Desenvolvimento e validação de método analítico por CLAE para a quantificação simultânea de dipropionato de betametasona e fosfato sódico de betametasona em suspensão injetável

A reversed-phase HPLC method was developed and validated to separate and simultaneously quantify the association of betamethasone sodium phosphate (BP) and betamethasone dipropionate (BD) in injectable suspensions. Chromatographic conditions were ternary gradient elution at 1.6 mL/min on a C18 column with 254 nm. The linearity of the method was established in the range 120 to 280 mg/mL BD, and 48 to 112 mg/mL BP. The RSD of intermediate precision of the method was <1% and recoveries were 99-101% for both drugs. The method proved selective, linear, precise, accurate and robust for quantifying BP and BD in commercial injectable suspensions

Growth of tamarind seedlings using pre-germinative treatments and different substrates

A cultura do tamarindo vem ganhando destaque em consequência da adaptabilidade à região nordeste e das diversas finalidades que o seu fruto pode proporcionar. Porém, seu cultivo possui ainda restrita especificidade para os tratos culturais, fundamental para maximizar a exploração comercial desta espécie, como o processo de produção de mudas, que é primordial para se alcançar alta produtividade, principalmente em espécies frutíferas. Portanto, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento em mudas de tamarindeiro sob a influência de tratamentos pré-germinativos e diferentes substratos. A pesquisa foi conduzida em ambiente protegido, nas dependências da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus Pombal. O delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 5 x 4, cujo primeiro fator equivale aos tratamentos pré-germinativos (escarificação mecânica com a lixa e embebição em água por 24 horas; corte do tegumento e embebição em água por 24 horas; embebição em água por 24 horas; semente embebida em água com Trichoderma harzianum por 24 horas; e &nbsp;semente embebida em água contendo Trichoderma longibrachiatum por 24 horas) e o segundo fator aos substratos (100% solo; solo + substrato comercial basaplant Solaris® (3:2); solo + esterco bovino (3:2);e, &nbsp;solo + esterco caprino (3:2)), com 6 repetições. O crescimento das mudas de Tamarindus indica L. obteve os melhores índices de crescimento com os substratos formulados da mistura de esterco caprino e solo, sendo assim o mais a fonte mais viável. O uso dos tratamentos pré-germinativos com embebição da semente em Trichoderma ssp. estimulou crescimento das mudas. Palavras-chaves: desenvolvimento vegetativo, embebição de sementes, insumo orgânico, Tamarindus indica L. &nbsp

Preparation and evaluation of antimicrobial activity of nanosystems for the control of oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans

Carolina Gon&amp;ccedil;alves Pupe1, Michele Villardi1, Carlos Rangel Rodrigues1, Helv&amp;eacute;cio Vin&amp;iacute;cius Antunes Rocha2, Lucianne Cople Maia3, Valeria Pereira de Sousa1, Lucio Mendes Cabral11Depto de Medicamentos, Faculdade de Farm&amp;aacute;cia, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, 2Farmanguinhos/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, 3Faculdade de Odontologia, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, BrazilBackground: Diseases that affect the buccal cavity are a public health concern nowadays. Chlorhexidine and nystatin are the most commonly used drugs for the control of buccal affections. In the search for more effective antimicrobials, nanotechnology can be successfully used to improve the physical chemical properties of drugs whilst avoiding the undesirable side effects associated with its use. Herein described are studies using nystatin and chlorhexidine with sodium montmorillonite (MMTNa), and chlorhexidine with &amp;szlig;-cyclodextrin and two derivatives methyl-&amp;beta;-cyclodextrin and hydroxypropyl-&amp;beta;-cyclodextrin in the development of antimicrobial nanosystems.Methods: The nanosystems were prepared by kneading and solubilization followed by freeze-drying technique. The nanosystems were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Nanosystem antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans strains was evaluated with inhibition halo analysis.Results: The nanocarriers MMTNa and cyclodextrins showed good yields. XRPD, FTIR, and DSC analysis confirmed the proposed nanosystems formation and the suitability of the production methods. The nanosystems that showed best antimicrobial effect were chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX) and cyclodextrin inclusion complexes and CHX:MMTNa 60% cation exchange capacity &amp;ndash; 24 hours.Conclusion: The nanosystem formulations present higher stability for all chlorhexidine inclusion complexes compared with pure chlorhexidine. The nystatin nanosystems have the potential to mask the bitter taste, justifying subsequent in-vivo studies. For these reasons, further studies are being carried out to evaluate their application in professional formulations.Keywords: sodium montmorillonite, chlorhexidine gluconate, buccal diseases, nanotechnology, cyclodextrin

