Chemical and microbiological evaluation of the internal surfaces of aluminum tubes both unlined and lined with epoxi resin by means of the stereoscope and scanning electron microscope

A superfície interna das bisnagas fabricadas com alumínio não revestido e revestido com resina epóxi, utilizadas para acondicionar cremes, pomadas, géis, etc., foram avaliadas quimicamente e por métodos microbiológicos correlacionados com a aderência de microrganismos. A prova da porosidade e da resistência à remoção da resina foi observada por meio do microscópio eletrônico de varredura (Topcon FM300) e estereoscópio Leica (MZ12) acoplado a Sistema de Digitalização de Imagens. Para avaliar a ação dos microrganismos foram utilizados corpos-de-prova esterilizados (discos de 10mm de diâmetro), imersos em caldo Mueller Hinton (Difco) e colocados em tubos de polipropileno com tampa de rosca (Corning). Foram inoculados tubos com meio de cultura para cada uma das suspensões bacterianas (10(9)UFC/mL) de Streptococcus agalactiae, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter lwoffii e Candida albicans, incubados a 37°C, sob agitação constante durante 12 dias. O meio de cultura era trocado a cada 3 dias. Após esse período, os corpos-de prova foram removidos, processados e observados em microscópio eletrônico de varredura JEOL-JSM (T330A). A observação por meio do microscopio eletrônico de varredura mostrou a aderência e a formação de biofilme sobre a superfície de alumínio não revestido e revestido com resina epóxi.

Effective monopoles within thick branes

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Model to localize gauge and tensor fields on thick branes

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Numerical analysis of refrigerant flow along non-adiabatic capillary tubes using a two-fluid model

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

Evaluation of alveolar socket response to Angelus MTA and experimental light-cure MTA

Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rat alveolar socket response to implanted polyethylene tubes filled with a light-cured MTA or Angelus MTA.Study design. Fifty-seven Wistar rats received an implant filled with one of the materials in the dental socket of the right central incisor. After 30, 60, and 90 days, animals were killed, and the right hemimaxillas were removed and processed to be analyzed on light microscopy. After embedding in paraffin, 6-mu m-thick sections were obtained and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the reaction were performed.Results. It was observed that the light-cured MTA presented a similar response compared with Angelus MTA, characterized by the reduction of the chronic inflammatory response and organization of the alveolar bone close to the materials, especially at the 90th day of observation.Conclusions. It was concluded that both materials were well accepted by the alveolar tissue of rats, with the formation of mineralized tissue close to the materials. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010;110:e93-e97)

Tissue Reaction to a Triantibiotic Paste Used for Endodontic Tissue Self-regeneration of Nonvital Immature Permanent Teeth

Introduction: The endodontic regenerative procedure (ERP), which is an alternative to calcium hydroxide induced apexification, involves the use of a triple antibiotic paste (TAP) as a dressing material. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of rat subcutaneous tissue to implanted polyethylene tubes that were filled with TAP or calcium hydroxide. Methods: Thirty rats received 2 individual implants of polyethylene tubes filled with TAP or calcium hydroxide paste (CHP) and another empty tube as a control. Thirty additional rats received 2 individual implants consisting of polyethylene tubes filled with dressing material carriers (macrogol and propylene glycol) and a sham procedure. After 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days, 12 animals were euthanized, and the tubes and surrounding tissue were removed and processed for histology by using glycol methacrylate and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The histological score ranged from 0 to 3 depending on the content of inflammatory cells; the fibrous capsule was considered thin or thick, and necrosis and calcification were recorded as present or absent. The results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test. Results: Both dressing materials induced moderate reactions at 7 and 15 days. These reactions were similar to the control (P>.05) and reduced in intensity (to mild) from day 30 onward (P>.05). The carriers did not interfere with the reaction of the dressing materials. Conclusions: TAP and CHP were biocompatible over the different experimental periods examined. (J Endod 2012;38:91-94)

Evaluation of the Tissue Reaction to Fast Endodontic Cement (CER) and Angelus MTA

