The surface modification of FePt NPs by using mercaptoacetic acid (thiol) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) as a phase transfer reagent through ligand-exchange turned the NPs hydrophilic, and the FePt NPs were water-dispersible. PFTα supplier Transmission electron microscopy images indicate that the NPs are slightly agglomerate after ligand-exchange. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra suggest that thiol and MUA functional group bond to the FePt atoms of the

surface. The water-dispersible FePt NPs used as heating agents could reach the demand of biocompatibility and provide heat response for magnetically induced hyperthermia in biological fields. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3535271]“
“Objective. The objective of this study was to evaluate smear layer removal after using the new CanalBrush (Coltene/Whaledent GmbH+Co. KG, Germany).

Study design. Twenty extracted maxillary anterior teeth were randomly divided into 2 equal groups. The canals of the teeth in each group were instrumented with ProTaper Universal rotary files (Dentsply Maillefer, Switzerland). Following each file use, the root canals in both groups were irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl

and 15% EDTA. At the end of instrumentation, the canals in group 2 were flushed with 15% EDTA, then a CanalBrush was used for 30 seconds, and a final irrigation was conducted with 5.25% NaOCl. All teeth were processed for scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the removal of the smear layer was

examined in the apical, middle, and coronal thirds. Analyses of SEM images were performed Bucladesine manufacturer by 2 independent evaluators in a blinded manner AG-881 and using a 4-point scoring system.

Results. The middle and apical thirds of the root canals in group 2 showed lower average scores than those in group 1, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the coronal score between the groups (P>.05).

Conclusions. Irrigating with brushing tended to produce cleaner canal walls, but irrigating brushing was not significantly better than irrigation alone in removing the smear layer on the canal walls. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010;110:e62-e66)”
“An explosive outbreak of Hepatitis B with high mortality was reported in 2009, in Modasa, Gujarat, India. Mortality was associated with basal core promoter and pre-core mutant hepatitis B virus (HBV). The current study addresses the role of immunological parameters in the progression to fulminant hepatitis. The study population comprised of 22 acute HBV patients, 13 fulminant HBV liver failure patients and 54 healthy controls. Hepatitis B surface antigen-induced CTL responses by enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISPOT), cytokine and chemokine quantitation by Bioplex assay, peripheral NK, natural killer T (NKT), CD4 and CD8 T-cell frequencies by flow cytometry were carried out.