De Souza

Graduate Program in Food Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-110, Bahia, Brazil

Gastroenterology and Hepatology Department, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi 112308, United Arab Emirates

The Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation (PIII) nitriding was used to form a modified layer rich in expanded austenite (γN) and expanded ferrite (αN) phases in super duplex steel. The thermal stability of these phases was investigated through the in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction. All the surfaces were analyzed by SEM, EDS, and nanoindentation. During the heating stage of the thermal treatments, the crystalline structure of the γN phase expanded thermally up to a temperature of 350 °C and, above this temperature, a reduction in the lattice parameter was observed due to the diffusion of nitrogen into the substrate. During the isothermal heating, the gradual diffusion of nitrogen continued and the lattice parameter of the γN phase decreased. Increasing the treatment temperature from 450 °C to 550 °C, a greater reduction in the lattice parameter of the γN phase occured and the peaks related to the CrN, α, and αN phases became more evident in the diffractograms. This phenomenon is associated with the decomposition of the γN phase into CrN + α + αN. After the heat treatments, the thickness of the modified layers increased and the hardness values close to the surface decreased, according to the diffusion of the nitrogen to the substrate.

Laboratório de Virologia e Parasitologia Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro CEP 21040900, RJ, Brazil

This paper aimed to evaluate two self-healing mechanisms of concrete exposed to chloride ions and carbon dioxide environments using chemical and bacterial solutions, contributing to understanding the real scenarios of concrete structures application. Expanded perlite (EP) impregnated with chemical and bacterial solutions with the aid of either a vacuum chamber or immersion was used in partial substitution of fine natural aggregate in ratios of 10%, 20%, and 30%. Samples were characterized by a compression strength test. Healing efficiency was evaluated with high precision in stereo zoom microscopy. Further characterization of the samples was obtained from SEM/EDS, and mineral content was determined from XRD. Samples impregnated with a chemical solution formed healing products identified as C-S-H, CaCO3, and SiO2 across and overflowing the fissure. Samples impregnated with the bacterial solution presented a maximum continuous healing region of 1.67 mm and an average of 0.514 mm. A comparison of submersed and wet curing yielded an equal number of results between the techniques. Overall, the products formed were mostly calcite (CaCO3) and C-S-H, while the presence of CO2 and Cl

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic articular disease characterized by the progressive degeneration of cartilage and bone tissue, leading to the appearance of subchondral cysts, osteophyte formation, and synovial inflammation. Conventional treatments consist of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), analgesics, and glucocorticoids. However, the prolonged use of these drugs causes adverse effects. NSAIDs, for instance, are known to be nephrotoxic, increasing the damage to articular cartilage. New therapies capable of accelerating the process of tissue regeneration and repair are being discussed, such as the use of orthobiologics that are naturally found in the body and obtained through minimally invasive collection and/or laboratory manipulations. Bone marrow aspirate (BMA) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) are both rich in hematopoietic stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), and growth factors (GFs) that can be used in the healing process due to their anabolic and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of this literature review is to assess the efficacy of BMA and BMAC in the treatment of knee OA based on the favorable results that researchers have obtained with the use of both orthobiologics envisaging an accelerated healing process and the prevention of OA progression.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most prevalent viruses that causes severe acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs) in the elderly and young children. There is no specific drug to treat RSV, only a broad-spectrum antiviral, ribavirin, which is only used in critical cases. Our research group is investigating antiviral agents of natural origin, such as coumarins and flavonoids, that may help reduce or prevent RSV infection. The cytotoxic concentrations of coumarins and hesperetin were tested on A549 and HEp-2 cells and used in inhibition tests in which 80% of the cells were viable. The anti-RSV action of the molecules was analyzed in A549 and HEp-2 cells and in HBE cell cultures infected with RSV-luc or rgRSV. We also encapsulated the compounds using β-cyclodextrin to improve the permeability and solubility of the molecules. Esculetin and 4-methyl inhibited rgRSV effectively on A549 and HEp-2 cells after 24 hpi, and when they were encapsulated, coumarin, esculetin, and hesperetin presented inhibition against rgRSV in HBE culture. The coumarins inhibit RSV replication in cell culture and even manage to overcome the mucus barriers of the HBE cultures, and β-cyclodextrin was essential for some of the coumarins to enter the cell and therefore to reach their targets.

Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Physio-Pharmacology (LEFFAG), Federal University of Ceará, Coronel Nunes de Melo Street, 1315 Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza 60416-030, CE, Brazil

Abstract Streptococcus pneumoniae and influenza A virus (IAV) are significant agents of pneumonia cases and severe respiratory infections globally.

Carbazoles and their derivatives are ubiquitous in organic electronics since these compounds combine relatively low cost, chemical and thermal stability, and good hole transport properties, along with a tunable electronic structure. Thus, the application of carbazole molecules in the development of optoelectronic and photovoltaic devices, such as OLEDs and solar cells, has been explored with different patterns of functionalization (N-substitution, di- and polyfunctionalization) in the quest for increased efficiencies. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the basic aspects related to solar cells and OLEDs with a focus on the applications involving these versatile and promising building blocks.