Synthesis and Electrochemical Evaluation of MSNs-PbAE Nanocontainers for the Controlled Release of Caffeine as a Corrosion Inhibitor.

In this paper, a controlled-release system of caffeine as a corrosion inhibitor was obtained by encapsulating it in MCM-41 silica nanoparticles coated with a poly(ß-amino ester) (PbAE), a pH-sensible polymer. Encapsulation was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetry (TGA). The release of caffeine from the nanocontainers was analyzed in electrolytes with pH values of 4, 5, and 7 using UV-Vis, showing a 21% higher release in acidic electrolytes than in neutral electrolytes, corroborating its pH sensitivity. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization were used to determine the inhibition mode and efficiency of the encapsulated and free caffeine. The caffeine released from the nanocontainers showed the highest efficiency, which was 85.19%. These results indicate that these nanocontainers could have potential use in smart anticorrosion coating applications.

Methodology for the design and economic assessment of anaerobic digestion plants to produce energy and biofertilizer from livestock waste.

The generation and poor disposal of waste from livestock industries is the major cause of pollution of water sources, soil, and air. Therefore, profitable alternatives are required for their correct disposal and use. Anaerobic digestion plants are a technologically viable solution to overcome this problem. In this study, it is proposed a methodology for the design and economic assessment of projects using anaerobic digestion plants to produce electrical energy, thermal energy, and biofertilizer from livestock waste. The methodology is developed based on the assumption that the process is mainly composed of an anaerobic digester and an electric generator having a Diesel-cycle internal combustion engine. It is programmed in "MS Excel" sheet and assessed using technical and economic data from a three real anaerobic digestion plants. The methodology obtains technical parameters such as energy production efficiency with an average difference of 35% compared to the real plants data. In addition, the unit capital costs are calculated, obtaining a value of €3789/kW with a difference of 21.1%, as well as unit operating costs of €729/kW per year with a difference of 15.2%. The financial viability of the project is assessed by calculating the net present value and obtaining €577,050 with a difference of 17.8% and an internal rate of return with a percentage difference of 3%. The proposed methodology specifies the technical parameters and the basic engineering of an anaerobic digestion plant in a stationary state, where the basic streams and dimensions of primary equipment, such as anaerobic reactors and electric generators, are specified. Moreover, the methodology calculates capital and operating expenses for an anaerobic digestion plant, which may be useful to assess the technical and financial feasibility for a project of this type.

Cierre de fístulas nasopalatinas recurrentes con plasma rico en factores de crecimiento en pacientes con paladar hendido / Closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas with plasma rich in growth factors

Introducción y objetivo: Las fístulas palatinas representan un desafío importante en el tratamiento del paladar hendido. Los mejores resultados de una palatoplastia se obtienen con un esfínter velofaríngeo competente y un paladar sin fístulas. En la literatura se describe que la recurrencia de fístulas palatinas primarias es de hasta el 76% y las recurrentes es de aproximadamente el 100%. El plasma rico en factores de crecimiento (PRGF) es un hemoderivado autólogo con sustancias biológicamente activas que promueven los mecanismos de reparación tisular como quimiotaxis, proliferación celular, angiogénesis, osteogénesis y remodelación. No se ha descrito su uso en reparación de fístulas nasopalatinas. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar el cierre exitoso de fístulas palatinas recurrentes con el uso del PRGF combinado con injerto óseo autólogo. Pacientes y método: Se realizó un estudio experimental, prospectivo, longitudinal desde abril 2008 a julio 2010, con un total de 11 fístulas nasopalatinas, las cuales se cerraron por medio de colgajos mucoperiósticos locales y colocación de injerto óseo autólogo mezclado con PRGF. Resultados: Con un seguimiento de 6-24 meses, se demostró el cierre completo de las fístulas en el 90,9%, disminuyendo el índice de recurrencia descrito con otras técnicas por otros autores. Conclusión: El uso de PRGF mezclado con injerto óseo autólogo parece ser una alternativa eficaz, segura y de bajo costo para el cierre de fístulas palatinas, sin embargo su estudio debe ser ampliado (AU)

Introduction and objective: Fistulas represent a significant challenge in the treatment of cleft palate. The best outcome of a palatoplasty is obtained with a competent velopharyngeal sphincter and a palate without fistulas. The recurrence of primary cleft palate fistula is reported as high as up to 76%, and to nearly 100% in recurrent fistulas. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is an autologous blood product with biologically active substances that enhance tissue repair mechanisms such as chemotaxis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, osteogenesis and remodeling. Its use in cleft palate fistulas has not been reported. Our objective was to evaluate closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas using PRGF mixed with autologous bone graft. Methods: An experimental, prospective, longitudinal study was carried out from April 2008 to July 2010 on 11 recurrent cleft palate fistulas that were closed with local mucoperiosteal flaps and placement of autologous bone graft mixed with PRGF. Results: Complete closure of palate fistulas was achieved in 90.9% (follow-up of 6-C24 months), decreasing the reported incidence for the recurrence by other authors with other techniques. Conclusions: The use of PRGF mixed with autologous bone graft seems to be an effective, safe and low-cost technique for the closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas. However, we consider its study must be extended (AU)

[Closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas with plasma rich in growth factors]. / Cierre de fístulas nasopalatinas recurrentes con plasma rico en factores de crecimiento en pacientes con paladar hendido.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Fistulas represent a significant challenge in the treatment of cleft palate. The best outcome of a palatoplasty is obtained with a competent velopharyngeal sphincter and a palate without fistulas. The recurrence of primary cleft palate fistula is reported as high as up to 76%, and to nearly 100% in recurrent fistulas. Plasma rich in growth factors (PRGF) is an autologous blood product with biologically active substances that enhance tissue repair mechanisms such as chemotaxis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, osteogenesis and remodeling. Its use in cleft palate fistulas has not been reported. Our objective was to evaluate closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas using PRGF mixed with autologous bone graft. METHODS: An experimental, prospective, longitudinal study was carried out from April 2008 to July 2010 on 11 recurrent cleft palate fistulas that were closed with local mucoperiosteal flaps and placement of autologous bone graft mixed with PRGF. RESULTS: Complete closure of palate fistulas was achieved in 90.9% (follow-up of 6-24 months), decreasing the reported incidence for the recurrence by other authors with other techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The use of PRGF mixed with autologous bone graft seems to be an effective, safe and low-cost technique for the closure of recurrent cleft palate fistulas. However, we consider its study must be extended.