Postprandial plasma carotenoid responses following consumption of strawberries, red wine, vitamin C or spinach by elderly women

This study investigated the postprandial plasma responses of carotenoids for 24 h after feeding five specific breakfast beverages; four of which had low or no carotenoid content. In seven fasting healthy elderly female subjects a blood sample (baseline) was obtained, after which they were given a breakfast beverage, containing one of the following: 1) strawberries (240 g); 2) ascorbic acid (1250 mg); 3) spinach (294 g); 4) red wine (300 mL); and 5) control (breakfast beverage only). Blood samples were collected at 0.5, 1, 4, 7, 11, 15 and 24 h. Plasma carotenoids were measured using HPLC. No significant differences were found in the levels of the plasma carotenoids measured among the various treatments at baseline. In the spinach treatment, plasma lutein, zeaxanthin and β-carotene levels at 7, 11, 15 and 24 h were significantly higher than those at baseline, as expected. All of the carotenoids measured in the control and vitamin C treatments, at subsequent sampling times were not significantly different from those at baseline. However, for most carotenoids, strawberry and red wine feeding resulted in significantly lower carotenoids values from baseline at 11 and 15 h. Subjects who received a diet with low levels of carotenoids, but whose postprandial plasma levels of carotenoids remain steady, might be explained by a mechanism that promotes secretion of carotenoids into the circulation. Assuming that plasma carotenoids are being used over time, we hypothesize that strawberries and red wine contain some substances that interfere with the secretion of carotenoids into the circulation.

Dental implants: Surface modification of cp-Ti using plasma spraying and the deposition of hydroxyapatite

The commercial pure titanium (cp-Ti) is currently being used with great success in dental implants. In this work we investigate how the cp-Ti implants can be improved by modifying the metal surface morphology, on which a synthetic material with properties similar to that of the inorganic part of the bone, is deposited to facilitate the bone/implant bonding. This synthetic material is the hydroxyapatite, HA, a calcium-phosphate ceramic. The surface modification consists in the application of a titanium oxide (TiO2) layer, using the thermal aspersion - plasma spray technique, with posterior deposition of HA, using the biomimetic method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform (DRIFT) techniques have been used for characterizing phases, microstructures and morphologies of the coatings. The TiO2 deposit shows a mixture of anatase, rutilo and TiO2-x phases, and a porous and laminar morphology, which facilitate the HA deposition. After the thermal treatment, the previously amorphous structured HA coating, shows a porous homogeneous morphology with particle size of about 2-2.5 μm, with crystallinity and composition similar to that of the biological HA.

Lipoic acid and ascorbic acid affect plasma free amino acids selectively in the teleost fish pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Most studies on the antioxidants, lipoic acid (LA) and ascorbic acid (AA), focused on species that, unlike teleost fish, are not scurvy-prone, and are able to synthesize AA. The antioxidant properties of LA may make it useful in aquaculture nutrition, but several effects must first be investigated, and we address here plasma free amino acids (FAA). In mammals, LA and AA in high doses were claimed to alter plasma FAA profile; to our knowledge, however, no data are available in fish. We therefore studied the effects of dietary LA and AA on plasma FAA in the South American teleost fish pacu, which is being used increasingly in aquaculture. LA treatment decreased concentrations of 18 of 23 individual FAA; specifically, dispensable and total FAA were significantly affected. Ornithine was elevated (+26%) in LA-treated fish and significantly decreased ratios of plasma [Arg]/[Orn] and other individual [FAA]/[Orn] were observed. LA and AA both affected sulfur FAA concentrations. Plasma cystine levels were significantly increased in the LA-supplemented groups. AA had little effect on most amino acids, and no interaction with LA was detected. AA supplementation did, however, significantly lower taurine (-42%) and cystathionine (-31%) levels in plasma. No effect on the branched chain:aromatic amino acid ratios was observed. The data indicate that at the dietary level studied, LA and AA independently affect selected plasma FAA in pacu, and suggest that any use of LA in particular as a dietary supplement should take into account an altered plasma FAA profile.

