Biodegradation evaluation of bacterial cellulose, vegetable cellulose and poly (3-hydroxybutyrate) in soil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Nano- and macroscale structural and mechanical properties of in situ synthesized bacterial cellulose/PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO biocomposites

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identification and characterization of regions of difference between the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Gallinarum and the Salmonella Gallinarum biovar Pullorum genomes

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Characterization and application of nanostructured films containing Au and TiO2 nanoparticles supported in bacterial cellulose

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Bacterial diversity from environmental sample applied to bio-hydrogen production

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Bacterial cellulose biocomposites for guided tissue regeneration

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has become established as a remarkably versatile biomaterial and can be used in a wide variety of scientific applications, especially for medical devices. In this work, the bacterial cellulose fermentation process is modified by the addition of chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid (1% w/w) to the culture medium before the bacteria is inoculated. Besides, biomimetic precipitation of calcium phosphate of biological interest from simulated body fluid on bacterial cellulose was studied. Chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronic acid influences in bacterial cellulose were analyzed using transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), XRD (X-ray diffraction) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR analysis showed interaction between bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites and calcium phosphate and XRD demonstrated amorphous calcium phosphate and calcium chloride on bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites. SEM images confirmed incorporation of calcium phosphate in bacterial cellulose nanobiocomposites surface with different calcium phosphate particles morphology.

Chromosomal location of retrotransposable REX 1 in the genomes in five Prochilodus (Teleostei: Characiformes)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Anthocyanin incorporated dental copolymer: bacterial growth inhibition, mechanical properties, and compound release rates and stability by (1)h NMR

Objective. To evaluate bacterial growth inhibition, mechanical properties, and compound release rate and stability of copolymers incorporated with anthocyanin (ACY; Vaccinium macrocarpon). Methods. Resin samples were prepared (Bis-GMA/TEGDMA at 70/30 mol%) and incorporated with 2 w/w% of either ACY or chlorhexidine (CHX), except for the control group. Samples were individually immersed in a bacterial culture (Streptococcus mutans) for 24 h. Cell viability (n = 3) was assessed by counting the number of colony forming units on replica agar plates. Flexural strength (FS) and elastic modulus (E) were tested on a universal testing machine (n = 8). Compound release and chemical stability were evaluated by UV spectrophotometry and (1)H NMR (n = 3). Data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's test ( α = 0.05). Results. Both compounds inhibited S. mutans growth, with CHX being most effective (P < 0.05). Control resin had the lowest FS and E values, followed by ACY and CHX, with statistical difference between control and CHX groups for both mechanical properties (P < 0.05). The 24 h compound release rates were ACY: 1.33 μg/mL and CHX: 1.92 μg/mL. (1)H NMR spectra suggests that both compounds remained stable after being released in water. Conclusion. The present findings indicate that anthocyanins might be used as a natural antibacterial agent in resin based materials.

Prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis among women of reproductive age attending cervical screening in southeastern Brazil

To determine the prevalence of and risk factors for bacterial vaginosis. A cross-sectional study of women aged 14-54 years attending 18 primary healthcare units in Botucatu, Brazil, for cervical screening was undertaken between September 1, 2012, and January 31, 2013. Data on sociodemographics, sexual behavior, and medical history were obtained by interview. Vaginal swabs were taken to classify the vaginal flora according to the Nugent scoring system. Candida sp. hyphae and infection by Trichomonas vaginalis were also evaluated by microscopy and culture, respectively. Stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors independently associated with bacterial vaginosis. Among 1519 women included in analyses, 457 (30.1%) had bacterial vaginosis. Variables independently associated with bacterial vaginosis were a single marital status (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.1-1.8), partner infidelity (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-1.9), abnormal discharge in the previous year (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.2-2.0), and concurrent trichomoniasis (OR 4.1; 95%CI 1.5-11.5). Current use of hormonal contraception (OR 0.7; 95%CI 0.5-0.9), luteal phase of menstrual cycle (OR 0.8; 95%CI 0.6-0.9), higher income (OR 0.8; 95%CI 0.6-0.9), and vaginal candidiasis (OR 0.5; 95%CI 0.3-0.9) all had protective effects. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis in the study population is high. The epidemiological data provide evidence of the sexual transmissibility of bacterial vaginosis.

Effect of UV-photofunctionalization on oral bacterial attachment and biofilm formation to titanium implant material

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Preparation and characterization of a bacterial cellulose/silk fibroin sponge scaffold for tissue regeneration

Bacterial cellulose (BC) and silk fibroin (SF) are natural biopolymers successfully applied in tissue engineering and biomedical fields. In this work nanocomposites based on BC and SF were prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In addition, the investigation of cytocompatibility was done by MTT, XTT and Trypan Blue dye technique. Cellular adhesion and proliferation were detected additionally. The evaluation of genotoxicity was realized by micronucleus assay. In vitro tests showed that the material is non-cytotoxic or genotoxic. SEM images revealed a greater number of cells attached at the BC/SF:50% scaffold surface than the pure BC one, suggesting that the presence of fibroin improved cell attachment. This could be related to the SF amino acid sequence that acts as cell receptors facilitating cell adhesion and growth. Consequently, BC/SF:50% scaffolds configured an excellent option in bioengineering depicting its potential for tissue regeneration and cultivation of cells on nanocomposites.

Abutment coating with diamond-like-carbon films to reduce implant-abutment bacterial leakage

Backgroud: The influence of diamond-like-carbon (DLC) films on bacterial leakage through the interface between abutments and dental implants of external hexagon (EH) and internal hexagon (IH) was evaluated. Film deposition was performed by PECVD (Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition). Sets of implants and abutments (N=180, n=30) were divided according to the connection design and the treatment of the abutment base: (1) no treatment (control); (2) DLC film deposition, and (3) Ag-DLC film deposition. Under sterile conditions, 1 µL of Enterococcus faecalis was inoculated inside the implants, and abutments were tightened. The sets were tested for immediate external contamination, suspended in test tubes containing sterile culture broth, and followed-up for five days. Turbidity of the broth indicated bacterial leakage. At the end of the period, the abutments were removed and the internal content of the implants was collected with paper points and plated in Petri dishes. They were incubated for 24 h for bacterial viability assessment and colony-forming unit (CFU) counting. Bacterial leakage was analyzed by Chi-square and Fisher exact tests (α=5%). The percentage of bacterial leakage was 16.09% for EH implants and 80.71% for IH implants (P<0.0001). The bacterial load was higher inside these implants (P=0.000). The type of implant significantly influenced the results (P=0.000), whereas the films did not (P=0.487). We concluded that: (1) IH implants showed a higher frequency of bacterial leakage and (2) the DLC and Ag-DLC films did not significantly reduce the frequency of bacterial leakage and bacteria load inside the implants.

The role of nicotine, cotinine and caffeine on the electrochemical behavior and bacterial colonization to cp-Ti

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ferramenta computacional para identificação de micro-organismos com base em assinaturas genômicas

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)