Electrospun curcumin/polycaprolactone/copolymer F-108 fibers as a new therapy for wound healing

The application of fibers associated with drugs is a promising alternative to meet the clinical needs of tissue repair. Curcumin exhibits great cicatricial potential because it has numerous pharmacological properties. This research aimed to produce fibers of polycaprolactone and copolymer F-108 associated with curcumin and to evaluate in vivo their action on the process of wound healing. The fibers were produced by electrospinning technique and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and fluorescence microscopy. They were applied in cutaneous wounds of rats for the analysis of photoacoustic permeation and histological study. The characterization showed that the electrospinning allowed the preparation of homogeneous material with curcumin. The fibers benefited healing of the wounds and allowed the permeation of curcumin at all stages. The use of PCL/F-108 fibers allowed the elaboration of a new curcumin delivery system, improving its bioavailability and action in the healing of excisional wound. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48415.     

Characterization of novel thermoresponsive poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)/poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) electrospun fibers

Polymer Bulletin - In this work, electrospun fibers of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) blends, PBAT/PNIPAAm, with different mass ratios,...     

Seeing is believing? When scanning electron microscopy (SEM) meets clinical dentistry: The replica technique.

In restorative dentistry, the in situ replication of intra‐oral situations, is based on a non‐invasive and non‐destructive scanning electron microscopy (SEM) evaluation method. The technique is suitable for investigation restorative materials and dental hard‐ and soft‐tissues, and its interfaces. Surface characteristics, integrity of interfaces (margins), or fracture analysis (chipping, cracks, etc.) with reliable resolution and under high magnification (from ×50 to ×5,000). Overall the current study aims to share detailed and reproducible information about the replica technique. Specific goals are: (a) to describe detailed each step involved in producing a replica of an intra‐oral situation, (b) to validate an integrated workflow based on a rational sequence from visual examination, to macrophotography and SEM analysis using the replica technique; (c) to present three clinical cases documented using the technique. A compilation of three clinical situations/cases were analyzed here by means the replica technique showing a wide range of possibilities that can be reached and explored with the described technique. This guidance document will contribute to a more accurate use of the replica technique and help researchers and clinicians to understand and identify issues related to restorative procedures under high magnification.