Flexible translucent persistent luminescent films based on Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ cellulose ether composites.

Persistent luminescent materials are present in several recent studies on new applications and novel properties. In this work, we demonstrate, for the first time, the production of translucent flexible persistent composites based on Sr2MgSi2O7:Eu2+,Dy3+ (SMSO) into cellulose ether matrix film. The composite was successfully prepared through a new optimized route of co-precipitation and microwave-assisted annealing followed by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) coating and dispersion in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). The SMSO@APTES/HPMC films show persistent luminescence emission at 475 nm (blue) and high transmittance in the visible range. To understand the fine distribution of the nanoparticles in the matrix, we have investigated their structure and dispersion by using Synchrotron Radiation X-ray fluorescence mapping and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy. This innovative composite could bring new perspectives for the class of persistent luminescence materials, enhancing technologies in progress throwing light on new applications never perceived.

Analysis of Molecular Changes Induced By Mineral Trioxide Aggregate On sPLA2.

The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of MTA on the structure and enzymatic activity of sPLA2 in order to provide subsidies for improvement in the formulation of the product. MTA powder was incubated for 60 min in the presence of sPLA2 and was analyzed by chromatography, electrospray mass (ESI-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). It was find that the elution profile, retention time, and fragmentation of sPLA2 were altered after treatment with MTA. Calcium was the MTA component that most amplified the inflammatory signal. Significant interactions were found between MTA and sPLA2, which could aid in our understanding of the mechanisms of action of MTA during the inflammatory process and it may facilitate the structural modification of MTA, thereby improving its biological safety and consequently the rate of the treatment success.

Computationally designed lattices with tuned properties for tissue engineering using 3D printing.

Tissue scaffolds provide structural support while facilitating tissue growth, but are challenging to design due to diverse property trade-offs. Here, a computational approach was developed for modeling scaffolds with lattice structures of eight different topologies and assessing properties relevant to bone tissue engineering applications. Evaluated properties include porosity, pore size, surface-volume ratio, elastic modulus, shear modulus, and permeability. Lattice topologies were generated by patterning beam-based unit cells, with design parameters for beam diameter and unit cell length. Finite element simulations were conducted for each topology and quantified how elastic modulus and shear modulus scale with porosity, and how permeability scales with porosity cubed over surface-volume ratio squared. Lattices were compared with controlled properties related to porosity and pore size. Relative comparisons suggest that lattice topology leads to specializations in achievable properties. For instance, Cube topologies tend to have high elastic and low shear moduli while Octet topologies have high shear moduli and surface-volume ratios but low permeability. The developed method was utilized to analyze property trade-offs as beam diameter was altered for a given topology, and used to prototype a 3D printed lattice embedded in an interbody cage for spinal fusion treatments. Findings provide a basis for modeling and understanding relative differences among beam-based lattices designed to facilitate bone tissue growth.

Treatments affecting maturation and germination of American chestnut somatic embryos.

The effects of amino acids, abscisic acid (ABA), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and elevated sucrose were tested on the maturation and germination of American chestnut (Castanea dentata) somatic embryos. Somatic embryos from three lines were matured over an eight week period through a two-stage process. After maturation, somatic embryos were randomly divided into three groups to measure dry weight/ fresh weight ratios, starch levels, and germination rates. Prior to transfer to germination medium, somatic embryos received a four week cold treatment. While some treatments with amino acids, elevated sucrose, PEG or ABA increased either dry weight/fresh weight ratios, starch content or both, only addition of 25mM L-asparagine significantly increased germination rate and taproot length, and this response was only obtained with one of the three lines tested. Six plants survived the transfer to potting mix, acclimatization to greenhouse conditions and field planting.

[Effect of supragingival plaque control on subgingival microflora and periodontal tissues]. / Efeito do controle da placa supragengival sobre a microflora subgengival e tecidos periodontais.

The aim of this study was to investigate, clinically and microbiologically, forty-four sites in 11 patients presenting with generalized chronic periodontitis. Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Probing Bleeding (PB), Probing Depth (PD) and Insertion Level (IL) were registered. Samples of subgingival plaque were collected in the same sites for cultivation of anaerobic bacteria and determination of microbiological morphotypes using dark field microscopy. Clinical and microbiological data were recorded on the baseline and 4 weeks after the adoption of a program to control supragingival plaque and calculus. The microbiological analysis categorized the degree of development as follows: 0--not detected, 1--scarce, 2--moderate and 3--abundant. The clinical results at the baseline and on the 28th day were, respectively: PI--1.73 +/- 0.10 and 0.30 +/- 0.08; GI--1.73 +/- 0.08 and 1.41 +/- 0.08; PB--0.91 +/- 0.04 and 0.59 +/- 0.07; PD--6.43 +/- 0.20 and 5.77 +/- 0.25; and IL--6.86 +/- 0.32 and 6.52 +/- 0.34. There was significant decrease in PI, GI, PB and PD. However, the difference in IL was not significant. The relative proportions of the microbial morphotypes observed under dark field microscopy at the baseline and on the 28th day were, respectively: coccoid cells--21.16 +/- 3.77 and 36.00 +/- 4.66; mobile bacillus--44.86 +/- 2.65 and 39.50 +/- 2.64; and total treponemes--24.66 +/- 3.08 and 19.25 +/- 2.75. The cultures presented, at the baseline and on the 28th day, respectively: Prevotella intermedia/nigrescens (Pi/n)--1.36 +/- 0.18 and 0.43 +/- 0.11; Porphyromonas gingivalis--0.48 +/- 0.16 and 0.32 +/- 0.13; Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans--0.23 +/- 0.09 and 0.23 +/- 0.10; Fusobacterium nucleatum--0.32 +/- 0.14 and 0.41 +/- 0.13; and peptostreptococci--0.82 +/- 0.19 and 0.54 +/- 0.16. There was a significant increase in the number of coccoid cells and a decrease in the number of treponemes and Pi/n.

Analysis of molecular changes induced by mineral trioxide aggregate on spla2

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of MTA on the structure and enzymatic activity of sPLA2 in order to provide subsidies for improvement in the formulation of the product. MTA powder was incubated for 60 min in the presence of sPLA2 and was analyzed by chromatography, electrospray mass (ESI-MS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). It was find that the elution profile, retention time, and fragmentation of sPLA2 were altered after treatment with MTA. Calcium was the MTA component that most amplified the inflammatory signal. Significant interactions were found between MTA and sPLA2, which could aid in our understanding of the mechanisms of action of MTA during the inflammatory process and it may facilitate the structural modification of MTA, thereby improving its biological safety and consequently the rate of the treatment success.

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos do MTA na estrutura e atividade enzimática da sPLA2 a fim de fornecer subsídios para melhoria na formulação do produto. O MTA em pó foi incubado por 60 min na presença de sPLA2 e analisado por cromatografia, espectroscopia de massa por eletropulverização (ESI-MS) e espalhamento de raios-X de baixo ângulo (SAXS). Encontrou-se que o perfil de eluição, o tempo de retenção e a fragmentação da sPLA2 foram alterados após o tratamento com MTA. O cálcio foi o componente do MTA que mais ampliou o sinal inflamatório. Encontraram-se interações significativas entre o MTA e o sPLA2, o que poderia auxiliar na compreensão dos mecanismos de ação do MTA durante o processo inflamatório e facilitar a modificação estrutural do MTA, melhorando sua segurança biológica e consequentemente a taxa de sucesso do tratamento.