Development of microspheres for biomedical applications: a review

An overview of microspheres manufactured for use in biomedical applications based on recent literature is presented in this review. Different types of glasses (i.e. silicate, borate, and phosphates), ceramics and polymer-based microspheres (both natural and synthetic) in the form of porous , non-porous and hollow structures that are either already in use or are currently being investigated within the biomedical area are discussed. The advantages of using microspheres in applications such as drug delivery, bone tissue engineering and regeneration, absorption and desorption of substances, kinetic release of the loaded drug components are also presented. This review also reports on the preparation and characterisation methodologies used for the manufacture of these microspheres. Finally, a brief summary of the existing challenges associated with processing these microspheres which requires further research and development are presented

Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Using TaqMan Probes for the Identification of Trypanosoma cruzi DTUs in Biological and Clinical Samples

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has been classified into six Discrete Typing Units (DTUs), designated as TcI–TcVI. In order to effectively use this standardized nomenclature, a reproducible genotyping strategy is imperative. Several typing schemes have been developed with variable levels of complexity, selectivity and analytical sensitivity. Most of them can be only applied to cultured stocks. In this context, we aimed to develop a multiplex Real-Time PCR method to identify the six T. cruzi DTUs using TaqMan probes (MTq-PCR).Methods/Principal Findings: The MTq-PCR has been evaluated in 39 cultured stocks and 307 biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients from different geographical regions and transmission cycles in comparison with a multi-locus conventional PCR algorithm. The MTq-PCR was inclusive for laboratory stocks and natural isolates and sensitive for direct typing of different biological samples from vectors, reservoirs and patients with acute, congenital infection or Chagas reactivation. The first round SL-IR MTq-PCR detected 1 fg DNA/reaction tube of TcI, TcII and TcIII and 1 pg DNA/reaction tube of TcIV, TcV and TcVI reference strains. The MTq-PCR was able to characterize DTUs in 83% of triatomine and 96% of reservoir samples that had been typed by conventional PCR methods. Regarding clinical samples, 100% of those derived from acute infected patients, 62.5% from congenitally infected children and 50% from patients with clinical reactivation could be genotyped. Sensitivity for direct typing of blood samples from chronic Chagas disease patients (32.8% from asymptomatic and 22.2% from symptomatic patients) and mixed infections was lower than that of the conventional PCR algorithm.Conclusions/Significance: Typing is resolved after a single or a second round of Real-Time PCR, depending on the DTU. This format reduces carryover contamination and is amenable to quantification, automation and kit production.This work received financial support from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Argentina [PICT 2011-0207 to AGS] and the National Scientific and Technical Research Council in Argentina (CONICET) [PIP 112 2011-010-0974 to AGS]. Work related to evaluation of biological samples was partially sponsored by the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) [Small Grants Program PAHO-TDR]; the Drugs and Neglected Diseases Initiative (DNDi, Geneva, Switzerland), Wellcome Trust (London, United Kingdom), SANOFI-AVENTIS (Buenos Aires, Argentina) and the National Council for Science and Technology in Mexico (CONACYT) [FONSEC 161405 to JMR]

A NEW SPECIES OF MILK FROG OF THE GENUS TRACHYCEPHALUS TSCHUDI (ANURA, HYLIDAE) FROM THE AMAZONIAN RAINFOREST

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)We describe a new species of Trachycephalus from the Amazon Rain Forest, which is morphologically similar to T. resinifictrix (Goeldi). This new species is characterized by a medium body size for species in the genus (males snout-vent length [SVL] 57.9-74.3 mm, females SVL 74.4-84.9 mm); skin of the head not co-ossified with underlying dermal bones; dorsal skin texture, including that of the head, densely glandulous with several tubercles; paired vocal sac that protrudes at a posterior angle to the jaw when inflated; iris coloration pinkish-beige with a horizontal black bar and a vertical thin black line below the pupil; dorsal color pattern consisting of a wide interocular whitish-beige and a dark blotch on the middle of the dorsum joining the crossbar at the top of the dorsum, forming a 'T' shape; rounded snout in dorsal view, and rounded or acuminate in profile; well-developed supratympanic fold; ulnar tubercles present, sometimes associated with ulnar fold; well-developed axillary membrane; well-developed tarsal fold; males with nonhypertrophied forearm; minimum frequencies of the advertisement call lower than 0.38 kHz; pulse rate 126.7-146.6 pulses/s; tadpole external coloration with brown reticulated blotches in the superior portion of the fin; tooth row formulae 2(2)/4. The new species, which is widely distributed in the Amazonian Forest, has been confused with the parapatric T. resinifictrix. It is a canopy treefrog that breeds in tree-holes that have accumulated rainwater.694466479Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ)Smithsonian Institution (Washington DC, USA)Universidade Federal do Para (UFPA)MPEGFundação 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