 1D), which can be used for: (1) quick visual inspection quality control of cell identification and sorting characteristics; (2) social

relationship between cell types; and (3) easy identification of specific cell types or rare events/cells within the context of tissue structure. For example, the number of nearest neighbors at predetermined radii from each hepatocyte (Fig. 1E left and right upper, yellow lines) can be easily calculated. Based on a training set optimal distance of 35 μm, nearest neighbor calculation showed that hepatocytes with larger nuclei (>100 μm2) showed fewer nearest neighbors (more widely separated) than hepatocytes with smaller nuclei (<100 μm2; Fig. 1E; 4.7 ± 2.1 versus 5.5 ± 2.2; P < 0.001; Mann-Whitney t test). Because hepatocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic MCE公司 sizes are directly proportional, more distant neighbors for larger nuclei are expected. Clustering of smaller cells, however, is not widely appreciated. This could be related either to polarization of nuclei to nearby edges of cells or small cells, or both. Studies are under way to further investigate this finding. Reassured that software-generated data on WSI reproduced previously accepted and verified results for hepatocyte and BEC sizes and their distribution, we more closely examined CK19+ BEC using CK19/β-catclose/αSMA/CD31-stained WSI. Scatterplots generated from portal/periportal-based ROI consistently showed a population of CK19weak cells.

e, isoscape) of the world’s oceans at a variety of temporal scal

e., isoscape) of the world’s oceans at a variety of temporal scales and trophic levels (Graham et al. in press). Such maps

would not only refine the spatial resolution at which stable isotopes can be Pirfenidone used to assess movement patterns, but might also provide information on oceanographic conditions. Isotopic differences among consumers may be produced by three factors: (1) differences in isotopic value at the base of the food web, (2) differences in diet/trophic level, and (3) differences in physiological state. As noted in our discussion of time series from northern elephant seals, it is often difficult to distinguish among these factors as sources of variation in free-ranging animals, especially those that are migratory.

Recent work suggests that this causal knot may be partially disentangled through isotopic analysis of individual amino acids. As noted above, trophic level 15N-enrichment is thought to result from excretion N wastes that are 15N-depleted due to fractionations associated with deamination or transamination. Studies of marine zooplankton have shown Doxorubicin in vivo that this effect on whole bodies and bulk protein is generated through differential 15N-enrichment of different amino acids (McClelland and Montoya 2002). Several dispensable amino acids central to cycling of nitrogen into and out of the amino acid pool (alanine, glutamate, aspartate) are strongly 15N-enriched relative to diet (referred

to here as “trophic” amino acids). Several other amino acids, including both indispensable (lysine, phenylalanine, tyrosine) and dispensable amino acids (glycine, serine) are not 15N-enriched, 上海皓元 and therefore provide a direct measure of the δ15N value at the base of the food web (referred to here as “source” amino acids). Popp et al. (2007) suggest that in studies of free-ranging, migratory animals, it should be possible to analyze source amino acids to determine if animals are moving among regions with different isotopic values at the base of the food web. The trophic level of an animal can be determined by comparison to this nonfractionating baseline (i.e., by the difference in δ15N value between source and trophic amino acids). They used this approach to study yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) from the eastern tropical Pacific, where there is a very strong gradient in food web δ15N values. The δ15N value of bulk muscle from yellowfin tuna captured along this gradient differ strongly. Popp et al. (2007) discovered that the δ15N value of source amino acids changed by a similar amount, but that the spacing between source and trophic amino acids did not change. Thus the shift in value observed in bulk tissue is due entirely to differences at the base of the food web, not to a change in diet or trophic level.

Anti-cancer therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma included liver

Anti-cancer therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma included liver resection, ablation therapy, intra-arterial chemotherapy, and transarterial chemoembolization. Results:  All patients tolerated the operations well with no significant complications. The platelet count was significantly higher in the laparoscopic splenectomy group than in the partial splenic embolization group at 1 and 2 weeks after the intervention. Interferon therapy was stopped in two patients in the partial splenic embolization group due to recurrent thrombocytopenia whereas all patients in the laparoscopic splenectomy group completed interferon therapy. The planned anticancer therapies

were performed in all patients, and were completed in all patients without any problems or major complications. Conclusion:  Laparoscopic splenectomy may be superior to partial splenic embolization as a supportive intervention for cirrhotic patients with Selleck Nivolumab hypersplenism. Future prospective,

