ABSTRACT Abnormal multiplication of oral bacteria causes dental caries and dental plaque. These diseases continue to be major public health concerns worldwide, mainly in developing countries. In this study, the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Vitex agnus-castus leaves (VAC‒EO) collected in the North of Brazil against a representative panel of cariogenic bacteria were investigated. The antimicrobial activity of VAC-EO was evaluated in terms of its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values by using the broth microdilution method in 96-well microplates. The chemical constituents of VAC-EO were identified by gas chromatography (GC‒FID) and gas chromatography‒mass spectrometry (GC‒MS). VAC‒EO displayed some activity against all the investigated oral pathogens; MIC values ranged from 15.6 to 200 μg/mL. VAC-EO had promising activity against Streptococcus mutans (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), Lactobacillus casei (MIC= 15.6 μg/mL), and Streptococcus mitis (MIC= 31.2 μg/mL). The compounds 1,8-cineole (23.8%), (E)-β-farnesene (14.6%), (E)-caryophyllene (12.5%), sabinene (11.4%), and α-terpinyl acetate (7.7%) were the major chemical constituents of VAC‒EO. VAC-EO displays antimicrobial activity against cariogenic bacteria. The efficacy of VAC-EO against S. mutans is noteworthy and should be further investigated.

In the present study, PHB film was prepared by thermo-compression molding and PHB nanofibers mat was produced through electrospinning process. The nanofibers morphology was confirmed by SEM. The film and nanofibers crystallinity degree was estimated by different methods. FTIR and WAXD indicated that PHB film is more crystalline than PHB nanofibers. However, DSC analysis suggested that a PHB nanofibers phase change might occur while the temperature rises. SAXS indicated that PHB film and nanofibers have low electron density contrast between the alternating crystalline and amorphous layers. The influence of nanofiber morphology on the mechanical, surface and thermal properties was also shown in TG analysis, tensile tests and contact angle measurements.

Abstract Background Tityus serrulatus scorpion venom (TsV) contains toxins that act on K + and Na + channels and account for the venom’s toxic effects. TsV can activate murine peritoneal macrophages, but its effects on human lymphocytes have been poorly investigated. Considering that lymphocytes may play an important role in envenomation, we assessed whether TsV affects the expression of phenotypic (CD3, CD4, and CD8) and activation (CD69, CD25, and HLA-DR) markers, cell proliferation, and cytokine production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Methods Cytotoxicity of TsV was evaluated via the MTT assay. Cell proliferation, expression of phenotypic and activation markers, and release of cytokines were assessed using flow cytometry, after treatment with non-cytotoxic concentrations of TsV. The combined use of carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester and monoclonal antibodies against phenotypic and activation markers enabled us to simultaneously assess cell proliferation extent and cell activation status, and to discriminate among cell subpopulations. Results TsV at concentrations of 25 to 100 μg/mL were not cytotoxic towards peripheral blood mononuclear cells. TsV did not induce significant changes in lymphocyte subpopulations or in the expression of activation markers on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. TsV inhibited the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocyte proliferation, particularly in the CD8 + CD25 + T lymphocyte subset. TsV alone, at 50 and 100 μg/mL, did not induce peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation, but elicited the production and release of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine that plays an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses. Conclusions TsV is a potential source of molecules with immunomodulatory action on human T lymphocytes.

O presente estudo avaliou a atitude sobre a aceitação da inclusão de deficientes por profissionais da área de educação e saúde, conforme sua experiência e formação. Para isso, foram comparados três grupos: 20 professores e estagiários que atuaram em programa de educação física adaptada (GI); 75 profissionais da rede municipal de educação de Rio Claro, subdivididos conforme sua experiência-CGyes e CGno, com e sem experiência, respectivamente. Foi utilizado o inventário adaptado por Palla (2001) para avaliar as atitudes e o autoconceito dos participantes. Em geral, os indivíduos que participaram da intervenção mantiveram sua tendência favorável à inclusão. Os professores em contextos escolares regulares na rede municipal de ensino de Rio Claro (São Paulo, Brasil), independentemente da sua experiência com inclusão, continuam indecisos sobre os benefícios da inclusão.

