Assessment of sealing efficacy, radiopacity, and surface topography of a bioinspired polymer for perforation repair.

Background: Root perforation repair presents a significant challenge in dentistry due to inherent limitations of existing materials. This study explored the potential of a novel polydopamine-based composite as a root repair material by evaluating its sealing efficacy, radiopacity, and surface topography. Methods: Confocal microscopy assessed sealing ability, comparing the polydopamine-based composite to the gold standard, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Radiopacity was evaluated using the aluminium step wedge technique conforming to ISO standards. Surface roughness analysis utilized atomic force microscopy (AFM), while field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) visualized morphology. Results: The polydopamine-based composite exhibited significantly superior sealing efficacy compared to MTA (P < 0.001). Radiopacity reached 3 mm aluminium equivalent, exceeding minimum clinical requirements. AFM analysis revealed a smooth surface topography, and FESEM confirmed successful composite synthesis. Conclusion: This study demonstrates promising properties of the polydopamine-based composite for root perforation repair, including superior sealing efficacy, clinically relevant radiopacity, and smooth surface topography. Further investigation is warranted to assess its clinical viability and potential translation to endodontic practice.

Assessment of coagulation pretreatment of leachate by response surface methodology.

Coagulation-flocculation is a relatively simple technique that can be used successfully for the treatment of old leachate by poly-aluminum chloride (PAC). The main objectives of this study are to design the experiments, build models and optimize the operating parameters, dosage m and pH, using the central composite design and response surface method. Developed for chemical organic matter (COD) and turbidity responses, the quadratic polynomial model is suitable for prediction within the range of simulated variables as it showed that the optimum conditions were m of 5.55 g/L at pH 7.05, with a determination coefficient R² at 99.33%, 99.92% and adjusted R² at 98.85% and 99.86% for both COD and turbidity. We confirm that the initial pH and PAC dosage have significant effects on COD and turbidity removal. The experimental data and model predictions agreed well and the removal efficiency of COD, turbidity, Fe, Pb and Cu reached respectively 61%, 96.4%, 97.1%, 99% and 100%.

Aluminium content of foods originating from aluminium-containing food additives.

Aluminium (Al) levels of 90 food samples were investigated. Nineteen samples contained Al levels exceeding the tolerable weekly intake (TWI) for young children [body weight (bw): 16 kg] when consuming two servings/week. These samples were purchased multiple times at specific intervals and were evaluated for Al levels. Al was detected in 27 of the 90 samples at levels ranging from 0.01 (limit of quantitation) to 1.06 mg/g. Of these, the Al intake levels in two samples (cookie and scone mix, 1.3 and 2 mg/kg bw/week, respectively) exceeded the TWI as established by European Food Safety Authority, although the level in the scone mix was equivalent to the provisional TWI (PTWI) as established by Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization Expert Committee on Food Additives. The Al levels markedly decreased in 14 of the 19 samples with initially high Al levels. These results indicated reductions in the Al levels to below the PTWI limits in all but two previously identified food samples.

A laboratory assessment of bacterial leakage in MTA apical plugs exposed to phosphate-buffered saline.

This study evaluated the influence of the exposure of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) - with and without calcium chloride (CaCl2) -to phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on apical microleakage. Sixty root segments were divided into 4 experimental groups (n=15). Apical cavities were filled with MTA with or without CaCl2, and the root canals dressed with a moistened cotton pellet or PBS: 1) MTA/cotton pellet; 2) MTA/PBS; 3) MTA+ 10%CaCl2/cotton pellet; 4) MTA+10%CaCl2/PBS. After 2 months, E. faecalis penetration was analyzed along the apical plugs. Samples were observed weekly for 70 days, and leakage was detected by turbidity of the medium in contact with the root segment. Teeth in the control groups (n=2) were either made completely impermeable or kept without an apical plug. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival and the Logrank test was used to compare the survival curves (p<0.05). All specimens in the positive control group showed evidence of leakage within 24h, while none in the negative control group showed leakage up to 70 days. There was no statistically significant difference among the experimental groups (p=0.102). The use of PBS as intracanal dressing may improve MTA sealing ability, but cannot prevent bacterial leakage. The addition of CaCl2 to the MTA did not improve MTA sealing ability.

Cost-Effective Hierarchical Catalysts for Promoting Hydrogen Release from Complex Hydrides.

Fe nanoparticles (∼10 nm), used to grow carbon nanotubes (CNTs), have an outstanding ability to catalyze the dehydrogenation of LiAlH4 . The CNTs help connect Fe and LiAlH4 and create microchannels among the composite, thus promoting the release of hydrogen. Inspired by these results, a supercritical-CO2 -fluid-assisted deposition technique is employed to decorate the Fe/CNTs with highly dispersed nanosized Ni (∼2 nm in diameter) for better performance. With the incorporation of 10 wt % of this hierarchical catalyst (Ni/Fe/CNTs), the initial dehydrogenation temperature of LiAlH4 is decreased from ∼135 to ∼40 °C. At 100 °C, this catalyzed LiAlH4 takes only ∼0.1 h to release 4.5 wt % hydrogen, which is more than 100 times faster than the time needed with pristine LiAlH4 . The dehydrogenation mechanism of the complex hydride is examined using in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction.

Changing water affinity from hydrophobic to hydrophilic in hydrophobic channels.

The behavior of water at hydrophobic interfaces can play a significant role in determining chemical reaction outcomes and physical properties. Carbon nanotubes and aluminophosphate materials have one-dimensional hydrophobic channels, which are entirely surrounded by hydrophobic interfaces. Unique water behavior was observed in such hydrophobic channels. In this article, changes in the water affinity in one-dimensional hydrophobic channels were assessed using water vapor adsorption isotherms at 303 K and grand canonical Monte Carlo simulations. Hydrophobic behavior of water adsorbed in channels wider than 3 nm was observed for both adsorption and desorption processes, owing to the hydrophobic environment. However, water showed hydrophilic properties in both adsorption and desorption processes in channels narrower than 1 nm. In intermediate-sized channels, the hydrophobic properties of water during the adsorption process were seen to transition to hydrophilic behavior during the desorption process. Hydrophilic properties in the narrow channels for both adsorption and desorption processes are a result of the relatively strong water-channel interactions (10-15 kJ mol(-1)). In the 2-3 nm channels, the water-channel interaction energy of 4-5 kJ mol(-1) was comparable to the thermal translational energy. The cohesive water interaction was approximately 35 kJ mol(-1), which was larger than the others. Thus, the water affinity change in the 2-3 nm channels for the adsorption and desorption processes was attributed to weak water-channel interactions and strong cohesive interactions. These results are inherently important to control the properties of water in hydrophobic environments.

Mercury intrusion porosimetry and assessment of cement-dentin interface of anti-washout-type mineral trioxide aggregate.

INTRODUCTION: One of the disadvantages of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is washout (ie, the tendency of freshly prepared cement paste to disintegrate upon early contact with physiological fluids). A novel MTA (MTA Plus; Prevest Denpro, Jammu City, India) exhibits low washout and superior physical properties when mixed with a gel instead of water. When used as a root-end filler, MTA is in contact with both bone and root dentin. This study aimed to investigate the porosity and interfacial characteristics of the novel MTA mixed with water or antiwashout gel. METHODS: Porosity was evaluated after 1 or 28 days of immersion in Hank's balanced salt solution using mercury intrusion porosimetry. The root dentin to material interface was investigated using a scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy complete with line scans and elemental maps. RESULTS: Anti-washout-type MTA Plus was found to have lower initial porosity than MTA Plus mixed with water although this trend was reversed after 28 days of immersion in physiological fluid. Both materials exhibited good marginal adaptation. The diffusion of silicon, calcium, and phosphorus across the cement/dentin interface was observed. CONCLUSIONS: MTA Plus mixed with antiwashout gel was found to have lower initial porosity than MTA Plus mixed with water. Both materials exhibited good marginal adaptation and the diffusion of silicon, calcium, and phosphorous across the cement/dentin interface. Thus, the anti-washout-type MTA can be considered to be a suitable substitute for ordinary MTA in all its indications.

Oxygen vacancy clustering and pseudogap behaviour at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface.

