Proteoglycan analogues for ophthalmic and orthopaedic applications

The successful development of biomaterials is increasingly influenced by biomimesis essentially the use of biological structures as design templates. This approach has been used here in the design of injectable systems for the nucleus of the intervertebral disc, corneal inlays and intraocular lenses (IOLs). The strategy is based on the use of C-linked sulphonates to mimic the O-linked sulphate groups that are the hydration drivers in proteoglycans. The elastic modulus of the materials can be tailored for specific applications.

Clinical utility of the KAMRA corneal inlay

The treatment of presbyopia has been the focus of much scientific and clinical research over recent years, not least due to an increasingly aging population but also the desire for spectacle independence. Many lens and nonlens-based approaches have been investigated, and with advances in biomaterials and improved surgical methods, removable corneal inlays have been developed. One such development is the KAMRA™ inlay where a small entrance pupil is exploited to create a pinhole-type effect that increases the depth of focus and enables improvement in near visual acuity. Short- and long-term clinical studies have all reported significant improvement in near and intermediate vision compared to preoperative measures following monocular implantation (nondominant eye), with a large proportion of patients achieving Jaeger (J) 2 to J1 (~0.00 logMAR to ~0.10 logMAR) at the final follow-up. Although distance acuity is reduced slightly in the treated eye, binocular visual acuity and function remain very good (mean 0.10 logMAR or better). The safety of the inlay is well established and easily removable, and although some patients have developed corneal changes, these are clinically insignificant and the incidence appears to reduce markedly with advancements in KAMRA design, implantation technique, and femtosecond laser technology. This review aims to summarize the currently published peer-reviewed studies on the safety and efficacy of the KAMRA inlay and discusses the surgical and clinical outcomes with respect to the patient’s visual function.

Reabilitação fixa em dentes endodonciados: um caso clínico

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz

Elaboración de embutidos emulsionados y no emulsionados utilizando inulina como sustituyente parcial de la grasa de cerdo

El presente proyecto de investigación tiene como objetivo principal la elaboración de embutidos emulsionados y no emulsionados, salchicha tipo Viena y chorizos respectivamente, con la sustitución parcial de la grasa de cerdo por inulina, para disminuir el contenido graso de este tipo de productos. Para este fin se realizaron cinco tratamientos, que consistieron en elaborar los embutidos con determinadas concentraciones de inulina, las cuales fueron del 0, 20, 30, 40 y 50%. Mediante pruebas bromatológicas se determinó la calidad del producto terminado, obteniendo porcentajes de los componentes humedad, grasa, proteína y almidón dentro de lo establecido por la normativa. Además se evidenció la acción que tiene la inulina como reemplazante de grasa al disminuir el contenido graso de los productos para cada ensayo realizado. Se realizó además, una clasificación de los embutidos de acuerdo al valor de proteína, clasificándolos como Tipo I, II y III según corresponda.Cada producto cuenta con su informe y semáforo nutricional respectivo. Por su parte, el análisis sensorialdemostró quela concentración de inulina óptima y adecuada para este tipo de embutidoses del 20% para la salchicha tipo Viena y del 50% para los chorizos.