Glass-(nAg, nCu) Biocide Coatings on Ceramic Oxide Substrates

The present work was focused on obtaining biocide coatings constituted by a glassy soda-lime matrix containing silver or copper nanoparticles on ceramic (alumina and zirconia based) substrates. Both glassy coatings showed a high biocide activity against Gram−, Gram+ bacteria and yeast, reducing cell numbers more than three logarithms. Silver nanoparticles had a significantly higher biocide activity than copper nanoparticles, since the lixiviation levels required to reduce cell numbers more than 3 logarithms was of almost 1–2 µg/cm2 in the case of silver nanoparticles, and 10–15 µg/cm2 for the copper nanoparticles

Nanocomposites of silver nanoparticles embedded in glass nanofibres obtained by laser spinning

Nanocomposites made of non-woven glass fibres with diameters ranging from tens of nanometers up to several micrometers, containing silver nanoparticles, were successfully fabricated by the laser spinning technique. Pellets of a soda-lime silicate glass containing silver nanoparticles with varying concentrations (5 and 10 wt%) were used as a precursor. The process followed to obtain the silver nanofibres did not agglomerate significantly the metallic nanoparticles, and the average particle size is still lower than 50 nm. This is the first time that glass nanofibres containing silver nanoparticles have been obtained following a process different from electrospinning of a sol–gel, thus avoiding the limitations of this method and opening a new route to composite nanomaterials. Antibacterial efficiency of the nanosilver glass fibres, tested against one of the most common Gram negative bacteria, was greater than 99.99% compared to the glass fibres free of silver. The silver nanoparticles are well-dispersed not only on the surface but are also embedded into the uniform nanofibres, which leads to a long lasting durable antimicrobial effect. All these novel characteristics will potentially open up a whole new range of applications.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. 10DPI303014PRMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación | Ref. MAT2009-14542-C02-0

Performance of a New Al2O3/Ce-TZP Ceramic Nanocomposite Dental Implant: A Pilot Study in Dogs

Although titanium remains as the prevalent material in dental implant manufacturing new zirconia-based materials that overcome the major drawbacks of the standard 3Y–yttria partially-stabilized zirconia (Y-TZP) are now emerging. In this study, a new ceramic nanocomposite made of alumina and ceria-stabilized TZP (ZCe-A) has been used to produce dental implants with the mechanic and topographic characteristics of a pilot implant design to evaluate bone and soft tissue integration in a dog model (n = 5). Histological cross-section analysis of the implanted ceramic fixations (n = 15) showed not only perfect biocompatibility, but also a high rate of osseous integration (defined as the percentage of bone to implant contact) and soft tissue attachment. This clinical success, in combination with the superior mechanical properties achieved by this Al2O3/Ce-TZP nanocomposite, may place this material as an improved alternative of traditional 3Y-TZP dental implants

Estudio de la Roca Soporte de las Pinturas Rupestres de la Cueva de Altamira

[ES] Se describen las características geológicas principales del nivel de calcarenitas donde se encuentra la Cueva de Altamira, así como ciertos caracteres de la superficie de la roca soporte de las pinturas. Se presentan los resultados de los análisis químico, difractométrico y petrográfico de dicha roca, que ponen de manifiesto la presencia de concentraciones de montmorillonita irregularmente distribuidas en la misma. Se señala que las variaciones de volumen de dicho mineral como resultado de los cambios de humedad relativa de la Cueva (producidos por la presencia de visitantes) han podido ser la causa de la desescamación de la misma, con el consiguiente desprendimiento de la pintura.[EN] The main geological features of the site in which the Cave of Altamira is located are described, as well as certain features of the rock surface on which the Palaeolithic paintings were applied. The results of the chemical, X-ray and pétrographie analyses of the rock are given. These analysis show the presence of small, irregularly distributed concentrations of montmorillonite in the rock. It is proposed that the volume changes experienced by the montmorillonite as a result of the variations of relative humidity in the cave, produced by the presence of visitors, have caused certain parts of the rock (and the paint over it) to flake off

Inhibitory effect on in vitro Streptococcus oralis biofilm of a soda-lime glass containing silver nanoparticles coating on titanium alloy.

This paper reports the effect of soda-lime-glass-nAg coating on the viability of an in vitro biofilm of Streptococcus oralis. Three strains (ATCC 35037 and two clinical isolates from periodontitis patients) were grown on coated with glass, glass containing silver nanoparticles, and uncoated titanium alloy disks. Two different methods were used to quantify biofilm formation abilities: crystal violet staining and determination of viable counts. The influence of the surface morphology on the cell attachment was studied. The surface morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and using a profilometer. SEM was also used to study the formation and the development of biofilm on the coated and uncoated disks. At least a >99.7% inocula reduction of biofilm respect to titanium disks and also to glass coated disks was observed in the glass-nAg coated disks for all the studied strains. A quantitative evaluation of the release of silver was conducted in vitro to test whether and to what extend the biocidal agent (silver) could leach from the coating. These findings suggest that the biofilm formation of S. oralis strains is highly inhibited by the glass-nAg and may be useful for materials which require durable antibacterial effect on their surfaces, as it is the case of dental implants