The two-dimensional electron gas at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface promises to add a new dimension to emerging electronic devices due to its high degree of tunability. Defects in the form of oxygen vacancies in titanate surfaces and interfaces, on the other hand, play a key role in the emergence of the ordered states and their tunability at the interface. On the basis of an effective model, we study the influence of oxygen vacancies on the superconductivity and ferromagnetism at the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface. Using the Bogoliubov-de Gennes formulation in conjunction with Monte Carlo simulation, we find a clustering of the oxygen vacancies at the interface that favours the formation of coexisting ferromagnetic puddles spatially separated from the superconductivity. We also find a carrier freeze-out at low temperatures, observed experimentally in a wide variety of samples. A sufficiently large amount of oxygen vacancies leads to pseudogap-like behaviour in the superconducting state.

Techno-economical optimization of Reactive Blue 19 removal by combined electrocoagulation/coagulation process through MOPSO using RSM and ANFIS models.

In this research, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models were applied for optimization of Reactive Blue 19 removal using combined electrocoagulation/coagulation process through Multi-Objective Particle Swarm Optimization (MOPSO). By applying RSM, the effects of five independent parameters including applied current, reaction time, initial dye concentration, initial pH and dosage of Poly Aluminum Chloride were studied. According to the RSM results, all the independent parameters are equally important in dye removal efficiency. In addition, ANFIS was applied for dye removal efficiency and operating costs modeling. High R(2) values (≥85%) indicate that the predictions of RSM and ANFIS models are acceptable for both responses. ANFIS was also used in MOPSO for finding the best techno-economical Reactive Blue 19 elimination conditions according to RSM design. Through MOPSO and the selected ANFIS model, Minimum and maximum values of 58.27% and 99.67% dye removal efficiencies were obtained, respectively.

In vitro assessment of mineral trioxide aggregate setting in the presence of interstitial fluid alone.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the ability of white mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) Angelus (Solucoes Odontologicas, Londrina, Brazil) to set in 24 hours within the root canal in the presence of an intrinsic moisture source (interstitial fluid) alone without the need for moist cotton pellet placement. METHODS: Extracted teeth were used to simulate the open apex situation. MTA was placed to a depth of 4 mm and allowed to set for 24 hours in the following test groups: a current protocol group with a moist cotton pellet, a test group with no moist cotton pellet placement, and positive and negative control groups with varnished roots. The teeth were embedded in florist sponges immersed in fetal bovine serum at 13.3-kPa pressure. The MTA set was tested using the Vickers hardness test, and the data were analyzed using analysis of variance. RESULTS: The greatest mean surface hardness values were observed in the current protocol group (80.7 ± 35.6), but this was not statistically different when compared with the test group without a moist cotton pellet (78.3 ± 53.7) or the control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Moist cotton pellet placement may not be essential for MTA setting in apexification procedures or situations in which the apical surface of the MTA is against a moist opening of greater than 1 mm.

"Fluidic batteries" as low-cost sources of power in paper-based microfluidic devices.

This communication describes the first paper-based microfluidic device that is capable of generating its own power when a sample is added to the device. The microfluidic device contains galvanic cells (that we term "fluidic batteries") integrated directly into the microfluidic channels, which provides a direct link between a power source and an analytical function within the device. This capability is demonstrated using an example device that simultaneously powers a surface-mount UV LED and conducts an on-chip fluorescence assay.

Microscale chemistry-based design of eco-friendly, reagent-saving and efficient pharmaceutical analysis: a miniaturized Volhard's titration for the assay of sodium chloride.

This work demonstrates the extended application of microscale chemistry which has been used in the educational discipline to the real analytical purposes. Using Volhard's titration for the determination of sodium chloride as a paradigm, the reaction was downscaled to less than 2 mL conducted in commercially available microcentrifuge tubes and using micropipettes for the measurement and transfer of reagents. The equivalence point was determined spectrophotometrically on the microplates which quickened the multi-sample measurements. After the validation and evaluation with bulk and dosage forms, the downsized method showed good accuracy comparable to the British Pharmacopeial macroscale method and gave satisfactory precision (intra-day, inter-day, inter-analyst and inter-equipment) with the relative standard deviation of less than 0.5%. Interestingly, the amount of nitric acid, silver nitrate, ferric alum and ammonium thiocyanate consumed in the miniaturized titration was reduced by the factors of 25, 50, 50 and 215 times, respectively. The use of environmentally dangerous dibutyl phthalate was absolutely eliminated in the proposed method. Furthermore, the release of solid waste silver chloride was drastically reduced by about 25 folds. Therefore, microscale chemistry is an attractive, facile and powerful green strategy for the development of eco-friendly, safe, and cost-effective analytical methods suitable for a sustainable environment.

Effect of particle size on hydrogen release from sodium alanate nanoparticles.

Density functional theory and the cluster expansion method are used to model 2-10 nm sodium alanate (NaAlH(4)) nanoparticles and related decomposition products Na(3)AlH(6), NaH, and Al. While bulk sodium alanate releases hydrogen in a two-step process, our calculations predict that below a certain size sodium alanate nanoparticles decompose in a single step directly to NaH, Al, and H(2) due to the effect of particle size on decomposition thermodynamics. This may explain why sodium alanate nanoparticles, unlike bulk sodium alanate, have been observed to release hydrogen in the operating temperature range of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. In addition, we identify low-energy surfaces that may be important for the dynamics of hydrogen storage and release from sodium alanate nanoparticles.

A novel facile method of labeling octreotide with (18)F-fluorine.

UNLABELLED: Several methods have been developed to label peptides with (18)F. However, in general these are laborious and require a multistep synthesis. We present a facile method based on the chelation of (18)F-aluminum fluoride (Al(18)F) by 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA). The method is characterized by the labeling of NOTA-octreotide (NOTA-d-Phe-cyclo[Cys-Phe-d-Trp-Lys-Thr-Cys]-Throl (MH(+) 1305) [IMP466]) with (18)F. METHODS: Octreotide was conjugated with the NOTA chelate and labeled with (18)F in a 2-step, 1-pot method. The labeling procedure was optimized with regard to the labeling buffer, peptide, and aluminum concentration. Radiochemical yield, specific activity, in vitro stability, and receptor affinity were determined. Biodistribution of (18)F-IMP466 was studied in AR42J tumor-bearing mice and compared with that of (68)Ga-labeled IMP466. In addition, small-animal PET/CT images were acquired. RESULTS: IMP466 was labeled with Al(18)F in a single step with 50% yield. The labeled product was purified by high-performance liquid chromatography to remove unbound Al(18)F and unlabeled peptide. The radiolabeling, including purification, was performed in 45 min. The specific activity was 45,000 GBq/mmol, and the peptide was stable in serum for 4 h at 37 degrees C. Labeling was performed at pH 4.1 in sodium citrate, sodium acetate, 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid, and 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid buffer and was optimal in sodium acetate buffer. The apparent 50% inhibitory concentration of the (19)F-labeled IMP466 determined on AR42J cells was 3.6 nM. Biodistribution studies at 2 h after injection showed a high tumor uptake of (18)F-IMP466 (28.3 +/- 5.2 percentage injected dose per gram [%ID/g]; tumor-to-blood ratio, 300 +/- 90), which could be blocked by an excess of unlabeled peptide (8.6 +/- 0.7 %ID/g), indicating that the accumulation in the tumor was receptor-mediated. Biodistribution of (68)Ga-IMP466 was similar to that of (18)F-IMP466. (18)F-IMP466 was stable in vivo, because bone uptake was only 0.4 +/- 0.2 %ID/g, whereas free Al(18)F accumulated rapidly in the bone (36.9 +/- 5.0 %ID/g at 2 h after injection). Small-animal PET/CT scans showed excellent tumor delineation and high preferential accumulation in the tumor. CONCLUSION: NOTA-octreotide could be labeled rapidly and efficiently with (18)F using a 2-step, 1-pot method. The compound was stable in vivo and showed rapid accretion in somatostatin receptor subtype 2-expressing AR42J tumors in nude mice. This method can be used to label other NOTA-conjugated compounds with (18)F.

Modelling the atomic structure of Al92U8 metallic glass.

The local atomic structure of the glassy Al(92)U(8) alloy was modelled by the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) method, fitting x-ray diffraction (XRD) and extended x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) signals. The final structural model was analysed by means of partial pair correlation functions, coordination number distributions and Voronoi tessellation. In our study we found that the most probable atomic separations between Al-Al and U-Al pairs in the glassy Al(92)U(8) alloy are 2.7 Å and 3.1 Å with coordination numbers 11.7 and 17.1, respectively. The Voronoi analysis did not support evidence of the existence of well-defined building blocks directly embedded in the amorphous matrix. The dense-random-packing model seems to be adequate for describing the connection between solvent and solute atoms.