randomized controlled patient studies are required to confirm these findings. Interferon (IFN) therapy is widely used for liver cirrhosis, and improved outcomes of IFN have been reported, particularly for hepatocellular buy VX-770 carcinogenesis.1,2 In addition, progress has been made in multimodality therapy, which can increase the survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).3,4 These factors have contributed to improved management, quality of life and life expectancy of cirrhotic patients.5 However, cirrhotic patients occasionally present with hypersplenism, which can result in peripheral cytopenia, and severe peripheral cytopenia may prevent aggressive but effective novel therapies, such as IFN therapy or anticancer therapy for HCC with newly-developed anticancer drugs, modernized hepatic resection or transplantation.6 Thrombocytopenia 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 has been observed in up to 76% of patients with chronic liver disease, and spontaneous bleeding events may also occur.7 Better knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms

of hypersplenism will improve the overall understanding of bleeding, and how cirrhotic patients might be treated with surgical and/or pharmacological procedures. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of thrombocytopenia in cirrhosis-related hypersplenism, but splenic platelet sequestration and consumption are the most important factors.8,9 Peripheral cytopenia in hypersplenism is reversible after splenectomy.10 In addition, laparoscopic splenectomy (Lap-sp.), which is less invasive, is becoming feasible for cirrhotic patients.11,12 Therefore, treating peripheral cytopenia due to hypersplenism by Lap-sp. may enable cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism to be subsequently treated with aggressive, but effective, novel therapies, such as IFN therapy or anticancer therapy. Kercher et al.13 reported that Lap-sp.

However, effects of PDRN on gastric ulcer (GU) healing are still

However, effects of PDRN on gastric ulcer (GU) healing are still unknown. Methods: 60 Adult male Mongolian gerbils were used in this

experiment. They were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10 each group): sham-operation group, GU-induced group, GU-induced and 2, 4, 8, and 16 mg/kg PDRN-treated group. GU was induced by injection of acetic acid into subserosal surface of stomach. After convalescent period of 2 days, gerbils in PDRN-treated groups underwent intraperitoneal injection of 100 μl distilled water, which included PDRN of each concentration, once a day for 14 consecutive days. We investigated effects of PDRN on the size of ulcer and VEGF expression in GU-induced Mongolian gerbils. In addition, we evaluated the effects of PDRN on apoptosis in GU. Results: PDRN of 8 and 16 mg/kg significantly decreased the size of GU. Compared with GU-induced group, 8 and 16 mg/kg PDRN-treated BIBW2992 nmr group showed significant overexpression of VEGF protein. In terms of anti-apoptosis, 8 and 16 mg/kg PDRN-treated group significantly decreased number of TUNEL-positive cells in stomach. In addition, 8 mg/kg PDRN-treated group significantly suppressed caspase-3 expression.

learn more Induction of GU significantly enhanced the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. The suppressing effect of PDRN on Bax to Bcl-2 ratio appeared most potent at 8 mg/kg dose. Conclusion: PDRN overexpressed VEGF protein on acetic acid-induced GU in Mongolian gerbils. This alteration is considered to promote GU healing. In addition, VEGF overexpressed by PDRN inhibited apoptosis,

and this effect is considered to prevent gastric ulcer. Key Word(s): 1. Gastric ulcer; 2. polydeoxyribonucleotide; medchemexpress 3. apoptosis; 4. vascular endothelial growth factor Presenting Author: HWONG-RUEY LEOW Additional Authors: YEN YIN LIM, WEI CHEE LIEW, KHEAN LEE GOH Corresponding Author: HWONG RUEY LEOW Affiliations: University of Malaya, University of Malaya, University of Malaya Objective: To report on prevalence of upper gastrointestinal diseases between 2009–2010 in a multi-ethnic Asian population. Methods: Endoscopy records of patient that presented for first time gastroscopy between 2009–2010 in the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia were reviewed. Results: 4745 patients undergone first time endoscopy examinations between 2009–2010. Prevalence of peptic ulcer disease (PUD) was reported to be 2.5% and 3.4% respectively for duodenal ulcer (DU) and gastric ulcer (GU). Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) infection was reported in 11.1% of patients. However only 6.7% of DU and 0.6% of GU were associated with H.pylori infection. Although Prevalence of gastric cancer (GCA) was only noted in 0.8% of patients, Chinese remains the highest at risk at 67.5%. Erosive oesophagitis (EO) was noted in 9.4% of patents. Higher proportion of Malay male (24.4%) and Chinese male (49.

In this study, we found that Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) may be invo

In this study, we found that Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) may be involved in mediating CAFs-induced EMT in HCC cells. The signaling pathways involved in regulation of TG2 expression, as well as those underlying its tumour-promoting effect in HCC were analyzed.

Methods: HCC cells were induced to EMT by separately co-cultured with CAFs (isolated from HCC) in a transwell system. EMT markers and protein expression level were assessed by western blot. TG2 were either overexpressed or silenced by lentivirus transfection in HCC cells, and in vitro cell behavior assay and in vivo metastasis assay were performed. HGF selleck compound and IL-6 signaling pathways were analyzed to determine whether they were involved in regulation of TG2 expression. Additionally, to explore whether TG2 could be an important factor in determining clinical outcomes of HCC, an immunohistochemical examination of TG2 expression and a clinicopathological analysis were performed in 108 consecutive HCC patients. Results: TG2 were significantly elevated NVP-LDE225 in vitro expression in HCC cells with EMT phenotype. Overexpression of TG2 promoted EMT and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of TG2 in HCC cells remarkably attenuated its EMT which induced by CAFs, as well as the migratory and invasive ability. Signaling

pathway assay showed that expression of TG2 was affected by IL-6/STAT3 activation, but not HGF/Met. Further, inhibition of the phos-phorylation of STAT3 decreased the expression of TG2 in HCC cells. These results suggest that CAFs facilitates HCC metastasis by promoting EMT via IL-6/STAT3/TG2-dependent pathway. Consistently, as disclosed by immunohistochemistry

results, high TG2 expression was significantly correlated to tumor size (P=0.027), clinical stage (P=0.018) and vascular invasion (P=0.022). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate analysis indicated that high TG2 expression associated with unfavorable overall survival (P<0.001), it was an independent poor prognostic marker for overall survival (P=0.043) of HCC patients. Conclusions: TG2 plays an important role in HCC invasion and metastasis and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkerand MCE公司 therapeutic target. Keywords: TG2; EMT; HCC; CAFs; IL-6/STAT3 signaling Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Wei Liu, Guan-zhong Chen, Kun-hua Hu, Guo-Ying Wang, Bin-sheng Fu, Qi Zhang, Gui-Hua Chen Background: Therapeutic selectivity is highly desired property for anticancer medicines. The ideal agent should be toxic to malignant cells with minimum harm to normal cells. To date, most chemotherapeutics indiscriminately damage both cancer and healthy cells resulting in severe adverse effects.

In this study, we found that Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) may be invo

In this study, we found that Transglutaminase 2 (TG2) may be involved in mediating CAFs-induced EMT in HCC cells. The signaling pathways involved in regulation of TG2 expression, as well as those underlying its tumour-promoting effect in HCC were analyzed.

Methods: HCC cells were induced to EMT by separately co-cultured with CAFs (isolated from HCC) in a transwell system. EMT markers and protein expression level were assessed by western blot. TG2 were either overexpressed or silenced by lentivirus transfection in HCC cells, and in vitro cell behavior assay and in vivo metastasis assay were performed. HGF buy AZD1152-HQPA and IL-6 signaling pathways were analyzed to determine whether they were involved in regulation of TG2 expression. Additionally, to explore whether TG2 could be an important factor in determining clinical outcomes of HCC, an immunohistochemical examination of TG2 expression and a clinicopathological analysis were performed in 108 consecutive HCC patients. Results: TG2 were significantly elevated DAPT in vivo expression in HCC cells with EMT phenotype. Overexpression of TG2 promoted EMT and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of TG2 in HCC cells remarkably attenuated its EMT which induced by CAFs, as well as the migratory and invasive ability. Signaling

pathway assay showed that expression of TG2 was affected by IL-6/STAT3 activation, but not HGF/Met. Further, inhibition of the phos-phorylation of STAT3 decreased the expression of TG2 in HCC cells. These results suggest that CAFs facilitates HCC metastasis by promoting EMT via IL-6/STAT3/TG2-dependent pathway. Consistently, as disclosed by immunohistochemistry

results, high TG2 expression was significantly correlated to tumor size (P=0.027), clinical stage (P=0.018) and vascular invasion (P=0.022). Moreover, Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate analysis indicated that high TG2 expression associated with unfavorable overall survival (P<0.001), it was an independent poor prognostic marker for overall survival (P=0.043) of HCC patients. Conclusions: TG2 plays an important role in HCC invasion and metastasis and may serve as a novel prognostic biomarkerand MCE therapeutic target. Keywords: TG2; EMT; HCC; CAFs; IL-6/STAT3 signaling Disclosures: The following people have nothing to disclose: Wei Liu, Guan-zhong Chen, Kun-hua Hu, Guo-Ying Wang, Bin-sheng Fu, Qi Zhang, Gui-Hua Chen Background: Therapeutic selectivity is highly desired property for anticancer medicines. The ideal agent should be toxic to malignant cells with minimum harm to normal cells. To date, most chemotherapeutics indiscriminately damage both cancer and healthy cells resulting in severe adverse effects.

Pain Ranking – The severity of headache was recorded immediately

Pain Ranking – The severity of headache was recorded immediately prior to the first dose and 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, and 4 hours postdose on a 4-point scale (0 = no pain; 1 = mild pain, ability to perform normal daily activities; 2 = moderate pain, disturbing normal activities; 3 = severe pain, disabling activities, requiring bed rest). In addition, the patients documented the presence

of associated symptoms (nausea, Y-27632 price vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, and osmophobia) at 2 hours postdose. Headache free was defined as conversion from moderate or severe pain to no pain (score of 2 or 3 reducing to 0) at 2 hours without taking rescue or a second dose. Headache improvement was defined as an improvement Roxadustat research buy from severe or moderate (grade 2 or 3) at baseline to mild or none (grade 0 or 1) after dosing. Headache recurrence was defined as a return to moderate or severe pain within 48 hours of primary treatment following initial improvement to mild or no pain at 2 hours. Safety and tolerability were assessed by comparing the incidence of AEs. The AEs were documented on a symptom checklist (including somnolence, dizziness, malaise, EPS [extrapyramidal symptoms], paresthesia, dry mouth, nausea, chest discomfort, abdominal

pain) at 4 hours after the study medication intake. All AEs occurring following medication use were elicited by the investigator at visit 2. This study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of a combined pharmaceutical modality including SPr in patients commonly affected by moderate to severe migraine attacks. The primary efficacy end point was the proportion of patients experiencing headache-free response 2 hours after dosing. A sample size of 93 patients in each group was required to provide

at least 80% power under the assumption that 70% of patients given SPr would be headache free vs 50% of patients given sumatriptan plus placebo (SP) (two-sided, α = 0.05). Moreover, it was supposed that approximately 30% of the patients would not complete the trial during the study period. Accordingly, it was estimated that approximately a total of 242 subjects would be required to be enrolled. An intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) was used as the primary analysis. The ITT population included all subjects who underwent randomization and provided 上海皓元医药股份有限公司 at least 1 postdose efficacy assessment. The safety population included all patients treated with the study medications and whose follow-up safety data were available. Information missing for any planned assessment was replaced by the last-observation-carried-forward methodology. Comparisons of demographics, baseline characteristics, and AEs after each treatment between groups were performed by descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test or the Fisher’s exact test, as appropriate. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding two-sided 95% confidence interval (CI) were given for treatment comparisons.

Using transwell insert establish co-culture system in the

Using transwell insert establish co-culture system in the

plastic plate, the cells were observed dynamically under inverted phase contrast microscope after 24, 48 and 72 h. Expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in HSCs were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The best intervention concentrations of Y-27632 and PHA665752 were determined by MTT assay. The apoptosis rate of HSCs were measured by Annexin-V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI). RohA mRNA FK506 cost and protein levels were measured by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and Western blot, respectively. The concentration of HGF and HGFA were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: ○1Under Inverted phase contrast microscope cells were observe the good condition of BMSCs performance large cell body, refract well, a typical long spindle; CP-673451 solubility dmso good condition of HSCs was membrane growth, typical star

or polygon, intracellular more grain. ○2Cultured for 48 h, brown granules were viewed in the cytoplasm within HSCs and light blue nuclear. The results show α-SMA(+) and More than 94% of activated HSCs positive. ○1The apoptosis rate of HSCs gradually increased at all time points examined, the apoptosis rate of the PHA665752 pretreated group was lowest, but the Y-27632 pretreated group was highest, most significant in 72 h (P < 0.05). ○2The expression of RhoA mRNA and proteins in Y-27632 pretreated group significant decrease over time (24,48,72 h) compared with other groups (P < 0.01) and the expression of RhoA mRNA and proteins increased over time (P < 0.01).○3The concentration of HGF in experimental

groups decrease over time (24 h,48 h,72 h), the PHA665752 pretreated group and the Y-27632 pretreated group were significant higher than the control group (P < 0.05). The concentration of HGFA increase over time (24 h,48 h,72 h), the concentration of HGFA in the PHA665752 pretreated group was higher than any other groups at any time (P < 0.01). ○6 Y-27632 at 30 μmol/L and 上海皓元 PHA665752 at 3 μg/ml caused obviously HSCs apoptosis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: BMSCs promoted HSCs apoptosis by activating HGF and downregulating RhoA signaling pathway. Key Word(s): 1. HSC; 2. BMSC; 3. HGF; 4. RhoA; Presenting Author: 茜 Corresponding Author: 茜 Affiliations: none Objective: End-stage liver disease (ELD) is the common pathway of the acute or chronic liver disease in process. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a vital role in the development and progression of various liver disease. HSCs are the main extracellular matrix synthesis cells, which its activiation and transformation play an important role in liver cirrhosis. Currently, the treatment for ELD is limited, and orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) may be the best choice. However, OLT has its limitation by that extreme short of donor liver, expensive cost of operation and severe rejection of transplantation.

Control specimens

Control specimens Everolimus were fabricated using all nonengaging components. Specimens were attached to internally connected 3.5 (diameter) × 13 mm (length) implants, torqued to 32 Ncm, and embedded into epoxy resin. Specimens were tested in cyclic fatigue with a 2 Hz sine wave and 0.1 min/max load ratio. Load amplitude started at 1.8 N and increased by 1.8 N every 60 cycles until fracture. Log-rank statistic, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and LIFETEST procedures were used to evaluate level of statistical significance within the results. Results: In the control group, the mean number of cycles to fracture was 31,205 ± 2639. Mean axial force at fracture was 932 ± 78 N.

In group A, these numbers were 38,160 ± 4292 and 1138 ± 128 N, and in group B, 31,810 ± 3408 and 949 ± 101 N. Statistical significance levels for number of cycles to fracture were: Control versus group A, p= 0.0117, and groups A versus B, p= 0.0156 (statistically significant). Control versus group B, p= 0.357 (not statistically significant). Log-rank statistic for the survival curves is greater than would be expected by chance; there was a buy Torin 1 statistically significant difference between survival curves (p= 0.012). The location and mode of

failure were noteworthy (always in the abutment screw). Conclusions: The position of the engaging component had significant effects on the results. Within the limitations of this investigation, it can be concluded that using an engaging abutment in a screw-retained fixed cantilevered FDP provides a mechanical advantage, and engaging the implant furthest from the cantilever when designing a screw-retained cantilever FDP increased resistance to fracture of the distal abutment screw. “
“The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiopacity of eight contemporary luting cements using direct digital radiography. Ten specimens, (5 mm diameter, 1 mm high) were prepared for each material tested (RelyX ARC, RelyX U100, RelyX Unicem, Nexus 2, Nexus 3, Metacem, Breeze, Adhesor zinc phosphate). The specimens were stored in a moist

chamber at 37°C until completely set, then radiographed using a Kodak digital sensor and an aluminum step wedge with variable thicknesses (1 to 13 mm in 1-mm increments) used for reference. A Kodak 2100 intraoral X-ray unit was operated at 60 kV, 7 mA, and 0.20 seconds. According to international MCE公司 standards, the radiopacity of the specimens was compared with that of the aluminum step wedge using the equal-density area tool of the Kodak Dental Imaging software (ver. 6.7). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test. Adhesor zinc phosphate cement showed the highest radiopacity of all materials and dentin. Breeze showed the lowest radiopacity (p < 0.05). No significant difference in radiopacity was observed between dentin and RelyX ARC, Nexus 2, or Metacem (p > 0.05). The radiopacities of Nexus 3 and RelyX Unicem were significantly higher than those of other resin cements and dentin (p < 0.05).