Morphological study of electrospun chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/glycerol nanofibres for skin care applications.

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of formulation and procedure parameters in obtaining thick and continuous chitosan/PVA/glycerol nanofibres to be applied in skin care. For that, the polymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and size-exclusion chromatography. After this, 96 chitosan/PVA/glycerol nanofibre scaffolds were prepared by electrospinning method, using factorial designs. The independent variables were crude and pure chitosan, 2 brands of PVA, 2 needle gauges, high and low polymer concentration, high and low glycerol concentration, and final solution with and without ultrafiltration. Morphological analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and confocal microscopy. The best sample (NF67) presented an average thickness of 268.3 nm, uniform distribution, and high yield. It was obtained at a 1:3.5 (crude chitosan: PVA with lower molecular weight, but more hydrolysed) ratio and lower glycerol concentration, suggesting that the degree of hydrolysis of the PVA is more important than its molecular weight for obtaining better quality nanofibres and that the glycerol also makes the electrospinning process difficult. Thus, it was possible to choose parameters that provide scaffolds that could be applied as a matrix extracellular-like material in wound healing.

Caracterização dos distúrbios da regulação ácido-base: uma abordagem didática e intuitiva / Characterization of acid-base regulation disorders: a didactic and intuitive approach

Em humanos, o pH sanguíneo é mantido em uma faixa estreita, entre 7,35 e 7,45. Diferentes mecanismos bioquímicos, de forma harmônica, atuam para a manutenção do pH fisiológico. Múltiplos processos patológicos podem promover alterações no pH e nos gases sanguíneos, caracterizando acidose (pH <7,35) ou alcalose (pH >7,45). A ruptura da homeostasia do pH é identificada pela medição do pH, pressão parcial de dióxido de carbono (pCO2), concentração do bicarbonato (HCO3-) e, adicionalmente, com a pressão de oxigênio (pO2) em sangue arterial, processo descrito como gasometria arterial. Este artigo revisa os principais elementos associados a compreensão das alterações e tem como objetivo central apresentar uma abordagem didática e intuitiva para a caracterização destes distúrbios; e também comenta sobre ferramentais digitais destinadas a interpretações das alterações da gasometria arterial que também são abordados, como programas para computadores em ambiente web e aplicativos para telefonia móvel.

In humans, blood pH is kept in a narrow range, between 7.35 to 7.45. Different biochemical mechanisms, in a harmonic way, act to maintain the physiological pH. Multiple pathological processes can promote changes in pH and blood gases, characterizing acidosis (pH <7.35) or alkalosis (pH> 7.45). The rupture of pH homeostasis is identified by measuring pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), bicarbonate concentration (HCO3 - and, in addition, with the pressure of oxygen (pO2) in arterial blood, a process described as gasometry arterial. This article reviews the main elements associated with the understanding of acid-base changes and aims to present a didactic and intuitive approach to the characterization of these disorders; and also comments on digital tools for the interpretation of alterations in arterial blood gases are also covered, such as programs for computers in a web environment and applications for mobile phone.

Influence of mechanical pretreatment to isolate cellulose nanocrystals by sulfuric acid hydrolysis.

The mechanical pretreatments intensities on characteristics of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) prior to acid hydrolysis was evaluated. The cellulose was submitted to mechanical pretreatment as: magnetic stirring (CNCst), blending (CNCbl) or grinding by 20 (CNC20x) and 40 (CNC40x) passages in a super mass colloid mill. Then, all samples were submitted to H2SO4 hydrolysis and the CNC were evaluated by total mass yield (TMY%), rheological behavior, size distribution for width/length (WD), crystallinity index (CI%), OSO3- substitution degree (SD) and zeta potential (ζ). After hydrolysis samples exhibited the same SD (190 ±â€¯5 mMol·kg-1), ζ (-55 ±â€¯3 mV) and CI% (65 ±â€¯2), differing only in TMY% and WD. The CNCst showed TMY% of 85%, WD of 8 ±â€¯5 nm and 100-800 nm, with presence of cellulose nanofibers (CNF), suggesting incomplete hydrolysis. The CNCbl and CNC20x revealed TMY% of 65 ±â€¯1, but differed in WD of 8 ±â€¯5 nm and 300 ±â€¯200 nm and 8 ±â€¯5 nm and 200 ±â€¯170 nm, respectively. The results showed that the grinding mechanical pretreatment is mandatory for CNF isolation, but not for CNC. Stability profile after the hydrolytic procedure, CI%, morphology and similar character generated CNC with adequate features and good yield, by simple mechanical stirring or blending, reducing the production's cost and allowing industrial-scale production.

Bacterial cellulose in biomedical applications: A review.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) derived materials represents major advances to the current regenerative and diagnostic medicine. BC is a highly pure, biocompatible and versatile material that can be utilized in several applications - individually or in the combination with different components (e.g. biopolymers and nanoparticles) - to provide structural organization and flexible matrixes to distinct finalities. The wide application and importance of BC is described by its common utilization as skin repair treatments in cases of burns, wounds and ulcers. BC membranes accelerate the process of epithelialization and avoid infections. Furthermore, BC biocomposites exhibit the potential to regulate cell adhesion, an important characteristic to scaffolds and grafts; ultra-thin films of BC might be also utilized in the development of diagnostic sensors for its capability in immobilizing several antigens. Therefore, the growing interest in BC derived materials establishes it as a great promise to enhance the quality and functionalities of the current generation of biomedical materials.

Piezoelectric immunochip coated with thin films of bacterial cellulose nanocrystals for dengue detection.

Low-cost piezoelectric devices, such as simple frequency monitoring quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) devices, have good clinical utility as fast diagnostic tools for the detection of several diseases. However, unspecific antigen recognition, poor molecular probe adsorption and the need for sample dilution are still common drawbacks that hinder their use in routine diagnosis. In this work, piezoelectric sensors were previously coated with thin films of bacterial cellulose nanocrystals (CN) to provide a more sensitive and adapted interface for the attachment of monoclonal immunoglobulin G (IgGNS1) and to favor specific detection of non-structural protein 1 (NS1) of dengue fever. The assembly of the immunochip surface was analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and the NS1 detection was followed by quartz crystal microbalance with (QCM-D) and without energy dissipation monitoring (QCM). The CN surface was able to immobilize 2.30±0.5mgm-2 of IgGNS1, as confirmed by AFM topography and phase images along with QCM-D. The system was able to detect the NS1 protein in serum with only 10-fold dilution in the range of 0.01-10µgmL-1 by both QCM and QCM-D. The limits of detection of the two devices were 0.1µgmL-1 for QCM-D and 0.32µgmL-1 for QCM. As a result, QCM-D and QCM apparatuses can be used to follow NS1 recognition and have good potential for more sensitive, fast and/or less expensive diagnostic assays for dengue.

Avaliação da estabilidade dimensional de diferentes marcas de silicone por reação de condensação ­ estudo in vitro / Assessment of the dimensional stability of distinct condensation silicone trademarks ­ an in vitro study

Na prática odontológica, o vazamento de gesso nos moldes é muitas vezes tardio, e a maioria é enviada ao laboratório para verter o gesso em até 72 horas. Portanto, os profissionais devem ficar cientes do tempo de atraso tolerável para o qual o material de moldagem permanecerá dimensionalmente preciso. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a alteração dimensional de quatro marcas comerciais de silicone por reação de condensação: Speedex (Vigodent)®, Coltex/Coltoflax (Vigodent)®, Clonage (Nova DFL)® e Zetaplus/Oranwash (Zhermack)®, em função de seis diferentes tempos de vazamento de gesso, e sugerir o tempo máximo de armazenagem dos moldes. Para isso, foi confeccionado um modelo mestre com três cilindros metálicos, fixados em região de rebordo alveolar de uma maxila em acrílico, e 12 moldeiras individuais. A técnica de moldagem utilizada foi a do material em consistência densa e fluida em dois estágios. foram obtidos 72 modelos em gesso GC fujirock® EP melhorado tipo IV, os quais foram mensurados com paquímetro digital Mytutoyo®. Os resultados foram comparados ao modelo controle e aplicados ao teste de hipóteses "t de student". Concluiu-se que as marcas comerciais de silicone por reação de condensação Zetaplus® e Clonage® apresentaram modelos experimentais que não diferiram estatisticamente do modelo mestre para todos os tempos estudados. Já as marcas comerciais Coltex Coltoflax® e Speedex® apresentaram-se estatisticamente diferentes ao modelo mestre nos maiores tempos de armazenamento.

In dental practice, plaster casting is often late, and most are sent to the laboratory to pour the plaster in up to 72 hours. Therefore professionals should be aware of the tolerable delay time for which the molding material will remain dimensionally accurate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the dimensional alteration of four commercial brands of silicone by condensation reaction, Speedex (Vigodent)®, Coltex / Coltoflax (Vigodent)®,Clonage (Nova DFL)®, Zetaplus / Oranwash (Zhermack)®, in function of six different casting times, and suggest the maximum storage time of the molds. Therefore, a master model with three metal cylinders was made, fixed in the alveolar ridge region of an acrylic jaw, and 12 individual trays. The technique of molding used was that of the material in dense consistency and fluid in two stages. A total of 72 GC fujirock® EP improved plaster models were obtained, which were measured using a Mytutoyo® digital caliper. The results were compared to the control model and the "t student" hypothesis test was applied. It was concluded that the trademarks of silicone by condensation reaction Zetaplus® and Clonage® presented experimental models that did not differ statistically from the master model for all the studied times. Coltex Coltoflax® and Speedex® trademarks were statistically different from the master model in the longest storage times.

Lysozyme-triggered epidermal growth factor release from bacterial cellulose membranes controlled by smart nanostructured films.

A novel wound-dressing biodevice, sensitive to lysozyme, an enzyme commonly found at infected skin wounds, was assembled by the layer-by-layer deposition of nanopolymeric chitosan and alginate films onto oxidized bacterial cellulose membranes incorporated with epidermal growth factor (EGF). Distinct EGF release profiles were obtained according to specific stimuli caused by infection. In in vitro conditions simulating noninfected wounds, the EGF rate and burst release effect were reduced by three deposited layers (Mt /M∞ of 0.25 at 3 h) in a process dependent on the porosity of the compact chitosan-alginate complex. The importance of the organized structure was revealed when an infected wound was simulated by adding lysozyme to the release medium, thus inducing the formation of a loosely polyelectrolyte architecture that caused rapid EGF diffusion (Mt /M∞ of 0.75 at 30 min). The results indicate that the nanopolymeric layers were capable of slowly releasing EGF as required for normal wound repair and rapidly undergoing architectural transitions that allow the diffusion of massive amounts of drug to enhance the process of re-epithelialization. In summary, the proposed system comprises the roles of both wound dressing and local delivery mechanism to recognize infections and respond with a burst of EGF release.