Comparison of Fracture Resistance of Endodontically Treated Teeth Restored with Different Aesthetic Post and Core Systems Under All Ceramic Restoration Luted with Two Types of Cements

Context: Fracture of endodontically treated teeth is a grave sequela that a clinician should seriously ponder. Suitable selection of restorative materials is a requisite for long?term clinical success. Aims: To compare the fracture resistance of endodontically treated teeth restored with three different posts luted using two different cements under all ceramic crowns. Settings and Design: This in vitro study was conducted in the Department of Prosthodontics, Government Dental College, Kottayam, Kerala, India. Methods and Material: Thirty endodontically treated single?rooted mandibular premolars in which post spaces were prepared and divided into three different groups. Group 1 (n = 10): zirconia post group. Group 2 (n = 10): quartz fibre post group. Group 3 (n = 10): glass fibre post group. Each group is sub?divided into two based on the luting system: resin?modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) or dual?cure resin cement (DCRC). The fracture resistance testing was performed in a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min. Statistical Analysis Used: The mean fracture resistance were analysed using independent sample Student t?test and one?way ANOVA. Results: Within the zirconia post group, the mean fracture resistance was higher in DCRC sub?group compared to the RMGIC sub?group and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.017). The difference in fracture resistance between three different post systems was not found to be statistically significant with respect to both the luting systems. Conclusions: It was observed that when zirconia post is used, the mean fracture resistance was higher in dual?cure resin group compared to the resin?modified GIC group.

Clinical characteristics of artificial quartz stone silicosis patients / 中国职业医学

Objectives To explore and compare the clinical characteristics and risk factors for mortality between patients with artificial quartz stone silicosis and those with classic silicosis. Methods A total of 48 patients with artificial quartz stone silicosis (experiment group) and 98 patients with classic silicosis (control group) were recruited as the research subjects using the convenience sampling method. Data of clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and pulmonary pathology of the research subjects were retrospectively analyzed. The Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors on the survival time of silicosis patients. Results Patients in the experiment group had shorter years of dust exposure, latency period and time since last exposure than those in the control group (all P<0.01). The positive rate of anti-nuclear antibodies and the expression of neuron-specific enolase in the experiment group were higher than those in the control group (39.6% vs 10.2%, median： 28.44 vs 16.25, both P<0.01). The PaO2 levels in the experiment group were lower than those in the control group (median： 66.0 vs 89.0, P<0.01). The patients in the experiment group had lower vital capacity, inspiratory reserve volume, forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and carbon monoxide diffusion capacity compared to the control group (all P<0.05), but the maximal expiratory flow in 75% vital capacity was higher than the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, patients in the experiment group had the presence of ground-glass opacity (GGO) in both lungs, aggregation and fusion of subpleural nodules, and gradual formation of progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), with higher potential of pneumothorax. Within 5 years after diagnosis, the mortality of patients in the experiment group was higher than that in the control group (27.1% vs 4.1%, P<0.01). The Cox regression model analysis results showed that patients with nodule aggregation on lung HRCT images had a higher risk of mortality than those without nodule aggregation, and lower lung function including vital capacity, FVC, FEV1 and maximum expiratory flow in 25% vital capacity had higher risk of reduced survival time (all P<0.05). Conclusion Compared with patients with classic silicosis, patients with artificial quartz stone silicosis have higher level of serum neuron-specific enolase, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases. Pulmonary imaging features in patients with artificial quartz stone silicosis include GGO, PMF and susceptibility to pneumothorax, and rare calcification of mediastinal lymph nodes, leading to a higher mortality rate within 5 years after diagnosis.

Effects of fiber surface deposited with silicon dioxide films on properties of fiber-reinforced composites / 口腔医学

Objective@#To investigate the effects of fiber surface deposited with silicon dioxide films by atomic layer deposition on properties of dental fiber-reinforced composites.@*Methods @#SiO2 films were deposited on the surface of quartz fiber by atomic layer deposition(ALD). Then the quartz fiber was used to manufacture fiber resin composites, which were divided into four groups: A(no soaking agent removal), B(soaking agent removed), C(soaking agent removed and silanization), and D(soaking agent removed, 600 ALD cycles performed and then silanization). Scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle test, hygroscopicity test, CCK8 test and three-point bending test were used to investigate the properties of fiber resin composites.@*Results@#The surface morphology of the quartz fiber treated by ALD was smooth and had no obvious change compared with that before treatment. Moreover, the quartz fiber showed hydrophobicity after silanization. The results of three-point bending test revealed that the mechanical properties of fiber-resin composites modified by ALD were significantly improved(P<0.05). When viewed by scanning electron microscopy, a good interfacial bonding could be seen between quartz fibers and the resin matrix in Group D. In addition, it was found that Group D had low absorbability, low solubility and good biocompatibility. @*Conclusion@#It is shown that deposition of SiO2 films on the quartz fiber by ALD can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of fiber-reinforced composites.

