Influence of alumina substrates open porosity on calcium phosphates formation produced by the biomimetic method.

We evaluated the influence of the open porosity of alumina (Al2O3) substrates on the phase formation of calcium phosphates deposited onto it surface. The Al2O3 substrates were prepared with different porosities by the foam-gelcasting method associated with different amounts of polyethylene beads. The substrates were coated biomimetically for 14 and 21 days of incubation in a simulated body fluid (SBF). Scanning electron microscopy characterisation and X-ray computed microtomography showed that the increase in the number of beads provided an increase in the open porosity. The X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy showed that the biomimetic method was able to form different phases of calcium phosphates. It was observed that the increase in the porosity favoured the formation of ß-tricalcium phosphate for both incubation periods. The incubation period and the porosity of the substrates can influence the phases and the amount of calcium phosphates formed. Thus, it is possible to target the best application for the biomaterial produced.

Oral Films with Addition Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) as a Source of Active Compounds.

The purpose of this study was to develop oral films (OFs) based on agar-agar with the incorporation of mushroom powder (MP) as a source of phenolic compounds. To this end, three different OFs were produced using different concentrations of MP, containing sorbitol and agar-agar. The OFs were characterized based on visual assessment, mass, thickness, moisture content, folding endurance, surface pH, contact angle, and phenolic compound content, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR, as well as an assessment of their antioxidant capacity. In general, all the OFs showed film-forming capacity after the incorporation of MP, although their mass, thickness, moisture content, and folding endurance differed significantly. The surface pH value remained close to neutrality (∼6.7), regardless of MP concentration. The incorporation of MP increased the crystallinity of the OFs in comparison to that of the agar-based film, but all the OFs showed similar FTIR spectra. The oral films containing 2 g of MP showed antioxidant capacity by ABTS●+ and FRAP of 3.68±0.23 and 14.61±0.66 mMol ET/g OF, respectively, and total phenolic content of 3.55±0.27 µmol GAE/g OF. Thus, oral films offer an innovative source of delivery of active compounds, and their consumption does not cause oral mucosal irritation.

Surface modification using the biomimetic method in alumina-zirconia porous ceramics obtained by the replica method.

The modification of biomaterials approved by the Food and Drug Administration could be an alternative to reduce the period of use in humans. Porous bioceramics are widely used as support structures for bone formation and repair. This composite has essential characteristics for an implant, including good mechanical properties, high chemical stability, biocompatibility and adequate aesthetic appearance. Here, three-dimensional porous scaffolds of Al2 O3 containing 5% by volume of ZrO2 were produced by the replica method. These scaffolds had their surfaces chemically treated with phosphoric acid and were coated with calcium phosphate using the biomimetic method simulated body fluid (SBF, 5×) for 14 days. The scaffolds, before and after biomimetic coating, were characterized mechanically, morphologically and structurally by axial compression tests, scanning electron microscopy, microtomography, apparent porosity, X-ray diffractometry, near-infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and reactivity. The in vitro cell viability and formation of mineralization nodules were used to identify the potential for bone regeneration. The produced scaffols after immersion in SBF were able to induce the nodules formation. These characteristics are advantaged by the formation of different phases of calcium phosphates on the material surface in a reduced incubation period. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2615-2624, 2018.

Measuring bacterial cells size with AFM

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) can be used to obtain high-resolution topographical images of bacteria revealing surface details and cell integrity. During scanning however, the interactions between the AFM probe and the membrane results in distortion of the images. Such distortions or artifacts are the result of geometrical effects related to bacterial cell height, specimen curvature and the AFM probe geometry. The most common artifact in imaging is surface broadening, what can lead to errors in bacterial sizing. Several methods of correction have been proposed to compensate for these artifacts and in this study we describe a simple geometric model for the interaction between the tip (a pyramidal shaped AFM probe) and the bacterium (Escherichia coli JM-109 strain) to minimize the enlarging effect. Approaches to bacteria immobilization and examples of AFM images analysis are also described.

s size with AFM

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) can be used to obtain high-resolution topographical images of bacteria revealing surface details and cell integrity. During scanning however, the interactions between the AFM probe and the membrane results in distortion of the images. Such distortions or artifacts are the result of geometrical effects related to bacterial cell height, specimen curvature and the AFM probe geometry. The most common artifact in imaging is surface broadening, what can lead to errors in bacterial sizing. Several methods of correction have been proposed to compensate for these artifacts and in this study we describe a simple geometric model for the interaction between the tip (a pyramidal shaped AFM probe) and the bacterium (Escherichia coli JM-109 strain) to minimize the enlarging effect. Approaches to bacteria immobilization and examples of AFM images analysis are also described.

Measuring bacterial cells size with AFM.

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) can be used to obtain high-resolution topographical images of bacteria revealing surface details and cell integrity. During scanning however, the interactions between the AFM probe and the membrane results in distortion of the images. Such distortions or artifacts are the result of geometrical effects related to bacterial cell height, specimen curvature and the AFM probe geometry. The most common artifact in imaging is surface broadening, what can lead to errors in bacterial sizing. Several methods of correction have been proposed to compensate for these artifacts and in this study we describe a simple geometric model for the interaction between the tip (a pyramidal shaped AFM probe) and the bacterium (Escherichia coli JM-109 strain) to minimize the enlarging effect. Approaches to bacteria immobilization and examples of AFM images analysis are also described.

Fatty acid synthesis in Xylella fastidiosa: correlations between genome studies, 13C NMR data, and molecular models.

Xylella fastidiosa was the first plant pathogen to have its complete genome sequence elucidated. Routine database analyses suggested that two enzymes essential for fatty acid synthesis were missing, one of these is the holo-acyl-carrier-protein synthase. However, here we demonstrate, using (13)C NMR spectroscopy, that X. fastidiosa is indeed able to synthesize fatty acids from acetate via an apparently conventional metabolic pathway. We further identify a gene product HetI, an alternative phosphopantetheinyl transferase, which we propose to fill the missing link. Homology modeling of HetI shows conservation of the Coenzyme A binding site suggesting it to be an active enzyme and reveals several interesting structural features when compared with the surfactin synthase-activating enzyme, on which the model was built. These include a simplified topology due to N- and C-terminal deletions and the observation of a novel serine ladder.

A kinetic model for Xylella fastidiosa adhesion, biofilm formation, and virulence.

Xylella fastidiosa is the causal agent of citrus variegated chlorosis and Pierce's disease which are the major threat to the citrus and wine industries. The most accepted hypothesis for Xf diseases affirms that it is a vascular occlusion caused by bacterial biofilm, embedded in an extracellular translucent matrix that was deduced to be the exopolysaccharide fastidian. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that virulent cells which form biofilm on glass have low fastidian content similar to the weak virulent ones. This indicates that high amounts of fastidian are not necessary for adhesion. In this paper we propose a kinetic model for X. fastidiosa adhesion, biofilm formation, and virulence based on electrostatic attraction between bacterial surface proteins and xylem walls. Fastidian is involved in final biofilm formation and cation sequestration in dilute sap.