Sunscreen formulations containing rice bran or soybean oil: rheological properties, spreadability and in vitro sun protection factor

The presence of rice bran or soybean oil at different concentrations (3 and 5 %) in gel-creams containing benzophenone-3 (BZ-3) was evaluated. Gel-creams were prepared with Carbopol Ultrez® (polymer) at 0.5 % (w/w). The influence of rice bran or soybean oil was evaluated on the pH values, rheological behavior, spreadability and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF). All formulations showed a creamlike aspect and pH between 6.5 and 7.0. Rheological analysis showed pseudoplastic Non-Newtonian behavior for all formulations according to the Herschel-Bulkley model, regardless of the presence of the oil. However, formulations containing BZ-3 showed higher shear rates and smaller spreadability factors than blank formulations. On the other hand, formulations with higher concentration of vegetable oil showed higher spreadability factors and smaller shear rates than formulations without it. The presence of oil showed no influence on the SPF values of gel-creams.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Development of nonionic creams containing honey: physicochemical characterization and stability

O objetivo deste estudo foi desenvolver e avaliar as propriedades físico-químicas e a estabilidade de cremes não-iônicos (tipo O/A) contendo mel em diferentes concentrações (5, 15 e 25%, m/m). As formulações foram preparadas pela técnica usual de preparação de emulsões, em triplicata. Para o ensaio de estabilidade, as formulações foram mantidas à temperatura ambiente, durante 6 meses. Os cremes contendo mel apresentaram características satisfatórias nos testes empregados (aspecto homogêneo, cor amarela, odor característico, tamanho de partícula abaixo de 10 μm e pH ácido). Verificou-se que as formulações apresentaram comportamento de fluxo não-Newtoniano e um aumento de viscosidade em função de maiores concentrações de mel. Os valores de espalhabilidade revelaram comportamentos paralelos entre as formulações. Durante os ensaios de estabilidade, ligeiras alterações na cor e no odor foram observadas; entretanto, verificou-se uma diminuição significativa dos valores de pH.The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the physicochemical properties and physical stability of nonionic creams (O/W) containing honey at different concentrations (5, 15 and 25%, w/w). The formulations were prepared according to the normal preparation technique for emulsions, in triplicate. On the stability test, the formulations were stored at room temperature, for 6 months. The creams containing honey showed satisfactory characteristics in the tests employed (homogeneous aspect, yellow color, characteristic odor, particle size below 10 μm, and acidic pH). The formulations presented a new-Newtonian behavior and an increase in viscosity due to higher honey concentrations. The spreadability values revealed parallels behaviors between the formulations. During stability test, slight changes in color and odor were detected; however there was a decrease in pH values.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

THE CASE FOR THE GLOBAL STRATOTYPE SECTION AND POINT(GSSP) FOR THE BASE OF THE NORIAN STAGE

The Norian Stage is the longest stage in the Phanerozoic, and some members of the boundary working group have been evaluating suitable Carnian-Norian boundary sections for roughly two decades. This has identified two possible candidate boundary sections, at Black Bear Ridge (British Columbia, Canada) and Pizzo Mondello (Sicily, Italy). After a formal voting procedure within the working group, ending on the 26th July, 2021, the Pizzo Mondello section was selected as the global stratotype section and point for the base of the Norian. We evaluated the global correlation potential of the two proposed primary markers, the conodont Metapolygnathus parvus and the ‘flat-clam’ Halobia austriaca. Secondary markers were also evaluated around these boundary datums for correlation potential, and the veracity of the proposed sections for GSSP status. Data and arguments for the proposed sections and datums are presented here. Through a two-stage process of option elimination in voting, conforming with ICS guidelines, the working group decided by 60% majority to propose that the first occurrence datum of Halobia austriaca in the Pizzo Mondello section at the base of bed FNP135A should become the ‘golden spike’ for the base of the Norian. A secondary biotic marker for this boundary is the first occurrence of Primatella (Carnepigondolella) gulloae, in sample NA43, ca. 0 m below FNP135A, and the FA of Dimorphites noricus (sample NA42.1) ca. 3.5 m above bed FNP135 (indicating the first subzone of the Jandianus Zone). The best physical secondary marker is the magnetozone PM5n with the proposed boundary ca.40% through the thickness of PM5n. Strengths of the chosen datum are: 1) it also maintains historical priority for ammonoid zonations, which had placed the base Norian near to this level in Europe, North America and probably NE Asia; 2) Halobia austriaca is widely distributed in all paleolatitudes and is a long-established taxon

