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Author

Pau Turon

Bio: Pau Turon is an academic researcher from Polytechnic University of Catalonia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Medicine. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 64 publications receiving 587 citations.

Papers published on a yearly basis

Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is shown how bacteria attachment is altered in the presence of nanosized topographies and optimum designs for preventing it without compromising biocompatibility and applicability in terms of nanostructure robustness or tissue friction are identified.

105 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The present review is mainly focused on both the capability of HAp nanoparticles to encapsulate diverse compounds as well as the preparation methods of scaffolds incorporating HAp.
Abstract: Composites of hydroxyapatite (HAp) are widely employed in biomedical applications due to their biocompatibility, bioactivity and osteoconductivity properties. In fact, the development of industrially scalable hybrids at low cost and high efficiency has a great impact, for example, on bone tissue engineering applications and even as drug delivery systems. New nanocomposites constituted by HAp nanoparticles and synthetic or natural polymers with biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics have constantly been developed and extensive works have been published concerning their applications. The present review is mainly focused on both the capability of HAp nanoparticles to encapsulate diverse compounds as well as the preparation methods of scaffolds incorporating HAp. Attention has also been paid to the recent developments on antimicrobial scaffolds, bioactive membranes, magnetic scaffolds, in vivo imaging systems, hydrogels and coatings that made use of HAp nanoparticles.

83 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results indicate that the DNA secondary structure is perfectly preserved on the (001) surface, this stability being accompanied by an attractive binding energy, and although the termination of the (010) surface with PO4 3- and Ca2+ ions also deforms the double helix, it forms very strong attractive interactions with the biomolecule.
Abstract: Hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles with very different surface charges and compositions (i.e. different Ca/P and CO32−/PO43− ratios) have been obtained by varying the experimental conditions used during the chemical precipitation process. The DNA adsorption capacity and protection imparted against the attack of nucleases of HAp particles have been proved to depend on the surface charge while the buffering capacity is affected by the chemical composition. On the basis of both the surface charge and the crystallinity, the predominant planes at the surfaces of HAp particles have been identified. Atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of surfaces constructed with these planes (i.e. (001) and the two terminations of (010)) with the adsorbed B-DNA double helix have been performed to get microscopic understanding of the influence of the mineral in the biomolecule structure and the interaction energies. The results indicate that the DNA secondary structure is perfectly preserved on the (001) surface, this stability being accompanied by an attractive binding energy. In contrast, the (010) surface with PO43−, OH− and Ca2+ ions in the termination induces significant local and global deformations in the double helix, repulsive OH−(HAp)⋯PO43− (DNA) interactions provoking the desorption of the biomolecule. Finally, although the termination of the (010) surface with PO43− and Ca2+ ions also deforms the double helix, it forms very strong attractive interactions with the biomolecule. These binding characteristics are in excellent agreement with the DNA adsorption and protection abilities experimentally determined for the HAp samples. Finally, the surface charge has been found less decisive than the chemical composition in the efficacy of the transfection process.

43 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A proof-of-principle study that uses light-induced local hyperthermia with plasmonic nanoparticles to develop novel disinfection approaches combining light and nanotechnology for hernia repairing.
Abstract: The insertion of an implant in the body of a patient raises the risk of a posterior infection and formation of a biofilm, which can have critical consequences on the patient's health and be associated with a high sanitary cost. While antibacterial agents can be used to prevent the infection, such a strategy is time-limited and causes bacteria resistance. As an alternative to biochemical approaches, we propose here to use light-induced local hyperthermia with plasmonic nanoparticles. This strategy is implemented on surgical meshes, extensively used in the context of hernia repairing, one of the most common general surgeries. Surgical meshes were homogeneously coated with gold nanorods designed to efficiently convert near-infrared light into heat. The modified mesh was exposed to a biofilm of Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus) bacteria before being treated with a train of light pulses. We systematically study how the illumination parameters, namely fluence, peak intensity and pulse length, influence the elimination of attached bacteria. Additionally, fluorescence confocal microscopy provides us some insight on the mechanism involved in the degradation of the biofilm. This proof-of-principle study opens a new set of opportunities for the development of novel disinfection approaches combining light and nanotechnology.

43 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The temporal evolution of the radial distribution functions derived from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of Ca(2+), PO4(3-) and OH(-)-containing aqueous solutions in the presence and absence of B-DNA has been used to conclude that the backbone of the double helix acts as a template for HAp growth.
Abstract: Encapsulation of DNA into hydroxyapatite (HAp) has been investigated using a rational approach that involves computer simulation and experimental techniques. The temporal evolution of the radial distribution functions derived from atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of Ca(2+), PO4(3-) and OH(-)-containing aqueous solutions in the presence and absence of B-DNA has been used to conclude that the backbone of the double helix acts as a template for HAp growth. More specifically, results reveal the formation of calcium phosphate clusters at the first stages of the simulations, which subsequently re-organize to nucleate HAp. This effect is produced in the absence and, especially, presence, of DNA indicating that the biomolecules do not inhibit but even promote mineral growth. Furthermore, computer simulations suggest that the diffusion of the OH(-) anions through the inorganic solution is the limiting step for the nucleation of the biomineral. Nanocapsules and crystalline nanorods of HAp containing DNA molecules inside have been prepared by mixing solutions containing Ca(2+) and PO4(3-) ions with fish sperm DNA at high pH. The dimensions and morphology of such nanostructures have been examined by transmission electron microscopy, while the characterization of the biomineral has been focused on the identification of DNA inside HAp using infrared, X-ray photoelectron and UV-vis spectroscopies, as well as gel electrophoresis. The biominerals reported in this work are important for biomedical applications requiring the protection of DNA from aggressive environmental conditions.

41 citations


Cited by
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01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: The Third edition of the Kirk-Othmer encyclopedia of chemical technology as mentioned in this paper was published in 1989, with the title "Kirk's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology: Chemical Technology".
Abstract: 介绍了Kirk—Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology(化工技术百科全书)(第五版)电子图书网络版数据库,并对该数据库使用方法和检索途径作出了说明,且结合实例简单地介绍了该数据库的检索方法。

2,666 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This work reviews release-based antibacterial coatings and highlights recent approaches aimed at controlling the release of antibacterial agents, imparting multi-functionality, and enhancing long-term stability.

540 citations

18 Aug 2011
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors describe the distribution of pelvic organ support in a gynecologic clinic population to define the clinical disease state of pelvic organs prolapse and to analyze its epidemiologic condition.
Abstract: OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of pelvic organ support in a gynecologic clinic population to define the clinical disease state of pelvic organ prolapse and to analyze its epidemiologic condition. STUDY DESIGN This was a multicenter observational study. Subjects who were seen at outpatient gynecology clinics who required an annual gynecologic examination underwent a pelvic organ prolapse quantification examination and completed a prolapse symptom questionnaire. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to define pelvic organ prolapse with the use of symptoms and pelvic organ prolapse quantification examination measures. Standard age-adjusted univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate various relationships. RESULTS The population consisted of 1004 women who were aged 18 to 83 years. The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse quantification stages was 24% (stage 0), 38% (stage 1), 35% (stage 2), and 2% (stage 3). The definition of pelvic organ prolapse that was determined by the receiver operator characteristic curve was the leading edge of their vaginal wall that was -0.5 cm above the hymenal remnants. Multivariate analysis revealed age, Hispanic race, increasing body mass index, and the increasing weight of the vaginally delivered fetus as risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse, as defined in this population. CONCLUSION The results from this population suggest that there is a bell-shaped distribution of pelvic organ support in a gynecologic clinic population. Advancing age, Hispanic race, increasing body mass index, and the increasing weight of the vaginally delivered fetus have the strongest correlations with prolapse.

533 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A brief overview of the bactericidal behaviour of naturally occurring and bio-inspired nanostructured surfaces against different bacteria through the physico-mechanical rupture of the cell wall is presented.

347 citations

01 Aug 2010
TL;DR: Stereolithography is a solid freeform technique (SFF) that was introduced in the late 1980s as discussed by the authors, which has the highest fabrication accuracy and an increasing number of materials that can be processed is becoming available.
Abstract: Stereolithography is a solid freeform technique (SFF) that was introduced in the late 1980s Although many other techniques have been developed since then, stereolithography remains one of the most powerful and versatile of all SFF techniques It has the highest fabrication accuracy and an increasing number of materials that can be processed is becoming available In this paper we discuss the characteristic features of the stereolithography technique and compare it to other SFF techniques The biomedical applications of stereolithography are reviewed, as well as the biodegradable resin materials that have been developed for use with stereolithography Finally, an overview of the application of stereolithography in preparing porous structures for tissue engineering is given

319 citations