Search

Transition metal phosphide nanoparticles supported on silica were used as catalysts to investigate the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl laurate (used as a model compound for vegetable oils). Ni2P, Ni1Mo1P, and Ni1.6Mo0.4P were synthesized using a molecular precursor route. The nanoparticles were added to the silica support without any changes in their structure or particle size. As a reference and for comparison, MoP/SiO2 was also prepared by the phosphite method. The prepared catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and chemical analysis. A higher conversion is reached with the MoP/SiO2 monometallic catalyst, close to that with Ni1Mo1P/SiO2. However, this observation is misleading because the differences in dispersion obscure the result that the intrinsic activity (turnover frequency) of the bimetallic catalyst, prepared by a molecular precursor route, is significantly higher than that of the monometallic catalyst, prepared by the phosphite route, revealing a synergistic effect on the catalytic activity due to the formation of the bimetallic phosphide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant nitrogen nutrition is an essential topic in biology that should be included in scientific education. Nitrogen availability is one of the primary limiting factors for plant growth, and these organisms are the primary support for the pluricellular terrestrial life, since they are the fundamental group of autotrophs. For this reason, the use of nitrogen fertilizers is in the basis of the Green Revolution that led to an extraordinary increase in the food production during the twentieth century. To illustrate the importance of plant nitrogen nutrition, a new laboratory experience for students is presented in this manuscript. The aim of the following laboratory teaching activity is training of students through the evaluation of metabolic, biochemical, and molecular markers that are related to the nitrogen nutritional status of plants. For this purpose, cherry tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) were used, since they exhibit rapid growth and good differential biomass accumulation in response to changes in the nitrogen supply. The proposed laboratory experiment enables the development of the entire protocol for postgraduate students or in a reduced version for students from lower educational levels. © 2019 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(4):450--458, 2019.

Copyright of Arte, Individuo y Sociedad is the property of Universidad Complutense de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: The aim of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of diode laser photobiomodulation (PBM) on post‐surgical healing, inflammation and implant stability. Methods: Forty dental implants were inserted into 13 patients. The implants were randomly divided into two groups. The test group (PBM+) underwent two sessions of PBM (combined diode laser of 630 and 808 nm), the first of which after surgery, and the second, 7 days after the surgical procedure. The control group (PBM−) received simulated laser treatment. The implant stability quotient (ISQ) was determined immediately after the surgical procedure, and 7 days, 4 and 8 weeks later. Post‐surgical inflammation was assessed following the criteria described by Bloemen and Cols. Healing was calculated using the healing index (HI). Results: No differences were found in terms of the mean values of implant stability between the test and control groups over time. Only two of the implants (18.2%) from the PBM− group were classified with the maximum healing index (HI = 5), whereas in the PBM+ group, nine implants (45%) were classified with the aforementioned index (P < 0.0001). Using the logistic regression, it was determined that the non‐application of the laser in the PBM− group caused an OR of 4.333 times of presenting inflammation (IC95% 1.150–16.323; P = 0.030). Conclusions: The application of 808 nm infra‐red laser for bone tissue, and 630 nm for mucosal tissue in two sessions is considered to be an effective way of reducing inflammation and improving early healing. More studies are needed to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]