Scaffolds are models designed to aid the interaction between cells and extracellular bone matrix, providing structural support for newly formed bone tissue. In this work, wollastonite with β‐TCP porous ceramic scaffolds was developed by the polymer sponge replication. Their microstructure, cell viability and bioactivity were tested. in vivo was performed to evaluate the use of a calcium silicate‐based implant in the repair of rabbit tibias. Holes were made in the both proximal and distal tibial metaphysis of each animal and filled with calcium silicate‐based implant, and in the left tibia, no implant were used, serving as control group. Animals underwent euthanasia after 30 and 60 days of study. The animals were submitted to clinical‐radiographic evaluations and their histology was analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscope. The studied calcium silicate implant provided biocompatibility and promoted bone formation, stimulating the process of bone repair in rabbits, features observed by gradual radiopacity shown in the radiographic evaluations.

Resumo -A semente de gergelim de alta qualidade constitui num dos fatores responsáveis pelo sucesso de uma lavoura e na melhoria da alimentação humana e animal (torta). Com este propósito foi elaborado o presente trabalho com objetivo de avaliar a qualidade fi siológica e a composição química/mineral das sementes de gergelim de três cultivares: BRS Seda, CNPA G4 e Preta. As sementes utilizadas na pesquisa foram provenientes de três municípios distintos. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado com quatro repetições. Os testes de laboratório estudados foram: germinação, vigor (primeira contagem de germinação), pureza física, massa de 1.000 sementes, teor de água, teor de óleo, proteína, cinza, fósforo (P), potássio (K), cálcio (Ca) e enxofre (S). Com base nos resultados obtidos, as seguintes conclusões foram estabelecidas: 1) O teor de água das sementes com distintas cores (branca, creme e preta) está inversamente relacionado com sua qualidade; 2) Houve uma correlação positiva entre teor de óleo e massa de 1.000 sementes para as cultivares estudadas; e 3) As sementes das cultivares BRS Seda e CNPA G4 apresentaram baixa concentração de cálcio em relação as Pretas. Palavras-chave -Sesamum indicum. Cor de sementes. Componentes químicos. Óleo. Proteína.Abstract -The sesame seed of high quality constitutes one of the responsible factors of the success of farming and in the improvement of human and animal food. With this intention the present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological quality and the mineral / chemical composition of sesame seeds of the cultivars: Seda, CNPA GR, and Preta. The seeds used in the research proceeding from three distinct cities. The experimental design utilized was entirely random with four replications. The studied tests of laboratory had been: germination, vigor (fi rst count of germination), physical purity, mass of 1.000 seeds, water content, oil content, protein, ash, phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and sulphur (S). Based on results obtained, the following conclusions were established: 1) The water content of the seeds with distinct colors (white, cream and black color) is inversely related to their quality; 2) There was a positive correlation between oil content and the mass of 1.000 studied seeds cultivated; and 3) The seeds of the cultivars BRS Seda and CNPA G4 had presented low calcium concentration compared with the Black one.

In order to provide favorable conditions for bone regeneration, a lot of biomaterials have been developed and evaluated, worldwide. Composite biomaterials have gained notoriety, as they combine desirable properties of each isolated material. Thus, in this research, bone repair capacity of three developed formulations of ceramic scaffolds were evaluated histomorphometrically, after implantation. Scaffolds were based on wollastonite (W) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) composites in three different ratios (wt.%). Thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three experimental groups: W-20 (20 W/80β-TCP wt.%), W-60 (60 W/40β-TCP wt.%), and W-80 (80 W/20β-TCP wt.%), evaluated by optical microscopy at biological tests after 15 and 45 days of implantation. Throughout the study, the histological results evidenced that the scaffolds remained at the implantation site, were biocompatible and presented osteogenic potential. The percentage of neoformed mineralized tissue was more evident in the W-20 group (51%), at 45 days. The composite of the W-80 group showed more evident biodegradation than the biomaterials of the W-20 and W-60 groups. Thus, it is concluded that the scaffold containing 20 W/80β-TCP (wt.%) promoted more evident bone formation, but all composites evaluated in this study showed notorious bioactivity and promising characteristics for clinical application.

Resumo -Para a obtenção de sementes de alta qualidade, é necessário o controle eficiente e rigoroso de todas as etapas de produção, desde a escolha das sementes na própria planta e beneficiamento. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a influência da ordem dos racemos na colheita dos frutos e de três sistemas de beneficiamento na qualidade das sementes de mamona. As sementes de mamoneira foram provenientes do campo de produção da cultivar BRS 149 Nordestina, instalado na Estação Experimental da Embrapa Algodão de Barbalha-CE. Foi adotado o delineamento inteiramente casualizado, usando-se o esquema fatorial de 3 x 3, com quatro repetições, onde os fatores foram: colheita em três ordens de racemos (frutos colhidos dos racemos primários, secundários e terciários) e três sistemas de beneficiamento (manual, máquina descascadora manual e máquina descascadora mecânica). As sementes de cada tratamento foram submetidas aos testes de germinação, vigor, análise de pureza, teor de água e teor de óleo. Os racemos secundários e terciários produzem sementes com melhor qualidade fisiológica em relação aos primários. As sementes descascadas em máquina descascadora mecânica proporcionaram maior comprimento das plântulas, enquanto as sementes beneficiadas manualmente apresentaram maior teor de óleo.Palavras-chave -Época de colheita. Descascadora. Ricinus communis L.. Tipos de racemos.Abstract -To obtain high quality seeds, required efficient and accurate control of all stages of production are required, from selecting seeds in the plant itself and processing. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the order of racemes in fruit harvest and processing in three systems of quality of castor beans. The castor bean seeds were from the production field BRS 149 Nordestina, installed at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Algodão from Barbalha-CE. A completely randomized delineation was used, with a 3 x 3 factorial with four replications, where the factors were: harvest in three orders of racemes (primary, secondary, and tertiary harvested racemes) and three systems of processing (manual, manual machine, and mechanical machine peeling). The seeds from each treatment were subjected to germination tests, vigor, purity analysis, water content, and oil content. The secondary and tertiary racemes produce seeds with high physiological quality in relation to primary. The seeds peeled by a mechanical peeler machine provided greater seedling length, while the seeds processed manually had higher oil content.

Medicine seeks increasingly to treat problems related to bone regeneration and tissue in order to minimize surgical trauma and some bone diseases. The technology advancement in the biomaterials field allows develop materials that assist in reconstructive procedures of body parts and increase treatments improving the life quality of human beings. Due to the biodegradability, biocompatibility and biofunctionality characteristics, chitosan has attracted attention of researchers in order to obtain new materials. Its unique features promote the incorporation of other materials such as calcium phosphate ceramics which are used in this bone replacement and bone regeneration due to submit biocompatibility, bioactivity, osteoconductivity in addition to allowing the bone cells proliferation, collagen and proteins in their surfaces, thus allowing tissue regeneration. This study aimed to develop biodegradable chitosan membranes with 1%, 3% and 5% calcium phosphate for use in bone regeneration. The composites were prepared and Characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and angle contact wettability. The results indicates the composite formation and show an increased crystallinity in the chitosan membrane through the phosphate incorporation, besides confirming the composites hydrophilicity. Preliminary results indicates that the composite is a promising biomaterial.