Evaluation of tissue reaction, cell viability and cytokine production induced by Sealapex Plus

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), Sealapex, and a combination of Sealapex and MTA (Sealapex Plus) on the reaction of subcutaneous connective tissue of rats, and on cell viability and cytokine production in mouse fibroblasts. The tissue reaction was carried out with dentin tubes containing the materials implanted in the dorsal connective tissue of rats. The histological analysis was performed after 7 and 30 days. Millipore culture plate inserts with polyethylene tubes filled with materials were placed into 24-well cell culture plates with mouse fibroblasts to evaluate the cell viability by MTT assay. ELISA assays were also performed after 24 h of exposure of the mouse fibroblasts to set material disks. Histopathologic examination showed Von Kossa-positive granules that were birefringent to polarized light for all the studied materials at the tube openings. No material inhibited the cell viability in the in vitro test. It was detected IL-6 production in all root-end filling materials. MTA and Sealapex Plus induced a slight raise of mean levels of IL-1β. The results suggest that Sealapex Plus is biocompatible and stimulates the mineralization of the tissue.

Germinação e vigor de sementes de crambe sob estresse hídrico

This study aimed to evaluate crambe seeds germination and vigor under water stress conditions induced by polyethylene glycol solutions. The seeds were germinated on substrate moistened with polyethylene glycol solutions, using the osmotic potentials of 0 (control), -0.2, -0.4, -0.6, -0.8, -1.0, -1.2 and -1.4 MPa. The seeds germination was evaluated by normal seedlings and root emission percentages. Vigor was evaluated by germination average time, relative frequency, velocity and synchronization index. It was observed that more negative osmotic potential caused significant reduction in crambe seed germination and vigor, and no normal seedlings was observed at potentials below -0.6 MPa.

Performance of cultivars of crisp mini-lettuce with respect to ground cover and spacing, in three planting times

The planting of lettuce in greenhouses, as well as covering beds with a polyethylene sheet, is a viable technology, promoting improvements in microclimatic conditions of the environment. In view of the little information on mini-lettuce, the aim of this work was to evaluate the performance of three cultivars of crisp minilettuce ('Green Frizzly', 'Red Frizzly no. 1' and 'Red Frizzly no. 2') with and without ground cover, under different spacings (20 × 15 cm and 20 × 20 cm), in three planting times (1: November 16, 2004; 2: December 17, 2004; and 3: January 20, 2005). The study was conducted in a greenhouse at UNESP-FCAV, Jaboticabal-SP. The experiments were carried out using a randomized block design, following a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial scheme with 12 treatments and three repetitions. The characteristics evaluated were plant height (cm), head diameter (cm), fresh weight (g) and number of leaves per plant. Planting time 3 was shown to be favorable for all the characteristics analyzed. 'Red Frizzly no. 2' was found to be the most suited to planting time 1, and for planting times 2 and 3, this cultivar did not differ from 'Red Frizzly no. 1'. The factor ground cover was not found to affect the characteristics evaluated, and therefore, cultivation without ground cover is recommended. The spacing 20 × 15 cm was shown to be favorable, resulting in cultivation with the highest populations, thereby increasing productivity. Based on the results obtained and for the conditions in which the experiment was conducted, it can be concluded that: planting time 3 (January 20, 2005) was the most favorable; the cultivars 'Red Frizzly no. 2' and 'Red Frizzly no. 1' are adapted to all the planting times; and cultivation without ground cover using a spacing of 20 × 15 cm was the most suitable.

Detection of buried pipes using a shear wave ground surface vibration technique

A major UK initiative, entitled 'Mapping the Underworld', is seeking to address the serious social, environmental and economic consequences arising from an inability to locate the buried utility service infrastructure without resorting to extensive excavations. Mapping the Underworld aims to develop and prove the efficacy of a multi-sensor device for accurate remote buried utility service detection, location and, where possible, identification. One of the technologies to be incorporated in the device is low-frequency vibro-acoustics, and the application of this technology for detecting buried infrastructure is currently being investigated. Here, a shear wave ground vibration technique for detecting buried pipes is described. For this technique, shear waves are generated at the ground surface, and the resulting ground surface vibrations measured, using geophones, along a line traversing the anticipated run of the pipe. Measurements were made at a test site with a single pressurized polyethylene mains water pipe. Time-extended signals were employed to generate the illuminating wave. Cross-correlation functions between the measured ground velocities and a reference measurement adjacent to the excitation were then calculated and summed using a stacking method to generate a cross-sectional image of the ground. The wide cross-correlation peaks caused by high ground attenuation were partially compensated for by using a generalized cross-correlation function called the smoothed coherence transform. To mitigate the effects of other potential sources of vibration in the vicinity, the excitation signal was used as an additional reference when calculating the generalized cross-correlation functions. For two out of three tests, the pipe was detected, indicating that this technique will be a valuable addition to the Mapping the Underworld armoury.

Ureasil-polyether hybrid film-forming materials

The objectives of this work were to study the suitability and highlight the advantages of the use of cross-linked ureasil-polyether hybrid matrices as film-forming systems. The results revealed that ureasil-polyethers are excellent film-forming systems due to specific properties, such as their biocompatibility, their cosmetic attractiveness for being able to form thin and transparent films, their short drying time to form films and their excellent bioadhesion compared to the commercial products known as strong adhesives. Rheological measurements have demonstrated the ability of these hybrid matrices to form a film in only a few seconds and Water Vapor Transmitting Rate (WVTR) showed adequate semi-occlusive properties suggesting that these films could be used as skin and wound protectors. Both the high skin bioadhesion and non-cytotoxic character seems to be improved by the presence of multiple amine groups in the hybrid molecules. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.

Degree of conversion of polymer-matrix composite assessed by FTIR analysis

Aims and objectives: The behavior of polymer-matrix composite is dependent on the degree of conversion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of conversion of two resin cements following storage at 37°C immediately, 24 and 48 hours, and 7 days after light-curing by FTIR analysis. Materials and methods: The specimens were made in a metallic mold and cured with blue LED with power density of 500 mW/cm2 for 30 seconds. The specimens were pulverized, pressed with KBr and analyzed with FTIR following storage times. Statistical analysis used: ANOVA (two-way) and Tukey's post hoc. Results: To the polymer-matrix composites between 24 and 48 hours does not show a significant increase (p > 0.05), however, the highest values were found after 7 days. Conclusion: The polymer-matrix composites used in this study showed similarity on the degree of conversion and increased of according to the time of storage.

Intensified peginterferon α-2a dosing increases sustained virologic response rates in heavy, high viral load hepatitis c genotype 1 patients with high low-density lipoprotein

BACKGROUND AND GOAL: Patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) with elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels achieve higher sustained virologic response (SVR) rates after peginterferon (PegIFN)/ribavirin treatment versus patients with lower LDL. Our aim was to determine whether SVR rates in patients with low/elevated LDL can be improved by dose intensification. STUDY: In PROGRESS, genotype 1 patients with baseline HCV RNA≥400,000 IU/mL and body weight ≥85 kg were randomized to 48 weeks of 180 μg/wk PegIFN α-2a (40 kDa) plus ribavirin (A: 1200 mg/d; B: 1400/1600 mg/d) or 12 weeks of 360 μg/wk PegIFN α-2a followed by 36 weeks of 180 μg/wk, plus ribavirin (C: 1200 mg/d; D: 1400/1600 mg/d). This retrospective analysis assessed SVR rates among patients with low (<100 mg/dL) or elevated (≥100 mg/dL) LDL. Patients with high LDL (n=256) had higher baseline HCV RNA (5.86×10 IU/mL) versus patients with low LDL (n=262; 4.02×10 IU/mL; P=0.0003). RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression analysis identified a significant interaction between PegIFN α-2a dose and LDL levels on SVR (P=0.0193). The only treatment-related SVR predictor in the nested multiple logistic regression was PegIFN α-2a dose among patients with elevated LDL (P=0.0074); therefore, data from the standard (A+B) and induction (C+D) dose arms were pooled. Among patients with low LDL, SVR rates were 40% and 35% in the standard and induction-dose groups, respectively; SVR rates in patients with high LDL were 44% and 60% (P=0.014), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Intensified dosing of PegIFN α-2a increases SVR rates in patients with elevated LDL even with the difficult-to-cure characteristics of genotype 1, high baseline viral load, and high body weight. Copyright © 2013 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Biocompatibility and biomineralization assessment of a new root canal sealer and root-end filling material

Objective: This study investigated the short-term subcutaneous tissue reaction and biomineralization ability of two epoxy-based root canal sealers containing calcium hydroxide (MBP and MBPc) and ProRoot MTA. Materials and methods: Polyethylene tubes containing the materials were implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of Wistar rats (n = 52) for 7 or 30 days; empty implanted tubes served as controls. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and von Kossa stain or left unstained for observation under polarized light. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of all tissue reactions were performed. One-way anova and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis (P < 0.05). Results: No significant differences were observed among the groups. All three materials induced mild-to-moderate tissue reactions at 7 days, which decreased over time. Dystrophic mineralization and birefringent structures were observed only in the ProRoot MTA ® group. Conclusion: Both MBP and MBPc appear to be biocompatible but do not stimulate biomineralization. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Rheological behavior of binary aqueous solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) of 1500 g·mol-1 as affected by temperature and polymer concentration

The rheological behavior of poly(ethylene glycol) of 1500 g·mol -1(PEG1500) aqueous solutions with various polymer concentrations (w = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20 and 0.25) was studied at different temperatures (T = 283.15, 288.15, 293.15, 298.15 and 303.15) K. The analyses were carried out considering shear rates ranging from (20 to 350) s-1, using a cone-and-plate rheometer under controlled stress and temperature. Classical rheological models (Newton, Bingham, Power Law, Casson, and Herschel-Bulkley) were tested. The Power Law model was shown suitable to mathematically represent the rheological behavior of these solutions. Well-adjusted empirical models were derived for consistency index variations in function of temperature (Arrhenius-type model; R2 > 0.96), polymer concentration (exponential model; R2 > 0.99) or the combination of both (R 2 > 0.99). Additionally, linear models were used to represent the variations of behavior index in the functions of temperature (R2 > 0.83) and concentration (R2 > 0.87). © 2013 American Chemical Society.

Estádios de maturação de pêssegos 'Aurora-1' para o processamento mínimo

The experiment aimed to verify the effect of maturation stage on the quality of minimally processed peaches. Fruits were used in two stages of maturity, on time corresponding to the background color yellow-green, and mature, which corresponds completely to the background color yellow. The minimum process consisted of washing, sanitizing, enzyme peel, cut lengthwise and removed the stone fruits. Halves obtained were immersed in water chlorinated to 10 mg L-1 of water and left on standing to drain the excess liquid. Afterwards, it was proceeded the packaging of the halves in containers of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and with transparent lid, and the storage at 3 ± 2 ° C and RH = 65% for 12 days, with assessments every three days. The variables evaluated were appearance, weight loss, firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity, soluble and reduced sugars, ascorbic acid, total and soluble pectin, coloring and activity of polyphenoloxidase. The storage of minimally processed peaches 'Aurora-1' mature harvested was limited mainly by the loss of freshness and firmness, and because they have darker appearance, and lower levels of reduced sugars and ascorbic acid. Peaches 'Aurora-1', harvested at the maturity stage on time, had better quality and longer duration of their minimally processed products.

Synthesis of PTSH-modified CeO2 nanoparticles: Effect of the modifier on structure, optical properties, and dispersibility

CeO2 nanoparticles were synthesized by the precipitation method and modified with para-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSH), either in situ or post-synthesis. The presence of PTSH in the samples was confirmed by FTIR. PXRD and FTIR analyses showed that the post-synthesis PTSH modification altered the CeO2 structure, whereas the in situ modification maintained intact the crystalline structure and UV-vis absorbance properties. For both in situ and post-synthesis modifications, TEM images revealed the presence of nanoparticles that were 5nm in size. The dispersibility of the in situ PTSH-modified material in a hydrophilic ureasil-poly(ethylene oxide) matrix was investigated using SAXS measurements, which indicated that CeO2 nanoparticles modified with PTSH in situ were less aggregated within the matrix, compared to unmodified CeO2 nanoparticles. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Structural characteristics of P123-modified supercritical drying and hydrophobic ambient pressure drying aerogels

Supercritical drying (SCD) and hydrophobic ambient pressure drying (APD) aerogels were prepared from hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane in solutions of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) (P123) in the range of composition below the threshold for the ordered mesoporous silica precipitation. APD was carried out after silylation of wet gels with trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) or hexamethyldisilazane (HMDZ). The samples were analyzed by small-angle X-ray scattering and nitrogen adsorption. Wet gels are formed by mass-fractal domains, with fractal dimension close to 2, and larger pores superposing the pores belonging to the fractal structure in case of high P123 concentrations. Aerogels exhibit smaller-sized mass-fractal domains with larger mass-fractal dimension accounting for some porosity elimination on drying. The pore volume of the aerogels increases significantly with the P123 amount and it is even larger in the APD aerogels than in the SCD aerogels. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Design of biogas pipeline - Energy and sanitation

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

PEGylation of SPIONs by polycondensation reactions: A new strategy to improve colloidal stability in biological media

In this study, we report on a new route of PEGylation of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) by polycondensation reaction with carboxylate groups. Structural and magnetic characterizations were performed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The XRD confirmed the spinel structure with a crystallite average diameter in the range of 3.5-4.1 nm in good agreement with the average diameter obtained by TEM (4.60-4.97 nm). The TGA data indicate the presence of PEG attached onto the SPIONs' surface. The SPIONs were superparamagnetic at room temperature with saturation magnetization (M S) from 36.7 to 54.1 emu/g. The colloidal stability of citrate- and PEG-coated SPIONs was evaluated by means of dynamic light scattering measurements as a function of pH, ionic strength, and nature of dispersion media (phosphate buffer and cell culture media). Our findings demonstrated that the PEG polymer chain length plays a key role in the coagulation behavior of the Mag-PEG suspensions. The excellent colloidal stability under the extreme conditions we evaluated, such as high ionic strength, pH near the isoelectric point, and cell culture media, revealed that suspensions comprising PEG-coated SPION, with PEG of molecular weight 600 and above, present steric stabilization attributed to the polymer chains attached onto the surface of SPIONs. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.

The use of NaOCl in combination with CHX produces cytotoxic product

Objectives: The combination of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and chlorhexidine (CHX) yields a precipitate potentially toxic (PPT). The aim of this study was to evaluate the tissue response to implanted polyethylene tubes filled with PPT-soaked fibrin sponge. Methods: Forty rats received four polyethylene tubes each; each tube was filled with fibrin sponge soaked by 2.5 % NaOCl, 2.0 % CHX, PPT (2.5 % NaOCl plus 2.0 % CHX), or not soaked (control). The observation time points were 7, 15, 30, 60, and 90 days. At each time point, eight animals were killed, and the tubes and surrounding tissues were removed, fixed, and prepared for light microscopic analysis by performing glycol methacrylate embedding, serial cutting into 3-μm sections, and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the reactions were performed. Results were statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.05). Results: All chemical solutions caused moderate reactions at 7 days. On day 30, PPT group was more cytotoxic than the control group and the CHX group (p < 0.05). On days 15 and 60, PPT group was more cytotoxic than the control group (p < 0.05). On day 90, there was no statistically significant difference between the different groups. Conclusion: PPT is more cytotoxic than NaOCl and CHX alone, particularly in the short term. Clinical significance: Protocols which suggest the use of CHX and NaOCl must be revised because this mixture produces cytotoxic product. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.