In vivo biological behavior of calcium phosphate cements with different Ca/P ratio

Bioceramics with different Ca/P ratio were prepared from a mechanical mixture of NaPO3, CaCO3, Ca(OH)2 and phosphate buffer solution and implanted in rats subcutaneous tissues. The cements were characterized by Thermo gravimetric analysis (TG-TDA), X-ray diffraction and 31P-NMR. The implant sites were excised after 1, 4 and 16 weeks, fixed, dehydrated, included in paraffin wax for serial cutting and examined under the light transmitted microscope. They were biocompatible and biodegradable when implanted in rat subcutaneous. None of the materials induced ectopic osteogenesis. According to the results, the studied materials seem to be able for manufacturing reabsorbable bone implants.

Caries resistance of lased human enamel with Er : YAG laser - morphological and ratio Ca/P analysis

Objective: In vitro analysis of caries resistance of dental enamel under caries simulation after irradiation with Er:YAG laser. Background Data: More susceptible to caries development spots at adjacent hard tissues from cavity preparations of dental tissues using burrs or lasers are quite common. Methods: Thirteen caries-free third permanent human molars were distributed as follows: G1: sound control and caries control; G2: Er:YAG 100, 200, 300, or 400 mJ/ 10 Hz/ 3 sec.; G3: the same parameters of G2 followed by artificial caries simulation, through dynamic model of demineralization and remineralization (DE/RE). Caries resistance analysis was evaluated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Ca/P rate (X-Rays spectroscopy - EDX). Results: Photomicrographs showed that the Er:YAG laser created craters with rough aspect which became more evident as the energy per pulse was increased, but without change of regular morphology of enamel prisms. Significant statistical changes among the irradiated and control groups was observed considering the Ca/P ratio. Conclusion: Irradiated groups showed higher caries resistance than control groups. However, it is not possible to affirm that the enamel surface accidental irradiation could be a benefit to caries resistance for other situations can be considered, as biofilm deposit, which could increase the caries susceptibility.

Perdas fermentativas e composição bromatológica da entrecasca de palmito pupunha ensilada com aditivos químicos

Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito da inclusão de aditivos químicos na ensilagem de resíduos (entrecasca) da produção de palmito pupunha (Bactris gasipaes, Kunth). Utilizaram-se silos experimentais (baldes de 20 litros) providos de aparatos para determinação gravimétrica de perdas por gases e efluentes. Os tratamentos aplicados foram: controle (sem aditivos); ureia (1% da MV) e cal virgem (1% da MV). Decorridos 70 dias de armazenagem, os silos foram pesados, abertos e amostrados. As perdas por efluentes e gases aumentaram com a aplicação de cal virgem na ensilagem. As perdas totais de MS foram de 15,1; 14,4 e 26,6% nas silagens controle, ureia e cal, respectivamente. em todas as silagens, houve redução no teor de FDN e elevação da fração FDA, o que indica desaparecimento da fração hemicelulose. A relação cálcio:fósforo aumentou substancialmente com a adição de cal virgem, de 4,1:1 na silagem controle para 15,6:1 na silagem com cal. O resíduo da extração do palmito pupunha pode ser classificado como alimento de média qualidade e alto teor de umidade. Os aditivos aplicados na ensilagem não são efetivos em reduzir as perdas fermentativas no processo de conservação.

