Preparation and Characterization of Lignin Nanoparticles from Different Plant Sources.

This article presents new research on producing lignin nanoparticles (LNPs) using the antisolvent nanoprecipitation method. Acetone (90%) served as the lignin solvent and water (100%) as the antisolvent, using five types of lignins from various sources. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including NMR, GPC, FTIR, TEM, and DLS, were employed to assess both lignin and LNP properties. The antioxidant activity of the LNPs was evaluated as well. The results demonstrated the successful formation of spherical nanoparticles below 100 nm with initial lignin concentrations of 1 and 2%w/v. The study highlighted the crucial role of lignin purity in LNP formation and colloidal stability, noting that residual carbohydrates adversely affect efficiency. This method offers a straightforward, environmentally friendly approach using cost-effective solvents, applicable to diverse lignin sources. The innovation of this study lies in its demonstration of a cost-effective and eco-friendly method to produce stable, nanometric-sized spherical LNPs. These LNPs have significant potential as reinforcement materials due to their reinforcing capability, hydrophilicity, and UV absorption. This work underscores the importance of starting material purity for optimizing the process and achieving the desired nanometric dimensions, marking a pioneering advancement in lignin-based nanomaterials.

Extracted Eucalyptus globulus Bark Fiber as a Potential Substrate for Pinus radiata and Quillaja saponaria Germination.

This study aimed to explore alternative substrates for growing forest species using eucalyptus bark. It evaluated the potential of extracted Eucalyptus globulus fiber bark as a substitute for commercial growing media such as coconut fiber, moss, peat, and compost pine. We determined the physicochemical parameters of the growing media, the germination rate, and the mean fresh and dry weights of seedlings. We used the Munoo-Liisa Vitality Index (MLVI) test to evaluate the phytotoxicity of the bark alone and when mixed with commercial substrates. Generally, the best mixture for seed growth was 75% extracted eucalyptus bark fiber and 25% commercial substrates. In particular, the 75E-25P (peat) mixture is a promising substitute for seedling growth of Pinus radiata, achieving up to 3-times higher MLVI than the control peat alone. For Quillaja saponaria, the best growth substrate was the 50E-50C (coconut fiber) mixture, which had the most significant MLVI values (127%). We added chitosan and alginate-encapsulated fulvic acid phytostimulants to improve the performance of the substrate mixtures. The fulvic acid, encapsulated or not, significantly improved MLVI values in Q. saponaria species and P. radiata in concentrations between 0.05 and 0.1% w/v. This study suggests that mixtures with higher levels of extracted fiber are suitable for growing forest species, thus promoting the application of circular economy principles in forestry.

A Short-Term Supplementation with a Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Radiata Pine Bark Improves Fatty Acid Profiles in Finishing Lambs.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a short-term supplementation with a polyphenol-rich extract from radiata pine bark (PBE) on animal performance, blood parameters, and fatty acid (FA) profiles in finishing lambs. Twenty-seven Suffolk lambs (4 months old) fed a finishing diet were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: diet without PBE or diet supplemented with PBE on a 1 or 2% dry matter (DM) basis, for 35 d (14 d adaptation and 21 d of experimental period). Data were compared using Tukey's test and orthogonal and polynomial contrasts. The results indicated that the supplementation with PBE increased (p = 0.008) relative growth rate (RGR) and improved (p = 0.003) protein conversion (CPC), whereas weight gain, carcass characteristic, and blood parameters were unaffected (p ≥ 0.106). Total mono- and polyunsaturated FAs, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and vaccenic and oleic acids were linearly increased (p ≤ 0.016) by PBE supplementation. In contrast, total saturated FAs (ΣSFA), Σn-6/Σn-3 ratio, atherogenicity index (AI), thrombogenic index (TI), and the proportion of elaidic acid were linearly decreased (p ≤ 0.018). In conclusion, the supplementation with 1 or 2% DM of PBE improves subcutaneous FA profiles by increasing CLA and reducing ΣSFA, Σn-6/Σn-3 ratio, AI, and TI. Additionally, PBE supplementation has the potential to improve RGR and CPC, with unaffected intake, growth performance, blood parameters, or carcass characteristics.

Comparing the Effects of a Pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) Bark Extract with a Quebracho (Schinopsis balansae Engl.) Extract on Methane Production and In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Parameters

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) bark extract (PBE) with a quebracho (Schinopsis balansae Engl.) extract (QTE) on methane (CH4) production and in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. A forage diet supplemented with PBE or QTE (0, 2 and 4% dry matter (DM) basis) was incubated for 24 h to determine in vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD), CH4, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) production. Differences were analyzed using Tukey's test, orthogonal contrasts, hierarchical clustering heatmap (HCH), and principal component analysis (PCA). Both extracts (4% DM) decreased butyrate (Bu; p = 0.001), CH4 (p = 0.005), total VFA (p < 0.001), and NH3-N (p = 0.006) production and increased acetate (Ac; p = 0.003) without affecting the partitioning factor (p = 0.095). Propionate (Pr; p = 0.016) was increased, whereas IVDMD (p = 0.041) was decreased with QTE (4% DM). The inclusion of QTE (2% DM) decreased CH4 production (p = 0.005) and the (Ac + Bu)/Pr ratio (p = 0.003), whereas PBE (2% DM) decreased the NH3-N (p = 0.006) and total VFA production (p < 0.001). The HCH and PCA indicate a negative correlation (r = −0.93; p < 0.001) between CH4 production and tannins. In conclusion, PBE shares many of the effects generated by QTE on ruminal fermentation, although the magnitude of these effects depends on concentration. The PBE could be used as an additive in ruminant diets to reduce CH4 and NH3-N production without reducing IVDMD or increasing propionate, but further in vivo studies are required to clarify its effects on animal production.

Salud bucal, higiene y hábitos bucales en personas con trastorno del espectro autista / Oral health, hygiene practices and oral habits of people with autism spectrum disorder

ABSTRACT Introduction: People with autism spectrum disorder have a higher risk of dental complications due to the characteristics of the condition itself. Objective: To describe the oral health status, hygiene practices and oral habits of a group of Chilean children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted of 123 subjects with autism spectrum disorder. A questionnaire was applied which dealt with socio-demographic information, dental history, oral hygiene practices and oral habits. Each participating subject underwent oral examination to determine their experience with and prevalence of caries, scores on the Simplified Oral Hygiene Index and the gingival index, and the presence of dental trauma, deep/ogival palate, anterior open bite, and anterior and posterior crossbite. Results: 48 percent of the subjects with autism spectrum disorder brushed twice a day, and 68.0 percent required assisted tooth-brushing; 94.3 percent had oral habits, of which bruxism and oral breathing were the most frequent, accounting for 57.7 percent and 52.9 percent, respectively. Prevalence of caries was 33.3 percent, the dental caries index for permanent dentition was 1.1 ± 1.8, and the dental caries index for deciduous and permanent dentition was 2.6 ± 3.3. OHI-S for the 123 subjects was 1.30 ± 0.58. Conclusions: Most subjects required assistance with tooth-brushing and brushed twice a day. Bruxism and oral breathing were the most prevalent oral habits. A low prevalence of caries, a very low dental caries index for permanent dentition and a fair Oral Hygiene Index were observed in the 123 subjects with autism spectrum disorder(AU)

RESUMEN Introducción: Las personas con trastorno del espectro autista tienen un mayor riesgo de presentar complicaciones dentales, debido a las características propias de la enfermedad. Objetivo: Describir el estado de salud bucal, hábitos de higiene y hábitos bucales de un grupo de niños, adolescentes y adultos chilenos con trastorno del espectro autista. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de 123 sujetos con trastorno del espectro autista. Se aplicó un cuestionario sobre información socio-demográfica, antecedentes dentales, hábitos de higiene bucal y hábitos bucales, y se realizó un examen odontológico a cada participante para determinar la experiencia y prevalencia de caries, la puntuación según el índice de higiene bucal simplificado y el índice gingival, así como la presencia de traumatismo dentario, paladar profundo/ojival, mordida abierta anterior y mordida cruzada anterior y posterior. Resultados: El 48 por ciento de los sujetos con trastorno del espectro autista se cepillaba dos veces al día y el 68,0 por ciento tenía un cepillado asistido. El 94,3 por ciento presentaba hábitos bucales, de los cuales los más frecuentes eran el bruxismo con 57,7 por ciento y la respiración bucal con 52,9 por ciento. La prevalencia de caries fue de 33,3 por ciento, el índice total de caries en dentición permanente de 1,1 ± 1,8 y el índice total de caries en dentición temporal y permanente de 2,6 ± 3,3. El índice de higiene bucal simplificado para los 123 sujetos fue de 1,30 ± 0,58. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los sujetos tenían un cepillado asistido y lo realizaban dos veces al día. Los hábitos bucales más prevalentes fueron el bruxismo y la respiración bucal. En los 123 sujetos con trastorno del espectro autista se observó una baja prevalencia de caries, un índice total de caries en dentición permanente muy bajo y un índice de higiene bucal regular(AU)

Psychoeducational intervention to improve oral assessment in people with autism spectrum disorder, BIO-BIO region, Chile

Background: To assess the effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention program designed to facilitate the performance of a series of steps of oral examination in children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in the Bio-Bio region, Chile. Material and Methods: A prospective, quasi-experimental study with pre-intervention, post-intervention and maintenance tests was carried out. Behavior was measured using Frankl’s scale and the number of steps of a dental examination completed (1-10 steps) was also recorded. Only 104 of the 188 subjects with ASD that agreed to participate in the study met all the inclusion criteria. Results: 82 people with ASD completed the psychoeducational intervention. The mean number of steps achieved pre- and post-intervention was 4.1 and 9.4, resulting in a clinically and statistically significant difference. Regarding behavior, the median in the pre-test was 2 (negative behavior) and in the post-test it increased to 3 (positive behavior), this difference being relevant and statistically significant. A maintenance test one month later on 63 people with ASD found no variations in behavior and in the number of examination steps completed. Conclusions: The proposed intervention was effective as an increase of more than 5 in the number of steps of examination completed was achieved. Frankl's behavior rating also increased, from negative to positive, in a group of children, adolescents and adults with ASD

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Evaluación de la capacitación en tratamiento restaurador atraumático, Facultad de Odontología, Universidad de Concepción, 2007 – 2008 / Evaluation of atraumatic restorative treatment training courses, Dental School, Universidad de Concepción, 2007 – 2008

El Tratamiento Restaurador Atraumático (ART) está ampliamente difundido en aquellas zonas donde no se puede realizar odontología con técnica rotatoria convencional y existen varias universidades que imparten cursos deART, basadas principalmente en la estructura de módulos propuesta por Frencken. Este estudio tiene como objetivo realizar una evaluación de los cursos ART impartidos por la Universidad de Concepción (UdeC) en sus versiones 2007 y 2008. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo sobre el Universo de 40 participantes en los años mencionados, en los que se evaluó: cumplimiento de los objetivos educacionales, contenido del curso, secuencia de los módulos, duración y calidad del material didáctico y de enseñanza. Los resultados muestran favorables resultados, que mejoraron el segundo año: 70.5 por ciento a 89.5 por ciento para un muy buen cumplimiento de objetivos, 70 por ciento a 77 por ciento para una muy alta utilidad de los contenidos, 85 por ciento a 90 por ciento de una secuencia adecuada, 75 por ciento a 95 por ciento para una duración adecuada y un 66.25 por ciento a 78.75 por ciento en la calidad de la enseñanza. Existe, según la evaluación de los participantes, una adecuada forma en que se imparten los cursos de ART por parte de la UdeC, no existen estudios previos sobre la materia, por lo que es necesario continuar realizando estudios de evaluación.

Atraumatic Restorative Treatment is widespread in areas where dental treatments are impossible with rotating technique, and there are several universities offering ART courses, based mainly on the structure of modules proposed by Frencken. This study aims to conduct an evaluation of the ART courses offered by University of Concepcion (UdeC) in their 2007 and 2008 versions. We conducted a descriptive study on the Universe of 40 participants in those years, which was evaluated on: implementing the educational objectives, course contents, sequence of modules, duration and quality of learning materials and teaching. The results show favorable results, which improved in the second year: 70.5 percent to 89.5 percent fora very good achievement of educational objectives, 70 percent to 77 percent at a very high utility of the contents, 85 percent to 90 percent of properly sequence of modules, 75 percent to 95 percent for adequate duration and 66.25 to 78.75 percent in the quality of teaching. There is therefore, in participant’s evaluations, an adequate way in that ART courses are taught by the UdeC, unfortunately there are no previous studies on this subject and is necessary to conduct further studies that address it.