Hybrid near and far field electrospinning of PVDF-TrFE/BaTiOscaffolds: morphology and osteoblast-like cell responses.

Scaffolds are of great interest in tissue engineering associated with regenerative medicine owing to their ability to mimic biological structures and provide support for new tissue formation. Several techniques are used to produce biological scaffolds; among them, far-field electrospinning (FFES) process is widely used due to its versatility in producing promising structures similar to native tissues owing to the electrospun nanofibers. On the other hand, near-field electrospinning (NFES) has been investigated due to the possibility of creating scaffolds with suitable architecture for their use in specific biological tissues.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined with a P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO Scaffold and Photobiomodulation Therapy Enhance Bone Repair in Rat Calvarial Defects.

Background: Tissue engineering and cell therapy have been the focus of investigations on how to treat challenging bone defects. This study aimed to produce and characterize a P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO scaffold and evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) combined with this scaffold and photobiomodulation (PBM) on bone repair.

Methods And Results: P(VDF-TrFE)/BaTiO was synthesized using an electrospinning technique and presented physical and chemical properties suitable for bone tissue engineering.

Economic feasibility of adopting a hydroponics system on substrate in small rural properties.

Objective is to analyze the economic feasibility of implementing a greenhouse in a hydroponics production system in substrate (sand) on a small family farm as an alternative to hydroponic cultivation using nutrient film technique (NFT). This case study was carried out in the Municipality of Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. The location was specifically selected because of the importance of agricultural activities and the need for productive diversification related to the context of the small rural producer.

Texturized P(VDF-TrFE)/BT membrane enhances bone neoformation in calvaria defects regardless of the association with photobiomodulation therapy in ovariectomized rats.

Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate in vivo the response of bone tissue to photobiomodulation when associated with texturized P(VDF-TrFE)/BT in calvaria defects of ovariectomized rats.

Materials And Methods: Wistar Hannover rats were submitted to ovariectomy/control surgery. Calvaria bone defects of 5-mm diameter were performed after 90 days of ovariectomy.

A prospective multicentre surveillance study to investigate the risk associated with contaminated sinks in the intensive care unit.

Objectives: The aim was to assess the incidence of sink contamination by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae, risk factors for sink contamination and splashing, and their association with clinical infections in the intensive care setting.

Methods: A prospective French multicentre study (1 January to 30 May 2020) including in each intensive care unit (ICU) a point-prevalence study of sink contamination, a questionnaire of risk factors for sink contamination (sink use, disinfection procedure) and splashing (visible plashes, distance and barrier between sink and bed), and a 3-month prospective infection survey.

Results: Seventy-three ICUs participated in the study.

Staphylococcus capitis isolated from bloodstream infections: a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units.

To increase the knowledge about S. capitis in the neonatal setting, we conducted a nationwide 3-month survey in 38 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) covering 56.6% of French NICU beds.

Toxic compounds in a cutlery microenterprise: A case study.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize solid particulate aerosol derived from a cutlery microenterprise and to investigate substances associated with activities performed within the work environment.

Objective: Suspended particulate matter (SPM) was collected at different locations in the cutlery workshop and near machines used by workers, using passive sampling devices fitted with polytetrafluoroethylene filters, onto which total particulate material was deposited. The substances present in the SPM were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).

Effect of stem cells combined with a polymer/ceramic membrane on osteoporotic bone repair.

Cell therapy associated with guided bone regeneration (GBR) can be used to treat bone defects under challenging conditions such as osteoporosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in combination with a poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (PVDF-TrFE/BT) membrane on bone repair in osteoporotic rats. Osteoporosis was induced in female rats by bilateral removal of the ovaries (OVX) or sham surgery (SHAM), and the osteoporotic condition was characterized after 5 months by microtomographic and morphometric analyses.

Influence of apocynin on cardiac remodeling in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Background: Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in diabetes mellitus (DM) is an important mechanism leading to diabetic cardiomyopathy. Apocynin, a drug isolated from the herb Picrorhiza kurroa, is considered an antioxidant agent by inhibiting NADPH oxidase activity and improving ROS scavenging. This study analyzed the influence of apocynin on cardiac remodeling in diabetic rats.

Application of Fenton process to remove organic matter and PCBs from waste (fuller's earth) contaminated with insulating oil.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are carcinogenic to humans and can be found in fuller's earth used for the treatment of used transformer oil. This work describes an optimization of the Fenton process for the removal of contaminants from fuller's earth. The effects of pH (2.

Potential of Osteoblastic Cells Derived from Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue Associated with a Polymer/Ceramic Composite to Repair Bone Tissue.

One of the tissue engineering strategies to promote bone regeneration is the association of cells and biomaterials. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate if cell source, either from bone marrow or adipose tissue, affects bone repair induced by osteoblastic cells associated with a membrane of poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (PVDF-TrFE/BT). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were isolated from rat bone marrow and adipose tissue and characterized by detection of several surface markers.

Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Trifluorethylene)/barium titanate membrane promotes de novo bone formation and may modulate gene expression in osteoporotic rat model.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease that impairs proper bone remodeling. Guided bone regeneration is a surgical technique that improves bone defect in a particular region through new bone formation, using barrier materials (e.g.

Apocynin influence on oxidative stress and cardiac remodeling of spontaneously hypertensive rats with diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: Although increased oxidative stress is a major component of diabetic hypertensive cardiomyopathy, research into the effects of antioxidants on cardiac remodeling remains scarce. The actions of antioxidant apocynin include inhibiting reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidases and ROS scavenging. We evaluated the effects of apocynin on cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with diabetes mellitus (DM).

