Comparative study of postoperative morbidity in dental treatment under general anesthesia in pediatric patients with and without an underlying disease.

OBJECTIVES: To identify and quantify the variables and their influence on postoperative morbidity in dental treatment under general anesthesia (GA) in pediatric patients with and without an underlying disease. METHODS: A prospective, descriptive, and comparative analysis was conducted of healthy (n = 49) and disabled/medically compromised (n = 81) children treated under GA. Intra-/post-surgical, clinical epidemiology, technical, care-related, and pharmacologic data were gathered, as were postoperative complications. RESULTS: The average age of ASA I patients (6.7 ± 4.4 years) was younger than that of ASA II-III patients (9.0 ± 4.5 years). Average hospitalization time was 4.27 ± 6.5 h in ASA I and 7.41 ± 6.8 h in ASA II-III. Significant differences were found between the two groups in fillings, pulpotomies, oral surgery, and scaling. Postoperative morbidity in ASA I and ASA II-III was similar both in frequency and severity and decreased during the first 72 h. The most common complication in both groups was toothache. CONCLUSION: Postoperative morbidity is high after dental treatment under GA, but it is not higher in disabled/medically compromised patients.

Solid polymer substrates and coated fibers containing 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene motifs as smart labels for the visual detection of biogenic amine vapors.

Attempts to polymerize trinitrobenzene derivatives (TNB) have been fruitless so far. Accordingly, polymers containing TNB have not been exploited in spite of their envisaged potential applications. Here, we describe two ways for preparing polymers with TNB moieties thus overcoming the previously reported polymerization impairments. We also report on the exploitation of the materials, both obtained as tractable transparent films and coated fibers, as smart labels for the visual detection of amine vapors. More precisely, amines in the atmosphere surrounding the sensory materials diffuse into them reacting with the TNB motifs forming highly colored Meisenheimer complexes, giving rise to development of color and to the naked eye sensing phenomenon. This is the case of highly volatile amines, such as trimethylamine, produced in food spoilage, specifically in the deterioration of fish or meat, for which the color development of the smart labels can be used as a visual test for food freshness.

Smart sensory polymer for straightforward Zn(II) detection in pet food samples.

We report on an innovative method to measure the Zn(II) concentration in commercial pet food samples, both wet and dry food. It is based on a colorimetric sensory polymer prepared from commercial monomers and 0.5 % of a synthetic monomer having a quinoline sensory core (N-(8-(2-azidoacetamido)quinolin-5-yl)methacrylamide). We obtained the sensory polymer as crosslinked films by thermally initiated bulk radical polymerization of the monomers of 100 µm thickness, which we punched into Ø6 mm sensory discs. The immersion of the discs in water solutions containing Zn(II) turned the fluorescence on, allowing for the titration of this cation using the G parameter of a digital picture taken to the discs. The limits of detection and quantification were 29 and 87 µg/L, respectively. Furthermore, we measured the concentration of Zn(II) even in the presence of other cations, detecting no significant interferences. Thus, in a further step, we obtained the concentration of Zn(II) from 15 commercial pet food samples, ranging from 19 to 198 mg/kg, following a simple extraction procedure and contacting the extractant with our sensory discs. These results were contrasted with that obtained by ICP-MS as a reference method.

An organic/inorganic hybrid membrane as a solid "turn-on" fluorescent chemosensor for coenzyme A (CoA), cysteine (Cys), and glutathione (GSH) in aqueous media.

