Mites as biological tags of their hosts.

Movements and spatial distribution of host populations are expected to shape the genetic structure of their parasite populations. Comparing the genetic patterns of both interacting species may improve our understanding of their evolutionary history. Moreover, genetic analyses of parasites with horizontal transmission may serve as indicators of historical events or current demographic processes that are not apparent in the genetic signature of their hosts. Here, we compared mitochondrial variation in populations of the ectoparasitic mite Spinturnix myoti with the genetic pattern of its host, the Maghrebian bat Myotis punicus in North Africa and in the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Mite mitochondrial differentiation among populations was correlated with both host mitochondrial and nuclear differentiation, suggesting spatial co-differentiation of the lineages of the two interacting species. Therefore our results suggest that parasite dispersal is exclusively mediated by host movements, with open water between landmasses as a main barrier for host and parasite dispersal. Surprisingly the unique presence of a continental European mite lineage in Corsica was inconsistent with host phylogeographical history and strongly suggests the former presence of European mouse-eared bats on this island. Parasites may thus act as biological tags to reveal the presence of their now locally extinct host.

Development of Craniofacial Bone Defect Reconstruction Implant Based on Fibre-Reinforced Composite with Photopolymerisable Resin Systems. Experimental studies in vitro and in vivo.

Reconstruction of defects in the craniomaxillofacial (CMF) area has mainly been based on bone grafts or metallic fixing plates and screws. Particularly in the case of large calvarial and/or craniofacial defects caused by trauma, tumours or congenital malformations, there is a need for reliable reconstruction biomaterials, because bone grafts or metallic fixing systems do not completely fulfill the criteria for the best possible reconstruction methods in these complicated cases. In this series of studies, the usability of fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) was studied as a biostable, nonmetallic alternative material for reconstructing artificially created bone defects in frontal and calvarial areas of rabbits. The experimental part of this work describes the different stages of the product development process from the first in vitro tests with resin-impregnated fibrereinforced composites to the in vivo animal studies, in which this FRC was tested as an implant material for reconstructing different size bone defects in rabbit frontal and calvarial areas. In the first in vitro study, the FRC was polymerised in contact with bone or blood in the laboratory. The polymerised FRC samples were then incubated in water, which was analysed for residual monomer content by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). It was found that this in vitro polymerisation in contact with bone and blood did not markedly increase the residual monomer leaching from the FRC. In the second in vitro study, different adhesive systems were tested in fixing the implant to bone surface. This was done to find an alternative implant fixing system to screws and pins. On the basis of this study, it was found that the surface of the calvarial bone needed both mechanical and chemical treatments before the resinimpregnated FRC could be properly fixed onto it. In three animal studies performed with rabbit frontal bone defects and critical size calvarial bone defect models, biological responses to the FRC implants were evaluated. On the basis of theseevaluations, it can be concluded that the FRC, based on E-glass (electrical glass) fibres forming a porous fibre veil enables the ingrowth of connective tissues to the inner structures of the material, as well as the bone formation and mineralization inside the fibre veil. Bone formation could be enhanced by using bioactive glass granules fixed to the FRC implants. FRC-implanted bone defects healed partly; no total healing of defects was achieved. Biological responses during the follow-up time, at a maximum of 12 weeks, to resin-impregnated composite implant seemed to depend on the polymerization time of the resin matrix of the FRC. Both of the studied resin systems used in the FRC were photopolymerised and the heat-induced postpolymerisation was used additionally.

Wood ants use resin to protect themselves against pathogens

Social life is generally associated with an increased exposure to pathogens and parasites, due to factors such as high population density, frequent physical contact and the use of perennial nest sites. However, sociality also permits the evolution of new collective behavioural defences. Wood ants, Formica paralugubris, commonly bring back pieces of solidified coniferous resin to their nest. Many birds and a few mammals also incorporate green plant material into their nests. Collecting plant material rich in volatile compounds might be an efficient way to fight bacteria and fungi. However, no study has demonstrated that this behaviour has a positive effect on survival. Here, we provide the first experimental evidence that animals using plant compounds with antibacterial and antifungal properties survive better when exposed to detrimental micro-organisms. The presence of resin strongly improves the survival of F. paralugubris adults and larvae exposed to the bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens, and the survival of larvae exposed to the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae. These results show that wood ants capitalize on the chemical defences which have evolved in plants to collectively protect themselves against pathogens.

Azolium-based systems: application of an anion exchange resin (A- form) method and 1H NMR analysis of the charged-assisted (CH)+·anion hydrogen bonds

The counteranion exchange of quaternary 1,2,3-triazolium salts was examined using a simple method that permitted halide ions to be swap for a variety of anions using an anion exchange resin (A¯ form). The method was applied to 1,2,3-triazolium-based ionic liquids and the iodideto- anion exchange proceeded in excellent to quantitative yields, concomitantly removing halide impurities. Additionally, an anion exchange resin (N3¯ form) was used to obtain the benzyl azide from benzyl halide under mild reaction. Likewise, following a similar protocol, bis(azidomethyl)arenes were also synthesized in excellent yields. The results of a proton NMR spectroscopic study of simple azolium-based ion pairs are discussed, with attention focused on the significance of the charged-assisted (CH)+···anion hydrogen bonds of simple azolium systems such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-benzyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazolium salts.

Azolium-based systems: application of an anion exchange resin (A- form) method and 1H NMR analysis of the charged-assisted (CH)+·anion hydrogen bonds

The counteranion exchange of quaternary 1,2,3-triazolium salts was examined using a simple method that permitted halide ions to be swap for a variety of anions using an anion exchange resin (A¯ form). The method was applied to 1,2,3-triazolium-based ionic liquids and the iodideto- anion exchange proceeded in excellent to quantitative yields, concomitantly removing halide impurities. Additionally, an anion exchange resin (N3¯ form) was used to obtain the benzyl azide from benzyl halide under mild reaction. Likewise, following a similar protocol, bis(azidomethyl)arenes were also synthesized in excellent yields. The results of a proton NMR spectroscopic study of simple azolium-based ion pairs are discussed, with attention focused on the significance of the charged-assisted (CH)+···anion hydrogen bonds of simple azolium systems such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-benzyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazolium salts.

Azolium-based systems: application of an anion exchange resin (A- form) method and 1H NMR analysis of the charged-assisted (CH)+·anion hydrogen bonds

The counteranion exchange of quaternary 1,2,3-triazolium salts was examined using a simple method that permitted halide ions to be swap for a variety of anions using an anion exchange resin (A¯ form). The method was applied to 1,2,3-triazolium-based ionic liquids and the iodideto- anion exchange proceeded in excellent to quantitative yields, concomitantly removing halide impurities. Additionally, an anion exchange resin (N3¯ form) was used to obtain the benzyl azide from benzyl halide under mild reaction. Likewise, following a similar protocol, bis(azidomethyl)arenes were also synthesized in excellent yields. The results of a proton NMR spectroscopic study of simple azolium-based ion pairs are discussed, with attention focused on the significance of the charged-assisted (CH)+···anion hydrogen bonds of simple azolium systems such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and 1-benzyl-3-methyl-1,2,3-triazolium salts.

Estudi de viabilitat tecnològica de tags RFID sobre diferents substrats

En aquest projecte s’han dissenyat i simulat diferents models de tags RFID per a la banda UHF sobre diferents classes de substrats i tintes conductores amb l’objectiu d’estudiar la viabilitat de la tecnologia de Printed Electronics per a la seva d’implementació física. A partir de dues configuracions ja existents a la literatura, aquestes etiquetes RFID s’han modelat electromagnèticament mitjançant el software ADS i s’ha simulat la seva resposta freqüencial. En segon terme, a fi d’avaluar el seu rendiment, també s’ha representat el read range d’aquests tags RFID en funció d’aquestes tintes conductores i substrats. Posteriorment, s’han realitzat diferents proves de fabricació mitjançant un mètode basat en la serigrafia, així com d’obtenció experimental de la seva distància de lectura. Finalment, en base als resultats obtinguts s’ha pogut concloure que és viable realitzar tags RFID segons aquesta tècnica d’impressió, però a falta d’una verificació experimental únicament a nivell de simulació.

Separation and preconcentration of copper in environmental samples on Amberlite XAD-8 resin after complexation with a carbothioamide derivative

A new solid phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed for the selective separation and preconcentration of Cu (II) ions in food and water samples prior to its flame atomic absorption spectrometry determination. The method is based on the adsorption of the Cu(II) - 2-{[4-Amino-3-(4-methylphenyl-5-oxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl]acetyl}-N-phenyl hydrazinecarbothioamide complex on Amberlite XAD-8 resin. The metal complex retained on the resin was eluted with 7.5 mL of 2.0 mol L-1 HCl in acetone. The optimum conditions for the SPE of Cu(II) ions were investigated, and the method was subsequently applied to sea water, stream water, rice, tea, and tobacco samples for the determination of Cu(II) levels.

Separation and purification of three stilbenes from the radix of Polygonum cillinerve (Nakai) Ohwl by macroporous resin column chromatography combined with high-speed counter-current chromatography

An effective method for the rapid separation and purification of three stilbenes from the radix of Polygonum cillinerve (Nakai) Ohwl by macroporous resin column chromatography combined with high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was successfully established. In the present study, a two-phase solvent system composed of chloroform-n-butanol-methanol-water (4:1:4:2, v/v/v/v) was used for HSCCC separation. A one-step separation in 4 h from 150 mg of crude extract produced 26.3 mg of trans-resveratrol-3-O-glucoside, 42.0 mg of pieceid-2"-O-gallate, and 17.9 mg of trans-resveratrol with purities of 99.1%, 97.8%, and 99.4%, respectively, as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chemical structures of these compounds were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.

Flow injection spectrophotometric determination of adrenaline using a solid-phase reactor containing triiodide ions immobilized in an anion-exchange resin

A flow injection spectrophotometric procedure with on-line solid-phase reactor containing ion triiodide immobilized in an anion-exchange resin is proposed for the determination of adrenaline (epinephrine) in pharmaceutical products. Adrenaline is oxidized by triiodide ion immobilized in an anionic-exchange resin yielding adrenochrome which is transported by the carrier solution and detected at a wavelength of 488 nm. Adrenaline was determined in three pharmaceutical products in the 6.4 x 10-6 to 3.0 x 10-4 mol L-1 concentration range with a detection limit of 4.8 x 10-7 mol L-1. The recovery of this analyte in three samples ranged from 96.0 to 105 %. The analytical frequency was 80 determinations per hour and the RSDs were less than 1 % for adrenaline concentrations of 6.4 x 10-5 and 2.0 x 10-4 mol L-1 (n=10). A paired t-test showed that all results obtained for adrenaline in commercial formulations using the proposed flow injection procedure and a spectrophotometric batch procedure agree at the 95% confidence level.

Rigid Rod Polymer Fillers in Acrylic Denture and Dental Adhesive Resin Systems

Polymeric materials have been used in dental applications for decades. Adhesion of polymeric materials to each other and to the tooth substrate is essential to their successful use. The aim of this series of studies was two-folded. First, to improve adhesion of poly(paraphenylene) based rigid rod polymer (RRP) to other dental polymers, and secondly, to evaluate the usability of a new dentin primer system based on RRP fillers. Poly(paraphenylene) based RRP would be a tempting material for dental applications because of its good mechanical properties. To be used in dental applications, reliable adhesion between RRP and other dental polymers is required. In this series of studies, the adhesion of RRP to denture base polymer and the mechanical properties of RRP-denture base polymer-material combination were evaluated. Also adhesion of BisGMA-TEGDMA-resin to RRP was determined. Different surface treatments were tested to improve the adhesion of BisGMA-TEGDMA-resin to RRP. Results were based on three-point bending testing, Vickers surface hardness test and scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM), which showed that no reliable adhesion between RRP and denture base polymer was formed. Addition of RRP filler to denture base polymer increased surface hardness and flexural modulus but flexural strength decreased. Results from the shear bond strength test and SEM revealed that adhesion between resin and RRP was possible to improve by surface treatment with dichloromethane (DCM) based primer and a new kind of adhesive surface can be designed. The current dentin bonding agents have good immediate bond strength, but in long term the bond strength may decrease due to the detrimental effect of water and perhaps by matrix metalloproteinases. This leads to problems in longevity of restorations. Current bonding agents use organic monomers. In this series of studies, RRP filled dentin primer was tested in order to decrease the water sorption of the monomer system of the primers. The properties of new dentin primer system were evaluated in vitro by comparing it to commercial etch and rinse adhesive system. The results from the contact angle measurements and SEM showed that experimental primer with RRP reinforcement provided similar resin infiltration to dentin collagen and formed the resin-dentin interface as the control primer. Microtensile bond strength test and SEM revealed that in short term water storing, RRP increased bond strength and primer with BMEP-monomer (bis[2-(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl]phosphate) and high solvent concentration provided comparable bonding properties to the commercial control primers. In long term water storing, the high solvent-monomer concentration of the experimental primers decreased bond strength. However, in low solvent-monomer concentration groups, the long-term water storing did not decrease the bond strength despite the existence of hydrophilic monomers which were used in the system. These studies demonstrated that new dentin primer system reached the mechanical properties of current traditional etch and rinse adhesive system in short time water storing. Improved properties can be achieved by further modifications of the monomer system. Studies of the adhesion of RRP to other polymers suggest that adhesion between RRP and other dental polymers is possible to obtain by certain surface treatments.

Bonding of Composite Resin to Alumina and Zirconia Ceramics with Special Emphasis on Surface Conditioning and Use of Coupling Agents

Dental oxide ceramics have been inspired by their biocompability and mechanical properties which have made durable all-ceramic structures possible. Clinical longevity of the prosthetic structures is dependent on effective bonding with luting cements. As the initial shear bond strength values can be comparable with several materials and procedures, long-term durability is affected by ageing. Aims of the current study were: to measure the shear bond strength of resin composite-to-ceramics and to evaluate the longevity of the bond; to analyze factors affecting the bond, with special emphasis on: the form of silicatization of the ceramic surface; form of silanization; type of resin primer and the effect of the type of the resin composite luting cement; the effect of ageing in water was studied regarding its effect to the endurance of the bond. Ceramic substrates were alumina and yttrium stabilized zirconia. Ceramic conditioning methods included tribochemical silicatization and use of two silane couplings agents. A commercial silane primer was used as a control silane. Various combinations of conditioning methods, primers and resin cements were tested. Bond strengths were measured by shear bond strength method. The longevity of the bond was generally studied by thermocycling the materials in water. Additionally, in one of the studies thermal cycling was compared with long-term water storaging. Results were analysed statistically with ANOVA and Weibull analysis. Tribochemical treatment utilizing air pressure of 150 kPa resulted shear bond strengths of 11.2 MPa to 18.4 MPa and air pressure of 450 kPa 18.2 MPa to 30.5 MPa, respectively. Thermocycling of 8000 cycles or four years water storaging both decreased shear bond strength values to a range of 3.8 MPa to 7.2 MPa whereas initial situation varied from 16.8. Mpa to 23.0 MPa. The silane used in studies had no statistical significance. The use of primers without 10-MDP resulted spontaneous debonding during thermocycling or shear bond strengths below 5 MPa. As conclusion, the results showed superior long-term bonding with primers containing 10-MDP. Silicatization with silanizing showed improved initial shear bond strength values which considerably decreased with ageing in water. Thermal cycling and water storing for up to four years played the major role in reduction of bond strength, which could be due to thermal fatigue of the bonding interface and hydrolytic degradation of the silane coupled interface.

Rat hindlimb joint immobilization with acrylic resin orthoses

The objective of the present study was to propose an orthosis of light material that would be functional for the animal and that would maintain only the ankle joint immobilized. Male Wistar rats (3 to 4 months old, 250-300 g) were divided into 2 groups (N = 6): control and immobilized for 7 days. Rats were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital (40 mg/kg weight) and the left hindlimb was immobilized with the orthoses composed of acrylic resin model, abdominal belt and lateral supports. The following analyses were performed: glycogen content of the soleus, extensor digitorum longus, white gastrocnemius, red gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles by the phenol sulfuric method, and the weight, fiber area and intramuscular connective tissue of the soleus by the planimetric system. Data were analyzed statistically by the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Student t and Wilcoxon tests. Immobilization decreased glycogen in all muscles (P < 0.05; soleus: 31.6%, white gastrocnemius: 56.6%, red gastrocnemius: 39%, extensor digitorum longus: 41.7%, tibialis anterior: 45.2%) in addition to reducing soleus weight by 34% (P < 0.05). Furthermore, immobilization promoted reduction of the fiber area (43%, P < 0.05) and increased the connective tissue (200%, P < 0.05). The orthosis model was efficient comparing with another alternative immobilization model, like plaster casts, in promoting skeletal muscle alterations, indicating that it could be used as a new model in other studies related to muscle disuse.

Construction of 2D transparent micromodels in polyester resin with porosity similar to carrots

Microscopic visualization, especially in transparent micromodels, can provide valuable information to understand the transport phenomena at pore scale in different process occurring in porous materials (food, timber, soils, etc.). Micromodels studies focus mainly on the observation of multi-phase flow, which presents a greater proximity to reality. The aim of this study was to study the process of flexography and its application in the manufacture of polyester resin transparent micromodels and its application to carrots. Materials used to implement a flexo station for micromodels construction were thermoregulated water bath, exposure chamber to UV light, photosensitive substance (photopolymer), RTV silicone polyester resin, and glass plates. In this paper, data on size distribution of a particular kind of carrot we used, and a transparent micromodel with square cross-section as well as a Log-normal pore size distribution with pore radii ranging from 10 to 110 µm (average of 22 µm and micromodel size of 10 × 10 cm) were built. Finally, it stresses that it has successfully implemented the protocol processing 2D polyester resin transparent micromodels.

Effect of treatment with adsorbent resin on the volatile profile and physicochemical characteristics of clarified cashew apple juice

Increased preference for healthy and functional foods could be an opportunity to increase the consumption of clarified cashew apple juice. Given its level of fructose, glucose, and vitamin C, it can be used as a base in blends. However, its characteristic odor can interfere with the acceptance of these formulations, especially by consumers who are not familiar with cashew aroma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with macroporous resins (FPA54, FPX66, XAD761, and XAD4) on the volatile profile and physicochemical characteristics of clarified cashew apple juice. After the treatment with the resins, the volatile profile was evaluated using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The physicochemical analyses performed were: pH, soluble solids (ºBrix), total titrable acidity, reducing sugars, and vitamin C. Gas chromatography analyses showed that XAD4 and FPX66 led to a reduction of the initial amount of volatile compounds to 14.05% and 15.72%, respectively. These two resins also did not affect the physicochemical characteristics of the clarified cashew apple juice.