Introduction: A new cement (CER; Cimento Endodontico Rapido or fast endodontic cement) has been developed to improve handling properties. It is a formulation that has Portland cement in gel. However, there had not yet been any study evaluating its biologic properties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rat subcutaneous tissue response to CER and Angelus MTA. Methods: The materials were placed in polyethylene tubes and implanted into dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats for 7, 30, and 60 days. The specimens were prepared to be stained with hematoxylin-eosin or von Kossa or not stained for polarized light. The presence of inflammation, predominant cell type, calcification, and thickness of fibrous connective tissue were recorded. Scores were defined as follows: 0, none or few inflammatory cells, no reaction; 1, <25 cells, mild reaction; 2, 25-125 cells, moderate reaction; 3, >125 cells, severe reaction. Fibrous capsule was categorized as thin when thickness was <150 mu m and thick at >150 mu m. Necrosis and formation of calcification were both recorded. Results: Both materials Angelus MTA and CER caused moderate reactions at 7 days, which decreased with time. The response was similar to the control at 30 and 60 days with Angelus MTA and CER, characterized by organized connective tissue and presence of some chronic inflammatory cells. Mineralization and granulations birefringent to polarized light were observed with both materials. Conclusions: It was possible to conclude that CER was biocompatible and stimulated mineralization. (J Endod 2009,35:1377-1380)

In vivo evaluation of the biocompatibility of three current bonding agents

The aim of this in vivo study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of three current bonding agents and calcium hydroxide cement. Sixty polyethylene tubes filled with the following materials: Group 1: Prime & Bond NT (PB - Dentsply, US; Group 2: Bond 1 (BO - Jeneric/Pentron, US); Group 3: Optibond Solo (OP - Kerr, US); and Group 4 (control): calcium hydroxide cement - Dycal (CH - Dentsply, US) were implanted into the connective tissue of 30 rats. After 15, 30 and 60 days, the implants were excised and the animals sacrificed. The biopsies were immersed in Karnovsky (pH, 7.2) fixative solution for 48 hours, and processed using routine histological technique. Six-micron-thick sections were cut and stained with hematoxilin and eosin and Masson's trichome technique. Microscopic evaluation was used to compare the connective tissue reactions caused by the experimental and control materials adjacent to the tube opening. At 15 days, the experimental and control materials triggered a moderate to intense inflammatory response which gave rise to a thick capsule adjacent to the tube opening. With time, the inflammatory reaction decreased. At 60 days, the connective tissue adjacent to the bonding agents exhibited a persistent inflammatory response mediated by macrophages and giant cells which were engulfing displaced resin components. on the other hand, for the control group (calcium hydroxide) no inflammatory response associated with a thin capsule adjacent to the material was observed even at the 30-day period. The hard-setting calcium hydroxide cement allowed complete healing and was considered more biocompatible than the bonding agents.

Quantification of fibrosis and mast cells in the tissue response of endodontic sealer irradiated by low-level laser therapy

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) accelerates tissue repair. Mast cells induce the proliferation of fibroblasts and the development of local fibrosis. The objective of this study was to quantify fibrosis rate and mast cells in connective tissue after endodontic sealer zinc oxide and eugenol (ZOE) was implanted and submitted to LLLT, immediately after implant and again 24 h later. Sixty mice were distributed into three groups: GI, GII, and GIII (n = 20). In GI, the tubes filled with Endofill were implanted in the animals and were not irradiated with LLLT. In GII, the tubes containing Endofill were implanted in the animals and then irradiated with red LLLT (InGaAIP) 685-nm wavelength, D=72 J/Cm(2), E = 2 J, T=58 s, P=35 mW, and in GIII, the tubes with Endofill were implanted and irradiated with infrared LLLT (AsGaAl) 830-nm wavelength, D=70 J/Cm(2), E = 2 J, T=40 s, P=50 mW. After 7 days and 30 days, the animals were killed. A series of 6-mu m-thick sections were obtained and stained with Toluidine Blue and Picrosirius and analyzed under a standard light microscope using a polarized light filter for the quantification of fibrosis. The statistics were qualitative and quantitative with a significance of 5%. The irradiation with LLLT did not offer improvement in the fibrosis rate, however, it provided a significant decrease in the concentration of independent mast cells for the period studied.

A mathematical model for wave propagation in elastic tubes with inhomogeneities: Application to blood waves propagation

We study the propagation of waves in an elastic tube filled with an inviscid fluid. We consider the case of inhomogeneity whose mechanical and geometrical properties vary in space. We deduce a system of equations of the Boussinesq type as describing the wave propagation in the tube. Numerical simulations of these equations show that inhomogeneities prevent separation of right-going from left-going waves. Then reflected and transmitted coefficients are obtained in the case of localized constriction and localized rigidity. Next we focus on wavetrains incident on various types of anomalous regions. We show that the existence of anomalous regions modifies the wavetrain patterns. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Impedance spectroscopy analysis of SnO2 thick-films gas sensors

A careful analysis of the impedance response of SnO2 thick films under vacuum and air atmosphere is reported in the present work. The AC electrical resistance was analyzed and it was shown that it is highly frequency dependent. Different models and its equivalent circuit representation were proposed and carefully analyzed based on the microstructure features of the device. Basically, an interpretation of the frequency dependent resistance was proposed based on the fact that different grains characteristics and junctions exist. These different grains and junctions are the main source of resistance dependent feature. An equivalent circuit model, considering different grain sizes associated with different grain boundary junctions characteristics, was introduced so that a consistent interpretation of the results was possible.

Visible and near-infrared luminescent Eu3+ or Er3+ doped laponite-derived xerogels and thick films: Structural and spectroscopic properties

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

Grain size effect on the electrical response of SnO2 thin and thick film gas sensors

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

Demulsification of water/sunflower oil emulsions by a tangential filtration process using chemically impregnated ceramic tubes

A tangential filtration process was implemented in this study using porous ceramic tubes made of alpha-alumina produced by the slip-casting technique. These tubes were sintered at 1450 degrees C and characterized by mercury intrusion porosimetry, which revealed a mean pore size of 0.5 mu m. The tubes were chemically impregnated with a zirconium citrate solution, after which they were calcined and heat treated at temperatures of up to 600 and 900 degrees C to eliminate volatile organic compounds and transform the zirconium citrate into zirconium oxide impregnated in the alumina in the form of nanoparticle agglomerates. The microporous pipes were tested on a microfiltration hydraulic system to analyze their performance in the demulsification of sunflower oil and water mixtures. The fluid-dynamic parameters of Reynolds number and transmembrane pressure were varied in the process. The volume of permeate was analyzed by measuring the Total Organic Carbon concentration (TOC), which indicated 99% of oil phase retention. The emulsified mixture was characterized by optical microscopy, while the morphology and composition of the impregnated microporous tubes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantification of the TOC values for the tube impregnated once at 600 degrees C showed the best demulsification performance, with the concentration on permeate smaller than 10 mg/L. The impregnated tube sintered once at 900 degrees C presented low carbon concentration (smaller than 20 mg/L), has the advantage of presenting the greatest trans-membrane flux in relation to the other microporous tube. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of metallic and ceramic tubes as atomization cells for tin determination by TS-FF-AAS

This work describes the development of an analytical procedure for on-line tin determination using thermospray flame furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (TS-FF-AAS). Two tubes were evaluated as atomization cells: a metallic tube (Ni-Cr, principal components composition: 73.95% Ni and 16.05% Cr) and a ceramic tube (99.8% Al2O3). The use of air as the carrier was made by employing a Rheodyne valve to inject the samples, allowing an analytical frequency of 90 h(-1) and avoiding sample dispersion. The carrier flow rate (air), sample volume injected, and acid concentration (HCl) were evaluated for the optimization of the TS-FF-AAS system. The sensitivity for 50 mL of analytical solution with TS-FF-AAS was 2 and 5 times higher (to metallic and ceramic tube, respectively) than using an acetylene-nitrous oxide flame with pneumatic aspiration (requiring a sample volume of approximately 20 times higher.