Effects of Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) of nitrogen on hardness, composition and corrosion resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy

Ti-6Al-4V samples have been treated by PHI processing at different temperatures (400-800°C), treatment time (30-150 min) and plasma potential (100 and 420 V). Hardness measurements results showed an enhancement of the hardness for all implanted samples. XRD results detected the Ti 2N phase and the best corrosion resistance was found for the samples processed at higher temperature and lower PIII time.

BMP implant associated with platelet-rich plasma in orbit fracture repair

Purpose: To evaluate a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) implant with and without platelet-rich plasma (PRP), which is supposed to accelerate fracture consolidation in the orbit fracture treatment. Methods: Thirty-six white rabbits were subjected to orbital fracture and treated in three groups: BMP implant fracture repair (G1), BMP plus PRP implant fracture repair (G2), and fracture and spontaneous repair (G3). The animals were sacrificed at 7, 30, 90, and 180 days after surgery. A radiology evaluation was carried out on the 7th day after the fracture and at the sacrifice moments. After the animals' death, the orbital content material was removed and prepared for morphological and morphometric analysis. Results: Radiology suggested intramembranous and progressive cavitation and ossification without a reduction in implant size and with signs of calcium deposition; these events were confirmed by histological analysis, which showed a lymphomononuclear inflammatory reaction in G1 and G2, more intense 7 days after surgery and reducing after 30 days. Associating PRP with BMP did not accelerate bone induction. Conclusion: BMP implant promotes bone induction, integration at fracture site, scarce inflammatory reaction, and may be a good alternative in orbit fracture reconstruction. The addition of PRP to the BMP plate did not accelerate the resolution, and its use is not necessary. Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Plasma lipid profile of experimentally induced hyperlipidemic New Zealand white rabbits is not affected by resveratrol

Hyperlipidemia is well recognized as an important risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis. Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are components of cholesterol that are highly associated to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hypercholesterolemia induces proteolytic and oxidative changes in vasculature, leading to a local inflammatory response. Since dietary antioxidants have attracted considerable attention as preventive and therapeutic agents, the polyphenolic compound resveratrol seems to play an important role in prevention of human atherosclerosis. Researches show that resveratrol inhibits LDL oxidation and platelet aggregation, as well as vascular prolifer ation of smooth muscle cells. However, recent findings in animal models reveal conflicting results regarding its effects on plasma lipid levels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of resveratrol on plasma biochemistry profile in New Zealand white rabbits submitted to a hypercholesterolemic diet. Twenty healthy, male, adult New Zealand white rabbits were fed with ordinary diet for one week before being divided into four treatment groups, containing five animals each. Group CT received maintenance diet; group R received maintenance diet and resveratrol (3mg/kg/day) given orally; group CL received maintenance diet enriched with 1.5% cholesterol; and group CR received maintenance diet enriched with 1.5% cholesterol and resveratrol (3mg/kg/day) given orally. During the experiment, from each animal, samples of 3mL venous blood were collected in heparin twice monthly for measurements of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low- and high-density lipoproteins. The data analysis revealed that resveratrol did not have a hypolipidemic effect in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic New Zealand white rabbits.

Microstructural characterization of layers produced by plasma nitriding on austenitic and superaustenitic stainless steel grades

High chromium content is responsible for the formation of a protective passive surface layer on austenitic stainless steels (ASS). Due to their larger amounts of chromium, superaustenitic stainless steels (SASS) can be chosen for applications with higher corrosion resistance requirements. However, both of them present low hardness and wear resistance that has limited their use for mechanical parts fabrication. Plasma nitriding is a very effective surface treatment for producing harder and wear resistant surface layers on these steel grades, without harming their corrosion resistance if low processing temperatures are employed. In this work UNS S31600 and UNS S31254 SASS samples were plasma nitrided in temperatures from 400 °C to 500 °C for 5 h with 80% H 2-20% N2 atmosphere at 600Pa. Nitrided layers were analyzed by optical (OM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Vickers microhardness testing. Observations made by optical microscopy showed that N-rich layers were uniform but their thicknesses increased with higher nitriding temperatures. XRD analyses showed that lower temperature layers are mainly composed by expanded austenite, a metastable nitrogen supersaturated phase with excellent corrosion and tribological properties. Samples nitrided at 400 °C produced a 5 μm thick expanded austenite layer. The nitrided layer reached 25 lm in specimens treated at 500 °C. There are indications that other phases are formed during higher temperature nitriding but XRD analysis was not able to determine that phases are iron and/or chromium nitrides, which are responsible for increasing hardness from 850 up to 1100 HV. In fact, observations made by TEM have indicated that formation of fine nitrides, virtually not identified by XRD technique, can begin at lower temperatures and their growth is affected by both thermodynamical and kinetics reasons. Copyright © 2012 by ASTM International.

Plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising of a supermartensitic stainless steel

Supermartensitic stainless steels (SMSSs) are a new generation of the classic 13%Cr martensitic steels, lower in carbon and with additional alloying of nickel and molybdenum offering better weldabilty and low temperature toughness. Several works have shown that plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising of stainless steels at low temperatures produces a hard surface layer which results in increased wear resistance. In this work, SMSS samples were plasma nitrided and nitrocarburised at 400, 450 and 500 °C. The plasma treated SMSS samples were characterised by means of optical microscopy, microhardness, X-ray diffraction and dry wear tests. The thickness of the layers produced increases as temperature is raised, for both plasma nitriding and nitrocarburising. X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the chromium nitride content grows with temperature for nitriding and nitrocarburising, which also showed increasing content of iron and chromium carbides with temperature. After plasma treating, it was found that the wear volume decreases for all temperatures and the wear resistance increased as the treatment temperature was raised. The main wear mechanism observed for both treated and untreated samples was grooving abrasion. © 2012 IHTSE Partnership Published by Maney on behalf of the Partnership.

Osseointegration assessment of chairside argon-based nonthermal plasma-treated Ca-P coated dental implants

This study investigated the effect of an Argon-based nonthermal plasma (NTP) surface treatment-operated chairside at atmospheric pressure conditions applied immediately prior to dental implant placement in a canine model. Surfaces investigated comprised: Calcium-Phosphate (CaP) and CaP + NTP (CaP-Plasma). Surface energy was characterized by the Owens-Wendt-Rabel-Kaelble method and chemistry by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Six adult beagles dogs received 2 plateau-root form implants (n = 1 each surface) in each radii, providing implants that remained 1 and 3 weeks in vivo. Histometric parameters assessed were bone-to-implant contact (BIC) and bone area fraction occupancy (BAFO). Statistical analysis was performed by Kruskall-Wallis (95% level of significance) and Dunn's post-hoc test. The XPS analysis showed peaks of Ca, C, O, and P for the CaP and CaP-Plasma surfaces. Both surfaces presented carbon primarily as hydro-carbon (CAC, CAH) with lower levels of oxidized carbon forms. The CaP surface presented atomic percent values of 38, 42, 11, and 7 for C, O, Ca, and P, respectively, and the CaPPlasma presented increases in O, Ca, and P atomic percent levels at 53, 12, and 13, respectively, in addition to a decrease in C content at 18 atomic percent. At 1 week no difference was found in histometric parameters between groups. At 3 weeks significantly higher BIC and BAFO were observed for CaPPlasma treated surfaces. Surface elemental chemistry was modified by the Ar-based NTP. Ar-based NTP improved bone formation around plateau-root form implants at 3 weeks compared with CaP treatment alone. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hormonal treatment of dairy goats affected by hydrometra associated or not with ovarian follicular cyst

Hydrometra is considered a very important pathological condition, because it represents one of the main causes of temporary infertility in dairy goats. The objective was (i) to evaluate a protocol for the treatment of hydrometra associated (n=2) or not (n=17) with follicular ovarian cyst in 19 dairy goats and (ii) to assess its reproductive efficiency after treatment. For this purpose, 10. mg of dinoprost (PGF) divided in two equal doses were administered to all animals intravulvosubmucosally on Days 0 and 10. In addition, 500. IU hCG were administered on Day 7. Ultrasound exams were performed in all females from Days 0 to 3, 7 and 10 to 13 of treatment, in order to evaluate uterus drainage after each treatment. Goats were monitored for estrus after both treatments and mated after the second dose of PGF. Blood samples were collected from 11 goats to determine plasma progesterone concentrations before, during and after treatment. Of the 19 goats treated, 16 lost weight after the first dose, probably due to uterine discharge. Complete drainage of uterine fluid was observed in 11/19 (57.9%) and 17/19 (89.5%) after the first and second doses, respectively. Afterwards, we diagnosed 2 more goats with follicular cysts, for a total of 21.1% (4/19) of animals exhibiting hydrometra and ovarian cyst concomitantly. In one doe the diagnosis was on Day 2 and in the other on Day 11. All does showed progesterone concentrations superior to 1. ng/mL at Day 0, with an average of 10.6 ± 1.4. ng/mL. Out of the 10 goats mated, only two became pregnant after treatment, corresponding to 10.5% of the total (2/19). Although prostaglandin was effective to drain the uterine fluid and led to the onset of estrus, it did not improve the pregnancy rate. The use of hCG in female goats was not effective in luteinizing the cysts. It can be concluded that hydrometra alone or associated with ovarian follicular cyst may adversely affect goat reproductive performance. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Plasma-polymerized acetylene nanofilms modified by nitrogen ion implantation

Thin films were prepared by plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) from a mixture of acetylene and argon, and post deposition-treated by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII). The effect of PIII on the nanofilms properties was evaluated as a function of treatment time. The average thickness and roughness were diminished upon PIII. On the other hand, hardness (0.7-3.9 GPa) and elastic modulus (29-54 GPa) increased upon 60 min of ion bombardment. Such results are ascribed mainly to the densification of the film structure caused by the increment in the crosslinking degree with increasing the energy deposited in the films. Wettability of the samples, investigated by contact angle measurements, was reduced (from 64 to 21°) right after PIII. This result, attributed to the introduction of polar groups in the film structure, was not preserved as the sample was aged in atmosphere. After aging, contact angles were larger than 70° but still smaller than 90°. Although the wettability has decreased with aging, the hydrophilic character of the samples was preserved. For certain treatment times, nitrogen PIII turned the plasma-polymerized acetylene films smoother, denser, mechanically and tribologicaly more resistant than the as-deposited material. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Simvastatin treatment increases nitrite levels in obese women: Modulation by T-786C polymorphism of eNOS

Objective and Subjects: Evidence indicates an impairment of nitric oxide (NO) in obesity. Statins present pleiotropic effects independently of cholesterol-lowering, including increasing of eNOS expression and antioxidant effects. We evaluated the effects of simvastatin treatment at 45 days on circulating nitrite (NO marker) and TBARS-MDA levels in obese women without comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia). Moreover, we verified whether obese women carrying the C variant of T-786C polymorphism located in eNOS may have increased levels of nitrite after treatment compared to TT genotype. Results: After simvastatin treatment, while the plasma nitrite levels increased 42% (P = 0.0008), the TBARS-MDA levels reduced 58% (P = 0.0069). We observed increased levels of nitrite in both groups of genotypes (TT vs. TC + CC); however, rise in C-allele carriers was 60% comparing with 44% in TT. Conclusion: Our results demonstrated a restoration of nitrite levels in obese women treated with simvastatin, which is modulated by T-786C polymorphism. © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Platelet-Rich Plasma And Chronic Wounds: Remaining Fibronectin May Influence Matrix Remodeling And Regeneration Success

Background: Platelet-rich plasma has been largely used as a therapeutic option for the treatment of chronic wounds of different etiologies. The enhanced regeneration observed after the use of platelet-rich plasma has been systematically attributed to the growth factors that are present inside platelets' granules. Aim: We hypothesize that the remaining plasma and platelet-bound fibronectin may act as a further bioactive protein in platelet-rich plasma preparations. Methods: Recent reports were analyzed and presented as direct evidences of this hypotheses. Results: Fibronectin may directly influence the extracellular matrix remodeling during wound repair. This effect is probably through matrix metalloproteinase expression, thus exerting an extra effect on chronic wound regeneration. Conclusions: Physicians should be well aware of the possible fibronectin-induced effects in their future endeavors with PRP in chronic wound treatment. © 2013 International Society for Cellular Therapy.

Esterilização de materiais termossensíveis através de aplicação de plasma gerado por descarga com barreira dielétrica (DBD)

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Membrana transdérmica de liberação controlada utilizando quitosana, plasma e plaquetas para a regeneração de feridas

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB