The interaction at the surfaces of load bearing implant biomaterials with tissues and physiological fluids is an area of crucial importance to all kinds of medical technologies. To achieve the best clinical outcome and restore the function of the diseased tissue, several surface engineering strategies have been discussed by scientific community throughout the world. In the current work, we are focusing on one such technique based on laser surface engineering to achieve the appropriate surface morphology and surface chemistry. Here by using a pulsed and continuous wave laser direct melting techniques we synthesize three dimensional textured surfaces of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) based surface chemistry on Ti-6Al-4V. The influence of each processing type on the micro texture and phase evolution and thereby its associated effect on wettability, in vitro bioactivity, and in vitro biocompatibility are systematically discussed. For samples processed using the pulsed laser, it was realized that with increasing laser scan speed and laser pulse frequency there was a transition from surface textures with sharp circular grooves to surface textures with radial grooves and thereby improved hydrophilicity. For CW laser processing the results demonstrated improved hydrophilicity for the samples processed at 100 μm line spacing as compared to the samples processed at 200 μm line spacing. Owing to the importance of Si for cartilage and hard tissue repair, a preliminary effort for synthesizing Ca-P-SiO2 composite coating on Ti-6Al-4V surface were also conducted. As a future potential technique we also explored the Laser Interference Patterning (LIP) technique to achieve the textured surfaces and developed understanding on their wetting behavior. In the current work, by adjusting the laser processing parameters we were able to synthesize textured coatings with biocompatible phases. The in vitro bioactivity and in vitro vi biocompatibility of the coatings were proved by the precipitation of an apatite like phase following immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF), and increased proliferation and spreading of the MC3T3-E1 like cells. The results and understanding of the current research is encouraging in terms of looking at other bio-ceramic precursor compositions and laser process parameter window for synthesizing better textured biocompatible coatings.

The purpose of lactation is for nutrient provision and also importantly for protection from various environmental stressors. Milk polar lipids reduce cholesterol, protect against bacterial infection, reduce inflammation and help maintain gut integrity. Dynamic interactions within dietary fat, lipid metabolism, gut permeability and inflammatory cytokines remain unclear in the context of obesity and systemic inflammation. A rat model and three mouse models were developed to test the hypotheses that dietary milk polar lipids may affect lipid metabolism and intestinal integrity and may protect against systemic inflammation in the context of stressful diet, systemic inflammation, and obesity. The milk polar lipids isolates had complex effects on lipid metabolism and associated gene expression in the rat model. There were complex dynamics in lipid metabolism, gut permeability and systemic inflammation at different time points in all mouse models. The milk phospholipids increased gut permeability in genetic and diet-induced obesity and during the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) -induced inflammation. The phospholipids increased the plasma LPS level in genetic obesity and during the LPS stress. The phospholipids reduced liver mass and liver lipids in genetic obesity and during the LPS-induced inflammation. The phospholipids increased the body fat in the diet-induced obesity model. The milk gangliosides did not significantly affect gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in all three mouse models. Current estimate by the Centers for Disease Control is that about 1/3 Americans are obese (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30) and 1/3 Americans are overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30). More than 25% of Americans today have a fatty liver which could lead to further health problems. The data from this dissertation shed light on the complicated interrelationships between gut permeability, systemic inflammation, and lipid metabolism in obesity. The results contribute to our understanding of the bioactivities of milk polar lipids and provide scientific evidence for the role of milk polar lipids rich materials in affecting biological functions. The study of the influence of milk polar lipids on gut barrier integrity adds new information on understanding the mechanisms of gut leakiness and recovery. The investigation of the impact of milk polar lipids on lipid metabolism reveals new perspectives for the development of diet-induced obesity.

