Influence of silicon, strontium and aluminum oxides on silicon nitride ceramics for bone replacements

Although silicon nitride ceramics have been shown very propitious to be used for bone replacements, some characteristics can be controlled to improve their osseointegrations process. One of them is the intergranular phase whose composition can be specified to stimulate mineralization and osteoblastic production. In this paper, the intergranular glassy phase was projected in order to contain silicon, strontium and aluminum oxides. Silicon nitride samples containing different contents of SiO2, SrO and Al2O3 were sintered at 1815oC for 1 hour and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Hardness and fracture toughness were determined by Vickers hardness test and compressive strength was evaluated using an universal material testing machine. The biological behavior was studied in regard to cytotoxicity and cell proliferation by means of in vitro experiments. The samples reached high densities (higher than 95 %TD), total →-Si3N4 transformation, fracture toughness higher than 6.5 MPa.m1/2, compressive strength up to 2500 MPa and Vickers hardness less than 9.8 GPa. All samples were non-cytotoxic and able to promote cell proliferation with great potential to be used as components for bone replacements. However, that sample with high content of strontium had the best results of cell proliferation, proving the importance of a careful choice of intergranular phase composition in silicon nitride ceramics.Keywords: silicon nitride, mechanical properties, osteoblasts.

Redes epóxi/amina alifáticas com perspectivas para aplicações cardiovasculares. Propriedades biológicas in vitro

Este trabalho descreve as propriedades biológicas in vitro de três redes epoxídicas à base do éter diglicidílico do glicerol (DGEG) curadas com poli(oxipropileno) diamina (D230), isoforona diamina (IPD) e 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dimetil-diciclohexilmetano (3DCM). As interações biológicas entre os polímeros e o sangue foram estudadas por ensaios biológicos in vitro. Estudos de adsorção de proteínas, adesão de plaquetas, atividade do lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e propriedades de tromboresistência estão apresentados. Os ensaios de adsorção de proteínas na superfície dos polímeros mostrou que as redes epoxídicas adsorvem mais albumina do que fibrinogênio. Os resultados relacionados à adesão de plaquetas, atividade do lactato hidrogenase e propriedades de tromboresistência indicaram que as redes DGEG/IPD e DGEG/3DCM exibem comportamento hemocompatível. Desta maneira, assumimos que estes polímeros epoxídicos são materiais compatíveis com o sangue

Controlled release of 5-fluorouridine from radiation-crosslinked poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) films

The effect of γ-radiation doses of 12.5–380 kGy on the infrared spectra, gel content, mechanical properties, and the release of oxobutyl-5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine (OfdUrd, an antitumor agent) from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) films was studied. The results showed that the application of radiation doses produced a crosslinking reaction leading to a maximum gel content of about 85% in the case of 150 kGy. Higher doses did not increase the gel content in EVA films. The mechanical properties (tensile strength, percentage elongation at break and Young’s modulus) of all studied EVA matrices were affected by the exposure to γ-radiation. Irradiation doses over 50 kGy caused an increase in the Young’s modulus of EVA and at the same time a decrease in the strain per cent. Moreover, the network structure formed after irradiation reduced significantly the OFdUrd release from EVA films. In this manner, the radiation dose applied to the polymeric matrix modulated the release of OFdUrd, avoiding the high concentrations that may cause severe systemic toxicity. The loading of OFdUrd to EVA film triggered a slight hyperemia after implantation, while the inflammatory reaction was only observed during the first two days.Fil: de Queiroz, Alvaro A.A.. Universidade Federal de Itajubá; BrasilFil: Abraham, Gustavo Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Higa, Olga Zazuco. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares.; Brasi

Macroporous poly(ϵ-caprolactone) with antimicrobial activity obtained by iodine polymerization

The most serious problems usually encountered in the field of implanted medical devices are the infectious morbidity as primary source of mortality. In this work, the synthesis and characterization of a macroporous iodine based sanitizer (iodophor), poly(caprolactone)-iodine, are presented. Characterization methods include nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), nitrogen adsorption-desorption and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).  The in vitro cytotoxicity to CHO cells in the MTT assay and antimicrobial activities against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were examined. The obtained macropore poly(caprolactone)-iodine structures had a rather narrow size distribution. PCL-I iodophor was non-cytotoxic to CHO cells in the MTT assay. Bactericidal activities of the PCL-I were assessed against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The tested PCL-I showed more antimicrobial activity against E. coli and was less active against S. aureus.Fil: de Arruda Almeida, Kleber. Universidade Federal de Itajuba; BrasilFil: de Queiroz, Alvaro Antonio Alencar. Universidade Federal de Itajuba; BrasilFil: Higa, Olga Zazuco. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; BrasilFil: Abraham, Gustavo Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: San Román, Julio. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros; Españ

Redes epóxi/amina alifáticas com perspectivas para aplicações cardiovasculares. Propriedades biológicas in vitro

Este trabalho descreve as propriedades biológicas in vitro de três redes epoxídicas à base do éter diglicidílico do glicerol (DGEG) curadas com poli(oxipropileno) diamina (D230), isoforona diamina (IPD) e 4,4'-diamino-3,3'-dimetil-diciclohexilmetano (3DCM). As interações biológicas entre os polímeros e o sangue foram estudadas por ensaios biológicos in vitro. Estudos de adsorção de proteínas, adesão de plaquetas, atividade do lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e propriedades de tromboresistência estão apresentados. Os ensaios de adsorção de proteínas na superfície dos polímeros mostrou que as redes epoxídicas adsorvem mais albumina do que fibrinogênio. Os resultados relacionados à adesão de plaquetas, atividade do lactato hidrogenase e propriedades de tromboresistência indicaram que as redes DGEG/IPD e DGEG/3DCM exibem comportamento hemocompatível. Desta maneira, assumimos que estes polímeros epoxídicos são materiais compatíveis com o sangue

Processo De Obtenção Da Molécula, Molécula, Composição, Método De Preparo De Biopróteses E Uso Da Composição

PROCESSO DE OBTENÇÃO DA MOLÉCULA, MOLÉCULA, COMPOSIÇÃO, MÉTODO DE PREPARO DE BIOPROTESES E USO DA COMPOSIÇÃO. A presente invenção provê o processo de obtenção da molécula (fenetilamina-diepóxido), a dita molécula e composições farmacêuticas. Adicionalmente, a invenção ainda refere-se ao método de preparo de biopróteses e uso da composição.BRPI0801094 (A2)C07C209/00A61F2/24BR2008PI01094C07C209/00A61F2/2

Physicochemical and antimicrobial properties of boron-complexed polyglycerol–chitosan dendrimers

A polyglycerol with dendritic structure (PGLD) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of deprotonated glycidol using a polyglycerol as core functionality in a step-growth process. Then, PGLD reacted with O-carboxymethylated chitosan to obtain PGLD-chitosan dendrimer (PGLD-Ch). After the reaction of PGLD-Ch with boric acid, there was a marked increase in the bulk viscosity evidencing physically that boron can initiate a charge transfer complex formation, (PGLD-Ch)B. Gel permeation chromatography analysis was used to characterize the molecular weight and the polydispersivity of the synthesized PGLD-Ch. A dendritic structure with a molecular mass of 16.7 kDa and a narrow polydispersity (M w/M n = 1.05) was obtained. 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR measurements were employed to assess the degree of branching in PGLD. The obtained value of 0.85 indicates the tendency toward a dentritic structure for PGLD. The glass transition temperature values of (PGLD-Ch)B membranes containing 10% and 30% PGLD were −19°C and −26°C, respectively, which favor its potential use as surface coating of several polymers. The in vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated using the minimum essential medium elution test assay. Extracts of boroncomplexed PGLD exhibited lower cytotoxicity than the controls, suggesting that the material has an improved biocompatibility. Antibacterial studies of (PGLD-Ch)B against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed a significant activity. Our study confirms and supports the effectiveness of (PGLD-Ch)B as an antimicrobial coating due to its capacity in suppressing the bacterial proliferation. The best in vivo response was found for (PGLD-Ch)B-30 membranes, which exhibited higher synthesis of collagen fibers than PGLD-ChB-10.Fil: Queiroz, Alvaro Antonio Alencar de. Universidade Federal de Itajubá; BrasilFil: Abraham, Gustavo Abel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; ArgentinaFil: Camilo, María Aparecida Pires. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares.; BrasilFil: Higa, Olga Zazuco. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares.; BrasilFil: Silva, Gerald Saraiva. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares.; BrasilFil: Fernández, María del Mar. Instituto en Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros; EspañaFil: San Roman, Julio. Instituto en Ciencia y Tecnología de Polímeros; Españ

The influence of freezing rates on bovine pericardium tissue Freeze-drying

The bovine pericardium has been used as biomaterial in developing bioprostheses. Freeze-drying is a drying process that could be used for heart valve's preservation. The maintenance of the characteristics of the biomaterial is important for a good heart valve performance. This paper describes the initial step in the development of a bovine pericardium tissue freeze-drying to be used in heart valves. Freeze-drying involves three steps: freezing, primary drying and secondary drying. The freezing step influences the ice crystal size and, consequently, the primary and secondary drying stages. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of freezing rates on the bovine pericardium tissue freeze-drying parameters. The glass transition temperature and the structural behaviour of the lyophilized tissues were determined as also primary and secondary drying time. The slow freezing with thermal treatment presented better results than the other freeze-drying protocols.<br>O pericárdio bovino é um material utilizado na fabricação de biopróteses. A liofilização é um método de secagem que vem sendo estudado para a conservação de válvulas cardíacas. A preservação das características do biomaterial é de fundamental importância no bom funcionamento das válvulas. Este artigo é a primeira etapa do desenvolvimento do ciclo de liofilização do pericárdio bovino. Liofilização é o processo de secagem no qual a água é removida do material congelado por sublimação e desorção da água incongelável, sob pressão reduzida. O congelamento influencia o tamanho do cristal de gelo e, consequentemente, a secagem primária e secundária. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a influência das taxas de congelamento nos parâmetros de liofilização do pericárdio bovino. Determinou-se a temperatura de transição vítrea e o comportamento estrutural do pericárdio bovino liofilizado. Determinou-se o tempo da secagem primária e secundária. O protocolo de liofilização utilizando-se congelamento lento com annealing apresentou os melhores resultados