Influence of rhBMP-2 on bone formation and osseointegration in different implant systems after sinus-floor elevation. An in vivo study on sheep

Background Several studies have reported certain bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) to have positive effects on bone generation Although some investigators have studied the effects of human recombinant BMP (rhBMP-2) in sinus augmentation in sheep, none of these studies looked at the placement of implants at the time of sinus augmentation Furthermore, no literature could be found to report on the impact that different implant systems, as well as the positioning of the implants had on bone formation if rhBMP-2 was utilized in sinus-lift procedures Purpose The aim of this study was to compare sinus augmentation with rhBMP-2 on a poly-D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid gelatine (PLPG) sponge with sinus augmentation with autologous pelvic cancellous bone in the maxillary sinus during the placement of different dental Implants Materials and methods Nine adult female sheep were submitted to bilateral sinus-floor elevation In one side (test group) the sinus lift was performed with rhBMP-2 on a PLPG-sponge, while the contralateral side served as the control by using cancellous bone from the iliac crest Three different implants (Branemark (R), 31 (R) and Straumann (R)) were inserted either simultaneously with the sinus augmentation or as a two staged procedure 6 weeks later The animals were sacrificed at 6 and 12 weeks for histological and histomorphometrical evaluations during which bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone density (BD) were evaluated Results BD and BIC were significantly higher at 12 weeks in the test group if the Implants were placed at the time of the sinus lift (p < 0 05) No difference was observed between the different implant systems or positions Conclusions The use of rhBMP-2 with PLPG-sponge increased BIC as well as BD in the augmented sinuses if compared to autologous bone Different implant systems and positions of the implants had no effect on BIC or BD (C) 2010 European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery

Evaluation of in vitro resistance of titanium and resorbable (poly-L-DL-lactic acid) fixation systems on the mandibular angle fracture

The purpose of this study was to compare, by mechanical in vitro testing, a 2.0-mm system made with poly-L-DL-lactide acid with an analogue titanium-based system. Mandible replicas were used as a substrate and uniformly sectioned on the left mandibular angle. The 4-hole plates were adapted and stabilized passively in the same site in both groups using four screws, 6.0 mm long. During the resistance-to-load test, the force was applied perpendicular to the occlusal plane at three different points: first molar at the plated side; first molar at the contralateral side; and between the central incisors. At 1 mm of displacement, no statistically significant difference was found. At 2 mm displacement, a statistically significant difference was observed when an unfavourable fracture was simulated and the load was applied in the contralateral first molar and when a favourable fracture was simulated and the load was applied between the central incisors. At the failure displacement, a statistically significant difference was observed only when the favourable fracture was simulated and the load was applied on the first molar at the plated side. In conclusion, despite more failure, the poly-L-DL-lactic acid-based system was effective.

The effect of the degree of hydrolysis of the PVA and the plasticizer concentration on the color, opacity, and thermal and mechanical properties of films based on PVA and gelatin blends

The objective of this work was to study the color, opacity, crystallinity, and the thermal and mechanical properties of films based on blends of gelatin and five different types of PVA [poly(vinyl alcohol)], with and without a plasticizer. The effect of the degree of hydrolysis of the PVA and the glycerol concentration on these properties was studied using colorimetry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and tensile mechanical tests. All films were essentially colorless (Delta E* < 5) and with low opacity ( Y <= 2.1). The DSC results were typical of partially crystalline materials, showing some phase separation characterized by a glass transition (T(g) = 40-55 degrees C), related to the amorphous part of the material, followed by two endothermic peaks related to the melting (T(m) = 100-160 and 170-210 degrees C) of the crystallites. The XRD results confirmed the crystallinity of the films. The film produced with PVA Celvol((R)) 418 (DH = 91.8%) showed the highest tensile resistance (tensile strength = 38 MPa), for films without plasticizer. However, with glycerol, the above-mentioned PVA and the PVA Celvol((R)) 504 produced the least resistant films of all the PVA types. But, although the mechanical properties of the blended films depended on the type of PVA used, there was no direct relationship between these properties and the degree of hydrolysis of the PVA. The properties studied were more closely dependent on the glycerol concentration. Finally, the mechanical resistance of the films presented a linear relationship with the glass transition temperature of the films. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural and phylogenetic relationship of ORF 31 from the Anticarsia gemmatalis MNPV to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP)

ORF 31 is a unique baculovirus gene in the genome of Anticarsia gemmatalis multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus isolate 2D (AgMNPV-2D). It encodes a putative polypeptide of 369 aa homologous to poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) found in the genomes of several organisms. Moreover, we found a phylogenetic association with Group I PARP proteins and a 3D homology model of its conserved PARP C-terminal catalytic domain indicating that had almost an exact spatial superimposition of < 1 angstrom with other PARP available structures. The 5` end of ORF 31 mRNA was located at the first nucleotide of a CATT motif at position -27. Using real-time PCR we detected transcripts at 3 h post-infection (p.i.) increasing until 24 h p.i., which coincides with the onset of DNA replication, suggestive of a possible role in DNA metabolism.

Adsorption of Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Cd(2+) in FDU-1 silica and FDU-1 silica modified with humic acid

Ordered mesoporous silica with cubic structure, type FDU-1, was synthesized under strong acid media using B-50-6600 poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(butilene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer (EO(39)BO(47)EO(39)) and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). Humic acid (HA) was modified to the synthesis process at a concentration of 1.5 mmol per gram of SiO(2). Thermogravimetry, small angle X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption and high resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the samples. The pristine FDU-1 and FDU-1 with incorporated 1.5 mmol of HA were tested for adsorption of Pb(2+), Cu(2+) and Cd(2+) in aqueous solution. Incorporation of humic acid into the FDU-1 silica afforded an adsorbent with strong affinity for Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Pb(2+) from single ion solutions. Adsorption of Cu(2+) was significantly enhanced after incorporation of humic acid, a fact that can be explained by the formation of complexes with carboxylic and phenolic groups at low concentrations of the metal cation. The results demonstrated the potential applicability of FDU-1 with incorporated HA in the removal of low concentrations of heavy metal cations from aqueous solution, such as wastewaters, after usual precipitation of metal hydroxides in alkaline medium and proper pH conditioning in the range between 6 and 7. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Energy Transfer in Nanostructured Films Containing Poly(p-phenylene vinylene) and Acceptor Species

The combination of luminescent polymers and suitable energy-accepting materials may lead to a molecular-level control of luminescence in nanostructured films. In this study, the properties of layer-by-layer (LbL) films of polyp-phenylene vinylene) (PPV) were investigated with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopies, where fluorescence quenching was controlled by interposing inert polyelectrolyte layers between the PPV donor and acceptor layers made with either Congo Red (CR) or nickel tetrasulfonated phthalocyanine (NiTsPc). The dynamics of the excited state of PPV was affected by the energy-accepting layers, thus confirming the presence of resonant energy transfer mechanisms. Owing to the layered structured of both energy donor and acceptor units, energy transfer varied with the distance between layers, r, according to 1/r(n) with n = 2 or 3, rather than with 1/r(6) predicted by the Forster theory for interacting point dipoles.

Modeling Adsorption Processes of Poly-p-phenylenevinylene Precursor and Sodium Acid Dodecylbenzenesulfonate onto Layer-by-Layer Films Using a Langmuir-type Metastable Equilibrium Model

The adsorption kinetics curves of poly(xylylidene tetrahydrothiophenium chloride) (PTHT), a poly-p-phenylenevinylene (PPV) precursor, and the sodium salt of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DBS), onto (PTHT/DBS)(n) layer-by-layer (LBL) films were characterized by means of UV-vis spectroscopy. The amount of PTHT/DBS and PTHT adsorbed on each layer was shown to be practically independent of adsorption time. A Langmuir-type metastable equilibrium model was used to adjust the adsorption isotherms data and to estimate adsorption/desorption coefficients ratios, k = k(ads)/k(des), values of 2 x 10(5) and 4 x 10(6) for PTHT and PTHT/DBS layers, respectively. The desorption coefficient has been estimated, using literature values for poly(o-methoxyaniline) desorption coefficient, as was found to be in the range of 10(-9) to 10(-6) s(-1), indicating that quasi equilibrium is rapidly attained.

Thickness and Annealing Temperature Effects on the Optical Properties and Surface Morphology of Layer-by-Layer Poly(p-phenyline vinylene) plus Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Films

The fabrication of controlled molecular architectures is essential for organic devices, as is the case of emission of polarized light for the information industry. In this study, we show that optimized conditions can be established to allow layer-by-layer (LbL) films of poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (PPV)+dodecylbenzenesulfonate (DBS) to be obtained with anisotropic properties. Films with five layers and converted at 110 degrees C had a dichroic ratio delta = 2.3 and order parameter r = 34%, as indicated in optical spectroscopy and emission ellipsometry data. This anisotropy was decreased with the number of layers deposited, with delta = 1.0 for a 75-layer LbL PPV + DBS film. The analysis with atomic force microscopy showed the formation of polymer clusters in a random growth process with the normalized height distribution being represented by a Gaussian function. In spite of this randomness in film growth, the self-covariance function pointed to a correlation between clusters, especially for thick films. In summary, the LbL method may be exploited to obtain both anisotropic films with polarized emission and regular, nanostructured surfaces. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 206-213, 2011

Detection of microwaves using the organic semiconductor poly(p-phenylenevinylene)

We report a new procedure to convert the polymer precursor poly(xylylidene tetrahydrothiophenium chloride) (PTHT) into poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) using microwave irradiation. Spin-coated PTHT films were irradiated at room temperature under ambient conditions in a commercial microwave oven, with varying power from 20W to 100W. Complete conversion was reached within only 5 min of irradiation for powers above 50W, yielding PPV films with absorption and photoluminescence spectra that are practically indistinguishable from the spectra of thermally converted PPV films, which require ca. 2 h of a high temperature (similar to 200 degrees C) thermal treatment. In addition to a much faster conversion procedure, the irradiation with microwaves led to a red shift in the absorption spectrum of a PTHT film, which varied linearly with the time of irradiation. These films can then be used as low-cost, easy-to-use detectors of microwaves. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dependence of the product on the P-P ligand in reactions of [RuCl(3)(NO)(P-P)] complexes (P-P = aromatic diphosphines) with 2-mercaptopyridine

This study presents the syntheses and characterization of 2-mercaptopyridine (pyS(-)) complexes containing ruthenium(II) with the following general formula [Ru(pyS)(2)(P-P)], P-P = (c-dppen) = cis-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene) (1); (dppe)=1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (2); (dppp)=1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane (3) and (dppb) = 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane (4). The complexes were synthesized from the mer- or fac-[RuCl(3)(NO)(P-P)] precursors in the presence of triethylamine in methanol solution with dependence of the product on the P-P ligand. The reaction of pyS- with a ruthenium complex containing a bulky aromatic diphosphine dppb disclosed a major product with a dangling coordinated dppbO-P, the [Ru(pyS)(2)(NO)(eta(1)-dppbO-P)]PF(6) (5). In addition, this work also presents and discusses the spectroscopic and electrochemical behavior of 1-5. and report the X-ray structures for I and S. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-formylpyridine-derived hydrazones

In the present work 2-formylpyridine-para-chloro-phenyl hydrazone (H2FopCIPh) and 2-formylpyridine-para-nitro-phenyl hydrazone (H2FopNO(2)Ph) were obtained, as well as their copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes [Cu(H2FopClPh)Cl(2)] (1), [Cu(2FopNO(2)Ph)Cl] (2), [Zn(H2FopClPh)Cl(2)] (3) and [Zn(H2FopNO(2)Ph)Cl(2)] (4). Upon re-crystallization in DMSO:acetone conversion of 2 into [Cu(2FopNO(2)Ph)Cl(DMSO)] (2a) and of 4 into [Zn(2FopNO(2)Ph)Cl(DMSO)] (4a) occurred. The crystal structures of 1, 2a, 3 and 4a were determined. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Binuclear zinc(II) complexes with the anti-inflammatory compounds salicylaldehyde semicarbazone and salicylaldehyde-4-chlorobenzoyl hydrazone (H(2)LASSBio-1064)

Complexes [Zn(2)(HL(1))(2)(CH(3)COO)(2)] (1) and [Zn(2)(L(2))(2)] (2) were synthesized with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone (H(2)L(1)) and salicylaldehyde-4-chlorobenzoyl hydrazone (H(2)LASSBio-1064, H(2)L(2)), respectively. The crystal structure of (1) was determined. Upon recrystallization of previously prepared [Zn(2)(HL(2))(2)(Cl)(2)] (3) in 1:9 DMSO:acetone crystals of [Zn(2)(L(2))(2)(H(2)O)(2)]center dot[Zn(2)(L(2))(2)(DMSO)(4)] (3a) were obtained. The crystal structure of 3a was also determined. All crystal structures revealed the presence of phenoxo-bridged binuclear zinc(II) complexes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

De-aggregation of polyfluorene derivative by blending with a series of poly(alkyl methacrylate)s with varying sidegroup sizes

A polyfluorene derivative of the PPV, poly(9,9`-n-dihexyl-2,7-fluorenedilvinylene-alt-1,4-phenylenevinylene), with a strong tendency to aggregation was blended with several members of a series composed by poly(alkyl methacrylate)s with the following substituents in the ester position: methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, and cyclohexyl. The de-aggregation effect in blends was studied by steady-state photoluminescence spectroscopy using several blend compositions. The efficiency of each dispersing phase was discussed in terms of the polymer miscibility, controlled by interaction parameters between the polyfluorene and every poly(alkyl methacrylate)s, here described using Hilde-brand solubility parameters. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

N-H...S=C hydrogen bond in O-alkyl N-methoxycarbonyl thiocarbamates, ROC(S)N(H)C(O)O)CH(3) (R = CH(3)(-), CH(3)CH(2)-)

Pure O-methyl N-methoxycarbonyl thiocarbamate CH(3)OC(S)N(H)C(O)OCH(3) (I) and O-ethyl N-methoxycarbonyl thiocarbamate, CH(3)CH(2)OC(S)N(H)C(O)OCH(3) (II), are quantitatively prepared by the addition reaction between the CH(3)OC(O)NCS and the corresponding alcohols. The compounds are characterized by multinuclear ((1)H and (13)C) and bi-dimensional ((13)C HSQC) NMR, GC-MS and FTIR spectroscopy techniques. Structural and conformational properties are analyzed using a combined approach involving crystallographic data, vibration spectra and theoretical calculations. The low-temperature (150 K) crystal structure of II was determined by X-ray diffraction methods. The substance crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n with a = 4.088(1)angstrom. b = 22.346(1)angstrom, c = 8.284(1)angstrom, beta = 100.687(3)degrees and Z = 4 molecules per unit cell. The conformation adopted by the thiocarbamate group -OC(S)N(H)- is syn (C=S double bond in synperiplanar orientation with respect to the N-H single bond), while the methoxycarbonyl C=O double bond is in antiperiplanar orientation with respect to the N-H bond. The non-H atoms in II are essentially coplanar and the molecules are arranged in the crystal lattice as centro-symmetric dimeric units held by N-H center dot center dot center dot S=C hydrogen bonds Id(N center dot center dot center dot S) = 3.387(1)angstrom, <(N-H center dot center dot center dot S) = 166.4(2)degrees]. Furthermore, the effect of the it electronic resonance in the structural and vibrational properties is also discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Structural and spectroscopic characterization of poly(styrene sulfonate) films doped with neodymium ions

This work reports the structural and spectroscopy characterization of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) films doped with neodymium (Nd) ions. Nd-PSS films were processed using the acid of poly(styrene sulfonate) - H-PSS and neodymium nitrate - Nd(NO(3))(3); the maximum incorporation of Nd ions in the polymeric matrix was equal 19.3%. The absorption in the UV-Vis-NIR spectral region presents typical electronic transitions of Nd 3, ions, with well resolved peaks. The infrared spectra present the transition bands of PSS with characteristic line shape broadening, and the presence of vibrational modes of N-O groups in the range of 1400-720 cm(-1), prove the permanence of Nd(NO(3))(x), with x = 1, 2 and/or 3. in the H-PSS matrix. UV-Vis site selective photoluminescence data indicate that the incorporation of Nd 31 introduces a blue shift in PSS emission (325-800 nm), decreasing the interaction between adjacent PSS lateral groups (aromatic rings). Nd(3+) reabsorption and energy transfer effects between the PSS matrix and Nd(3+) were also observed. The IR emission of Nd-PSS films at 1076 rim ((4)F(3/2) -> (4)I(11/2)) present constant efficiency, independent on Nd(3+) concentration. The Judd-Ofelt theory was employed to analyze radiative properties. The excitation spectra prove the energy transfer between the polymeric matrix and Nd(3+). Complex impedance data was used to probe relaxation processes during the charge transport within the polymeric matrix. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.