Effects of the basic fibroblast growth factor and its anti-factor in the healing and collagen maturation of infected skin wound

PURPOSE: The infection is one of the main factors that affect the physiological evolution of the surgical wounds. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of fibroblast growth factor (FGFâ) and anti-FGFâ in the healing, synthesis and maturation of collagen when topically used on infected skin wounds of rats. METHODS: An experimental study was perfomed in 60 male Wistar rats. All animals were divided in two groups (A and B). Each group was divided in three subgroups A1, B1; A2, B2 and A3, B3. After anesthesia with pentobarbital, two open squared wounds (1cm2), 4cm distant to each other, were done in the dorsal skin of all the rats. In group A (n=30) the wounds were contaminated with multibacterial standard solution, and in group B(n=30) the wounds were maintained sterile. These wounds were named F1 (for inflammation analysis) and F2 (for collagen study). The open wounds of A1 and B1 rats were topically treated with saline solution, A2 and B2 were treated with FGFâ and subgroups A3 and B3 were treated with FGFâ and anti-FGFâ. The rats were observed until complete epitelization of F2 wounds for determination of healing time and the expression of types I and III collagen, using Picro Sirius Red staining. Inflammatory reaction in F1 wounds was studied using hematoxilineosin staining. The three variable was measured by the Image Pro-Plus Média Cybernetics software. The statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Tukey test, considering p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: It was observed that infection retarded significantly (p<0.05) the time of wound scarring and the topical application of FCFb reverted the inhibition of healing caused by bacteria. The inflammatory reaction was greater in the subgroup B2 than in B1 and A3, and the difference was significant (p<0.05). It was observed greater expression of type I collagen in all the subgroups treated with FCFb, when compared with the untreated subgroups. Type III collagen was significantly decreased in wounds of B3 rats, comparing to the other subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: The FCFb accelerated the healing of open infected wounds and contributed with maturation of collagen, enhancing the type I collagen density. The anti-FCFb antibody was able to attenuate the production of both type I and III collagen

Prevention of bacterial translocation using β-(1-3)-D-glucan in small bowel ischemia and reperfusion in rats

To investigate the role of β-(1-3)-D-glucan on 99mTc labelled Escherichia coli translocation and cytokines secretion in rats submitted to small bowel ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Five groups (n=10 each) of Wistar rats were subjected to control(C), sham(S), group IR subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R), and group I/R+glucan subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R) and injected with 2mg/Kg intramuscular. Translocation of labelled bacteria to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung and serum was determined using radioactivity/count and colony forming units/g(CFU/g). Serum TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Results: CFU/g and radioactivity/count were higher in I/R than in I/R+glucan rats. In C, S and S+glucan groups, bacteria and radioactivity/count were rarely detected. The I/R+glucan rats had enhancement of IL-10 and suppressed production of serum TNFα, IL-1β and, IL-6, compared to I/R untreated animals. Conclusion: The β-(1-3)-D-glucan modulated the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during bowel ischemia/reperfusion, and attenuated translocation of labelled bacteria

Prevention of bacterial translocation using β-(1-3)-D-glucan in small bowel ischemia and reperfusion in rats

To investigate the role of β-(1-3)-D-glucan on 99mTc labelled Escherichia coli translocation and cytokines secretion in rats submitted to small bowel ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods: Five groups (n=10 each) of Wistar rats were subjected to control(C), sham(S), group IR subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R), and group I/R+glucan subjected to 45 min of bowel ischemia/60 min of reperfusion(I/R) and injected with 2mg/Kg intramuscular. Translocation of labelled bacteria to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, lung and serum was determined using radioactivity/count and colony forming units/g(CFU/g). Serum TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 were measured by ELISA. Results: CFU/g and radioactivity/count were higher in I/R than in I/R+glucan rats. In C, S and S+glucan groups, bacteria and radioactivity/count were rarely detected. The I/R+glucan rats had enhancement of IL-10 and suppressed production of serum TNFα, IL-1β and, IL-6, compared to I/R untreated animals. Conclusion: The β-(1-3)-D-glucan modulated the production of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines during bowel ischemia/reperfusion, and attenuated translocation of labelled bacteria

Diagnóstico ecotoxicológico dos efluentes lançados no complexo estuarino do Jundiaí/Potengi, Natal/RN

