In this paper a novel stimuli responsive hydrogel material, methacrylated sodium alginate beta-cyclodextrin (Alg-MA-β-CD), was used in combination with a microfluidic device to create microspheres. Currently there is no reliable method for fabricating homogeneous stimuli-responsive microspheres, in-house microfluidic devices are not reliable in manufacture quality or long-term use. Alginate hydrogels have many attractive characteristics for bioengineering applications and are commonly used to mimic the features and properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are of top interest to tissue engineers. hMSCs are widely available and can be harvested and cultured directly out of human bone marrow. hMSCs have the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, muscle cells, and stromal fibroblasts depending on mechanical signals transmitted through surrounding ECM. The biomechanical properties of alginate based stimuli-responsive hydrogels can be tuned to match those of different types of tissues. When trying to transport and control the differentiation of hMSCs into generating new tissues or regenerating damaged tissues, it is highly beneficial to encapsulate the cells inside a microsphere made from these hydrogels. The proposed research objectives are: 1) To optimize fabrication techniques and create functional microfluidic devices; 2) Analyze the effects of flow parameters on microsphere production; and 3) Encapsulate viable hMSCs inside multi-stimuli responsive alginate microspheres using the fabricated microfluidic devices (MFDs). In this study, photolithography microfabrication methods were used to create flow-focusing style MFDs. The hydrogel materials were characterized via rheological methods. Syringe pumps controlled flow rates of fluids through the devices. Active droplets formation was monitored through a camera attached to an inverted microscope, where images were analyzed. Microsphere production was analyzed optically and characterized. Alg-MA-β-CD polymer solutions containing hMSCs were encapsulated, and a live/dead florescence assay was preformed to verify cell viability. Using a modified fabrication process it was possible to manufacture Alg-MA-β-CD microspheres and encapsulate and maintain viable hMSCs inside.

Le tétrachloroéthène (PCE) et les éthènes chlorés qui lui sont apparentés ont été abondamment utilisés pour plusieurs applications en industrie dès le début du 20e siècle. Ils sont cependant comptés parmi les polluants les plus communs des sols et de l’eau et beaucoup d’efforts sont déployés afin de les éliminer. Nous croyons que la conversion des éthènes chlorés en éthènes par des microorganismes est une solution prometteuse. Le premier aspect du projet visait donc à établir les conditions pour lesquelles un consortium enrichi en Dehalococcoides ethenogenes permettrait la conversion complète de PCE en éthène. Les expériences réalisées nous ont permis de souligner le rôle de l’acide lactique ajouté aux cultures comme source de carbone et source indirecte d’électrons pour la déhalorespiration. Nous avons également pu établir l’effet de la concentration initiale de biomasse dans les cultures sur le profil de déhalogénation du PCE. Le deuxième aspect du projet visait à développer un protocole d’encapsulation du consortium dans une matrice polymérique afin de profiter des nombreux avantages potentiels de l’encapsulation. Nous avons testé trois montages d’encapsulation différents : atomisation avec jet d’air, atomisation avec vibrations ultrasoniques et « drop-wise ». Le dernier montage prévoyait l’encapsulation des cultures dans des billes d’alginate enrobées de chitosane gélifié par du lignosulfonate. C’est le seul montage qui nous a permis d’encapsuler le consortium de façon efficace sans effet significatifs négatifs sur son activité de déchlorination. Aussi, la comparaison des profils de déhalogénation du PCE de cellules encapsulées et cellules libres a montré une plus faible accumulation de TCE, 1,2-DCE et VC dans les échantillons de cellules encapsulée et, par conséquent, une conversion plus rapide et plus complète du PCE en éthène. Finalement, nous avons observé une tendance favorable à l’idée que les microorganismes encapsulés bénéficient d’un effet de protection contre de faibles concentrations d’oxygène. / Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and other chlorinated ethenes have been used for industrial purposes since the beginnning of 20th century. However, they are now considered common pollutants of soil and water. A lot of efforts are directed toward elimination of these compounds and we believe degradation of these chlorinated ethenes by microorganisms is the best solution. The first step of this project was to establish a complete conversion of PCE to its non-toxic product ethylene using an enriched consortium of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes. Our results show the importance of lactic acid as a carbon source and indirect source of electrons in a reaction known as dehalorespiration. We have been able to establish the effect of initial biomass on the biodegradation profile of PCE. The second step of the project was to obtain a working protocol for encapsulation of the consortium in a polymeric matrix. Such immobilization procedure would then allows numerous possible advantages as shown in the literature. We tested three encapsulation setups: air atomization, ultrasonic atomization and drop-wise technique. In the last setup, we successfully encapsulated the bacterial consortium into particles made of an alginate core surrounded by a chitosan layer. Thus the drop-wise technique allowed encapsulation of the consortium without negative effects on its dechlorination activity. In addition, the dechlorination profiles of encapsulated cells showed a lower accumulation of chlorinated intermediates TCE, 1,2-DCE and VC which yield a more rapid and complete conversion of PCE to ethylene. Finally, our results support the idea that encapsulated microorganisms may benefit from a protective effect when oxygen is present in the medium.

Alginate overproduction by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes a mucoid phenotype, is a major virulence factor associated with chronic pulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis patients. Expression of the algD operon for alginate biosynthesis requires three major regulators in association with the ECF sigma factor, σ22, in mucoid strains that are typically defective in anti-sigma factor, MucA. One such algD regulator is AlgB, a member of the NtrC family of two-component systems, which typically utilize σ54. However, neither σ54 nor the cognate sensor kinase (KinB) of AlgB are required for algD expression in such mucoid strains. I hypothesized that KinB-phosphorylated AlgB must play some role in gene regulation, and so I sought to construct a constitutively active AlgB that simulated kinase-phosphorylation. I took a predictive approach and genetically introduced substitutions in AlgB that had been shown to activate DctD, a close homologue of AlgB in Rhizobium (52). When one such substitution, AlgBE125K, was transferred to a nonmucoid P. aeruginosa PAO ΔalgB-kinB (JK159) strain, alginate overproduction was observed. Interestingly, introduction of an algT mutation to remove σ22 did not block alginate production induced by AlgBE125K; although, it did stimulate the production of alginate in the presence of AlgBwt in trans to similar levels induced by the constitutive mutant. In contrast, introduction of an rpoN mutation showed that alginate production mediated by AlgBwt and AlgBE125K was σ54 dependent. The increase in expression of alginate by AlgBwt in the presence of σ54 and the absence of σ22 suggested a competition between the sigma factors for binding to PalgD. Biochemical assays were conducted to assess the constitutive property of AlgBE125K. For the ATPase assay, an equivalent amount of ATP hydrolysis was observed between the mutant and the wild type AlgB proteins. Slight differences seen for the EMSA data suggested possible higher order complex formation for AlgBE125K compared to AlgBwt. Collectively, these results suggested that in wild-type (MucA+) P. aeruginosa, expression of the algD operon is dependent on the phosphorylation of AlgB by KinB in a typical two-component fashion that is triggered by some as yet unknown environmental stimulus.

The objective of this study was two-fold: 1) to determine the accuracy of the Elements Apex Locator and 2) to compare the accuracy of the alginate and Endo Q models as in-vitro apex locator testing devices. Twenty teeth were decoronated at the CEJ and triplicate measurements were made using the Elements Apex Locator. All measurements were made to the apex reading of the apex locator. True length was established by visualizing the file tip at the apex with a dental operating microscope. Measurements were then taken with the teeth mounted in an alginate model and then in the Endo Q model. The two models were compared using a repeated-measure ANOVA. Statistically significant differences occurred between the alginate and Endo Q models. The results showed that in 95% (n=19) of the cases, an accurate location to within + 0.5 mm of the apical foramen was obtained with the Endo Q model and 55% (n=11) with the alginate model. With a + 1.0 mm tolerance level, an accuracy of 95% (n=19) was found with the use of the alginate model. In conclusion, it seems that the Endo Q system was more suitable for testing the electronic apex locator than the alginate model. The Elements Apex Locator with the use of the Endo Q model was highly accurate in locating to within + 0.5 mm of the apical foramen (Mean deviation = .17 mm).

The goal of this research was to develop a system of injectable hydrogels to deliver stem cells to musculoskeletal defects, thereby allowing cells to remain at the treatment site and secrete soluble factors that will facilitate tissue regeneration. First, production parameters for encapsulating cells in microbeads were determined. This involved investigating the effects of osmolytes on alginate microbead properties, and the effects of alginate microbead cell density, alginate microbead density, and effects of osteogenic media on microencapsulated cells. Although cells remained viable in the microbeads, alginate does not readily degrade in vivo for six months. Therefore, a method to incorporate alginate lyase in microbeads was developed and optimized to achieve controlled release of viable cells. Effectiveness of this strategy was determined through cell release studies and measuring proteins and expression of genes that are characteristic of the cell’s phenotype. Lastly, in vivo studies were done to assess the ability of alginate microbeads to localize microencapsulated cells and support chondrogenesis and osteogenesis. This project will provide insight to the tissue engineering field regarding cell-based therapies and healing musculoskeletal defects.

Orientador: Leonardo Fernandes Fraceto / Resumo: A demanda pelo uso de produtos para uma agricultura sustentável com um menor impacto no ambiente tem sido cada vez maior. Sendo assim, a utilização do controle biológico é uma alternativa para diminuir o uso dos agrotóxicos e os consequentes riscos. O fungo Trichoderma harzianum é um exemplo de controle biológico eficaz contra o patógeno Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (mofo branco), o qual atinge diversas culturas e traz perdas na produção que podem chegar até 100 %. Porém, a utilização desse fungo de controle biológico pode encontrar alguns problemas como, por exemplo, estresse do fungo por fatores bióticos e abióticos. Uma possível solução para esse tipo de problema é a microenpcaulação. Desta maneira, este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver micropartículas de alginato de cálcio e de quitosana como sistema carreador de fungos, caracterizar o sistema de micropartículas através de métodos físico-químicos, avaliação molecular da microbiota do solo, antagonismo contra o fitopatógeno S. sclerotiorum e o efeito das micropartículas em plantas. O tamanho médio das micropartículas de alginato de cálcio e quitosana foi de 2000 μm e 2500 μm, respectivamente. A microscopia eletrônica de varredura confirmou a morfologia esférica das micropartículas após o processo de desidratação. O ensaio de fotoestabilidade revelou uma maior proteção do fungo Trichoderma harzianum quando encapsulado nas micropartículas de alginato de cálcio. Os ensaios de Calorimetria Diferencial de Varredura (DSC) e Es... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Doutor

Úlceras crônicas necessitam de um longo tempo de tratamento, resultando em alto custo com cuidados médicos. A busca por novas substâncias terapêuticas cicatrizantes, atóxicas e de fácil acesso a população ganhou importância nos últimos anos. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia da biomembrana de quitosana-alginato na cicatrização de úlceras cutâneas em ratos. Foram utilizados 40 ratos Wistar machos submetidos a duas úlceras dorsais por punch (1,5cm diâmetro), ambas tratadas com soro fisiológico (grupo SF) e biomembrana de quitosana-alginato (grupo BQA), por 2, 7, 14 e 21 dias pós-lesão e foram removidas somente no dia do sacrifício. Todos os animais receberam curativo oclusivo de gaze e esparadrapo. Foi calculado o índice de cicatrização das úlceras e por histomorfometria foi quantificado o infiltrado inflamatório, vasos sanguíneos, fibroblastos e colagênese, utilizando o software ImageJ. Por dosagem bioquímica foi quantificada a colagênese (OHP) e a participação neutrofílica (MPO). BQA aumentou o recrutamento de células inflamatórias na lesão no 2° dia (p=0,0134). No 7º dia, observou-se importante redução de MPO em relação ao 2º dia no grupo BQA (p=0,0326), enquanto SF apresentou-se superior a BQA (p=0,0043). BQA aumentou o recrutamento de fibroblastos no 7° (p=0,0275) e no 14° dia (p=0,0086), apresentou maior colagênese no 2º (p=0,0042) e 21º dias (p=0,0249), porém no 14º dia foi inferior a SF (P=0,0010). O grupo BQA no 7° dia apresentou-se estatisticamente mais reepitelizado que o grupo SF (p=0,0006). Sendo assim, a biomembrana de quitosana-alginato regulou a fase inflamatória e estimulou a colagênese, acelerando a cicatrização de úlceras em ratos. / Chronic wounds require a long treatment time, resulting in high-cost medical care. Therefore, the search for new natural therapeutic healing substances, non-toxic and easy access to population has gained importance in recent years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan-alginate biomembrane on wound healing in rats. Two excisional wounds were performed by punch (1.5 cm diameter) on the dorsal of 40 male Wistar rats. Both wounds of each rat were treated with chitosan-alginate biomembrane (BQA group) and treated only with saline (SF group) for 2, 7, 14 and 21 days post-injury. All wounds received occlusive dressing with gauze and tape and the biomembranes were removed only in the sacrificed day. It was evaluated the re-epithelialization by wound healing rate and by histomorphometry was quantified the inflammatory cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels and collagenesis by ImageJ software. Myeloperoxidase assay (MPO) was performed to evaluate the neutrophilic infiltrate on injured tissue, and hydroxyproline assay (OHP) to evaluate the collagenesis. BQA increased the recruitment of inflammatory cells to wound, different from SF (p=0,0134) on 2nd day. On 7th day, regarding to MPO, BQA showed an important reduction relation to 2nd day (p=0,0326), whereas SF showed higher MPO than BQA (p=0,0043). BQA increased the recruitment of fibroblasts to wound on 7th (p=0,0275) and 14th (p=0,0086), showed higher collagenesis than SF on 2nd (p=0,0042) and 21st days (p=0,0249), however on 14th day SF was higher (p=0,0010). BQA showed more pronounced reepithelialization on 7th day than SF (p=0,0006). Chitosan-alginate biomembrane regulated the inflammatory phase and stimulated the collagenesis, accelerating the wound healing on rats.

Orientador: João Pessoa Araújo Júnior / Resumo: O Brasil é o segundo maior produtor de carne bovina do mundo e para se manter competitivo tem objetivado melhorias em higiene e segurança alimentar. Micro-organismos deteriorantes diminuem a vida de prateleira dos produtos e podem viabilizar patógenos em biofilmes predominantemente heterogêneos. Pseudomonas aeruginosa são bactérias mais comuns em carnes, e tem como característica a alta capacidade de produção de biofilme. Sendo ambientais, a contaminação da carne é facilitada por falhas de higiene e boas práticas, sendo relevante estudos sobre a sua presença em produtos cárneos. Neste trabalho, objetivou-se estudar a intensidade de produção de biofilme e sua expressão gênica por cepas de P. aeruginosa isoladas em planta de processamento bovino. As amostras foram obtidas por suabes de carcaças e superfícies em planta de processamento bovino totalizando sete coletas, divididas em dois dias, amostrando-se 22 pontos em cada coleta. Os isolados foram confirmados físico-quimicamente. A produção de biofilme por espectrofotometria classificou a intensidade em fortes, moderadas, fracas e não produtoras. Foram isoladas 32 cepas, das quais 4 demonstraram forte produção de biofilme, 3 moderadas, 4 fracas e 8 não produtoras. Foi predominante a contaminação em carcaças recém abatidas, anteriormente à refrigeração. As amostras foram confirmadas usando o alvo oprL em análise por qPCR, e a comparação da expressão de alginato, algU e algD posteriormente normalizados pelo gene 16S foi realizada... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Brazil is the second largest beef producer in the world and in order to remain competitive, it has aimed at improving hygiene and food safety. Damaging microorganisms decrease the shelf life of products and may render pathogens viable in predominantly heterogeneous biofilms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common bacteria in meats, characterized by high biofilm production capacity being environmental, meat contamination is facilitated by good practices hygiene faults being relevant studies on their presence in meat products. The objective of this study was to determine the intensity of biofilm production and its gene expression by strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from a bovine processing plant. Samples were obtained by carcass swabs and surfaces in a bovine processing plant, totaling seven samples, divided in two days, sampling 22 points in each collection. The isolates were physicochemically confirmed. The biofilm production by spectrophotometry classified the intensity as strong, moderate, weak and non-producing. Thirty-two strains were isolated, 4 of which showed strong biofilm production, 3 moderate, 4 weak and 8 non-producing. Contamination was predominant in freshly slaughtered carcass prior to refrigeration. All samples were confirmed in qPCR analysis with the oprL target, and gene expression of strong and weak samples were developmented with alginate genes, algU and algD, normalized by 16S gene. Expression analyzes of the algU and algD genes did not demonstrate s... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Os biopolímeros comestíveis, tais como amido e alginato, podem ser utilizados na formulação de géis com elevada capacidade de retenção de água. A secagem convectiva pode ser utilizada para a remoção da umidade em géis. Os parâmetros da secagem (temperatura, velocidade do ar e umidade de equilíbrio) necessitam ser monitorados para a produção de um sólido seco e sem degradação de compostos ativos. A modelagem matemática da secagem pelo método numérico de elementos finitos em COMSOL Multiphysics tem sido utilizada para simular a secagem, usando um número reduzido de ensaios experimentais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de modelos analíticos e numéricos para predizer a umidade e tamanho de fatias de géis de amido de milho e alginato de cálcio durante a secagem convectiva. O acoplamento entre a transferência de massa e encolhimento das fatias durante a secagem foi simulado e a difusividade mássica efetiva foi obtida pelo ajuste não linear aos dados experimentais. Três modelos foram utilizados como estudos de caso: A secagem de géis contendo 60% de água e 5.4% de amido gelatinizados (GC90), foram descritas pela solução analítica da segunda lei de Fick (R2 = 0.997-0.998); A secagem de géis contendo 60% de água e 5.4% de amido nativo (RC90), foram mais bem explicadas pelo modelo analítico com inclusão do termo de encolhimento (R2 = 0.992); O modelo numérico desenvolvido em COMSOL Multiphysics descreveu adequadamente a secagem de géis formulados com 86% de água e 34% amido gelatinizado e não-gelatinizado (GC50 e RC90), dando um R2 de 0.983-0.992. O encolhimento foi estimado a partir do fluxo molar de água, enquanto a deformação da geometria foi simulada pelo método arbitrário Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE). A inclusão do termo de encolhimento modificou o perfil de taxa de secagem e o período de pseudo-taxa constante foi observado. O modelo desenvolvido neste trabalho pode ser aplicado em estudos de secagem de géis, alimentos e outros materiais que apresentam elevada razão de encolhimento. / Biopolymers, such as starch and alginate, can be used in the formulation of gels with high water retention. The convective drying can be applied to gel moisture removing. Drying parameters (temperature, air velocity and equilibrium moisture) should be monitored in view of producing a dry solid without degradation of active compounds. The mathematical modeling by the finite element method in COMSOL Multiphysics has been used to simulate drying profiles, with reduced experimental runs. This work aimed at developing of analytical and numerical models to predict the moisture and size of slices of gels containing cornstarch and calcium alginate, during convective drying. The coupling between mass transfer and shrinkage of slices during drying was simulated and the effective mass diffusivity was obtained by non-linear adjustment to the experimental data. Three models have been used as case studies obtained the effective mass diffusivity. Drying of gels containing 60% water and 5.4% gelatinized cornstarch (GC90 samples) as well fitted by the analytical solution of Fick\'s second law (R2 = 0.997-0.998). Drying of gels containing 60% water and 5.4% native starch (RC90 samples) as explained by Fick\'s analytical model while inclusion of the shrinkage term (R2 = 0.992). The numerical model developed in COMSOL Multiphysics adequately described the drying of gels formulated with 86% water and 34% of starch, gelatinized or non-gelatinized, (GC50 and RC90 samples), giving a R2 of 0.983-0.992. The shrinkage was estimated by the molar flux of water, while the geometry shrinkage was simulated by the Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) method. The inclusion of the shrinkage modified the drying rate profiles and a pseudo-constant rate period was observed. The model developed in this work can be applied to drying studies of gels, food and other materials that have a high shrinkage ratio.

O meio hidrotrópico tem sido intensamente explorado pela indústria a fim de melhorar a solubilização de substâncias pouco solúveis em água. Os hidrótropos são compostos anfifílicos, como os surfactantes, mas os microdomínios formados não têm estruturas bem organizadas como as micelas. O mecanismo de solubilização hidrotrópica não está completamente elucidado. Muitos esforços têm sido feitos nesse sentido tanto em nosso grupo quanto por outros pesquisadores. Os alginatos também formam microdomínios em solução e tem sido bastante estudados devido a suas aplicações na agricultura, farmácia, medicina, dentre outras. Sabe-se que as propriedades fotofísicas de corantes são sensíveis ao meio no qual eles se encontram. Neste trabalho as propriedades fotofísicas do corante pseudoisocianina (PIC) foram determinadas em soluções hidrotrópicas de toluenossulfonato de sódio (TSS) e estirenossulfonato de sódio (ESS), em soluções de metanol, etanol, butanol e etilenoglicol, bem como em solução aquosa de alginato de sódio. Estes estudos também agregam informações para a compreensão do comportamento dos hidrótropos em solução aquosa, usando-se o corante PIC como sonda fotofísica. / Hydrotropic media have been intensively explored by industry to improve the solubilization of poorly water-soluble substances. Hydrotropes are amphiphilic compounds, such as surfactants, that form microdomains that are not as wellorganized as micelles. The mechanism of hydrotropic solubilization is not completely elucidated. Much effort has been done towards this end, in our group and by other researchers. Alginates also form microdomains in solution and have been largely studied due to their applications in agriculture, pharmacy, medicine, among others. It is well-known that the photophysical properties of dyes depend on the environment in which they are placed. In this work, photophysical properties of the dye pseudoisocyanine (PIC) have been determined in hydrotropic solutions of sodium toluenesulphonate (TSS) and sodium styrenesulphonate (ESS), in solutions of methanol, ethanol, butanol and etileneglycol, as well as in sodium alginate aqueous solution. This study also adds information to the understanding of hydrotrope behaviour in aqueous solution by using PIC as a photophysical probe.