Otoliths-composed gelatin/sodium alginate scaffolds for bone regeneration

Evidence that otoliths, mineral-rich limestone concrescences present in the inner ear of bone fishes, can accelerate bone formation in vivo has been previously reported. The goal of this work was the development, characterization, and evaluation of the cytocompatibility of otoliths-incorporated sodium alginate and gelatin scaffolds. Cynoscion acoupaderived otoliths were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (FRX), particle size, free lime, and weight loss by calcination. Furthermore, otoliths were incorporated into sodium alginate (ALG/OTL-s) or gelatin (GEL/OTL-s) scaffolds, previously developed by freeze-drying. Then, the scaffolds were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), infrared spectroscopy with Fourier transform (FTIR), swelling tests, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity assays were run against J774.G8 macrophages and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Data obtained from TGA/DTG, DSC, and FTIR analyses confirmed the interaction between otoliths and the polymeric scaffolds. SEM showed the homogeneous porous 3D structure rich in otolith micro-fragments in both scaffolds. Swelling of the GEL/OTL-s (63.54±3.0%) was greater than of ALG/OTL-s (13.36±9.9%) (p0.05) and significantly higher than that treated with Triton-X (p0.05). However, by 48 h, only ALG/OTL-s showed growth similar to control (p>0.05), whereas GEL/OTL showed a significantly lower growth index (p<0.05). In conclusion, the physicochemical profiles suggest proper interaction between the otoliths and the two developed polymeric 3D scaffolds. Moreover, both materials showed cytocompatibility with J774.G8 macrophages but the growth of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts was higher when exposed to ALG/OTL-s. These data suggest that sodium alginate/otoliths scaffolds are potential biomaterials to be used in bone regeneration applications.We would like to thank the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Foundation for Research and Technological Innovation Support of the State of Sergipe for the financial support in this study. EMBS acknowledges the sponsorship of the projects M-ERA-NET-0004/2015-PAIRED and UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), received support from the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC) through national funds, and was co-financed by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Alcohol consumption and factors associated with binge drinking among female university students of health area

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the pattern of alcohol consumption and the prevalence and factors associated with binge drinking among university students of health-related courses in Aracaju, Sergipe, Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed of 865 female students from two universities in the Brazilian Northeast. The instruments used were the AUDIT and a questionnaire used to collect sociodemographic data. The chi-square test and logistic regression were used, with statistical significance set at p-value < 0.05. Results: Risky alcohol consumption was evidenced in 16.4%, while the prevalence of binge drinking was 48.0%. Binge drinking was strongly associated with drunk driving (OR = 12.24) and living in a conflicting family environment (OR = 6.33). Binge drinking was a constant in students who engaged in fights, those who had problems with the law and among smokers. Conclusion: The high prevalence of risky alcohol consumption, binge drinking and the association of these with risky behaviors in students serve to guide future public policies on prevention

Estudo preliminar da utilização de otólitos de Cynoscion acoupa sobre o processo de neoformação óssea em ratos

INTRODUÇÃO: Otólitos são concrescências calcárias presentes no ouvido interno de peixes. Por serem ricos em minerais considerados essenciais ao processo de mineralização óssea sobre uma matriz proteica (otolina), sugere-se que otólitos poderiam funcionar como biominerais. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a capacidade de regeneração de defeitos ósseos tratados com preparado gelatinoso estéril de otólitos. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: O experimento foi realizado com 20 ratos Wistar, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos, nos quais se realizou defeito ósseo na tíbia, sendo o grupo 1 (G1) experimental, cujas lojas ósseas foram preenchidas com preparado de otólitos, e o grupo 2 (G2) controle, cujas lojas ósseas não receberam tratamento adicional. Os animais foram sacrificados 14 dias após os procedimentos cirúrgicos; as tíbias foram removidas, fixadas em formalina a 10%, descalcificadas em ácido nítrico a 5% e processadas histologicamente. Antes dos sacrifícios, foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas para avaliação das dosagens séricas de cálcio (Ca) e fosfatase alcalina (Alkp). RESULTADOS: As secções histológicas revelaram que o trabeculado ósseo neoformado mostrou-se mais denso e com atividade osteorreabsortiva periosteal menos conspícua no grupo experimental. Entretanto, não demonstraram diferenças estatisticamente significativas na área de neoformação óssea entre G1 (1,9 ± 0,3 mm²) e G2 (1,5 ± 0,4 mm²) (p = 0,0617). Os parâmetros bioquímicos (Ca e Alkp) apresentaram-se dentro dos limites de normalidade. DISCUSSÃO/CONCLUSÃO: Os dados sugerem que os otólitos podem desempenhar papel adjuvante na dinâmica da regeneração óssea