Ionic liquids for carbon dioxide capture and conversion

Ionic liqs. (ILs) are defined as org. compds. consisting entirely of ions and are characterized by m.ps. below 100 °C, with many of them being liq. at room temp. (RTILs). ILs feature often unique property profiles, which can be tuned by design, such as viscosity, d., soly., cond. or high thermal and chem. stability, just to name the most important ones. With these versatile properties they may have a major impact on many promising applications. In this context, our focus is on CO2 capture. The current process to capture CO2 is based on highly corrosive, volatile and smelly aq. amine

GLRB allelic variation associated with agoraphobic cognitions, increased startle response and fear network activation : a potential neurogenetic pathway to panic disorder

The molecular genetics of panic disorder (PD) with and without agoraphobia (AG) are still largely unknown and progress is hampered by small sample sizes. We therefore performed a genome-wide association study with a dimensional, PD/AG - related anxiety phenotype based on the Agoraphobia Cognition Questionnaire (ACQ) in a sample of 1,370 healthy German volunteers of the CRC TRR58 MEGA study wave 1. A genome-wide significant association was found between ACQ and single non-coding nucleotide variants of the GLRB gene (rs78726293, p=3.3x10-8; rs191260602, p=3.9x10-8). We followed up on this finding in a larger dimensional ACQ sample (N=2,547) and in independent samples with a dichotomous AG phenotype based on the Symptoms Checklist (SCL-90; N=3,845) and a case control sample with the categorical phenotype PD/AG (Ncombined =1,012) obtaining highly significant p-values also for GLRB single nucleotide variants rs17035816 (p=3.8x10-4) and rs7688285 (p=7.6x10-5). GLRB gene expression was found to be modulated by rs7688285 in brain tissue as well as cell culture. Analyses of intermediate PD/AG phenotypes demonstrated increased startle reflex and increased fear network as well as general sensory activation by GLRB risk gene variants rs78726293, rs191260602, rs17035816 and rs7688285. Partial Glrb knockout-mice demonstrated an agoraphobic phenotype. In conjunction withthe clinical observation that rare coding GLRB gene mutations are associated with the neurological disorder hyperekplexia characterized by a generalized startle reaction and agoraphobic behavior, our data provide evidence that non-coding, though functional GLRB gene polymorphisms may predispose to PD by increasing startle response and agoraphobic cognitions.PostprintPeer reviewe

Comparative study of two root coverage procedures: a 24-month follow-up multicenter study.

Contains fulltext : 50568.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)BACKGROUND: Treatment alternatives to cover exposed root surfaces include free grafts, pedicle flaps, and barrier membranes. This 24-month follow-up study clinically evaluated the long-term effect of a coronally advanced flap procedure with the additional use of enamel matrix derivative (EMD) to treat gingival recession versus the subpedicle connective tissue graft (CTG) procedure. METHODS: Miller Class I or II buccal recession-type defects in the anterior teeth or premolars in 65 patients (28 in EMD and 37 in CTG groups) were treated in several centers. At baseline and 12 and 24 months post-treatment, vertical recession defect (VRD), height of keratinized tissue (HKT), and probing depth (PD) were recorded, and the percentage of root coverage (PRC) of the original defect was calculated. Student t test, analysis of variance, and analysis of covariance were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: At 12- and 24-month evaluations, PRC was 73.2% (SD=15.58%) and 76.9% (SD=16.77%) in the EMD group and 86.8% (SD=12.48%) and 84.3% (SD=13.32%) in the CTG group, respectively (P<0.001). Differences between groups were statistically significant (P=0.002). Baseline HKT was 1.07 mm (SD=0.66 mm) in the EMD group and 1.65 mm (SD=0.92 mm) in the CTG group. At 12 and 24 months, values were 1.75 mm (SD=0.59 mm) and 2.25 mm (SD=0.52 mm) in the EMD group and 4.24 mm (SD=0.89 mm) and 4.05 mm (SD=0.94 mm) in the CTG group, respectively. Differences in HKT were statistically significant within (EMD: P<0.001; CTG: P=0.017) and between (P<0.001) groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both treatments proved clinically successful. CTG treatment showed a higher percentage of root coverage and HKT increase. EMD is a valuable, long-term effective treatment alternative to achieve root coverage together with an increase in HKT

A detailed decision tree to create, preserve, transfer, and support the emergence profile in anterior maxillary implants using custom abutments

