Bilayer scaffold from PLGA/fibrin electrospun membrane and fibrin hydrogel layer supports wound healingin vivo.

Hybrid scaffolds from natural and synthetic polymers have been widely used due to the complementary nature of their physical and biological properties. The aim of the present study, therefore, has been to analyzein vivoa bilayer scaffold of poly(lactide-co-glycolide)/fibrin electrospun membrane and fibrin hydrogel layer on a rat skin model. Fibroblasts were cultivated in the fibrin hydrogel layer and keratinocytes on the electrospun membrane to generate a skin substitute. The scaffolds without and with cells were tested in a full-thickness wound model in Wistar Kyoto rats. The histological results demonstrated that the scaffolds induced granulation tissue growth, collagen deposition and epithelial tissue remodeling. The wound-healing markers showed no difference in scaffolds when compared with the positive control. Activities of antioxidant enzymes were decreased concerning the positive and negative control. The findings suggest that the scaffolds contributed to the granulation tissue formation and the early collagen deposition, maintaining an anti-inflammatory microenvironment.

The Genus Miconia Ruiz & Pav. (Melastomataceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Pharmacology, and Phytochemistry.

Species of the genus Miconia are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diseases, such as pain, throat infections, fever, and cold, and they used as depuratives, diuretics, and sedatives. This work reviewed studies carried out with Miconia species, highlighting its ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological and phytochemical potential. This information was collected in the main platforms of scientific research (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science). Our findings show that some of the traditional uses of Miconia are corroborated by biological and/or pharmacological assays, which demonstrated, among other properties, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimutagenic, antiparasitic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, and antimicrobial activities. A total of 148 chemical compounds were identified in Miconia species, with phenolic compounds being the main constituents found in the species of this genus. Such phytochemical investigations have demonstrated the potential of species belonging to this genus as a source of bioactive substances, thus reinforcing their medicinal and pharmacological importance.

Genetic diversity and relationships among Nopalea sp. and Opuntia spp. accessions revealed by RAPD, ISSR and ITS molecular markers.

BACKGROUND: Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (carmine cochineal) is an insect pest highly noxious that has spread through cactus pear crops in the Brazilian semiarid region. Knowledge of diversity and genetic relationships of the cactus pear accessions is fundamental to create new varieties resistance to carmine cochineal. Therefore, this investigation was undertaken to assess the genetic diversity and genetic relationships that existed among cactus pear accessions of Nopalea sp. and Opuntia spp. with contrasting resistance to D. opuntiae. METHODS AND RESULTS: We conducted a molecular analysis in seven cactus pear accessions from the "reference collection" of the Agronomic Institute of Pernambuco, Brazil using RAPD, ISSR and ITS molecular markers. A total of 242 bands were detected from 26 polymorphic primers. The high percentage of polymorphism by RAPD (89.8%), ISSR (81.2%) and ITS (75%) markers suggests that the cactus pear accessions have high genetic diversity. The combined analysis of markers systems enabled the accessions discrimination of about the genus and ploidy, but were incongruous in relation to resistance level to D. opuntiae. CONCLUSIONS: Genetic diversity, discrimination of about the genus and ploidy was confirmed by merging information from ISSR, RAPD and ITS markers systems. The IPA-200016, IPA-200149, IPA-100004, IPA-200205 accessions are genetically divergent, therefore could be potentially incorporated into any further breeding programs directed to create new varieties of cactus pear resistant to D. opuntiae.

Application of PLGA/FGF-2 coaxial microfibers in spinal cord tissue engineering: an in vitro and in vivo investigation.

AIM: Scaffolds are a promising approach for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment. FGF-2 is involved in tissue repair but is easily degradable and presents collateral effects in systemic administration. In order to address the stability issue and avoid the systemic effects, FGF-2 was encapsulated into core-shell microfibers by coaxial electrospinning and its in vitro and in vivo potential were studied. Materials & methods: The fibers were characterized by physicochemical and biological parameters. The scaffolds were implanted in a hemisection SCI rat model. Locomotor test was performed weekly for 6 weeks. After this time, histological analyses were performed and expression of nestin and GFAP was quantified by flow cytometry. Results: Electrospinning resulted in uniform microfibers with a core-shell structure, with a sustained liberation of FGF-2 from the fibers. The fibers supported PC12 cells adhesion and proliferation. Implanted scaffolds into SCI promoted locomotor recovery at 28 days after injury and reduced GFAP expression. CONCLUSION: These results indicate the potential of these microfibers in SCI tissue engineering. [Formula: see text].

Técnica de colgajos ampliados para la correción de la hernia incisional / Extended flap technique for the repair of incisional hernia

Describir una técnica quirúrgica para la reparación de la pared abdominal con hernia incisional utilizando colgajos creados con parte del saco herniario mas resección del tejido dermograso patológico. Trabajo realizado en el Hospital Victorino Santaella Ruiz, Los Teques y otros centros privados. Esta técnica se basa en 34 casos de pacientes femeninos, sin uso de malla protésica y 6 casos con malla. Se realiza una incisión suprapúbica transversa, se levanta el complejo dermograso, identificando y liberando el caso herniario, el defecto aponeurótico y la aponeurosis sana circundante. Utilizando parcialmente el saco herniario se elaboran dos colgajos uno adherido al plano peritoneal y el otro a la aponeurosis. La síntesis del plano peritoneo-aponeurótico se realiza con material no absorbible. Al finalizar la pared abdominal tendrá tres columnas de suturas. Se complementa la operación con resección del tejido dermograso patológico y redundante. El saco herniario funciona como una malta biológica y es útil en la forma de colgajo para la reparación efectiva de la hernia incisional con o sin el uso de malla protésica. Y adicionalmente al eliminar el tejido dermograso patológico se logra una mejoría del contorno corporal.

We make a step by step description of a brand new surgical for the treatment of incisional hernias using flaps created with part of the hernia sac. Is based on 34 cases of female patients with and without mesh. At the level of the skin we use a classic dermolipectomy suprapubic arciform incisión and then we dissect until reach the peritoneal and aponeurotic tissues, identifying the hernia sac, the peritoneum and aponeurotic layer. Then, we create 2 flaps: one attached to the peritoneum and the other one to the aponeurotic layer. The cloure of the aponeurotic layer is done with non-absorbable and absorbable sutures. At the and the abdominal wall will be walled by three sutures columns. We complement the surgery with the resection of the redundant and pathologic fat and skin tissue. The hernia sac work as a biologic mesh and is useful in the form of flaps for the effective repair of the incisional hernias with or without prosthetic mesh. Additionally by eliminating the remaining fat and skin (dermolipectomy) we obtain a satisfactory improvement of the abdominal esthetic.

Germination of Cereus jamacaru DC. seeds under different substrates and temperatures - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.635 / Germinação de sementes de Cereus jamacaru DC. em diferentes substratos e temperaturas - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i2.635

Cereus jamacaru DC. has direct use for humans in the treatment of diseases and in diet; it can also be given to animals as forage and used as adornments. Their propagation from seeds is not yet known. The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Seed Analysis at the Center for Agrarian Sciences of UFPB, in Areia Paraíba State, northeastern Brazil, with the objective of verifying the effects of different temperatures and substrates on the germination and vigor of C. jamacaru seeds. The experiment was conducted in an entirely randomized design, in a 3 x 3 factorial scheme: three temperatures (25, 30 and 20-30C) and 3 substrates (paper roll, between and on-paper), with four repetitions of 25 seeds. The employed tests were: germination, germination speed index (GSI), length and dry mass of seedlings. Germination tests were carried out using transparent plastic boxes (gerbox) in BOD chambers, set in the temperatures of 25, 30 and 20-30C; the substrates used were paper roll, between and on-paper. Vigor was evaluated through the germination speed index (GSI), length and dry mass of seedlings. The temperature of 25C is not adequate for germination and vigor tests. The paper roll in constant temperature of 30C substrate proved more appropriate for conducting germination and vigor tests in seeds of C. jamacaru.

O Cereus jamacaru DC., vulgarmente conhecido como mandacaru, tem utilização direta pelos seres humanos no tratamento de doenças e na alimentação; pode também ser fornecida aos animais como forragem e empregada na ornamentação. Sua propagação por sementes ainda não é conhecida. O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Análises de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da UFPB, com o objetivo de verificar os efeitos de diferentes temperaturas e substratos sobre a germinação e o vigor das sementes de C. jamacaru. O experimento foi conduzido em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x3, sendo três temperaturas (25, 30 e 20-30C) e três substratos (rolo de papel, entre e sobre papel), com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. Os testes de germinação foram realizados em caixas plásticas transparentes (gerbox) em câmeras BOD, reguladas nas temperaturas de 25, 30 e 20-30C, e os substratos utilizados foram rolo de papel, entre e sobre papel. Os testes empregados foram: germinação, índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG), comprimento e massa seca de plântulas. A temperatura de 25C não é adequada para os testes de germinação e vigor. O substrato rolo de papel na temperatura de 30C mostrou-se mais adequado para condução de testes de germinação e vigor em sementes de Cereus jamacaru DC.

Germination and vigor of Crataeva tapia L. seeds in different substrates - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v29i4.874 / Germinação e vigor de sementes de Crataeva tapia

The experiment was carried out in the Laboratory of Seed Analysis at the Center for Agricultural Sciences of the Federal University of Paraíba, in Areia Paraíba State, Brazil, using seeds of trapiá (Crataeva tapia L.) to study the use of different substrates for evaluation of the physiological seed quality in the germination test. The substrates consisted of: vermiculite (T1), bioplant® (T2), bioclone® (T3), sand (T4), plugmix® (T5), rolled paper toweling (T6) and paper layers in gerbox (T7). After the distribution of the seeds in their respective substrates, they were placed in a germinator at 25ºC, under eight-hour photoperiods. The following parameters were evaluated: germination (%), germination speed index, and length of aerial part and root. The seeds distributed in rolled paper toweling showed the highest percentages of germination, whereas bioclone® had the worst performance. For the germination speed index, no significant effect of the substrate was verified. The seedlings presented greatest length of aerial part and root in the rolled paper toweling substrate, and lowest in the substrate between paper in gerbox. The rolled paper toweling substrate is recommended for evaluation of the physiological quality of trapiá seeds.

O experimento foi realizado no Laboratório de Análise de Sementes do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em Areia Estado da Paraíba, com sementes de trapiá, a fim de estudar o uso de diferentes substratos para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica no teste de germinação. Os substratos consistiram de: vermiculita (T1), bioplant® (T2), bioclone® (T3), areia (T4), plugmix® (T5), rolo de papel (T6) e entre papel em gerbox (T7). Após a distribuição das sementes nos respectivos substratos, foram colocados em germinador a 25oC, sob fotoperíodo de oito horas. Foram computadas: germinação (%), índice de velocidade de germinação e comprimento da parte aérea e da raiz. As sementes distribuídas em rolo de papel apresentaram maiores porcentagens de germinação e menores no bioclone®. Para o índice de velocidade de germinação, não foi verificado efeito significativo dos substratos utilizados. As plântulas apresentaram maiores comprimentos da parte aérea e da raiz no substrato rolo de papel e menores crescimentos no substrato entre papel em gerbox. O substrato rolo de papel é recomendado para avaliação da qualidade fisiológica em sementes de trapiá.