Abstract Background The current gold standard of coronary drug-eluting stents (DES) consists of metal alloys with thinner struts and bioresorbable polymers. Objectives Our aim was to compare an ultrathin strut, sirolimus-eluting stent (Inspiron®) with other third-generation DES platforms in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) submitted to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods We analyzed data from a STEMI multicenter registry from reference centers in the South Region of Brazil. All patients were submitted to primary PCI, either with Inspiron® or other second- or third-generation DES. Propensity score matching (PSM) was computed to generate similar groups (Inspiron® versus other stents) in relation to clinical and procedural characteristics. All hypothesis tests had a two-sided significance level of 0.05. Results From January 2017 to January 2021, 1711 patients underwent primary PCI, and 1417 patients met our entry criteria (709 patients in the Inspiron® group and 708 patients in the other second- or third-generation DES group). After PSM, the study sample was comprised of 706 patients (353 patients in the Inspiron® group and 353 patients in the other the other second- or third-generation DES group). The rates of target vessel revascularization (OR 0.52, CI 0.21 – 1.34, p = 0.173), stent thrombosis (OR 1.00, CI 0.29 – 3.48, p = 1.000), mortality (HR 0.724, CI 0.41 – 1.27, p = 0.257), and major cardiovascular outcomes (OR 1.170, CI 0.77 – 1.77, p = 0.526) were similar between groups after a median follow-up of 17 months. Conclusion Our findings show that Inspiron® was effective and safe when compared to other second- or third-generation DES in a contemporary cohort of real-world STEMI patients submitted to primary PCI.

Resumo Fundamento O padrão-ouro atual dos stents farmacológicos (SF) coronários consiste em ligas metálicas com hastes mais finas e polímeros bioabsorvíveis. Objetivos Nosso objetivo foi comparar um stent eluidor de sirolimus de hastes ultrafinas (Inspiron®) com outras plataformas de SF de terceira geração em pacientes com infarto do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST (IAMCSST) submetidos à intervenção coronária percutânea (ICP) primária. Métodos Analisamos dados de um registro multicêntrico de IAMCSST de centros de referência da Região Sul do Brasil. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos à ICP primária, seja com Inspiron® ou outro SF de segunda ou terceira geração. Foi calculado pareamento por escore de propensão (PEP) para gerar grupos semelhantes (Inspiron® versus outros stents) em relação às características clínicas e do procedimento. Todos os testes de hipótese tiveram um nível de significância bilateral de 0,05. Resultados De janeiro de 2017 a janeiro de 2021, 1.711 pacientes foram submetidos à ICP primária, e 1.417 pacientes preencheram nossos critérios de inclusão (709 pacientes no grupo Inspiron® e 708 pacientes no grupo dos outros SF de segunda ou terceira geração). Após PEP, a amostra do estudo foi composta por 706 pacientes (353 pacientes no grupo Inspiron® e 353 pacientes no grupo dos demais SF de segunda ou terceira geração). As taxas de revascularização do vaso alvo (odds ratio [OR] 0,52; intervalo de confiança [IC] 0,21 a 1,34; p = 0,173), trombose de stent (OR 1,00; IC 0,29 a 3,48;p = 1,000), mortalidade (hazard ratio 0,724; IC 0,41 a 1,27; p = 0,257) e os desfechos cardiovasculares maiores (OR 1,170; IC 0,77 a 1,77; p = 0,526) foram semelhantes entre os grupos após um acompanhamento mediano de 17 meses. Conclusão Nossos achados mostram que o stent Inspiron® foi eficaz e seguro quando comparado a outros SF de segunda ou terceira geração em uma coorte contemporânea do mundo real de pacientes com IAMCSST submetidos à ICP primária.