Untreated effluents that reach surface water affect the aquatic life and humans. This study aimed to evaluate the wastewater s toxicity (municipal, industrial and shrimp pond effluents) released in the Estuarine Complex of Jundiaí- Potengi, Natal/RN, through chronic quantitative e qualitative toxicity tests using the test organism Mysidopsis Juniae, CRUSTACEA, MYSIDACEA (Silva, 1979). For this, a new methodology for viewing chronic effects on organisms of M. juniae was used (only renewal), based on another existing methodology to another testorganism very similar to M. Juniae, the M. Bahia (daily renewal).Toxicity tests 7 days duration were used for detecting effects on the survival and fecundity in M. juniae. Lethal Concentration 50% (LC50%) was determined by the Trimmed Spearman-Karber; Inhibition Concentration 50% (IC50%) in fecundity was determined by Linear Interpolation. ANOVA (One Way) tests (p = 0.05) were used to determinate the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and Low Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC). Effluents flows were measured and the toxic load of the effluents was estimated. Multivariate analysis - Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Correspondence Analysis (CA) - identified the physic-chemical parameters better explain the patterns of toxicity found in survival and fecundity of M. juniae. We verified the feasibility of applying the only renewal system in chronic tests with M. Juniae. Most efluentes proved toxic on the survival and fecundity of M. Juniae, except for some shrimp pond effluents. The most toxic effluent was ETE Lagoa Aerada (LC50, 6.24%; IC50, 4.82%), ETE Quintas (LC50, 5.85%), Giselda Trigueiro Hospital (LC50, 2.05%), CLAN (LC50, 2.14%) and COTEMINAS (LC50, IC50 and 38.51%, 6.94%). The greatest toxic load was originated from ETE inefficient high flow effluents, textile effluents and CLAN. The organic load was related to the toxic effects of wastewater and hospital effluents in survival of M. Juniae, as well as heavy metals, total residual chlorine and phenols. In industrial effluents was found relationship between toxicity and organic load, phenols, oils and greases and benzene. The effects on fertility were related, in turn, with chlorine and heavy metals. Toxicity tests using other organisms of different trophic levels, as well as analysis of sediment toxicity are recommended to confirm the patterns found with M. Juniae. However, the results indicate the necessity for implementation and improvement of sewage treatment systems affluent to the Potengi s estuary

Avaliação do estresse oxidativo induzido por superfícies de titânio

Commercially pure Titanium (cp Ti) is a material largely used in orthopedic and dental implants due to its biocompatibility properties. Changes in the surface of cp Ti can determine the functional response of the cells such as facilitating implant fixation and stabilization, and increased roughness of the surface has been shown to improve adhesion and cellular proliferation. Various surface modification methods have been developed to increase roughness, such as mechanical, chemical, electrochemical and plasma treatment. An argon plasma treatment generates a surface that has good mechanical proprieties without chemical composition modification. Besides the topography, biological responses to the implant contribute significantly to its success. Oxidative stress induced by the biomaterials is considered one of the major causes of implant failure. For this reason the oxidative potential of titanium surfaces subjected to plasma treatment was evaluated on this work. CHO-k1 cells were cultivated on smooth or roughed Ti disks, and after three days, the redox balance was investigated measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, total antioxidant capacity and biomarkers of ROS attack. The results showed cells grown on titanium surfaces are subjected to intracellular oxidative stress due to hydrogen peroxide generation. Titanium discs subjected to the plasma treatment induced less oxidative stress than the untreated ones, which resulted in improved cellular ability. Our data suggest that plasma treated titanium may be a more biocompatible biomaterial.

Efeito do tratamento por plasma na proliferação de fibroblastos e esterilização de membranas de quitosana

Chitosan is being studied for use as dressing due their biological properties. Aiming to expand the use in biomedical applications, chitosan membranes were modified by plasma using the following gases: nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), argon (Ar), oxygen (O2) and hydrogen (H2). The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, surface energy and water absorption test. Biological Tests were also performed, such as: test sterilization and proliferation of fibroblasts (3T3 line). Through SEM we observed morphological changes occurring during the plasma treatment, the formation of micro and nano-sized valleys. MFA was used to analyze different roughness parameters (Ra, Rp, Rz) and surface topography. It was found that the treated samples had an increase in surface roughness and sharp peaks. Methane plasma treatment decreased the hydrophilicity of the membranes and also the rate of water absorption, while the other treatments turned the membranes hydrophilic. The sterilization was effective in all treatment times with the following gases: Ar, N2 and H2. With respect to proliferation, all treatments showed an improvement in cell proliferation increased in a range 150% to 250% compared to untreated membrane. The highlights were the treatments with Ar 60 min, O2 60 min, CH4 15 min. Observing the results of the analyzes performed in this study, it appears that there is no single parameter that influences cell proliferation, but rather a set of ideal conditions that favor cell proliferation

