Biocompatibility has been considered one of the most important items to validate a biomaterial for its application in human organisms. The present work evaluates the biocompatibility of a new biomembrane using in vivo assay in different animal species. The experiments to evaluate the cellular reaction were carried out through the implantation of the material into the subcutaneous tissue of animals and the results showed a good reaction of the host tissue without any signal of fibrosis or rejection. The cell adhesion experiments were done by means of the measure of the DNA content on the material surface after its implantation into the subcutaneous tissue of animals and the results showed a growing number of DNA that was proportional to the time of implantation. The healing process was evaluated using a dermal ulcer model and the results showed a good tissue repair resembling a physiologic process. The overall results presented here lead to the conclusion that this new biomembrane is a biocompatible material but more research must be done, as it is a new material desired for medical use

The latex obtained from Hancornia speciosa is used in folk medicine for treatment of several diseases, such as acne, warts, diabetes, gastritis and inflammation. In this work, we describe the biocompatibility assessment and angiogenic properties of H. speciosa latex and its potential application in medicine. The physical-chemical characterization was carried out following different methodologies (CHN elemental analyses; thermogravimetric analyses and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). The biocompatibility was evaluated through cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests in fibroblast mouse cells and the angiogenic properties were evaluated using the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay model. The physical-chemical results showed that the structure of Hancornia speciosa latex biomembrane is very similar to that of Hevea brasiliensis (commercially available product). Moreover, the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that H. speciosa latex is biocompatible with life systems and can be a good biomaterial for medical applications. The CAM test showed the efficient ability of H. speciosa latex in neovascularization of tissues. The histological analysis was in accordance with the results obtained in the CAM assay. Our data indicate that the latex obtained from H. speciosa and eluted in water showed significant angiogenic activity without any cytotoxic or genotoxic effects on life systems. The same did not occur with H. speciosa latex stabilized with ammonia. Addition of ammonia does not have significant effects on the structure of biomembranes, but showed a smaller cell survival and a significant genotoxicity effect. This study contributes to the understanding of the potentialities of H. speciosa latex as a source of new phytomedicines.

A miringoplastia é uma cirurgia com a finalidade de controlar a infecção no ouvido médio, reconstruir o mecanismo de transmissão sonora para a janela oval e proteger a janela redonda. São descritos diversos materiais para reconstruir a membrana timpânica, destacando-se a fáscia do músculo temporal, pericôndrio do tragus, cartilagem, dura-máter, tecido placentário, entre outros. Objetivo: Este trabalho tem objetivo de demonstrar o efeito de um novo biomaterial, a membrana de látex natural com polilisina, desenvolvida no laboratório de Neuroquímica do Departamento de Bioquímica da Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo -USP. Forma de estudo: Coorte Longitudinal. Material e método: O biomaterial utilizado é estimulante da neovascularização e crescimento tecidual organizado em diferentes órgãos e tecidos, sendo um material inócuo e não rejeitado pelo organismo. Foi usada a biomembrana de látex com polilisina como um implante transitório para o fechamento da perfuração da membrana timpânica. A membrana foi colocada na face externa dos bordos da membrana timpânica e a fáscia temporal na face interna da mesma. Foram estudadas 238 orelhas com perfuração de membrana timpânica por seqüela de otite média crônica, submetidas a miringoplastia com enxerto de fáscia de músculo temporal e a membrana de látex natural, com idades de 7 a 76 anos. Apresentavam uma ou mais miringoplastias anteriores sem sucesso 41 dos casos. Resultado: Como ressaltamos preliminarmente, verificamos pega do enxerto em 90,5% das orelhas (181), sendo fechamento de perfuração amplas, 96; médias, 73 e 12 pequenas. Verificamos intensa vascularização em 100% dos enxertos, o que não é habitual quando não se usa a membrana de látex natural. Conclusão: Conclue-se que o biomaterial usado merece nossa atenção quanto ao seu uso como implante transitório em miringoplastias, melhorando o processo de revascularização da membrana timpânica remanescente.

Background. An individual with diabetes mellitus (DM) has an approximately 25% risk of developing ulcerations and/or destruction of the feet’s soft tissues. These wounds represent approximately 20% of all causes of hospitalizations due to DM. Objective. To identify the factors for the development of diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) among individuals treated by the Brazilian public health system. Methods. This cross-sectional study was conducted on individuals with diabetes mellitus, aged above 18 years, of both sexes, and during July-October 2018 within a public healthcare unit in Brazil. All participants were assessed based on their socioeconomic, behavioral, and clinical characteristics, along with vascular and neurological evaluations. All participants were also classified according to the classification of risk of developing DFU, in accordance with the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF). Statistical analyses were conducted using the chi-squared test, chi-squared test for trend, and Fisher’s exact test, with a significance level of 5% (p<0.05). Results. The study consisted of 85 individuals. The DFU condition was prevalent in 10.6% of the participants. Adopting the classification proposed by IWGDF, observed risks for stratification categories 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 28.2%, 29.4%, 23.5%, and 8.2%, respectively. A statistically significant (p<0.05) association was observed between the development of DFU and the following variables: time since the diagnosis of diabetes and the appearance of the nails, humidity, and deformations on the feet. Conclusion. The present study found an elevated predominance of DM patients in the Brazilian public health system (SUS) featuring cutaneous alterations that may lead to ulcers; these individuals had elevated risks of developing DFU. Furthermore, it was revealed that the feet of patients were not physically examined during treatment.