The preparation of a fluorogenic sensory material for the detection of biomolecules is described. Strategic functionalisation and copolymerisation of a water insoluble organic sensory molecule with hydrophilic comonomers yielded a crosslinked, water-swellable, easy-to-manipulate solid system for water "dip-in" fluorogenic coenzyme A, cysteine, and glutathione detection by means of host-guest interactions. The sensory material was a membrane with gel-like behaviour, which exhibits a change in fluorescence behaviour upon swelling with a water solution of the target molecules. The membrane follows a "turn-on" pattern, which permits the titration of the abovementioned biomolecules. In this way, the water insoluble sensing motif can be exploited in aqueous media. The sensory motif within the membrane is a chemically anchored piperazinedione-derivative with a weakly bound Hg(II). The response is caused by the displacement of the cation from the membrane due to a stronger complexation with the biomolecules, thus releasing the fluorescent sensory moieties within the membrane.

The role of polymeric chains as a protective environment for improving the stability and efficiency of fluorogenic peptide substrates.

We have faced the preparation of fully water-soluble fluorescent peptide substrate with long-term environmental stability (in solution more than 35 weeks) and, accordingly, with stable results in the use of this probe in determining the activity of enzymes. We have achieved this goal by preparing a co-polymer of the commercial N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone (99.5% mol) and a fluorescent substrate for trypsin activity determination having a vinylic group (0.5%). The activity of trypsin has been measured in water solutions of this polymer over time, contrasted against the activity of both the commercial substrate Z-L-Arg-7-amido-4-methylcoumarin hydrochloride and its monomeric derivative, prepared ad-hoc. Initially, the activity of the sensory polymer was 74.53 ± 1.72 nmol/min/mg of enzyme, while that of the commercial substrate was 20.44 ± 0.65 nmol/min/mg of enzyme, the former maintained stable along weeks and the latter with a deep decay to zero in three weeks. The 'protection' effect exerted by the polymer chain has been studied by solvation studies by UV-Vis spectroscopy, steady-state & time resolved fluorescence, thermogravimetry and isothermal titration calorimetry.

Easy Nitrite Analysis of Processed Meat with Colorimetric Polymer Sensors and a Smartphone App.

We have developed an in situ methodology for determining nitrite concentration in processed meats that can also be used by unskilled personnel. It is based on a colorimetric film-shaped sensory polymer that changes its color upon contacting the meat and a mobile app that automatically calculates the manufacturing and residual nitrite concentration by only taking digital photographs of sensory films and analyzing digital color parameters. The film-shaped polymer sensor detects nitrite anions by an azo-coupling reaction, since they activate this reaction between two of the four monomers that the copolymer is based on. The sensory polymer is complemented with an app, which analyzes the color in two different digital color spaces (RGB and HSV) and performs a set of 32 data fittings representing the concentration of nitrite versus eight different variables, finally providing the nitrite concentration of the test samples using the best fitting curve. The calculated concentration of nitrite correlates with a validated method (ISO 2918: 1975) usually used to determine nitrite, and no statistically significant difference between these methods and our proposed one has been found in our study (26 meat samples, 8 prepared, and 18 commercial). Our method represents a great advance in terms of analysis time, simplicity, and orientation to use by average citizens.

A simple one-pot determination of both total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of honey by polymer chemosensors.

We have developed a new method for the rapid (2 h) and inexpensive (materials cost < 0.02 €/sample) "2-in-1" determination of the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (AOX) in honey samples. The method is based on hydrophilic colorimetric films with diazonium groups, which react with phenols rendering highly colored azo groups. The TPC of the sample is correlated to its trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). The intensity of the color allows us to determine both TPC and TEAC of the sample by the analysis of a picture taken with a smartphone that is analysed by the use of the color-definition-parameters (RGB). The controlled light conditions and the systematic use of the same camera avoid the periodical calibration of the system improving the efficiency of the method. Thus, it is a simple method carried out by non-specialized personnel and it involves much lower money and time investment compared to traditional methods.

Design of splints based on the NiTi alloy for the correction of joint deformities in the fingers.

