Improving the phototoxicity of the zinc phthalocyanine by encapsulation in nanoparticles: preparation, characterization and phototherapy studies

Nanoparticles are widely utilized to overcome drugs insolubility problems and sustain release improving the bioavailability. Zinc phthalocyanine, a hydrophobic photosensitizer with solubility problems, was loaded in PLA nanoparticles. Photosensitizer loaded in polymeric nanoparticles was produced with the following characteristics: size in the 200-300 nm range, negative zeta potential (-15 to -19 mV), low polydispersity index (2 ) or incubation time (2 to 4 h). The phototoxicity of the zinc phthalocyanine was improved by encapsulation in nanoparticles and this nanocarrier is a promising delivery system for photodynamic therapy use.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

OBJECTIVE: The folate pathway is involved in hepatic carcinogenesis and angiogenesis. Polymorphisms in genes related to such processes, including methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)] may play an important role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The objective of this study was to evaluate MTHFR and VEGF polymorphisms in Brazilian patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related HCC. METHODS: A total of 119 patients diagnosed with confirmed HCC and HCV were included in the study. SNP genotyping assays were performed using real-time PCR. VEGFA (rs2010963, rs3025039, and rs833061) and MTHFRC677T (rs1801133, rs1801131) polymorphisms were evaluated. RESULTS: The C alleles of MTHFR (rs1801131) and VEGF (rs2010963) were associated with protection against the development of multinodular HCC, while the T allele of MTHFR (rs1801133) was associated with a higher risk of multinodular presentation [p=0.04 OR 1.835 CI (1.022-3.297)]. Multivariate analysis revealed that the GG/GC genotypes of VEGF rs2010963 were independently associated with multinodular tumors at diagnosis (p=0.013; OR 4.78 CI (1.38-16.67)]. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that these polymorphisms may increase the risk of rapid tumor progression in patients with HCV infection. This subgroup of patients with HCC and who present polymorphism is more likely to be diagnosed with multinodular disease and not be amenable to receiving curative treatments. These data must be validated in larger cohorts, and the screening intervals can be customized based on genetic history

Prototipo funcional de un sistema de clasificación para las cerezas de café castillo, en función de su etapa de maduración

Trabajo de InvestigaciónEn el siguiente proyecto de grado se desarrolla un prototipo funcional para la clasificación automatizada de café castillo en función de su etapa de maduración, el cual consta de un sensor de color RGB, una banda transportadora, un servomotor para el desvió de las cerezas de café y el microcontrolador atmega328p. Inicialmente se realiza una búsqueda de las tecnologías que se emplean para este proceso, posterior a esto se selecciona los dispositivos que se usaran, ya con esto, se hace el modelado 3D del prototipo en el software Autodesk Inventor, se simula el sistema en Proteus y se diseña el circuito impreso (PCB) en EasyEDA, después de esto se realiza la implementación del prototipo para finalmente hacer las pruebas de validación.INTRODUCCIÓN 1. GENERALIDADES 2. METODOLOGÍA 3. DESCRIPCIÓN ECONÓMICA DEL PROYECTO 4. CONCLUSIONES 5. RECOMENDACIONES Y TRABAJOS FUTUROS BIBLIOGRAFÍA ANEXOSPregradoIngeniero Electrónic

Influence of scrotal bipartition on spermatogenesis yield and sertoli cell efficiency in sheep

Abstract With the objective to assess the effect of scrotal bipartition on spermatogenesis in sheep, the testes were used from 12 crossbred rams of sheep farms in the municipality of Patos, Paraíba, Brazil, distributed into two groups: GI with six rams with scrotal bipartition, and GII with six rams without scrotal bipartition. The testicular biometry was measured and the testes were collected, fixed in Bouin and fragments were processed to obtain histological slides. The spermatogenesis yield and the Sertoli cell efficiency was estimated by counting the cells of the spermatogenetic line at stage one of the seminiferous epithelium cycle and the Sertoli cells. The results were submitted to analysis of variance with the ASSISTAT v.7.6 program and the mean values were compared by the Student-Newman-Keuls test (SNK) at 5% significance. The testicular biometric parameters did not show statistical difference (p>0.05) between the groups. The meiotic, spermatogenetic and Sertoli cell efficiency were higher in bipartitioned rams (p0.05) between GI and GII. The results indicated that there is superiority in the spermatogenetic parameters of bi-partitioned rams, suggesting that these sheep present, as reported in goats, indication of better reproductive indices