A high fat diet during adolescence in male rats negatively programs reproductive and metabolic function which is partially ameliorated by exercise

An interaction between obesity, impaired glucose metabolism and sperm function in adults has been observed but it is not known whether exposure to a diet high in fat during the peri-pubertal period can have longstanding programmed effects on reproductive function and gonadal structure. This study examined metabolic and reproductive function in obese rats programmed by exposure to a high fat (HF) diet during adolescence. The effect of physical training (Ex) in ameliorating this phenotype was also assessed. Thirty-day-old male Wistar rats were fed a HF diet (35% lard w/w) for 30 days then subsequently fed a normal fat diet (NF) for a 40-day recovery period. Control animals were fed a NF diet throughout life. At 70 days of life, animals started a low frequency moderate exercise training that lasted 30 days. Control animals remained sedentary (Se). At 100 days of life, biometric, metabolic and reproductive parameters were evaluated. Animals exposed to HF diet showed greater body weight, glucose intolerance, increased fat tissue deposition, reduced VO 2max and reduced energy expenditure. Consumption of the HF diet led to an increase in the number of abnormal seminiferous tubule and a reduction in seminiferous epithelium height and seminiferous tubular diameter, which was reversed by moderate exercise. Compared with the NF-Se group, a high fat diet decreased the number of seminiferous tubules in stages VII-VIII and the NF-Ex group showed an increase in stages XI-XIII. HF-Se and NF-Ex animals showed a decreased number of spermatozoa in the cauda epididymis compared with animals from the NF-Se group. Animals exposed to both treatments (HF and Ex) were similar to all the other groups, thus these alterations induced by HF or Ex alone were partially prevented. Physical training reduced fat pad deposition and restored altered reproductive parameters. HF diet consumption during the peri-pubertal period induces long-term changes on metabolism and the reproductive system, but moderate and low frequency physical training is able to recover adipose tissue deposition and reproductive system alterations induced by high fat diet. This study highlights the importance of a balanced diet and continued physical activity during adolescence, with regard to metabolic and reproductive health

Vaccine breakthrough hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia in patients with auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs

Life-threatening `breakthrough' cases of critical COVID-19 are attributed to poor or waning antibody response to the SARS- CoV-2 vaccine in individuals already at risk. Pre-existing autoantibodies (auto-Abs) neutralizing type I IFNs underlie at least 15% of critical COVID-19 pneumonia cases in unvaccinated individuals; however, their contribution to hypoxemic breakthrough cases in vaccinated people remains unknown. Here, we studied a cohort of 48 individuals ( age 20-86 years) who received 2 doses of an mRNA vaccine and developed a breakthrough infection with hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia 2 weeks to 4 months later. Antibody levels to the vaccine, neutralization of the virus, and auto- Abs to type I IFNs were measured in the plasma. Forty-two individuals had no known deficiency of B cell immunity and a normal antibody response to the vaccine. Among them, ten (24%) had auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs (aged 43-86 years). Eight of these ten patients had auto-Abs neutralizing both IFN-a2 and IFN-., while two neutralized IFN-omega only. No patient neutralized IFN-ss. Seven neutralized 10 ng/mL of type I IFNs, and three 100 pg/mL only. Seven patients neutralized SARS-CoV-2 D614G and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) efficiently, while one patient neutralized Delta slightly less efficiently. Two of the three patients neutralizing only 100 pg/mL of type I IFNs neutralized both D61G and Delta less efficiently. Despite two mRNA vaccine inoculations and the presence of circulating antibodies capable of neutralizing SARS-CoV-2, auto-Abs neutralizing type I IFNs may underlie a significant proportion of hypoxemic COVID-19 pneumonia cases, highlighting the importance of this particularly vulnerable population

