Abstract: The present application discloses cell-adhesive gellan gum spongy-like hydrogels that are able to entrap/encapsulate adherent cells, which spread within the material, maintaining their phenotype and remaining viable and proliferative. The methodology used to obtain these materials involves hydrogel preparation, freezing, freeze-drying and re-hydration with a saline solution with cells and with/without bioactive molecules. No pre and/or post functionalization of the spongy-like hydrogels with cell adhesive features, as used for other hydrogels, is used. The cell adhesive character of these materials, not observed in hydrogels, is in part explained by their physical properties, between sponges and hydrogels, dissimilar from the precursor hydrogels. The physical properties that are mainly different are the morphology, microstructure, water content, and mechanical performance.

Abstract: The present application describes a polymeric mesh for the repair and regeneration of tissues from an organism that comprises pores wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh have a size smaller than the one required to confine the cells of the said tissues, and wherein at least 70% of the pores of the said mesh has a size superior than the one needed for the passage of interstitial fluids of the said tissues; the degradation time of the said polymeric mesh within the organism is at least 8 weeks; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent tensile strength superior than 1 MPa; the said polymeric mesh has an apparent elastic modulus superior than 0.1 MPa. The mesh described in this application allows that the “new tissue” formed presents very similar properties to the ones of the damaged tissue.

Abstract: A rotational dual chamber bioreactor for cell culture in bi- and multilayered scaffolds, in the context of tissue engineering (TE) and regenerative medicine strategies is disclosed which comprises at least two dual culture chambers, a multiposition magnetic stirrer plate, and at least two flow pumps which can be coupled to a monitor device to register biochemical parameters such as pH, pO2, glucose and urea sensors and physical parameters like pressure. The dual culture chambers have a central barrier with a hole to insert the bilayer scaffold, such chamber is used to culture cells with different conditions in each compartment of the chamber, avoiding medium exchange. Each chamber can rotate 180° (horizontal), being the rotations per minute controlled independently. The rotation is promoted by magnetic stirrers, having magnets performing the attraction between the bottom part of the dual chamber and the stirring position of the plate.

Abstract: This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions.

Abstract: This invention refers to photo-crosslinked hydrogel materials based in gellan gum suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications or as drug delivery systems. Formulations of gellan gum with different degrees of acylation serve as precursor material for insertion of a polymerizable moiety. The materials are capable of free radical polymerization with a photo-initiator at mild temperatures and exposure to ultraviolet light, enabling control of reticulation and withstanding the encapsulation of human and animal cells and/or drugs, and any combination thereof. The physicochemical and biological properties can be adjusted by combining different formulations of gellan gum and reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method for establishing a secret key between two nodes in a communication network, in particular in a wireless local area network (WLAN), includes concealment of the fact that a key exchange occurs, one of the nodes—first node (B)—broadcasts one or more packets (Pi) that can be received by the other node—second node (A)—, wherein the packets (Pi) contain each a first key (Ki) and wherein the packets (Pi) are each encrypted with a second key (ki) before being sent, the second node (A) randomly chooses one packet (Pm) from the packets (Pi) received and breaks the encryption of the chosen packet (Pm) in order to obtain the first key (Km), and the second node (A) initiates a key exchange protocol, wherein the second node (A) encrypts the message to be sent for initiating the key exchange protocol with the revealed key (Km).

Abstract: Friedelin is a natural compound with promising proprieties. On its own or with chemical modification it is possible to introduce relevant biological activities, e.g., anti-cancer, anti-aging and agrochemical. Its availability in significant amounts has been a major drawback on its regular use and in the pursuit of different applications. Cork and cork-derived materials (e.g., black condensate) are the most relevant sources of Friedelin in nature (up to 10% in concentration). The present invention reports straight-forward procedures to extract and purify Friedelin from cork and cork-derived materials (e.g., black condensate). It uses solvent extraction and (re)crystallization techniques easy to scale up to an industrial level, with a low solvent and low time consumption, high yields, up to 2.9%, and high purity degrees, up to 96%.

Abstract: A method for establishing a secret key between two nodes in a communication network, in particular in a wireless local area network (WLAN), includes concealment of the fact that a key exchange occurs, one of the nodes—first node (B)—broadcasts one or more packets (Pi) that can be received by the other node—second node (A)—, wherein the packets (Pi) contain each a first key (Ki) and wherein the packets (Pi) are each encrypted with a second key (ki) before being sent, the second node (A) randomly chooses one packet (Pm) from the packets (Pi) received and breaks the encryption of the chosen packet (Pm) in order to obtain the first key (Km), and the second node (A) initiates a key exchange protocol, wherein the second node (A) encrypts the message to be sent for initiating the key exchange protocol with the revealed key (Km).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tissue engineering a bone equivalent comprising a scaffold material, which scaffold material comprises a matrix based on a destructured, natural, starch-based polymer. The invention further relates to a process for tissue engineering said bone equivalent, a hybrid structure obtainable by said process, and to the use of said hybrid structure in various surgical treatments.