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The field of precision medicine allows for tailor-made treatments specific to a patient and thereby improve the efficiency and accuracy of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment and at the same time would reduce the cost, redundant treatment, and side effects of current treatments. Here, the combination of organ-on-a-chip and bioprinting into engineering high-content in vitro tissue models is envisioned to address some precision medicine challenges. This strategy could be employed to tackle the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has made a significant impact and paradigm shift in our society. Nevertheless, despite that vaccines against COVID-19 have been successfully developed and vaccination programs are already being deployed worldwide, it will likely require some time before it is available to everyone. Furthermore, there are still some uncertainties and lack of a full understanding of the virus as demonstrated in the high number new mutations arising worldwide and reinfections of already vaccinated individuals. To this end, efficient diagnostic tools and treatments are still urgently needed. In this context, the convergence of bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip technologies, either used alone or in combination, could possibly function as a prominent tool in addressing the current pandemic. This could enable facile advances of important tools, diagnostics, and better physiologically representative in vitro models specific to individuals allowing for faster and more accurate screening of therapeutics evaluating their efficacy and toxicity. This review will cover such technological advances and highlight what is needed for the field to mature for tackling the various needs for current and future pandemics as well as their relevancy towards precision medicine.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T11:55:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2021-03-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) National Council for Scientific and Technological Development Electrospun ultrathin fibrous scaffold filed with synthetic nanohydroxyapatite (nHAp) and graphene nanoribbons (GNR) has bioactive and osteoconductive properties and is a plausible strategy to improve bone regeneration. Poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has been studied as fibrous scaffolds due to its low crystallinity, faster biodegradability, and good mechanical properties; however, its potential for in vivo applications remains underexplored. We proposed the application of electrospun PBAT with high contents of incorporated nHAp and nHAp/GNR nanoparticles as bone grafts. Ultrathin PBAT, PBAT/nHAp, and PBAT/nHAp/GNR fibers were produced using an electrospinning apparatus. The produced fibers were characterized morphologically and structurally using scanning electron (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron (TEM) microscopies, respectively. Mechanical properties were analyzed using a texturometer. All scaffolds were implanted into critical tibia defects in rats and analyzed after two weeks using radiography, microcomputed tomography, histological, histomorphometric, and biomechanical analyses. The results showed through SEM and high-resolution TEM characterized the average diameters of the fibers (ranged from 0.208 mu m +/- 0.035 to 0.388 mu m +/- 0.087) and nHAp (crystallite around 0.28, 0.34, and 0.69 nm) and nHAp/GNR (200-300 nm) nanoparticles distribution into PBAT matrices. Ultrathin fibers were obtained, and the incorporated nHAp and nHAp/GNR nanoparticles were well distributed into PBAT matrices. The addition of nHAp and nHAp/GNR nanoparticles improved the elastic modulus of the ultrathin fibers compared to neat PBAT. High loads of nHAp/GNR (PBATnH5G group) improved the in vivo lamellar bone formation promoting greater radiographic density, trabecular number and stiffness in the defect area 2 weeks after implantation than control and PBAT groups. Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Sci & Technol, Dept Biosci & Oral Diag, BR-12450000 Sao Paulo, Brazil Air Force Acad, Brazilian Air Force, BR-13630000 Pirassununga, Brazil UFPI Fed Univ Piaui, LIMAV Interdisciplinary Lab Adv Mat, BR-64049550 Teresina, Brazil Univ Brasil, Inst Cient & Tecnol, BR-12450000 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Fed Piaui, Dept Phys, BR-64049550 Teresina, Brazil Sao Paulo State Univ, Inst Sci & Technol, Dept Biosci & Oral Diag, BR-12450000 Sao Paulo, Brazil FAPESP: 2016/04618-7 National Council for Scientific and Technological Development: 310883/2020-2 National Council for Scientific and Technological Development: 404683/2018-AOL National Council for Scientific and Technological Development: 311531/2020-2

Stereolithography technology associated with the employment of photocrosslinkable, biocompatible, and bioactive hydrogels have been widely used. This method enables 3D microfabrication from images created by computer programs and allows researchers to design various complex models for tissue engineering applications. This study presents a simple and fast home-made stereolithography system developed to print layer-by-layer structures. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels were employed as the photocrosslinkable polymers in various concentrations. Three-dimensional (3D) constructions were obtained by using the stereolithography technique assembled from a commercial projector, which emphasizes the low cost and efficiency of the technique. Lithium phenyl-2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl phosphonate (LAP) was used as a photoinitiator, and a 404 nm laser source was used to promote the crosslinking. Three-dimensional and vascularized structures with more than 5 layers and resolutions between 42 and 83 µm were printed. The 3D printed complex structures highlight the potential of this low-cost stereolithography technique as a great tool in tissue engineering studies, as an alternative to bioprint miniaturized models, simulate vital and pathological functions, and even for analyzing the actions of drugs in the human body.

A necessidade cada vez maior de transportar grandes quantidades de petroleo e gas em ambientes agressivos fez surgir uma demanda por acos de alta resistencia e baixa liga (ARBL) de classificacao API (American Petroleum Institute). O principal metodo de falha e, sem duvida, as trincas induzidas por hidrogenio (TIH), dessa forma ha uma necessidade de buscar alternativas metalurgicas para diminuir a susceptibilidade desses materiais a esse fenomeno e algumas dessas solucoes e a laminacao a morno e nitretacao a plasma. O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a influencia da laminacao a morno na microestrutura e formacao da camada nitretada em aco API 5L X70, para isso, amostras do aco em questao foram submetidas a laminacao a morno com 49,4 % de reducao com temperatura inicial de 863 °C e final de 689 °C, posteriormente, foi realizado nitretacao a plasma convencional e com auxilio de gaiola catodica usando como parâmetros: 450 °C, com fluxo de gas 75 % H2 - 25 % N2 e 25 % H2 - 75 % N2, pressao 2,5 Torr. Para a caracterizacao, foram realizados microscopia otica, ensaio de microdureza Vickers e difracao de raios-X. Os resultados obtidos mostram que a microestrutura apresentou um menor bandeamento, em relacao a microestrutura do material como recebido, atraves de uma maior distribuicao de perlita causada pela laminacao a morno. A nitretacao formou uma fina camada de compostos de dureza superficial de ate 670,0 HV (HV 0.05) formadas por nitretos do tipo e (Fe3N) e γ’ (Fe4N). Estas caracteristicas sao importantes no combate as trincas induzidas por hidrogenio, e sugerem que a combinacao dessas duas tecnicas pode ser promissora. Palavras-chave: Aco API 5L X70, laminacao a morno, nitretacao a plasma, gaiola catodica.

A nitretação a plasma é realizada em ferramentas de aços rápidos para aumentar a resistência ao desgaste da aresta de corte e reduzir a tendência do material usinado em aderir na ferramenta. O objetivo do presente trabalho é estudar a viabilidade da nitretação a plasma e do tratamento duplex em brocas de aço rápidoanalisnado o desgaste de brocas de aço rápido M2 submetidas a diferentes parâmetros de nitretação a plasma e deposição de filme de nitreto de titânio (TiN). As brocas passaram primeiro pelo tratamento de nitretação com, variando-se a temperatura em 350°C, 400°C, 450°C, 500oC e 550oC, enquanto o tratamento duplex foi dividido em nitretação convencional a 500 °C seguido de deposição de um filme fino de TiN aplicado pela técnica de deposição a plasma com gaiola catódica à temperatura de 400oC e 500 °C. As brocas nitretadas a 400°C ainda foram submetidas ao processo de deposição de um filme de TiN. Todas as brocas foram caracterizadas por microdureza Vickers e foram ensaiadas em centro de usinagem CNC, onde o corpo de prova era de aço AISI 4340. Foi realizada uma análise de desempenho entre os diferentes tratamentos, onde chegou à conclusão que o tratamento que resultou melhor desempenho na usinagem foi o tratamento de nitretação a 450°C. A camada nitretada das brocas foi analisada por perfil de microdureza, Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura, porém observou-se que o valor de microdureza aumenta com o tempo de tratamento, e que a deposição do filme de TiN teve baixa relevância no desempenho da broca The increase in tool life corroborates to the growth of productivity in manufacturing industries. In this context, the application of surface coatings is an alternative to increase the tool life of helical drills, especially those of small diameter. This paper studies the viability of plasma nitriding and duplex treatment on high speed steel drills. The studied nitriding treatments were performed at temperatures of 450 °C and 500 °C, while the duplex treatment was divided into conventional nitriding at 500 °C followed by the deposition of a TiN thin film applied by the cathodic cage plasma deposition technique at a temperature of 500 °C. The drills were characterized by Vickers Microhardness Test, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS) and Performance Simulation, where the flank wear on the cutting edge and the dimensional quality of holes machined in SAE 1045 steel specimens were measured. All treatments resulted in a higher surface hardness than that of untreated material. The tools subjected to nitriding and duplex treatment at 500 oC presented underperformance, not showing viability for application under these conditions. The nitrided drill at 450 °C showed a longer tool life than the untreated drill and produced all holes within the limits set by the 9H12 tolerance. The study showed that the application of plasma nitriding at a temperature of 450 °C contributed to increase the tool life of high speed steel drills and to improve the dimensional quali

The animal study was reviewed and approved by 10/2015-CEUA/ICT/CJSC-UNESP., Poly (lactic acid) (PLA) has been increasingly used in cutaneous tissue engineering due to its low cost, ease of handling, biodegradability, and biocompatibility, as well as its ability to form composites. However, these polymers possess a structure with nanoporous that mimic the cellular environment. In this study, nanocomposites are prepared using PLA and titanium dioxide (TiO2) (10 and 35%—w/w) nanoparticles that also function as an active anti-scarring agent. The nanocomposites were prepared using an electrospinning technique. Three different solutions were prepared as follows: PLA, 10% PLA/TiO2, and 35% PLA/TiO2 (w/w%). Electrospun PLA and PLA/TiO2 nanocomposites were characterized morphologically, structurally, and chemically using electron scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, goniometry, and X-ray diffraction. L929 fibroblast cells were used for in vitro tests. The cytotoxic effect was evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assays. Versicam (VCAN), biglicam (BIG), interleukin-6 (IL6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and type-1 collagen (COL1A1) genes were evaluated by RT-qPCR. In vivo tests using Wistar rats were conducted for up to 15 days. Nanofibrous fibers were obtained for all groups that did not contain residual solvents. No cytotoxic effects were observed for up to 168 h. The genes expressed showed the highest values of versican and collagen-1 (p < 0.05) for PLA/TiO2 nanocomposite scaffolds when compared to the control group (cells). Histological images showed that PLA at 10 and 35% w/w led to a discrete inflammatory infiltration and expression of many newly formed vessels, indicating increased metabolic activity of this tissue. To summarize, this study supported the potential of PLA/TiO2 nanocomposites ability to reduce cutaneous scarring in scaffolds., This work was supported by the National Council for Scientificand Technological Development (CNPq, #303752/2017-3 and#404683/2018-5 to AL and #304133/2017-5 and #424163/2016-0 to FM). AZ acknowledges financial support of the FCT throughUID/CTM/00264/2019 and Investigator FCT Research contract(IF/00071/2015) and the project PTDC/CTM-TEX/28295/2017 financed by FCT, FEDER, and POCI.

A vast growing problem in orthopaedic medicine is the increase of clinical cases with antibiotic resistant pathogenic microbes, which is predicted to cause higher mortality than all cancers combined by 2050. Bone infectious diseases limit the healing ability of tissues and increase the risk of future injuries due to pathologic tissue remodelling. The traditional treatment for bone infections has several drawbacks and limitations, such as lengthy antibiotic treatment, extensive surgical interventions, and removal of orthopaedic implants and/or prosthesis, all of these resulting in long-term rehabilitation. This is a huge burden to the public health system resulting in increased healthcare costs. Current technologies e.g. co-delivery systems, where antibacterial and osteoinductive agents are delivered encounter challenges such as site-specific delivery, sustained and prolonged release, and biocompatibility. In this review, these aspects are highlighted to promote the invention of the next generation biomaterials to prevent and/or treat bone infections and promote tissue regeneration.