Rehabilitation with implants in the esthetic zone is one of the most demanding tasks due to the importance of obtaining an optimum esthetic result. The aim of this article was to present a workflow to create, preserve, transfer and support the emergence profile in anterior maxillary implants. Different methods are used surgically as well as prosthetically to construct an ideal restoration. When immediate loading can be applied in cases of increased primary stability, a provisional restoration is placed with occlusal contacts. In cases not permitting the above procedure and requiring extensive augmentation, a resin-bonded partial coverage fixed partial denture can be a predictable and reliable treatment option until the final restoration is delivered. Creating or preserving the emergence profile at immediate post-extraction and delayed implants, respectively, is achieved through customized provisional, healing abutments, a combination of prefabricated healing abutments and partial coverage provisional restoration, or utilization of the patient&apos;s own tooth crown. Transferring the individualized soft tissue contour to the final restoration can be achieved by modifying the impression coping intraorally with composite resin, fabricating a cast mimicking the soft tissue contour in the laboratory, or by the use of CAD/CAM technology. A customized abutment is necessary in order to maintain the emergence profile that has been created during the previous stages. The objective of this paper was to present a detailed workflow for the restoration of anterior maxillary implants focused on the creation, preservation, support, and transfer of the emergence profile of the soft tissues through a series of clinical cases. © Quintessenz

Er:YAG laser in defocused mode for scaling of periodontally involved root surfaces: an in vitro pilot study.

Item does not contain fulltextBACKGROUND: The Er:YAG laser may be used on periodontally involved teeth in combination with conventional periodontal therapy in order to improve the efficacy of root instrumentation. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of hand instrumentation on root surfaces of periodontally involved teeth with Er:YAG laser application. METHODS: Thirty freshly extracted, non-carious, single-rooted, periodontally diseased human teeth from adult humans with advanced periodontal disease were used in this study. The teeth were divided into three groups of 10 specimens each. Group A was treated with scaling and root planing (SRP) with curets only (control). In group B, the root surfaces were scaled with curets and then lased with an Er:YAG laser (wavelength 2.94 microm). A handpiece with a water spray was used in non-contact mode (defocused) at a distance of 1 cm from root surface. Laser parameters were set at energy of 100 to 200 mJ/pulse, with 10 Hz of frequency. In group C, the root surfaces were lased only with power settings 250 to 300 mJ/pulse and 10 Hz frequency. An epon-araldite plastic embedding technique was used for light microscopic investigation. RESULTS: Histologic findings showed significant differences between the test and control sites. In control sites, after hand instrumentation, the surface was smooth, without a cementum layer, and the dentin layer presented opened tubules. Defects on the dentin layer were also present along root surfaces. In the test sites (B, C) root surfaces revealed no thermal damage; no cracking or tissue carbonization were observed. The superficial layers of lased surfaces appeared smooth and melted without alterations. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, it appears that it may be feasible to use the Er:YAG laser for root instrumentation without prior root planing if the proper parameters are followed

Impact of cigarette smoking on clinical outcomes of periodontal flap surgical procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Periodontal flap surgery is frequently used to remove subgingival deposits, yielding consequential reductions in gingival inflammation and probing depth (PD) with a gain in clinical attachment level (CAL) to treat advanced periodontal disease. However, clinical studies have reported diminished periodontal healing in smokers compared with non-smokers. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the impact of cigarette smoking on clinical outcomes following periodontal flap surgical procedures. Methods: A systematic electronic review of articles relevant to periodontal flap surgical procedures in smokers was conducted from 1977 to March 2014 inclusive, using predefined, optimized search strategies. Meta-analyses were done separately for changes in the two primary outcomes of PD and CAL. Results: The initial search yielded 390 titles and abstracts. After screening, eight controlled clinical studies were finally selected. Three studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias, two as having moderate risk of bias, and three as having a high risk of bias. Qualitative assessment of the articles consistently showed an improved treatment effect among non-smokers versus smokers. The reduction in PD in smokers and non-smokers ranged from 0.76 to 2.05 mm and 1.27 to 2.40 mm, respectively. For CAL, the gain in non-smokers versus smokers ranged from 0.29 to 1.6 mm and 0.09 to 1.2 mm, respectively. Meta-analysis on eight studies reporting on 363 study participants demonstrated an increased reduction in mean (95% confidence interval) PD of 0.39 (0.33 to 0.45) mm. Similar results were found for mean gain in CAL (0.35 [0.30 to 0.40] mm, n = 4 studies). Conclusions: Considering the relatively homogenous information available, the authors conclude that active smokers could be candidates for periodontal flap surgical procedures. However, the magnitude of the therapeutic effect is compromised in smokers compared with non-smokers. Therefore, cigarette smokers should be: 1) encouraged to abstain from smoking; and 2) thoroughly informed preoperatively of substantial reduction in clinical outcomes compared with non-smokers