The Triterpenoid Betulin Protects against the Neuromuscular Effects ofBothrops jararacussuSnake VenomIn Vivo

[EN] We confirmed the ability of the triterpenoid betulin to protect against neurotoxicity caused by Bothrops jararacussu snake venom in vitro in mouse isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm (PND) preparations and examined its capability of in vivo protection using the rat external popliteal/sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior (EPSTA) preparation. Venom caused complete, irreversible blockade in PND (40 g/mL), but only partial blockade (∼30%) in EPSTA (3.6 mg/kg, i.m.) after 120 min. In PND, preincubation of venom with commercial bothropic antivenom (CBA) attenuated the venom-induced blockade, and, in EPSTA, CBA given i.v. 15 min after venom also attenuated the blockade (by ∼70% in both preparations). Preincubation of venom with betulin (200 g/mL) markedly attenuated the venom-induced blockade in PND; similarly, a single dose of betulin (20 mg, i.p., 15 min after venom) virtually abolished the venom-induced decrease in contractility. Plasma creatine kinase activity was significantly elevated 120 min after venom injection in the EPSTA but was attenuated by CBA and betulin. These results indicate that betulin given i.p. has a similar efficacy as CBA given i.v. in attenuating the neuromuscular effects of B. jararacussu venom in vivo and could be a useful complementary measure to antivenom therapy for treating snakebite

Transtorno bipolar em crianças: análise de relato de caso 2018-2023

O transtorno bipolar em crianças é uma realidade clínica que demanda atenção especializada. A compreensão dos sintomas, fatores de risco, prevalência e desafios diagnósticos é fundamental para proporcionar intervenções precoces e adequadas, visando melhorar a qualidade de vida desses jovens e reduzir o impacto a longo prazo dessa condição psiquiátrica. Trata-se de um estudo cujo objetivo foi objetivo revisar relatos de caso publicados entre 2018 e 2023 sobre transtorno bipolar em crianças, identificando o estado da arte desses estudos. Para isso, se realizou uma revisão sistemática de literatura utilizando as bases de dados Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO). Com a análise e interpretação qualitativa dos resultados, a principal conclusão deste estudo é que o transtorno bipolar na infância é uma condição complexa, manifestando-se com comportamentos consistentes com o Transtorno de Conduta e sendo influenciado por fatores ambientais, familiares e genéticos. O tratamento eficaz requer uma abordagem multidisciplinar, integrando intervenções farmacológicas e não farmacológicas, personalizadas conforme as necessidades individuais. A supervisão familiar é crucial para a adesão ao tratamento, mas reconhece-se a necessidade contínua de pesquisa para aprimorar as estratégias terapêuticas diante da diversidade de casos

Preparo e caracterização de nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas como sistema carreador conjunto para os herbicidas atrazina e simazina visando futuras aplicações em agricultura

Atrazine and simazine are triazine herbicides widely used in sugarcane and corn crops. Due to environmental and human health problems caused by excessive use of these herbicides, it is important to develop new formulations as less aggressive alternative. The aim of this study was to develop a system of modified release, based on solid lipid nanoparticles for encapsulation of both herbicides atrazine and simazine . In the first stage of the work the solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) based in tripalmitin containing the herbicides atrazine and simazine were prepared by the method of diffusion evaporation of the solvent. The SLN were characterized for their physico-chemical properties (diameter, polydispersion, zeta potential and pH), encapsulation efficiency, particle interaction of herbicides and its components, concentration, morphology and release kinetic profile. The SLN were effective for encapsulation the herbicide, showing encapsulation efficiency of 90% to atrazine and 98% for simazine. The SLN showed hydrodynamic diameter between 255 nm and 300 nm, polydispersity index below 0.2 and the zeta potential about -17 mV. In function of time (120 days), all formulations remained stable, the SLN containing only simazine showed better physicochemical stability. The release kinetics assays showed that solid lipid nanoparticles modified the release profile of herbicides, delaying the release. The apparent flow data, showed that the organization of the herbicides within the particles occurs differently for together and separate encapsulation. The application of Korsmeyer-Peppas's mathematical model, showed that the release process is governed by anomalous transport. In the second part, evaluated the cytotoxicity and biological activity of these formulations. For tests with non-target organism Zea mays (maize), all formulations showed no phytotoxic effects when compared to control. In tests with target organism Raphanus raphanistrum (turnip), in...Atrazina e simazina são herbicidas triazínicos amplamente utilizados em plantações de cana-de-açúcar e milho. Devido aos problemas ambientais e à saúde humana causados pelo uso excessivo destes herbicidas, torna-se importante o desenvolvimento de novas formulações como alternativas menos impactantes. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi desenvolver um sistema de liberação modificada, baseado em nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas, para encapsulação conjunta dos herbicidas atrazina e simazina. Na primeira etapa do trabalho, as nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas (SLN) a base de tripalmitina, contendo os herbicidas atrazina e simazina, foram preparadas através do método de evaporação-difusão do solvente. As SLN foram caracterizadas quanto a suas propriedades físico-químicas (diâmetro, polidispersão, potencial zeta e pH), eficiência de encapsulação, interação dos herbicidas a partícula e seus componentes, concentração, morfologia e perfil de cinética de liberação. As SLN mostraram-se eficazes para a encapsulação dos herbicidas, atingindo uma eficiência de encapsulação de 90% para atrazina e 98% para simazina. As SLN apresentaram diâmetro hidrodinâmico compreendido entre 255 nm e 300 nm, índice de polidispersão abaixo de 0,2 e potencial zeta de aproximadamente -17 mV. Em função do tempo (120 dias), todas as formulações mantiveram-se praticamente estáveis, sendo que a SLN contendo apenas simazina apresentou melhor estabilidade físico-química. Os ensaios de cinética de liberação mostraram que as nanopartículas lipídicas sólidas modificaram o perfil de liberação dos herbicidas, retardando a sua liberação. Através dos dados de fluxo aparente, constatou-se que a organização dos herbicidas dentro das partículas ocorre de forma diferente para a encapsulação conjunta e separada. Através da aplicação do modelo matemático de Korsmeyer-Peppas, observou-se que o processo de liberação é...Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Co-loaded With Simazine And Atrazine: Preparation, Characterization, And Evaluation Of Herbicidal Activity

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing the herbicides atrazine and simazine were prepared and characterized, and in vitro evaluation was made of the release kinetics, herbicidal activity, and cytotoxicity. The stability of the nanoparticles was investigated over a period of 120 days, via analyses of particle size, zeta potential, polydispersion, pH, and encapsulation efficiency. SLN showed good physicochemical stability and high encapsulation efficiencies. Release kinetics tests showed that use of SLN modified the release profiles of the herbicides in water. Herbicidal activity assays performed with pre- and postemergence treatment of the target species Raphanus raphanistrum showed the effectiveness of the formulations of nanoparticles containing herbicides. Assays with nontarget organisms (Zea mays) showed that the formulations did not affect plant growth. The results of cytotoxicity assays indicated that the presence of SLN acted to reduce the toxicity of the herbicides. The new nanoparticle formulations enable the use of smaller quantities of herbicide and therefore offer a more environmentally friendly method of controlling weeds in agriculture.632422432Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação para o Desenvolvimento da UNESP (FUNDUNESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2012/20076-9

Polysaccharides as safer release systems for agrochemicals

Agrochemicals are used to improve the production of crops. Conventional formulations of agrochemicals can contaminate the environment, in particular in the case of intensive cropping. Hence, there is a need for controlled-release formulations of agrochemicals such as polysaccharides to reduce pollution and health hazards. Natural polysaccharides are hydrophilic, biodegradable polymers. This article reviews the use of polysaccharides in the form of micro- and nanoparticles, beads and hydrogels. The main points are: (1) slow release formulations minimize environmental impact by reducing agrochemical leaching, volatilization and degradation. For example, 50 % of the encapsulated insecticide chlorpyrifos is released in 5 days, whereas free chlorpyrifos is released in 1 day. (2) Slow release formulations increase the water-holding capacity of soil. (3) Slow release formulations better control weeds in the long run. (4) Polymer-clay formulations store ionic plant nutrients. (5) Polymer hydrogel formulations reduce compaction, erosion, and water run-off. They increase soil permeability and aeration, infiltration rates, and microbial activity, and, in turn, plant performance. In conclusion, polysaccharide formulations can be used for safer use of agrochemicals354766CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO - CNPQCOORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR - CAPESFUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESPSem informaçãoSem informaçãoSem informaçã

Polysaccharides as safer release systems for agrochemicals

International audienceAgrochemicals are used to improve the production of crops. Conventional formulations of agrochemicals can contaminate the environment, in particular in the case of intensive cropping. Hence, there is a need for controlled-release formulations of agrochemicals such as polysaccharides to reduce pollution and health hazards. Natural polysaccharides are hydrophilic, biodegradable polymers. This article reviews the use of polysaccharides in the form of micro- and nanoparticles, beads and hydrogels. The main points are: (1) slow release formulations minimize environmental impact by reducing agrochemical leaching, volatilization and degradation. For example, 50 % of the encapsulated insecticide chlorpyrifos is released in 5 days, whereas free chlorpyrifos is released in 1 day. (2) Slow release formulations increase the water-holding capacity of soil. (3) Slow release formulations better control weeds in the long run. (4) Polymer-clay formulations store ionic plant nutrients. (5) Polymer hydrogel formulations reduce compaction, erosion, and water run-off. They increase soil permeability and aeration, infiltration rates, and microbial activity, and, in turn, plant performance. In conclusion, polysaccharide formulations can be used for safer use of agrochemicals

Trends in aquaculture sciences : from now to use of nanotechnology for disease control

Aquaculture is increasingly important in global food production. Consequently, the control of diseases in aquaculture is essential, due to the potential environmental impacts, notably in terms of the states of health of freshwater bodies and the oceans. In this study, we review the possible uses of different management systems, highlighting essential oils and novel nanotechnological strategies, for the control of diseases in aquaculture111119132FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULO - FAPESP2014/20273-4; 2014/20286-9; 2015/15617-9Financial support for this research was provided by the São Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP, processes #2014/20273‐4, #2014/20286‐9 and #2015/15617‐9) and the Mexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT PROPAT‐ BRAZIL‐MEXICO

Application of nanotechnology for the encapsulation of botanical insecticides for sustainable agriculture: Prospects and promises

This review article discusses the use of nanotechnology in combination with botanical insecticides in order to develop systems for pest control in agriculture. The main types of botanical insecticides are described, together with different carrier systems and their potential uses. The botanical insecticides include those based on active principles isolated from plant extracts, as well as essential oils derived from certain plants. The advantages offered by the systems are highlighted, together with the main technological challenges that must be resolved prior to future implementation of the systems for agricultural pest control. The use of botanical insecticides associated with nanotechnology offers considerable potential for increasing agricultural productivity, while at the same time reducing impacts on the environment and human health.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES