Nanoemulsion containing caffeine for cellulite treatment: characterization and in vitro evaluation

The Ginoide Hydrolipodystrophy (GHLD), commonly known as cellulite, occurs in 80-90% of the female population after the puberty period and comes from a metabolic modification in the cutaneous adipose tissue. Caffeine has been used in topical formulations due to its lipolytic action. We studied a nanoemulsion (F3) containing caffeine with two surfactants (oleth-3 and oleth-20) by emulsification method by phase inversion temperature inversion (PIT). The polydispersion indices (PDI) showed the reduced deviation of 0.1. The mean droplet size was ~ 40 nm. The evaluated constant of Ostwald, in the refrigerator condition was the most favorable during the stability test. In the In Raman spectroscopy assay, the caffeine bands found in F3 were compatible with those found in the caffeine solution (1337, 652.5 and 558.2 cm-1). There was no interaction of caffeine anhydrous with other ingredients in nanoemulsion. In the in vitro safety assay the result of 1.4 ranked the F3 as slightly irritating. In the natural membrane, cutaneous permeation test (human skin) permeate concentrations did not exceed the saturation concentration of the PBS buffer (48.96 μg/3 mL). The caffeine solution and F3 permeated statistically equal, but the nanoemulsion visually and sensorially improved the caffeine precipitation

Raman spectrocopy applied to the study of biochemical responses of tissues to lamellar compounds

Nesta Dissertação de Mestrado foram estudadas as respostas inflamatórias e de reparo de tecido muscular de ratos a implantes de hidróxidos duplos lamelares (HDL) contendo íon cloreto e sulindaco (fármaco anti-inflamatório não-esteroidal - FAINE) em seu espaço interlamelar. As técnicas empregadas nesta investigação foram as espectroscopias Raman e de absorção no infravermelho (FTIR), a difratometria de raios X (XRD) e a análise histomorfológica dos tecidos corados pelas técnicas de Hematoxilina e Eosina (HE) (Michalany, 1990)(Michalany, 1990)(Michalany, 1990) e Picrosirius Red (Picro). Simulações do espectro vibracional foram feitas por DFT usando o pacote computacional Gaussian 09 e as análises estatísticas foram feitas usando o pacote Unscrambler X.10.1. Os experimentos in vivo foram realizados fazendo-se a implantação das pastilhas de HDL por microcirurgia entre as camadas do músculo externo oblíquo de ratos (Wistar) e como experimento controle foi feita a separação de tais camadas simulando um implante. Os tecidos foram coletados após 7, 21, 28 e 35 dias de pós operatório, divididos em duas porções (uma para análise histomorfológica e outra para análise por espectroscopia Raman). Inicialmente foram feitos os cálculos teóricos e a caracterização espectroscópica do sulindaco, que possibilitou melhorar sua atribuição vibracional encontrada na literatura. O mesmo ocorreu com as matrizes de HDL, de Zn(II) e de Mg(II), intercaladas com íons cloreto, o que também resultou em um aprimoramento da atribuição que é encontrada na literatura. Os dois HDLs intercalados com sulindaco também foram caracterizados espectroscopicamente e os espectros Raman mostraram grande semelhança com a espécie do fármaco desprotonado. O difratograma obtido dos intercalatos mostra expansão do espaçamento basal (de 7 Å para 26 Å) compatível com a intercalação do sulindaco inclinado em relação ao plano das lamelas. Os espectros Raman do tecido controle mostram alterações mais significativas nas banda amida I e amida III com o tempo de pós-operatório e por PCA foi possivel observar a nítida separação do grupo que apresenta um processo inflamatório agudo (7 dias). Os tecidos expostos à pastilha de HDL intercalada com íons cloreto, mostraram resposta inflamatória reduzida em relação ao tecido controle e as alterações espectrais observadas evidenciam a presença de colágenos, o que indica uma aceitação da pastilha por parte do organismo (biocompatibilidade). As pastilhas também foram analisadas espectroscopicamente e mostraram que houve incorporação de íons CO32- no espaço interlamelar, indicado pela presença da banda Raman em 1060 cm-1 (estiramento simétrico C-O nesse íon), mas não foi possivel determinar se eventuais variações no pH local exerceram efeitos na resposta inflamatória. No caso dos tecidos expostos à pastilha de HDL com sulindaco, a análise por microscopia Raman mostrou que o processo inflamatório foi significativamente reduzido, evidenciando uma ação local do fármaco, além do crescimento de colágenos do tipo III. A pastilha de HDL com sulindaco implantado foi analisada por FT-Raman e a liberação do fármaco foi confirmada. Os resultados de espectroscopia Raman de tecidos foram confirmados pela análise histomorfológica, que mostrou haver de fato um acúmulo de colágeno do tipo III nas regiões próximas às pastilhas implantadas, assim como a formação de invaginações e neovascularização.In this Master\'s Thesis the inflammatory responses and tissue repair of rat muscles caused by implants of Lamellar Double Hydroxides (LDH) containing chloride ion and sulindac (anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drug - NSAID) in its interlayer space was studied. The techniques used in this research were the Raman spectroscopy and infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), the X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the histomorphological analysis of tissues stained by techniques of Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE) and Picrosirius Red (Picro). Simulations of vibrational spectrum were made by DFT using the computational package Gaussian 09 and the statistical analyzes were performed using the Unscrambler X.10.1 package. In vivo experiments were performed by making the implantation of HDL tablets by microsurgery between the layers of the external oblique muscle of rats (Wistar) and as a control experiment the separation of the layers to simulate an implant was conducted. The tissues were collected after 7, 21, 28 and 35 days postoperatively, divided into two parts (one for histomorphological analysis and the other for analysis by Raman spectroscopy). Initially, theoretical calculations and spectroscopic characterization of sulindac where made, which enabled improving its vibrational assignment in the literature. The same happened for the LDH matrices, Zn(II) and Mg(II), both with chloride ions in the interlamelar space, which also resulted in an improving of it vibrational assignment found in the literature. Both LDH intercalated with sulindac were also characterized spectroscopically and their Raman spectra showed great agreement to the deprotonated species of thedrug. The diffraction pattern obtained from intercalated compounds shows an expansion of the basal spacing (7 Å to 26 Å) compatible with the hypothesis of the sulindac inclined relative to the lamelar plane. The Raman spectra control tissues show the most significant changes in the band amide I and amide III after diferente surgery times and through PCA was possible to observe the clear separation of the group that presenting an acute inflammatory process (at 7 days). Tissues exposed to LDH pellet intercalated with chloride ions showed a reduced inflammatory response relative to control tissue and the spectral changes demonstrate the presence of collagen, which indicates an acceptance of the insert by the body (biocompatibility). The pellets were also analyzed spectroscopically and showed that there was incorporation of CO32- ions in the interlayer space, indicated by the presence of the Raman band at 1060 cm-1 (symmetric stretch C-O of this ion), but it was not possible to determine if changes in local pH affect the inflammatory response. In the case of tissues exposed to LDH tablet with sulindac, analysis by Raman microscopy showed that inflammation was significantly reduced, indicating a local action of the drug, in addition, the collagen type III growth has been observed. The implanted LDH pellet with sulindac was analyzed by FT-Raman and the drug release was confirmed. The results of Raman spectroscopy of tissues were confirmed by histomorphological analysis, which showed that there is indeed an accumulation of collagen type III in the tissue regions near to the implanted pellets, as well as the formation of invagination and neovacularization

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans—anteaters, sloths, and armadillos—have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data

Brazilian Flora 2020: Leveraging the power of a collaborative scientific network

International audienceThe shortage of reliable primary taxonomic data limits the description of biological taxa and the understanding of biodiversity patterns and processes, complicating biogeographical, ecological, and evolutionary studies. This deficit creates a significant taxonomic impediment to biodiversity research and conservation planning. The taxonomic impediment and the biodiversity crisis are widely recognized, highlighting the urgent need for reliable taxonomic data. Over the past decade, numerous countries worldwide have devoted considerable effort to Target 1 of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation (GSPC), which called for the preparation of a working list of all known plant species by 2010 and an online world Flora by 2020. Brazil is a megadiverse country, home to more of the world's known plant species than any other country. Despite that, Flora Brasiliensis, concluded in 1906, was the last comprehensive treatment of the Brazilian flora. The lack of accurate estimates of the number of species of algae, fungi, and plants occurring in Brazil contributes to the prevailing taxonomic impediment and delays progress towards the GSPC targets. Over the past 12 years, a legion of taxonomists motivated to meet Target 1 of the GSPC, worked together to gather and integrate knowledge on the algal, plant, and fungal diversity of Brazil. Overall, a team of about 980 taxonomists joined efforts in a highly collaborative project that used cybertaxonomy to prepare an updated Flora of Brazil, showing the power of scientific collaboration to reach ambitious goals. This paper presents an overview of the Brazilian Flora 2020 and provides taxonomic and spatial updates on the algae, fungi, and plants found in one of the world's most biodiverse countries. We further identify collection gaps and summarize future goals that extend beyond 2020. Our results show that Brazil is home to 46,975 native species of algae, fungi, and plants, of which 19,669 are endemic to the country. The data compiled to date suggests that the Atlantic Rainforest might be the most diverse Brazilian domain for all plant groups except gymnosperms, which are most diverse in the Amazon. However, scientific knowledge of Brazilian diversity is still unequally distributed, with the Atlantic Rainforest and the Cerrado being the most intensively sampled and studied biomes in the country. In times of “scientific reductionism”, with botanical and mycological sciences suffering pervasive depreciation in recent decades, the first online Flora of Brazil 2020 significantly enhanced the quality and quantity of taxonomic data available for algae, fungi, and plants from Brazil. This project also made all the information freely available online, providing a firm foundation for future research and for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of the Brazilian funga and flora