The stability and interfacial properties of functionalized silica nanoparticles dispersed in brine studied by molecular dynamics

The charge accumulation and surface tension of overall neutral functionalized silica nanoparticles (NPs) dispersed in brine (NaCl and CaCl2) were studied using large scale fully atomistic molecular dynamics. Sulphonic (SA) and ethylene-glycol (EG) functional groups have been incorporated in the NP surface respectively, covering both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic characters. For the latter, groups with one (EG) and two (PEG2) monomers were considered. The ion distribution in electrolyte aqueous solution and its accumulation around NPs were monitored for different salt concentrations (from 0.05 up to 1 wt%), and temperature (300 and 350 K) at 1 atm. At certain conditions, the ion accumulation surrounding the overall neutral NPs leads to a formation of electrical double layers (EDL). Compared with the monovalent ions (NaCl), the accumulation of divalent ions (CaCl2) was found to be more pronounced and the thickness of the EDL around the NPs is more compact. According to the functional group attached, the EDL width also reduces going from EG, to PEG2, to SA. Our simulations suggest that the EDL formation, its narrowing, the large variation of the interface tension, followed by a steep increase in ion mobility are conditions which may precede instability of functionalized NPs dispersion in brine

Functionalized Silica Nanoparticles within Multicomponent Oil/Brine Interfaces: A Study in Molecular Dynamics

Stability control of nanoparticles within polar and nonpolar liquid interfaces can be influenced by surface effects and molecular-level interactions. This study uses fully atomistic molecular dynamics to investigate the behavior of functionalized silica nanoparticles (NPs) at crude oil/brine interfaces as a function of salt, brine concentration, temperature, and NP surface functionalization. The light crude oil model used in this study comprises aromatics, alkanes and cycloalkanes. Silanized (H-passivated), PEGlyated, and sulfonated functionalized NPs are used to account for hydrophilicity variations. The size effect of the functional groups is evaluated for PEGlyated NPs. The highest contact angles (NP moves toward the oil phase) are observed for monovalent (NaCl) solutions, at higher salt concentrations, and for PEGlyated NPs. The findings indicate that the Young–Laplace equation is still valid at nanoscale for spherically symmetric nanoparticles. The mobility of all NPs indicates that the self-diffusion coefficient is ten times faster along than across the interface. The results also show that aromatic molecules adsorb to the NP surface, even on the face located in the brine phase, where they form patchy domains on each nanoparticle evaluated. As this result can greatly affect the stability of NPs at oil/brine interfaces, it has implications for several technological applications

Controlling Clay Swelling–Shrinkage with Inorganic Nanoparticles: A Molecular Dynamics Study

The control of clay swelling can be achieved by using nanoparticles. This paper describes the use of atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to study the interaction of SiO₂ nanoparticles (NPs) with Na-montmorillonite (MMT) clay platelets. The NPs@MMT interfaces were simulated by taking into account different aqueous solutions (NaCl and CaCl₂) and three different coverages for NPs (hydroxylated, PEGlyated, and sulfonated). The formation of electric double layers (EDL) was observed on the NP and MMT surfaces. The free energies as a function of the NP–platelet distance were determined for each interface, while global minima near MMT surfaces and local minima in the middle path were observed. The presence of NPs in the local (dispersed) or global energy minima (adsorbed) leads to a broadening and compressing of the EDLs, respectively. Accordingly, a mechanism for this swelling–shrinkage can be proposed, based on changes in the EDLs caused by NPs. Because of overlap between the EDLs, for the adsorbed NP the ion accumulation on the MMT surface increases, resulting in an attractive potential and compression of the clay. This MMT swelling–shrinkage transition leads to interplatelet distance changes of ∼20%, which is consistent with the results of previous studies. These indicate an effective way to use NPs to tune clay swelling inhibition