Green synthesis of BiVO4/Eco-graphene nanostructures for the elimination of sulfamethoxazole by adsorption and photo-degradation using blue LED light.

Photo-catalysts based on BiVO4 (BV) and Eco-graphene (EG) were synthesized and obtained in a single step with high-quality properties. These nanostructures (NEs) were obtained through a green chemistry route and by adding 2, 3, and 5 wt% of a homemade EG. The BV/X EG NEs (where X = corresponds to the weight % of EG) demonstrated high photocatalytic activity, obtaining Sulfamethoxazole degradation percentages of 40, 45, 52, and 57 for BV, BV/2 EG, BV/3 EG, and BV/5 EG respectively, using a blue LED light. In addition, it was observed that the presence of EG slightly affected the surface area and porosity of BV. Moreover, it was observed that the presence of EG stabilized the scheelite monoclinic phase (m-s), and decreased the crystal size and band-gap values of BV-based samples. It was detected that EG contents increased the BV reduction, creating oxygen vacancies and V4+ states, which favored electron transfer, enhanced the photo-catalytic activity, and decreased the recombination rate. The adsorption influence of the BV/EG system was also studied. Finally, the stability tests of these materials after four cycles of reuse allowed keeping practically the full degradation capacity, demonstrating that these NEs represent a promising material driven by visible light that can be used for wastewater decontamination in the presence of drugs.

Highly graphitic Fe-doped carbon xerogels as dual-functional electro-Fenton catalysts for the degradation of tetracycline in wastewater.

Fe-doped carbon xerogels with a highly developed graphitic structure were synthesized by a one-step sol-gel polymerization. These highly graphitic Fe-doped carbons are presented as promising dual-functional electro-Fenton catalysts to perform both the electro-reduction of O2 to H2O2 and H2O2 catalytic decomposition (Fenton) for wastewater decontamination. The amount of Fe is key to the development of this electrode material, since affects the textural properties; catalyzes the development of graphitic clusters improving the electrode conductivity; and influences the O2-catalyst interaction controlling the H2O2 selectivity but, at the same time is the catalyst for the decomposition of the electrogenerated H2O2 to OH• radicals for the organic pollutants oxidation. All materials achieve the development of ORR via the 2-electron route. The presence of Fe considerably improves the electro-catalytic activity. However, a mechanism change seems to occur at around -0.5 V in highly Fe-doped samples. At potential lower than -0.5 eV, the present of Feδ+ species or even Fe-O-C active sites favour the selectivity to 2e-pathway, however at higher potentials, Feδ+ species are reduced favoring a O-O strong interaction enhancing the 4e-pathway. The Electro-Fenton degradation of tetracycline was analyzed. The TTC degradation is almost complete (95.13%) after 7 h of reaction without using any external Fenton-catalysts.

[Family picnodisostosis, report of a case after 10 years of follow-up]. / Picnodisostosis familiar, reporte de un caso tras 10 años de seguimiento.

INTRODUCTION: Pycnodysostosis is a rare disease secondary to a mutation in gen 1q21 that codifies the cathepsin K, proteolitic enzyme implicated in the metabolism of osteonectin, osteopontin and type I colagen. Its global incidence is around 1-1.7 cases per million, without genre prevalences, it is clinically caracterized by short stature, craneal deformities, «birds face¼ and bone fragility with pathological fractures tendency predominantly affecting long bones and occasionally vertebral pedicles. Radiologically is characterized by sclerous bones with permeable medular cannel. Despite there are numerous clinical reports on medical literature, just a litlle describe families with more than one afected member and its followship is usually short-term. OBJECTIVE: To analize clinical evolution of these afected patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, descriptive, observational study was reelized in three patients with diagnosis of pycnodisostosis, between July 2006 and March 2016. RESULTS: different affection forms of pycnodisostosis where observed, some of them, atipical, as for example spondilolisis and a escapule fracture in one patien. CONCLUSIONS: The present study could be the longest longitudinal report ever registered. By knowing the presented variety of manifestations and complications, the reader could select the best treatment method for each case.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La picnodisostosis es una rara enfermedad secundaria en una mutación en el gen 1q21 que codifica la catepsina K, enzima implicada en el metabolismo de osteonectina, osteopontina y colágeno I. La incidencia mundial es de 1-1.7 casos por millón, sin prevalencia por género, se caracteriza clínicamente por talla baja, deformidades craneales, «cara de pájaro¼ y fragilidad ósea con tendencia a fracturas patológicas, que afectan predominantemente los huesos largos y ocasionalmente en los pedículos vertebrales. Radiológicamente es característica la presencia de osteoesclerosis con canales medulares permeables. Aunque existen numerosos reportes de casos clínicos en la literatura, pocos son los que describen familias con más de un individuo afectado y el seguimiento suele ser a corto plazo. OBJETIVO: Analizar la evolución clínica de los pacientes afectados. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se realizó estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, observacional de tres pacientes con diagnóstico de picnodisostosis, en el período de Julio 2006 a Marzo de 2016. RESULTADOS: Se observaron diferentes formas de afectación de la picnodisostosis, algunas de ellas atípicas como la espondilólisis y una fractura de escápula en una paciente. CONCLUSIONES: El presente estudio podría ser el análisis longitudinal más extenso del que se tenga registro. Conocer la variedad de manifestaciones y complicaciones presentadas permitirá al lector seleccionar el mejor método de tratamiento para cada caso.

