AC Biosusceptometry as a Tool for Monitoring the Gastrointestinal Transit of Multiparticulate Drug Delivery System

Drug delivery systems based on natural polysaccharides, such as chitosan (CS) and pectin (PC), rather than on synthetic polymers, have been widely studied. Some reasons for that are low toxicity and costs and high biodegradability of the formers. A multiparticulate system based on CS and PC was developed in our laboratories, including the addition of an enteric polymer, cellulose acetate phtalate (CAP). Such improvement promoted stronger gastric and enteric resistances, as assessed in vitro, making the systems more selective to enzymatic degradation in the colon. Although in vitro dissolution tests can simulate some properties concerning the gastrointestinal transit (GT), collaborating to characterize the systems behavior in the biological fluids, frequently they do not result in satisfactory in vitro/in vivo correlations. The objective of this work was to follow in vivo the GT of the particles developed by means of AC biosusceptometry (ACB), a non-invasive and of low cost methodology. The particles containing ferrite in powder form were prepared by complex coacervation using an ideal 3:1:1 mass ratio for PC:CS:CAP. The magnetic particles were administered to healthy volunteers by oral route. The GT was monitored by using multi-sensor ACB system and the signal acquisition was performed every IS min until the colonic region was reached. By means of ACB technique, it was possible to acquiring images generated by the magnetic particles within the whole gastrointestinal tract including the colonic region. Variable particles transit times were observed among the volunteers, but without interference on the mapping of the particles until the colonic region. The particles were able to produce magnetic field strong enough to generate signals adequate for mapping the particles. The results suggest that integral particles reached the colon, after they resisted against gastric and enteric media. Studies associating transit time and in vivo drug release are in development in order to confirm the efficiency of the systems.

Stress induces behavioral sensitization, increases nicotine-seeking behavior and leads to a decrease of CREB in the nucleus accumbens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Pesquisas sobre a febre amarela (1881-1903): uma reflexão visando contribuir para o ensino de ciências

O presente artigo focaliza episódios históricos relacionados à pesquisa médica acerca da febre amarela (1881-1903), buscando discutir (a) a influência que os fatores econômicos, sociais e políticos exercem sobre a pesquisa científica; (b) o caráter coletivo, controvertido e não-linear do processo de produção de conhecimentos na ciência; (c) a natureza arbitrária dos conhecimentos científicos, no sentido de que representam formas de ver, e não são perenes ou elaborados apenas sobre bases racionais; (d) o papel pouco cabal desempenhado pelas demonstrações experimentais, que não se mostram irrefutáveis; e (e) o papel desempenhado pelos paradigmas, que conduzem não apenas a caminhos frutíferos, mas também a becos sem saída. O intuito é proporcionar subsídios que sejam úteis tanto aos pesquisadores como aos professores que atuam na área do Ensino de Ciências.

Influência de defeitos e diferentes processos de fabricação nas propriedades mecânicas finais de cerâmicas

Os materiais cerâmicos são atualmente cada vez utilizados como opção na engenharia mundial. Por se tratar de materiais com alta resistência mecânica, possuem muitas aplicações em diversas áreas, como por exemplo a de mancais, a automotiva (sensores, isoladores, catalisadores, pistões, válvulas, revestimentos), a de implantes biocompatíveis (dentário, substituição óssea, válvulas cardíacas), a de produtos sujeitos ao desgaste (guias), a de refratários (revestimento de equipamento bélico, componentes de fornos), a eletrônica, e outras. Nos processos de fabricação da cerâmica há uma gama de fatores que contribuem para as características do produto final. Devido a isso, muitos pesquisadores têm trabalhado no estudo da influência de determinados defeitos e técnicas de produção de cerâmicas nas características do produto final. Este trabalho tem como objetivo fazer uma revisão bibliográfica de recentes artigos que analisam a influência de fatores como velocidade de queima, surgimento de trincas, porosidade, fases cristalinas, e tamanho de partículas, nas propriedades mecânicas finais das cerâmicas. Pode-se concluir que é possível aperfeiçoar o processo de fabricação da cerâmica a fim de promover as melhores propriedades mecânicas possíveis, conhecendo-se fatores prejudiciais e métodos adequados para se obter o melhor produto final.

Alumina porous ceramics: mathematical behavior at different commercial starch concentration

Several researches have been developed in order to verify the porosity effect over the ceramic material properties. The starch consolidation casting (SCC) allows to obtain porous ceramics by using starch as a binder and pore forming element. This work is intended to describe the porous mathematical behavior and the mechanical resistance at different commercial starch concentration. Ceramic samples were made with alumina and potato and corn starches. The slips were prepared with 10 to 50 wt% of starch. The specimens were characterized by apparent density measurements and three-point flexural test associated to Weibull statistics. Results indicated that the porosity showed a first-order exponential equation e(-x/c) increasing in both kinds of starches, so it was confirmed that the alumina ceramic porosity is related to the kind of starch used. The mechanical resistance is represented by a logarithmic expression R = A + B/1+10((Log(x0)-P)C).

Exploring S-type orbits in the Pluto-Charon binary system

This work generates, through a sample of numerical simulations of the restricted three-body problem, diagrams of semimajor axis and eccentricity which defines stable and unstable zones for particles in S-type orbits around Pluto and Charon. Since we consider initial conditions with 0 <= e <= 0.99, we found several new stable regions. We also identified the nature of each one of these newly found stable regions. They are all associated to families of periodic orbits derived from the planar circular restricted three-body problem. We have shown that a possible eccentricity of the Pluto-Charon system slightly reduces, but does not destroy, any of the stable regions.

Production of a low young modulus titanium alloy by powder metallurgy

Titanium alloys have several advantages over ferrous and non-ferrous metallic materials, such as high strengthto-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. A blended elemental titanium powder metallurgy process has been developed to offer low cost commercial products. The process employs hydride-dehydride (HDH) powders as raw material. In this work, results of the Ti-35Nb alloy sintering are presented. This alloy due to its lower modulus of elasticity and high biocompatibility is a promising candidate for aerospace and medical use. Samples were produced by mixing of initial metallic powders followed by uniaxial and cold isostatic pressing with subsequent densification by isochronal sintering between 900 up to 1600 °C, in vacuum. Sintering behavior was studied by means of microscopy and density. Sintered samples were characterized for phase composition, microstructure and microhardness by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Vickers indentation, respectively. Samples sintered at high temperatures display a fine plate-like alpha structure and intergranular beta. A few remaining pores are still found and density above 90% for specimens sintered in temperatures over 1500 °C is reached.

Aspectos clínicos e laboratoriais em ovinos submetidos a dietas com níveis elevados de enxofre com objetivo de indução de polioencefalomalácia

A polioencefalomalacia (PEM) é uma doença neurológica que acomete ruminantes e pode ser desencadeada por diversos fatores, dentre eles o consumo excessivo de enxofre. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a relação entre dietas ricas em enxofre, altos níveis de gás sulfídrico ruminal e a ocorrência de polioencefalomalácia em ovinos. Foram utilizados 18 ovinos, divididos em três grupos (G1, G2 e G3) que receberam diferentes níveis de enxofre na dieta; 0,2%, 0,9% e 1,2%, respectivamente. Exames físicos (frequência cardíaca, frequência respiratória, temperatura retal e motricidade ruminal) e complementares (concentração de sulfeto de hidrogênio ruminal, hemogasometria venosa, pH do fluído ruminal, concentração de cobre sérico e hepático, tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e histopatologia) foram realizados. A temperatura retal, a hemogasometria venosa e o pH do fluido ruminal permaneceram dentro dos valores de referência para a espécie. A motricidade ruminal estava diminuída nos grupos G2 e G3 em comparação com o G1 (controle). Quanto maior a ingestão de enxofre, menores foram os níveis de cobre sérico e hepático. Valores elevados de sulfeto de hidrogênio ruminal foram detectados nos grupos G2 e G3. Nenhum animal apresentou sinais clínicos de PEM. Nos exames de tomografia computadorizada, necropsia e exame histopatológico do sistema nervoso central (SNC), não foram observadas alterações compatíveis com PEM. É provável que algum outro fator esteja associado ao excesso de enxofre na dieta para o desenvolvimento de PEM em ovinos.

Predictors of Right Ventricle Dysfunction After Anterior Myocardial Infarction

Background: Regardless significant therapeutic advances, mortality and morbidity after myocardial infarction (MI) are still high. For a long time, the importance of right ventricle (RV) function has been neglected. Recently, RV dysfunction has also been associated with poor outcomes in the setting of heart failure. The shape, location, and contraction conditions make the RV chamber assessment technically challenging.Methods: Our study identified clinical characteristics and left ventricle (LV) echocardiographic data performed 3-5 days after MI that could be associated with RV dysfunction (RV fractional area change [FAC] < 35%) 6 months after MI.Results: The RV dysfunction group consisted of 11 patients (RV FAC 29.4% +/- 5.2) and the no RV dysfunction group of 71 patients (RV FAC 43.7% +/- 5.1); (P < 0.001). Both groups presented the same baseline clinical characteristics. Left atrium (LA), interventricular septum (IVS), and left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) were larger in RV dysfunction than in no RV dysfunction. Conversely, E wave deceleration time (EDT) was lower in RV dysfunction when compared with no RV dysfunction. Left atrium(adj) (adjusted by gender, age, infarct size, and body mass index) (odds ratio [OR], 1.22; confidence interval [CI], 1.016-1.47; P = 0.032), interventricular septum(adj) (OR, 1.49; CI, 1.01-2.23; P = 0.044), and E wave deceleration time(adj) (OR, 0.98; CI, 0.97-0.98; P = 0.029) assessed soon after MI predicted RV failure after 6-months.Conclusions: LV diastolic dysfunction, resulting from anterior MI and assessed 3-5 days after the event, may play an important role in predicting RV dysfunction 6 months later.

Origem anômala de artéria coronária esquerda do tronco pulmonar: síndrome de Bland-White-Garland

A origem anômala da artéria coronária esquerda a partir do tronco pulmonar, conhecida como síndrome de Bland-White-Garland (BWG), é uma doença rara, que, habitualmente, leva à morte antes do primeiro ano de vida. Os autores relatam o caso de uma criança branca, com 2 anos e 6 meses de idade, portadora da síndrome de BWG, e revisam a apresentação clínica, a fisiopatologia, o diagnóstico e o tratamento desses pacientes.

Surto de leishmaniose tegumentar americana em Itaporanga, São Paulo (Brasil)

O presente trabalho relata os aspectos epidemiológicos e clínicos de surto de leishmaniose tegumentar americana na região Sudoeste do estado de São Paulo, área de colonização antiga, não associada a derrubadas de matas. Foram examinados 231 indivíduos, observando-se: a) Sessenta e sete indivíduos (29%) apresentavam leishmaniose confirmada pela histopatologia das lesões cutâneas e intradermorreação de Montenegro. Destes casos, 40 (59,7%) eram homens; b) a idade variou entre 2 (5 casos) e 86 anos (1 caso); c) de acordo com o tipo de lesão, observou-se: 54 (80, 6%) pacientes apresentavam úlceras, 13 (19,4%) nódulos, 4 (5,9%) lesões úlcero-vegetantes e 3 (4,4%) cicatrizes típicas; d) a intradermorreção de Montenegro apresentou 94,7% de positividade nos casos de leishmaniose-doença. Este estudo reforça observações prévias de que, além da forma clássica de transmissão, a leishmaniose pode ser transmitida no intra e peri-domicílio.

The influence of external ultrasound on the histologic architecture of the organic capsule around smooth silicone implants: Experimental study in rats

Background Capsular contracture is the main complication related to breast silicone implants, and its prevention remains a medical challenge. The authors present experimental research examining the effect of external ultrasound on the formation and contracture of peri-implant capsules.Methods In this study, 42 male Wistar rats had a 2-mm smooth surface implant placed in a dorsal submuscular pocket. They then were separated into ultrasound'' and control'' groups that received repeated external applications either with or without the ultrasound power on. Ultrasound applications were given three times a week for a period of 90 days. After that, both groups were housed under the same conditions with no application scheduled. Five animals of each group, killed at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days, had their implants removed along with the capsule, which received a special histologic preparation via annular sectioning that provided wide circumferential observation of the capsular tissue. Sections were stained with hematoxylin/eosin stain, Masson's trichrome stain, and Pricrosirius Red stain for regular microscopic evaluation under normal and polarized light.Results Histologic data showed that capsules from the ultrasound and control groups had statistically significant differences. Ultrasound application developed a capsular architecture similar to that shown within textured silicone implants, and its effect had an early definition with subsequent stabilization.Conclusion The authors conclude that early and repeated external ultrasound application enhances the thickness, cellular count, and vascularity of smooth silicone capsular tissue, whereas it diminishes the pattern of parallel orientation of collagen fibers.

Adjuvant therapy with GnRH agonists/tamoxifen in breast cancer should be a good council for patients with hormone receptor-positive tumours and wish to preserve fertility

Infertility represents one of the main long-term consequences of the chemotherapy used for the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. Approximately 60-65% of breast cancers express the nuclear hormone receptor in premenopausal women. Adjuvant endocrine therapy is an integral component of care for patients with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) tumours. The GnRH agonist (GnRHa) alone or in combination with tamoxifen produces results at least similar to those obtained with the different chemotherapy protocols in patients with HR+ breast cancer with respect to recurrence-free survival and overall survival. It is time to indicate adjuvant therapy with GnRHa associated with tamoxifen for patients with breast cancer (HR+ tumours) if they want to preserve their reproductive function. The evaluation of ovarian reserve tests: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), inhibin B, antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume 6 months, and 1 year after the end of therapy with GnRHa/tamoxifen must be realised. The recurrence-free survival and overall survival should be analysed. The major implication of this hypothesis will be to avoid adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with breast cancer (HR+ tumours) that request fertility preservation. It is expected that ovarian function should not be altered in almost all cases and subsequent pregnancy a real possibility. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cognitive Impairment among the Elderly in a General Hospital

Aims: To estimate the prevalence and correlates of cognitive impairment (CI) among the elderly in a general hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study, including 200 Brazilian inpatients aged 60 years or over, using the Mini Mental State Examination to evaluate CI (dependent variable), and the Geriatric Depression Scale and the Katz and Lawton Index to evaluate basic (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Results: 56% were women, 29% were dependent for BADL and 77.5% for IADL. The prevalence of CI was 29% and, in the logistic regression, it remained associated with higher age (1 74 years old), number of previous hospitalizations (1 3) and dependency for BADL (being dependent raised the odds of being cognitively impaired). Conclusions: It is essential to train the hospital staff to properly assist these patients, and to orient and support their caregivers. Copyright (C) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

Reconstrução do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães, associado ou não ao sulfato de condroitina

Avaliou-se o efeito da reconstrução do ligamento cruzado cranial, associado ou não ao sulfato de condroitina, na evolução da osteoartrite induzida experimentalmente em cães. Vinte cães hígidos, sem raça definida, machos e fêmeas, com peso corpóreo entre 19 e 25kg, foram submetidos à desmotomia do ligamento cruzado cranial. Trinta dias após, foram separados em dois grupos de 10 animais. Um grupo foi submetido à reconstrução do ligamento cruzado com uso de aloenxerto de ligamento patelar congelado, o outro não. Trinta e um dias após a desmotomia, cada grupo foi dividido em dois subgrupos de cinco animais. Um recebeu sulfato de condroitina, o outro não. Os cães foram avaliados clínica e radiograficamente antes da desmotomia e aos 30, 60 e 90 dias após a desmotomia. No último momento foram realizados exames macro e microscópico. Nos cães submetidos somente à desmotomia e tratados com sulfato de condroitina houve redução na progressão das alterações ósseas, ao exame radiográfico. A reconstrução do ligamento cruzado cranial melhorou a função do membro e, quando associada ao sulfato de condroitina, houve melhor resposta. Não houve diferença entre os subgrupos quanto aos exames macro e microscópico.