Rational use of antioxidants in solid oral pharmaceutical preparations

Antioxidants are currently used as efficient excipients that delay or inhibit the oxidation process of molecules. Excipients are often associated with adverse reactions. Stability studies can guide the search for solutions that minimize or delay the processes of degradation. The ability to predict oxidation reactions in different drugs is important. Methods: This study was conducted to assess the rational use of butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), sodium metabisulfite (SMB), propyl gallate (PG) and cysteine (CYS) in tablet formulations of simvastatin and ketoconazole. These antioxidants were evaluated according to stability parameters and the relationship between efficiency of the antioxidant and chemical structure of the drugs. Results were compared with DPPH tests and computational simulations. BHT was most efficient regarding simvastatin stability, and the most effective BHT concentrations for maintaining stability were 0.5 and 0.1%. In relation to ketoconazole, SMB was most efficient for maintaining content and dissolution profile. The evaluation by DPPH showed that the largest percentage of absorbance reduction was observed for PG, while SMB proved most efficient and had lower consumption of DPPH. The same pattern was observed, albeit with lower efficiency, for the other lipophilic antioxidants such as BHT and BHA. The results of the molecular modeling study demonstrated that electronic properties obtained were correlated with antioxidant activity in solution, being useful for the rational development of liquid pharmaceutical formulations but not for solid oral formulations. This study demonstrated the importance of considering stability parameters and molecular modeling to elucidate the chemical phenomena involved in antioxidant activity, being useful for the rational use of antioxidants in the development of pharmaceutical formulations.Atualmente, antioxidantes são usados como excipientes eficientes, que retardam ou inibem o processo de oxidação de moléculas. Excipientes são frequentemente associados a efeitos adversos. Estudos de estabilidade podem ajudar na busca por possíveis soluções para minimizar ou retardar os processos de degradação. A habilidade de prever as reações de oxidação em diferentes fármacos é importante. O estudo foi conduzido com o objetivo de avaliar o uso racional de hidroxianisol butilado (BHA), hidroxitolueno butilado (BHT), metabissulfito sódico (SMB), galato de propila (PG) e cisteína (CYS) em formulações de comprimidos de sinvastatina e cetoconazol. Eles foram avaliados por parâmetros de estabilidade e pela relação entre a eficiência dos antioxidantes e a estrutura química do fármaco. Os resultados foram comparados com testes de DPPH e simulações em computador. BHT foi mais eficiente com relação a estabilidade da sinvastatina e às concentrações mais eficientes para manutenção de estabilidade foram 0,5 e 0,1%. Com relação ao cetoconazol, SMB foi mais eficiente em manter o conteúdo e o perfil de dissolução. A avaliação por DPPH mostrou que o maior percentual de redução de absorção foi observado para PG, enquanto que SMB mostrou ser mais eficiente e consumir menos DPPH. A mesma tendência foi observada com menos eficiência em todos os outros antioxidantes lipofílicos como o BHT e BHA. Os resultados do estudo de modelagem molecular demonstraram que as propriedades eletrônicas obtidas podem ser correlacionadas com a atividade antioxidante em solução, sendo útil para o desenvolvimento racional de formulações farmacêuticas líquidas, mas não para formulações sólidas orais. Este estudo demonstrou a importância de considerar parâmetros de estabilidade e modelagem molecular para elucidar os fenômenos químicos envolvidos na atividade antioxidante, sendo úteis para o uso racional de antioxidantes no desenvolvimento de formulações farmacêuticas

Extrato de lobeira afeta o crescimento micelial e severidade da mancha de curvularia no milho

