Facile Formation of Sulfurized Nanorod-Like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 and Hierarchical Flower-Like γ-Zn(OH)2 /ϵ-Zn(OH)2 from a Green Synthesis and Application as Luminescent Solar Concentrator.

This research endeavors to overcome the significant challenge of developing materials that simultaneously possess photostability and photosensitivity to UV-visible irradiation. Sulfurized nanorod (NR)-like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 and hierarchical flower-like γ-Zn(OH)2 /ϵ-Zn(OH)2 were identified from XRD diffraction patterns and Raman vibrational modes. The sulfurized material, observed by FEG-SEM and TEM, showed diameters ranging from 10 and 40 nm and lengths exceeding 200 nm. The S2- ions intercalated Zn2+ , modulating NRs to dumbbell-like microrods. SAED and HRTEM illustrated the atomic structure in (101) crystal plane. Its direct band gap of 3.0 eV was attributed to the oxygen vacancies, which also contribute to the deep-level emissions at 422 and 485 nm. BET indicated specific surface area of 4.4 m2 g-1 and pore size as mesoporosity, which are higher compared to the non-sulfurized analogue. These findings were consistent with the observed photocurrent, photostability and photoluminescence (PL), further supporting the suitability of sulfurized NR-like ZnO/Zn(OH)2 as a promising candidate for Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC)-photovoltaic (PV) system.

Designing Highly Photoactive Hybrid Aerogels for In-Flow Photocatalytic Contaminant Removal Using Silica-Coated Bacterial Nanocellulose Supports.

This study explores the use of silica-coated bacterial nanocellulose (BC) scaffolds with bulk macroscopic yet nanometric internal pores/structures as functional supports for high surface area titania aerogel photocatalysts to design flexible, self-standing, porous, and recyclable BC@SiO2-TiO2 hybrid organic-inorganic aerogel membranes for effective in-flow photo-assisted removal of organic pollutants. The hybrid aerogels were prepared by sequential sol-gel deposition of the SiO2 layer over BC, followed by coating of the resulting BC@SiO2 membranes with a porous titania aerogel overlayer of high surface area using epoxide-driven gelation, hydrothermal crystallization, and subsequent supercritical drying. The silica interlayer between the nanocellulose biopolymer scaffold and the titania photocatalyst was found to greatly influence the structure and composition, particularly the TiO2 loading, of the prepared hybrid aerogel membranes, allowing the development of photochemically stable aerogel materials with increased surface area/pore volume and higher photocatalytic activity. The optimized BC@SiO2-TiO2 hybrid aerogel showed up to 12 times faster in-flow photocatalytic removal of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution in comparison with bare BC/TiO2 aerogels and outperformed most of the supported-titania materials reported earlier. Moreover, the developed hybrid aerogels were successfully employed to remove sertraline drug, a model emergent contaminant, from aqueous solution, thus further demonstrating their potential for water purification.

Review of Bacterial Nanocellulose as Suitable Substrate for Conformable and Flexible Organic Light-Emitting Diodes.

As the development of nanotechnology progresses, organic electronics have gained momentum in recent years, and the production and rapid development of electronic devices based on organic semiconductors, such as organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), and organic field effect transistors (OFETs), among others, have excelled. Their uses extend to the fabrication of intelligent screens for televisions and portable devices, due to their flexibility and versatility. Lately, great efforts have been reported in the literature to use them in the biomedical field, such as in photodynamic therapy. In tandem, there has been considerable interest in the design of advanced materials originating from natural sources. Bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) is a natural polymer synthesized by many microorganisms, notably by non-pathogenic strains of Komagataeibacter (K. xylinus, K. hansenii, and K. rhaeticus). BNC shows distinct physical and mechanical properties, including its insolubility, rapid biodegradability, tensile strength, elasticity, durability, and nontoxic and nonallergenic features, which make BNC ideal for many areas, including active and intelligent food packaging, sensors, water remediation, drug delivery, wound healing, and as conformable/flexible substrates for application in organic electronics. Here, we review BNC production methods, properties, and applications, focusing on electronic devices, especially OLEDs and flexible OLEDs (FOLEDs). Furthermore, we discuss the future progress of BNC-based flexible substrate nanocomposites.

Alzheimer's disease diagnosis based on detection of autoantibodies against Aß using Aß40 peptide in liposomes.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and affect more than 50 million people worldwide. Thus, there is a high demand by non-invasive methods for an early diagnosis. This work explores the AD diagnostic using the amyloid beta 1-40 (Aß40) peptide encapsulated into dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) liposomes and immobilized on polyethylene imine previously deposited on screen-printed carbon electrodes to detect autoantibodies against Aß40, a potential biomarker found in plasma samples. METHODS: The immunosensor assembly was accompanied by atomic force microscopy (AFM) images that showed globular aggregates from 20 to 200 nm corresponding liposomes and by cyclic voltammetry (CV) through increase of the voltammogram area each material deposited. After building the immunosensor, when it was exposed to antibody anti-Aß40, there was an increase in film roughness of approximately 9 nm, indicating the formation of the immunocomplex. RESULTS: In the detection by CV, the presence of specific antibody, in the range of 0.1 to 10 µg/ml, resulted in an increase in the voltammograms area and current in 0.45 V reaching 3.2 µA.V and 5.7 µA, respectively, in comparison with the control system, which remained almost unchanged from 0.1 µg/ml. In patient samples, both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma, was possible separated among positive and negative samples for AD using CV profile and area, with a difference of 0.1 µA.V from the upper error bar of healthy samples for CSF sample and 0.6 µA.V for plasma sample. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed the feasibility of the method employed for the non-invasive diagnostic of Alzheimer's disease detecting natural autoantibodies that circulate in plasma through a simple and easy-to-interpret method.

N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium, O-palmitoyl chitosan: Synthesis, physicochemical and biological properties.

Two samples of N-(2-hydroxy)-propyl-3-trimethylammonium, O-palmitoyl chitosan (DPCat) with different average degrees of quaternization named as DPCat35 (DQ¯ = 35%) and DPCat80 (DQ¯ = 80%), were successfully synthesized by reacting glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GTMAC) with O-palmitoyl chitosan (DPCh) derivative (DS¯ = 12%). Such amphiphilic derivatives of chitosan were fully water-soluble at 1.0 < pH < 12.0 and showed significant electrostatic stability enhancement of a self-assembly micellar nanostructure (100-320 nm) due to its positively-charged out-layer. In vitro mucoadhesive and cytotoxicity essays toward healthy fibroblast cells (Balb/C 3T3 clone A31 cell), human prostate cancer (DU145) and liver cancer (HepG2/C3A) cell lines revealed that the biological properties of DPCat derivatives were strongly dependent on DQ¯. Additionally, DPCat35 had better interactions with the biological tissue and with mucin glycoproteins at pH 7.4 as well as exhibited potential to be used on the development of drug delivery systems for prostate and liver cancer treatment.

Bacterial Nanocellulose in Dentistry: Perspectives and Challenges.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a natural polymer that has fascinating attributes, such as biocompatibility, low cost, and ease of processing, being considered a very interesting biomaterial due to its options for moldability and combination. Thus, BC-based compounds (for example, BC/collagen, BC/gelatin, BC/fibroin, BC/chitosan, etc.) have improved properties and/or functionality, allowing for various biomedical applications, such as artificial blood vessels and microvessels, artificial skin, and wounds dressing among others. Despite the wide applicability in biomedicine and tissue engineering, there is a lack of updated scientific reports on applications related to dentistry, since BC has great potential for this. It has been used mainly in the regeneration of periodontal tissue, surgical dressings, intraoral wounds, and also in the regeneration of pulp tissue. This review describes the properties and advantages of some BC studies focused on dental and oral applications, including the design of implants, scaffolds, and wound-dressing materials, as well as carriers for drug delivery in dentistry. Aligned to the current trends and biotechnology evolutions, BC-based nanocomposites offer a great field to be explored and other novel features can be expected in relation to oral and bone tissue repair in the near future.

Highlights in Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles as a Multifunctional Controlled Drug Delivery Nanoplatform for Infectious Diseases Treatment.

Infectious diseases are a major global concern being responsible for high morbidity and mortality mainly due to the development and enhancement of multidrug-resistant microorganisms exposing the fragility of medicines and vaccines commonly used to these treatments. Taking into account the scarcity of effective formulation to treat infectious diseases, nanotechnology offers a vast possibility of ground-breaking platforms to design new treatment through smart nanostructures for drug delivery purposes. Among the available nanosystems, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) stand out due their multifunctionality, biocompatibility and tunable properties make them emerging and actual nanocarriers for specific and controlled drug release. Considering the high demand for diseases prevention and treatment, this review exploits the MSNs fabrication and their behavior in biological media besides highlighting the most of strategies to explore the wide MSNs functionality as engineered, smart and effective controlled drug release nanovehicles for infectious diseases treatment. Graphical Abstract Schematic representation of multifunctional MSNs-based nanoplatforms for infectious diseases treatment.

