Antimicrobial Brazilian propolis (EPP-AF) containing biocellulose membranes as promising biomaterial for skin wound healing

Among remarkable discoveries concerning propolis, such as antifungal, antiviral, and antioxidant activities, its anti-inflammatory, and mainly its antibacterial, properties deserve special attention when skin wound healing is concerned. Based on this and knowing the distinctive performance of bacterial (BC) membranes on wound healing, in this work it is proposed to demonstrate the potent antimicrobial activity and wound healing properties of a novel propolis containing biocellulose membrane. The obtained propolis/BC membrane was able to adsorb propolis not only on the surface, but also in its interstices demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermogravidimetric assays. Additionally, the polyphenolic compounds determination and the prominent antibacterial activity in the membrane are demonstrated to be dose dependent, supporting the possibility of obtaining propolis/BC membranes at the desired concentrations, taking into consideration its application and its skin residence time. Finally, it could be suggested that propolis/BC membrane may favor tissue repair in less time and more effectively in contaminated wounds. © 2013 Hernane da Silva Barud et al.

Lipid metabolism of commercial layers fed diets containing aflatoxin, fumonisin, and a binder

Aflatoxins (AF) and fumonisins (FU) are a major problem faced by poultry farmers, leading to huge economic losses. This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of AF (1 mg/kg of feed) and FU (25 mg/kg of feed), singly or in combination, on the lipid metabolism in commercial layers and investigate the efficacy of a commercial binder (2 kg/t of feed) on reducing the toxic effects of these mycotoxins. A total of 168 Hisex Brown layer hens, 37 wk of age, were randomized into a 3 × 2 + 1 factorial arrangement (3 diets with no binder containing AF, FU, and AF+FU; 3 diets with binder containing AF, FU, and AF+FU; and a control diet with no mycotoxins and binders), totaling 7 treatments. The hens contaminated with AF showed the characteristic effects of aflatoxicosis, such as a yellow liver, resulting from the accumulation of liver fat, lower values of plasma very low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides, and higher relative weight of the kidneys and liver. Hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of FU were not observed in this study. On the other hand, the FU caused a reduction in small intestine length and an increase in abdominal fat deposition. The glucan-based binder prevented some of the deleterious effects of these mycotoxins, particularly the effects of AF on hepatic lipid metabolism, kidney relative weight, and FU in the small intestine. © 2013 Poultry Science Association Inc.

Mechanical properties of vulcanized natural rubber nanocomposites containing functional ceramic nanoparticles

Rubber nanocomposites containing different concentrations of ferroelectric and paramagnetic nanoparticles were fabricated. Nanostructures of ferroelectric potassium strontium niobate and paramagnetic nickel-zinc ferrite were synthesized using a modified polyol method. The nanoparticle characterization was carried out by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, showing that the materials were produced with nanometer dimensions, specific crystallinity and microstrain. Mechanical tests such as hardness type Shore A, stress-strain and compression resistance were performed. They showed that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles enhance the rigidity of vulcanized films of natural rubber and this change is more pronounce for the nanocomposites formed with ferrite nanoparticles, likely due to the effect of its morphological and surface properties. © 2013 by American Scientific Publishers.

Structure, characterization and near-infrared emission of a novel 6-connected uninodal 3D network of Nd(III) containing 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylate anion

The novel coordination polymer with the formula {[Nd2(2,5-tdc)3(dmf)2(H2O)2].dmf.H2O}n (2,5-tdc2-=2,5-thiophedicarboxylate anion and dmf=dimethylformamide) has been synthesized and characterized by thermal analysis (TG/DTA), vibrational spectroscopy (FTIR) and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). Structure analysis reveals that Nd(III) ions show dicapped trigonal prism coordination geometry. The 2,5-tdc2- ligands connect four Nd(III) centers, adopting (κ1 - κ1) - (κ1 - κ1) - μ4 coordination mode, generating an interesting 6-connected uninodal 3D network. Photophysical properties were studied using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DR) and excitation/emission spectra. The photoluminescence data show the near infrared emission (NIR) with the characteristic 4F3/2→4IJ (J=9/2, 11/2 and 13/2) transitions of Nd(III) ion, indicating that 2,5-tdc2- is able to act as a sensitizer for emission in NIR region. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.

Some economic considerations in the design, commissioning and operation of power stations containing large generating units

Includes bibliography

Atividade biológica de gel dentifrício e enxagüatório bucal contendo extratos vegetais

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação de dentifrício com concentração reduzida de fluoreto associado ao glicerofosfato de cálcio na desmineralização do esmalte dentário in situ

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação in vitro da eficácia de dentifrícios de baixa concentração de fluoreto suplementados com hexametafosfato sobre o processo de desmineralização do esmalte

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

Avaliação in vitro do potencial anticárie e da abrasividade de dentifrícios fluoretados com pH ácido

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Avaliação in vitro da efetividade de dentifrícios de baixa concentração de fluoreto suplementados com fosfato

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito do pH e da concentração de fluoreto presente em dentifrícios na incorporação de fluoreto pela saliva, biofilme e fluido do biofilme

Pós-graduação em Ciência Odontólogica - FOA

Efeito da incorporação de cálcio e fosfato em dentifrícios fluoretados com baixa concentração na eficácia anticárie

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Modelo in situ de remineralização para determinar dose-resposta com dentifrícios de baixa concentração de fluoreto utilizando esmalte bovino

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Avaliação in situ da capacidade remineralizadora de selantes que contenham fosfato de cálcio amorfo e/ou fluoreto

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Incorporação de flúor no biofilme dentário e fluido do biofilme após o uso de dentifrícios convencional e com concentração reduzida de flúor, em comunidades com diferentes níveis de flúor na água de abastecimento

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