Hydrogels based on polyacrylamide, carboxymethylcellulose and silica are composites with good absorption and release properties over time, and this behavior allow their application in several areas. Thus, the aim of study was to analyze the absorption kinetic, spectroscopic, morphological, and structural properties of hydrogels prepared using different silica concentrations (0, 0.5, and 2.5%). The results showed that the swelling degree reduces with increasing silica, i.e., there was increase in crosslinking density, which was confirmed by SEM images. The reductions in the swelling degrees at equilibrium were 26.19% (0.50% silica) and 22.02% (2.5% silica) when compared to PAAm+CMC hydrogel. FTIR spectra showed characteristic spectroscopic bands of silica between 1384 and 1120 cm-1 indicating that its incorporation into the hydrogel matrix has occurred, which was also observed in the XRD diffractograms. Thus, the study of biodegradable hybrid hydrogels is relevant because they can potentially be applied in areas such as agriculture, tissue engineering and even civil construction.

This work aimed to manufacture scaffolds from a hydrogel composed of a sodium alginate matrix with hydroxyapatite reinforcements using a 3D bioprinter, aiming at application in bone tissue regeneration. The alginate solution was prepared by dissolving sodium alginate at a concentration of 10% (w/v). Hydroxyapatite (HAp) was added to the solution at 2.5% and 5.0% (w/v) concentrations, followed by placing the samples in a container with a 1.0% (w/v) calcium chloride solution. The scaffolds were analyzed for HAp concentration and morphological characteristics, physicochemical properties, and biological response. The scaffolds show reproducibility and spectroscopic analyses confirm hydrogel formation and hydroxyapatite incorporation in the alginate matrix. The hydrophilic properties are compatible with scaffolds obtained through 3D printing made from polysaccharides, and the thermal analysis showed the expected behavior of these same materials. Preliminary findings indicated that scaffolds containing 2.5% (w/v) hydroxyapatite are inside cytotoxicity limit (66.4 ± 7.0%) towards canine E20 lineage cells. In contrast, scaffolds with 0% and 5.0% (w/v) hydroxyapatite were non-cytotoxic. Notably, the latter scaffold demonstrated enhanced cell proliferation, as anticipated, owing to the hydrophilic properties of alginate that enable easy and swift cell seeding, facilitating nutrient transport and cellular growth within the scaffold.

Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the mechanical, physicochemical, and antimicrobial properties of four different formulations containing micro- or nanoparticles of sodium trimetaphosphate (mTMP and nTMP, respectively). Methodology: Four experimental groups were used in this investigation: two mTMP groups and two nTMP groups, each containing zirconium oxide (ZrO2), and solution containing either chitosan or titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs). Setting time, compression resistance, and radiopacity were estimated. The agar diffusion test was used to assess the antimicrobial activity of the formulations against five different microbial strains: Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei, Actinomyces israelii, Candida albicans, and Enterococcus faecalis. Parametric and nonparametric tests were performed after evaluating homoscedasticity data (p<0.05). Results: From the properties evaluated, nTMP cements required less setting time and showed greater resistance to compression. Cements containing TiO2 showed greater radiopacity for both nTMP and mTMP. All four cement formulations showed antimicrobial activity against S. mutans and L. casei Conclusion: Formulations containing nTMP have shorter setting times and higher compressive strength, and those with TiO2 nanoparticles showed antimicrobial activities. Clinical relevance: The cement containing nTMP, ZrO2, and TiO2 could be an alternative material for protecting the pulp complex.

ABSTRACT Wood is a raw material from renewable source widely used by the construction industry due to its characteristics of easy handling and processability, good mechanical properties, sustainability, among others. Since it is a vegetal material, it is necessary to perform a preservative treatment before its application in civil construction. In this context, the search for new solutions as an option for biodegradable surface treatment to ensure the improvement of wood properties is one of the needs to be addressed so that the material performs well and increases its durability. Thus, treatments by immersion in emulsions of essential oils (EO) in the material, as an alternative to mitigate the occurrence of common pathologies in wood, proves to be a potentially innovative option for the furniture and construction industries. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydrophobing and wood odorization treatments after the insertion of essential oils in nanoemulsion, emulsion, and pure oil conditions. The essential oils used were melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia) and copaiba (Copaifera officinalis), due to their antimicrobial, antifungal, antiseptic properties, and characteristic odor. The immersion application on the wood samples was conducted under the following conditions: 25% (w/w) melaleuca EO emulsion; 25% (w/w) copaiba EO emulsion; 2% (w/w) melaleuca EO nanoemulsion; 2% (w/w) copaiba EO nanoemulsion and the application of the same pure oils. The results showed that the suspension that presented the highest retention was the nanoemulsion, being OE of copaiba 44.10% and OE of melaleuca 40.41% in relation to the mass of the untreated sample. The emulsions resulted in 21.32% for OE copaiba and 20.51% for OE melaleuca, and in the pure oil condition, the observed retention was 15.11% for melaleuca OE and 23.82% for OE copaiba. The results obtained may be related to the hydrophilic characteristic of the wood, and the most aqueous suspension was the most absorbed. Through the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) test it was possible to identify a uniform coverage of the samples for the pure oil, a rough aspect of coverage for the emulsion and a more cracked and dried surface in the samples with nanoemulsion. The contact angle test did not show a significant increase in hydrophobicity of the samples, with positive results from 7°±9° to 23°±15°, and in the nanoemulsion condition it decreased 12°± 9° compared to the untreated sample for copaiba EO and 16°± 9° for melaleuca EO, indicating a higher water permeability.

RESUMO A madeira trata-se de uma matéria-prima de fonte renovável amplamente utilizada pelo setor da construção civil devido às suas características de fácil manuseio e processabilidade, boas propriedades mecânicas, sustentabilidade, entre outros. Por se tratar de um material de origem vegetal faz-se necessário a realização de um tratamento preservativo antes de sua aplicação na construção civil. Neste contexto, a busca de novas soluções como opção de tratamento superficial biodegradável para garantir melhoria das propriedades das madeiras é uma das necessidades a serem sanadas para que o material apresente um bom desempenho e amplie sua durabilidade. Assim, tratamentos por imersão em emulsões de óleos essenciais (OE) no material, como uma alternativa de mitigar a ocorrência de patologias comuns na madeira, demonstra-se ser uma opção potencialmente inovadora para o setor moveleiro e da construção civil. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os efeitos dos tratamentos de hidrofobização e odorização da madeira após a inserção de óleos essenciais nas condições de nanoemulsão, emulsão e óleo puro. Para tanto, foram utilizadas amostras de madeira do tipo Hymenaea sp popularmente conhecida como Jatobá devido a suas características de alta resistência mecânica, odor forte e de comum aplicação na construção civil. Os óleos essenciais utilizados foram de melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifólia) e copaíba (Copaifera Officinalis), devido às suas propriedades antimicrobianas, antifúngicas, antissépticas e odor característico. A aplicação por imersão nas amostras de madeira foi realizada nas seguintes condições: emulsão 25% (m/m) de OE de melaleuca; emulsão 25% (m/m) de OE de copaíba; nanoemulsão 2% (m/V) de OE de melaleuca; nanoemulsão 2% (m/V) de OE de copaíba e a aplicação dos mesmos óleos puros. Os resultados demonstraram que a suspensão que apresentou maior retenção foi a nanoemulsão, sendo OE de copaíba 44,10% e OE de melaleuca 40,41% em relação a massa da amostra sem tratamento. As emulsões resultaram em 21,32% para OE de copaíba e 20,51% para OE de melaleuca e, na condição de óleo puro, a retenção observada foi de 15,11% para o OE de melaleuca e 23,82% para o OE de copaíba. Os resultados obtidos podem estar relacionados a característica hidrofílica da madeira, sendo que a suspensão mais aquosa foi a mais absorvida. Através do ensaio de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV) foi possível identificar uma cobertura uniforme das amostras para o óleo puro, um aspecto rugoso de cobertura para a emulsão e uma superfície mais fendilhada e ressecada nas amostras com nanoemulsão. O ensaio de ângulo de contato não apresentou um aumento significativo na hidrofobicidade das amostras, com resultados positivos de 7°±9° a 23°±15°, sendo que na condição de nanoemulsão diminuiu 12°± 9° em comparação com a amostra não tratada para o OE de copaíba e 16°± 9° para o OE de melaleuca, indicando uma maior permeabilidade de água.

The development of films from natural polymers is an alternative to reduce the consumption of packaging obtained from non-renewable sources. The formation of edible films requires a polymeric material that forms a homogeneous and continuous matrix. The gelatin is a natural polymer, cheap and abundant, characteristics that instigate its use. The aim of this study was preparing and characterize gelatin films and evaluate the influence of lemon essential oil nanoemulsion on gelatin matrix for an innovative application of the product. The films were characterized for their water vapor permeability (WVP) test, contact angle, thickness and mechanical analysis (tensile strength and elongation at break). The particle size showed an average of 170.6 nm and zeta potential around -10.9 mV. The incorporation of lemon nanoemulsion increased the water vapor permeability of the gelatin and the elongation, but decreased tensile strength due to the interaction with the hydrophobic portion of the polymer matrix.

In this work, nanocomposites formed from the natural polymer carboxymethylcellulose in combination with the polyacrylamide polymer and zeolite were obtained and characterized in relation to pesticide sorption capability. Hydrogels are three-dimensional network with large capacity of water or biological fluid adsorption. They have biocompatibility, biodegradability and non-toxicity properties, ensuring this class of polymers is widely used in different agriculture fields. Thus, the objective of the work was to investigate the process of paraquat sorption using a novel biodegradable nanocomposite. By mathematical modeling, it was possible to found that better models were the Freundlich-Langmuir isotherm and pseudosecond order kinetic, indicating that sorption is heterogeneous and similar to chemisorption process. Thus, such nanocomposites have great potential to be applied as an adsorbent material for removal of pesticides from contaminated water.

The aim of this work was to produce biodegradable films based on the pectin and cocoa puree reinforced with chitosan nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were obtained by the ionotropic gelation. Films were produced according to the "casting" method, through a colloidal solution composed of water, cocoa puree, chitosan nanoparticles solution and different concentrations of pectin (2% and 3% w/w). Films were analyzed by thickness measurements, water vapor permeability, mechanical properties and scanning electron microscopy. Nanoparticles were characterized by zeta potential and showed spherical shape with a diameter of about 110 nm and zeta potential value of approximately +30 mV. Pectin 2% and 3% cocoa films exhibited tensile strength (mPa) of 15.1 ± 0.7 and 22.9 ± 1.6, respectively. After nanostructures addition, values increased to 25.2 ± 0.7 and 29.8 ± 1.3. Increasing concentration polymer and chitosan nanoparticles to improve tensile strength values. Films contained 3% of pectin exhibited more significant decrease in water vapor permeability values when chitosan nanoparticles were added, from 2.470 ± 0.101 to 1.904 ± 0.125 g mm / kPa h m2. Results of the analyzes demonstrated that nanocomposites produced with pectin of different concentration showed satisfactory properties for application as packaging for food.

In this study, the hydrogel formulations based on polysaccharide sodium alginate were investigated for further development of intercalated nanocomposite hydrogels, for purposes of future applications in the areas of health as a carrier in drug delivery systems. Thus, the objective of the work dealt with in the optimization of hydrogels synthesis and obtaining nanostructured hydrogels with clay in an intercalated conformation. The optimization of the hydrogel synthesis was successful, and it is possible to define the materials and / or solutions to be used and concentrations of these solutions to the best formulations of hydrogels. The choice of the concentration of the polysaccharide, the type of crosslinking agent and nanofiller to continued development work, it was determined following criteria as the degree of swelling, and in some cases the physical properties, contributed to determine the best hydrogels. The development of intercalated nanocomposites hydrogel beads was confirmed by the X-ray diffraction technique, which thus could be used to observe evidence of effective incorporation or intercalation of the nanoclay in the hydrogel matrix.

Resumo Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a penetração trans-amelodentinária do peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) aplicados em dentes bovinos pigmentados com chá preto em diferentes intensidades. Divisão dos grupos: AD em água destilada; CP100 em uma infusão de 1,6 g de chá preto para 100 mL de água destilada; CP10 em uma infusão de 1,6 g de chá preto para 10 mL de água destilada. Todos os grupos foram imersos por 6 dias. Para quantificar a penetração de H2O2, as amostras foram colocadas em câmaras pulpares artificiais (CPAs) e submetidas a um tratamento clareador com PH a 38%, uma vez por semana durante 3 semanas. Após o tratamento clareador, a solução tampão de acetato das CPAs com a enzima da peroxidase, foi avaliada num espectrofotômetro de reflexão. A penetração trans-amelodentinária de PH e os valores de L* obtidos em T1, T2 e T3 foram submetidos ao teste estatístico de Kruskal-Wallis e Friedman. Em T1, a difusão de H2O2 no AD foi mais elevada do que em CP100 e CP10. Nos outros tempos de avaliação, os valores de penetração no CP100 e CP10 aumentaram e permaneceram semelhantes. Os valores L* aumentaram significativamente em todos os grupos no T1. No T2, os valores L* foram maiores no AD e os valores em CP100 e CP10 foram semelhantes entre si. No último tempo, o CP10 apresentou os menores valores de L*. Diferentes níveis de pigmentação não afetaram a penetração de H2O2 através do esmalte e dentina e o agente de clareador foi eficaz na alteração cromática.

Abastract This study aimed to evaluate the transenamel and transdentinal penetration of hydrogen peroxide (H202) applied to bovine teeth pigmented with black tea at different intensities. The following groups were formed DW: immersion in distilled water; BT100: immersion in an infusion of 1.6 g of black tea per 100 mL distilled water; BT10: immersion in an infusion of 1.6 g black tea per 10 mL distilled water. All groups were immersed for 6 days. To quantify the penetration of H202, the specimens were placed in artificial pulp chambers (APCs) and subjected to bleaching treatment with 38% H2O2 once per week for 3 weeks. After bleaching treatment, the acetate buffer solution of APCs with peroxidase enzyme was evaluated in a reflection spectrophotometer. The transenamel and transdentinal penetration of H2O2 and the L* values obtained at T1, T2 and T3 were subjected to Kruskal-Wallis and Friedman statistical tests. At T1, the H2O2 diffusion in DW was higher than that in BT100 and BT10. At the other evaluation times, the penetration values in BT100 and BT10 increased and remained similar. The L* values increased significantly in all groups at T1. At T2, the L* values were higher in DW, while the values in BT100 and BT10 were similar to each other. At the end of the experiment, BT10 showed the lowest L* values. The pigmentation level did not affect the penetration of H2O2 through the enamel and dentin and the bleaching agent effectively changed the color of the teeth.

In this study, a novel hybrid composite based on biodegradable hydrogel and Portland cement with promising technological properties was reported. In the first step, a full 23 with central point factorial design was utilized to obtain the enhanced polyacrylamide-carboxymethylcellulose hydrogel compositions. A mathematical model was devised, indicating that the 3 main variables were significant and the AAm and MBAAm variables positively contributed to the mode and showing that the CMC variable had the opposite contribution. In the second step, these compositions were mixed with Portland cement to obtain the hybrid composites. The presence of cement improved the mechanical properties of polymeric matrices, and electronic microscopic micrographics revealed that the hydrogels were well adhered to the cement phase and no phase separation between hydrogel and cement was detected. Finally, using the energy dispersive X-ray technique, the elements Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, K, Ca and Fe were detected in the polymeric matrix, consistent with the hybrid composite formation.

Neste trabalho, o objetivo foi produzir nanobiocompósitos biodegradáveis à base de pectina e nanoemulsão de canela que tenham propriedades satisfatórias para aplicação como embalagens ativas. Foram detalhados os procedimentos de preparação das nanoemulsões e incorporação dessas na matriz polimérica. Foi apresentada uma metodologia nova de análises dos melhores nanocompósitos através de um planejamento baseado em aspectos visuais que nos forneceu resultados interessantes. Os nanocompósitos obtidos foram analisados através de: medidas de espessura, solubilidade, propriedades mecânicas e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). Resultados das análises visuais mostraram que os nanocompósitos produzidos com concentração de pectina de 2% m/v e nanoemulsões preparadas com velocidade de agitação de 16000 rpm em 2 minutos mostraram melhores condições para serem aplicados como embalagens. Resultados de propriedades mecânicas demonstraram que nanocompósitos contendo nanoemulsões com tamanhos menores de gotículas apresentam maior resistência e elongação, além de serem menos solúveis. O controle dessas propriedades com a variação de tamanho médio das nanoemulsões torna esses materiais potencialmente viáveis, por exemplo, em embalagens ativas.

In this study, the objective was to produce biodegradable nanobiocomposites based on pectin and cinnamon nanoemulsion having satisfactory properties for application as active packaging. Procedures for preparing and incorporating these nanoemulsions in the polymeric matrix are described. The nanocomposites were analyzed through: thickness measurements, solubility, mechanical properties and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A subjective analysis indicated the nanocomposite made with pectin 2 % w/v and nanoemulsions prepared with stirring speed of 16000 rpm in 2 min was the most suitable for application in packaging. The nanocomposites containing nanoemulsions with smaller nanodroplets had greater strength and elongation, being less soluble. The control of these properties by varying the average size of the nanoemulsion makes these materials potentially viable, for example, for active packaging.

Nanocomposite materials have been incorporated into biopolymers, (e.g. hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), to improve their physical and chemical properties and enable them to be applied in food packaging, especially for their biodegradable and renewable properties. With this addition, fruit puree has been incorporated into the films to confer nutritional properties besides color and flavor. Chitosan is of interest in the packaging field since it is a biodegradable, bioabsorbable, antimicrobial agent. Furthermore, chitosan nanoparticles have been widely explored for their interesting properties and potential applications in food packaging. This work was divided into two stages: (1) chitosan nanoparticle synthesis; (2) addition of nanoparticles into HPMC and papaya puree films. Addition of chitosan nanoparticles to HPMC and papaya puree films improved film properties: mechanical, thermal and water vapor barrier. We have developed a novel nanomaterial with great potential for application in packaging to prolong the shelf life of food.

In this work, a novel device based on polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogels and KL - DeOH - H2O lyotropic liquid crystal (LLC), with potential for application as Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals (PDLC), was proposed and its properties characterized. The confinement of LLC promoted significant changes in spectroscopic, morphological, optical, hydrophilic, structural and mechanical properties due to the interaction between the LLC-PAAm matrix and entropic parameter changes. The mechanical and structural properties can be controlled by adjusting AAm, temperature and presence of LLC, which can be useful for technological applications of these systems in optical devices.

Na região produtora de hortaliças de Viçosa, MG, identificaram-se plantas de tomate da cv. Santa Clara (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.), que apresentam senescência foliar precoce e estigmas amarelados, com frutos de coloração "amarelo-creme" quando imaturos e vermelho quando maduros, de maturação lenta, e mais firmes que o fenótipo normal. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o crescimento e desenvolvimento dos frutos normais e mutantes. O delineamento experimental foi de blocos casualizados com quatro repetições. Os frutos mutantes apresentaram matéria fresca total e diâmetro transversal e longitudinal menores do que o normal durante todo o seu desenvolvimento. A espessura do pericarpo foi significativamente menor nos frutos mutantes do que nos frutos normais, a partir dos 21 dias após a antese. Folhas medianas e basais de plantas mutantes apresentaram menores teores de clorofila do que o observado em plantas normais. O período de amadurecimento do fruto mutante foi de 14 dias, enquanto dos frutos normais foi de 7 dias, quando ligados à planta-mãe, demonstrando a maior longevidade dos frutos mutantes. Além disso, os frutos mutantes apresentaram atraso na elevação da produção de etileno durante o amadurecimento.

'Santa Clara' tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) plants showing earlier leaf senescence and yellowish stigma, fruits with pale yellow when immature and red when reach full ripe stage, associated to a lower rate of ripening and firmer than the wild type, were found in Viçosa, MG. The objective of this study was to evaluate the fruit growth and development of the mutant and wild type tomatoes. Mutant fruits showed smaller total fresh weight than wild type throughout development and thinner pericarp after 21 days after flowering. Basal and intermediate mutant plant leaves showed lower chlorophyll levels. 'Santa Clara' fruit took 7 days to reach full red ripe stage, while mutant fruits took 14 days. Furthermore, mutant fruits showed a delay on ethylene evolution during ripening when compared with wild type fruits.