Study of in vitro and in vivo extraction of kavalactones of pharmaceutical form containing ground plant drug (Piper methysticum G. Forster)

An evaluation of the extraction of pharmacological markers (kavalactones) of the plant species Piper methysticum (kava-kava) was conducted. Capsules containing ground kava-kava were submitted to an in vitro method using a controlled dissolution system where the extractive mediums were a solution of 0.1M HCl, phosphate buffered solution (pH = 6.8) and distilled water, at 30 and 60 min, and in vivo that was based on the pylorus ligation method in rats. In the in vitro system starting from 6 capsules (3 g) containing the kava-kava powder, the following extractive concentrations of kavalactones were obtained: HCl (30 min.) = 0.93% (27.9 mg), HCl (60 min.) = 1.1% (33 mg), buff. (30 min) = 2.8% (84 mg), buff. (60 min.) = 0.7% (21 mg), water (30 min.) = 0.71% (21.3 mg) and water (60 min.) = 2.6% (78 mg), while in the in vivo method, 1 and 2 h after administration of 500 mg of the kava-kava powder through gavage, the extractive concentrations of total kavalactones were: 1h = 1.31% (6.55 mg) and 2h = 1.41 % (7.05 mg). In the in vitro system a slight difference was observed among the solutions, which were not statistically significant, and the same occurred with the in vivo experiment, although at the time of 2 h after administration it proved more effective in the extraction of kavalactones by the gastric juice, but below the dose recommended for therapeutic use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Study of in vitro and in vivo extraction of kavalactones of pharmaceutical form containing ground plant drug (Piper methysticum G. Forster)

An evaluation of the extraction of pharmacological markers (kavalactones) of the plant species Piper methysticum (kava-kava) was conducted. Capsules containing ground kava-kava were submitted to an in vitro method using a controlled dissolution system where the extractive mediums were a solution of 0.1M HCl, phosphate buffered solution (pH = 6.8) and distilled water, at 30 and 60 min, and in vivo that was based on the pylorus ligation method in rats. In the in vitro system starting from 6 capsules (3 g) containing the kava-kava powder, the following extractive concentrations of kavalactones were obtained: HCl (30 min.) = 0.93% (27.9 mg), HCl (60 min.) = 1.1% (33 mg), buff. (30 min) = 2.8% (84 mg), buff. (60 min.) = 0.7% (21 mg), water (30 min.) = 0.71% (21.3 mg) and water (60 min.) = 2.6% (78 mg), while in the in vivo method, 1 and 2 h after administration of 500 mg of the kava-kava powder through gavage, the extractive concentrations of total kavalactones were: 1h = 1.31% (6.55 mg) and 2h = 1.41 % (7.05 mg). In the in vitro system a slight difference was observed among the solutions, which were not statistically significant, and the same occurred with the in vivo experiment, although at the time of 2 h after administration it proved more effective in the extraction of kavalactones by the gastric juice, but below the dose recommended for therapeutic use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Obesity: a view on treatment: a descriptive observational cross-sectional study

Obesity is a disease stigmatized by society in general. Many tend not to consider it a disease, which makes it difficult to treat and worsens the pandemic generated by this condition. Considering the seriousness with which health professionals must face this problem, a form was applied to 511 Brazilian academic medical students, to understand how these students see this disease and how to treat it. The results showed that there is a tendency for incoming students to opt for diet therapy associated with physical exercises, while students further on consider the use of drugs associated with diet therapy and physical exercises the best strategy. This shows the importance of medical schools providing solid information about obesity and its treatment, showing that in certain cases it is not enough for the patient to follow a diet and exercise. This change in the view of health professionals, therefore, would be a way to fight the pandemic in question

A review of user needs to drive the development of lower limb prostheses

Background: The development of bionic legs has seen substantial improvements in the past years but people with lower-limb amputation still suffer from impairments in mobility (e.g., altered balance and gait control) due to significant limitations of the contemporary prostheses. Approaching the problem from a human-centered perspective by focusing on user-specific needs can allow identifying critical improvements that can increase the quality of life. While there are several reviews of user needs regarding upper limb prostheses, a comprehensive summary of such needs for those affected by lower limb loss does not exist. Methods: We have conducted a systematic review of the literature to extract important needs of the users of lower-limb prostheses. The review included 56 articles in which a need (desire, wish) was reported explicitly by the recruited people with lower limb amputation (N = 8149). Results: An exhaustive list of user needs was collected and subdivided into functional, psychological, cognitive, ergonomics, and other domain. Where appropriate, we have also briefly discussed the developments in prosthetic devices that are related to or could have an impact on those needs. In summary, the users would like to lead an independent life and reintegrate into society by coming back to work and participating in social and leisure activities. Efficient, versatile, and stable gait, but also support to other activities (e.g., sit to stand), contribute to safety and confidence, while appearance and comfort are important for the body image. However, the relation between specific needs, objective measures of performance, and overall satisfaction and quality of life is still an open question. Conclusions: Identifying user needs is a critical step for the development of new generation lower limb prostheses that aim to improve the quality of life of their users. However, this is not a simple task, as the needs interact with each other and depend on multiple factors (e.g., mobility level, age, gender), while evolving in time with the use of the device. Hence, novel assessment methods are required that can evaluate the impact of the system from a holistic perspective, capturing objective outcomes but also overall user experience and satisfaction in the relevant environment (daily life)

Study of in vitro and in vivo extraction of kavalactones of pharmaceutical form containing ground plant drug (Piper methysticum G. Forster)

An evaluation of the extraction of pharmacological markers (kavalactones) of the plant species Piper methysticum (kava-kava) was conducted. Capsules containing ground kava-kava were submitted to an in vitro method using a controlled dissolution system where the extractive mediums were a solution of 0.1M HCl, phosphate buffered solution (pH = 6.8) and distilled water, at 30 and 60 min, and in vivo that was based on the pylorus ligation method in rats. In the in vitro system starting from 6 capsules (3 g) containing the kava-kava powder, the following extractive concentrations of kavalactones were obtained: HCl (30 min.) = 0.93% (27.9 mg), HCl (60 min.) = 1.1% (33 mg), buff. (30 min) = 2.8% (84 mg), buff. (60 min.) = 0.7% (21 mg), water (30 min.) = 0.71% (21.3 mg) and water (60 min.) = 2.6% (78 mg), while in the in vivo method, 1 and 2 h after administration of 500 mg of the kava-kava powder through gavage, the extractive concentrations of total kavalactones were: 1h = 1.31% (6.55 mg) and 2h = 1.41 % (7.05 mg). In the in vitro system a slight difference was observed among the solutions, which were not statistically significant, and the same occurred with the in vivo experiment, although at the time of 2 h after administration it proved more effective in the extraction of kavalactones by the gastric juice, but below the dose recommended for therapeutic use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

ESPÉCIES ARBÓREAS DA ARBORIZAÇÃO URBANA DO CENTRO DO MUNICÍPIO DE CAMPO GRANDE, MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRASIL

As árvores constituem uma parte viva de qualquer cidade, sem as quais o ambiente urbano perderia em agradabilidade, influenciando no clima local, na qualidade do ar e na fauna, principalmente de aves além do fator estético. Este estudo teve por objetivos efetuar o levantamento das espécies arbóreas empregadas no paisagismo urbano do centro do município de Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Para tanto, foi efetuada a coleta de ramos dos exemplares, que posteriormente foram herborizados e identificados com o auxílio de chaves de identificação, literatura pertinente e comparação com material do Herbário CGMS. Foram identificadas 28 famílias, 52 gêneros e 61 espécies, das quais 30 são nativas do Brasil. A família com maior número de espécies foi Leguminosae (11 espécies), seguida de Bignoniaceae (6), Moraceae (5) e Myrtaceae (5), e os gêneros mais representativos foram Ficus (5) e Handroanthus (3). As espécies mais comumente observadas foram Bauhinia variegata L., Caesalpinia peltophoroides Benth., Ficus benjamina L., Inga laurina (Sw.) Willd., Lagerstroemia indica L. e Licania tomentosa (Benth.) Fritsch

Utilização do coagulante natural PG?21CA no tratamento de água para consumo humano/ Use of natural coagulant PG?21CA in water treatment for human consumpt

A água in natura é encontrada com diversos agentes poluentes. Para que ela se torne potável, utiliza-se coagulantes inorgânicos com a finalidade de retirar as pelaimpurezas, sendo o principal destes o sulfato de alumínio. Para encontrar alternativas aos coagulantes inorgânicos, optou-se por utilizar um coagulante orgânico feito a partir da soja que é o PG?21Ca (Poliglu), para verificar a eficácia do mesmo. Para realizar os testes com os coagulantes, utilizou-se o equipamento Jartest. A quantidade de coagulante a ser adicionada foi estimada mediante a turbidez que a amostra de água possuía.  Após realizado o procedimento no Jar test (Coagulação, floculação e decantação), foram coletados os sobrenadantes, para análises de turbidez, pH e condutividade elétrica. Com os resultados obtidos foi possível concluir que o Poliglu se apresentou satisfatório para os valores de pH e de turbidez, sendo estes condizentes com os padrões de água potável apresentados pela SANEPAR e pela FUNASA, é possível citar a amostra que inicialmente possuía turbidez igual a 26,0 NTU e pH de 7,07, e após o tratamento obteve-se 2,2 NTU e  6,27 de pH

Adverse events following immunization of elderly with COVID-19 inactivated virus vaccine (CoronaVac) in Southeastern Brazil: an active surveillance study

Healthcare workers, the elderly and other vulnerable populations were the first to receive COVID-19 vaccines in public health programs. There were few vaccine safety data available on the elderly. This observational study aimed to evaluate the inactivated vaccine (CoronaVac) safety in the elderly, at the beginning of the vaccination program, in Sao Paulo city, Brazil. The elderly people that received CoronaVac at the Reference Center for Special Immunobiologicals (CRIE) or at home, administered by the Interdisciplinary Home Care Team (NADI) of the Hospital das Clinicas were invited to participate in this phase 4 observational study. The vaccination schedule included two CoronaVac doses 28 days apart. The information on solicited and unsolicited adverse events following immunization were collected by phone calls on days 4 and 8 after each vaccine dose. We enrolled 158 adults aged 65 to 101 years (mean of 84.1 years); 63.9% were females and 95.6% had chronic conditions, 21.5% had moderate or severe impairment in daily living activities; 34.2% were pre-frail and 19.6% were frail. We were able to contact 95.6% and 91.6% of the vaccinated people, after the first and second doses, respectively; 31.8% and 23.4% of the contacted participants reported some adverse events (AE) following the first and second doses, respectively. Pain at the injection site, fatigue, myalgia and headaches were the most frequent solicited AE. Most AE were mild to moderate. There were eight severe adverse events, but none of them were considered related to the vaccine. The CoronaVac was safe and well tolerated by these adults of advanced age with frailty and comorbidities

Case report on the localized cutaneous leishmaniasis: intralesional treatment with meglumine antimoniate

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is a contagious disease endemic in Brazil, transmitted by a vector, and its installation and form of presentation depend on the immunological status, location, and type of transmitted protozoan. Objective: A case report of a patient with localized American tegumentary leishmaniasis. Method: Reviews of medical records, analysis of photographic records of diagnostic tests and the evolution of the treatment to which the patient was submitted and literature review were carried out. Case Report: An 85-year-old woman, with a history of a single lesion on the 4 cm right forearm, with raised borders, ulcerated and clean bottom, subcutaneous edema, local pain and heat, pruritus, bloody secretion in small amounts, and no systemic symptoms. The same did not show improvement with the use of ointments (dexamethasone, neomycin, ketoconazole) and lasted for 2 months. The diagnosis of leishmaniasis was confirmed and treatment with intralesional meglumine antimoniate was carried out, with the application of 3 injections with an interval of 15 days. Final considerations: The case reported and the studies surveyed reveal the importance of the new treatment route and show that, although the approach requires specific conditions, such as being a single lesion, it courses with fewer adverse effects, lower cost, and greater safety