[Study and preparation of a novel apatite-wollastonite bioactive glass-ceramic-calcium sulphate hemihydrate composite]

OBJECTIVE

To prepare a novel apatite-wollastonite bioactive glass-ceramic-calcium sulphate hemihydrate(AW-BGC-CSH) composite, to study its biocompatibility, and to provide experimental support for its further clinical application.

METHODS

Samples of AW-BGC-CSH composite were prepared with different AW-BGC granules-CSH ratios (50%, 40%, 30%, 20%). Surface morphology, microstructure and mechanical features of the composite were measured. Osteoblasts were cultivated in vitro on the composite. Cell morphology, proliferation, and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblasts were examined to determine the biocompatibility of the composite.

RESULTS

The composite showed a three-dimensional pored structure with communicated micropores under scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The plasticity of the composite could be maintained within 3 - 5 min. Its top solidification temperature was 36.4°C and the maximum compressive strength was 9.3 MPa. The osteoblasts adhered to the composite and grew well. At 1, 3, 5, 7 d after cultivated, the microprotein contents of the composite were (251 ± 12), (296 ± 31), (580 ± 13) and (571 ± 15) mg/L, and the ALP activity of the composite were (4.50 ± 0.68), (6.90 ± 0.27), (12.05 ± 0.28) and (11.86 ± 0.63) U/mg. The results of the ALP activity and microprotein contents in the experiment group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The prepared AW-BGC-CSH composite has a three-dimensional pored structure, favourable plasticity, mechanical property and good biocompatibility.

[Preparation and quality evaluation of fufangxiaoyepipa dispersible tablets]

OBJECTIVE

To study the preparation of fufangxiaoyepipa dispersible tablets and evaluate its quality.

METHODS

Using the disintegration time as index to screen out the best prescription of the dispersible tablets by orthogonal design.

RESULTS

The prescription assembly was 40% of extraction, 15% of MCC, 18% of CCMC-Na, 25% of Calcium sulfate, 2% of Magnesium stearate, the disintegration time met the provision of Pharmacopoeia.

CONCLUSION

The dispersible tablets dissolve faster and disperse uniformly and the dissolution percent in vitro is obviously superior to the conventional tablets, improving the bioavailability of the preparation.

Fabrication of calcium phosphate-calcium sulfate injectable bone substitute using hydroxy-propyl-methyl-cellulose and citric acid

In this study, an injectable bone substitute (IBS) consisting of citric acid, chitosan, and hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) as the liquid phase and tetra calcium phosphate (TTCP), dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) and calcium sulfate dehydrate (CSD, CaSO4 x 2H2O) powders as the solid phase, were fabricated. Two groups were classified based on the percent of citric acid in the liquid phase (20, 40 wt%). In each groups, the HPMC percentage was 0, 2, and 4 wt%. An increase in compressive strength due to changes in morphology was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. A good conversion rate of HAp at 20% citric acid was observed in the XRD profiles. In addition, HPMC was not obviously affected by apatite formation. However, both HPMC and citric acid increased the compressive strength of IBS. The maximum compressive strength for IBS was with 40% citric acid and 4% HPMC after 14 days of incubation in 100% humidity at 37 degrees C.

Bacterial leakage of provisional restorative materials used in endodontics

OBJECTIVE

To test the bacterial sealing ability of commonly used provisional endodontic restorative materials.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

This study investigated Cavit (3M ESPE), Ketac (3M ESPE), DuoTemp (Coltane/Whaledent), and a combination technique using Ketac and Cavit. One hundred molars were randomly selected and then mounted in an apparatus that isolated the crown portion of the tooth. Provisional restorative materials were placed in an open access following manufacturer guidelines. Streptococcus mutans was applied to the samples, and results were tabulated over the course of 4 weeks.

RESULTS

Cavit and DuoTemp performed the best, and Ketac performed the worst. After 14 days, however, all materials leaked in over half of the samples.

CONCLUSION

No material can be recommended as superior in providing a reliable seal after 14 days.

