Poloxamer-based Binary Hydrogels For Delivering Tramadol Hydrochloride: Sol-gel Transition Studies, Dissolution-release Kinetics, In Vitro Toxicity, And Pharmacological Evaluation

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)In this work, poloxamer (PL)-based binary hydrogels, composed of PL 407 and PL 188, were studied with regard to the physicochemical aspects of sol-gel transition and pharmaceutical formulation issues such as dissolution-release profiles. In particular, we evaluated the cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and in vivo pharmacological performance of PL 407 and PL 407-PL 188 hydrogels containing tramadol (TR) to analyze its potential treatment of acute pain. Drug-micelle interaction studies showed the formation of PL 407-PL 188 binary systems and the drug partitioning into the micelles. Characterization of the sol-gel transition phase showed an increase on enthalpy variation values that were induced by the presence of TR hydrochloride within the PL 407 or PL 407-PL 188 systems. Hydrogel dissolution occurred rapidly, with approximately 30%-45% of the gel dissolved, reaching similar to 80%-90% up to 24 hours. For in vitro release assays, formulations followed the diffusion Higuchi model and lower K-rel values were observed for PL 407 (20%, K-rel = 112.9 +/- 10.6 mu g . h(-1/2)) and its binary systems PL 407-PL 188 (25%-5% and 25%-10%, K-rel = 80.8 +/- 6.1 and 103.4 +/- 8.3 mu g.h(-1/2), respectively) in relation to TR solution (K-rel = 417.9 +/- 47.5 mu g.h(-1/2), P72 hours) pointed to PL-based hydrogels as a potential treatment, by subcutaneous injection, for acute pain.1023912401Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2006/00121-9, 2010/11475-1, 2010/13088-5]CNPq [487619/2012-9, 300952/2010-4, 309612/2013-6

Structuralization of a Human Teeth Bank

Um Banco de Dentes Humanos (BDH) é uma instituição sem fins lucrativos, vinculada a uma faculdade, universidade ou outra instituição. Seu propósito é suprir as necessidades acadêmicas, fornecendo dentes humanos para pesquisa ou para treinamento laboratorial pré-clínico dos alunos, dessa forma eliminando o comércio ilegal de dentes que ainda existe nas faculdades de Odontologia. Cabe também ao BDH zelar pela eliminação da infecção cruzada que existe no manuseio indiscriminado de dentes extraídos. Para o bom funcionamento de um BDH, é fundamental um controle severo de seus procedimentos internos, que incluem a separação e o estoque de dentes, assim como o cadastro e o arquivamento das fichas dos doadores ou beneficiários. Aqui, abordaremos as funções que um BDH pode desempenhar e a forma pela qual hoje o Banco de Dentes Humanos da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de São Paulo (FOUSP) funciona e organiza-se.A Human Teeth Bank (HTB) is a nonprofit institution, associated to a college, to a university or to some other institution. Its purpose is to fulfill academic needs, by supplying human teeth for research or for preclinical laboratory training of students, thus eliminating the illegal commerce of teeth that still takes place in dental schools. It is also up to an HTB to work for the elimination of cross-infection caused by indiscriminate handling of extracted teeth. In order to work properly, an HTB should have a strict control of its internal procedures, which include separation and stocking of teeth, as well as an appropriate maintaining of donors' and beneficiaries' records. In this article, we discuss the functions that an HTB can perform, and how the Human Teeth Bank, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, works and organizes itself today

Caracterización de DELUX: Dispositivo de esterilización por luz ultravioleta para máscaras PFF2/N95 contra COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health pandemic state due to the transmission of the new coronavirus on March 11th, 2020. COVID-19, that is caused by SARS-CoV-2, has a very broad clinical spectrum, with predominantly respiratory symptoms developments. The role of the health professionals in fighting the pandemic requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PFF2 / N95 masks are suitable PPEs for this purpose. Due to the high demand for PFF2 / N95 masks to fight the pandemic, there was a shortage of this PPE worldwide. This work aims to present a characterization of the device called DELUX, utilized for UVC (ultraviolet C light spectra) sterilization of PFF2 / N95 masks, and allowing to extend the time of safe use of this PPE in emergency conditions. The photometric validation of the device resulted in the verification of the emission spectrum of the lamps used in the device, and the measurement of the optical power, demonstrating the adequacy of irradiation with UVC light, with a 15-minute cycle, and safely. Biological validation showed that DELUX is capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 present on the surface of PFF2 / N95 masks, thus being efficient for their sterilization. The safety offered by the sterilization cycle allows to extend the safe use of those masks.La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declaró un estado pandémico de salud pública debido a transmisión del nuevo coronavirus el 11 de marzo de 2020. La COVID-19, causada por el SARS-CoV-2, tiene un espectro clínico muy amplio, con predominio de desarrollos sintomáticos respiratorios. El papel de los profesionales de salud en la lucha contra la pandemia requiere un equipo de protección personal (EPP). Las máscaras PFF2 / N95 son EPP adecuados para este propósito. Debido a gran demanda de máscaras PFF2 / N95 para combatir la pandemia, hubo escasez en el mercado. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar un dispositivo denominado DELUX para la esterilización por UVC (espectros de luz ultravioleta C) de mascarillas PFF2 / N95, ampliando su tiempo de uso seguro en condiciones de emergencia. La validación fotométrica del dispositivo permitió la verificación del espectro de emisión de las lámparas empleadas en el dispositivo y la medición de la potencia óptica, demostrando la idoneidad de la irradiación con luz UVC, en ciclos de 15 minutos, de forma segura. La validación biológica mostró que DELUX es capaz de desactivar el SARS-CoV-2 presente en la superficie de las mascarillas PFF2 / N95, siendo así eficiente para su esterilización extendiendo el tiempo de utilización de estas mascarillas

Morbimortalidade e custo por internação dos pacientes com sepse no Brasil, Rio Grande do sul e Porto alegre

Background and Objectives: Sepsis is a life-threatening organic dysfunction, secondary to the organism's dysregulated response to infection. The criteria for clinical diagnosis are the variation of at least two points in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment Score (SOFA).The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the morbidity and mortality rates and hospitalization costs of patients with sepsis in Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) and Porto Alegre. Methods: A retrospective study based on secondary data obtained from the Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS) in three administrative governmental levels from the last 10 years. Results: There was an increase in sepsis mortality in the three demographic regions. In Brazil, sepsis mortality rate in 2006 was 1.10% and in 2015 it was 1.46%, in RS State, in 2006 it was 0.90% and in 2015 it was 1.14% and in Porto Alegre, in 2006 it was 0.72% and in 2015 it was 0.88%. The percentage of hospitalizations because of sepsis also showed an increase. The costs related to hospitalizations are high, reaching in 2016 the average value of R$3,669.75, R$ 3,247.69 and R$4,281.41 in Brazil, RS and Porto Alegre, respectively. Conclusion: Due to high morbimortality rates, investments in prevention and early diagnosis of sepsis are urgently needed, focusing on patient safety, training a multiprofessional team, and the implementation of care protocols. Keywords: Sepsis. Indicators of Morbidity and Mortality. Hospitalization. Costs and Cost Analysis.Justificación y objetivos: Sepsis se define como la presencia de disfunción orgánica amenazadora a la vida y secundaria a la respuesta desregulada del organismo a la infección. Sus criterios para diagnóstico clínico son la variación de al menos dos puntos en el score Sequential Organ Failure (SOFA). Se pretende realizar un levantamiento de las tasas de morbimortalidad y costo por hospitalización de los pacientes con sepsis en Brasil, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) y Porto Alegre. Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo realizado con base en datos secundarios de los últimos diez años obtenidos en las bases del Departamento de Informática del Sistema Único de Salud (acrónimo en portugués: DATASUS) en tres esferas administrativas. Resultados: Se evidenció un aumento en el porcentaje de mortalidad por sepsis en las tres esferas administrativas. En Brasil, la tasa de mortalidad por sepsis en 2006 fue del 1,10$ 3.669,75, R$3.247,69 y R$ 4.281,41 en Brasil, RS y Porto Alegre, respectivamente. Conclusión: Las altas tasas morbimortalidad requieren una inversión en la prevención y diagnóstico precoz de la sepsis, orientada hacia la seguridad del paciente, con inversiones en capacitaciones para el equipo multiprofesional y la implementación de protocolos asistenciales. Palabras clave: Sepsis. Indicadores de Morbimortalidad. Hospitalización. Costos y Análisis de Costo.Justificativa e Objetivos: A sepse é definida como a presença de disfunção orgânica ameaçadora à vida, secundária à resposta desregulada do organismo à infecção, e tem como critérios para diagnóstico clínico a variação de, pelo menos, dois pontos no escore Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA). O objetivo foi realizar um levantamento das taxas de morbimortalidade e custo por internação dos pacientes com sepse no Brasil, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) e Porto Alegre. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo realizado com base em dados secundários obtidos nas bases do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde (DATASUS), em três esferas administrativas, dos últimos dez anos. Resultados: Evidenciou-se um aumento no percentual de mortalidade por sepse nas três esferas. No Brasil, a taxa de mortalidade por sepse em 2006 foi 1,10%, e em 2015 1,46%; no RS, em 2006, foi 0,90%, e em 2015 foi 1,14%; e em Porto Alegre, no ano de 2006, foi 0,72%, e em 2015 foi 0,88%. O percentual de internações também apresentou crescimento. Os custos relacionados às internações são elevados, atingindo em 2016 o valor médio de R$3.669,75, R$ 3.247,69 e R $ 4.281,41 no Brasil, RS e Porto Alegre, respectivamente. Conclusão: Com as altas taxas de morbimortalidade, se faz necessário um investimento na prevenção e diagnóstico precoce da sepse, voltado para a segurança do paciente, com investimentos em capacitações para a equipe multiprofissional e a implementação de protocolos assistenciais. Descritores: Sepse. Indicadores de morbimortalidade. Hospitalização. Custos e Análise de Custo

Caracterización de DELUX: Dispositivo de esterilización por luz ultravioleta para máscaras PFF2/N95 contra COVID-19

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) declaró un estado pandémico de salud pública debido a transmisión del nuevo coronavirus el 11 de marzo de 2020. La COVID-19, causada por el SARS-CoV-2, tiene un espectro clínico muy amplio, con predominio de desarrollos sintomáticos respiratorios. El papel de los profesionales de salud en la lucha contra la pandemia requiere un equipo de protección personal (EPP). Las máscaras PFF2 / N95 son EPP adecuados para este propósito. Debido a gran demanda de máscaras PFF2 / N95 para combatir la pandemia, hubo escasez en el mercado. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo caracterizar un dispositivo denominado DELUX para la esterilización por UVC (espectros de luz ultravioleta C) de mascarillas PFF2 / N95, ampliando su tiempo de uso seguro en condiciones de emergencia. La validación fotométrica del dispositivo permitió la verificación del espectro de emisión de las lámparas empleadas en el dispositivo y la medición de la potencia óptica, demostrando la idoneidad de la irradiación con luz UVC, en ciclos de 15 minutos, de forma segura. La validación biológica mostró que DELUX es capaz de desactivar el SARS-CoV-2 presente en la superficie de las mascarillas PFF2 / N95, siendo así eficiente para su esterilización extendiendo el tiempo de utilización de estas mascarillas.//The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a public health pandemic state due to the transmission of the new coronavirus on March 11th, 2020. COVID-19, that is caused by SARS-CoV-2, has a very broad clinical spectrum, with predominantly respiratory symptoms developments. The role of the health professionals in fighting the pandemic requires the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). PFF2 / N95 masks are suitable PPEs for this purpose. Due to the high demand for PFF2 / N95 masks to fight the pandemic, there was a shortage of this PPE worldwide. This work aims to present a characterization of the device called DELUX, utilized for UVC (ultraviolet C light spectra) sterilization of PFF2 / N95 masks, and allowing to extend the time of safe use of this PPE in emergency conditions. The photometric validation of the device resulted in the verification of the emission spectrum of the lamps used in the device, and the measurement of the optical power, demonstrating the adequacy of irradiation with UVC light, with a 15-minute cycle, and safely. Biological validation showed that DELUX is capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 present on the surface of PFF2 / N95 masks, thus being efficient for their sterilization. The safety offered by the sterilization cycle allows to extend the safe use of those masks

Extensão universitária em parceria com a sociedade

As universidades de alguns países se caracterizavam por várias formas de ensino e que começou na época com estudantes em sociedade, de acordo com a construção do conceito de ensinamento de cada país, sendo que algumas universidades seguiam modelos iguais, outras não, seu papel era ampliar o conhecimento individual das pessoas na sociedade. Obtiveram a necessidade do surgimento da extensão, sendo em uma instituição de ensino superior algo novo para um crescimento no desenvolvimento do processo educativo, cultural e científico não muito aceito na sociedade, por falta de esclarecimento conceitual. Mas vem ampliando sua área no atendimento às organizações, obtendo uma importância em divulgar conhecimentos diversos como a cultura de forma interna ou externamente. A metodologia baseou-se na base de dados do Scielo e livros da Biblioteca Central Jacinto Uchoa, do campus da Farolândia, sendo selecionados 20 (vinte) artigos e analisados 8 (oito).

Convalescent plasma for COVID-19 in hospitalised patients : an open-label, randomised clinical trial

Background: The effects of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. This study investigates the effect of CP on clinical improvement in these patients. Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel arm, open-label, superiority clinical trial. Patients were randomly (1:1) assigned to two infusions of CP plus standard of care (SOC) or SOC alone. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with clinical improvement 28 days after enrolment. Results: A total of 160 (80 in each arm) patients (66.3% critically ill, 33.7% severely ill) completed the trial. The median (interquartile range (IQR)) age was 60.5 (48–68) years; 58.1% were male and the median (IQR) time from symptom onset to randomisation was 10 (8–12) days. Neutralising antibody titres >1:80 were present in 133 (83.1%) patients at baseline. The proportion of patients with clinical improvement on day 28 was 61.3% in the CP+SOC group and 65.0% in the SOC group (difference −3.7%, 95% CI −18.8–11.3%). The results were similar in the severe and critically ill subgroups. There was no significant difference between CP+SOC and SOC groups in pre-specified secondary outcomes, including 28-day mortality, days alive and free of respiratory support and duration of invasive ventilatory support. Inflammatory and other laboratory marker values on days 3, 7 and 14 were similar between groups. Conclusions: CP+SOC did not result in a higher proportion of clinical improvement on day 28 in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 compared to SOC alone

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio