Publications by authors named "Raul A Morales-Luckie"

Plaque control is especially important during orthodontic treatment because areas of the teeth near brackets and wires are difficult to clean with a toothbrush, resulting in debris buildup of food or dental plaque, thus causing caries and periodontal disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiONPs), and silver/titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag/TiONPs), synthesized on the surface of α-alumina ceramic brackets. The AgNPs and TiONPs were synthesized by a simple chemical method, and these were characterized by XRD, SEM, and XPS TEM; the antimicrobial activity was tested against and by diffusion test.

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Electropolishing is a common treatment in the industry; however, how it behaves in the mouth and what benefits it can bring over metal dental attachments have not yet been established. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the levels of corrosion, the released metal ions, and the changes in structural composition in metallic orthodontic appliances following electropolishing treatment. This study included 56 orthodontic brackets and 28 archwires.

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To investigate the effect of surfactant type on curcumin-loaded (CUR) PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) to modulate monocyte functions. : The nanoprecipitation method was used, and PLGA NPs were designed using Pluronic F127 (F127) and/or lecithin (LEC) as surfactants. The Z-average of the NPs was <200 nm, they had a spherical shape, Derjaguin-Muller-Toporov modulus >0.

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Article Synopsis
  • Research is focused on creating luminescent coordination polymers that can specifically sense lead (Pb) in water, which is important for chemistry and environmental safety.
  • Two new water-stable zinc-based polymers were synthesized and tested for their ability to detect various metal cations, showing strong luminescent responses when exposed to lead.
  • The polymers demonstrated a selective and effective fluorescent response to lead over other common metal ions, making them promising candidates for future sensing applications in aqueous environments.
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Nanotechnology is one of the most important and relevant disciplines today due to the specific electrical, optical, magnetic, chemical, mechanical and biomedical properties of nanoparticles. In the present study we demonstrate the efficacy of Cuphea procumbens to biogenerate silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antibacterial and antitumor activity. These nanoparticles were synthesized using the aqueous extract of C.

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Background: Prefabricated metal crowns (PMCs) have been widely used in pediatric dentistry due to their great success in various clinical situations. However, it is important to know the local effects, such as changes in pH in the oral environment.

Objective: To evaluate the pH variations before and after placement of PMCs.

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(clove) has been used as a dental analgesic, an anesthetic, and a bioreducing and capping agent in the formation of metallic nanoparticles. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effect in oral microorganisms of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) formed with aqueous extract of clove through an ecofriendly method "green synthesis". The obtained AgNPs were characterized by UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy), SEM-EDS (scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy), and ζ potential, while its antimicrobial effect was corroborated against oral Gram-positive and Gram-negative microorganisms, as well as yeast that is commonly present in the oral cavity.

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Current pharmacological therapies against demyelinating diseases are not quite satisfactory to promote remyelination. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) can expand the population of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) that may help with the remyelination process, but its delivery into the injured tissue is still a biomedical challenge. Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) may be a useful tool for drug delivery into the brain.

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Cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases in the world and requires new therapies for its treatment. In this context, the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has been developed to treat different types of tumors. The plant is known for having anticancer activity.

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Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have unique physical and chemical properties that allow them to function as a drug-delivery system for several tissues: skin, eye, liver, and others. However, information about the biological response of brain tissue against GNPs is limited. Astrocytes and microglia cells are the first line of defense against brain insults and proper indicators of the level of brain damage.

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The metal alloys used in dentistry are made mainly of nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), and other elements such as molybdenum (Mo), zirconium (Zr), iron (Fe), tin (Sn), chrome (Cr), carbon (C), copper (Cu) and niobium (Nb) which can release metal ions in unstable environments. The aim of this work was determine the salivary pH before and during orthodontic treatment; evaluate the release of metal ions, mainly Ni and Ti, in urine and saliva using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES); and evaluate the corrosion using Scanning Electronic Microscopy (SEM). In this study, we selected 35 individuals under orthodontic treatment, from whom saliva and urine samples were collected in 3 stages: (a) basal, (b) at 3 and (c) 6 months after the placement of the fixed appliances.

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Background: The purpose of the study is to assess the antiadherent and antibacterial properties of surface-modified different orthodontic brackets with silver nanoparticles against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus, using radiomarker.

Methods: In this study evaluated quantitatively the adherence of Streptococci to orthodontic brackets, 300 samples of orthodontic brackets were selected and classified in to 10 groups as follow: GIn (InVu-Roth), GIIn (System-AlexanderLTS), GIIIn (Gemini-Roth), GIVn (NuEdge-Roth), GVn (Radiance plus-Roth), GVI (InVu-Roth), GVII (System-AlexanderLTS), GVIII (Gemini-Roth), GIX (NuEdge-Roth), GX (Radiance plus-Roth). All the samples were sonicated and Streptococci were cultivated by gender.

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Four coordination polymers have been synthesized using self-assembly solution reactions under ambient conditions, reacting Cd(ii) ions with 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid in the presence of different 2,2'-bipyridine co-ligands: {[Cd(HO)(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)(2,2'-bpy)]·HO} (1); [Cd(HO)(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)(4,4'-dmb)] (2); {[Cd(e,a-cis-1,4-chdc)(5,5'-dmb)]·HO·CHOH} (3) and {[Cd(e,e-trans-1,4-chdc)(4,4'-dtbb)]·CHOH} (4), where 1,4-chdc = 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylato, 2,2'-bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine, 4,4'-dmb = 4,4'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 5,5'-dmb = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine and 4,4'-dtbb = 4,4'-di-tert-butyl-2,2'-bipyridine. Crystallographic studies show that compound 1 has a 1D structure propagating along the crystallographic b-axis; the Cd ion in 1 is six-coordinated with a distorted-octahedral coordination sphere. Compound 2 has two crystallographic different Cd ions and both are six-coordinated with a distorted-octahedral coordination sphere.

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In the present study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in situ on orthodontic elastomeric modules (OEM) using silver nitrate salts as metal-ion precursors and extract of the plant () as bioreductant via a simple and eco-friendly method. The synthesized AgNPs were characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy; scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The surface plasmon resonance peak found at 472 nm confirmed the formation of AgNPs.

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Introduction: Demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) comprise a group of neurological disorders characterized by progressive (and eventually irreversible) loss of oligodendrocytes and myelin sheaths in the white matter tracts. Some of myelin disorders include: Multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, peripheral nerve polyneuropathy and others. To date, the etiology of these disorders is not well known and no effective treatments are currently available against them.

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Article Synopsis
  • Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were successfully synthesized using a one-pot green method with Heterotheca inuloides extract and natural fibers like Agave lechuguilla and silk as support.
  • Characterization techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, XPS, and TEM showed that the Ag NPs were approximately 16nm in size, primarily composed of metallic silver, and exhibited strong antibacterial properties against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
  • The study suggests that these bionanocomposite fibers have excellent tensile strength and antibacterial effects, indicating their potential use in surgical and biomedical applications.
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Context: The fluoride release of sealants in vitro shows a marked decrease. Giomers are distinguishable from manufactured resin-based sealants and contain prereacted glass-ionomer particles (PRG).

Aims: To compare the amounts of fluoride released from the main pit and fissure of a resin-based sealant with that from a Giomer and to assess the abilities of the sealant and the Giomer to recharge when exposed to regular use of fluoride rinse.

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The use of nanoparticles (NPs) has become a significant area of research in Dentistry. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the physical, antibacterial activity and bond strength properties of conventional base, core build and restorative of glass ionomer cement (GIC) compared to GIC supplemented with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanopowder at 3% and 5% (w/w). Material and Methods Vickers microhardness was estimated with diamond indenter.

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Objectives: To evaluate the antibacterial properties and effects of an orthodontic adhesive containing copper nanoparticles (NPs) on the material's shear bond strength.

Methods: Antimicrobial activity was analysed by a disk diffusion test against S. aureus, E.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compares the effectiveness of a chemomechanical caries removal system and conventional rotary instruments in removing bacteria from cavities and analyzes the residual dentin's microhardness and composition.
  • Results showed that both methods reduced bacteria significantly, with the chemomechanical method performing slightly better and preserving dentin quality comparable to healthy dentin.
  • The chemomechanical system is presented as an effective and less invasive alternative to traditional methods, maintaining dentin integrity post-treatment.
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Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro morphological and chemical changes on human deciduous enamel produced by Er:YAG laser irradiation, fluoride application, combined treatment, and acid dissolution.

Background Data: Er:YAG laser has been proposed as a potential preventive dental caries strategy. There is scarce information regarding deciduous enamel.

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