BACKGROUND: The proximal interphalange joint (PIP) is fundamental for the functional nature of the hand. The contracture in flexion of the PIP, secondary to traumatisms or illnesses leads to an important functional loss. The use of correcting splints is the common procedure for treating this problem. Its functioning is based on the application of a small load and a prolonged stress which can be dynamic, static progressive or static serial.It is important that the therapist has a splint available which can release a constant and sufficient force to correct the contracture in flexion. Nowadays NiTi is commonly used in bio-engineering, due to its superelastical characteristics. The experience of the authors in the design of other devices based on the NiTi alloy, makes it possible to carry out a new design in this work--the production of a finger splint for the treatment of the contracture in flexion of the PIP joint. METHODS: Commercial orthosis have been characterized using a universal INSTRON 5565 machine. A computational simulation of the proposed design has been conducted, reproducing its performance and using a model "ad hoc" for the NiTi material. Once the parameters have been adjusted, the design is validated using the same type of test as those carried out on commercial orthosis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: For commercial splint the recovering force falls to excessively low values as the angle increases. Angle curves for different lengths and thicknesses of the proposed design have been obtained, with a practically constant recovering force value over a wide range of angles that vary between 30° and 150° in every case. Then the whole treatment is possible with only one splint, and without the need of progressive replacements as the joint recovers. CONCLUSIONS: A new model of splint based on NiTi alloy has been designed, simulated and tested comparing its behaviour with two of the most regularly used splints. Its uses is recommended instead of other dynamic orthosis used in orthopaedics for the PIP joint. Besides, its extremely simple design, makes its manufacture and use on the part of the specialist easier.

A new species of Paraproto (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from southern New SouthWales, Australia.

A new species of the caprellid genus Paraproto, P. murrayae n. sp. is described based on specimens collected from New South Wales, Australia. The new species was collected from brown algae in shallow water (16-19 m deep). Paraproto murrayae n. sp. is very similar to P. tasmaniensis Guerra-García Takeuchi, 2004 but can be distinguished mainly by the following characteristics: (1) adults of P. murrayae are significantly smaller than P. tasmaniensis (5-6 mm and 10-11 mm respectively); (2) in larger males of P. tasmaniensis, gnathopod 2 is inserted on the anterior half of pereonite 2, rather than the posterior half as in P. murrayae; (3) the dactylus of the male gnathopod 2 is thickened medially in P. murrayae, but not thickened in P. tasmaniensis; (4) the setal formula of mandibular palp is 1-3-1 in P. murrayae versus 1-9-1 or 1-10-1 in P. tasmaniensis; (5) the lower lip is glabrous in P. murrayae but strongly setose in P. tasmaniensis; and (6) the anterolateral projections on pereonite 2 are lacking or vestigial in males of P. murrayae rather than distinct as in P. tasmaniensis. An illustrated key to the species of Paraproto is provided.

Cold-water corals off Angola as refuge for a new Aeginella species (Crustacea: Amphipoda: Caprellidae).

A new species of caprellid amphipod, Aeginella corallina sp. nov., is described from cold-water corals off Angola. This is the first observation of this genus in the South-Atlantic. The taxon is fully described and figured and is compared with the only known species of the genus, A. spinosa, occurring in deep waters of the northern hemisphere. Both species can be clearly differentiated on the basis of the following characters: (1) pereonite 1 is provided with a large dorsal acute projection in A. spinosa, while this projection is lacking in A. corallina; (2) gnathopod 2 propodus has an acute projection distally which is lacking in A. corallina; (3) the palm of the gnathopod 2 propodus in males is densely setose and it is provided with two distal projections in A. corallina while it is scarcely setose and with less developed projections in A. spinosa; (4) distal article of the mandibular palp is provided by a setal formula of 1-x-1, being x=10-12, in A. spinosa, while in A. corallina x=2-3, and the formula 1-x-1 is not so evident and it could be considered as 1-x-0. (Zoobank: urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:3D7EB67D-88F2-40D8-99C1-7D62F44F7163).

A smart material for the in situ detection of mercury in fish.

We have developed a new fluorogenic polymer capable of detecting the presence of mercury contamination in fish samples. The modified polymer emits blue light when irradiated with UV light proportional to the quantity of mercury, as MeHg+ or Hg2+, present in fish. The quantitative relation between the concentration of mercury in fish and the increase of fluorescence in the polymer in contact with fish samples was confirmed, giving rise to quick and reliable results in the measurements of the presence of mercury in fish using a portable fluorogenic polymeric probe.

Immune cell impact of three differently coated lipid nanocapsules: pluronic, chitosan and polyethylene glycol.

Lipid nanocapsules (NCs) represent promising tools in clinical practice for diagnosis and therapy applications. However, the NC appropriate functionalization is essential to guarantee high biocompatibility and molecule loading ability. In any medical application, the immune system-impact of differently functionalized NCs still remains to be fully understood. A comprehensive study on the action exerted on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and major immune subpopulations by three different NC coatings: pluronic, chitosan and polyethylene glycol-polylactic acid (PEG) is reported. After a deep particle characterization, the uptake was assessed by flow-cytometry and confocal microscopy, focusing then on apoptosis, necrosis and proliferation impact in T cells and monocytes. Cell functionality by cell diameter variations, different activation marker analysis and cytokine assays were performed. We demonstrated that the NCs impact on the immune cell response is strongly correlated to their coating. Pluronic-NCs were able to induce immunomodulation of innate immunity inducing monocyte activations. Immunomodulation was observed in monocytes and T lymphocytes treated with Chitosan-NCs. Conversely, PEG-NCs were completely inert. These findings are of particular value towards a pre-selection of specific NC coatings depending on biomedical purposes for pre-clinical investigations; i.e. the immune-specific action of particular NC coating can be excellent for immunotherapy applications.

New genus and new species of Caprellidae (Crustacea: Peracarida: Amphipoda) from the mesophotic coral ecosystems of Puerto Rico and St. Croix, Caribbean Sea.

A new genus and two new species are described based on material collected from the mesophotic coral ecosystems of the U.S. Caribbean. The new genus Borikenella can be distinguished from other related genera such as Pseudaeginella, Paradeutella, Aciconula and Deutella by the combination of the following characters: pereopods 3 and 4 three-articulate, pereopods 5-7 six-articulate, mandible molar present, palp of the mandible with a setal formula 1-x-0, abdomen without appendages. The new species Liropus gurui, can be distinguished from the closely related L. japonicus mainly by the lack of anteroventral margin extended forward in pereonite 3, the lack of cleft and serration in the propodus of gnathopod 2, the longer pereopod 3 and the larger abdominal appendages.

The surface modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) copolymers to improve the attachment of urothelial cells.

Biocompatible and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) [P(HB-co-HHx)] substrates were modified to improve the attachment of porcine urothelial cell culture. The pristine copolymer exhibits excellent mechanical properties to replace the bladder tissue, but its surface lacks chemical functionalities to interact with cells. Thus, wet chemical treatments based on NaOH and ethylenediamine in aqueous [ED(aq)] and isopropanol [ED(isoOH)] media to functionalize the P(HB-co-HHx) films surfaces were compared. Among these treatments, short ED(aq) treatment was able to decrease the hydrophobicity, rendering a surface with amino groups and without a significant alteration of the mechanical properties. Furthermore, to enhance the interaction with urothelial cells, laminin derived YIGSR sequence was covalently bound to these amino functionalized substrates. The focal attachment was clearly improved with this last treatment, comparing with those results found with the unmodified and first-step functionalized P(HB-co-HHx).

Methacrylate copolymers with pendant piperazinedione-sensing motifs as fluorescent chemosensory materials for the detection of Cr(VI) in aqueous media.

A fluorogenic sensory film, or dense membrane, capable of detecting Cr(VI), Fe(III), and Hg(II) in water was prepared. The film was prepared by a bulk radical polymerization of different comonomers, one of which contained a piperazinedione motif as sensory fluorophore. The film exhibited gel-like behavior and was highly tractable, even after being swollen in water. The sensing conditions were chosen to overcome interference from iron and mercury cations, giving rise to a material with a detection limit of 1 ppb for Cr(VI).

Surface modification of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) copolymer films for promoting interaction with bladder urothelial cells.

Often bladder dysfunction and diseases lead to therapeutic interventions that require partial or complete replacement of damaged tissue. For this reason, the development of biomaterials to repair the bladder by promoting the adhesion and growth of urothelial cells is of interest. With this aim, a modified copolyester of biocompatible and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(HB-co-HV)] was used as scaffold for porcine urothelial cell culture. In addition to good biocompatibility, the surface of P(HB-co-HV) substrates was modified to provide both, higher hydrophilicity and a better interaction with urothelial cells. Chemical treatments with ethylenediamine (ED) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) led to substrate surfaces with decreasing hydrophobicity and provided functional groups that enable the grafting of bioactive molecules, such as a laminin derived YIGSR sequence. Physico-chemical properties of modified substrates were studied and compared with those of the pristine P(HB-co-HV). Urothelial cell morphology on treated substrates was studied. The results showed that focal attachment and cell-related properties were improved for peptide grafted polymer compared with both, the unmodified and functionalized copolyester.

Intertwined dimeric structure for the SH3 domain of the c-Src tyrosine kinase induced by polyethylene glycol binding.

Here we report the first crystal structure of the SH3 domain of the cellular Src tyrosine kinase (c-Src-SH3) domain on its own. In the crystal two molecules of c-Src-SH3 exchange their -RT loops generating an intertwined dimer, in which the two SH3 units, preserving the binding site configuration, are oriented to allow simultaneous binding of two ligand molecules. The dimerization of c-Src-SH3 is induced, both in the crystal and in solution, by the binding of a PEG molecule at the dimer interface, indicating that this type of conformations are energetically close to the native structure. These results have important implications respect to in vivo oligomerization and amyloid aggregation.

Gradient of adaptability in four different motor systems performing the same learned motor task in cats.

The ability of four different brainstem motoneuron pools to perform a newly acquired motor task was studied in alert cats. A classical conditioning of eyelid responses was carried out in (i). unoperated animals, and in animals with (ii). transection, 180 degrees rotation, and re-suture of the zygomatic facial nerve branch, (iii). a crossed anastomosis of the buccal to the zygomatic facial nerve branch and (iv). a hypoglossal-facial nerve anastomosis. Animals were conditioned with a delay paradigm using a tone (350 ms, 600 Hz, 90 dB) as conditioned stimulus, followed 250 ms later by an air puff (100 ms, 3 kg/cm2) as unconditioned stimulus. Animals with zygomatic nerve rotation performed conditioned responses (CRs) at control rate, with significantly larger amplitude, area and velocity, but a de-synchronized oscillatory pattern. Animals with buccal-zygomatic anastomosis acquired CRs at control rate, but these CRs had significantly smaller amplitude than those of controls and a de-synchronized pattern. Animals with a hypoglossal-facial anastomosis were unable to perform CRs. The trigeminal hyper-reflexia triggered by the axotomy was probably the origin of the large CRs after zygomatic nerve rotation. Trigeminal hyper-reflexia could also contribute to generation of the small CRs recorded after buccal-zygomatic anastomosis. Although trigeminal hyper-reflexia was also present following hypoglossal-facial anastomosis, hypoglossal motoneurons did not reach their firing threshold to perform CRs. In accordance with the embryonic origin of involved motoneurons, animals with buccal-zygomatic and hypoglossal-facial anastomoses moved the ipsilateral eyelid synchronously to mouth-related activities. It is suggested that there is a gradient of adaptability in motoneuron pools forced to perform new motor tasks through foreign muscles, which depends on their embryological origins and functional properties.