Bacterial cellulose skin masks-Properties and sensory tests.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a versatile material produced by microorganisms in the form of a membranous hydrogel, totally biocompatible, and endowed with high mechanical strength. Its high water-holding capacity based on its highly porous nanofibrillar structure allows BC to incorporate and to release substances very fast, thus being suitable for the preparation of skincare masks. AIMS: The preparation and characterization of cosmetic masks based on BC membranes and active cosmetics. METHODS: The masks were prepared by the simple incorporation of the cosmetic actives into BC membranes, used as a swelling matrix. The masks were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), sensory tests, and skin moisture tests on volunteers. RESULTS: The results of sensory tests revealed the good performance of BC, being considered effective by the panel of volunteers, specially for adhesion to the skin (7.7 at the score scale), and improvement of the skin moisture (the hydration effect increased 76% in 75% of the volunteers that used vegetable extract mask formulation [VEM]), or a decrease in skin hydration (80% of the volunteers showed 32.6% decrease on skin hydration using propolis extract formulation [PEM] treatment), indicating the BC nanofiber membranes can be used to skincare applications. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate the BC can be used as an alternative support for cosmetic actives for skin treatment.

Desarrollo de cobertura y su evaluación en el tratamiento de las heridas crónicas / Desenvolvimento de cobertura e sua avaliação no tratamento de feridas crônicas / Development of coverage and its evaluation in the treatment of chronic wounds

Objective. To describe the development of the bacterial cellulose coating with anti-inflammatory Ibuprofen (BC/Ibu) and to evaluate the cicatrization process with its use in patients with chronic wounds of venous and diabetic etiology. Methods. Longitudinal descriptive study. The cellulose membrane, cultivated with bacteria Gluconacetobacter xylinus and with incorporation of Ibuprofen, was used in the treatment of patients with chronic wounds in public health services in a Brazilian municipality. The ideal coverage characteristics were evaluated through physical, chemical and cell proliferation tests. Results. The sample consisted of 14 patients (10 women and 4 men), 8 with venous ulcer, 5 with diabetic foot and one with mixed wound. There was reduction of area and pain in 9 lesions; total healing of 3 wounds; and debridement of the devitalized tissue in 5 wounds with increased area. The use of the membrane was important in the reduction of pain, exudation and ease in the accomplishment of the curative. Conclusion. BC/Ibu favored the cicatrization process of patients with chronic vasculogenic wounds.(AU)

Objetivo. Describir el desarrollo de la cobertura de celulosa bacteriana con antiinflamatorio Ibuprofeno (CB/Ibu) y evaluar el proceso de cicatrización en la utilización en pacientes con heridas crónicas de etiología venosa y diabética. Métodos. Estudio descriptivo longitudinal. La membrana de celulosa, cultivada con bacterias Gluconacetobacter xylinus y con incorporación del Ibuprofeno se utilizó en el tratamiento de pacientes con heridas crónicas en servicios de atención pública de un municipio brasileño. Se evaluaron características de cobertura ideal mediante pruebas físicas, químicas y de proliferación celular. Resultados. La muestra fue constituida por 14 pacientes (10 mujeres y 4 hombres): 8 con úlcera venosa, 5 con pie diabético y uno con herida mixta. Se redujo el área y el dolor en 9 lesiones; la cicatrización total de 3 heridas; y el debridamiento del tejido desvitalizado en 5 heridas con aumento del área. El uso de la membrana de celulosa disminuyó el dolor de la exudación y facilitó la realización del vendaje. Conclusión. La CB/Ibu favoreció el proceso de cicatrización de los pacientes con heridas crónicas vasculogénicas.(AU)

Objetivo. Descrever o desenvolvimento da cobertura de celulose bacteriana com anti-inflamatório Ibuprofeno (CB/Ibu) e avaliar o processo de cicatrização com a sua utilização em pacientes com feridas crônicas de etiologia venosa e diabética. Métodos. Estudo descritivo longitudinal. A membrana de celulose, cultivada com bactérias Gluconacetobacter xylinus e com incorporação do Ibuprofeno, foi utilizada no tratamento de pacientes com feridas crônicas em serviços de atendimento público de um município brasileiro. Foram avaliadas as características de cobertura ideal mediante testes físicos, químicos e de proliferação celular. Resultados. A amostra foi constituída por 14 pacientes (10 mulheres e 4 homens), sendo 8 com úlcera venosa, 5 com pé diabético e um com ferida mista. Houve redução da área e da dor em 9 lesões; cicatrização total de 3 feridas; e o debridamento do tecido desvitalizado em 5 feridas com aumento da área. O uso da membrana além da diminuição da dor, da exsudação e facilidade na realização do curativo. Conclusão. A CB/Ibu favoreceu o processo cicatrização dos pacientes com feridas crônicas vasculogênicas. (AU)

Draft Genome Sequence of Komagataeibacter intermedius Strain AF2, a Producer of Cellulose, Isolated from Kombucha Tea.

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Komagataeibacter intermedius strain AF2, which was isolated from Kombucha tea and is capable of producing cellulose, although at lower levels compared to another bacterium from the same environment, K. rhaeticus strain AF1.

Draft Genome Sequence of Komagataeibacter rhaeticus Strain AF1, a High Producer of Cellulose, Isolated from Kombucha Tea.

Here, we present the draft genome sequence of Komagatabaeicter rhaeticus strain AF1, which was isolated from Kombucha tea and is capable of producing high levels of cellulose.

Sleeving nanocelluloses by admicellar polymerization.

This investigation reports the first application of admicellar polymerization to cellulose nanofibers in the form of bacterial cellulose, microfibrillated cellulose, and cellulose nanowhiskers using styrene and ethyl acrylate. The success of this physical sleeving was assessed by SEM, FTIR, and contact angle measurements, providing an original and simple approach to the modification of cellulose nanofibers in their pristine aqueous environment.

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.

Characterization and in vitro evaluation of bacterial cellulose membranes functionalized with osteogenic growth peptide for bone tissue engineering.

The aim of this study was to characterize the physicochemical properties of bacterial cellulose (BC) membranes functionalized with osteogenic growth peptide (OGP) and its C-terminal pentapeptide OGP[10-14], and to evaluate in vitro osteoinductive potential in early osteogenesis, besides, to evaluate cytotoxic, genotoxic and/or mutagenic effects. Peptide incorporation into the BC membranes did not change the morphology of BC nanofibers and BC crystallinity pattern. The characterization was complemented by Raman scattering, swelling ratio and mechanical tests. In vitro assays demonstrated no cytotoxic, genotoxic or mutagenic effects for any of the studied BC membranes. Culture with osteogenic cells revealed no difference in cell morphology among all the membranes tested. Cell viability/proliferation, total protein content, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization assays indicated that BC-OGP membranes enabled the highest development of the osteoblastic phenotype in vitro. In conclusion, the negative results of cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity indicated that all the membranes can be employed for medical supplies, mainly in bone tissue engineering/regeneration, due to their osteoinductive properties.

In vitro surface roughness of different glass ionomer cements indicated for ART restorations

Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the surface roughness of three glass ionomer cements (GICs) indicated for ART restorations. Methods: Ten cylindrical specimens of three commercial glass ionomers cements (Vidrion R - S.S. White, Maxxion R - FGM and Vitromolar DFL) were prepared (n=30) without surface finishing or protection. Twenty-four hours after preparation, the surface roughness measurements were obtained as the mean of three readings of the surface of each specimen by profilometry. The roughness values (Ra, ìm) were subjected to one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s test (p<0.05). Results: No statistically significant difference swere observed between Vidrion R (0.18 ± 0.05) and Vitromolar (0.21 ± 0.05), whereas Maxxion R presented significantly higher roughness values than those of the other materials. Conclusions: It may be concluded that characteristics of particle size and composition of the different GICs affected their surface roughness 24 h after preparation.

Estudo das alterações em esmalte de dentes decíduos após exposição a bebidas disponíveis no mercado / Study of the changes in the temporary teeth enamel after exposure to drinks available on the market

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a morfologia e rugosidade superficial do esmalte de dentes decíduos antes e após exposição a cinco diferentes soluções, incluindo bebidas industrializadas, disponíveis no mercado nacional e rotineiramente consumidas por crianças (saliva artificial, Coca-Cola, suco Kapo (sabor morango), suco Del Valle Monsters (sabor pêssego) e Yakult). Aferiu-se o pH das mesmas e 50 caninos decíduos humanos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em cinco grupos, a face vestibular de cada dente foi delimitada no seu longo eixo, uma parte foi imersa em 50 mL de solução (15 minutos) e lavada com água deionizada (15 segundos). Ambas as faces foram analisadas por meio de perfilômetro (FormTracer ? modelo SV? CS25). A análise estatística não mostrou diferença entre as faces (controle e tratada) e entre as bebidas avaliadas. A análise morfológica pela Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura mostrou diferentes padrões de perda da estrutura dental, sugerindo maior alteração morfológica quanto maior acidez da bebida. Concluiu-seque as soluções demonstraram potencial erosivo, porém não houve diferenças estatísticas entre as faces dos dentes (controle e tratada) e entre os efeitos causados pelas bebidas na superfície dental.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphology and surface texture of temporary teeth enamel before and after exposure to fi ve different solutions, including industrialized drinks, available in the national market and routinely consumed by children (artifi cial saliva, Coca-Cola,Kapo juice (strawberry fl avor), Del Valle Monsters juice (peach fl avor) and Yakult). The pH of these drinks was measured and fi fty human deciduous canines were randomly distributed intofi ve groups. The vestibular face of each tooth was delimited in its long axis, and part of it was immersed in 50 mL of solution for 15 minutes and rinsed with deionized water for 15 seconds.Both faces were analyzed through perfi lometer (FormTracer – model SV-CS25). The statistical analysis showed no differences between the faces (control and treated) and beverages evaluated. The morphological analysis by Scanning Electron Microscopy showed different dental structure loss patterns, suggesting greater morphological change in more acid beverages. So, it was concludedthat the solutions demonstrated erosive potential, but there were no statistical differences between the faces (control and treated) of human deciduous canines and the effects caused by drinks on the dental enamel surface.

External polyacrylate-coating as alternative material for preparation of photopolymerized sol-gel monolithic column.

Photopolymerized sol-gel monolithic columns for use in capillary electrochromatography were prepared in 125 microm i.d. polyacrylate-coated fused-silica capillaries. The polyacrylate-coating, unlike the polyimide one, is transparent to the radiation used (approximately 370 nm), and thus, no coating removal is necessary. This is a very important particularity since intrinsic capillary column characteristics, such as flexibility and mechanical resistance, are unchanged. A mixture containing metacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS) as the polymeric precursor, hydrochloric acid as the catalyst, toluene as the porogen and bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphine oxide (Irgacure 819) as the photoinitiator was irradiated at 370 nm for 20 min inside the capillaries to prepare the columns through sol-gel approach. The versatility and viability of the use of polyacrilate as a new capillary external coating were shown through preparation of two columns under different conditions, which were tested in electrochromatography for separation of standard mixture containing thiourea (marker compound), propylbenzene, phenanthrene and pyrene.

Pruebas fisico-quimicas y biologicas de laboratorio con preparaciones homeopaticas de Yumel / Physical chemical and biological tests of laboratory with homeopathic preparations of Yumel

Los autores desarrollaron un trabajo de investigacion en el laboratorio con preparaciones de Yumel (Guatteria gaumeri Greenman) para demostrar la accion de la dinamizacion con diferentes diluciones decimales empleando para tal analisis el espectrometro UV-Visivel y Fluorometria. Fueron realizadas tambien pruebas biologicas in vitro frente a cultivos de Trypanosoma cruzi y Trychomona vaginalis con resultados alentadores en relacion sl Trypanosoma estando en evaluacion la actividad frente a la Trychomona

Pruebas fisico-quimicas y biologicas de laboratorio con preparaciones homeopaticas de Yumel / Physical chemical and biological tests of laboratory with homeopathic preparations of Yumel

Los autores desarrollaron un trabajo de investigacion en el laboratorio con preparaciones de Yumel (Guatteria gaumeri Greenman) para demostrar la accion de la dinamizacion con diferentes diluciones decimales empleando para tal analisis el espectrometro UV-Visivel y Fluorometria. Fueron realizadas tambien pruebas biologicas in vitro frente a cultivos de Trypanosoma cruzi y Trychomona vaginalis con resultados alentadores en relacion sl Trypanosoma estando en evaluacion la actividad frente a la Trychomona(AU)

Provas Físico-Químicas e Biológicas de laboratório com preparaçöes homeopáticas de Yumel / Physicalchemical and biological laboratory samples with homeopathic preparations of Yumel

Os autores desenvolveram trabalho de pesquisa laboratorial com preparaçöes de Yumel (Guatteria gaumeri Greenman) demonstrando a açäo da dinamizaçäo sobre diferentes diluiçöes decimais empregando para tal análise espectrométrica UV-Visível e Fluorimetria. Foram também realizadas provas biológicas "in vitro" frente a culturas de Trypanosoma cruzi e Trichomonas vaginalis com resultados alentadores em relaçäo ao tripanosoma, estando em avaliaçäo a atividade frente a tricomonas