Structure, morphology, adhesion and in vitro biological evaluation of antibacterial multi-layer HA-Ag/SiO2/TiN/Ti coatings obtained by RF magnetron sputtering for biomedical applications

[EN] Biocompatible and antibacterial multi-layer coatings of hydroxyapatite (HA)-Ag/SiO2/TiN/Ti were obtained on the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, by means of the magnetron sputtering technique. During characterization of the coatings, the chemical composition was evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and the phase analysis was carried out by X-ray diffraction. The morphology of the coatings was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, while transmission electron microscopy was used to appreciate their structure. The adhesion of the coatings to the substrate was evaluated by micro scratch test. The in vitro biological response was evaluated in terms of cytotoxicity, adhesion and differentiation of mouse mesenchymal stem cells, as well as adhesion and bacterial viability of Staphylococcus aureus strain. Through the compositional study carried out, the deposition of the HA phase was verified, with a Ca/P ratio close to 1.67 and the characteristic diffraction peaks of this compound. The structural study of the coatings evidenced the obtention of multi-layer architectures. The use of an intermediate SiO2/TiN/Ti trilayer was found to improve adhesion between HA-Ag and the substrate by 84%. Finally, the in vitro biological tests carried out indicated a potentially non-toxic character in the coatings. Additionally, an antibacterial effect was registered at low concentrations of Ag (3.0.co;2-3Lalueza, P., Monzón, M., Arruebo, M., & Santamaría, J. (2011). Bactericidal effects of different silver-containing materials. Materials Research Bulletin, 46(11), 2070-2076. doi:10.1016/j.materresbull.2011.06.041Peetsch, A., Greulich, C., Braun, D., Stroetges, C., Rehage, H., Siebers, B., … Epple, M. (2013). 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Effect of thermal treatment on structure, phase and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite thin films grown by RF magnetron sputtering. Thin Solid Films, 669, 571-578. doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2018.11.045Lenis, J. A., Gómez, M. A., & Bolívar, F. J. (2019). Effect of deposition temperature and target-substrate distance on the structure, phases, mechanical and tribological properties of multi-layer HA-Ag coatings obtained by RF magnetron sputtering. Surface and Coatings Technology, 378, 124936. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.124936Sofronia, A. M., Baies, R., Anghel, E. M., Marinescu, C. A., & Tanasescu, S. (2014). Thermal and structural characterization of synthetic and natural nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite. Materials Science and Engineering: C, 43, 153-163. doi:10.1016/j.msec.2014.07.023Lenis, J. A., Bejarano, G., Rico, P., Ribelles, J. L. G., & Bolívar, F. J. (2019). Development of multilayer Hydroxyapatite - Ag/TiN-Ti coatings deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering with potential application in the biomedical field. Surface and Coatings Technology, 377, 124856. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.06.097Lenis, J. A., Toro, L. J., & Bolívar, F. J. (2019). Multi-layer bactericidal silver - calcium phosphate coatings obtained by RF magnetron sputtering. Surface and Coatings Technology, 367, 203-211. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.03.038Valverde, A., Pérez-Álvarez, L., Ruiz-Rubio, L., Pacha Olivenza, M. A., García Blanco, M. B., Díaz-Fuentes, M., & Vilas-Vilela, J. L. (2019). Antibacterial hyaluronic acid/chitosan multilayers onto smooth and micropatterned titanium surfaces. Carbohydrate Polymers, 207, 824-833. doi:10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.12.039Surmeneva, M. A., Chaikina, M. V., Zaikovskiy, V. I., Pichugin, V. F., Buck, V., Prymak, O., … Surmenev, R. A. (2013). The structure of an RF-magnetron sputter-deposited silicate-containing hydroxyapatite-based coating investigated by high-resolution techniques. Surface and Coatings Technology, 218, 39-46. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2012.12.023Nelea, V., Morosanu, C., Iliescu, M., & Mihailescu, I. N. (2003). Microstructure and mechanical properties of hydroxyapatite thin films grown by RF magnetron sputtering. Surface and Coatings Technology, 173(2-3), 315-322. doi:10.1016/s0257-8972(03)00729-1Ding, S.-J., Ju, C.-P., & Lin, J.-H. C. (1999). Characterization of hydroxyapatite and titanium coatings sputtered on Ti-6Al-4V substrate. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research, 44(3), 266-279. doi:10.1002/(sici)1097-4636(19990305)44:33.0.co;2-4Ivanova, A. A., Surmeneva, M. A., Tyurin, A. I., Pirozhkova, T. S., Shuvarin, I. A., Prymak, O., … Surmenev, R. A. (2016). Fabrication and physico-mechanical properties of thin magnetron sputter deposited silver-containing hydroxyapatite films. Applied Surface Science, 360, 929-935. doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2015.11.087Contreras Romero, E., Cortínez Osorio, J., Talamantes Soto, R., Hurtado Macías, A., & Gómez Botero, M. (2019). Microstructure, mechanical and tribological performance of nanostructured TiAlTaN-(TiAlN/TaN)n coatings: Understanding the effect of quaternary/multilayer volume fraction. Surface and Coatings Technology, 377, 124875. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2019.07.086Deligianni, D. (2001). Effect of surface roughness of the titanium alloy Ti–6Al–4V on human bone marrow cell response and on protein adsorption. Biomaterials, 22(11), 1241-1251. doi:10.1016/s0142-9612(00)00274-xZareidoost, A., Yousefpour, M., Ghaseme, B., & Amanzadeh, A. (2012). The relationship of surface roughness and cell response of chemical surface modification of titanium. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 23(6), 1479-1488. doi:10.1007/s10856-012-4611-9Surmeneva, M. A., Tyurin, A. I., Mukhametkaliyev, T. M., Pirozhkova, T. 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Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 135, 386-393. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfb.2015.07.057Chen, Y., Zheng, X., Xie, Y., Ji, H., Ding, C., Li, H., & Dai, K. (2010). Silver release from silver-containing hydroxyapatite coatings. Surface and Coatings Technology, 205(7), 1892-1896. doi:10.1016/j.surfcoat.2010.08.073Actis, L., Gaviria, L., Guda, T., & Ong, J. L. (2013). Antimicrobial surfaces for craniofacial implants: state of the art. Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 39(2), 43. doi:10.5125/jkaoms.2013.39.2.43Parvizi, J., Aggarwal, V., & Rasouli, M. (2013). Periprosthetic joint infection: Current concept. Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, 47(1), 10. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.106884Redey, S. A., Nardin, M., Bernache-Assolant, D., Rey, C., Delannoy, P., Sedel, L., & Marie, P. J. (2000). Behavior of human osteoblastic cells on stoichiometric hydroxyapatite and type A carbonate apatite: Role of surface energy. 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Remarcs on the shape transition from spherical to deformed gamma unstable nuclei

Energies and transition probabilities for low lying states in $^{134}$Ba and ^{104Ru were calculated within a hybrid model.The ground and the first $2^+$ states are described alternatively as a harmonic and anharmonic vibrator states while the remaining states as states with E(5) symmetry. One concludes that a gradual setting of the 'critical' potential yields a better agreement with the experimental data. Very good agreement with the data is obtained for $^{104}$Ru. Comparing the present results with those of E(5) symmetry, it is conspicuous that the present formalism add corrections to the E(5) formalism by bringing the predictions closer to the experimental data. Analytical relationship between the states with U(5) symmetry and those given by the E(5) description is established.Comment: 21 pages, 3 figures, submitted for publicatio

Unified description of magic numbers of metal clusters in terms of the 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator

Magic numbers predicted by a 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator with Uq(3)>SOq(3) symmetry are compared to experimental data for atomic clusters of alkali metals (Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs), noble metals (Cu, Ag, Au), divalent metals (Zn, Cd), and trivalent metals (Al, In), as well as to theoretical predictions of jellium models, Woods-Saxon and wine bottle potentials, and to the classification scheme using the 3n+l pseudo quantum number. In alkali metal clusters and noble metal clusters the 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator correctly predicts all experimentally observed magic numbers up to 1500 (which is the expected limit of validity for theories based on the filling of electronic shells), while in addition it gives satisfactory results for the magic numbers of clusters of divalent metals and trivalent metals, thus indicating that Uq(3), which is a nonlinear extension of the U(3) symmetry of the spherical (3-dimensional isotropic) harmonic oscillator, is a good candidate for being the symmetry of systems of several metal clusters. The Taylor expansions of angular momentum dependent potentials approximately producing the same spectrum as the 3-dimensional q-deformed harmonic oscillator are found to be similar to the Taylor expansions of the symmetrized Woods-Saxon and wine-bottle symmetrized Woods-Saxon potentials, which are known to provide successful fits of the Ekardt potentials.Comment: 23 pages including 7 table

Corn Yield Potential and Optimal Soil Productivity in Irrigated Corn/Soybean Systems

