Tretinoin peel: a critical view

The tretinoin peel, also known as retinoic acid peel, is a superficial peeling often performed in dermatological clinics in Brazil. The first study on this was published in 2001, by Cuce et al., as a treatment option for melasma. Since then, other studies have reported its applicability with reasonable methodology, although without a consistent scientific background and consensus. Topical tretinoin is used for the treatment of various dermatoses such as acne, melasma, scars, skin aging and nonmelanoma skin cancer. The identification of retinoids cellular receptors was reported in 1987, but a direct cause-effect relation has not been established. This article reviews studies evaluating the use of topical tretinoin as agent for superficial chemical peel. Most of them have shown benefits in the treatment of melasma and skin aging. A better quality methodology in the study design, considering indication and intervention is indispensable regarding concentration, vehicle and treatment regimen ( interval and number of applications). Additionally, more controlled and randomized studies comparing the treatment with tretinoin cream versus its use as a peeling agent, mainly for melasma and photoaging, are necessary.Univ Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Unit Cosmiatry Surg & Oncol, Dept Dermatol, Paulista Med Sch, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo EPM UNIFESP, Paulista Med Sch, Dept Dermatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Estadual Campinas Unicamp, Sch Pharmaceut Sci, Campinas, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo UNIFESP, Unit Cosmiatry Surg & Oncol, Dept Dermatol, Paulista Med Sch, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo EPM UNIFESP, Paulista Med Sch, Dept Dermatol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

HPLC assay of lidocaine in in vitro dissolution test of the Poloxamer 407 gels

Apresenta-se método simples de cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência (CLAE) para análise da lidocaína em meio aquoso, após estudo de liberação in vitro. A lidocaína foi analisada usando-se coluna LichroCART RP-18 (5 mm, 125x4 mm), fase móvel constituída de acetonitrila: tampão fosfato de sódio 0,05 M, pH 6 (35:65), adicionada de 0,05% de dietilamina com fluxo de 1 mL/min. O tempo de retenção foi de 7,9 min. O comprimento de onda de análise utilizado foi de 210 nm. A linearidade do método foi de 1,25 a 25 µg/mL com coeficiente de variação intraensaio e inter-ensaio menor que 3,5 %. A metodologia desenvolvida e validada mostrou sensibilidade e especificidade para a realização dos estudos propostos, considerando-se que as amostras obtidas a partir dos estudos de liberação in vitro contêm concentrações muito baixas do fármaco, além de outras substâncias do meio de dissolução que podem interferir no doseamento. A quantificação do fármaco e dos interferentes pode não ser possível se for efetuada por outras metodologias analíticas convencionais. Assim, o método desenvolvido é de grande importância para a quantificação do fármaco nas alíquotas obtidas nos ensaios de liberação in vitro.A simple high performance liquid chromatography method to assay lidocaine hydrochloride in aqueous receiving media, following in vitro release, is presented. Lidocaine hydrochloride was analysed using a 5 mm LichroCART® RP-18 column (125 x 4 mm i.d.). The mobile phase was acetonitrile: 0.05 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.0 (35:65) and 0.05% of diethylamine at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The retention time was 7.9 min. Detection was carried out at 210 nm at room temperature (28 ºC). The method was found to be linear in the range 1.25 to 25 mg/mL, showing average intraassay and inter-assay coefficients of variation below 3.5%. The proposed method was validated for linearity, specificity, precision and accuracy and was shown to be useful for the analysis of lidocaine hydrochloride in in vitro release studies

Ab initio atomistic description of temperature-induced phase changes: The cases of zirconia and Ti-Y-co-doped zirconia

