Flexible magnetic membranes based on bacterial cellulose and its evaluation as electromagnetic interference shielding material

Flexible magnetic membranes with high proportion of magnetite were successfully prepared by previous impregnation of the never dried bacterial cellulose pellicles with ferric chloride followed by reduction with sodium bisulfite and alkaline treatment for magnetite precipitation. Membranes were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating magnetometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM) and impedance spectroscopy. Microwave properties of these membranes were investigated in the X-band (8.2 to 12.4 GHz). FEG-SEM micrographs show an effective coverage of the BC nanofibers by Fe 3O4 nanoparticles. Membranes with up to 75% in weight of particles have been prepared after 60 min of reaction. Magnetite nanoparticles in the form of aggregates well adhered to the BC fibers were observed by SEM. The average crystal sizes of the magnetic particles were in the range of 10 ± 1 to 13 ± 1 nm (estimated by XRD). The magnetic particles in the BC pellicles presented superparamagnetic behavior with a saturation magnetization in the range of 60 emu g- 1 and coercive force around 15 Oe. These magnetic pellicles also displayed high electrical permittivity and a potential application as microwave absorber materials. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Gene expression and protein localization of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6 in amniochorion membranes of pregnancies complicated by histologic chorioamnionitis

Objectives: To determine whether histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with changes in gene expression of TLR-1, -2, -4 and -6, and to describe the localization of these receptors in fetal membranes. Study design: A total of 135 amniochorion membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis from preterm or term deliveries were included. Fragments of membranes were submitted to total RNA extraction. RNA was reverse transcribed and the quantification of TLRs expression measured by real time PCR. Results: All amniochorion membranes expressed TLR-1 and TLR-4, whereas 99.1% of membranes expressed TLR-2 and 77.4% expressed TLR-6. TLR-1 and TLR-2 expressions were significantly higher in membranes with histologic chorioamnionitis as compared to membranes without chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Among the membranes of term pregnancies there were no differences in the expressions of such receptors regardless of inflammatory status. Regarding TLR-4 and TLR-6 expression, there was no difference among membranes with or without histologic chorioamnionitis, regardless gestational age at delivery. TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 expressions were observed in amniotic epithelial, chorionic and decidual cells. Conclusion: Amniochorion membranes express TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-4 and TLR-6 and increased expression of TLR-1 and TLR-2 is related to the presence of histologic chorioamnionitis in preterm pregnancies. This study provides further evidence that amniochorion membranes act as a mechanical barrier to microorganisms and as components of the innate immune system. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles with self-sustained natural rubber membranes

Green chemistry is an innovative way to approach the synthesis of metallic nanostructures employing eco-friendly substances (natural compounds) acting as reducing agents. Usually, slow kinetics are expected due to, use of microbiological materials. In this report we study composites of natural rubber (NR) membranes fabricated using latex from Hevea brasiliensis trees (RRIM 600) that works as reducing agent for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. A straight and clean method is presented, to produce gold nanoparticles (AuNP) in a flexible substrate or in solution, without the use of chemical reducing reagents, and at the same time providing good size's homogeneity, reproducibility, and stability of the composites. Copyright © 2013 Flávio C. Cabrera et al.

Biodegradability of PP/PHBV (70/30) blend films

This study aimed to investigate the biodegradation of polypropylene/ poly(hydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate) (PP/PHBV) blend (70/30, w/w) films in soil, monitoring the evolution of CO2 using the respirometric method. The polymeric films were incubated at 28°C ± 2°C for 180 days in biometer flasks, and the sequence of biodegradation percentage was PP/PHBV (70/30) > PP, that is, 15% and 0%, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction measurements showed that biodegradation occurs in the blend PP/PHBV interphases. Preferentially, the microbial action occurs in the fraction of the biodegradable polymer (PHBV), and it influences the PP fraction morphology, which showed some significant changes in the monomer unit sequences and the organization of the chains. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Amphiphilic planar membranes in ionic equilibrium: a study of pH position-dependent values

The pH values near a planar dissociating membrane are studied under a mean field approximation using the Poisson-Boltzmann equation and its linear form. The equations are solved in planar symmetry with the consideration that the charge density on the dissociating membrane surface results from an equilibrium process with the neighboring electrolyte. Results for the membrane dissociation degree are presented as a function of the electrolyte ionic strength and membrane surface charge density. Our calculations indicate that pH values have an appreciable variation within 2 nm from the membrane. It is shown that the dissociation process is enhanced due to the presence of bivalent ions and that pH values acquire better stability than in an electrolyte containing univalent ions.

Ureasil-polyether hybrid blend with tuneable hydrophilic/hydrophobic features based on U-PEO1900 and U-PPO400 mixtures

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Bacterial cellulose/triethanolamine based ion-conducting membranes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Expression of 8-oxoguanine Glycosylase in Human Fetal Membranes

Problem The most common DNA lesion generated by oxidative stress (OS) is 7, 8-dihydro-8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) whose excision repair is performed by 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (OGG1). We investigated OGG1 expression changes in fetal membranes from spontaneous preterm birth (PTB) and preterm premature rupture of the membranes (pPROM) and its changes in vitro in normal fetal membranes exposed to OS inducer water-soluble cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Method of study DNA damage was determined in amnion cells treated with CSE by comet and FLARE assays. OGG1 mRNA expression and localization in fetal membranes from clinical specimens and in normal term membranes exposed to CSE were examined by QRT-PCR and by immunohistochemistry. Results DNA strand and base damage was seen in amnion cells exposed to CSE. OGG1 expression was 2.5-fold higher in PTB samples compared with pPROM (P=0.045). No significant difference was seen between term and pPROM or PTB and term. CSE treatment showed a nonsignificant decrease in OGG1. OGG1 was localized to both amnion and chorion with less intense staining in pPROM and CSE-treated membranes. Conclusion Increased OS-induced DNA damage predominated by 8-oxoG is likely to persist in fetal cells due to reduced availability of base excision repair enzyme OGG1. This can likely lead to fetal cell senescence associated with some adverse pregnancy outcome.

Chitosan and alginate biopolymer membranes for remediation of contaminated water with herbicides

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

Assessment of experimental infection for dogs using Gallus gallus chorioallantoic membranes inoculated with Neospora caninum

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