Potential use of gypsum and lime rich industrial by-products for induced reduction of Pb, Zn and Ni leachability in an acid soil

This study evaluates the potential use of four industrial by-products (phosphogypsum (PG), red gypsum (RG), sugar foam (SF), and ashes from biomass combustion (ACB)), applied at two rates in single and combined amendments to reduce the mobility and availability of Pb, Zn and Ni in a metal-spiked acid soil. Leaching experiments were done to estimate leachability indexes and assess their effectiveness. Most of the treatments significantly reduced the metal leachability although only a few were effective for all metals. Based on principal component and cluster analysis, sugar foam (SF) and a mixture of RG and ACB (RG+ACB), both applied at high rate, were selected as first choices to reduce mobility and availability of the three metals. Metal sorption mechanisms involved in the reduction of their leachability were identified using scanning electron microscopy. In the SF-treated samples, the metals were found associated to amorphous Al-hydroxy polymers deposited on phyllosilicates and organic matter particles. In the (RG+ACB)-treated samples, Pb, Zn, and traces of Ni were found associated to Fe/Ti oxide phases with a significant concentration of S, suggesting the formation of metal-sulfate ternary complexes.

Gypsum scaling and cleaning in forward osmosis: measurements and mechanisms

This study investigates gypsum scaling and cleaning behavior in forward osmosis (FO). The results show that gypsum scaling in FO is almost fully reversible, with more than 96% recovery of permeate water flux following a water rinse without addition of chemical cleaning reagents. Parallel comparisons of fouling and cleaning were made between FO (without hydraulic pressure) and RO (under high hydraulic pressure) modes. The shape of the water flux decline curves during gypsum scaling is similar in the two modes, but the flux recovery in FO mode is higher than that in RO mode by about 10%. This behavior suggests that operating in FO mode may reduce the need for chemical cleaning. The role of membrane materials in controlling gypsum scaling and cleaning was investigated using cellulose acetate (CA) and polyamide (PA) membranes. Gypsum scaling of PA membranes causes more severe flux decline and is harder to clean than that of CA membranes. AFM force measurements were performed between a gypsum particle probe and the membrane surfaces to elucidate gypsum scaling mechanisms. Analysis of adhesion force data indicates that gypsum scaling of the PA membrane is dominated by heterogeneous/surface crystallization, while gypsum scaling of the CA membrane is dominated by bulk crystallization and subsequent particle deposition.This finding implies that membrane surface modification and new material development can be an effective strategy to mitigate membrane scaling.

Gypsum and organic matter distribution in a mixed construction and demolition waste sorting process and their possible removal from outputs

With insufficient source separation, construction and demolition (C&D) waste becomes a mixed material that is difficult to recycle. Treatment of mixed C&D waste generates residue that contains gypsum and organic matter and poses a risk of H(2)S formation in landfills. Therefore, removing gypsum and organic matter from the residue is vital. This study investigated the distribution of gypsum and organic matter in a sorting process. Heavy liquid separation was used to determine the density ranges in which gypsum and organic matter were most concentrated. The fine residue that was separated before shredding accounted for 27.9% of the waste mass and contained the greatest quantity of gypsum; therefore, most of the gypsum (52.4%) was distributed in this fraction. When this fine fraction was subjected to heavy liquid separation, 93% of the gypsum was concentrated in the density range of 1.59-2.28, which contained 24% of the total waste mass. Therefore, removing this density range after segregating fine particles should reduce the amount of gypsum sent to landfills. Organic matter tends to float as density increases; nevertheless, separation at 1.0 density could be more efficient.

Dimensional stability of complete denture permanent acrylic resin denture bases; A comparison of dimensions before and after a second curing cycle

The purpose of this study was to measure deformation of mandibular complete denture permanent bases after secondary curing. A cast of a flat mandibular edentulous ridge was duplicated ten times. A wax base was laid on the original cast, two wax sprues were attached and an overcast was made. The overcast was used to produce wax bases similar in outline and thickness on the duplicate casts. These were invested and following manufacturer's instructions ten similar acrylic resin bases were produced. The fitting surface of each denture base was scanned on a contacting scanner with an axis resolution of 1 microm and accurate to 25 microm. Denture teeth were waxed up on the base on the original master cast, an overcast was made to produce wax ups and tooth positions that were similar in outline and thickness to the original. These were processed, removed from the flasks and excess acrylic resin was removed. The denture bases were rescanned in an identical fashion to the first scanning procedure. Using commercially developed metrology software calibrated colour maps were generated for each denture base that illustrates measurements of differences between pairs of surfaces. Histograms showing distributions of distances between points were constructed. 50% of the points were separated by a mean 50 microm or less and that 90% of the points were separated by 160 microm or less. The maximum separation was of 380 microm. Complete denture permanent bases were not found to distort significantly as a result of being subjected to a second heat curing cycle as part of final processing of dentures.