Zirconium dioxide, or zirconia, is a common and useful ceramic with a wide range of applications, from fuel cells to odontology. Its phase diagram is simple and well understood, having a structure which is monoclinic at temperatures up to 1500 K, tetragonal up to 2700 K and cubic up to 3000 K. Zirconia is rarely used in its pure form, being typically doped with Y2O3, MgO or TiO2, and in this regime its phase diagram becomes much more complex. In this context, ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) can provide a detailed atomistic description of the phase diagram of this system, accurately describing its stable phases and transition regions. In this work, 3 mol-% Y2O3 (3YSZ) crystals doped with different Ti contents were studied at the density-functional level. For Ti contents varying from 0 to 30 at%, a global search algorithm was first used to explore the 0 K potential-energy surface and determine the most stable sites for the added Ti atoms. It was found that, at low Ti compositions XTi, small TiO2 clusters form, followed by TiO2 channels and infinite TiO2 planes at larger XTi values, and that the highest stability is achieved at 9% Ti. AIMD simulations within the isothermal-isobaric NPT ensemble were then performed to characterize the temperature-dependent phase changes as a function of the Ti content, where it was found that the Ti-doped structures presented considerably smaller volume changes near the phase-change critical temperatures. These findings suggest that YSZ materials doped with a small amount of Ti are both energetically and kinetically more stable than the undoped counterparts, in the ideal proportion of 3% TiO2 for every 1% Y2O3 doping.Fil: Negreiros Ribeiro, Fábio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en Físico-química de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Ribeiro Ricci Lazar, Dolores. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; BrasilFil: Ussui, Valter. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; BrasilFil: De Lima, Nelson Batista. Comissao Nacional de Energia Nuclear. Centro de Lasers e Aplicacoes. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares; BrasilFil: Marchi, Juliana. Universidad Federal do Abc; BrasilFil: Dalpian, Gustavo Martini. Universidad Federal do Abc; Brasi

Evolution of the functional independence of elderly patients from a home care service through the point of view of caregivers

O conhecimento do desempenho do idoso em suas atividades é de grande importância na assistência domiciliar, pois é o que norteia os profissionais e o cuidador no monitoramento dos cuidados prestados. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a evolução da independência funcional de idosos inclusos em um programa de assistência domiciliária, sob a ótica do cuidador pela Medida de Independência Funcional (MIF), em dois momentos, com intervalo de um ano entre eles. Foi realizado estudo de seguimento, no qual os dados foram obtidos pelos prontuários de 22 pacientes, que continham a avaliação da MIF nos dois momentos estudados (outubro de 2003 e outubro de 2004). Foram excluídos os prontuários que apresentaram mudança de cuidador entre as avaliações, exclusão do programa e óbito. Realizou-se análise descritiva simples e para verificar as diferenças estatísticas o teste t-pareado e teste de Wilcoxon. A associação dos resultados da MIF com as variáveis de gênero, idade e comorbidades dos idosos foram analisadas por meio do test t - pareado e correlação de Pearson. A amostra caracterizou-se por uma maioria feminina, com idade avançada e múltiplas doenças associadas. Não foram encontradas diferenças significantes entre as avaliações, das médias da MIF motor, cognitivo e total, das medianas das seis áreas e das dezoito atividades da MIF. A manutenção na atividade expressão se associou com o gênero feminino, enquanto que a atividade interação social e a área cognição com o número de comorbidades. Observou-se manutenção da independência funcional dos pacientes no período estudado. Os resultados sugerem que no período de um ano os idosos foram capazes de manter ou retardar seu declínio funcional.The knowledge of the performance of the aged one in its activities have a major importance in the home care services, because it is the objective of professionals and caregivers during health care. The objective of this study was to evaluate the functional independence evolution of patients included under home care, through the caregiver’s point of view of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) instrument, at two moments, with one year between them. A follow up study was designed. The data had been gotten in recorded case histories of 22 patients, who contained the evaluation of FIM at the two studied moments (October 2003 and October 2004). The recorded of the patients who presented changes of caregiver between the evaluations, exclusion of the program and death were excluded. Simple descriptive analyses were made and statistical differences were tested using Paired- T Test and Wilcoxon test. The association of the results of the MIF with gender, age and diseases of the patients had been analyzed by means of Paired- T Test and correlation of Pearson. The features of the sample were composed by a feminine majority, with advanced age and multiple associated illnesses. Statistically significant differences were not found between the evaluations by the perception of the caregiver, in the averages of the motor, cognitive and total FIM, of the medium of six dimensions and eighteen categories of the FIM. The maintenance in the expression activity was associated with the feminine sort, while that the social interaction activity and the cognition area correlated with the number of diseases. Maintenance of the functional capacity of the patients in the studied period was observed. The results suggest that the home care attendance was revealed as a capable modality to keep or to delay the functional decline from elderly

Nanoemulsão óleo em água e seu processo de produção

DepositadaA presente invenção descreve uma nanoemulsão óleo em água consistida de entre 5 a 40% massa/massa (m/m) de ao menos um tensoativo, entre 1 a 50% m/m de ao menos um óleo; e, opcionalmente, aproximadamente 30% um ou mais solventes; seu processo de produção e ainda, seu uso na veiculação de compostos hidrofóbicos, podendo ser fármaco, cosmético, vitamina ou um composto alimentar

Consumo de fibras e dificuldades alimentares na infância: alimentos contribuintes e fatores associados

Objectives: To describe fiber intake by children with feeding difficulties (FD) according to the recommendation of the Brazilian Society of Pediatrics (SBP), identify and describe the five foods that most contribute to fiber intake, and verify the factors associated with fiber consumption within the recommendation. Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, based on the use of data from medical records and with sampling assembled for convenience. The five foods that contributed most to fiber consumption (total, soluble and insoluble) were presented according to the percentage of contribution. The factors associated with fiber consumption within the recommendation were verified using logistic regression. Results: Most children (53.8%) had a consumption below the SBP recommendation. The major contributors to the total fiber intake were breads, rice and cereals, followed by fruits, beans and other pulses, vegetables and fruit juices. The contributors of soluble and insoluble fibers are similar to the total fiber rank. Parents’ education showed a positive association with fiber consumption within the recommendation (OR: 5.30; 95% CI 1.08-25.99; p = 0.039), while using distraction during the meal and lack of child autonomy to serve themselves showed a negative association (OR: 0.43; 95% CI 0.19-0.96; p = 0.040 and OR: 0.44; 95% CI 0.20-0.98; p = 0.045, respectively). Conclusion: Most children with FD presented fiber consumption below the recommendation. Most of contributing foods have good nutritional quality. The factors associated with fiber consumption were parents’ education, use of distraction during the meal and the child autonomy to serve themselves. Thus, the meals dynamics and the parentes role in food are important and should be evaluated and guided during the FD monitoring.Objetivos: Descrever o consumo de fibras por crianças com dificuldades alimentares (DA) de acordo com a recomendação da Sociedade Brasileira de Pediatria (SBP), identificar e descrever os cinco alimentos que mais contribuem para o consumo de fibras, bem como verificar os fatores associados ao consumo de fibras dentro da recomendação. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional retrospectivo, baseado em utilização de dados de prontuários e com amostragem montada por conveniência. Os cinco alimentos que mais contribuíram para o consumo de fibras (totais, solúveis e insolúveis) foram apresentados de acordo com o percentual de contribuição. Os fatores associados ao consumo de fibras dentro da recomendação foram verificados utilizando regressão logística. Resultados: A maioria das crianças (53,8%) apresentou consumo abaixo da recomendação da SBP. Os maiores contribuintes para o consumo de fibras totais foram pães, arroz e cereais, seguido de frutas, feijões e outras leguminosas, hortaliças e sucos de frutas. Os contribuintes de fibras solúveis e insolúveis são semelhantes ao rank de fibras totais. Escolaridade dos pais apresentou associação positiva com consumo de fibras dentro da recomendação (OR: 5,30; IC 95% 1,08-25,99; p=0,039), enquanto uso de distração durante a refeição e falta de autonomia da criança para se servir apresentaram associação negativa (OR: 0,43; IC 95% 0,19-0,96; p=0,040 e OR: 0,44; IC 95% 0,20-0,98; p=0,045, respectivamente). Conclusão: A maioria das crianças com DA apresentou consumo de fibras abaixo da recomendação. A maior parte dos alimentos contribuintes apresentam boa qualidade nutricional. Os fatores associados ao consumo de fibras foram escolaridade dos pais, uso de distração durante a refeição e autonomia da criança para se servir. Dessa forma, a dinâmica das refeições e o papel dos pais na alimentação são importantes e devem ser avaliados e orientados durante o acompanhamento das DA

A Importância das Feiras para o Fortalecimento da Agricultura Urbana no Município do Rio de Janeiro

