Multifunctional leather finishing vs. applications, through the addition of well-dispersed flower-like nanoparticles.

In the present paper, multifunctional flower-like nanoparticles were synthesized to be used in the leather finishing. They are capable of conferring simultaneously and synergistic antimicrobial, self-cleaning, light resistance, hydrophobic, mechanical, thermal, and fluorescent properties due to the presence of Ag, TiO2, and SiO2 NPs. These nanoparticles form a "flower-like" structure in which the "pistil" is made up of TiO2 and the "petals" that surround it of silver nanoparticles and silica nanoparticles, whose dimensions are of the order of ten nanometers. Their surfaces enjoy abundant hydrophilic functionalities to be dispersed within inks commonly used during the leather finishing process. Leathers functionalized with these nanomaterials showed significantly improved self-cleaning properties after 15 h of exposure to UV light, and antibacterial properties 10 times higher than that shown by the untreated samples. Aging tests were performed (ISO 105-B02, ISO 17228, SAEJ 2412). ΔE, color variation decreased by approximately 30%, if compared with samples not refined with flower-like NPs. Furthermore, the results of the mechanical tests (ISO 17076, FCA 50444) evidence amazing properties, e.g. abrasion resistance more than significantly improved, increase in resistance from 1500 cycles for the untreated samples to 3000 cycles for the leathers finished with flower-like NPs. The contact angle analysis, capturing the angle that traces the air-water to water-substrate interface from the origin of the air-water-substrate contact point at the edge, is practically unchanged after 10 s in the case of nanoparticles containing finishing.

Effect of nitrous oxide on fentanyl consumption in burned patients undergoing dressing change / Efeito do óxido nitroso sobre o consumo de fentanil em pacientes queimados submetidos à troca de curativo

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thermal injuries and injured areas management are important causes of pain in burned patients, requiring that these patients are constantly undergoing general anesthesia for dressing change. Nitrous oxide (N2O) has analgesic and sedative properties; it is easy to use and widely available. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of N2O combined with fentanyl in burned patients during dressing change. METHOD: After approval by the institutional Ethics Committee, 15 adult burned patients requiring daily dressing change were evaluated. Patient analgesia was controlled with fentanyl 0.0005% administered by intravenous pump infusion on-demand. Randomly, in one of the days a mixture of 65% N2O in oxygen (O2) was associated via mask, with a flow of 10 L/min (N2O group) and on the other day only O2 under the same flow (control group). RESULTS: No significant pain reduction was seen in N2O group compared to control group. VAS score before dressing change was 4.07 and 3.4, respectively, in N2O and control groups. Regarding pain at the end of the dressing, patients in N2O group reported pain severity of 2.8; while the control group reported 2.87. There was no significant difference in fentanyl consumption in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The association of N2O was not effective in reducing opioid consumption during dressing changes.

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Os ferimentos térmicos e a manipulação das áreas lesadas são causas importantes de dor em pacientes vítimas de queimaduras, necessitando que estes pacientes sejam constantemente submetidos a anestesias gerais para a troca do curativo. O óxido nitroso (N2O) tem propriedades analgésicas e sedativas, sendo capaz de fácil utilização e de ampla disponibilidade. Com isto, objetivou-se avaliar o efeito analgésico da administração de N2O associado ao fentanil em pacientes queimados, durante a troca de curativo. MÉTODO: Após aprovação pela comissão de ética institucional, foram avaliados 15 pacientes adultos, vítimas de queimaduras com necessidade de troca diária de curativo. A analgesia do paciente foi controlada pelo uso de fentanil 0,0005% administrado por bomba de infusão sob demanda, intravenosa. De maneira aleatória, em um dos dias foi associada mistura de N2O a 65% em oxigênio (O2) sob máscara com fluxo de 10 L/min (grupo N2O) e no outro dia apenas O2 sob o mesmo fluxo (grupo controle). RESULTADOS: Não se observou diminuição significativa da dor no grupo N2O em relação ao grupo controle. A dor na EAV antes da troca do curativo foi de 4,07 e 3,4; respectivamente nos grupos N2O e controle. Quanto à dor ao término da troca de curativo, os pacientes do grupo N2O referiram dor intensidade 2,8; enquanto no grupo controle foi de 2,87. Não houve diferença significativa de consumo de fentanil em ambos os grupos. CONCLUSÕES: A associação de N2O não foi eficaz na redução no consumo de opióides durante a troca de curativos.

Effect of nitrous oxide on fentanyl consumption in burned patients undergoing dressing change.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thermal injuries and injured areas management are important causes of pain in burned patients, requiring that these patients are constantly undergoing general anesthesia for dressing change. Nitrous oxide (N2O) has analgesic and sedative properties; it is easy to use and widely available. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of N2O combined with fentanyl in burned patients during dressing change. METHOD: After approval by the institutional Ethics Committee, 15 adult burned patients requiring daily dressing change were evaluated. Patient analgesia was controlled with fentanyl 0.0005% administered by intravenous pump infusion on-demand. Randomly, in one of the days a mixture of 65% N2O in oxygen (O2) was associated via mask, with a flow of 10 L/min (N2O group) and on the other day only O2 under the same flow (control group). RESULTS: No significant pain reduction was seen in N2O group compared to control group. VAS score before dressing change was 4.07 and 3.4, respectively, in N2O and control groups. Regarding pain at the end of the dressing, patients in N2O group reported pain severity of 2.8; while the control group reported 2.87. There was no significant difference in fentanyl consumption in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The association of N2O was not effective in reducing opioid consumption during dressing changes.

[Effect of nitrous oxide on fentanyl consumption in burned patients undergoing dressing change]. / Efeito do óxido nitroso sobre o consumo de fentanil em pacientes queimados submetidos à troca de curativo.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Thermal injuries and injured areas management are important causes of pain in burned patients, requiring that these patients are constantly undergoing general anesthesia for dressing change. Nitrous oxide (N2O) has analgesic and sedative properties; it is easy to use and widely available. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of N2O combined with fentanyl in burned patients during dressing change. METHOD: After approval by the institutional Ethics Committee, 15 adult burned patients requiring daily dressing change were evaluated. Patient analgesia was controlled with fentanyl 0.0005% administered by intravenous pump infusion on-demand. Randomly, in one of the days a mixture of 65% N2O in oxygen (O2) was associated via mask, with a flow of 10 L/min (N2O group) and on the other day only O2 under the same flow (control group). RESULTS: No significant pain reduction was seen in N2O group compared to control group. VAS score before dressing change was 4.07 and 3.4, respectively, in N2O and control groups. Regarding pain at the end of the dressing, patients in N2O group reported pain severity of 2.8; while the control group reported 2.87. There was no significant difference in fentanyl consumption in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The association of N2O was not effective in reducing opioid consumption during dressing changes.