Avaliação das atividades anti-toxoplásmica, antioxidante e antiinflamatória dos monoterpenos timol (lippia sidoides) e estragol (croton zenhtneri)

Toxoplasmosis, a benign disease in normal healthy individuals, can have serious effects in pregnant women and immunocompromised patients. It is a parasitic disease caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Tg), an obligatory intracellular protozoan. The prophylactic and therapeutic arsenal against this parasite is very restricted. Thus, there is an ongoing search for novel drugs and therapeutic strategies. A promising alternative is a rational approach using medicinal plants. This study aimed to standardize methodologies for assessing the toxicological, antiproliferative, antioxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-Toxoplasma effects of Estragole and Thymol compounds isolated from species of plants (Lippia sidoides and Croton zenhtneri) commonly used in the Cariri region of Ceara State, Brazil. First we evaluated in vivo toxicity and conducted a pathological analysis of mice livers. In vivo antiinflammatory activity was assessed using air pouch and paw edema methods. Cytotoxicity assays were performed and antiproliferative, antioxidant and nitric oxide production analyzed. Anti-Toxoplasma activity was evaluated in a congenital experimental model with varying stages of maternal infection using the ME-49 strain and a non- congenital model by using ME-49 and RH strains. The results suggest low to moderate toxicity for both compounds. Thymol was more toxic in vivo and in vitro, having greater pathological repercussion than Estragole. The compounds were inactive for antiproliferative activity. Thymol showed better antioxidant activity, while Estragole stimulated nitric oxide production in macrophages. Both showed significant antiinflammatory activity. In non-congenital Tg infection, both compounds were active only against the ME49 strain. In congenital infection, Estragole (oral route) improved the newborn weight of infected mothers compared with untreated controls. Subcutaneous administration of the two compounds increased the weight of offspring born to infected mothers compared with untreated controls. We concluded that Estragole and Thymol exhibit important biological and anti-Toxoplasma activities. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of these compounds and other possible activities not investigated in the present study

Fibras de sisal (Agave sisalana) como isolante térmico de tubulações

In the last decades there was a significant increasing of the numbers of researchers that joint efforts to find alternatives to improve the development of low environmental impact technology. Materials based on renewable resources have enormous potentials of applications and are seen as alternatives for the sustainable development. Within other parameters, the sustainability depends on the energetic efficiency, which depends on the thermal insulation. Alternative materials, including vegetal fibers, can be applied to thermal insulation, where its first goal is to minimize the loss of energy. In the present research, it was experimentally analyzed the thermal behavior of fiber blankets of sisal (Agave sisalana) with and without surface treatment with oxide hidroxide (NaOH). Blankets with two densities (1100/1200 and 1300/1400 g/m2) were submitted to three rates of heat transfer (22.5 W, 40 W and 62.5 W). The analysis of the results allowed comparing the blankets treated and untreated in each situation. Others experiments were carried out to obtain the thermal conductivity (k), heat capacity (C) and the thermal diffusivity (α) of the blankets. Thermo gravimetric analyses were made to the verification of the thermal stability. Based on the results it was possible to relate qualitatively the effect of the heat transfer through the sisal blankets subjected to three heat transfer rates, corresponding to three temperature values (77 °C, 112 °C e 155 °C). To the first and second values of temperature it was verified a considerable reduction on the rate of heat transfer; nevertheless, to the third value of temperature, the surface of the blankets (treated and untreated) in contact with the heated surface of the tube were carbonized. It was also verified, through the analyses of the results of the measurements of k, C e α, that the blankets treated and untreated have values near to the conventional isolating materials, as glass wool and rock wool. It could be concluded that is technically possible the use of sisal blankets as constitutive material of thermal isolation systems in applications where the temperature do not reach values greater than 112 ºC

Biomecânica e otimização topológica com H-adaptatividade em implantes dentários nitretados a plasma em cátodo oco

In recent years there has been a significant growth in technologies that modify implant surfaces, reducing healing time and allowing their successful use in areas with low bone density. One of the most widely used techniques is plasma nitration, applied with excellent results in titanium and its alloys, with greater frequency in the manufacture of hip, ankle and shoulder implants. However, its use in dental implants is very limited due to high process temperatures (between 700 C o and 800 C o ), resulting in distortions in these geometrically complex and highly precise components. The aim of the present study is to assess osseointegration and mechanical strength of grade II nitrided titanium samples, through configuration of hollow cathode discharge. Moreover, new formulations are proposed to determine the optimum structural topology of the dental implant under study, in order to perfect its shape, make it efficient, competitive and with high definition. In the nitriding process, the samples were treated at a temperature of 450 C o and pressure of 150 Pa , during 1 hour of treatment. This condition was selected because it obtains the best wettability results in previous studies, where different pressure, temperature and time conditions were systematized. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, roughness, microhardness and wettability. Biomechanical fatigue tests were then conducted. Finally, a formulation using the three dimensional structural topology optimization method was proposed, in conjunction with an hadaptive refinement process. The results showed that plasma nitriding, using the hollow cathode discharge technique, caused changes in the surface texture of test specimens, increases surface roughness, wettability and microhardness when compared to the untreated sample. In the biomechanical fatigue test, the treated implant showed no flaws, after five million cycles, at a maximum fatigue load of 84.46 N. The results of the topological optimization process showed well-defined optimized layouts of the dental implant, with a clear distribution of material and a defined edge

Desenvolvimento e análise de material compósito a base de penas de frango (fibras de queratina-KF) e matriz de poliéster insaturado

Use of natural fibres as a reinforcement material in the manufacture of composites show a series of advantages: availability, biodegradability, low weight and regeneration in relation to synthetic fibres, thus justifying its utilization. In the present research work, composites were developed with chicken feathers (KF), using unsaturated polyester resin as matrix, for diversified applications, mainly in the furniture/timber industry.At present, in Brazil the chicken feathers are used as part of the animal feed, even though this material possesses low aggregated value. The chicken feathers are hollow, light and resistant. After washing with water at room temperature, a part of the chicken feathers were treated with 2% NaOH. Composites were manufactured using treated and untreated chicken feathers with unsaturated orthothalic polyester resin and 1% peroxide as catalyser, obtained in the commerce. Samples with size 150x25x3 mm for mechanical tests were cut by laser in the composite plate. Mechanical analyses were carried out in the Laboratório de Metais e Ensaios Mecânicos UFRN. All the analyses were in accordance with ASTM standards. SEM analyses were also carried out on the samples.In the analyses of the results obtained, it was observed that the composites made with untreated chicken feathers showed better results (Traction 11.406 MPa and 9.107 MPa Bending 34.947 and 20.918 MPa for samples with and without treatment respectively) compared to the composite with treated feathers. Very low values of the water absorption results, evidenced the impermeability characteristic of the feathers. From the SEM images, the structure, fracture and the fibre/matrix adsorption can be evidenced. In the flammability test, it was observed that despite the feathers having sulfur as a constituent, natural inhibitor of flame, no burning support of the composites, because the manufacturing process of the composite

Morfologia e propriedades mecânicas da fibra de sisal unidirecional e em sobreposição de compósito com resina epóxi

The composites manufactured with long fibres aligned in a single direction, and overlay has been shown to have better performance than the short fibers randomly distributed. In particular, the lignocellulosic fibers extracted from the sisal leaves, used in conjunction with the epoxy resin has attracted the attention of many researchers because the final properties of the system formed. In this work composites based on epoxy resin reinforced with sisal fibers were manufactured. The sisal fibres were treated with an alkaline solution of 0.06 mol/l NaOH. The treated, and untreated fibres were subjected to tension x extension tests. The composites were manufactured in the "Lossy" mold with the specifications of the samples to be produced (300x20x4 mm). The tension tests were carried out in accordance with the ASTM standards 3039 (for the composite aligned in a single direction) and ASTM D5573 (for composites in overlay), three point bending tests were performed according to ASTM D790. Analyzing the results of the tests of tension and three point bending tests, it was observed that the composites with the configuration of overlapping had the better elastic module in both tests. As to the maximum resistance to tension, the best result was the composites aligned in a single direction. Tests of absorption of water and micrographs are in progress

Desenvolvimento e teste de um protótipo de reator de plasma com gaiola catódica rotatória para nitretação em lote de pequenas peças

The technique of ion nitriding, despite being fully consolidated in the industry, has great limitations when applied to the treatment of small parts. This is because effects that occur due to non-uniformity of the electric field, generate localized heating in parts, damaging the uniformity of nitrided layer. In addition, because the samples are treated static parts thereof are untreated. To expand the use of plasma nitriding, this work presents the development, assembly and testing of a prototype plasma reactor with rotatory cathodic cage [patent pending], able to meet these needs, giving the material a uniform treatment and opening doors to industrial scale production. The samples tested with hexagonal nuts are 6.0 mm in diameter, made of stainless steel AISI 304 nitrided at a pressure of 1 mbar in an atmosphere of 20% H2 + 80% N2 for 1 h. After treatment, testing visual inspection, optical microscopy and microhardness were carried out to check the effectiveness of the process for uniformity and hardness of the parts. All samples exhibited uniform color, and matte brownish, unlike the untreated samples, silver color and gloss. The hardness of the surface (top and sides) was 65% and even higher than the original hardness. The nitrided layer showed great uniformity in microstructure and thickness. It is concluded, therefore, that the unit was effective constructed for the purposes for which it was designed

Flotação por ar dissolvido na clarificação de águas com baixa turbidez utilizando sulfato de alumínio e sementes de Moringa oleifera como coagulantes

This work aims to investigate the process of Dissolved air Flotation (DAF) for clarifying water samples with low turbidity using aluminum sulphate and Moringa oleifera seeds as coagulants. The experimental procedure was carried out in a bench scale flotation unit. The influences on the pre-treatment conditions (coagulant dosage and flocculation time) and flotation parameters (superficial application rate and recirculation rate) were evaluated considering the efficiency of the process. The efficiency was evaluated by determining the turbidity of the untreated and treated water samples. The results obtained showed that turbidity reduction can be obtained very efficiently by using DAF and the latter coagulant in low turbidity water. Using aluminum sulphate in pH´s 5.0 and 6.0 better efficiencies were obtained with low concentrations (15 mg/L), achieving values of 92% of turbidity reduction. In the case of use of Moringa oleifera better efficiencies of reduction of turbidity were reported when using a concentration of 50 mg/L in all range of pH´s, achieving 86% of reduction. The zeta potential was also determined, in an attempt to aid comprehension of the coagulation mechanisms involved. The coagulation mechanisms with Moringa oleifera seeds were shown to be adsorption and charge neutralization, as well as adsorption and bridging. Concerning aluminum sulphate, the predominant mechanisms are adsorption and charge neutralization and enmeshment in a precipitate. The results indicate that for low turbidity water, Moringa oleifera seeds could potentially be a viable substitute for aluminum sulphate

Diagnóstico ambiental das águas do estuário Jundiaí-Potengi pela determinação dos índices de qualidade da água e toxidez

This study is an environmental diagnosis of the Jundiaí-Potengi/RN estuarine system waters, using calculations of pollution indicator indices such as the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Toxicity Index (TI). The samples were collected at twelve points on the estuary, at high and low tide, between August and November 2007, over four campaigns. The study area, located in a high impact region, has various activities on its banks such as: discharge of untreated or undertreated domestic and industrial sewage, shrimp farming, immunizer stabilization lakes, riverside communities, etc. All the parameters analyzed were compared to the limits of CONAMA Resolution No. 357 of 2005 for healthy and saline Class 1 waters. The results found prove the impact caused by various activities, mainly the parameters related to the presence of organic material, such as DQO, DBO, COT and thermotolerant colliforms. The IQA for most of the collection points was of medium quality. For the metals, although values above the Resolution limits were found, most of them were lower than the detection limits of ICP-OES used, indicating that they tend to be transported by the dynamic of the tides or rainfall and are deposited in bottom sediments, resulting in a TI of 1.0 in this water, when they are absent, which occurs in most cases, or 0.0, when heavy metals are found in these waters

Avaliação das condições química e física dos sedimentos do estuário Jundiaí-Potengi

The aim of this study was to quantify the presence of major and minor elements in the sediments of the Jundiaí-Potengi estuary, bordering the municipalities of Macaíba, Natal and São Gonçalo do Amarante in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, considering the evidence of anthropic activity along this estuary, resulting in pollution by treated and untreated wastewaters as well as those produced by industry and shrimp farming. The assessment of the environmental status of this estuary was based on physical-chemical parameters, such as granulometry, organic matter and the major (Al, Fe, Mn and P) and minor (Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn) elements found in sediment samples. Two collections were made at 12 georeferenced points along the channel of the estuary at different times. Granulometric analysis was carried out and the percentage of organic matter was determined. The sediments were microwave digested using acid digestion and quantitative analyses of the elements Al, Fe, Cd, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, P, Pb and Zn were performed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. Sediment analysis followed the methodology proposed by US EPA 3051A for total elements analysis. The small correlation between the organic matter and the elements studied here suggests that they are of geochemical rather than anthropic origin. The analytical results obtained from the bottom sediment samples in the study area show that the concentration of elements was below the reference values for standard shales (Turekian & Wedepohl, 1961) at the vast majority of points analyzed, ruling out a possible contamination by metals