[Perceptions on electronic prescribing by primary care physicians in madrid healthcare service]. / Percepción de los médicos de atención primaria sobre la receta electrónica en el Servicio Madrileño de Salud.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the opinion of Primary Care physicians regarding electronic prescribing. METHODS: Descriptive study by means of a questionnaire sent to 527 primary care physicians. PERIOD: June 2014. The questionnaire included closed questions about interest shown, satisfaction, benefits, weaknesses, and barriers, and one open question about difficulties, all of them referred to electronic prescribing. Satisfaction was measured using 1-10 scale, and benefits, weaknesses, and barriers were evaluated by a 5-ítems Likert scale. Interest was measured using both methods. The questionnaire was sent by e-mail for on line response through Google Drive® tool. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: The response rate was 47% (248/527). Interest shown was 8.7 (95% CI; 8.5-8.9) and satisfaction was 7.9 (95% CI; 7.8-8). The great majority 87.9% (95% CI; 83.8-92%) of respondents used electronic prescribing where possible. Most reported benefits were: 73.4% (95% CI; 67.8-78.9%) of respondents considered that electronic prescribing facilitated medication review, and 59.3% (95% CI; 53.1-65.4) of them felt that it reduced bureaucratic burden. Among the observed weaknesses, they highlighted the following: 87.9% (95% CI; 83.8-92%) of respondents believed specialist care physicians should also be able to use electronic prescribing. Concerning to barriers: 30.2% (95% CI; 24.5-36%) of respondents think that entering a patient into the electronic prescribing system takes too much time, and 4% (95% CI; 1.6-6.5%) of them perceived the application as difficult to use. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians showed a notable interest in using electronic prescribing and high satisfaction with the application performance.

Short-term treatment outcome of pulpotomies in primary molars using mineral trioxide aggregate and Biodentine: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: An ideal pulpotomy agent for primary molars has been sought for many years. Recently, new materials that allow regeneration of residual pulp tissue have been developed. In this study, we compared the preliminary clinical results obtained using Biodentine and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as pulp-dressing agents in pulpotomies of primary molars. METHODS: A randomized clinical study was performed in children aged 4-9 years with at least one primary tooth with decay or caries requiring pulp treatment. A total of 90 primary molars requiring pulpotomy were randomly allocated to the MTA or Biodentine group, and 84 pulpotomies were performed. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were undertaken 6 and 12 months after treatment. All teeth were restored with a reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol base and stainless steel crowns. Statistical analysis using Fisher's exact test was performed to determine the significant differences between the groups. RESULTS: A total of four clinical failures were observed; all involved gingival inflammation. The clinical success rate in the MTA Group after 12 months was 92 % (36/39), whereas the Biodentine Group obtained 97 % (38/39) (p = 0.346). All radiographic failures were observed at the 12-month follow-up evaluation. One molar from MTA Group showed internal resorption obtaining a radiographic success rate of 97 % (38/39). Two molars from the Biodentine Group showed radiographic failure (1 internal resorption and 1 periradicular radiolucency) obtaining a radiographic success rate of 95 % (37/39). CONCLUSIONS: Biodentine showed similar clinical results as MTA with comparable success rates when used for pulpotomies of primary molars. However, longer follow-up studies are required to confirm our findings. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article demonstrates the effectiveness of Biodentine as a primary teeth pulpotomy material, performing similar results as MTA at 12-months evaluation.

Plant growth-promoting Burkholderia species isolated from annual ryegrass in Portuguese soils.

AIMS: To search for culturable Burkholderia species associated with annual ryegrass in soils from natural pastures in Portugal, with plant growth-promoting effects. METHODS AND RESULTS: Annual ryegrass seedlings were used to trap Burkholderia from two different soils in laboratory conditions. A combined approach using genomic fingerprinting and sequencing of 16S rRNA and recA genes resulted in the identification of Burkholderia strains belonging to the species Burkholderia graminis, Burkholderia fungorum and the Burkholderia cepacia complex. Most strains were able to solubilize mineral phosphate and to synthesize indole acetic acid; some of them could produce siderophores and antagonize the phytopathogenic oomycete, Phytophthora cinnamomi. A strain (G2Bd5) of B. graminis was selected for gnotobiotic plant inoculation experiments. The main effects were the stimulation of root growth and enhancement of leaf lipid synthesis and turnover. Fluorescence in situ hybridization and confocal laser microscopy evidenced that strain G2Bd5 is a rhizospheric and endophytic colonizer of annual ryegrass. CONCLUSIONS: This work revealed that annual ryegrass can naturally associate with members of the genus Burkholderia. A novel plant growth promoting strain of B. graminis was obtained. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The novel strain belongs to the plant-associated Burkholderia cluster and is a promising candidate for exploitation as plant inoculant in field conditions.

[Clinical course of decompressive surgery for the treatment of lumbar stenosis]. / Evolución clínica de la cirugía descompresiva en el tratamiento del canal lumbar estrecho degenerativo.

BACKGROUND: Several authors and publications have focused on comparing the clinical course of nerve root decompressive surgery, with or without fusion, to treat degenerative lumbar stenosis. However, there are not many reports analyzing the clinical course after decompressive surgery of a single nerve root (the most symptomatic one) comparing it with decompression of all the roots in a segment. This study intends to compare the clinical course after decompressing the most symptomatic lumbar nerve root with the release of multiple lumbar nerve roots to relieve neuropathic pain resulting from degenerative lumbar stenosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational, descriptive longitudinal study was performed. A total of 38 patients were divided into two groups that included each 19 cases. Patients underwent recalibration of either a single nerve root or multiple nerve roots of a segment. Percentages were calculated as well as the Student t test and the Pearson correlation. RESULTS: In group A, a decrease of 46.63 points was seen in the Oswestry scale, representing a 66.73% improvement in pain. In group B, in turn, a mean decrease of 34.54 points was seen in the Oswestry scale, equivalent to a 47.23% improvement in pain, with a Student t in which p = 0.11 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.08. CONCLUSIONS: No statistically significant differences were found between both study groups.

Diversos autores y publicaciones se han enfocado en comparar la evolución clínica de la cirugía descompresiva de las raíces, ya sea con o sin fusión, para el tratamiento del canal lumbar estrecho degenerativo. Sin embargo, no existen muchos reportes que analicen la evolución clínica tras la cirugía descompresiva de una sola raíz nerviosa (la más sintomática) contra la descompresión de todas las raíces de un segmento. El presente estudio pretende comparar la evolución clínica de la liberación radicular lumbar de la raíz más sintomática con respecto a la liberación de múltiples raíces lumbares para el alivio del dolor neuropático en el canal lumbar estrecho degenerativo.

Effect of audiovisual distraction on children's behaviour, anxiety and pain in the dental setting.

AIM: To evaluate whether the parental perception of the patient's anxiety, children's anxiety, pain, behaviour and heart rate of paediatric patients improves when an audiovisual technique is used as a distraction method during dental treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This non-randomised crossover trial was performed with 34 patients aged 6-8 years, who required a minimum of two treatment visits for restorative therapy. During the last visit, the patient was shown a cartoon film. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in the global behaviour when children were shown a cartoon film (P < 0.001). A significant increase in heart rate was recorded in both visits (P = 0.0001) when the anaesthetic was injected. A 97% of the sample would like to continue seeing their chosen film during subsequent visits. No statistically significant differences were found (P > 0.05) between the visits in terms of parental perception of the patient's anxiety, or the patient's self-reported anxiety, pain and heart rate. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the audiovisual material used as a method of distraction produces a global improvement in patient behaviour, but not in parental perception of the patient's anxiety, self-reported anxiety, pain or heart rate according to the measurement scales used. This material is also highly accepted by paediatric patients.

Oral rehabilitation of a 4-year-old child with early childhood caries under general anaesthesia: a case report on long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND: Young patients with early childhood caries (ECC) commonly undergo oral rehabilitation under general anaesthesia (GA), often because of problems with behaviour management. Children with a history of ECC are highly susceptible to the development of new caries, even after comprehensive oral rehabilitation. CASE REPORT: The present paper reports the case of a female patient, aged 4.1 years, with ECC who was referred for treatment to the Department of Paediatric Dentistry of the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya. On account of the requirement for extensive dental treatment, and because of behaviour management problems, her dentition was restored under GA. A combination of restorative approaches and techniques was used, including the placement of composite resins, preformed metal crown restorations, extractions, and space maintainers. The patient was followed for 24 months, both clinically and radiographically. Conclusion This case reflects the need to provide adequate support to children at high risk for ECC, together with their families by developing more acceptable and effective biological and behavioural interventions in order to reduce caries relapse after oral rehabilitation under GA.

Measurement of the sound intensity during suction of middle-ear fluid following myringotomy.

OBJECTIVE: To determine noise intensity during middle-ear aspiration in order to evaluate whether levels can be potentially harmful. METHODS: In this prospective, observational study, middle-ear effusion was aspirated following myringotomy using a suction instrument with a probe tube microphone. Sound pressure levels and duration were measured, and frequency domain analysis was performed. RESULTS: Forty-four ears were analysed, consisting of 20 with mucoid effusion, 11 with serous effusion and 13 with no effusion. Maximum peak sound intensity ranged from 84 to 157 dB. Half of the ears (50 per cent) were exposed to greater than 140 dB; of these, 82 per cent were exposed for longer than 0.2 ms (range, 0.05-14 ms). There was no significant difference in sound pressure level between ears with mucoid and serous effusion; however, ears with mucoid effusion required longer suction times (p < 0.0030). In addition, peak intensity was greater for ears with mucoid effusion versus those with serous or no effusion (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Middle-ear aspiration during myringotomy caused noise levels within a potentially harmful range.

[Prosthetic radial head for type III Masson fractures]. / Prótesis de cabeza de radio en fracturas Mason tipo III.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of type III Masson radius head fractures is variable; there is not a clear solution. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study addresses the course of patients treated with radius head replacement for type III Masson fractures at ISSEMYM Medical Center, Ecatepec, Mexico. RESULTS: Four male patients were included; mean age was 34.5 years (range 28-41). The mechanism of injury was direct contusion; 3 of the elbows were left (75%) and one was right (25%). A bipolar uncemented prosthesis was used. According to Broberg and Morrey functional assessment criteria, patients had an excellent course. The mean time elapsed after surgery is 13 months. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the radius head prosthesis for type III Masson fractures is a good alternative. Patients may start rehabilitation right away, unlike what occurs with other surgical techniques.

Objective and subjective measures for assessing anxiety in paediatric dental patients.

AIM: Anxiety has been defined as a nonspecific feeling of apprehension towards a concrete situation that does not necessarily involve a previous experience. Dental anxiety can prevent patients from cooperating fully during dental treatment. Given that there is a connection between dental anxiety and uncooperative behaviour, it is important for dentists to be able to assess anxiety in their patients. There are many methods for such assessment, and in children they depend on age and intellectual development. These measures can be objective or subjective, depending on the method used to quantify the degree of anxiety. The aim of this literature review was to analyse the objective and subjective scales that are used most commonly to assess the degree of anxiety of children in a dental setting. CONCLUSION: Knowing the degree of anxiety of dental children is important in order to guide them through their dental experience. Their level of cooperation will also improve and anxiety will be reduced as well.

Proyecto de mejora en la gestión de quejas de la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Santiago de Compostela / Project to improve the management of primary care complaints in Santiago de Compostela

ObjetivoMejorar el nivel de calidad de gestión de quejas en la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Santiago de Compostela a través de 2 objetivos específicos: a) responder a la reclamación en menos de un mes y b) detectar y monitorizar problemas relacionados con la actividad en los centros de salud mediante el diseño de una nueva herramienta informática de registro y gestión de datos.Material y métodosEl trabajo se articula como proyecto de mejora y sigue una metodología clásica de mejora de calidad: a) cuantificación de la situación de partida; b) análisis de las causas; c) implantación de medidas correctoras, y d) seguimiento y control. Período de estudio: 2007-2008.ResultadosEl porcentaje de reclamaciones resueltas en menos de un mes en 2008 fue del 83% (el 79,3%, año 2007), y el incremento del número de quejas recibidas en 2008 fue de un 49,5%. La demora media de resolución fue de 19,4 días en el 2008 (22,8 días, año 2007). La instauración de un nuevo protocolo de gestión de quejas en el área sanitaria logró que el 67,9% de las reclamaciones llegara a la Gerencia con las alegaciones pertinentes en el 2008 (el 31,1%, año 2007).ConclusionesLa aplicación de nuevos protocolos y sencillas medidas correctoras a los problemas identificados permitió una mejora en la respuesta al usuario estadísticamente significativa (p=0,01). El diseño de la nueva base de datos facilitará la identificación de fallos en el sistema y ayudará en el futuro a emprender acciones de mejora(AU)

ObjectiveTo improve the quality of how Santiago's Primary Care Department manages complaints through two specific objectives: 1) Address patients’ claims within a month or less; 2) Use an automated and data management tool to detect and record issues and activities of the health care centers.Resources and methodsThe work consisted of improvements implemented in various phases: a) Quantifying the initial situation; b) Analyzing possible issues; c) Implementing corrective measures; d) Evaluating the implementation and monitoring; period of study 2007-2008.ResultsIn 2008, 83% of claims were addressed in a month or less (79.36% in 2007), taking into account that the number of complaints received in 2008 increased 49.5% from 2007 levels. In 2008, it took 19.46 days to respond to a complaint (22.82 days in 2007). The implementation of the new complaints management protocol in the health care centers allowed 67.9% of all claims in 2008 to be received with all pertinent facts (31.1% in 2007).ConclusionThe application of new protocols and simple corrective measures to the identified issues allowed for a statistically significant improvement in the response rate to the user. The optimization of the automated tool for managing the claims facilitated the identification of breakdowns in the system and prospectively will help undertake improvement actions(AU)

[Project to improve the management of primary care complaints in Santiago de Compostela]. / Proyecto de mejora en la gestión de quejas de la Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Santiago de Compostela.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the quality of how Santiago's Primary Care Department manages complaints through two specific objectives: 1) Address patients' claims within a month or less; 2) Use an automated and data management tool to detect and record issues and activities of the health care centers. RESOURCES AND METHODS: The work consisted of improvements implemented in various phases: a) Quantifying the initial situation; b) Analyzing possible issues; c) Implementing corrective measures; d) Evaluating the implementation and monitoring; period of study 2007-2008. RESULTS: In 2008, 83% of claims were addressed in a month or less (79.36% in 2007), taking into account that the number of complaints received in 2008 increased 49.5% from 2007 levels. In 2008, it took 19.46 days to respond to a complaint (22.82 days in 2007). The implementation of the new complaints management protocol in the health care centers allowed 67.9% of all claims in 2008 to be received with all pertinent facts (31.1% in 2007). CONCLUSION: The application of new protocols and simple corrective measures to the identified issues allowed for a statistically significant improvement in the response rate to the user. The optimization of the automated tool for managing the claims facilitated the identification of breakdowns in the system and prospectively will help undertake improvement actions.

Implante de biomateriais e a consolidação óssea em cadelas submetidas à ovariossalpingo-histerectomia / Influence of biomaterials on the bony consolidation in spayed female dogs

Avaliou-se a hidroxiapatita com alandronato e hidroxiapatita com colágeno na aceleração da consolidação óssea do rádio de cadelas adultas submetidas à ovariossalpingo-histerectomia (OSH). Utilizaram-se 14 cadelas adultas, distribuídas aleatoriamente em dois grupos: grupo-controle e grupo OSH (submetidas à OSH). Quatro meses após a OSH, as cadelas dos dois grupos foram submetidas à cirurgia para produção de uma falha óssea de 4mm de diâmetro nos terços distal e proximal do rádio. No terço distal do membro direito, foi utilizada a hidroxiapatita com alandronato e, no membro esquerdo, a hidroxiapatita com colágeno; no terço proximal, não se utilizou nenhum biomaterial. Houve retardo na consolidação das falhas ósseas nas cadelas submetidas à OSH comparadas com as não submetidas. A hidroxiapatita com alandronato acelerou o processo de reparação e, em todos os animais dos dois grupos, a densidade óssea foi significativamente maior no terço distal onde foi implantada. Os dois biomateriais apresentaram biocompatibilidade, constatada pela ausência de reação inflamatória ou outra reação indesejável.

The hydroxyapatite with alendronate and hydroxyapatite with collagen were evaluated in the acceleration of the bony consolidation of adult spayed bitch radius. For that, 14 adult bitches were distributed in two groups (control and spayed). Four months after ovariohysterectomy, the groups were submitted to the surgery for production of a 4mm diameter bony flaw in the distal and proximal third regions of the radius. In the distal region of the right thoracic limb, hydroxyapatite with alendronate was used. In the distal region of the left thoracic limb, hydroxyapatite with collagen was used. Any biomaterial was used in proximal part of the limb. There was a retard in bony flaws consolidation in the spayed bitches. Hydroxyapatite with alendronate showed better result, since the place it was implanted considerably increased the bony formation. Both biomaterials presented biocompatibility, verified by the absence of inflammatory reaction or other undesirable reaction.