Despite extensive preventative efforts, the problem of controlling infections associated with biomedical materials persists. Bacteria tend to colonize on biocompatible materials and form biofilms; thus, novel biomaterials with antibacterial properties are of great interest. In this thesis, titanium dioxide (TiO2)-associated photocatalysis under ultraviolet (UV) irradiation was investigated as a strategy for developing bioactivity and antibacterial properties on biomaterials. Although much of the work was specifically directed towards dental materials, the results presented are applicable to a wide range of biomaterial applications. Most of the experimental work in the thesis was based on a resin-TiO2 nanocomposite that was prepared by adding 20 wt% TiO2 nanoparticles to a resin-based polymer material. Tests showed that the addition of the nanoparticles endowed the adhesive material with photocatalytic activity without affecting the functional bonding strength. Subsequent studies indicated a number of additional beneficial properties associated with the nanocomposite that appear promising for biomaterial applications. For example, irradiation with UV light induced bioactivity on the otherwise non-bioactive nanocomposite; this was indicated by hydroxyapatite formation on the surface following soaking in Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline. Under UV irradiation, the resin-TiO2 nanocomposite provided effective antibacterial action against both planktonic and biofilm bacteria. UV irradiation of the nanocomposite also provided a prolonged antibacterial effect that continued after removal of the UV light source. UV treatment also reduced bacterial adhesion to the resin-TiO2 surface. The mechanisms involved in the antibacterial effects of TiO2 photocatalysis were studied by investigating the specific contributions of the photocatalytic reaction products (the reactive oxygen species) and their disinfection kinetics. Methods of improving the viability analysis of bacteria subjected to photocatalysis were also developed.

The glass-ceramics containing apatite [Ca10(PO4)6(O,F2)] and wollastonite [CaO&amp / #8226 / SiO2] crystals as the predominant crystalline phases, (A-W glass-ceramics) were produced through controlled crystallization of the glasses in the MgO-CaO-SiO2-P2O5-F system. Phases formed in the crystallized counterpart of the glasses were identified by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The crystal morphology of the resultant glass-ceramics was examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The crystallization kinetic parameters consisting of the activation energy for crystallization, (E), the Avrami parameter, (n), and frequency factor of the glass were determined with regard to small amount of TiO2 additions using non-isothermal differential thermal analysis (DTA). The values for E and n for apatite and wollastonite were 460 kJ/mol and 433 kJ/mol, and 3.1&plusmn / 0.1 and 1.5&plusmn / 0.1, respectively. When 4 wt% TiO2 was incorporated into the base glass, the values for E decreased to 408 and 320 kJ/mol for apatite and wollastonite, respectively / but the values for n increased from 3.1&plusmn / 0.1 to 3.3&plusmn / 0.1, and from 1.5&plusmn / 0.1 to 1.9&plusmn / 0.1 for apatite and wollastonite, respectively. TiO2 is an effective nucleating agent in this glass system for promoting the precipitation of both apatite and wollastonite crystals. Structure oriented changes in the indentation microhardness and tribological properties of the A-W glass-ceramics were evidenced. The microhardness at the free surface was 650&plusmn / 12 HV, but decreased with increasing depth distance from the free surface and attained 520&plusmn / 8 HV at a distance 0.5 mm below the free surface. The wear rate at the free surface was 0.7&plusmn / 0.05 &times / 10-4 mm3/Nm, but increased as the distance from the free surface increased and became 2.9&plusmn / 0.15 &times / 10-4 mm3/Nm at a distance 0.5 mm below the free surface. Tribological properties of the A-W glass-ceramics were compared with those of commercially available dental ceramics including IPS Empress 2&reg / , Cergo Pressable Ceramic&reg / , Cerco Ceram&reg / , Super porcelain EX-3&reg / , and bovine enamel. The wear rate, friction coefficient, and wear mechanisms of the A-W glass-ceramics were similar to currently used artificial dental materials.

No description available.

The study of internal structure of materials has always been an essential issue in a variety of application fields, from the medical radiology to the materials science. X-ray computed microtomography (with both conventional and synchrotron radiation sources) has a great potential for these purposes because its three-dimensional and non destructive nature as well as the fact that it does not require any sample preparation and it allows to study samples under stress or after consecutive treatments. The recent developments of new X-ray sources with innovative imaging techniques, as well as novel high resolution detectors, allow moving forward the maximum achievable resolution of this technique to a few micrometers or even less. This contributed to increase its application in biomedical purposes, but also to raise the need for quantitative analysis of the reconstructed data. Indeed in most of the cases a quantitative characterization of the samples microstructures is needed to better understand their physical and chemical behavior, the effects of manufacturing process or the response to stress. Dedicated software packages have been developed to perform a geometrical and morphological characterization of the samples texture and to evaluate some typical parameters commonly used to classify porous media such as porosity, cell size distribution, connectivity and anisotropy. In this work two case studies have been considered for the application of a quantitative analysis approach to microtomography datasets: the first concerns the characterization of bone ingrowth within tissue engineering scaffolds, while the second is related to the extraction of morphological descriptors for the architecture of human skull bones. It will be shown how suitable image processing and analysis techniques are able to effectively quantify significant parameters such as the trabecular thickness of the skull bones as well as the porosity and the degree of connectivity of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. Similar quantitative analysis methods applied to microtomography images have to be considered as an effective methodology for a comprehensive characterization of other biomedical samples.

The aim of biomaterials design is to create an artificial environment that mimics the in vivo extracellular matrix for optimized cell interactions. A precise synergy between the scaffolding material, bioactivity, and cell type must be maintained in an effective biomaterial. In this work, we present a technique of nanofabrication that creates chemically nanopatterned bioactive silicon surfaces for cell studies. Using nanoimprint lithography, RGD and mimetic BMP-2 peptides were covalently grafted onto silicon as nanodots of various dimensions, resulting in a nanodistribution of bioactivity. To study the effects of spatially distributed bioactivity on cell behavior, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were cultured on these chemically modified surfaces, and their adhesion and differentiation were studied. MSCs are used in regenerative medicine due to their multipotent properties, and well-controlled biomaterial surface chemistries can be used to influence their fate. We observe that peptide nanodots induce differences in MSC behavior in terms of cytoskeletal organization, actin stress fiber arrangement, focal adhesion (FA) maturation, and MSC commitment in comparison with homogeneous control surfaces. In particular, FA area, distribution, and conformation were highly affected by the presence of peptide nanopatterns. Additionally, RGD and mimetic BMP-2 peptides influenced cellular behavior through different mechanisms that resulted in changes in cell spreading and FA maturation. These findings have remarkable implications that contribute to the understanding of cell-extracellular matrix interactions for clinical biomaterials applications.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-08T16:44:43Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 PGPV13MA111.pdf: 4178123 bytes, checksum: d68fc297a429c3fa95d6b1a5707ee257 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The pear (Pyrus communis) belongs to the family Rosaceae, is native from asian continent. The cultivation of pear is established in Latin American countries like Argentina and Chile and is in expansion in regions of southern highlands in Brazil. The quantity of fruits produced on Brazilian regions does not meet the demand, being necessary the importation of 90% of pear fruits that are consumed in Brazil. The occurrence of fruit flies (Anastrepha fraterculus) has been a problem on the pear orchards and has caused an increase of the production costs. The aim of this work was to study the infestation of flies related to fruit ripeness of Packham`s and William`s cultivars, in order to characterize the damage resulting from the attack of fruit flies in different stages of fruit maturation and correlate the physical and chemical factors of the fruits with the infestation of fruit flies. Besides, evaluate in laboratory the bioactivity of natural compounds of vegetal and mineral origin in adults of fruit flies. Fruit of Packham`s and William`s cultivars were bagged when they had diameter transversal approximately equal to 20 mm. On the experiment of damage characterization, the fruits were infested by two couples of flies in reproductive age for 48 hours. In laboratory the fruits were individualized in pots with capacity to 750 mL and then were released two couples of fruit flies for 48 hours. Besides, were performed evaluations of chemical (solid soluble and pH) and physical (texture of skin and flesh, color and size) fruit parameters. Field experiments sought to evaluate the occurrence of fruit dropping, galleries and larvae in the fruit endocarp. Laboratory experiments sought to quantify the number of larvae, pupae and adults on the fruits in each stage of maturation. The fruits were immersed in each of the treatments that were: andiroba oil, azadirachtin, kaolin, methidathion and distilled water, and were offered to the fruit flies in tests of free and no-choice. In both test was evaluated the efficiency of the substances and the number of larvae, pupae and adults that remained alive. The fruits of Packham`s cultivar did not suffered early dropping when infested by the fruit fly and enable larval development from 54.9 mm of diameter. The fruits of William`s cultivar suffered early dropping by the fruit fly attack and enable the larval development from 52.8 mm of diameter. The texture of skin and flesh of both cultivars affect the onset of the attack of the fly. Andiroba oil interfered negatively on the oviposition of the fly in laboratory tests with free and no-choice. There was not response of the treatments azadirachtin and kaolin on the oviposition, adult mortality, and number of larvae, pupae and adults found on the fruits / A pereira (Pyrus communis L.) pertence a família Rosaceae, é uma espécie nativa do continente asiático. O cultivo da pereira está estabelecido em países como Argentina e Chile. Nas regiões serranas de Santa Catarina e Rio Grande do Sul o cultivo ainda e pequeno apesar da demanda pela fruta e das condições climáticas favoráveis ao seu cultivo. A quantidade de frutos de pera produzida pelas regiões produtoras brasileiras não atende a demanda, sendo necessária a importação de 90% da fruta que é consumida no território brasileiro. A ocorrência da mosca-dasfrutas (Anastrepha fraterculus) tem sido um problema nos pomares de pereira e tem causado um aumento dos custos de produção. O objetivo desse trabalho foi estudar a infestação de moscas-das-frutas relacionada a maturação dos frutos das cultivares de pera Packham`s e William`s, visando caracterizar os danos decorrente do ataque da moscas-das-frutas em frutos com diferentes estágios de maturação e correlacionar os fatores físico químicos dos frutos com a infestação da mosca-dasfrutas. Além disso, avaliar em laboratório a bioatividade de compostos naturais de origem vegetal e mineral em adultos de moscas-das-frutas. Para os experimentos realizou-se o ensacamento de frutos de pera das cultivares Packham`s e William`s quando os mesmos possuíam diâmetro transversal de aproximadamente 20 mm. No experimento de caracterização de dano a campo, os frutos foram infestados por dois casais de moscas em idade reprodutiva por 48 horas. No laboratório os frutos foram, individualizados em potes com capacidade para 750 mL e em seguida liberados dois casais de moscas por 48 horas. Além disso, também foram realizadas avaliações dos parâmetros químicos (sólidos solúveis totais e pH) e físicos (textura da casca e da polpa, coloração e tamanho) dos frutos. No campo buscou-se avaliar a ocorrência de queda, galerias e larvas no endocarpo dos frutos. No laboratório realizou-se a quantificação de larvas pupas e adultos nos frutos de cada estádio de maturação. Os frutos foram submetidos a imersão em cada um dos tratamentos que foram: óleo de andiroba, Azamax®, caulim, metidationa e água destilada e foram oferecidos a mosca-das-frutas em testes com e sem chance de escolha. Em ambos os testes foi avaliada a eficiência das substâncias utilizadas, além do número de larvas, pupas e adultos sobreviventes. Os frutos de pera da cultivar Packham`s não sofreram queda em razão da infestação da A. fraterculus e possibilitam o desenvolvimento larval a partir de 54,9 mm de diâmetro. Os frutos da cultivar William`s sofreram queda prematura decorrente do ataque da mosca-das-frutas e possibilitam o desenvolvimento larval a partit de 52,8 mm de diâmetro. As texturas da casca e da polpa afetam o início do ataque de A. fraterculus nos frutos de ambas as cultivares de pera. O óleo de andiroba mostrou-se interferir negativamente na oviposicao da mosca das frutas nos testes de laboratório com sem chance de escolha. Não houve resposta dos tratamentos a base de Azamax® e caulim sobre a oviposição, mortalidade de adultos, número de larvas, pupas e adultos encontradas nos frutos

Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The sol-gel process used in obtaining bioactive glasses provide suitable conditions for the precipitation of hydroxyapatite nanocrystals below the glass transition temperature (Tg), even before they were immersed in biological fluids. However, because it is an ordering short, there is a great difficulty in proving its existence via the usual methods of characterization.There is evidence that the sol-gel process used to obtain bioactive glasses provides), and even before being immersed in biological fluids. Because of its short-range order, there is a great difficulty in proving its existence via the usual methods of characterization. Thus, the aim of this study was to understand the process involved in the formation of this nanocrystalline phase on the bioactive glass using Rietveld refinement on data from X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM); and how this glass behave on dissolution/precipitation essays. In addition, MgO oxide was used as probe to confirm the presence of apatite phase. Nanocrystalline apatite domains were observed after thermal treatment, even at temperatures below the Tg. The formation of this phase is directly related to the initial separation of calcium nitrate and triethyl phosphate (TEP) from amorphous silicate clusters during the drying process. After heat treatment at 300oC, calcium nitrate is decomposed and calcite formed. Subsequently, calcite is decarburized, and the remaining phosphate groups react with calcium, increasing the amount of nanocrystalline apatite domains. Above the Tg, the crystallinity of these phases is increased, other phases such combeita and β-cristobalite are easily identified among the products crystallization, occurring in independent events. Therefore, it was possible to propose a mechanism for crystallization of apatite below the Tg became clear that the sol-gel process produces, in fact, suitable conditions for crystallization even during the initial formation of bioglass at low temperatures and without any contact with biological fluids. The dissolution assay showed that there is no apparent change for different levels of MgO inserted, and that along the immersion period, the glass will decompose with the release of SiO44- while an apatite layer is being formed on the surface by deposition Ca2+, Mg2+ and PO43-. / O processo sol-gel utilizado na obtenção de biovidros proporciona condições adequadas para o ordenamento de nanocristais de hidroxiapatita abaixo da temperatura de transição vítrea (Tg), antes mesmo de serem imersos em fluidos biológicos. No entanto, por se tratar de um ordenamento de curta distância, há uma grande dificuldade em se comprovar sua existência via métodos usuais de caracterização. Dessa forma, o objetivo desse trabalho foi entender o processo envolvido na formação dessa fase nanocristalina no biovidro usando refinamento Rietveld sobre dados de difração de raios X e microscopia eletrônica de transmissão de alta resolução (HRTEM); e como esse vidro se comporta em ensaios de bioatividade, através de ensaio de dissolução/precipitação. Além disso, MgO foi usado como óxido sonda para a confirmação da presença da fase apatita. Domínios de apatita nanocristalina foram observados após tratamento térmico, mesmo em temperaturas abaixo da Tg. A formação desta fase está diretamente associada à segregação inicial de nitrato de cálcio e trietilfosfato (TEP) a partir dos clusters de silicato amorfo durante o processo de secagem. Após o tratamento térmico à 300oC, o nitrato de cálcio é decomposto e a calcita formada. Posteriormente, a calcita é descarbonizada, e os grupos fosfato restantes reagem com o cálcio, aumentando a quantidade de domínios de apatita nanocristalina. Acima da Tg, a cristalinidade destas fases aumenta, e outras fases como combeita e cristobalita do tipo beta são facilmente identificadas entre os produtos de cristalização, ocorrendo em eventos independentes. Portanto, foi possível propor um mecanismo para a cristalização de uma apatita abaixo da Tg ficando claro que o processo sol-gel gera, de fato, condições adequadas para a cristalização, mesmo durante a formação inicial do biovidro em baixas temperaturas e sem qualquer contato com fluidos biológicos. O ensaio de dissolução mostrou que não há variação aparente para diferentes teores de MgO inserido, e que ao longo do período de imersão, o vidro vai se decompondo com liberação de SiO44- ao passo que uma camada de apatita vai se formando na superfície pela deposição de Ca2+, PO43- e Mg2+.

The intervention for fungi control in seeds is widely made through chemical products. However, the results of this use may become negative to society and environment due to the pollution caused by the residues of those products, besides the development of isolates of phytopathogens which become, long term, resistant to these chemical substances. One of the current approaches is the alternative control of plant diseases. In this context, the aim of this work is to use vegetal extracts in different ways and to include the biological control in fungi control in forest seeds. Bioactive plants may establish, together with the biological control, one of the potencial ways of alternative control of fungi diseases. Some of the species studied under this aspect were: Ateleia glazioviana, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus citriodora, Melya azedarach and Cymbopogon winterianus. Analysing the results in Chapter I, it was evidenced that treatments made with dry extracts in the storage of seeds inhibited most of the associated fungi. It was also evidenced that the germination in treated seeds was not altered for most of the treatments. In Chapter II, the results showed that essential oils associated with biological control (Trichoderma sp.) were the most efficient in fungi control together with the seeds. / A intervenção para o controle de fungos em sementes é largamente realizada através de produtos químicos. No entanto, além do surgimento de isolados dos fitopatógenos resistentes às substâncias químicas, os resultados para a sociedade e para o meio ambiente podem se tornar negativos devido à poluição causada pelos resíduos. Um dos enfoques da atualidade é o controle alternativo de doenças em plantas, neste contexto este trabalho teve como objetivo utilizar extratos vegetais sob diferentes formas e incluir o controle biológico no controle de fungos em sementes de espécies florestais. As plantas bioativas podem se constituir, ao lado do controle biológico, em mais uma forma potencial de controle alternativo de doenças fúngicas. Algumas espécies estudadas sob este aspecto foram: Ateleia glazioviana, Mentha piperita, Eucalyptus citriodora, Melyia azedarach e Cymbopogon winterianus. No capítulo I podemos constatar que os tratamentos com extratos secos no armazenamento de sementes, inibiram a maioria dos fungos associados, também se constatou que a germinação das sementes tratadas, não foi alterada para maioria dos tratamentos. No capítulo II, os resultados apontaram que os óleos essenciais assim como o controle biológico (Trichoderma sp.), foram os mais eficientes no controle dos fungos associados às sementes.