Participation of MicroRNA-34a and RANKL on bone repair induced by poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate membrane.

The poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (PVDF) membrane enhances in vitro osteoblast differentiation and in vivo bone repair. Here, we hypothesized that this higher bone repair could be also due to bone resorption inhibition mediated by a microRNA (miR)/RANKL circuit. To test our hypothesis, the large-scale miR expression of bone tissue grown on PVDF and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes was evaluated to identify potential RANKL-targeted miRs modulated by PVDF.

Low Intensity Physical Exercise Attenuates Cardiac Remodeling and Myocardial Oxidative Stress and Dysfunction in Diabetic Rats.

Unlabelled: We evaluated the effects of a low intensity aerobic exercise protocol on cardiac remodeling and myocardial function in diabetic rats. Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: sedentary control (C-Sed), exercised control (C-Ex), sedentary diabetes (DM-Sed), and exercised diabetes (DM-Ex). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin.

Long-term low intensity physical exercise attenuates heart failure development in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background: Physical exercise is a strategy to control hypertension and attenuate pressure overload-induced cardiac remodeling. The influence of exercise on cardiac remodeling during uncontrolled hypertension is not established. We evaluated the effects of a long-term low intensity aerobic exercise protocol on heart failure (HF) development and cardiac remodeling in aging spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Association of pre and intraoperative variables with postoperative complications in coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Objective: To associate the pre- and intraoperative variables with postoperative complications of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Methods: The pre- and intraoperative risk factors of individuals of both genders with diagnosis of coronary insufficiency undergoing coronary artery bypass graft have been studied.

Results: Fifty-eight individuals with median age 62 ± 10 year-old were included in the study, 67% of whom were male.

Poly(vinylidene-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate composite for in vivo support of bone formation.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF-TrFE)/BT) membrane on in vivo bone formation. Rat calvarial bone defects were implanted with P(VDF-TrFE)/BT and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes, and at 4 and 8 weeks, histomorphometric and gene expression analyses were performed. A higher amount of bone formation was noticed on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT compared with PTFE.

Aldosterone blockade reduces mortality without changing cardiac remodeling in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background: The role of aldosterone blockers during transition from long-term compensated hypertrophy to dilated failure is not completely understood. In this study we evaluated the effects of early administration of spironolactone on cardiac remodeling, myocardial function, and mortality in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Methods: Sixteen-month-old SHR received no treatment (SHR-C, n=72) or spironolactone (SHR-SPR, 20 mg/kg/day, n=34) for six months.

Diabetes mellitus activates fetal gene program and intensifies cardiac remodeling and oxidative stress in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Background: The combination of systemic arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus (DM) induces greater cardiac remodeling than either condition alone. However, this association has been poorly addressed in senescent rats. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the influence of streptozotocin-induced DM on ventricular remodeling and oxidative stress in aged spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR).

Respiratory pressures and expiratory peak flow rate of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

Background: To evaluate clinical and laboratorial parameters that predict decreased respiratory function in patients subjected to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).

Material/methods: This was a prospective study evaluating 61 patients subjected to CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass, median sternotomy, and under mechanical ventilation for up to 24 h. One day before surgery, clinical information was recorded.

Response of human alveolar bone-derived cells to a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate membrane.

This study investigated the response of human alveolar bone-derived cells to a novel poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF-TrFE)/BT) membrane. Osteoblastic cells were cultured in osteogenic conditions either on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for up to 14 days. At 7 and 14 days, the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), Type I collagen (COL I), Osteopontin (OPN), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Bone sialoprotein (BSP), and Osteocalcin (OC), key markers of the osteoblastic phenotype, and of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), and Survivin (SUR), associated with the control of the apoptotic cell death, was assayed by real-time PCR.

Comparison of methods of measurement of the finger flexor muscles' strength through dynamometry and modified manual sphygmomanometer.

Objective: To evaluate the reproducibility of the modified sphygmomanometer compared to hand dynamometer to measure muscle strength of the flexor muscles of fingers.

Methods: We assessed 40 healthy volunteers of both genders, aged between 20 and 55 years, who underwent the muscle strength test in the finger flexor muscles on both hands using two instruments for which the comparison was made between them.

Results: After statistical analysis by the paired Student's ttest, there was no significant difference between the values obtained in modified sphygmomanometer and hand dynamometer tests in relation to right and left sides (p > 0.

In vitro biocompatibility of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate composite using cultures of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the biocompatibility of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate (P(VDF-TrFE)/BT) membrane to be used in guided tissue regeneration (GTR). Fibroblasts from human periodontal ligament (hPDLF) and keratinocytes (SCC9) were plated on P(VDF-TrFE)/BT and polytetrafluorethylene membranes at a cell density of 20,000 cells well(-1) and cultured for up to 21 days. Cell morphology, adhesion and proliferation were evaluated in hPDLF and keratinocytes, while total protein content and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were assayed only for hPDLF.

Preparation and evaluation of an experimental luting glass ionomer cement to be used in dentistry.

The aim of this paper is to compare the fluoride-releasing and mechanical properties of an experimental luting glass ionomer cement, which has a modified composition and a commercial luting cement. The experimental powder was obtained by sol-gel process and then, it was used to prepare the experimental cements. The properties of cement pastes, such as setting time and working time, microhardness and diametral tensile strength were determined.