Uso de fosfatos com diferentes relações flúor: fósforo na alimentação de poedeiras semipesadas na fase de produção

Um experimento foi conduzido para verificar os efeitos de diferentes relações flúor:fósforo (F:P) na dieta sobre o desempenho e as concentrações de cálcio, fósforo, magnésio e flúor na tíbia de poedeiras comerciais semipesadas. Foram utilizadas 160 galinhas poedeiras, distribuídas em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com quatro tratamentos (fontes de fósforo com diferentes relações flúor:fósforo - 1:40; 1:60; 1:80; 1:100) e cinco repetições de oito aves. No final do experimento, foram abatidas duas aves de cada repetição para coleta da tíbia e análise dos teores de flúor, cálcio, fósforo e magnésio. As relações flúor:fósforo não afetaram o consumo de ração, a produção de ovos, a conversão alimentar, o peso dos ovos e a gravidade específica. Entretanto, a porcentagem de casca e a espessura da casca foram menores quando a relação F:P foi de 1:100. Apesar da ausência de efeitos na produção de ovos, verificou-se redução de 7,3; 5,4 e 9,8% na produção entre as aves que receberam ração com a maior relação F:P (1:100) em comparação àquelas alimentadas com as rações com as relações de 1:40; 1:60 e 1:80, respectivamente. A deposição óssea de flúor reduziu e a de magnésio aumentou nas aves alimentadas com a ração contendo as maiores relação de F:P. As fontes de fósforo, nas relações fluor:fósforo de 1:40 a 1:80, podem ser utilizadas em dietas para poedeiras comerciais, pois não afetam o desempenho e a qualidade da casca dos ovos.

Exigência Protéica e Relação Energia/Proteína para Alevinos de Piracanjuba (Brycon orbignyanus)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar a exigência protéica e correspondente relação energia/proteína em dietas para alevinos de piracanjuba, Brycon orbignyanus. Seis dietas semi-purificadas isocalóricas foram formuladas para conter 3.000 kcal de energia metabolizável (EM)/kg e concentrações de proteína bruta (PB) de 24, 26, 29, 32, 36 e 42%. Para essas concentrações, as relações E/P das dietas foram de 12,3; 11,6; 10,4; 9,2; 8,5 e 7,1 kcal EM/g PB, respectivamente. As fontes de proteína, lipídios e carboidratos digestíveis foram, respectivamente, caseína/gelatina, óleo de fígado de bacalhau/óleo de soja e dextrina. Após condicionamento de cinco dias, as dietas foram fornecidas, até a saciedade, em duas alimentações diárias, a 162 alevinos (27 peixes/dieta), que apresentaram 8,38 ± 0,09 g de peso médio inicial, distribuídos em 18 tanques de fibra-de-vidro de 100 L, conectados a um sistema de recirculação de água. A temperatura média da água foi de 26,3°C, com extremos de 23,7 e 30,2°C. Após 90 dias, a concentração de proteína na dieta que proporcionou ganho em peso máximo aos peixes foi 29% PB, com relação E/P igual a 10,4 kcal EM/g PB. As dietas com concentrações de PB iguais a 32, 36 e 42% não se mostraram superiores para conversão alimentar, taxa de eficiência protéica, valor produtivo da proteína e retenção de energia bruta. A deposição corporal de proteína e gordura não sofreu influência da concentração de PB da dieta

Perda endógena e exigência de fósforo para mantença de cabritos Saanen

O trabalho foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar os efeitos da ingestão de rações com diferentes níveis de fósforo, por cabritos em crescimento, sobre a perda endógena fósforo. Dezoito animais da raça Saanen, machos, castrados, com 4 a 5 meses de idade, peso vivo médio de 25 ± 1,2 kg, foram alojados, por 45 dias, em gaiolas de metabolismo. Os animais receberam rações com três níveis de P (0,08; 0,15; e 0,38% na matéria seca) e semelhantes níveis de proteína bruta, energia metabolizável e relação Ca:P. Após 38 dias de fase pré-experimental, os animais receberam injeção (0,5 mL) com 7,4 Mbq de 32P (Na2HPO4 - livre de carregador), via jugular esquerda. Foram coletados sangue, fezes, urina e sobras das rações. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, fazendo-se a análise de regressão para o P ingerido. A ingestão média de P variou de 20,9 a 132,3 mg P/kg PV/dia e influenciou a excreção de P fecal. A quantidade de P endógeno variou de 7,6 a 45,4 mg/kg PV/dia e foi também influenciado pela ingestão de matéria seca e P inorgânico no plasma. A exigência líquida de mantença para os caprinos estudados foi de 6,87 mg/kg PV/dia.

Porous titanium scaffolds produced by powder metallurgy for biomedical applications

Porous titanium scaffolds are promising materials for biomedical applications such as prosthetic anchors, fillers and bone reconstruction. This study evaluated the bone/titanium interface of scaffolds with interconnected pores prepared by powder metallurgy, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Porous scaffolds and dense samples were implanted in the tibia of rabbits, which were subsequently killed 1, 4, and 8 weeks after surgery. Initial bone neoformation was observed one week after implantation. Bone ingrowth in pores and the Ca/P ratio at the interface were remarkably enhanced at 4 and 8 weeks. The results showed that the interconnected pores of the titanium scaffolds promoted bone ingrowth, which increased over time. The powder metallurgy technique thus proved effective in producing porous scaffolds and dense titanium for biomedical applications, allowing for adequate control of pore size and porosity and promoting bone ingrowth.

Valores bioquímicos séricos de tilapia del Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) en cultivo intensivo

The aim of the study was to evaluate the serum biochemical parameters of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), Thai Chitralada lineage, raised under an intensive pisciculture system and captured by the cast net technique. Blood samples from 40 individuals were obtained by caudal venopuncture. Mean body weight was 453 ± 52 g. The serum biochemical parameters evaluated were total protein, albumin, globulins, acid uric, creatinine, urea, calcium, inorganic phosphorus, Ca/P ratio, alkaline phosphatase, and magnesium. In general, the data showed similar parameters in comparison to those established for scale fish, exception of the acid uric.

Unbiased approach to diagnose the nutrient status of red guava (Psidium guajava)

Fertilization of guava relies on soil and tissue testing. The interpretation of tissue test is currently conducted by comparing nutrient concentrations or dual ratios with critical values or ranges. The critical value approach is affected by nutrient interactions. Nutrient interactions can be described by dual ratios where two nutrients are compressed into a single expression or a ternary diagrams where one redundant proportion can be computed by difference between 100% and the sum of the other two. There are D(D-1) possible dual ratios in a D-parts composition and most of them are thus redundant. Nutrients are components of a mixture that convey relative, not absolute information on the composition. There are D-1 balances between components or ingredients in any mixture. Compositional data are intrinsically redundant, scale dependent and non-normally distributed. Based on the principles of equilibrium and orthogonality, the nutrient balance concept projects D-1 isometric log ratio (ilr) coordinates into the Euclidean space. The D-1 balances between groups of nutrients are ordered to reflect knowledge in plant physiology, soil fertility and crop management. Our objective was to evaluate the ilr approach using nutrient data from a guava orchard survey and fertilizer trials across the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Cationic balances varied widely between orchards. We found that the Redfield N/P ratio of 13 was critical for high guava yield. We present guava yield maps in ternary diagrams. Although the ratio between nutrients changing in the same direction with time is often assumed to be stationary, most guava nutrient balances and dual ratios were found to be non-stationary. The ilr model provided an unbiased nutrient diagnosis of guava. © ISHS.

Synthesis and evaluation of diethylethylamine-chitosan for gene delivery: Composition effects on the in vitro transfection efficiency

Chitosan has been indicated as a safe and promising polycation vector for gene delivery. However its low transfection efficiency has been a challenging obstacle for its application. To address this limitation, we synthesized chitosan derivatives which had increasing amounts of diethylethylamine groups (DEAE) attached to the chitosan main chain. The plasmid DNA VR1412 (pDNA), encoding the ß-galactosidase (ß-gal) reporter gene was used to prepare nanoparticles with the chitosan derivatives, and the transfection studies were performed with HeLa cells. By means of dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, it was shown that diethylethylamine-chitosan derivatives (DEAEx-CH) were able to condense DNA into small particles having a surface charge depending on the polymer/DNA ratio (N/P ratio). Nanoparticles prepared with derivatives containing 15 and 25% of DEAE groups (DEAE15-CH and DEAE25-CH) exhibited transfection efficiencies ten times higher than that observed with deacetylated chitosan (CH). For derivatives with higher degrees of substitution (DS), transfection efficiency decreased. The most effective carriers showed low cytotoxicity and good transfection activities at low charge ratios (N/P). Vectors with low DS were easily degraded in the presence of lysozyme at physiological conditions in vitro and the nontoxicity displayed by these vectors opens up new opportunities in the design of DEAE-chitosan-based nanoparticles for gene delivery. © 2013 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Effect of ionic strength solution on the stability of chitosan-DNA nanoparticles

Chitosan-DNA nanoparticles employed in gene therapy protocols consist of a neutralised, stoichiometric core and a shell of the excess of chitosan which stabilises the particles against further coagulation. At low ionic strength, these nanoparticles possess a high stability; however, as the ionic strength increases, it weakens the electrostatic repulsion which can play a decisive part in the formation of highly aggregated particles. In this study, new results about the effect of ionic strength on the colloidal stability of chitosan-DNA nanoparticles were obtained by studying the interaction between chitosans of increasing molecular weights (5, 10, 16, 29, 57 and 150 kDa) and calf thymus DNA. The physicochemical properties of polyplexes were investigated by means of dynamic light scattering, static fluorescence spectroscopy, optic microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy and gel electrophoresis. After subsequent addition of salt to the nanoparticles solution, secondary aggregation increased the size of the polyplexes. The nanoparticles stability decreased drastically at the ionic strengths 150 and 500 mM, which caused the corresponding decrease in the thickness of the stabilising shell. The morphologies of chitosan/DNA nanoparticles at those ionic strengths were a mixture of large spherical aggregates, toroids and rods. The results indicated that to obtain stable chitosan-DNA nanoparticles, besides molecular weight and N/P ratio, it is quite important to control the ionic strength of the solution. © 2013 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.

Effect of sodium trimetaphosphate on hydroxyapatite solubility: An in vitro study

This study evaluated the effect of different concentrations of sodium trimetaphosphate (TMP) with and without fluoride (F) on the concentration of calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P) and F in hydroxyapatite (HA). Synthetic HA powder (0.15 g) was suspended (n=6) in solutions (75 mL) of TMP at 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, 0.8%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0%, 6.0%, 8.0% and 10% concentrations in the presence and absence of 100 ppm F and subjected to a pH-cycling process. The precipitates were filtrated, dried at 70° C for 24 h and ground onto a fine powder. The concentrations of F (KOH (CaF2) and HCl (FA) soluble), Ca (Arsenazo III), and P (molybdate method) in HA were determined. The Ca P, and Ca/P ratio data were subjected to Tukey's test and the F data were subjected to Student-Newman-Keuls test (p<0.05). The addition of TMP to the samples reduced F deposition to 98% (p<0.001). The groups containing 100 ppm F and 0.4% or 0.6% TMP exhibited a higher Ca concentration than the group containing only 100 ppm F (p<0.05). Furthermore, the HA treated with 0.2% and 0.4% TMP and 100 ppm F showed a higher Ca/P ratio than the other groups (p<0.001). In conclusion, TMP at 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6% concentrations combined with F seemed to be able to precipitate HA with low solubility. However, especially at high concentrations, TMP interferes with F deposition on HA.

Desempenho produtivo e resistência ao estresse pelo frio da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas suplementadas com levedura autolisada e zinco

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

Estudo da formação de domínios em bicamadas lipídicas induzidos por peptídeos antimicrobianos

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Estudo da eutrofização do reservatório da Floresta Estadual Edmundo Navarro de Andrade (FEENA) - Rio Claro (SP)

Pós-graduação em Geociências e Meio Ambiente - IGCE