BACKGROUND The natural biomembrane of latex extracted from Hevea brasiliensis has been used as a dressing for skin ulcers. OBJECTIVES To evaluate how safe the natural biomembrane is in relation to hypersensitivity to latex when used as a dressing. METHODS We selected patients with skin ulcers, forming the following groups: control - low occupational exposure to latex (n = 17); latex-exposed...

BACKGROUND The vegetal biomembrane has been used to treat cutaneous ulcers. OBJECTIVES To assess the role of the vegetal biomembrane on the chronic venous ulcers treatment compared to treatment with collagenase cream. METHODS Fourteen patients were selected to be treated with vegetal biomembrane and 7 with Fibrase(®) (CONTROL), followed clinically and photographically by the Wound Healing I...

In this paper we present a microrobotic system that integrates microscope vision and microforce feedback for characterizing biomembrane mechanical properties. We describe robust visual tracking of deformable biomembrane contours using physics-based models. A multi-axis microelectromechanical systems based force sensor is used to determine applied forces on biomembranes and to develop a novel bi...

Slice cultures on biomembrane are the method of choice for studying Ca2+-dependent plastic changes occurring over several days to weeks. Using IR-differential interference contrast, good visualization of neurons in biomembrane slice cultures has been achieved despite a negative optical effect of the biomembrane, but epifluorescence imaging requires removal of a Wollaston prism and the analyzer....

UNLABELLED The new cavity created after an open cavity tympanomastoidectomy (OCTM) is filled with an antibiotic impregnated cotton pack (cotton tape, umbilical tape, gauze). The removal of this pack usually causes some bleeding and discomfort for the patient. We propose the use of a latex biomembrane to cover the cavity, which will act as an interface between the raw bone surface and the packin...

OBJECTIVES The biomembrane (induced membrane) formed around polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) spacers has value in clinical applications for bone defect reconstruction. Few studies have evaluated its cellular, molecular or stem cell features. Our objective was to characterise induced membrane morphology, molecular features and osteogenic stem cell characteristics. METHODS Following Institutional ...

The latex biomembrane is a material from Hevea brasiliensis and has angiogenic properties, cellular adhesion and extracellular matrix formation. It has been used for the treatment of ulcers in the inferior extremities caused by diabetes, chronic vascular insufficiency and timpanic perforations. In this study we report a case of biomembrane use to promote granulation in the orbital cavity after ...