Abstract Polymer blends, derived from the combination of two or more polymers, yield novel materials with properties distinct from that of the original polymers. These materials have garnered interest in the medical field. However, for such applications the biocompatibility of the material must be evaluated. In this study, we prepared polymer blends from poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and polypyrrole-block-poly(caprolactone) (PPy-b-PCL) using the casting method. The observed compatibility resulted from specific interactions between the carboxylic group of PCL and the amine group of PPy-b-PCL, as well as between the pyrrole ring of PPy-b-PCL and the CH2 group of PCL. Micro-Raman imaging revealed homogeneity in surface morphology, whereas thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the formation of polymer blends enhances the material’s thermal stability. Importantly, the results demonstrated that the addition of PPy-b-PCL does not affect the cytotoxicity to bovine fibroblasts, suggesting their biocompatibility and potential application in cattle veterinary devices. polymers field However evaluated study polyεcaprolactone poly ε caprolactone poly(ε-caprolactone (PCL polypyrroleblockpolycaprolactone polypyrrole block polypyrrole-block-poly(caprolactone PPybPCL PPy b (PPy-b-PCL method PPybPCL, PCL, CH MicroRaman Micro Raman morphology s stability Importantly fibroblasts devices

ABSTRACT The delivery of nucleic acids to cells is considered a crucial step for the success of genetic modifications aimed at therapeutic purposes or production of genetically modified animals. In this context, nanotechnology is one of the most promising fields of science, with the potential to solve several existing problems. Nanostructures have desirable characteristics to be used as carriers, such as nanometric size, large surface area, cell internalization capacity, prolonged and controlled release, among others. Genetically modified animals can contribute to the production of biopharmaceuticals, through the expression of high-associated-value molecules. The production of these animals, also known as biofactories, further enhances Brazilian agribusiness, since it allows adding value to the final product, and favors the integration between the agricultural market and the pharmaceutical sector. However, there is a growing concern about the safety and possible harmful effects of nanostructures, since data on the safe use of these materials are still insufficient. The objective of this review was to address aspects of the use of nanostructures, mainly carbon nanotubes as nucleic acid carriers, aiming at the production of genetically modified animals, with the certainty that progress in this field of knowledge depends on more information on the mechanisms of interaction between nanostructures, cells and embryos, as well as on its toxicity.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os nanotubos de carbono (NTCs) são os nanomateriais mais promissores para aplicação terapêutica em doenças neurodegenerativas. Aplicações potenciais incluem sistemas de liberação controlada de fármacos, interfaces elétricas e substratos para crescimento celular. OBJETIVO: Descrever o estado da arte e as perspectivas e desafios da aplicação dos NTCs nas neurociências. MÉTODO: Procedeu-se a uma busca sistemática nos indexadores Medline, Lilacs e SciELO, utilizando os descritores "carbon nanotubes", "drug delivery", "electrical interface", "tissue regeneration", "neuroscience", "biocompatibility" e "nanotechnology", devidamente agrupados. RESULTADOS: A revisão da literatura evidenciou controvérsias nos estudos relativos à biocompatibilidade dos NTCs, embora tenha ratificado o seu potencial para a neuromedicina e neurociências. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos apontam a necessidade de estudos padronizados sobre as aplicações e interações dessas nanoestruturas com os sistemas biológicos.

BACKGROUND: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are the most promising nanomaterials for therapeutic application in neurodegenerative diseases. Potential applications include systems for controlled drug delivery, electrical interfaces and substrates for cell growth. OBJECTIVE: To describe the state of art, prospects and challenges of applying CNTs in neuroscience. METHODS: There has been systematic search in Medline, Lilacs and SciELO, using the keywords "carbon nanotubes", "drug delivery", "electrical interface", "tissue regeneration", "neuroscience", "nanotechnology" and "biocompatibility", properly grouped. RESULTS: The literature review showed controversies in studies on the biocompatibility of CNTs, although it has ratified its potential for neuromedicine and neuroscience. DISCUSSION: These results highlight the need for modeling studies on the applications and interactions of nanostructures with biological systems.

Objetivou-se, neste artigo, estimar os custos envolvidos no processo de resfriamento do leite cru, tipo B, após a implantação da Instrução Normativa 51 e a verificação das possíveis fontes de economias de escala nesse processo. A partir dos conceitos da engenharia econômica calculou-se o custo uniforme líquido equivalente de investimento do processo de resfriamento do leite, que somado ao custo operacional, resultou no custo uniforme líquido total por litro de leite. Concluiu-se que existe forte tendência à economia de escala nessa atividade devido aos retornos crescentes no custo de investimento e operacional, conforme aumenta-se a capacidade dos tanques de resfriamento.

This article aims to estimate the costs involved in the milk cooling process after the Normative Instruction 51 was issued and it also aims to verify the sources of economies scale. Using the concepts of the economical engineering, the uniform net costs of the investment in the milk cooling process were calculated. They were added to the operational cost and it resulted in the total uniform net cost per unit. It was concluded that there is a strong tendency to economies scale in the milk cooling process as a consequence of the growing returns in the investment and operational costs as the milk cooling tank capacity increases.