With the growing urbanization process, the practice of Urban Agriculture (UA) has been gaining prominence on the national scene, especially in large cities such as Rio de Janeiro, due to its capacity to produce food, improve the quality of life and promote sovereignty and food and nutrition security (SAN) of urban populations. Another important factor is the generation of work and income for families through the sale of surplus production, with direct sales at fairs being the most used channel in the AU. The possibility of selling food, mainly in organic/agroecological fairs, values and encourages the work of urban farmers, who are made invisible by the government. The objective of the research was to understand the importance of fairs for the commercialization and strengthening of UA in the city of Rio de Janeiro. For this, interview techniques and participatory observation in data collection were chosen. When analyzing the interviews, it was found that most farmers have the sale of food at fairs as their main source of income. According to the survey, 60% of respondents have another source of income and the farmer who has no other source of income sells food in more than one location. Thus, it can be inferred that those farmers who trade in more than one location, through the UA, are able to generate income to support the family.Com o crescente processo de urbanização, a prática de Agricultura Urbana (AU) vem ganhando destaque no cenário nacional, principalmente em grandes cidades como o Rio de Janeiro, devido à sua capacidade de produzir alimentos, melhorar a qualidade de vida e promover a soberania e segurança alimentar e nutricional (SAN) das populações urbanas. Outro fator importante é a geração de trabalho e renda para as famílias por meio da comercialização do excedente da produção, sendo a venda direta em feiras o canal mais utilizado na AU. A possibilidade de comercializar os alimentos, principalmente em feiras orgânicas/agroecológicas, valoriza e estimula o trabalho dos agricultores urbanos, invisibilizados pelo poder público. O objetivo da pesquisa foi compreender a importância das feiras para a comercialização e o fortalecimento da AU no município do Rio de Janeiro. Para isto, foram escolhidas as técnicas de entrevista e observação participativa na coleta de dados. Ao analisar as entrevistas, foi constatado que a maior parte dos agricultores tem a venda dos alimentos nas feiras como a principal fonte de renda. Segundo a pesquisa, 60% dos entrevistados têm outra fonte de renda e o agricultor que não possui outra fonte de renda, comercializa os alimentos em mais de um local. Dessa forma, pode-se inferir que aqueles agricultores que comercializam em mais de um local, conseguem, através da AU, gerar renda para o sustento da família

A Gemini–NIFS view of the merger remnant NGC 34

The merger remnant NGC 34 is a local luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) hosting a nuclear starburst and a hard X-ray source associated with a putative, obscured Seyfert 2 nucleus. In this work, we use adaptive optics assisted near-infrared (NIR) integral field unit observations of this galaxy to map the distribution and kinematics of the ionized and molecular gas in its inner 1.2kpc×1.2kpc⁠, with a spatial resolution of 70 pc. The molecular and ionized gas kinematics is consistent with a disc with projected major axis along a mean PA = −9∘.2 ± 0∘.9. Our main findings are that NGC 34 hosts an AGN and that the nuclear starburst is distributed in a circumnuclear star formation ring with inner and outer radii of ≈ 60 and 180 pc, respectively, as revealed by maps of the [FeII]/Paβ and H2/Br γ emission-line ratios, and corroborated by PCA tomography analysis. The spatially resolved NIR diagnostic diagram of NGC 34 also identifies a circumnuclear structure dominated by processes related to the stellar radiation field and a nuclear region where [FeII] and H2 emissions are enhanced relative to the hydrogen recombination lines. We estimate that the nuclear X-ray source can account for the central H2 enhancement and conclude that [FeII] and H2 emissions are due to a combination of photoionization by young stars, excitation by X-rays produced by the AGN and shocks. These emission lines show nuclear, broad, blueshifted components that can be interpreted as nuclear outflows driven by the AGN

A panchromatic spatially resolved study of the inner 500pc of NGC1052 -- II: Gas excitation and kinematics

We map the optical and near-infrared (NIR) emission-line flux distributions and kinematics of the inner 320$\times$535pc$^2$ of the elliptical galaxy NGC1052. The integral field spectra were obtained with the Gemini Telescope using the GMOS-IFU and NIFS instruments, with angular resolutions of 0''88 and 0''1 in the optical and NIR, respectively. We detect five kinematic components: (1 and 2) Two spatially unresolved components, being a broad line region visible in H$\alpha$, with a FWHM of $\sim$3200km s$^{-1}$ and an intermediate-broad component seen in the [OIII]$\lambda \lambda$4959,5007 doublet; (3) an extended intermediate-width component with 280<FWHM<450km s$^{-1}$ and centroid velocities up to 400km s$^{-1}$, which dominates the flux in our data, attributed either to a bipolar outflow related to the jets, rotation in an eccentric disc or a combination of a disc and large-scale gas bubbles; (4 and 5) two narrow (FWHM<150km s$^{-1}$) components, one visible in [OIII], and one visible in the other emission lines, extending beyond the field-of-view of our data, which is attributed to large-scale shocks. Our results suggest that the ionization within the observed field of view cannot be explained by a single mechanism, with photoionization being the dominant mechanism in the nucleus with a combination of shocks and photoionization responsible for the extended ionization.Comment: Accepted at MNRAS. 17 pages, 17 figure