Preliminary experimental analysis of the feasibility of quartz glass for radiotherapy dosimetry / 中国辐射卫生

Objective To explore the feasibility of quartz glass for radiotherapy dosimetry through the experimental study of the thermoluminescence characteristics of synthetic quartz glass. Methods The thermoluminescence glow curves of quartz glass under different annealing conditions were analyzed, the thermoluminescence characteristics of quartz glass were studied, and the measurement parameters were optimized. Using the Co-60 reference radiation field in the National Secondary Standard Dosimetry Laboratory, the quartz glass samples under different annealing conditions were irradiated following the dose levels of radiotherapy, i.e., 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, and 10.0 Gy, respectively. According to the relationship between the absorbed dose of quartz glass and the relative thermoluminescence signal intensity, the linearity and dispersion of the dose response of quartz glass were obtained, and the feasibility of quartz glass for radiotherapy dosimetry was analyzed. Results The linear correlation coefficient of dose response of quartz glass under annealing condition of 430℃ for 10 min was 0.9984, and the dose response dispersion was 0.97% at the absorbed dose of 2 Gy. The linear correlation coefficient of dose response of quartz glass under annealing condition of 600℃ for 1 h was 0.9911, and the dose response dispersion was 1.4% at the absorbed dose of 2 Gy. Conclusion Preliminary results suggest that quartz glass with annealing condition of 430℃ for 10 min has the potential to be used for radiotherapy dosimetry.

Determination of tin and its compounds in ambient PM2.5 by atomic fluorescence spectrometry after ultrasonic extraction with concentrated hydrochloric acid / 环境与职业医学

Background Tin and its compounds can cause serious harm to human respiratory system and nervous system, but there is no corresponding national standard method for the determination of tin in PM2.5. Objective To establish a method for the determination of tin and its compounds in PM2.5 by atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) after ultrasonic extraction with concentrated hydrochloric acid. Methods We extracted a fixed volume of air at a constant speed through a sampler with preset cutting characteristics to trap PM2.5 in the ambient air on quartz filter membranes. By selecting extraction solvent, comparing extraction temperature and time, and adjusting the acidity of solution to be measured, the sample pretreatment process was optimized, and a method for the determination of tin and its compounds in PM2.5 by AFS was proposed, and its performance indexes such as linearity, detection limit, and lower limit of quantification were obtained. The accuracy and precision of the method were evaluated by the standard addition recovery test with blank quartz filter membranes, and the interference test was carried out by adding standard urban particulate samples. The proposed method and the method recommended by the “Handbook on Monitoring and Protection of Air Pollution (Haze) Effects on Population Health (2020)” (the Handbook) were applied to actual samples, and the results were compared. Results This experiment used concentrated hydrochloric acid as the extraction solvent. The higher the reaction temperature and the longer the reaction time, the higher the recovery rate. Therefore, 70 ℃ water bath ultrasonic extraction for 3 h was selected. In terms of the proposed method, the linear range of detection was from 5.00 μg·L−1 to 50.00 μg·L−1, with a correlation coefficient ≥0.999 and a detection limit of 0.27 μg·L−1. When the quantitative detection of the lower limit was 0.90 μg·L−1，and the sampling volume was 144 m3, the limit of quantification was 1.25 ng·m−3. The recovery rate of standard addition of blank quartz filter membranes was 94.1%-97.5%, with a relative standard deviation ≤3.2%; the recovery rate of standard addition of standard urban particulate matter samples was 93.5%-103.0%, and the relative standard deviation was ≤2.1%, indicating that coexisting components in PM2.5 samples would not affect the determination of tin. For the 10 quartz filter membrane samples of PM2.5 monitoring, the results of tin by the established method (extraction with concentrated hydrochloric acid) were higher than those of the Handbook recommended method (extraction with nitric acid), and the difference is (3.61±0.54) ng·m−3(t=21.303, P<0.05). Conclusion The established method for the determination of tin and its compounds in PM2.5 by AFS after ultrasonic extraction with concentrated hydrochloric acid is simple, accurate, and suitable for laboratory determination of tin and its compounds in large quantities of PM2.5 samples.

Pino de quartzo personalizado: descriçâo da técnica e protocolo de cimentação / Personalized quartz pin: description of technique and cementation protocol

O tratamento endodôntico frequentemente leva à perda de parte coronária de um elemento dentário, seja pelo enfraquecimento de sua estrutura, por lesões traumáticas ou por cárie. Desde que em condições favoráveis, esses dentes podem ser restaurados por meio de retenção adequada provida por meio de retentores intrarradiculares. Os pinos de quartzo utilizados como retentor intrarradicular surgiram com os avanços da odontologia adesiva, sendo uma opção relevante com inúmeras vantagens. A literatura odontológica aponta que a adaptação do pino às paredes do conduto radicular, somada a técnica de cimentação adesiva, são fatores essenciais para a longevidade do tratamento, sendo necessário em alguns casos sua personalização, para garantir melhor assentamento e promover prognóstico favorável. Objetivou-se neste artigo apresentar a técnica de preparo, personalização e cimentação do pino de quartzo na reconstrução de um dente tratado endodonticamente ilustrado por meio de caso clínico. Através de um protocolo ordenado e meticuloso da técnica de aplicação, foi possível alcançar o resultado desejado(AU)

Endodontic treatment often leads to loss of the coronary part of a tooth, either by weakening its structure, by traumatic lesions or by caries. Since under faborable conditions, these teetn can be restored by means of the biomechanical reinforcement promoted by the intraradicular retainers. The quartz posts have appeared with the advances of restorative dentistry, being a relevant option with numerous advantages. The dental literature indicates that the adaptation of the post to the root canal walls, together with the adhesive cementation technique, are essential factors for the longevity of the treatmet, being necessary in some cases its personalization, which guarantees its better settlement, avoiding the impression of undesirable forces to the tooth anf promoting better prognosis. The objective was to present the technique of preparation, personalization and cementation of the quartz post in the reconstruction of an endodontically treated tooth. Through an orderly and meticulous protocol of the application technique, it was possible to achieve the desired result(AU)

Analysis of Quaternary Sediments of Quartz Grains Applied to the Identification of the Environment of Some Ivory Beaches East of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Morphoscopic and exoscopic analysis of quartz grains collected on the Ivorian beaches of the gulf of Guinea between Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) and Aforenou (Ghana) during topographic surveys between March 2007 and March 2009 on the examination of quartz at the binocular loupe, reveals blunting grains shining on all beaches (50% to 70%). In Abidjan area, the majority of the grains are reddish, indicates a ferrous and inherited environment. The exoscopy for the fine and detailed study of the morphology and the surface of the quartz grains was made with the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This approach makes it possible to interpret traces related to events (energy level) or environments (transport, transition and storage environments). These observations indicate that the quartz after a long transport in a fluvial environment have been reworked in a marine environment. They were finally deposited in a low-energy aquatic continental medium marked by the polishing of the crystalline points and the siliceous corpuscles dotting the surface of the grains. The energy of the transport environments crossed is high in a turbulent environment through traces of shock, as large and numerous as they are. SEM examination of the samples reveals that beach quartz has generally been transported by river and recovered in an intertidal and/or subtidal environment. They have a continental and marine origin.

Ct Of Quartz-Tungsten-Halogen And Light-Emitting Diode-Curing Units On The Depth Of Cure And Flexural Strength Of A Nanohybrid Composite Resin: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Over the years, the demand for esthetic dentistry has grown dramatically and there has been a rapid developmentof new adhesive restorative materials with nanotechnology that can restore the color and characteristics of natural tooth. Topolymerize these materials, light-curing dental materials extensively used are quartz-tungsten-halogen (QTH) and light-emittingdiode (LED)-curing units. Literature search revealed that depth of cure and flexural strength are the most important propertiesof composite resin materials, relevant to the clinical technique of incremental packing and curing.Purpose: The objectives of the present study were to evaluate and compare the depth of cure and flexural strength of ananohybrid composite resin.Materials and Methods: Two light-curing units were selected for this study: QTH (Bonart, Unicorn) and LED (Ivoclar Vivadent,Bluephase® N). The depth of cure was evaluated with scraping technique using digital caliper and flexural strength was evaluatedusing universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min.Results: Descriptive statistics was employed to measure the mean and standard deviation of the depth of cure and flexuralstrength. Unpaired “t”-test was used to compare the study variables. Statistical significance was fixed at ≤0.05 and LED-curingunit showed significantly greater depth of cure and flexural strength when compared to QTH curing unit.Conclusion: Curing effectiveness of resin composite is dependent on the light-curing unit.

CT imaging analysis of artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective@#To explore the CT imaging features of artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis.@*Methods@#A total of 37 cases confirmed with artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis from December 2016 to August 2018 and 38 cases confirmed with traditional classical silicosis at the same period were retrospectively reviewed.The clinical characteristics (including gender, age and working age)and the imaging features (including the nodule features, ground glass opacity, merging features, consolidation, secondary changes, etc.) of the two groups were recorded. The variables including the imaging findings between the two groups were analyzed by Fisher exact test.@*Results@#Of all the cases, there were bilateral diffuse small nodules which distributed with upper-zone predominance. Small nodules can merge together and form mass shadow. The complications such as lymphadenopathy, calcification, emphysema/pneumatocele, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis could also be found. Among the various imaging features, the presence of ground glass opacity, small nodules merging together in the subpleural zones, consolidation, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, pneumothorax were found in 28,16,18,17,5 cases, respectively in artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group, and 2,4,4,4,0 cases, respectively in the traditional classical silicosis group. The percentages of these above signs were higher in the artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group than the traditional classical silicosis group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.01). The artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group had 3 cases with mediastinal lymph node enlargement with calcification, while the traditional classical silicosis group had 12 cases. This sign showed a lower significantly incidence in the artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group than the traditional classical silicosis group (P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#The characteristic changes of CT imaging features in artificial stone-agglomerated quartz associated silicosis are small nodules with the background of ground glass opacity, the nodules merging together under subpleural zones, consolidation, mediastinal lymph node enlargement with less calcification and complicated with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and pneumothorax.

Comparison between pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry for determination of silicon dioxide content in dust / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To discuss the difference between pyrophosphoric acid method and infrared spectrophotometry for the determination of silica content in dust.@*Methods@#The content of silica in the laboratory comparison samples organized by CDC Occupational Health Institute in China in 2018, and purchased quality control samples were determined by pyrophosphate method. Meanwhile, the samples were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by infrared spectrophotometry, and the results obtained by the two methods were compared.@*Results@#Four samples (062C1、062C2、GDOHZKTG012-1、GDOHZKTG012-2) were detected by pyrophosphate method and infrared spectrophotometry. The results of pyrophosphate method were 55.49%, 5.24%, 4.90% and 54.72%, respectively. The results of infrared spectrophotometry were 0.91%, 1.87%, 1.29% and 1.16% respectively.@*Conclusion@#The content of silica in dust determined by pyrophosphate method is higher than that by infrared spectrophotometry.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted osthole on surface-modified quartz sand / 中草药

Objective: The molecularly imprinted osthole on surface-modified quartz sand was prepared and characterized by SEM and FT-IR. The adsorption properties of molecularly imprinted materials were investigated. Methods: The morphology of MIP was prepared using N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropylmethylbimethoxy silane (KH-602) modified quartz sand as supporter, osthole as template, methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as crosslinker, axodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator, and methanol as porogen, observed by SEM, and the chemical structure of MIP was characterized by FT-IR. Results: The dynamic adsorption experiment showed that the adsorption capacity of molecularly imprinted materials to osthole gradually reached saturation with the increase of time. The maximum adsorption capacity of molecularly imprinted materials for osthole was studied by static adsorption experiment. The selective adsorption experiment was adopted to study the binding properties and molecule recognition characters of molecularly imprinted materials for osthole. Conclusion: The experimental results showed that MIP had specific recognition selectivity, excellent binding affinity and elution property for ractopamine. The MIP on the adsorption ability of osthole was significantly better than xanthotoxin and imperatorin.

CT imaging analysis of artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore the CT imaging features of artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis. Methods A total of 37 cases confirmed with artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis from December 2016 to August 2018 and 38 cases confirmed with traditional classical silicosis at the same period were retrospectively reviewed.The clinical characteristics(including gender, age and working age)and the imaging features(including the nodule features, ground glass opacity, merging features, consolidation, secondary changes, etc.)of the two groups were recorded. The variables including the imaging findings between the two groups were analyzed by Fisher exact test. Results Of all the cases, there were bilateral diffuse small nodules which distributed with upper?zone predominance. Small nodules can merge together and form mass shadow. The complications such as lymphadenopathy, calcification, emphysema/pneumatocele, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis could also be found. Among the various imaging features, the presence of ground glass opacity, small nodules merging together in the subpleural zones, consolidation, pulmonary interstitial fibrosis, pneumothorax were found in 28,16,18,17,5 cases, respectively in artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group, and 2, 4, 4, 4, 0 cases, respectively in the traditional classical silicosis group. The percentages of these above signs were higher in the artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group than the traditional classical silicosis group, and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01). The artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group had 3 cases with mediastinal lymph node enlargement with calcification, while the traditional classical silicosis group had 12 cases. This sign showed a lower significantly incidence in the artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis group than the traditional classical silicosis group(P<0.01). Conclusion The characteristic changes of CT imaging features in artificial stone?agglomerated quartz associated silicosis are small nodules with the background of ground glass opacity, the nodules merging together under subpleural zones, consolidation, mediastinal lymph node enlargement with less calcification and complicated with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and pneumothorax.

Efecto del tratamiento de superficie en la fuerza de adhesión de postes de resina reforzados con fibras de cuarzo a los cementos de resina: Estudio in vitro

14. El propósito de este estudio fue determinar el efecto que ejercen distintos tratmientos de superficie en la fuerza de adhesión entre el cemento de resina y los postes de resina reforzados con fibras de cuarzo. Materiales y métodos: Sesenta postes de fibra de cuarzo (DT Light-Post™, Bisco™) se asignaron aleatoriamente a 12 grupos experimentales (n=5), según el cemento de resina utilizado (Biscem™ o Duolink™) y el tipo de tratamiento de superficie: limpieza con alcohol (grupo control), silanizado, primer, arenado, arenado+silanizado o arenado+primer. Se obtuvieron especímenes cilíndricos de resina utilizando resina nanohíbrida. Los postes se cementaron a los discos de resina y se sometieron a pruebas de push-out. Los datos se analizaron con ANOVA y prueba T para comparación de promedios y la prueba Tukey HSD con un nivel de significancia del 95%. Resultados: El cemento Biscem™ presentó, en general, una mayor fuerza de adhesión a los postes al compararse con el Duolink™. Se encontró diferencia significativa entre en grupo control y los grupos de arenado+silano y arenado+primer al utilizar el cemento Duolink™. Con el cemento Biscem™ no hubo diferencias entre grupos o con el grupo control. Conclusión: Los tratamientos de superficie en los postes de resina reforzados con fibra de cuarzo parecen no tener un efecto significativo en la fuerza de adhesión a los cementos de resina evaluados en este estudio, excepto al utilizar el cemento Duolink™ realizando el arenado y además se utilizando el silano o el primer.

18. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of different surface treatments on the bond strength between resin cements and quartz fiber-reinforced resin posts. Materials and methods: Sixty quartz fiber-reinforced resin posts (DT Light-Post™, Bisco™) were randomly divided into 12 experimental groups (n=5), according to the resin cement used (Biscem™ or Duolink™) and the surface treatment: Alcohol (control group), silanized, primer, sandblasted, sandblasted + silanized or sandblasted + primer. Cylindrical resin specimens were obtained using nanohybrid resin. The posts were cemented to the resin discs and push-out tests were conducted. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and T test for averages comparison and the Tukey HSD test with a 95% level of significance. Results: Biscem™ cement generally showed higher bond strength when compared to Duolink™ Significant differences were found between the control group and the sandblasted + silane and sandblasted + primer groups when using Duolink™cement. With Biscem™ cement, no differences between groups or with the control group were found.. Conclusion: Surface treatments on quartz fiber-reinforced resin poles seem to have no significant effect on the bond strength to resin cements, except when using Duolink™ cement with sandblasted posts and using silane or primer.

Effect of Gas6 in silica-induced inflammation on differentiated human acute monocytic leukemia (THP-1) macrophages / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the modulation role of Gas6 in silica-induced inflammatory effect on human macrophages.@*Methods@#Differentiated THP-1 macrophages were exposed to different concentrations of silica for 6 h and 24 h. Additionally, silica-activated macrophages were treated with different concentrations of recombine human Gas6 and Gas6 antibody respectively. Cell viabilities were determined by CCK-8 kit. Expression levels of Gas6 and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) were measured by ELISA assay kits.@*Results@#Silica particles induced clear dose-dependent decreases of cell viability and Gas6 expression at both 6 h and 24 h. The cell viability of 24 h is lower than 6 h at the same concentration of silica (P<0.05). Furthermore, silica activated macrophages treated with Gas6 antibody induced significant decreases of Gas6 both at 6 h and 24 h (P<0.05). After pretreated with various concentrations of Gas6 antibody, silica induced higher expressions of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) in dose-dependent manners at two time points. Addition of exoge-nous Gas6 significantly suppressed silica-induced inflammatory cytokines concentrations mentioned above in the cell culture supernatants in clear dose-dependent manners.@*Conclusion@#Exogenous Gas6 could inhibit the secre-tion of inflammatory cytokines in macrophages, while the block of Gas6 might enhance this inflammation.

Correlation analysis between expression of NF-κB and quartz's deposit in non-small cell lung cancer in Xuanwei , Yunnan province / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To evaluate the relationship between quartz's deposit and expression of NF-κB in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) lung tissues in Xuanwei, Yunnan Province, and to clarify the role of quartz in Xuanwei NSCLC's carcinogenic mechanism. Methods As research objects, the lung tissues of NSCLC and lung benign lesions after surgical resection were collected from July 2009 to September 2015 at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University. Firstly, the transmission electron microscopic (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray analyzer (EDS) was used for observation of crystalline deposit and local pathological changes. Secondly, expression level of NF-κB had been analysed and a correlation analysis with particle size of SiO2 crystal in the same lung sample was made. Results The occurrence rates of quartz in Xuanwei NSCLC lung tissues were above non-Xuanwei NSCLC and benign lung tissues (P0.05). The expression level of NF-κB was generally increasing when quartz 's size became smaller. Conclusion Quartz 's deposit may play a certain role in carcinogenic mechanism of lung cancer in Xuanwei, the smaller the particle size, the greater the cytotoxicity.

Analysis of Electrochemical Performances of Different Mesoporous Manganese Dioxide Materials by Quartz Crystal Microbalance / 分析化学

The mesoporous manganese dioxide (MnO2) materials were synthesized by the calcinations of manganese carbonate (MnCO3) precursors in air atmosphere at 300, 350 and 400℃. The slurries of MnO2 and binder were sprayed on the quartz electrodes. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) was conducted with cyclic voltammetry to analyze the electrochemical behaviors of the three MnO2 samples in 0.1 mol/L sodium sulfate (Na2SO4). The mass of the three samples were generally increased during potential cycling, especially in the first stage, which suggested that an irreversible reaction process occurred. The as-synthesized MnO2 at 300℃ had the better electrochemical stability and capacity retentivity. The three materials were assembled to (-) active carbon/MnO2 (+) supercapacitors and the charge-discharge tests were conducted. The results showed that 35％-40％ capacity loss was occurred in the initial cycling, and the total discharge capacities of MnO2 formed at 300℃, 350℃, 400℃ were 15.9, 12.9, 11.7 mA h/g, respectively. The detection results of QCM method were consistent with that of the charge-discharge tests, suggesting that this QCM method could be used for distinguishing the electrochemical performance of mesoporous MnO2 materials.

Study on endotoxin quantitative detector / 重庆医学

Objective To develop a quantitative,highly sensitive,low detection limit and fast endotoxin(ET) biosensing detection system by utilizing the piezoelectric crystal's damping effect(non-mass effect) in the liquid phase environment.Methods The sensor probe of better performance (eliminating the quality load effects and improving the liquid solid coupling effect) was obtained by using the smoothing processing and hydrophilic processing of a quartz crystal sensor probe surface,thus the stability and repeatability of measurement were increased and the low detection limit of measurement was decreased.The whole measurement system was made into a miniature and automated endotoxin detection system by using CPLD device and LabView software to realize the automatic collection,and analysis and results display of measurement data.Results The good linear relationship existed between different concentrations of endotoxin and the stable value of frequency shift.Conclusion By the established data of frequency shift,the endotoxin concentration can be obtained accurately and conveniently.

A crosta laterítica ferro-titanífera da Vila Nova Colina e a lateritização no sul de Roraima / The iron-titaniferous lateritic crust of the Vila Nova Colina and the lateritization in south of Roraima

Lateritic crusts developed upon the Guiana Shield basement rocks (e.g. granites of the Água Branca Intrusive Suite) was recognized in the Vila Nova Colina region, located in south Roraima state. The objectives of this work were to study the mineral and geochemical characteristics of lateritic crusts and to evaluate the relationship between them and the rocks of the region, in order to understand the evolution of laterization and provide information about the economic potential. This study comprises petrography, mineralogy and litogeochemical investigations of the granites, the quartz-hornblende gabbro and the lateritic crusts formed from these rocks. The granites and the quartz-hornblende gabbro has developed, respectively, a specific type of lateritic crust: (i) the ferruginous vermiform one with high amounts of kaolinite, goethite, hematite, magnetite and anatase, higher concentration of Al2O3, Sc, Th e Zr and, (ii) the iron-titaniferous massive one with high amounts of magnetite, hematite, maghemite, goethite, kaolinite, anatase, gibbsite and ilmenite, and consequently in higher amounts of Fe2O3, TiO2, V e Cu. Each crust type indicates the effect of the lateritization in the south portion of Roraima and their topographic position. The higher topographic position of the massive crust (220 m), its mineral and geochemical composition, indicate the maturity (i.e. needed more time to be formed) and may represent a relict of an erosion phase in the region, probably associated with a subsidence of the Tacutu basin in the Miocene. Otherwise, the vermiform crust formed at a lower topographic position (140 m) with no gibbsite, suggests that it is younger than the massive one and represents the immature laterization of the Plio-Pleistocene.

Crostas lateríticas desenvolvidas sobre as rochas do embasamento do Escudo das Guianas (p.e. granitos da Suíte Intrusiva Água Branca) são reconhecidas na região de Vila Nova Colina, localizada ao sul do estado de Roraima. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram estudar as características minerais e geoquímicas dessas crostas lateríticas e avaliar a relação entre elas e as rochas da região, a fim de entender a evolução da lateritização e fornecer informações sobre seu potencial econômico. Este estudo compreende dados de petrografia, mineralogia e litogeoquímica de granitos, quartzo-hornblenda gabro e crostas lateríticas formadas a partir dessas rochas. Os granitos e o quartzo-hornblenda gabro desenvolveram, respectivamente, um tipo específico de crosta laterítica: (i) vermiforme ferruginosa com elevados teores de caulinita, goethita, hematita, magnetita e anatásio e maior concentração de Al2O3, Sc, Th, e Zr e, (ii) maciça ferro-titanífera com altos teores de magnetita, hematita, maghemita, goethita, caulinita, anatásio, gibbsita e ilmenita e de Fe2O3, TiO2, V e Cu. Cada tipo de crosta indica o efeito da lateritização na porção sul de Roraima e sua posição topográfica. O posicionamento topográfico mais elevado da crosta maciça (220 m) e sua composição mineralógica e geoquímica, indicam sua maturidade (isto é, precisou de mais tempo para ser formada) e, portanto relicto de uma fase erosiva na região, provavelmente associada a subsidência da bacia do Tacutu no Mioceno. Enquanto a crosta vermiforme em uma posição mais rebaixada (140 m) sem gibbsita, sugere que ela é mais jovem que a maciça e representa a lateritização imatura do Plio-Pleistoceno.

Dynamic change of circulating monocyte subsets in the mouse model of quartz-induced pneumosilicosis and its implication / 医学研究生学报

Objective Pneumosilicosis is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis and cannot be effectively treated at present. This study was to explore the changes of monocyte subsets in the mouse model of silicon dioxide-induced experimental pneumosilicosis and the correlation of the changes with lung inflammatory injury and pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A total of 100 male C57BL/6J mice weighing 18-22 g were equally randomized into a normal saline (NS) group and a silicon dioxide (quartz) group.The model of experimental pneumosilicosis was established by oropharyngeal aspiration of quartz suspension.At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after treat-ment, the mice were sacrificed and the proportions of different circulating monocyte subpopulations determined by flow cytometry.Dif-ferent types of inflammatory cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid ( BALF) were routinely counted.The inflammation score and col-lagen volume fraction ( CVF) of the lung tissue were obtained by HE and picrosirius red staining. Results At 7 days after quartz treatment, silicotic nodules were observed in the lung tissue.Compared with the NS controls, the model mice showed significantly in-creased inflammation score and CVF at 7 days (0.920 ±0.049 vs 1.400 ±0.089, P0.05).Compared with the NS controls, the quartz-treated mice showed markedly increased proportion of Ly6Chimonocytes at all time points, which peaked at 7 days (58.750 ±2.386 vs 78.300 ±2.517, P<0.01), with a positive corre-lation with the inflammation score (P<0.01) and CVF of the lung tissue (P<0.01) at 7 and 28 day. Conclusion The propor-tions of circulating Ly6Chi and Ly6Clo monocytes changed dynamically in the murine model of quartz-induced experimental pneumosilico-sis.The increased proportion of the Ly6Chi monocyte subpopulation might be closely related with lung inflammatory injury and pulmona-ry fibrosis in pneumosilicosis.

PURIFICACIÓN DEL ANTÍGENO 38 kDa DE Mycobacterium tuberculosis Y SU POTENCIAL USO EN DIAGNÓSTICO MEDIANTE INMUNOSENSORES PIEZOELÉCTRICOS / Mycobacterium tuberculosis 38 kDa Antigen Purification and Potential Diagnostic Use by Piezoelectric Immunosensors

Un paso crucial en el desarrollo de un inmunosensor piezoeléctrico para la detección de tuberculosis (TB), es la selección y obtención de los inmunoreactivos empleados en el inmunoensayo y la estrategia para la biofuncionalización del transductor. Diversos estudios han reportado el uso del antígeno proteico 38kDa (Ag38kDa) de Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) como un buen biomarcador de la enfermedad y el cumplimiento de las características físicas y bioquímicas para ser inmovilizado por monocapas autoensambladas (SAMs), en la superficie del electrodo de oro de cristales piezoeléctricos. Un inmunosensor piezoeléctrico desarrollado a partir de un antígeno nativo purificado de Mtb podría ser un método alternativo simple para la detección de Mtb con ventajas de rapidez y reusabilidad, contribuyendo al control y el tratamiento oportuno de la enfermedad. En este estudio se presenta el proceso de purificación del Ag38kDa a partir de proteínas de secreción filtradas de cultivo (CFP) de Mtb para ser usado como inmunoreactivo con potencial aplicación en la detección de Mtb con inmunosensores piezoeléctricos. Se obtuvieron cristales funcionalizados mediante la técnica modificada de monocapas autoensambladas (SAMs), con el antígeno nativo purificado y CFP. Las superficies biofuncionalizadas fueron caracterizadas cualitativamente con microscopía de fuerza atómica (AFM) para validar las condiciones de optimización del protocolo de inmovilización con antígenos de secreción de Mtb. Estos cristales modificados pueden ser acoplados a un sistema de caracterización de un inmunosensor piezoeléctrico para la detección de Mtb mediante un inmunoensayo competitivo directo.

The selection and procurance of the immunoreagents used in the immunoassay and biofunctionalisation transducer strategy, are a key in the piezoelectric immunosensor development for the detection of tuberculosis (TB). Many have reported the use of 38kDa protein antigen (Ag38kDa) from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) such as good biomarker of TB disease and compliance with physical and biochemical characteristics to be immobilized by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), in the gold electrode of piezoelectrics crystals surfaces. A piezoelectric immunosensor developed from purified native antigens of Mtb may be an alternative simple method for detection of Mtb with speed and reusable advantages, contributing to the control and early treatment of disease. In this paper, the purification process of Ag38kDa Mtb from secretory proteins filtered culture (CFP) from Mtb is presented as an immunoreactive with potential application in the detection of Mtb by piezoelectric immunosensors. Functionalized crystals were obtained by using the modified self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) technique, with purified native antigen and CFP. The functionalized surfaces were qualitatively characterized using atomic force microscopy (AFM) in order to validate the immobilization protocol optimal conditions for secretion antigens from Mtb. These modified crystals may be coupled to piezoelectric immunosensor characterization system for detecting of Mtb by a direct competition immunoassay.