Ribosomal RNA gene fragments from fossilized cyanobacteria identified in primary gypsum from the late Miocene, Italy

Earth scientists have searched for signs of microscopic life in ancient samples of permafrost, ice, deep-sea sediments, amber, salt and chert. Until now, evidence of cyanobacteria has not been reported in any studies of ancient DNA older than a few thousand years. Here, we investigate morphologically, biochemically and genetically primary evaporites deposited in situ during the late Miocene (Messinian) Salinity Crisis from the north-eastern Apennines of Italy. The evaporites contain fossilized bacterial structures having identical morphological forms as modern microbes. We successfully extracted and amplified genetic material belonging to ancient cyanobacteria from gypsum crystals dating back to 5.910-5.816 Ma, when the Mediterranean became a giant hypersaline brine pool. This finding represents the oldest ancient cyanobacterial DNA to date. Our clone library and its phylogenetic comparison with present cyanobacterial populations point to a marine origin for the depositional basin. This investigation opens the possibility of including fossil cyanobacterial DNA into the palaeo-reconstruction of various environments and could also be used to quantify the ecological importance of cyanobacteria through geological time. These genetic markers serve as biosignatures providing important clues about ancient life and begin a new discussion concerning the debate on the origin of late Miocene evaporites in the Mediterranean.

Study of mercury in by-products from a Dutch co-combustion power station

Fly ashes and gypsum are one of the main wastes produced in coal-fired power stations which may be sent to landfills for their disposal. In this work, leaching and speciation of mercury in fly ashes and gypsum from a modern co-combustion power plant equipped with a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) unit in the Netherlands were studied. The mercury leachable contents were checked against different regulations, including Dutch, German and the Council Directive 2003/33/EC. The speciation of mercury in coal combustion products is essential not only to determine the risk when the wastes are finally disposed but also to understand the behaviour of mercury during combustion and therefore to select the appropriate mercury removal technology. A temperature-programmed decomposition technique was used in order to identify and quantify which mercury species are associated with coal combustion products. The main mercury species identified in fly ash samples was mercury sulphate, whereas in the gypsum sample the mercury present was mercury chloride. The quantitative mercury results carried out using the thermal desorption method may be considered accurate. The results obtained show that fly ash and gypsum samples from this power plant can be acceptable at landfills as a non-hazardous waste.

Study on injectable and degradable cement of calcium sulphate and calcium phosphate for bone repair

Injectable calcium sulphate/phosphate cement (CSPC) with degradable characteristic was developed by introduction of calcium sulphate (CS) into calcium phosphate cement (CPC). The setting time, compressive strength, composition, degradation, cells and tissue responses to the CSPC were investigated. The results show that the injectable CSPC with optimum L/P ratio exhibited good injectability, and had suitable setting time and mechanical properties. Furthermore, the CSPC had good degradability and its degradation significantly faster than that of CPC in Tris-HCl solution. Cell culture results indicate that CSPC was biocompatible and could support MG63 cell attachment and proliferation. To investigate the in vivo biocompatibility and osteogenesis, the CSPC were implanted in the bone defects of rabbits. Histological evaluation shows that the introduction of CS into CPC enhanced the efficiency of new bone formation, and CSPC exhibited good biocompatibility, degradability and osteoconductivity with host bone in vivo. It can be concluded that the injectable CSPC had a significant clinical advantage over CPC, and might have potential to be applied in orthopedic, reconstructive and maxillofacial surgery, especially for minimally invasive techniques.

Low temperature preparation of calcium phosphate structure via phosphorization of 3D-printed calcium sulfate hemihydrate based material

The conversion of newly developed three dimensionally printed calcium sulfate hemihydrate (70-90% wt/wt CaSO(4).0.5.H(2)O) based materials to calcium phosphate bioceramics by phosphorization in di-sodium hydrogen phosphate solution at 80 degrees C for 4, 8, 16 and 24 h was studied. It was found that transformation rate, phase composition and mechanical properties were influenced by porosity in the fabricated samples and by the duration of the phosphorization treatment. Formulation with 85% CaSO(4).0.5 H(2)O showed the fastest transformation rate and resulted in the highest flexural modulus and strength. Depending on the materials formulation, XRD, FT-IR and EDS revealed that calcium deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHA) or a mixture of CDHA and dicalcium phosphate anhydrous (DCPA) were the resulting phases in the transformed samples. After cell culturing for 14 and 21 days, human osteoblast cells were observed to attach to and attain normal morphology on the surface of the transformed sample containing 85% CaSO(4).0.5 H(2)O. Various sizes and shapes of mineralized nodules were also found after 21 days.

In situ investigations of vault paintings in the Antwerp cathedral

X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and Raman spectroscopy have been used to examine 15th century mediaeval and 16th century renaissance vault paintings in the Our Lady's Cathedral (Antwerp, Belgium) in view of their restoration. The use of mobile instruments made it possible to work totally non-destructively. This complementary approach yields information on the elemental (XRF) and on the molecular composition (Raman) of the pigments. For the 15th century vault painting the pigments lead-tin yellow (Pb(2)SnO(4)), lead white (2PbCO(3)xPb(OH)(2)), vermilion (HgS), massicot (PbO) and azurite (2CuCO(3).Cu(OH)(2)) could be identified. The pigments used for the 16th century vault painting could be identified as red lead (Pb(3)O(4)), hematite (Fe(2)O(3)), lead white (2PbCO(3)xPb(OH)(2)) and azurite (2CuCO(3)xCu(OH)(2)). For both paintings the presence of the strong Raman scatterer calcite (CaCO(3)) resulted in a difficult identification of the pigments by Raman spectroscopy. The presence of gypsum (CaSO(4)x2H(2)O) on the mediaeval vault painting probably indicates that degradation took place.

Delayed setting and hygroscopic linear expansion of three gypsum products used for cast articulation

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Wetting of the set gypsum product used for cast articulation may result in additional expansion.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the linear expansion of 2 type II and 1 type III gypsum products with and without addition of water after setting, over a time period of 120 hours.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The gypsum products tested in this study were Model Plaster, Lab Plaster, and Mounting Stone. All materials were hand mixed for 5 seconds and mechanically mixed under vacuum for another 15 seconds. The mixes were poured into a linear expansion-measuring instrument (n=20). Half of the specimens were wet with 25 ml of water immediately after the setting time recommended by the manufacturer, and at all time intervals, immediately after data collection. No treatment was performed on the remainder of the specimens. The expansion values were recorded with an expansion-measuring device over a period of 120 hours. Collected data were subjected to a 2-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (alpha=.05).

RESULTS

The highest expansion values for all gypsum products were recorded at 96 and 120 hours. No significant difference in setting expansion values was recorded between these 2 time intervals for any of the materials and treatment conditions (dry vs. wet). Mean expansion values ranged between 0.08% +/-0.06% for dry Mounting Stone specimens at 15 minutes, to 0.57% +/- 0.02% for wet Lab Plaster specimens at 96 and 120 hours. Significant differences (P<.001) between different mounting gypsum products and time were identified. A significant difference between wet and dry specimens was not observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The expansion of all gypsum products used for articulation purposes was complete at 96 hours. The type III gypsum product demonstrated lower mean expansion values than type II products. Time and material were more important factors than the dry/wet condition when measuring total expansion values. Type II gypsum products demonstrated 80% or more of the total expansion values in the first 45 minutes, while type III stone demonstrated the same expansion after 24 hours.

Use of fly ash, phosphogypsum and red mud as a liner material for the disposal of hazardous zinc leach residue waste

Increasing amounts of residues and waste materials coming from industrial activities in different processes have become an increasingly urgent problem for the future. The release of large quantities of heavy metals into the environment has resulted in a number of environmental problems. The present study investigated the safe disposal of the zinc leach residue waste using industrial residues such as fly ash, phosphogypsum and red mud. In the study, leachability of heavy metals from the zinc leach residue has been evaluated by mine water leaching procedure (MWLP) and toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). Zinc removal from leachate was studied using fly ash, phosphogypsum and red mud. The adsorption capacities and adsorption efficiencies were determined. The adsorption rate data was analyzed according to the pseudo-second-order kinetic, Elovich kinetic and intra-particle diffusion kinetic models. The pseudo-second-order kinetic was the best fit kinetic model for the experimental data. The results show that addition of fly ash, phosphogypsum and red mud to the zinc leach residue drastically reduces the heavy metal content in the leachate and could be used as liner materials.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the effects of demineralized bone matrix or calcium sulfate addition to polycaprolactone-bioglass composites

The objective of this study was to improve the efficacy of polycaprolactone/bioglass (PCL/BG) bone substitute using demineralized bone matrix (DBM) or calcium sulfate (CS) as a third component. Composite discs involving either DBM or CS were prepared by compression moulding. Bioactivity of discs was evaluated by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (ESCA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) following simulated body fluid incubation. The closest Calcium/Phosphate ratio to that of hydroxyl carbonate apatite crystals was observed for PCL/ BG/DBM group (1.53) after 15 day incubation. Addition of fillers increased microhardness and compressive modulus of discs. However, after 4 and 6-week PBS incubations, PCL/BG/DBM discs showed significant decrease in modulus (from 266.23 to 54.04 and 33.45 MPa, respectively) in parallel with its highest water uptakes (36.3 and 34.7%). Discs preserved their integrity with only considerable weight loss (7.5-14.5%) in PCL/BG/DBM group. In vitro cytotoxicity tests showed that all discs were biocompatible.

Comparative study of physico-chemical properties of MTA-based and Portland cements

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the physicochemical properties of gray and white structural and nonstructural Portland cement, gray and white ProRoot MTA and MTA BIO. The water/powder ratio, setting time, solubility and pH (hydrogen-ion potential) changes of the materials were evaluated. Tests followed specification #57 from the American National Standard Institute/American Dental Association (2000) for endodontic sealing materials and pH was determined by a digital pH meter. The test results were statistically analyzed by variance analyses for global comparison and by the complementary Tukey's test for pairwise comparisons (5%). Considering the water/powder ratio, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed among the cements. MTA BIO (33.10 +/- 2.30) had the lowest setting time (p < 0.05), gray ProRoot MTA (10.10 +/- 2.70) had the highest (p < 0.05). White nonstructural Portland cement (2.55 +/- 0.08) had the highest solubility (p < 0.05), while gray ProRoot MTA (1.03 +/- 0.12) had the lowest (p < 0.05), although all materials showed solubility values in compliance to ANSI/ADA. No difference (p > 0.05) was observed among materials when considering pH evaluation. The pH levels were highly alkaline immediately after immersion in solution, remaining stable throughout the test period. The authors conclude that the cements had similar water/powder proportions. MTA BIO had the shortest setting time and gray ProRoot MTA had the lowest solubility. All cements had similar behavior in the pH analysis.

Phytotoxicity and naphthenic acid dissipation from oil sands fine tailings treatments planted with the emergent macrophyte Phragmites australis

During reclamation the water associated with the runoff or groundwater flushing from dry stackable tailings technologies may become available to the reclaimed environment within an oil sands lease. Here we evaluate the performance of the emergent macrophyte, common reed (Phragmites australis), grown in chemically amended mature fine tailings (MFT) and simulated runoff/seepage water from different MFT drying treatments. The present study also investigated the phytotoxicity of the concentration of oil sands naphthenic acids (NAs) in different MFT drying chemical treatments, in both planted and unplanted systems. We demonstrate that although growth was reduced, the emergent macrophyte common reed was capable of growing in diluted unamended MFT runoff, as well as in diluted runoff from MFT amended with either 0.25% lime and gypsum or 0.5% gypsum. Common reed can thus assist in the dewatering process of oil sands MFT. However, simulated runoff or seepage waters from chemically amended and dried MFT were phytotoxic, due to combined levels of salts, naphthenic acids and pH. Phytoremediation of runoff water/ground water seepage from dry-land applied MFT will thus require pre-treatment in order to make conditions more favorable for plant growth.

Effect of compost-, sand-, or gypsum-amended waste foundry sands on turfgrass yield and nutrient content

To prevent the 7 to 11 million metric tons of waste foundry sand (WFS) produced annually in the USA from entering landfills, current research is focused on the reuse of WFSs as soil amendments. The effects of different WFS-containing amendments on turfgrass growth and nutrient content were tested by planting perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub) in different blends containing WFS. Blends of WFS were created with compost or acid-washed sand (AWS) at varying percent by volume with WFS or by amendment with gypsum (9.6 g gypsum kg(-1) WFS). Measurements of soil strength, shoot and root dry weight, plant surface coverage, and micronutrients (Al, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, B, Na) and macronutrients (N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg) were performed for each blend and compared with pure WFS and with a commercial potting media control. Results showed that strength was not a factor for any of the parameters studied, but the K/Na base saturation ratio of WFS:compost mixes was highly correlated with total shoot dry weight for perennial ryegrass (r = 0.995) and tall fescue (r = 0.94). This was further substantiated because total shoot dry weight was also correlated with shoot K/Na concentration of perennial ryegrass (r = 0.99) and tall fescue (r = 0.95). A compost blend containing 40% WFS was determined to be the optimal amendment for the reuse of WFS because it incorporated the greatest possible amount of WFS without major reduction in turfgrass growth.

Mitigation of methane emissions from constructed farm wetlands

Constructed wetlands are increasingly used for water pollution treatment but may also be sources of the greenhouse gas CH(4). The effect of addition of two potential inhibitors of methanogenesis - iron ochre and gypsum - on net CH(4) emissions was investigated in a constructed wetland treating farm runoff in Scotland, UK. CH(4) fluxes from three 15-m(2) wetland plots were measured between January and July 2008 in large static chambers incorporating a tunable diode laser, with application of 5tonha(-1) ochre and gypsum in May. CH(4) fluxes were also measured from control and ochre- and gypsum-treated wetland sediment cores incubated at constant and varying temperature in the laboratory. Ochre addition suppressed CH(4) emissions by 64+/-13% in the field plot and >90% in laboratory incubations compared to controls. Gypsum application of 5tonha(-1) in the field and laboratory experiments had no effect on CH(4) emissions, but application of 10tonha(-1) to a sediment core reduced CH(4) emissions by 28%. Suppression of CH(4) emissions by ochre application to sediment cores also increased with temperature; the reduction relative to the control increased from 50% at 17.5 degrees C to >90% at 27.5 degrees C. No significant changes in N removal or pH and potentially-toxic metal content of sediments as the result of inhibitor application were detected in the wetland during the study.

Monitoring of CaSO(4) deposition behaviors on biofilm during nanofiltration via ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry (UTDR)

The ultrasonic time-domain reflectometry (UTDR) as a non-destructive real-time method was employed to monitor the CaSO(4) deposition behaviors on biofilm during nanofiltration (NF). Two parallel experiments were performed to compare the different behaviors of CaSO(4) deposition with and without biofilm on the membrane. Results showed that the flux decline during combined fouling was slower than that in case of CaSO(4) fouling alone. The Ca(2 + ) rejection obtained with biofilm was higher than that without. A larger acoustic differential signal obtained by UTDR in the combined fouling revealed a denser and thicker layer formed on the membrane surface. Furthermore, the amount of CaSO(4) deposition on the biofouled membrane was more than that on non-biofouled membrane as a result of microorganisms as crystal nucleus to induce CaSO(4) crystallization and deposition. SEM images indicate that the CaSO(4) crystals deposited in order on the non-biofouled membrane, whereas on the biofouled membrane they were embedded in the biofilm. The denser and thicker fouling layer formed with biofilm was impermeable, resulting in a high Ca(2 + ) rejection. The complexation of Ca with polysaccharide in biofilm would eliminate the cake-enhanced osmotic pressure effect leading to a slow flux decline. To sum up, the independent measurements corroborate the ultrasonic measurements.

The role of biofilms in the sedimentology of actively forming gypsum deposits at Guerrero Negro, Mexico

Actively forming gypsum deposits at the Guerrero Negro sabkha and saltern system provided habitats for stratified, pigmented microbial communities that exhibited significant morphological and phylogenetic diversity. These deposits ranged from meter-thick gypsum crusts forming in saltern seawater concentration ponds to columnar microbial mats with internally crystallized gypsum granules developing in natural anchialine pools. Gypsum-depositing environments were categorized as forming precipitation surfaces, biofilm-supported surfaces, and clastic surfaces. Each surface type was described in terms of depositional environment, microbial diversity, mineralogy, and sedimentary fabrics. Precipitation surfaces developed in high-salinity subaqueous environments where rates of precipitation outpaced the accumulation of clastic, organic, and/or biofilm layers. These surfaces hosted endolithic biofilms comprised predominantly of oxygenic and anoxygenic phototrophs, sulfate-reducing bacteria, and bacteria from the phylum Bacteroidetes. Biofilm-supported deposits developed in lower-salinity subaqueous environments where light and low water-column turbulence supported dense benthic microbial communities comprised mainly of oxygenic phototrophs. In these settings, gypsum granules precipitated in the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix as individual granules exhibiting distinctive morphologies. Clastic surfaces developed in sabkha mudflats that included gypsum, carbonate, and siliclastic particles with thin gypsum/biofilm components. Clastic surfaces were influenced by subsurface brine sheets and capillary evaporation and precipitated subsedimentary gypsum discs in deeper regions. Biofilms appeared to influence both chemical and physical sedimentary processes in the various subaqueous and subaerially exposed environments studied. Biofilm interaction with chemical sedimentary processes included dissolution and granularization of precipitation surfaces, formation of gypsum crystals with equant and distorted habits, and precipitation of trace carbonate and oxide phases. Fine-scale wrinkle structures visible in clastic surfaces of sabkha environments offered evidence of the biofilm's role in physical sedimentary processes. These findings are highly relevant to astrobiology because they expand and refine the known characteristics of gypsum deposits, including their biological components.

Effect of timing and method of post space preparation on sealing ability of remaining root filling material: in vitro microbiological study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of timing (immediate versus delayed) and technique of post space preparation on the ability of the residual root canal obturation to prevent coronal bacterial leakage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sixty-six single-rooted teeth were decoronated at the cementoenamel junction. The canals were prepared according to a step-back technique and were filled with thermoplasticized gutta-percha and AH Plus endodontic sealer (Dentsply De Trey). The root segments were randomly assigned to 8 groups. The positive controls (n = 3) were instrumented but not obturated. The negative controls (n = 3) were instrumented, obturated and sealed with Cavit (3M ESPE). In the other 6 groups (n = 10 each), the post space was prepared either immediately after obturation or 7 days later using LA Axxess burs (SybronEndo) (groups 1 and 2), heated pluggers (groups 3 and 4) or solvent delivered with a hand file (groups 5 and 6). The external surface of all roots was rendered waterproof with nail varnish. Custom-made dual-chamber devices were used to evaluate leakage. The coronal third of the prepared root canal was kept in contact with artificial saliva contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis, and the root apex was submerged in tryptic soy agar medium. The root assemblies were stored at 37 degrees C and were monitored daily over a 90-day period. The occurrence of turbidity in the medium was deemed to indicate bacterial leakage, from which failure of the seal was inferred.

RESULTS

Throughout the experimental period, there was no significant difference (p = 0.094) among the preparation techniques, either immediate or delayed, in terms of bacterial leakage.

CONCLUSIONS

Immediate and delayed post space preparation yielded similar outcomes in terms of the canal seal. Regardless of the timing and the technique of post space preparation, coronal bacterial leakage occurred over time.

Soil amendments and cultivar selection can improve rice yield in salt-influenced (tsunami-affected) paddy fields in Sri Lanka

The tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean in December 2004 caused devastation of agricultural soils by salt water over wide areas. Many rice fields located close to the coast were affected by the flood of seawater. Electric conductivity (EC) of soils in tsunami-affected rice fields was found to be higher compared to unaffected fields 2 years after the tsunami. Four soil amendments (gypsum, dolomite, cinnamon ash and rice-husk-charcoal) were tested for their influence on improving the yield parameters of rice grown in a tsunami-affected and a non-affected area. Yield parameters were compared with an untreated control of the same cultivar (AT362) and with a salt resistant rice variety (AT354). The salt resistant variety had the highest grain yield. The two amendments gypsum and rice-husk-charcoal led to an increase in grain yield compared to the untreated control, whereas dolomite and cinnamon ash had no significant effect on grain yield.