Antibacterial Properties of Nanoparticles in Dental Restorative Materials. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background and Objectives: Nanotechnology has become a significant area of research focused mainly on increasing the antibacterial and mechanical properties of dental materials. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to examine and quantitatively analyze the current evidence for the addition of different nanoparticles into dental restorative materials, to determine whether their incorporation increases the antibacterial/antimicrobial properties of the materials. Materials and Methods: A literature search was performed in the Pubmed, Scopus, and Embase databases, up to December 2018, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Results: A total of 624 papers were identified in the initial search. After screening the texts and applying inclusion criteria, only 11 of these were selected for quantitative analysis. The incorporation of nanoparticles led to a significant increase (p-value < 0.01) in the antibacterial capacity of all the dental materials synthesized in comparison with control materials. Conclusions: The incorporation of nanoparticles into dental restorative materials was a favorable option; the antibacterial activity of nanoparticle-modified dental materials was significantly higher compared with the original unmodified materials, TiO2 nanoparticles providing the greatest benefits. However, the high heterogeneity among the articles reviewed points to the need for further research and the application of standardized research protocols

Control automatizado de instalaciones domóticas

La introducción de la tecnología en los edificios de uso no residencial ha sido mucho más temprana que en las viviendas. Lo que ocurre es que hasta no hace muchos años, coincidiendo con la fuerte implantación de las telecomunicaciones y sobre todo de la informática, las instalaciones en los edificios eran gestionadas de forma individual y siempre con soluciones de tipo industrial. Es a finales de los años 70, cuando las empresas empiezan a desarrollar algunos productos pensando en la edificación. El grado de desarrollo actual de la Domótica en España y el mundo, es considerable sobre todo si se tiene en cuenta su reciente historia. Es posible destacar hoy la existencia de un buen número de sistemas y productos con prestaciones domóticas para el hogar que evidencian la evolución seguida por este mercado. Aunque el número no parezca, a priori, demasiado elevado, se estima su novedad como muy significativo. La oferta actual se caracteriza por ser suficientemente atractiva y por adaptarse a cualquier tipología de edificio. En este trabajo se mostrará un análisis de los diferentes buses, estándares, protocolos o tecnologías más representativos del mundo Domótico / Inmótico, de manera que se muestre el estado del arte de las mismas, en un sector claramente emergente, como es la inclusión de la tecnología en la edificació

Análisis térmico en la obtención de aceros y fundiciones

El análisis térmico consiste en determinar las temperaturas de las transformaciones alotrópicas (puntos críticos) que se originan al calentar o enfriar un metal o aleación. Con ellas se puede trazar la gráfica de las funciones entre tiempo y temperatura. Los puntos de inflexión o tramos horizontales de las curvas indican las temperaturas de las transformaciones alotrópicas que van acompañadas de un desprendimiento de calor (en el calentamiento). Para efectos prácticos, el análisis térmico solo es factible cuando las transformaciones en el metal ocurren con un efecto térmico lo suficientemente considerable como para que sea detectable y medible con instrumentos de medida industriales. En este trabajo el estudio se ha concretado en la faceta que interesa al fundidor, cual es la del enfriamiento desde el estado líquido hasta la solidificación total. El análisis de las transformaciones y puntos de inflexión permite predecir la composición, estructura y propiedades que tendrán las piezas que se cuelen en esa aleación líquida y aplicar a tiempo las correcciones pertinentes y necesarias para satisfacer las características exigidas a esas piezas. Es decir, hay dos pasos u objetivos en el análisis térmico: el primero es conocer que metal tenemos en el horno; el segundo es, basándose en ese conocimiento, determinar las adiciones correctoras que hay que introducir en el horno o cuchara para satisfacer las demandas del acero y fundición especificados. En este trabajo el estudio se ha concretado en la faceta que interesa al fundidor, cual es la del enfriamiento desde el estado líquido hasta la solidificación total. El análisis de las transformaciones y puntos de inflexión permite predecir la composición, estructura y propiedades que tendrán las piezas que se cuelen en esa aleación líquida y aplicar a tiempo las correcciones pertinentes y necesarias para satisfacer las características exigidas a esas piezas. Es decir, hay dos pasos u objetivos en el análisis térmico: el primero es conocer que metal tenemos en el horno; el segundo es, basándose en ese conocimiento, determinar las adiciones correctoras que hay que introducir en el horno o cuchara para satisfacer las demandas del acero y fundición especificados

Control del sweet-spot de IMD en dispositivos FET usando una resistencia de polarización de puerta

In this paper, the use of a gate bias resistor is proposed for conforming a wide linearity sweet-spot in class B or C amplifiers based on junction FET technologies. An illustrative E-pHEMT transistor has been characterized in terms of its intermodulation distortion (IMD) behaviour versus input power, paying particular attention to the evolution of the gate-to-source voltage where the sweet-spot appears. The DC current, resulting from rectification of large gate-to-source voltage swings, has also been studied. It proved to be useful as an element for dynamically adjusting VGS with the RF power level, through the addition of an adequate resistor in the DC path. Finally, experimental results of this sweet-spot enhancement in both B and C amplifying classes are shown, either using the classical two-tone excitation or a real IS-95 modulated signal

A comparative study on the passivation and localized corrosion of α- and β-brass in borate buffer solutions containing sodium chloride—II. X-ray photoelectron and Auger electron spectroscopy data

The composition of corrosion layers formed on α-, β- and (α + β)-brass anodized in the passive region in borate-boric acid buffer and 0.5 M NaCl + borate-boric acid buffer (pH 9) was studied comparatively by X-ray photo-electron and Auger electron spectroscopy. Passivation of brass in both solutions involves the formation of a complex passive layer consisting of ZnO and Cu2O. In both solutions, the ZnO electroformation results in a dezincification so that a thin Cu rich layer is formed at the alloy/metal oxide interface. Passive layer composition and dezincification of the alloy surface explain the localized corrosion resistance of brass as compared to polycrystalline Cu and Zn.Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y AplicadasFacultad de Ciencias Exacta

Characterization and analysis of thionin genes

The general designation of thionins has been proposed for a family of homologous proteins that have been isolated from different tissues in a wide range of plant taxa and have been variously named purothionins, viscotoxins, crambins, etc. (see Garcia-Olmedo et al., 1989). The possible involvement of thionins in plant defense was first suggested, on the basis of their in vitro toxicity to plant pathogens, by Fernandez de Caleya et al., (1972). Those observations had been prompted by earlier reports concerning the antimicrobial properties of these polypeptides (Stuart and Harris, 1942; Balls and Harris, 1944). Work on the thionins, which has been actively pursued over the past half-century, has been recently reviewed in detail (Garcia-Olmedo et al., 1989). For this reason, earlier work will only be partially summarized in the present chapter, which will focus on recent developments concerning thionin genes and their potential role in plant defense mechanisms

Visual outcomes after bilateral trifocal diffractive intraocular lens implantation

