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Biofilms are aggregates of microorganisms in which cells adhere to each other and/or to a surface and are frequently embedded within a self-produced matrix of extracellular polymeric substance. This extracellular substance can be of interest in the search of new biobased adhesives. This research focuses on a protein from Bacillus subtilis. This protein has been highly produced in an overexpressing strain with the aim of assessing its involvement in biofilm formation and adhesion mechanisms. A bioadhesion assay showed that the overexpressing strain presented enhanced adherence to abiotic surfaces. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopy showed that cells in biofilms appeared to be completely encased in an extracellular matrix when the protein is overproduced. These results confirm the relationship between the expression of the selected protein and an increase in biofilm adherence to abiotic surfaces and allow considering the use of this protein as a base polymer in the formulation of bioinspired adhesives.

Functional materials with antimicrobial properties are being investigated in order to provide shoes with new properties and added value by incorporating natural antimicrobial agents to conventional materials (leather, fabrics, foams, etc). Microencapsulation is an effective method to protect these functional natural biocides from reactions with moisture, light, and oxygen. If a footwear material is treated with microencapsulated biocide agents, higher durability of functionality is expected. This article reports the evaluation of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil which is a natural essential oil, as an antimicrobial agent for footwear application. Furthermore, microcapsules containing this essential oil were synthesized by in situ polymerization method using a melamine-formaldehyde resin as shell material in order to increase the durability of this natural biocide in footwear materials. Microcapsule characterization, such as particle size, morphology, and chemical properties was carried out for differ...

Prostanoids, including prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxanes (TXs) are synthesized from arachidonic acid by the combined action of cyclooxygenases (COXs) and PG and TX synthases. Finally after their synthesis, prostanoids are quickly released to the extracellular medium exerting their effects upon interaction with prostanoid receptors present in the neighbouring cells. These agents exert important actions in the cardiovascular system, modulating vascular homeostasis and participating in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases as thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Among prostanoids, Tromboxane (TX)A(2), a potent platelet activator and vasoconstrictor and prostacyclin (PGI2), a platelet inhibitor and vasodilator, are the most important in controlling vascular homeostasis. Although multiple studies using pharmacological inhibitors and genetically deficient mice have demonstrated the importance of prostanoid-mediated actions on cardiovascular physiology, further analysis on the prostanoid mediated actions in the vascular system are required to better understand the benefits and risks for the use of COX inhibitors in cardiovascular diseases.