Role of TLR-2 and fungal surface antigens on innate immune response against Sporothrix schenckii

Sporotrichosis is an infection caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in immunity, since they bind to pathogen surface antigens and initiate the immune response. However, little is known about the role of TLR-2 and fungal surface antigens in the recognition of S. schenckii and in the subsequent immune response. This study aimed to evaluate the involvement of TLR-2 and fungal surface soluble (SolAg) and lipidic (LipAg) antigens in phagocytosis of S. schenckii and production of immune mediators by macrophages obtained from WT and TLR-2 -/- animals. The results showed that TLR-2-/- animals had had statistical lower percentage of macrophages with internalized yeasts compared to WT. SolAg and LipAg impaired phagocytosis and immunological mediator production for both WT and TLR-2-/-. The absence of TLR-2 led to lower production of the cytokines TNF, IL-1β, IL-12 and IL-10 compared to WT animals. These results suggest a new insight in relation to how the immune system, through TLR-2, recognizes and induces the production of mediators in response to the fungus S. schenckii. Copyright © Informa Healthcare USA, Inc.

Effects of surface treatment, hydration and application method on the bond strength of a silorane adhesive and resin system to dentine

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of surface treatment, surface hydration (SH) and application method (AM) on the tensile bond strength of the Silorane Adhesive System (SAS) to dentine. Methods: Ninety bovine teeth were used. For the control group (n = 10), each dentine surface was treated according to the manufacturer's instructions of the SAS. The remaining teeth were randomly distributed into two groups (n = 40), according to the type of dentine surface treatment (ST) - 37% phosphoric acid or Er:YAG Laser prior to the application of the SAS. Each group was further divided into 2 subgroups (n = 20), according to the SH status: dry (D) or wet (W). Each subgroup was further divided into 2 subgroups (n = 10), according to the application method [AM: Active (AC) mode or Passive (PA) mode]. A coat of resin composite (Filtek P90) was applied on the surface. Artificial ageing was performed with a thermo-mechanical cycling machine. The specimens were sectioned into 1 mm × 1 mm × 10 mm sticks and stressed to failure using a universal testing machine. The remaining teeth in each group were used for Scanning Electron Microscopy to examine the fractured area. Data were subjected to a three-way ANOVA, Tukey's test and Dunnet's test (α = 0.05). Results: The ANOVA showed significant differences for SH and AM, but not for ST. For SH, the results of Tukey's test were (in MPa): D-14.9(±3.8)a, W-17.1(±4.3)b; and for AM: PA-14. 9(±4.2)a, AC-17.1(±3.9) b. Conclusions: Acid etching, when combined with a moist dentine surface and the use of primer agitation, improves the bond strength of the SAS to dentine. Clinical Significance: According to the results of the present in vitro study, modification of the application protocols for the silorane-based adhesive system may improve its clinical performance. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Reduced in vitro immune response on titania nanotube arrays compared to titanium surface

Material surfaces that provide biomimetic cues, such as nanoscale architectures, have been shown to alter cell/biomaterial interactions. Recent studies have identified titania nanotube arrays as strong candidates for use in interfaces on implantable devices due to their ability to elicit improved cellular functionality. However, limited information exists regarding the immune response of nanotube arrays. Thus, in this study, we have investigated the short- and long-term immune cell reaction of titania nanotube arrays. Whole blood lysate (containing leukocytes, thrombocytes and trace amounts of erythrocytes), isolated from human blood, were cultured on titania nanotube arrays and biomedical grade titanium (as a control) for 2 hours and 2 and 7 days. In order to determine the in vitro immune response on titania nanotube arrays, immune cell functionality was evaluated by cellular viability, adhesion, proliferation, morphology, cytokine/chemokine expression, with and without lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and nitric oxide release. The results presented in this study indicate a decrease in short- and long-term monocyte, macrophage and neutrophil functionality on titania nanotube arrays as compared to the control substrate. This work shows a reduced stimulation of the immune response on titania nanotube arrays, identifying this specific nanoarchitecture as a potentially optimal interface for implantable biomedical devices. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

The application of a surface response methodology in the solar/UV-induced degradation of dairy wastewater using immobilized ZnO as a semiconductor

An Advanced Oxidation Process (AOPs) was carried out in this study with the use of immobilized ZnO and solar/UV as an energy source to degrade dairy wastewater. The semibatch reactor system consisted of metal plate of 800 × 250 mm and a glass tank. The reaction time was of 3 h for 3 L of dairy wastewater. Experiments were performed based on a surface response methodology in order to optimize the photocatalytic process. Degradation was measured in percentage terms by total organic carbon (TOC). The entry variables were ZnO coating thickness and pH, using three levels of each variable. The optimized results showed a TOC degradation of 31.7%. Optimal parameters were metal-plate coating of 100 m of ZnO and pH of 8.0. Since solar/UV is a constant and free energy source in most tropical countries, this process tends to suggest an interesting contribution in dairy wastewater treatment, especially as a pretreatment and the optimal conditions to guarantee a better efficiency of the process. © 2013 Gisella R. Lamas Samanamud et al.

Chemical modification of the surface of alumina with alkaline earth metal oxides using the polymeric precursor method for catalysis application

In this study, modifications of alumina surface with of alkaline earth metal oxides were studied, using the polymeric precursor method. The modified compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy. The catalytical properties of these new catalysts were evaluated for the transesterification reaction of babassu oil. It is observed that the transesterification reaction of babassu oil with methanol was successfully carried out using the modified alumina samples.

Nondecalcified Histologic Study of Bone Response to Titanium Implants Topographically Modified by Laser With and Without Hydroxyapatite Coating

The purpose of this study was nondecalcified histologic analysis of titanium implants modified by laser with and without hydroxyapatite. Implants with three modified surfaces were inserted into rabbit tibias: group 1, machined surface; group 2, irradiated (laser); and group 3, irradiated and hydroxyapatite coated (biomimetic method). The mean surface roughness (Ra) scores of groups 2 and 3 were higher than that of group 1. Bone-implant contact measurements at 30 and 60 days for groups 2 and 3 were higher than for group 1. Bone area at 30 and 60 days for group 2 was higher than for groups 1 and 3. Titanium implants modified by laser with and without hydroxyapatite exhibit increased early osseointegration.

Gas sensor applications of zinc oxide thin film grown by the polymeric precursor method

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

On the contact stiffness and nonlinear vibration of an elastic body with a rough surface in contact with a rigid flat surface

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

Dielectric response of tungsten modified Ba(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O3 ceramics obtained by mixed oxide method

The electrical response of Ba(Ti0.90Zr0.10)O3 (BZT) ceramics obtained by the mixed oxide method as a functionof tungsten content was investigated. According to X-ray diffraction analysis the single phase BZT1W (1wt.% W doped BZT) and BZT2W (2 wt.% W doped BZT) ceramics, crystallized in a perovskite structure, wereobtained. It is also shown that tungsten substituted ceramics can be sintered at a reduced temperature whencompared to the undoped BZT. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analyses reveals that substitution ofTi4+ by W6+ causes distortion in the crystal structure changing lattice parameter. Substitution of W6+ on B-siteof ABO3 perovskite BZT ceramics shifted the phase transition to lower temperatures up to a tungsten contentof 2 wt.% leading to a relaxor-like behaviour.Keywords: donor dopant; ceramics; dielectric response; mixed oxide method

Analysis of linearity and frequency response of a novel piezoelectric flextensional actuator using a homodyne interferometer and the J(1)-J(4) method

Piezoelectric transducers are widely used in high-resolution positioning systems. This paper reports the experimental analysis of a novel piezoelectric flextensional actuator (PFA), which is designed by using the topology-optimization method through a low-cost homodyne Michelson interferometer. By applying the J(1) - J(4) method for signal demodulation, which provides a linear and direct measurement of dynamic optical phase shift independent of fading, the nanometric displacements of the PFA were determined. Linearity and frequency response of the PFA were evaluated up to 50 kHz. PFA calibration factor and amplification rate were determined for the PFA operating in the quasi-static regime. To confirm the observed frequencies of resonance, an impedance analyzer is also utilized to measure the magnitude and phase of the PFA admittance.

Osteoblast response to porous titanium and biomimetic surface: In vitro analysis

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

Improved response of the Ti30Ta experimental alloy after surface treatment for dental applications

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of the biomimetic surface treatment in osseointegration of experimental alloy Ti30Ta for dentistry applications. Methods and materials: Experimental alloy with Ta concentration of 30 wt% was produced from sheets of commercially pure titanium (99.9%) and tantalum (99.9%). Ingots were melted in an arc furnace under an argon atmosphere and re-melted ten times at least. They were homogenized under vacuum at 1100 °C for 86.4 ks to eliminate chemical segregation and cold-worked by swaging. Implants with 2.5 mm diameter and 2.0 mm of height were machined (Fig. 1a), treated and inserted in animals for in vivo study. The implants were submitted surface treatment according methodology development for our group. Analyzes were performed by Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Osteoblast morphology on Ti-30Ta alloys was examined after 4 and 7 days of incubation with MSCs using SEM imaging.

A method to investigate the shrinkage stress developed by resin-composites bonded to a single flat surface

Objectives. To purpose a method for predicting the shrinkage stress development in the adhesive layer of resin-composite cylinders that shrink bonded to a single flat surface, by measuring the deflection of a glass coverslip caused by the shrinkage of the bonded cylinders. The correlation between the volume of the bonded resin-composite and the stress-peak was also investigated. Methods. A glass coverslip deflection caused by the shrinkage of a bonded resin-composite cylinder (diameter: d = 8 mm, 4 mm, or 2 mm, height: h = 4 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, or 0.5 mm) was measured, and the same set-up was simulated by finite element analysis (3D-FEA). Stresses generated in the adhesive layer were plotted versus two geometric variables of the resin-composite cylinder (C-Factor and volume) to verify the existence of correlations between them and stresses. Results. The FEA models were validated. A significant correlation (p < 0.01, Pearson's test) between the stress-peak and the coverslip deflection when the resin-composites were grouped by diameter was found for diameters of 2 and 4 mm. The stress-peak of the whole set of data showed a logarithmic correlation with the bonded resin-composite volume (p < 0.001, Pearson's test), but did not correlate with the C-Factor. Significance. The described method should be considered for standardizing the stress generated by the shrinkage of resin-composite blocks bonded to a single flat surface. (C) 2012 Academy of Dental Materials. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of sun protection factor of cosmetic formulations by a simple visual in vitro method mimicking the in vivo method

A new concept for in vitro visual evaluation of sun protection factor (SPF) of cosmetic formulations based on a supramolecular ultraviolet (UV) dosimeter was clearly demonstrated. The method closely parallels the method validated for in vivo evaluation and relies on the determination of the slightest perceptible bleaching of an iron-complex dye/nanocrystallinetitanium dioxide interface (UV dosimeter) in combination with an artificial skin substrate simulating the actual human skin in the presence and absence of a cosmetic formulation. The successful evaluation of SPF was ensured by the similarity of the erythema response of our dosimeter and human skin to UV light irradiation. A good linear correlation of in vitro and in vivo data up to SPF 40 confirmed the effectiveness of such a simple, cheap, and fast method. In short, here we unravel a convenient and accessible visual FPS evaluation method that can help improving the control on cosmetic products contributing to the reduction of skin cancer, one of the critical public health issues nowadays. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 101:726732, 2012

Development of a high sensitive automatic setup for screening of microcystins in surface waters by employing a LED-based photometric detector

In this manuscript, an automatic setup for screening of microcystins in surface waters by employing photometric detection is described. Microcystins are toxins delivered by cyanobacteria within an aquatic environment, which have been considered strongly poisonous for humans. For that reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed a provisional guideline value for drinking water of 1 mu g L-1. In this work, we developed an automated equipment setup, which allows the screening of water for concentration of microcystins below 0.1 mu g V. The photometric method was based on the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the analytical signal was monitored at 458 nm using a homemade LED-based photometer. The proposed system was employed for the detection of microcystins in rivers and lakes waters. Accuracy was assessed by processing samples using a reference method and applying the paired t-test between results. No significant difference at the 95% confidence level was observed. Other useful features including a linear response ranging from 0.05 up to 2.00 mu g L-1 (R-2 =0.999) and a detection limit of 0.03 mu g L-1 microcystins were achieved. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.