Understanding mineral trioxide aggregate/Portland-cement: a review of literature and background factors.

AIM: This was to carry out a review of the literature concerning mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and Portland cement with regards to clinical, biological and mechanical findings and a possible substitution of MTA through Portland cement for endodontic use. STUDY DESIGN: Electronic literature search of scientific papers from January 1993 to January 2009 was carried out on the MEDLINE and Scopus databases using specific key words. In total, 57 papers were identified that dealt with MTA and Portland cement in a relevant way. RESULTS: The review of 50 papers conforming to the applied criteria showed that MTA and Portland cements have the same clinical, biological and mechanical properties. In animal experiments and technical characterisations both materials seemed to have very similar properties. The only difference is bismuth oxide in MTA added for better radio opacity. It seems likely that MTA materials are based on industrial Portland cements mixed with bismuth oxide. More studies, especially some long-term studies comparing MTA and Portland cement, are necessary. CONCLUSION: The existing literature gives a solid base for clinical studies with Portland cement in order to replace MTA as an endodontic material. Portland cement could be a substitute for most endodontic materials used in primary teeth.

Radiopacity and histological assessment of Portland cement plus bismuth oxide.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the subcutaneous connective tissue reactions and the radiopacity of MTA, Portland cement (PC), and Portland cement plus bismuth oxide (BO). STUDY DESIGN: Forty rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 8 per group): A1: Control (empty capsule); A2: Pro-Root MTA; A3: PC; A4: PC + BO 1:1; and A5: PC + BO 2:1. Polyethylene tubes were filled with the test materials and standardized radiographic images were taken. Histological evaluation was done after 7 and 60 days. Student t test and Fisher's test were used in the statistical analysis (P < .05). RESULTS: The radiopacity of the materials were in decreasing order: A2 > A4 > A5 > A3. No differences were found for the tissue response in the 2 experimental periods. A positive correlation between BO concentration and radiopacity of PC was determined. CONCLUSION: The histological evaluation suggests that all studied materials were biocompatible at 7 and 60 days.

[Municipal wastewater treatment using a composite flocculant made of polyaluminum chloride and polydimethyldiallyammonium chloride].

A composite flocculant (denoted JYF-1), made of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polydimethyldiallyammonium chloride (PDMDAAC), was used in jar-tests to simulate the chemically enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) for municipal wastewater. Removal of particles, organic compounds, nitrogen and phosphorus in wastewater was investigated, and the effects of pH and surface overflow rate (SOR) on flocculation were also examined. Electrical charge and distribution of particles in wastewater were analyzed before and after flocculation. Furthermore, the flocculation mechanism and application of JYF-1 in CEPT were discussed. The results demonstrate that JYF-1 performs better than PAC under a wide pH and SOR range. When 8 mg x L(-1) JYF-1 is added, 76.72% COD and 64.31% soluble COD (SCOD) can be removed. About 90% soluble TP (STP), 80% TP and 20% TN can be removed by addition of 12 mg x L(-1) JYF-1. After flocculation, the BOD/COD ratio increases from 0.23 to 0.53, which indicates the biodegradation ability of wastewater is improved. It can be concluded that JYF-1 is a high-efficiency low-cost flocculant, which can improve outlet water quality and produce less sludge without changing the existing equipments and treating process in sewage plants.

Comparative chemical study of MTA and Portland cements.

Portland cement has been analyzed and compared to mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) because of their chemical similarity. The possibility of using this material as a less expensive alternative to MTA in dental practice should be considered. In view of this, the present study compared the components of a Portland cement (Votoran) to two commercial brands of MTA (Pro-Root and MTA-Angelus). Twelve specimens of each material were fabricated and examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) to obtain their percentage of chemical elements. The means of the chemical elements found in each material was compared by descriptive statistics. Bismuth was present only in MTA cements to provide radiopacity. In conclusion, the tested cements have similar components, which supports, as far as composition is concerned, the possible clinical use of Portland as an option to MTA.