Gas phase photocatalytic bacteria inactivation using metal modified TiO2 catalysts

The present study describes the efficiency of heterogeneous photocatalytic reactor for the inactivation of three air born bacteria, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus using metal modified TiO2 photocatalysts and blacklight irradiation. The catalysts were prepared by photodeposition of silver, palladium or iron on commercial TiO2, immobilized on glass plates. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis was applied to determine the atomic percentage and species of each metal on the TiO2 surface, showing that 85% of silver, 73% of palladium and 45% of iron were present in metallic form on TiO2 surface. The plates were positioned on the inner lateral walls of a chamber through which the contaminated air flow passed for disinfection. Irradiation of bare TiO 2 resulted in 50% inactivation of E. coli while 41% and 35% inactivation of B. subtilis and S. aureus were obtained, respectively. When metal modified TiO2 was applied, the inactivation of B. subtilis was improved to 91% using Pd-TiO2 while of S. aureus was improved to 94% with Fe-TiO2, showing in this case no significant difference when compared to Ag-TiO2 and Pd-TiO2. In contrast, inactivation of E. coli was not significantly increased when metal modified TiO2 was used, ranging from 47% to 57%. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Cost-effectiveness comparison between pituitary down-regulation with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist short regimen on alternate days and an antagonist protocol for assisted fertilization treatments

Objective: To compare cost-effectiveness between pituitary down-regulation with a GnRH agonist (GnRHa) short regimen on alternate days and GnRH antagonist (GnRHant) multidose protocol on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcome. Design: Prospective, randomized. Setting: A private center. Patient(s): Patients were randomized into GnRHa (n = 48) and GnRHant (n = 48) groups. Intervention(s): GnRHa stimulation protocol: administration of triptorelin on alternate days starting on the first day of the cycle, recombinant FSH (rFSH), and recombinant hCG (rhCG) microdose. GnRHant protocol: administration of a daily dose of rFSH, cetrorelix, and rhCG microdose. Main Outcome Measure(s): ICSI outcomes and treatment costs. Result(s): A significantly lower number of patients underwent embryo transfer in the GnRHa group. Clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower and miscarriage rate was significantly higher in the GnRHa group. It was observed a significant lower cost per cycle in the GnRHa group compared with the GnRHant group ($5,327.80 ± 387.30 vs. $5,900.40 ± 472.50). However, mean cost per pregnancy in the GnRHa was higher than in the GnRHant group ($19,671.80 ± 1,430.00 vs. $11,328.70 ± 907.20). Conclusion(s): Although the short controlled ovarian stimulation protocol with GnRHa on alternate days, rFSH, and rhCG microdose may lower the cost of an individual IVF cycle, it requires more cycles to achieve pregnancy. Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT01468441. © 2013 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

Comparison of the nanoparticles performance in the photocatalytic degradation of a styrene-butadiene rubber nanocomposite

Much has been talking about the advantages of polymeric nanocomposites, but little is known about the influence of nanoparticles on the stability of these materials. In this sense, we studied the influence of both oxides of zirconium and titanium, known to have photocatalytic properties, as well as the influence of synthetic clay Laponite on the photodegradation of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). SBR nanocomposites were prepared by the colloidal route by mixing commercial polymer lattices and nanometric anatase TiO2, monoclinic ZrO2 or exfoliated Laponite clays colloidal suspensions. To better understand the degradation mechanisms that occur in these nanocomposites, the efficiency of different photocatalysts under ultraviolet radiation was monitored by FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopies and by differential scanning calorimetric. It was observed that TiO2 and ZrO2 nanoparticles undoubtedly acted as catalysts during the photodegradation process with different efficiencies and rates. However, when compared to pure SBR samples, the polymer degradation mechanism was unaffected. Unlike studies with nanocomposites montmorillonite, exfoliated laponite clay effectively acts as a photostabilizer of polymer UV photodegradation. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Photocatalytic activity of semiconductor sulfide heterostructures

This paper reports a theoretical and experimental study of the heterostructure photocatalytic activity in a CdS or ZnS and CdS@ZnS decorated system prepared by a microwave assisted solvothermal (MAS) method. A theoretical model of the decorated system was created in order to analyze the electronic transition mainly in their interface. The results show that CdS and ZnS interfaces produce an electron charge transfer from the CdS electron-populated clusters to the ZnS hole-populated clusters which helps to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the CdS@ZnS decorated system. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Comparison of shear bond strength of orthodontics brackets on composite resin restorations with different surface treatments

