Development and characterization of PLA nanoparticles as carriers for topical delivery

Nanoparticles are seen today as one of the best approaches for the delivery of drugs into the skin. Poly (Lactic Acid) (PLA) is biocompatible and biodegradable and already approved for clinical use. Thus, this work aimed to study the effect of several parameters on the properties of PLA nanoparticles (PLA-NPs) intended for topical delivery. The yield of nanoparticles formation and entrapment efficiencies of lipophilic and hydrophilic model compounds in PLA-NPs were assessed. We evaluated the effects of mechanical stirring, solvent composition and presence of tri-bloc polymers on the protocol for the production of PLA-NPs. The best protocol provided a monodispersed population of non-cytotoxic spherical particles of !150 nm and a yield of nanoparticles formation of !90%. This formulation also proved to be efficient in the encapsulation of lipophilic and hydrophilic model compounds (>80%). The best protocol for the production of PLA-NPs includes a nanoprecipitation step, which is easily up scalable

Evaluation of influenza vaccination services in a community pharmacy in Lisbon, Portugal

Poster presented at the 9th PCNE (Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe) Working Conference. Mechelen (Belgium), 201

Formulações micelares proteicas e respectivo método de produção

The present invention describes micellar protein formulations for the controlled release of active ingredients, and method for preparing the same. The invention describes a new micelle composition for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and detergents. In particular, it describes micelle formation formulations that comprise: an aqueous phase containing a protein or a natural or synthetic peptide; a lipophilic phase containing a hydrophobic compound; an adjuvant dissolved in the aqueous phase to regulate the size and stability of the micelles; the size of the micelles varying from 30 to 5000 nm, preferably from 30 to 100 nm, wherein the micelles can be obtained by two different methods, namely using ultrasound or a high-pressure homogeniser. The preparation method involves two distinct phases: an aqueous phase and a lipophilic phase. The aqueous phase can be water or any buffer that is best suitable for a given use, such as an aqueous solution of bovine serum albumen (BSA); human serum albumen (HSA); silk fibroin or a polypeptide fibroin.A presente invenção descreve em formulações micelares proteicas para libertação controlada de agentes e respetivo método de produção. A invenção descreve numa nova composição de micelas para aplicações farmacêuticas, cosméticas e 0 o0 detergência. Nomeadamente, formulações para a formação de micelas que compreendem: · uma fase aquosa contendo uma proteína ou um péptido natural ou sintético; · uma fase lipofílica que compreende um composto hidrofóbico; · um agente adjuvante dissolvido na fase aquosa que regula o tamanho e estabilidade das micelas; em que os tamanhos das referidas micelas varia entre 30 a 5000 nm, de preferência de 30-100 nm, as referidas micelas podem ser obtidas a partir de duas metodologias diferentes, nomeadamente ultra-sons ou homogeneizador de alta pressão. O método de preparação envolve duas fases distintas: fase aquosa e fase lipofílica. A fase aquosa pode ser água ou qualquer tampão que mais se adeque para uma determinada aplicação, como por exemplo uma solução aquosa de albumina sérica bovina (BSA); albumina sérica humana (HSA); fibroína da seda ou de um polipéptido.Universidade do Minh

Interfacial stabilization of enzymes in microemulsions

One of the major constrains to the use of enzymes in industrial processes is their insufficient stability under processing conditions, namely high temperatures, presence of ultrasounds, among others. Herein, we investigated the use of oil-in-water proteinaceous (BSA) microemulsions as a novel methodology for the stabilization of laccase from ascomycete Micelliophthora thermophila. The immobilization of laccase onto the produced microemulsions benefitiated its stability under ultrasonic conditions. The half life time of immobilized laccase was 2.4-fold higher (from 23 to 56 minutes) than laccase in the free form. This technique show promising potentialities for the stabilization of enzymes used onto a variety of processes, namely textile bleaching, surface hydrolysis, among others

Making sense of light: the use of optical spectroscopy techniques in plant sciences and agriculture

As a result of the development of non-invasive optical spectroscopy, the number of prospective technologies of plant monitoring is growing. Being implemented in devices with different functions and hardware, these technologies are increasingly using the most advanced data processing algorithms, including machine learning and more available computing power each time. Optical spectroscopy is widely used to evaluate plant tissues, diagnose crops, and study the response of plants to biotic and abiotic stress. Spectral methods can also assist in remote and non-invasive assessment of the physiology of photosynthetic biofilms and the impact of plant species on biodiversity and ecosystem stability. The emergence of high-throughput technologies for plant phenotyping and the accompanying need for methods for rapid and non-contact assessment of plant productivity has generated renewed interest in the application of optical spectroscopy in fundamental plant sciences and agriculture. In this perspective paper, starting with a brief overview of the scientific and technological backgrounds of optical spectroscopy and current mainstream techniques and applications, we foresee the future development of this family of optical spectroscopic methodologies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Potentially inappropriate medication in nursing homes: application of the Beers criteria

Poster presented at the 9th PCNE (Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe) Working Conference. Mechelen (Belgium), 201

Dose Administration Aid system in the elderly: testing student active participation in the implementation of a new service for community pharmacy

Poster presented at the 9th PCNE (Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe) Working Conference

Identification of drug related problems in a sample of Portuguese nursing homes

Poster presented at the 9th PCNE (Pharmaceutical Care Network Europe) Working Conference. Mechelen (Belgium), 2015

Functionalization of gauzes with liposomes entrapping an anti-inflammatory drug: a strategy to improve wound healing

From ancientness, suitable materials have been developed to cover the wounds in order to prevent infections and promote proper wound healing. In this study, the successful development of functionalized nonwoven gauzes with liposomes entrapping anti-inflammatory piroxicam is reported. Piroxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that can suppress a persistent inflammatory response, leading to improved wound healing. The results demonstrated that the highest NSAID concentration released is achieved when gauzes were previously cationized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDDA) and high concentration of phospholipid (≈3000 μM) and multilamellar liposomes (MLVs) were used. MLVs were also the best vehicle considering their biocompatibility with skin human fibroblasts, where no toxicity was observed for neither of the tested conditions. The developed functionalized gauzes can be, therefore, a good strategy to treat chronic wounds.Helena Ferreira, Teresa Matama and Carla Silva thank POPH/FSE for co-financing and FCT for fellowships SFRH/BPD/38939/2007, SFRH/BPD/47555/2008, SFRH/BPD/46515/2008, respectively. This work was supported by FEDER through POFC - COMPETE and by national funds from FCT through the project PEst-C/BIA/UI4050/2011

Poloxamer 407 based-nanoparticles for controlled release of methotrexate

Poloxamer 407 (P407)-based nanoparticles were produced by the high pressure homogenization method for the encapsulation and delivery of methotrexate (MTX), aiming intravenous therapeutic applications. The surface of these nanoparticles was functionalized by conjugation of P407 with folic acid (FA) or with MTX, which served as targeting ligand agents. MTX-P407 conjugate was also developed to increase the final drug cargo. Two hydrophobic derivatives of MTX, MTX di-ethylated ester (MTX-OEt) and the ionic complex MTX-dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide (MTX-DODAB) were produced and entrapped onto P407-based nanoparticles. All formulations developed revealed a monodisperse character comprising small and narrow nanoparticles (<100 nm). P407 nanoparticles (functionalized with FA) and MTX-P407 nanoparticles, both loaded with MTX-OEt, demonstrated a slow drug release profile. The effect of lipase from Aspergillus oryzae on the hydrolysis of the linkage between the P407 and MTX, and consequent MTX release profile, was also evaluated. We observed a controlled and slow release of MTX (<50% of release after 11 days) in the presence of enzyme. These MTX-P407 nanoparticles loaded with MTX-OEt induced a great effect against Caco-2 cancer cells (40% of cell death after 72 h of incubation), demonstrating higher efficiency than the free MTX at the same concentration.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors also thanks to FCT for funding their scholarship: Jennifer Noro (SFRH/BD/121673/2016) and Carla Silva (SFRH/IF/00186/2015). This work has also received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement NMP-06-2015-683356 FOLSMART.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio