Biopolymer-based microparticles for encapsulation of all-trans-retinoic acid

This work aims to investigate the potential of complex coacervation technique to encapsulate and protect all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Gelatin and κ-carrageenan were used as wall material and pequi oil was employed as a hydrophobic phase. Three formulations with different protein: polysaccharide ratio and pH were defined to produce the microparticles based on the zeta potential and turbidity analysis: (F1) ratio 3:1 and pH 3.5, (F2) ratio 8:1 and pH 3.5, and (F3) ratio 8:1 and pH 5.0. Microparticles were evaluated regarding their morphology, yield, encapsulation efficiency (EE), and stability. The properties of microparticles were mainly affected by the protein: polysaccharide ratio and the turbidity of the mixtures, which is directly related to the protein-polysaccharide interaction. Formulation 1 showed the optimal values of yield (75.6%), EE (100.2%), and stability (85% of the encapsulated RA remained in the particle). The results demonstrated the high potential of this innovative technique to encapsulate RA for a future application in topical formulations.     

Photoluminescent and antimicrobial properties of silver-doped indium hydroxide synthesized by one-step microwave-assisted hydrothermal method

Silver-doped indium hydroxide In_(1-x)(OH)₃:_xAg (with x = 0, 1, 2, 4, and 8 mol%) of Ag nanoparticles were synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method at 140°C for 30 minutes. These nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and optical diffuse reflectance. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra were acquired with a 350 nm beam of a krypton ion laser as an excitation source. The antibacterial activities of the samples were evaluated against gram negative Escherichia coli bacteria and gram positive Staphylococcus aureus bacteria using the disc diffusion method. The results showed that all diffraction peaks present in XRD patterns could be indexed to the cubic lattice related to the In(OH)₃ phase. Broadband photoluminescence behavior in visible range spectra was observed for all samples with a maximum peak centered in the blue and green regions. The antibacterial activities showed that In_(1-x)(OH)₃: _xAg nanoparticles have a promising bactericide that can be used for deactivating microbes.     

Mechanical properties of flared root canals restored with fiber post and chemically activated resin: study using push-out bond strength and fracture load tests

This study aimed to evaluate the fracture load and push-out bond strength of flared root canals restored with different procedures, including a technique with a fiber post and a chemically activated resin composite. Eighty human canines were selected and treated endodontically. Two methodologies were used: push-out and fracture load. The teeth were divided into four groups: Cast metal core (CMC); PAN (direct anatomic post); PAC (fiber post and accessory posts); and PE (fiber post with chemically activated resin composite). For the fracture load test, the samples were submitted to load application in a universal testing machine. The fracture mode was evaluated visually. Forty other samples were submitted to the push-out test. The fracture load (n = 10) and the bond strength (n = 10) were analyzed by analysis of variance and Tukey tests (α < 0.05). CMC presented the highest fracture load (p < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in the fracture load values for Groups PAN, PAC, and PE. CMC presented 90% of unfavorable failures; PAN and PAC, the remaining 10% of these failures. PE presented only favorable failures. PAC presented lower push-out bond strength values. The fracture load for CMC procedure was higher than that of the others, but presented 90% unfavorable fractures, indicating the use of any of the glass fiber post techniques evaluated for restoring flared root canals due to favorable fracture modes.     

Local boron environment in B-doped nanocrystalline diamond films

Thin films of heavily B-doped nanocrystalline diamond (B:NCD) have been investigated by a combination of high resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy and spatially resolved electron energy-loss spectroscopy performed on a state-of-the-art aberration corrected instrument to determine the B concentration, distribution and the local B environment. Concentrations of ～1 to 3 at.% of boron are found to be embedded within individual grains. Even though most NCD grains are surrounded by a thin amorphous shell, elemental mapping of the B and C signal shows no preferential embedding of B in these amorphous shells or in grain boundaries between the NCD grains, in contrast with earlier work on more macroscopic superconducting polycrystalline B-doped diamond films. Detailed inspection of the fine structure of the boron K-edge and comparison with density functional theory calculated fine structure energy-loss near-edge structure signatures confirms that the B atoms present in the diamond grains are substitutional atoms embedded tetrahedrally into the diamond lattice.     

Salmonella Typhimurium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Respond Differently to the Fe Chelator Deferiprone and to Some Novel Deferiprone Derivatives

The ability to obtain Fe is critical for pathogens to multiply in their host. For this reason, there is significant interest in the identification of compounds that might interfere with Fe management in bacteria. Here we have tested the response of two Gram-negative pathogens, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STM) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1), to deferiprone (DFP), a chelating agent already in use for the treatment of thalassemia, and to some DFP derivatives designed to increase its lipophilicity. Our results indicate that DFP effectively inhibits the growth of PAO1, but not STM. Similarly, Fe-dependent genes of the two microorganisms respond differently to this agent. DFP is, however, capable of inhibiting an STM strain unable to synthesize enterochelin, while its effect on PAO1 is not related to the capability to produce siderophores. Using a fluorescent derivative of DFP we have shown that this chelator can penetrate very quickly into PAO1, but not into STM, suggesting that a selective receptor exists in Pseudomonas. Some of the tested derivatives have shown a greater ability to interfere with Fe homeostasis in STM compared to DFP, whereas most, although not all, were less active than DFP against PAO1, possibly due to interference of the added chemical tails with the receptor-mediated recognition process. The results reported in this work indicate that DFP can have different effects on distinct microorganisms, but that it is possible to obtain derivatives with a broader antimicrobial action.     

Effects of Subtoxic Concentrations of Atrazine,Cypermethrin, and Vinclozolin on microRNA-Mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling in SH-SY5Y Cells

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are different natural and synthetic chemicals that may interfere with several mechanisms of the endocrine system producing adverse developmental, metabolic, reproductive, and neurological effects in both human beings and wildlife. Among pesticides, numerous chemicals have been identified as EDCs. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate gene expression, making fine adjustments in mRNA abundance and regulating proteostasis. We hypothesized that exposure to low doses of atrazine, cypermethrin, and vinclozolin may lead to effects on miRNA expression in SH-SY5Y cells. In particular, the exposure of SH-SY5Y cells to subtoxic concentrations of vinclozolin is able to downregulate miR-29b-3p expression leading to the increase in the related gene expression of ADAM12 and CDK6, which may promote a pro-oncogenic response through the activation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and counteracting p53 activity. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of EDCs could provide important insight into their role in human disease.     

Disclosing the Biocide Activity of α-Ag2−2xCuxWO4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.16) Solid Solutions

In this work, α-Ag_2−2xCu_xWO₄ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.16) solid solutions with enhanced antibacterial (against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and antifungal (against Candida albicans) activities are reported. A plethora of techniques (X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinements, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, micro-Raman spectroscopy, attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence emissions, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) were employed to characterize the as-synthetized samples and determine the local coordination geometry of Cu²⁺ cations at the orthorhombic lattice. To find a correlation between morphology and biocide activity, the experimental results were sustained by first-principles calculations at the density functional theory level to decipher the cluster coordinations and electronic properties of the exposed surfaces. Based on the analysis of the under-coordinated Ag and Cu clusters at the (010) and (101) exposed surfaces, we propose a mechanism to explain the biocide activity of these solid solutions.     

Acid gelation of native and heat‐denatured soy proteins and locust bean gum

The effects of protein concentration and locust bean gum (LBG) addition on the mechanical properties, microstructure and water holding capacity of acidified soy protein (SPI) gels were studied. The protein was employed in two different states: (i) native and (ii) heat denatured. A slow acidification rate was induced in both systems by applying glucono‐δ‐lactone (GDL). The results indicated that the gels of native SPI were weaker, less deformable and showed lower water holding capacity than the gels of heat‐denatured SPI. The LBG addition led to an increase in the strength and water holding capacity of SPI gels, independent of the protein state (native or denatured). These results indicated that the properties of texture and water holding capacity of the SPI acid gels can be modulated by the process conditions or by the addition of other ingredients, such as polysaccharides.     

Effects of supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide extraction on hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) seed oil

The increase in the popularity of hemp-based products is mainly linked to the presence of non-psychoactive cannabinoids that provide relief from aches, pain and anxiety. In this study, hemp seed oils were produced by two innovative and environmentally friendly extraction techniques: supercritical and liquid carbon dioxide (CO₂) extraction. The chemical composition of the two oils was analysed and compared with that of a control oil obtained by solvent (n-hexane) extraction. Both oils obtained by liquid and supercritical CO₂ extraction presented interesting compositions: they contained large amounts of cannabinoids, polyphenols and tocopherols and were less oxidised than the control and contained a large amount of hexanal, which provided a pleasant aroma. The maximum cannabinoid content was found in the oil obtained by liquid CO₂ extraction (71.51 mg of cannabidiol per kg of oil and 113.92 mg of cannabinol per kg of oil). Carotenoids were prevalent in the oil obtained by supercritical CO₂ extraction (61.00 mg kg⁻¹ of oil).