INTRODUÇÃO: frequentemente, os pacientes ortodônticos apresentam restaurações de resina composta; no entanto, existem poucos estudos que avaliam a melhor forma de colagem ortodôntica nessa situação. OBJETIVO: o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a força adesiva de braquetes ortodônticos em restaurações resinosas com tratamento de superfície. MÉTODOS: foram utilizados 51 incisivos inferiores bovinos divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos. No grupo controle (GC), os braquetes foram colados em esmalte dentário; nos grupos experimentais com tratamento (GCT) e sem tratamento (GST), os braquetes foram colados em restauração de resina previamente realizada, diferenciando-se pelo tratamento de superfície com broca diamantada. Os dentes foram incluídos em tubos de PVC com resina acrílica autopolimerizável. O ensaio de cisalhamento foi executado em máquina universal de ensaios Emic. Os grupos foram submetidos à ANOVA com pós-teste de Tukey para verificação da diferença estatística entre os grupos (α = 0,05). RESULTADOS: GC (6,62MPa) e GCT (6,82MPa) apresentaram resultados semelhantes, enquanto o GST (5,07MPa) obteve resultados estatisticamente menores (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: conclui-se que a melhor técnica de colagem de braquetes ortodônticos em restaurações de resina composta é a de realização de desgaste sobre a superfície.

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of bismuth titanate with different structures via oxidant peroxo method (OPM)

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Improvement of the photocatalytic activity of magnetite by Mn-incorporation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Influence of solvent on the morphology and photocatalytic properties of ZnS decorated CeO2 nanoparticles

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Stabilization of dentin matrix after cross-linking treatments, in vitro

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efficacy of Surface Treatments on the Bond Strength of Resin Cements to Two Brands of Zirconia Ceramic

Purpose: To compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of two cements to two Y-TZP ceramics subjected to different surface treatments.Materials and Methods: Zirconia specimens were made from Lava (n = 36) and IPS e.max ZirCAD (n = 36), and their surfaces were treated as follows: no treatment (control), silica coating with 30-mu m silica-modified alumina (Al2O3) particles (CoJet Sand), or coating with liners Lava Ceram for Lava and Intensive ZirLiner for IPS e.max ZirCAD. Composite resin cylinders were bonded to zirconia with Panavia F or RelyX Unicem resin cements. All specimens were thermocycled (6000 cycles at 5 degrees C/55 degrees C) and subjected to SBS testing. Data were analyzed by post-hoc test Tamhane T2 and Scheffe tests (alpha = 0.05). Failure mode was analyzed by stereomicroscope and SEM.Results: With both zirconia brands, CoJet Sand showed significantly higher SBS values than control groups only when used with RelyX Unicem (p = 0.0001). Surface treatment with liners gave higher SBS than control groups with both ceramic brands and cements (p < 0.001). With both zirconia brands, the highest SBS values were obtained with the CoJet and RelyX Unicem combination (> 13.47 MPa). Panavia F cement showed significantly better results when coupled with liner surface treatment rather than with CoJet (p = 0.0001, SBS > 12.23 MPa). In untreated controls, Panavia F showed higher bond strength than RelyX Unicem; the difference was significant (p = 0.016) in IPS e.max ZirCAD. The nontreated specimens and those treated with CoJet Sand exhibited a high percentage of adhesive and mixed A (primarily adhesive) failures, while the specimens treated with liners presented an increase in mixed A and mixed C (primarily cohesive) failures as well as some cohesive failure in the bulk of Lava Ceram for both cements.Conclusion: CoJet Sand and liner application effectively improved the SBS between zirconia and luting cements. This study suggests that different interactions between surface treatments and luting cements yield different SBS: in clinical practice, these interactions should be considered when combining luting cements with surface treatments in order to obtain the maximum bond strength to zirconia restorations.

Effect of Post-silanization Heat Treatments of Silanized Feldspathic Ceramic on Adhesion to Resin Cement

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of post-silanization heat treatment of a silane agent and rinsing with hot water of silanized CAD/CAM feldspathic ceramic surfaces on the microtensile bond strength between resin cement and the ceramic, before and after mechanical cycling.Materials and Methods: Blocks measuring 10 x 5.7 x 3.25 mm(3) were produced from feldspathic ceramic cubes (VITA Mark II, VITA Zanhfabrik). Each ceramic block was duplicated in composite resin using a template made of polyvinylsiloxane impression material. Afterwards, ceramic and corresponding resin composite blocks were ultrasonically cleaned and randomly divided according to the 5 strategies used for conditioning the ceramic surface (n = 10): GHF: etching with hydrofluoric acid 10% + rinsing with water at room temperature + silanization at 20 degrees C; G20: silanization; G77: silanization + oven drying at 77 degrees C; G20r: silanization + hot water rinsing; G77r: silanization + oven drying at 77 C + hot water rinsing. The resin and ceramic blocks were cemented using a dual-curing resin cement. Every group was divided in two subgroups: aging condition (mechanical cycling, designated as a) or non-aging (designated as n). All the bonded assemblies were sectioned into microsticks for microtensile bond strength (mu TBS) testing. The failure mode of the tested specimens was assessed and mu TBS data were statistically analyzed in two ways: first 2-way ANOVA (GHF, G20 and G77 in non-aging/aging conditions) and 3-way ANOVA (temperature x rinsing x aging factors, excluding GHF), followed by Tukey's test (p = 0.05).Results: The 2-way ANOVA revealed that the mu TBS was significantly affected by the surface treatment (p < 0.001) but not by aging (p = 0.68), and Tukey's test showed that G77-n/G77-a (18.0 MPa) > GHF-n/GHF-a (12.2 MPa) > G20-n/G20-a (9.1 MPa). The 3-way ANOVA revealed that the mu TBS was significantly affected by the heat treatment and rinsing factors (p < 0.001), but not affected by aging (p = 0.36). The rinsing procedure decreased, while oven drying increased the bond strengths. Group G77, in both non-aging and aging conditions (18.6-17.4 MPa), had the highest bond values. Failure modes were mainly mixed for all groups.Conclusion: Oven drying at 77 degrees C improved the bond strength between the resin cement and feldspathic ceramic, but hot water rinsing reduced the bond strength and should not be recommended.

Low-temperature degradation of a Y-TZP ceramic after surface treatments

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of zirconia surface treatments on low-temperature degradation (LTD). Disc-shaped specimens were subjected to one of four surface treatments, denoted as C (controlno surface treatment), Si (air abrasion with 30 mu m silica-modified alumina particles), Al (air abrasion with 30 mu m alumina particles), and Gr (grinding with 120 grit diamond discs). Half of the samples were submitted to autoclave treatment for 12 h (127 degrees C, 1.5 bar). Samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction and profilometer analysis and were subjected to biaxial flexural strength test. All of the groups exhibited an increase in the amount of monoclinic phase (m-phase) after LTD. The tm transformation was remarkable for the specimens from the C group, which also exhibited a significant increase in strength. The Gr group also exhibited an increase in strength but lower initial roughness, which probably suppressed LTD on the zirconia surface. The specimens subjected to air abrasion exhibited higher initial amounts of m-phase and a small increase in m-phase after LTD; the strength was not affected in these groups. The effects of LTD were different with each surface treatment applied. Apparently, LTD may be suppressed by smoother surfaces or the presence of an initial amount of m-phase on zirconia surface. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 101B: 1387-1392, 2013.

Influence of Different Surface Treatments on Bond Strength of Resin Composite Using the Intrinsic Characterization Technique

Objective: This study evaluated the influence of different surface treatments on the resin bond strength/light-cured characterizing materials (LCCMs), using the intrinsic characterization technique. The intrinsic technique is characterized by the use of LCCMs between the increments of resin composite (resin/thin film of LCCM/external layer of resin covering the LCCM).Materials and Methods: Using a silicone matrix, 240 blocks of composite (Z350/3M ESPE) were fabricated. The surfaces received different surface treatments, totaling four groups (n=60): Group C (control group), no surface treatment was used; Group PA, 37% phosphoric acid for one minute and washing the surface for two minutes; Group RD, roughening with diamond tip; and Group AO, aluminum oxide. Each group was divided into four subgroups (n=15), according to the LCCMs used: Subgroup WT, White Tetric Color pigment (Ivoclar/Vivadent) LCCM; Subgroup BT, Black Tetric Color pigment (Ivoclar/Vivadent) LCCM; Subgroup WK, White Kolor Plus pigment (Kerr) LCCM; Subgroup BK, Brown Kolor Plus pigment (Kerr) LCCM. All materials were used according to the manufacturer's instructions. After this, block composites were fabricated over the LCCMs. Specimens were sectioned and submitted to microtensile testing to evaluate the bond strength at the interface. Data were submitted to two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) (surface treatment and LCCMs) and Tukey tests.Results: ANOVA presented a value of p<0.05. The mean values (+/- SD) for the factor surface treatment were as follows: Group C, 30.05 MPa (+/- 5.88)a; Group PA, 23.46 MPa (+/- 5.45)b; Group RD, 21.39 MPa (+/- 6.36)b; Group AO, 15.05 MPa (+/- 4.57)c. Groups followed by the same letters do not present significant statistical differences. The control group presented significantly higher bond strength values than the other groups. The group that received surface treatment with aluminum oxide presented significantly lower bond strength values than the other groups.Conclusion: Surface treatments of composite with phosphoric acid, diamond tip, and aluminum oxide significantly diminished the bond strength between composite and the LCCMs.

Clostridium perfringens in ingredients of poultry feed and control of contamination by chemical treatments

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Structure and photocatalytic properties of Nb-doped Bi12TiO20 prepared by the oxidant peroxide method (OPM)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)