Curvularia spot, caused by the fungus Curvularia spp. have emerged as a major disease in maize. The objective of this work was to evaluate the fungitoxic action of the extract of lobeira leaves (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil), in the control of the fungus Curvularia spp, the causal agent of Curvularia stain in corn. The efficiency in inhibiting mycelial growth was tested in culture medium with diluted and diffused extracts, in two concentrations (pure and diluted extract) in five doses (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 µL) in a 2 x factorial scheme 5 x 2. The potential of controlling the disease severity in maize plants was also evaluated in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, two concentrations (neat and diluted) and five doses. Both experiments were installed in a completely randomized design with three replications. The lobeira leaf extract is efficient in mycelial control and in the severity of the disease caused by the fungus Curvularia spp. in corn. In an in vitro test, the extract promoted a decrease in mycelial growth both when it was used diluted in the medium and when it was used diffusely. For the in vivo test, the extract at doses of 20 µL decreases the percentage of disease severity in corn leaves and does not cause significant mortality in corn plants.A mancha de curvulária, causada pelo fungo Curvularia spp. têm se destacado como uma doença importante no milho. Nesse trabalho objetivou-se avaliar a ação fungitóxica do extrato de folhas de lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum A. St.-Hil), no controle do fungo Curvularia spp na cultura do milho. A eficiência na inibição do crescimento micelial foi testada em meio de cultura com extratos diluídos e difundidos, em duas concentrações (extrato puro e diluído) em cinco doses (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 e 50 µL) em esquema fatorial 2 × 5 × 2. Avaliou-se também o potencial do controle da severidade da doença nas plantas de milho em esquema fatorial 2 × 5, duas concentrações (puro e diluído) e as cinco doses. Ambos os experimentos foram instalados em delineamento inteiramente casualizados com três repetições. O extrato da folha de lobeira é eficiente no controle micelial e na severidade da doença ocasionada pelo fungo Curvularia spp. em milho. Em teste in vitro o extrato promoveu a diminuição do crescimento micelial tanto quanto foi usado diluído ao meio como também quando foi usado difundido. Para o teste in vivo, o extrato nas doses 20 µL diminui a percentagem de severidade da doença nas folhas de milho e não provoca mortalidade significativa das plantas de milho

Microsatellites’ mutation modeling through the analysis of the Y-chromosomal transmission: Results of a GHEP-ISFG collaborative study

The Spanish and Portuguese Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (GHEP-ISFG) organized a collaborative study on mutations of Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs). New data from 2225 father-son duos and data from 44 previously published reports, corresponding to 25,729 duos, were collected and analyzed. Marker-specific mutation rates were estimated for 33 Y-STRs. Although highly dependent on the analyzed marker, mutations compatible with the gain or loss of a single repeat were 23.2 times more likely than those involving a greater number of repeats. Longer alleles (relatively to the modal one) showed to be nearly twice more mutable than the shorter ones. Within the subset of longer alleles, the loss of repeats showed to be nearly twice more likely than the gain. Conversely, shorter alleles showed a symmetrical trend, with repeat gains being twofold more frequent than reductions. A positive correlation between the paternal age and the mutation rate was observed, strengthening previous findings. The results of a machine learning approach, via logistic regression analyses, allowed the establishment of algebraic formulas for estimating the probability of mutation depending on paternal age and allele length for DYS389I, DYS393 and DYS627. Algebraic formulas could also be established considering only the allele length as predictor for DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II-I, DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS437, DYS439, DYS449, DYS456, DYS458, DYS460, DYS481, DYS518, DYS533, DYS576, DYS626 and DYS627 loci. For the remaining Y-STRs, a lack of statistical significance was observed, probably as a consequence of the small effective size of the subsets available, a common difficulty in the modeling of rare events as is the case of mutations. The amount of data used in the different analyses varied widely, depending on how the data were reported in the publications analyzed. This shows a regrettable waste of produced data, due to inadequate communication of the results, supporting an urgent need of publication guidelines for mutation studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A ANÁLISE EPIDEMIOLOGICA DA DOENÇA HEPÁTICA ALCOÓLICA NO BRASIL ENTRE OS ANOS DE 2017 E 2022