This study assessed the attitudes about the inclusion of students with disability by professionals in education and health, relative to their experience and training. We compared three groups: 20 teachers and trainees who worked in an adapted physical education program (GI); 75 professionals from the municipal education system of Rio Claro subdivided according to their experience-CGyes e CGno, respectively, with and without experience. We used the inventory adapted by Palla (2001) to assess participants' attitudes and self-concepts. Overall, individuals in the group that participated in the intervention maintained their tendency of being favorable toward inclusion. Teachers in regular school settings in the municipal school system of Rio Claro (São Paulo, Brazil), regardless of their experience with inclusive settings, remain mostly indecisive about the benefits of inclusion.

El presente estudio evaluó la actitud en relación a la aceptación de la inclusión de discapacitados por profesionales en el área de educación y salud, de acuerdo a su experiencia y titulación. Para ello, se compararon tres grupos: 20 profesores y practicantes que actuaron en el programa de educación física adaptada (GI), 75 profesionales de la educación municipal de Rio Claro, subdivididos de acuerdo a su experiencia-CGno y CGyes, respectivamente con y sin experiencia. Se utilizó el inventario adaptado por Palla (2001) para evaluar las actitudes y el autoconcepto de los participantes. En general, las personas que participaron en la intervención mantuvieron su tendencia favorable hacia la inclusión. Los profesores en entornos escolares regulares en las escuelas municipales de Rio Claro (Sao Paulo, Brasil), independientemente de su experiencia con la inclusión, siguen indecisos acerca de los beneficios de la inclusión.

Bamboo is an alternative sustainable material for use in product design and has been incorporated into the concepts of eco-design. Here, we investigated the mechanical properties and morphologies of low density polyethylene (LDPE)/bamboo flour (BF) composites that were modified with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) and glycerol. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tensile tests of the composites demonstrated poor adhesion between the filler and matrix. Contact angle measurement showed that the surface of LDPE was modified by the presence of the load. The thermal stability of the composites was studied by measuring the oxidation induction time (OIT). Preliminary bacterial penetration tests were performed using culture inoculums of E. coli and S. aureus to investigate the natural antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties attributed to bamboo. Furthermore, bamboo may have interesting antioxidant activity with potential for use in food packaging applications.

One of the difficulties reported for the suspension polymerization is control the size and granulometry of beads. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the use of cellulose nanowhiskers and mesoporous silica as stabilizers to reduce the size and the particle distribution. To monitor polymerization process was used FTIR-ATR spectroscopy. The morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The particle size distribution was characterised using a CILAS granulometer. Thermal stability was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. The results indicated that cellulose nanowhiskers may provide stabilization and increase the thermal stability of the beads in contrast to mesoporous silica.

A porous biodegradable polyurethane nanocomposite based on poly(caprolactone) (PCL) and nanocomponents derived from montmorillonite (Cloisite®30B) was synthesized and tested to produce information regarding its potential use as a scaffold for tissue engineering. Structural and morphological characteristics of this nanocomposite were studied by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The reaction between polyurethane oligomers with isocyanate endcapped chains and water led to the evolution of CO2, which was responsible for building interconnected pores with sizes ranging from 184 to 387 μm. An in vitro cell-nanocomposite interaction study was carried out using neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts. The ability of cells to proliferate and produce an extracellular matrix in contact with the synthesized material was assessed by an MTT assay, a collagen synthesis analysis, and the expression of alkaline phosphatase. In vivo experiments were performed by subcutaneously implanting samples in the dorsum of rats. The implants were removed after 14, 21, and 29 days, and were analyzed by SEM and optical microscopy after tissue processing. Histology crosssections and SEM analyses showed that the cells were able to penetrate into the material and to attach to many location throughout the pore structure. In vitro and in vivo tests demonstrated the feasibility for polyurethane nanocomposites to be used as artificial extracellular matrices onto which cells can attach, grow, and form new tissues.

Foi sintetizada uma dispersão aquosa de poliuretano (PUD) na qual o poli(propileno glicol) (PPG) foi utilizado como segmento flexível. O segmento rígido foi baseado nos reagentes isoforona diisocianato (IPDI) e a diamina hidrazina (HZ), produzindo um poli(uretano-uréia). A PUD assim obtida foi modificada com Na+-montmorilonita (Na+-MMT) para gerar nanocompósitos (CPUD’s) com 1, 3 e 5 % de argila. Neste processo, o aumento do espaçamento basal das camadas de silicato foi provocado pela água sem necessidade de qualquer tratamento químico da argila. De acordo com as curvas de difração de raios X (XRD), os nanocompósitos obtidos apresentaram partículas de argila intercaladas com o polímero, enquanto a técnica de espalhamento de raios X de baixo ângulo (SAXS) detectou evidências de uma esfoliação parcial da montmorilonita. A esfoliação incompleta das partículas de argila indica re-agregação dos nanocomponentes (inicialmente delaminados na dispersão aquosa) durante a formação do filme. O grau de ligações de hidrogênio, avaliado por espectroscopia no infravermelho (FTIR), foi usado para investigar o efeito da argila no processo de separação de microfases do poliuretano e indicou uma tendência de perturbação da estrutura dos domínios do poliuretano com a presença da argila. A PUD exibiu valores de resistência à tensão na ruptura e alongamento na ruptura na faixa de 30 MPa e 1400% respectivamente. A adição de 1% de argila na PUD promoveu aumentos no módulo e tensão na ruptura de cerca de 230 e 20% respectivamente em relação ao polímero puro, sem perda significativa do alongamento na ruptura.

Waterborne polyurethane (PUD) was synthesized by using poly(propylene glycol) (PPG) as soft segment. The hard segment was formed by extending isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) with hydrazine (HZ) producing poly(urethane-urea). PUD was reinforced with Na+-montmorillonite (Na+-MMT) to yield nanocomposites (CPUD’s) with 1, 3 and 5% of clay. Water was used as swelling agent to make the basal space of silicate layers widen without any chemical treatment. According to XRD curves, the nanocomposites showed intercalation of the polymer with respect to the clay, while small angle X ray scattering (SAXS) results showed that some degree of clay exfoliation was present in the produced film. The incomplete exfoliation of the clay proved that a re-aggregation process of the nanocomponents (originally delaminated in the aqueous dispersion) had occurred during film formation. The degree of hydrogen bonding, evaluated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), was used to investigate the effect of clay on the microphase separation of the polyurethane and indicated that the presence of the clay particles changed the structure of the polymer phase domains. PUD exhibited values of tensile strength and elongation at break about 30 MPa and 1400%, respectively. The incorporation of 1 weight % of MMT improved by 230 and 20% the modulus and strength on the polymer respectively, while keeping the elongation at break almost unchanged.

Polyurethanes have been used in a series of applications due basically to their versatility in terms of controlling the behavior by altering basically the type of reagents used. However, for more specific and advanced applications, such as in membranes, biomaterials and sensors, well-organized and defined chemical functionalities are necessary. In this work, inorganic functionalities were incorporated into aliphatic polyurethanes (PU) having different macromolecular architectures. Polyurethanes were synthesized using a polyether diol and dicyclohexylmethane 4,4' diisocyanate (H12-MDI). Polyurethanes having carboxylic acid groups were also produced by introducing 2,2- bis (hydroxymethyl) propionic acid in the polymerization process. Inorganic functionalities were inserted into polyurethanes by reacting isocyanate end capped chains with aminopropyltriethoxysilane followed by tetraethoxysilane. PU having carboxylic acid groups yielded transparent samples after the incorporation of inorganic entities, as an evidence of smaller and better dispersed inorganic entities in the polymer network. FTIR and swelling measurements showed that polyurethanes having carboxylic acid groups had inorganic domains less packed, condensed and cross-linked when compared to polyurethanes with no carboxylic acid groups. Results also suggested that the progressive incorporation of inorganic moieties in both types of polyurethanes occurred in regions previously activated with inorganic functionalities, instead of by the creation of new domains. The temperatures of thermal decomposition and glass transition were also shifted to higher temperatures when inorganic functionalities were incorporated into polyurethanes.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar aspectos da revelação do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV a crianças e adolescentes relevantes para a melhoria do cuidado de sua saúde. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo envolvendo entrevistas em profundidade e grupo focal com adolescentes vivendo com HIV/AIDS e seus pais ou cuidadores, em serviços de referência nas cidades de São Paulo e Santos, Brasil. Os resultados apontam como principais razões para a revelação: má adesão ao tratamento, iminência de início da vida sexual, demanda da criança ou adolescente e abordagem inadequada de profissional. A revelação mostrou-se momento crítico, com repercussões sobre projetos e horizontes de vida dos adolescentes. As mais problemáticas foram narradas por adolescentes infectados por via sexual e por uso de drogas. Apesar do impacto negativo inicial, a revelação repercutiu positivamente sobre os cuidados de saúde, com melhoria do diálogo com cuidadores e serviços. Os adolescentes enfatizaram ainda a necessidade de receber informações claras e honestas. Conclui-se pela necessidade de otimizar o processo de revelação, tratando-o como tarefa de longo prazo, negociada ativamente com a família e conduzida por equipes multidisciplinares.

The purpose of this study was to identify relevant issues in the disclosure of HIV-positive status in children and adolescents, aiming to improve the quality of their healthcare. A qualitative study included adolescents living with HIV/ AIDS and their parents and caregivers at AIDS reference services in São Paulo and Santos, Brazil. In-depth interviews and focus group were used. The main reasons for disclosure were: poor treatment adherence, sexual maturity, adolescent's request, and inadequate procedures by medical staff. Disclosure was a critical moment for adolescents, with a strong impact on their life plans and horizons. Adolescents infected through sexual transmission and drug use reported the most problematic scenes involved in disclosure. Despite its initial negative impact, disclosure resulted in improved healthcare and better dialogue among the adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The adolescents also requested clear, no-nonsense, honest information. The authors conclude that health services need to actively provide an adequate approach to facilitate disclosure of HIV-positive status to children and adolescents, realizing that it is a long-term process supported by the family and a multidisciplinary team.

O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar aspectos da revelação do diagnóstico da infecção pelo HIV a crianças e adolescentes relevantes para a melhoria do cuidado de sua saúde. Trata-se de estudo qualitativo envolvendo entrevistas em profundidade e grupo focal com adolescentes vivendo com HIV/AIDS e seus pais ou cuidadores, em serviços de referência nas cidades de São Paulo e Santos, Brasil. Os resultados apontam como principais razões para a revelação: má adesão ao tratamento, iminência de início da vida sexual, demanda da criança ou adolescente e abordagem inadequada de profissional. A revelação mostrou-se momento crítico, com repercussões sobre projetos e horizontes de vida dos adolescentes. As mais problemáticas foram narradas por adolescentes infectados por via sexual e por uso de drogas. Apesar do impacto negativo inicial, a revelação repercutiu positivamente sobre os cuidados de saúde, com melhoria do diálogo com cuidadores e serviços. Os adolescentes enfatizaram ainda a necessidade de receber informações claras e honestas. Conclui-se pela necessidade de otimizar o processo de revelação, tratando-o como tarefa de longo prazo, negociada ativamente com a família e conduzida por equipes multidisciplinares.

The purpose of this study was to identify relevant issues in the disclosure of HIV-positive status in children and adolescents, aiming to improve the quality of their healthcare. A qualitative study included adolescents living with HIV/ AIDS and their parents and caregivers at AIDS reference services in São Paulo and Santos, Brazil. In-depth interviews and focus group were used. The main reasons for disclosure were: poor treatment adherence, sexual maturity, adolescent's request, and inadequate procedures by medical staff. Disclosure was a critical moment for adolescents, with a strong impact on their life plans and horizons. Adolescents infected through sexual transmission and drug use reported the most problematic scenes involved in disclosure. Despite its initial negative impact, disclosure resulted in improved healthcare and better dialogue among the adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers. The adolescents also requested clear, no-nonsense, honest information. The authors conclude that health services need to actively provide an adequate approach to facilitate disclosure of HIV-positive status to children and adolescents, realizing that it is a long-term process supported by the family and a multidisciplinary team.