Biomaterials from blends of fluoropolymers and corn starch-implant and structural aspects

The development of polymeric blends to be used as matrices for bone regeneration is a hot topic nowadays. In this article we report on the blends composed by corn starch and poly(vinylidene fluoride), PVDF, or poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene), P(VDF-TrFE), to obtain biocompatible materials. Blends were produced by compressing/annealing and chemically/structurally characterized by micro-Raman scattering and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) absorption spectroscopies, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), besides in vivo study to evaluate the tissue response. Vibrational spectroscopy reveals no chemical interaction between the polymers and starch, absence of material degradation due to compressing/annealing process or organism implantation, and maintenance of a and ferroelectric crystalline phases of PVDF and P(VDF-TrFE), respectively. As a consequence of absence of interaction between polymers and starch, it was possible to identify by SEM each material, with starch acting as filler. Elastic modulus (E') obtained from DMA measurement, independent of the material proportion used in blends, reaches values close to those of cancellous bone. Finally, the in vivo study in animals shows that the blends, regardless of the composition, were tolerated by cancellous bone. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Stress distribution on dentin-cement-post interface varying root canal and glass fiber post diameters. A three-dimensional finite element analysis based on micro-C data

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

Direct laser writing by two-photon polymerization as a tool for developing microenvironments for evaluation of bacterial growth

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

Síntese de nanocatalisador cerâmico a base de SnO2 pelo método hidrotermal assistido por micro-ondas aplicado a reação de transesterificação do óleo de babaçu

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

Phylogeny and micro-habitats utilized by lizards determine the composition of their endoparasites in the semiarid Caatinga of Northeast Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The physicochemical characterization and in vivo response of micro/nanoporous bioactive ceramic particulate bone graft materials

In this study, the physicochemical characteristics of calcium phosphate based bioactive ceramics of different compositions and blends presenting similar micro/nanoporosity and micrometer scale surface texture were characterized and evaluated in an in vivo model. Prior to the animal experiment, the porosity, surface area, particle size distribution, phase quantification, and dissolution of the materials tested were evaluated. The bone regenerative properties of the materials were evaluated using a rabbit calvaria model. After 2, 4, and 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and all samples were subjected to histologic observation and histomorphometric analysis. The material characterization showed that all materials tested presented variation in particle size, porosity and composition with different degrees of HA/TCP/lower stoichiometry phase ratios. Histologically, the calvarial defects presented temporal bone filling suggesting that all material groups were biocompatible and osteoconductive. Among the different materials tested, there were significant differences found in the amount of bone formation as a function of time. At 8 weeks, the micro/nanoporous material presenting similar to 55,TCP:45%,HA composition ratio presented higher amounts of new bone regeneration relative to other blends and a decrease in the amount of soft tissue infiltration. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Radiopacity, pH and antimicrobial activity of Portland cement associated with micro- and nanoparticles of zirconium oxide and niobium oxide

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

Micro-fungos de interesse para o setor de petróleo, gás e biocombustíveis

Oil is a hydrocarbon mixture of various sizes, including saturated and aromatic compounds. Natural gas is a mixture of gaseous hydrocarbons and its main component is methane. In our society, the great demand for these fuels requires fast extraction, transportation and refining, increasing the number of accidents that compromise the environment. Oil is a finite resource and it is necessary to reduce the problems related to the question concerning environmental pollution which has encouraged the search for alternative fuel sources in our country. So today we have two major biofuels: ethanol and biodiesel. Concurrently, many studies have been done directed toward the isolation of microorganisms capable of degrading petrochemical industrial wastes, most of them using as a source of isolation soil and water collected in a contaminated environment. Isolation from alternative substrates has emerged as a new strategy that has provided satisfactory results. In this work, we present the leaf-cutter ants of the Attini tribe as a source for the isolation of micro-fungi with the potential for hydrocarbon degradation. These insects have a social way of life and a highly specialized system of intra and interspecific communication, which is based on the recognition of individuals through volatile chemical compounds, the majority hydrocarbons, stored in their exoskeleton. The micro-environment exoskeleton of Attini ants (genus Atta) used in this work proved to be a rich source of microbial biodiversity, as other studies have found. The flotation isolation technique applied here allowed the achievement of 214 micro-fungi, 118 representatives of the dematiaceous fungi group and 96 hyaline filamentous fungi. They were submitted to toluene degradation tests and at least one strain of each genus presented good results, namely Teratosphaeria, Exophiala, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Intervenção urbanística de micro escala: uma alternativa de transformação do espaço urbano na zona leste de Presidente Prudente

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A comunicação interna como fator de inovação nas Micro e Pequenas Empresas

The work presents a literature review on the topic of internal communication as an innovation factor in Micro and Small Business. The objective is to discuss how internal communication can be an essential factor in the pursuit of innovation and the consequent competitive advantage in the Micro and Small Enterprises scenario. We present the concepts of integrated communication, organizational communication, internal communication, whether crafted by a philosophy of Public Relations, can lead these companies to gain competitive advantage and overcome the limitations and challenges imposed on them

Avaliação do Efeito Fotodinâmico sobre o Crescimento in vitro de Pythium insidiosum

Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic method which employs a photosensitizer and light to cause cellular death. The chemical compounds have low or none toxicity for hosts cells. Under the incidence of light, in an appropriated wavelength, these chemical compounds produce reactive oxygen which affects the biomolecules of the target-cells. The specific illumination of the affected area increases the selectivity of the therapy, since the photodynamic process occurs only in the irradiated area. Pythiosis, for instance, is a life-threatening emerging disease caused by a fungus-like organism called Pythium insidiosum. The disease occurs in man and other animals, being mostly observed in horses. Human pythiosis may present as ophthalmic, cutaneous-subcutaneous and systemic forms of lesions. Due to the fact that P. insidiosum is not a true fungus, it is refractory to most antifungal drugs and the treatment of the disease is difficult. Extensive surgery procedures, such as limb amputation, are the treatment of choice, however relapses may occur frequently. Although not totally effective, the use of immunotherapy associated to surgery have shown some results. Considering that pythiosis is an emerging disease few explored in its etiological and therapeutic aspects, which are limited and few effective, it is of great importance to encourage the development of researches for new strategies of treatment. In this sense, it was evaluated the effect of PDT on in vitro growth of the pathogen employing two chemical compounds as photosensitizer, porphyrin and chlorine, at different concentrations in combination with several energetic dosages. Porphyrin showed inhibition of growth at 25mg/mL with 100J/cm2 of energetic dosage and chlorine showed similar results employing low concentrations (0,7, 1,0 and 1,3mg/mL) with 70J/cm2 of energetic dosage... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Rodococose equina: uma revisão com ênfase na fisiopatogenia e tratamento

The rhodococcosis affects humans and animals. Equine are the most important species for rhodococcosis, which is considered the most debilitating disease in the creation of foals, leading to a mortality rates greater than 50% in this category. The disease is caused by Rhodococcus equi, a bacteria considered as a soil-born opportunistic microorganism, intracellular and ubiquitous. The disease in horses is manifested mainly in the form of pyogranulomatous pneumonia and less often in the form of enteric disorders and / or joint disorders. Transmission occurs mainly by ingestion of contaminated food and water, and inhalation in contaminated environment. The organism has mechanisms of evasion of the immune system, maintain viable in inside phagocytic cells, and induces piogranulomatous infections, leading to lesions of difficult treatment using conventional antimicrobials. Lipophilic drugs with good intracellular activity are required to successful treatment. The conventional treatment for foals is based on the combination of erythromycin and rifampin. However, there is a growing concern about the emergence of resistant strains, which makes increasingly studies on the development of alternative antimicrobials for therapy

Seleção de micro-organismos com potencial de biodegradação de hidrocarbonetos e biodiesel

The oil and biodiesel are oily substances which, if spilled or thrown out in the environment, can cause serious damages. In this context, bioremediation techniques can be used to the recovering of sites degradated by mineral or vegetable oil, besides them, the biodegradation. However, it is necessary that there are microorganism strains used to degradate the contaminant, previously selected for the fast, efficient and minimum impact remediation. The main objective of this study was to isolate microorganism strains coming from different ecological recesses and verify their potentiality on biodegradating oil and biodiesel. Strains of bacteria, fungi and yeasts were isolated from soils contaminated by hydrocarbons (diesel, gasoline, grease) before, by doing striations on culture plates. On the biodegradation tests, it was used the redox indicator, 2,6-dichlorophenol indophenol (DCPIP), then, after the indicador’s discoloration, the absorbance of the suspension obtained was measured. 46 different microorganism strains were isolated, and the oil, when it was used as a carbon resource, it was degradate easier than the biodiesel. The experiments showed that, in a period, the site impacted by oil spills recovers itself by the biodegradation, in aerobic conditions, by the redox activity.

Avaliação da atenuação da toxicidade de lodo de esgoto por associação com resíduo vegetal da indústria sucro-alcooleira

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)