Browsing by Author "Pereira, Isabel"
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- Dextrin hydrogel loaded with a macroporous Bonelike® scaffold and dental pulp stem cells for critical-sized defect repairPublication . Machado, Alexandra; Pereira, Isabel; Pereira, José Eduardo; Maltez, Luís; Brandão, Ana; Alvites, Rui; Sousa, Ana Catarina; Branquinho, Mariana; Caseiro, Ana Rita; Pedrosa, Sílvia Santos; Maurício, Ana Colette; Pires, Isabel; Prada, Justina; Santos, José Domingos; Gama, MiguelRegeneration of severe bone defects remains a challenge. A formulation of synthetic glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite bone substitute, Bonelike® Poro (BL®P), 250–500 µm-diameter, with a dextrin-based hydrogel (HG), further loaded with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) with osteogenic differentiation ability, was tested for the management of critical-sized defects in an ovine model. Morphology, calcium release, and mechanical strength of HG + BL®P were analyzed. Then, BL®P, HG + BL®P, and 106 hDPSCs-loaded HG + BL®P were implanted in ovine critical-sized 14 mm-diameter calvaria defects. Bone samples were collected after 3 and 6 weeks for histological and micro-CT analysis. BL®P exhibits a suitable porous size for cell ingrowth, from the nm (>200 nm) to the µm (5 µm) range. The addition of BL®P granules to the HG resulted in increased compressive elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength. The mildly acidic nature of the HG contributed to a faster dissolution of granules. In vivo results confirmed the HG suitability as a carrier, providing better defect filling, easy handling, and injectability of BL®P without compromising new bone formation nor biocompatibility. The HG + BL®P formulations can successfully regenerate critical-sized defects; however, addition of hDPSCs did not significantly enhance new bone formation under these conditions. Granular BL®P provides an effective alternative to autologous grafts. The HG acts as a biocompatible carrier of granular bone substitutes and cells, conferring injectability and cohesivity.
- Food Safety in the domestic environment: incidence of Listeria monocytogenes in domestic refrigeratorsPublication . Marujo, Daniela; Pereira, Isabel; Mena, Cristina; Carneiro, Luísa; Almeida, Gonçalo; Teixeira, Paula; Gibbs, Paul