In 1999, an interdisciplinary research team at the University of Nebraska established a field experiment to (1) quantify and understand the yield potential of corn and soybean under irrigated conditions, (2) identify efficient crop management practices to achieve yields that approach potential levels, and (3) determine the energy use efficiency, global warming and soil C-sequestration potential of intensively managed corn systems. The experiment compares systems that represent different levels of management intensity expressed as combinations of crop rotation (continuous corn, corn-soybean), plant density (low, medium, high) and nutrient management (recommended best management vs. intensive management). Detailed measurements include soil nutrient dynamics and C balance, crop growth and development, nutrient uptake and components of yield of corn and soybean, radiation use efficiency, soil surface fluxes of greenhouse gases, root biomass, C inputs through crop residues, translocation of non-structural carbohydrates, and amount, composition and activity of the microbial biomass. Selected results for corn are presented

Deep sea tests of a prototype of the KM3NeT digital optical module

The first prototype of a photo-detection unit of the future KM3NeT neutrino telescope has been deployed in the deepwaters of the Mediterranean Sea. This digital optical module has a novel design with a very large photocathode area segmented by the use of 31 three inch photomultiplier tubes. It has been integrated in the ANTARES detector for in-situ testing and validation. This paper reports on the first months of data taking and rate measurements. The analysis results highlight the capabilities of the new module design in terms of background suppression and signal recognition. The directionality of the optical module enables the recognition of multiple Cherenkov photons from the same (40)Kdecay and the localisation of bioluminescent activity in the neighbourhood. The single unit can cleanly identify atmospheric muons and provide sensitivity to the muon arrival directions

Expansion cone for the 3-inch PMTs of the KM3NeT optical modules

[EN] Detection of high-energy neutrinos from distant astrophysical sources will open a new window on the Universe. The detection principle exploits the measurement of Cherenkov light emitted by charged particles resulting from neutrino interactions in the matter containing the telescope. A novel multi-PMT digital optical module (DOM) was developed to contain 31 3-inch photomultiplier tubes (PMTs). In order to maximize the detector sensitivity, each PMT will be surrounded by an expansion cone which collects photons that would otherwise miss the photocathode. Results for various angles of incidence with respect to the PMT surface indicate an increase in collection efficiency by 30% on average for angles up to 45 degrees with respect to the perpendicular. Ray-tracing calculations could reproduce the measurements, allowing to estimate an increase in the overall photocathode sensitivity, integrated over all angles of incidence, by 27% (for a single PMT). Prototype DOMs, being built by the KM3NeT consortium, will be equipped with these expansion cones.This work is supported through the EU, FP6 Contract no. 011937, FP7 grant agreement no. 212252, and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.Adrián Martínez, S.; Ageron, M.; Aguilar, JA.; Aharonian, F.; Aiello, S.; Albert, A.; Alexandri, M.... (2013). Expansion cone for the 3-inch PMTs of the KM3NeT optical modules. Journal of Instrumentation. 8(3):1-19. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-0221/8/03/T03006S1198

Tegumentary leishmaniasis and coinfections other than HIV

<div><p>Background</p><p>Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is a disease of skin and/or mucosal tissues caused by <i>Leishmania</i> parasites. TL patients may concurrently carry other pathogens, which may influence the clinical outcome of TL.</p><p>Methodology and principal findings</p><p>This review focuses on the frequency of TL coinfections in human populations, interactions between <i>Leishmania</i> and other pathogens in animal models and human subjects, and implications of TL coinfections for clinical practice. For the purpose of this review, TL is defined as all forms of cutaneous (localised, disseminated, or diffuse) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection, superinfection with skin bacteria, and skin manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis are not included. We searched MEDLINE and other databases and included 73 records: 21 experimental studies in animals and 52 studies about human subjects (mainly cross-sectional and case studies). Several reports describe the frequency of <i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> coinfection in TL patients in Argentina (about 41%) and the frequency of helminthiasis in TL patients in Brazil (15% to 88%). Different hypotheses have been explored about mechanisms of interaction between different microorganisms, but no clear answers emerge. Such interactions may involve innate immunity coupled with regulatory networks that affect quality and quantity of acquired immune responses. Diagnostic problems may occur when concurrent infections cause similar lesions (e.g., TL and leprosy), when different pathogens are present in the same lesions (e.g., <i>Leishmania</i> and <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i>), or when similarities between phylogenetically close pathogens affect accuracy of diagnostic tests (e.g., serology for leishmaniasis and Chagas disease). Some coinfections (e.g., helminthiasis) appear to reduce the effectiveness of antileishmanial treatment, and drug combinations may cause cumulative adverse effects.</p><p>Conclusions and significance</p><p>In patients with TL, coinfection is frequent, it can lead to diagnostic errors and delays, and it can influence the effectiveness and safety of treatment. More research is needed to unravel how coinfections interfere with the pathogenesis of TL.</p></div