Among the health problems resulting from the chronic use of alcohol, Alcoholic Liver Disease (ALD) appears as a consequence of the biochemical attacks caused by ethanol. This condition manifests itself through a spectrum of liver sequelae, which include steatosis, progressive fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis. This study aims to describe the prevalence of hospitalizations for alcoholic liver disease in Brazil, from 2018 to 2022. This is a descriptive, ecological and quantitative study that addresses hospital admissions for alcoholic liver disease from 2018 to 2022, based on secondary data from the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System, following the variables: hospitalizations, deaths, sex, age group, average length of stay and hospital costs. 75,932 hospitalizations for ALD were recorded in Brazil, with a higher prevalence in the Southeast (43.07%). In every year, the number of hospitalizations among men is significantly higher than among women, with an average of 10,579 cases. The age group from 50 to 59 years old presented prevalence, corresponding to 31.31%. The Northeast had higher average length of stay and death, with a total of 9.3 days and 23.26%, respectively. It is crucial to implement strategies that improve early screening of patients with ALD, preventing disease progression and reducing morbidity and mortality. &nbsp;Dentre os problemas de saúde decorrentes do uso crônico do álcool, a Doença Hepática Alcoólica (DHA) surge como uma consequência das agressões bioquímicas causadas pelo etanol. Essa condição se manifesta por meio de um espectro de sequelas no fígado, que incluem esteatose, fibrose progressiva, hepatite alcoólica e cirrose. Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever a prevalência de internações por doença hepática alcoólica no Brasil, no período de 2018 a 2022. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, ecológico e quantitativo que aborda internações hospitalares por doença hepática alcoólica no intervalo de 2018 a 2022, a partir de dados secundários do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde, seguindo as variáveis: internações, óbitos, sexo, faixa etária, média de permanência e custos hospitalares. Foram registradas 75.932 internações por DHA no Brasil, com maior prevalência no Sudeste (43,07%). Em todos os anos, o número de internações entre homens é significativamente maior do que entre mulheres, com média de 10.579 casos. A faixa etária de 50 a 59 anos apresentou prevalência, correspondendo a 31,31%. O Nordeste apresentou médias de permanência e óbito mais elevadas, com total de 9,3 dias e 23,26%, respectivamente. É crucial implementar estratégias que aprimorem o rastreamento precoce de pacientes com DHA, prevenindo a progressão da doença e reduzindo a morbimortalidade

The study of vancomycin use and its adverse reactions associated to patients of a brazilian university hospital

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vancomycin is an antibiotic of growing importance in the treatment of hospital infections, with particular emphasis on its value in the fight against methicillin-resistant <it>Staphylococcus aureus</it>. However its usage profile must be evaluated to assure maximum benefit and minimum risk.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A cross-sectional retrospective study was carried out among inpatients that received vancomycin in a Brazilian quaternary hospital. The occurrence of adverse reactions reported was evaluated in medical records relating to patients taking vancomycin during a one year period. Males comprised 52% (95% CI: 41.7-60.2%) of the sample population, with a mean age of 50.6 (95% CI: 47.2-54.0) years and mean treatment period of 9.7 (95% CI: 8.0-11.5) Days. It was verified that nephrotoxicity occurred in 18.4% (95% CI: 11.3-27.5) of patients, Red man syndrome occurred in 2% (95% CI 0.2-7.2), while the occurrence of thrombocytopenia was 7.1% (95% CI: 2.9-14.2).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>It may be noted that even after 50 years of use, adverse reactions associated with vancomycin continue with high frequency, presenting a public health problem, especially considering its current use in cases of multidrug resistant infections. In this context, we emphasize the importance of intensive pharmacovigilance in hospital as a surveillance tool after drug approval by the sanitary authority.</p

Influence of the calcium concentration in the presence of organic phosphorus on the physicochemical compatibility and stability of all-in-one admixtures for neonatal use

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Preterm infants need high amounts of calcium and phosphorus for bone mineralization, which is difficult to obtain with parenteral feeding due to the low solubility of these salts. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physicochemical compatibility of high concentrations of calcium associated with organic phosphate and its influence on the stability of AIO admixtures for neonatal use.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Three TPN admixture formulas were prepared in multilayered bags. The calcium content of the admixtures was adjusted to 0, 46.5 or 93 mg/100 ml in the presence of a fixed organic phosphate concentration as well as lipids, amino acids, inorganic salts, glucose, vitamins and oligoelements at pH 5.5. Each admixture was stored at 4°C, 25°C or 37°C and evaluated over a period of 7 days. The physicochemical stability parameters evaluated were visual aspect, pH, sterility, osmolality, peroxide formation, precipitation, and the size of lipid globules.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Color alterations occurred from the first day on, and reversible lipid film formation from the third day of study for the admixtures stored at 25°C and 37°C. According to the parameters evaluated, the admixtures were stable at 4°C; and none of them presented precipitated particles due to calcium/phosphate incompatibility or lipid globules larger than 5 μm, which is the main parameter currently used to evaluate lipid emulsion stability. The admixtures maintained low peroxide levels and osmolarity was appropriate for parenteral administration.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The total calcium and calcium/phosphorus ratios studied appeared not to influence the physicochemical compatibility and stability of AIO admixtures.</p

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe