Low-cost bacterial nanocellulose-based interdigitated biosensor to detect the p53 cancer biomarker.

Low-cost sensors to detect cancer biomarkers with high sensitivity and selectivity are essential for early diagnosis. Herein, an immunosensor was developed to detect the cancer biomarker p53 antigen in MCF7 lysates using electrical impedance spectroscopy. Interdigitated electrodes were screen printed on bacterial nanocellulose substrates, then coated with a matrix of layer-by-layer films of chitosan and chondroitin sulfate onto which a layer of anti-p53 antibodies was adsorbed. The immunosensing performance was optimized with a 3-bilayer matrix, with detection of p53 in MCF7 cell lysates at concentrations between 0.01 and 1000 Ucell. mL-1, and detection limit of 0.16 Ucell mL-1. The effective buildup of the immunosensor on bacterial nanocellulose was confirmed with polarization-modulated infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and surface energy analysis. In spite of the high sensitivity, full selectivity with distinction of the p53-containing cell lysates and possible interferents required treating the data with a supervised machine learning approach based on decision trees. This allowed the creation of a multidimensional calibration space with 11 dimensions (frequencies used to generate decision tree rules), with which the classification of the p53-containing samples can be explained.

Insight on açaí seed biomass economy and waste cooking oil: Eco-sorbent castor oil-based.

The reuse of açaí seeds is an organic approach for valorizing biomass, encouraging the public policies of circular economy, which reduces the human impact on the production chain processes. This research proposes an alternative for açaí seed as a filler in castor oil-based polyurethane, obtaining eco-sorbent to evaluate the sorption capacity for another impactful food industry by-product: waste cooking oil (WCO). Eco-sorbents were obtained with castor oil based-polyol and isocyanate (MDI) by mass mixing equal to 1:1 (OH:NCO), reinforced with açaí seed residue (5-20 wt%). The samples were characterized by techniques scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), apparent density, contact angle, infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Sorption capacity and efficiency were evaluated as a function of the fiber content, with tests performed in times of 30-180 s in two systems: oil and oil/water. The results showed that the eco-sorbents had a hydrophobic nature (θ > 98.3°) and macroporous morphology (pore size from 152 to 119 µm), which allowed the adsorption of residual cooking oil by the porous structure. The kinetics study showed that the sample with greater fiber content (15% wt.) reached the equilibrium in a short time compared to the neat PU for the oil system, with a sorption capacity of 9.50 g g-1 in the first 30 s. For the oil/water system, an opposite behavior could be observed, with a sorption capacity of 9.98 g g-1 in the 150 s equilibrium time. The Langmuir isotherm model presented a maximum adsorption capacity of 10.42 g g-1. However, the Freundlich isotherm model had a better fit to the experimental data with R2 (0.97) and lower chi-square (0.159), showing favorable adsorption (n = 1.496). Thus, it was proved that the weak interactions (connection H) and the binding energy of the predominant physisorption for the oil/water system. Thus, developed eco-sorbents are an excellent option for the sorption of WCO.

Genotoxicological safety assessment of puree-only edible films from onion bulb (Allium cepa L.) for use in food packaging-related applications.

The production of films and coatings from onion (Allium cepa L.) to be applied as packaging is attractive, due to its high nutritional and therapeutic value. Also, it can collaborate to minimize environmental impacts caused by the improper disposal of products made from plastics. However, despite it being an innovative and novel proposal, onion films for the development of edible packaging should be evaluated before being considered nontoxic and safe for human consumption. Thus, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the cytotoxic and mutagenic profile of eluates of polymer films of Allium cepa L. obtained by the casting process and to verify their safety for commercial purposes. The analysis of cellular viability demonstrated greater cytotoxicity for unwashed hydrothermally treated pulp (HTP) than for films of washed hydrothermally treated pulp (W-HTP). Regarding the mutagenic activity, the HTP and W-HTP films were not able to statistically increase the frequencies of the biomarkers for chromosome damage (micronucleus test) at the tested concentrations. However, the HTP films showed signs of mutagenicity in the Ames test (gene mutations), suggesting caution in their use. The detection of genotoxicity is highly recommended in order to avoid the risk of genotoxic exposure to mutagens and carcinogens. In conclusion, the absence of mutagenicity and cytotoxicity observed in this study is extremely relevant, because it provides support for toxicogenic properties of the Allium cepa films with promising applicability in the food industry. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The bioplastics made from onion bulbs are multifunctional materials, which requires safety profile assessment. The results of the mutagenicity and cytotoxicity tests suggests that especially the W-HTP films are harmless, supporting at the first level of evidence, its safety potential to be used in the food industry (food films), biodegradable packaging, and biomaterials (substrates for drug delivery system).

Radiopacity and Chemical Assessment of New Commercial Calcium Silicate-Based Cements / Radiopacidad y Evaluación Química de Cementos Comerciales en Base a Silicato de Calcio

ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to evaluate the chemical composition and radiopacity of new calcium-silicatebased cements. Discs of 10 mm x 1 ± 0.1mm were prepared of BiodentineTM, TheraCal, Dycal and GC Fuji IX (n=5). The samples were radiographed directly on an PSP occlusal plate adjacent to an aluminium step wedge. The radiopacity of each specimen was determined according to ISO 9917/2007. Statistical analyses were carried out using ANOVA and Tukey's test at a significance level of 5 %. The chemical constitution of materials was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray element mapping. The radiopacities of the materials in decreasing order were: GC Fuji IX (3.45 ± 0.16 mm), Dycal (3.18 ± 0.17), BiodentineTM (2.79 ± 0.22), and TheraCal (2.17 ± 0.17). TheraCal showed the lowest radiopacity compared to the other materials, followed by BiodentineTM. Dycal and GC Fuji IX radiopacity values did not present significant statistical differences. Scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray analysis revealed the presence of zirconium in BiodentineTM; and strontium, barium and zirconium in TheraCal as radiopacifying elements. The new calcium silicate cements present distinctive chemical composition. BiodentineTM contains zirconium as a radiopacifying element and has higher radiopacity values than TheraCal, which contains barium and strontium as radiopacifiers.

RESUMEN: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la composición química y la radiopacidad de nuevos cementos en base a silicato de calcio. Discos de 10 mm x 1 ± 0,1 mm fueron preparados con BiodentineTM, TheraCal, Dycal y GC Fuji IX (n=5). Las muestras fueron radiografiadas directamente en una película PSP oclusal adyacente a una cuña escalonada de aluminio. La radiopacidad de cada espécimen fue determinada de acuerdo a la norma ISO 9917/ 2007. Se realizaron los análisis estadísticos con las pruebas ANOVA y test de Tukey con un nivel de significancia de 5 %. La constitución química de los materiales fue determinada con microscopía electrónica de barrido y con mapeo por análisis con dispersión de energía de rayos X. La radiopacidad de los materiales en orden decreciente fue: GC Fuji IX (3,45 ± 0,16 mm), Dycal (3,18 ± 0,7 mm), BiodentineTM (2,79 ± 0,22 mm), y TheraCal (2,17 ± 0,17 mm). TheraCal mostró la menor radiopacidad comparada con los otros materiales, seguido de BiodentineTM. Los valores de radiopacidad de Dycal y GC Fuji IX no presentaron diferencias estadísticas significativas. Los análisis de microscopía electrónica de barrido y mapeo por análisis con dispersión de energía de rayos X revelaron la presencia de zirconio en BiodentineTM; y de estroncio, bario y zirconio en TheraCal, como elementos radiopacos. Los nuevos cementos en base a silicato de calcio presentan una composición química distintiva. BiodentineTM contienen zirconio como elemento que provee radiopacidad y tiene mayor valor de radiopacidad que TheraCal, el cual contiene bario y estroncio como agente radiopaco.