Background In recent years new models of intraocular lenses are appearing on the market to reduce requirements for additional optical correction. The purpose of this study is to assess visual outcomes following bilateral cataract surgery and the implant of a FineVision® trifocal intraocular lens (IOL). Methods Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Vision was assessed in 44 eyes of 22 patients (mean age 68.4 ± 5.5 years) before and 3 months after surgery. Aberrations were determined using the Topcon KR-1 W wave-front analyzer. LogMAR visual acuity was measured at distance (corrected distance visual acuity, CDVA 4 m), intermediate (distance corrected intermediate visual acuity, DCIVA 60 cm) and near (distance corrected near visual acuity, DCNVA 40 cm). The Pelli-Robson letter chart and the CSV-1000 test were used to estimate contrast sensitivity (CS). Defocus curve testing was performed in photopic and mesopic conditions. Adverse photic phenomena were assessed using the Halo v1.0 program. Results Mean aberration values for a mesopic pupil diameter were: total HOA RMS: 0.41 ± 0.30 μm, coma: 0.32 ± 0.22 μm and spherical aberration: 0.21 ± 0.20 μm. Binocular logMAR measurements were: CDVA −0.05 ± 0.05, DCIVA 0.15 ± 0.10, and DCNVA 0.06 ± 0.10. Mean Pelli-Robson CS was 1.40 ± 0.14 log units. Mean CSV100 CS for the 4 frequencies examined (A: 3 cycles/degree (cpd), B: 6 cpd, C: 12 cpd, D: 18 cpd) were 1.64 ± 0.14, 1.77 ± 0.18, 1.44 ± 0.24 and 0.98 ± 0.24 log units, respectively. Significant differences were observed in defocus curves for photopic and mesopic conditions (p < 0.0001). A mean disturbance index of 0.28 ± 0.22 was obtained. Conclusions Bilateral FineVision IOL implant achieved a full range of adequate vision, satisfactory contrast sensitivity, and a lack of significant adverse photic phenomena. Trial registration Eudract Clinical Trials Registry Number: 2014-003266-2

Visual outcomes after bilateral implantation of a new diffractive multifocal IOL: Preliminary results

Background: The aim was to determine visual outcomes and patient satisfaction in patients undergoing cataract surgery after the binocular implant of multifocal difractive Intensity IOL Methods: 21 patients were evaluated. Six weeks after surgery, uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA), distance corrected intermediate visual acuity at 60 cm(DCIVA) and distance corrected near visual acuity at 40cm (DCNVA) were determined using the ETDRS test. Defocus curves were produced both in photopic and mesopic conditions. Contrast sensitivity(CSF) was measured using the CSV-1000 test. Patients were shown pictures about dysphotopic phenomena and informed about their meaning with a likert scale from 0 (no problem) to 4 (overwhelming). Results: Post implantation mean logMAR Binocular UDVA, CDVA, DCIVA and DCNVA were 0.07± 0.09, -0.01 ± 0.04, 0.08 ± 0.05 and 0.12 ± 0.06 respectively. Photopic defocus curve showed a extended range of good vision. Mesopic defocus curve results were better than previously reported with trifocal designs. Mean binocular CSF values for 4 spatial frequencies (3, 6, 12 and 18 cpd) were 1.55±0.29, 1.60±0.17, 1.29±0.26 and 0.81±0.15 log. units, respectively. Halos were more frequent than starburst and glare with a Likert scale mean value of 0.86±0.83. Conclusions: The IOL provided a continuous range of vision from distance to near. Patients were not bothered or only slightly bothered in relation to the visual disturbances.Unidad Docente de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLDepto. de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de Óptica y OptometríaFac. de MedicinaFALSEunpu

NO Oxidation on Lanthanum-Doped Ceria Nanoparticles with Controlled Morphology

The present work aims to assess the impact of morphology and reducibility on lanthanum-doped ceria nanocatalysts with controlled morphology on the NO oxidation reaction. Specifically, samples were prepared using a hydrothermal method incorporating lanthanum at varying molar concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15 mol.%) into ceria with a controlled morphology (nanocubes and nanorods). The structural, compositional, and redox characterization of these catalysts has been performed via scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (X-EDS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and oxygen storage capacity (OSC). NO oxidation catalytic tests were conducted, and the results were compared with estimated curves (obtained by considering the proportions of the corresponding components), which revealed the presence of a synergistic effect between lanthanum and ceria. The degree of enhancement was found to depend on both the morphology and the amount of lanthanum incorporated into CeO2. These findings may facilitate the optimization of features concerning ceria-based nanocatalysts for the removal of NOx emissions from exhaust gases.This research was funded by Generalitat Valenciana (CIPROM/2021/070 project), the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation/Research Spanish Agency (PID2019-105542RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033, PID2020-113006RB-I00/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and PID2020-113809RB-C33 projects), and UE-FEDER funding