Genetic characterisation of Norovirus strains in outpatient children from rural communities of Vhembe district / South Africa, 2014-2015

Background: Norovirus (NoV) is now the 24 most common causes of both outbreaks and sporadic non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. However, data supporting the role of NoV in diarrheal disease are limited in the African continent. Objectives: This study investigates the distribution of NoV genotypes circulating in outpatient children from rural communities of Vhembe district / South Africa. Study design: Stool specimens were collected from children under five years of age with diarrhea, and controls without diarrhea, between July 2014 and April 2015. NoV positive samples, detected previously by Realtime PCR, were analysed using conventional RT-PCR targeting the partial capsid and polymerase genes. Nucleotide sequencing methods were performed to genotype the strains. Results: The sequence analyses demonstrated multiple NoV genotypes including GI.4 (13.8%), GI.5 (6.9%), GII.14 (6.9%), GII.4 (31%), GII.6 (3.4%), GII.P15 (3.4%), GII.P21 (3.4%) and GII.Pe (31%). The most prevalent NoV genotypes were GII.4 Sydney 2012 variants (n=7) among the capsid genotypes, GII.Pe (n=9) among the polymerase genotypes and GII.Pe/GII.4 Sydney 2012 (n=8) putative recombinants among the RdRp/Capsid genotypes. Two unassigned GII.4 variants were found. Conclusions: The findings highlighted NoV genetic diversity and revealed continuous pandemic spread and predominance of GII.Pe/GII.4 Sydney 2012, indicative of increased NoV activity. An unusual RdRp genotype GII.P15 and two unassigned GII.4 variants were also identified from rural settings of the Vhembe district/South Africa. NoV surveillance is warranted to help to inform investigations into NoV evolution and disease burden, and to support on-going vaccine development programmes

Development and characterization of polymeric nanoparticles itraconazole

Submitted by Marlene Santos ([email protected]) on 2014-12-16T19:58:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira ([email protected]) on 2014-12-22T10:32:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-22T10:32:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Percília de Andrade Lucena - 2014.pdf: 1506404 bytes, checksum: c895c029b3a1ac62acf42cd19fad7214 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-19Polymeric nanoparticles have been used as carriers of drugs that are able to increase the efficacy of many active ingredients. Among the nanocarriers include nanocapsules (NCs), which are vesicular structures containing oil inside surrounded by a polymer wall and nanospheres (NSs) that are impregnated with polymer matrices drug throughout its surface. These structures have many applications such as optimizing drug delivery and reducing the toxic potential of drugs. Itraconazole family of a drug Azole has a broad spectrum of action against fungi and has appropriate pharmacokinetic characteristics for a drug. Thus, this study aims to develope and characterize nanostructured systems containing Itraconazole. Polymeric nanoparticles were obtained by the nanoprecipitation technique, lyophilized, characterized, and evaluated physical-chemically incorporated into mucoadhesive topical formulation. Nanocapsules containing Itraconazole showed encapsulation efficiency rate of 99 ± 6.9%, a mean diameter of 190 ± 10.1 nm, PDI 0.1 ± 0:06 and zeta potential -15 ± 2.5 mV. The nanospheres exhibited rate of encapsulation efficiency of 97 ± 2.8%, mean diameter 120 ± 0.8 nm, 0.1 ± 0.01 PDI and zeta potential -10 ± 3.5 mV. Lyophilization was carried out with 10% trehalose + 10% sucrose, achieving satisfactory results. The drug release after 30 days at 37 °C was 99% for the NCs and 92% for the NEs. The mucoadhesive topical formulation has in its composition 60% Poloxamer 188, 20% polyethylene glycol 400 and 5mg nanostructured itraconazole were incorporated homogeneously. The results indicate that the formulation of Itraconazole in polymeric nanoparticles has potential for in vivo use in the topical treatment of fungal infections.Nanopartículas poliméricas têm sido utilizadas como carreadores de fármacos capazes de aumentar a eficácia de muitos insumos ativos. Dentre os nanocarreadores, destacam-se: nanocápsulas (NCs), que são estruturas vesiculares, contendo óleo no interior, circundadas por uma parede polimérica e nanoesferas (NEs) que são matrizes poliméricas impregnadas com fármaco por toda sua superfície. Essas estruturas possuem diversas aplicações como otimizar a entrega de fármacos e reduzir o potencial tóxico. O Itraconazol um fármaco da família dos azóis possui um amplo espectro de ação contra fungos e apresenta características farmacocinéticas apropriadas para um fármaco. Sendo assim, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo desenvolver e caracterizar sistemas nanoestruturados contendo Itraconazol. As nanopartículas poliméricas foram obtidas através da técnica da nanoprecipitação, liofilizadas, caracterizadas, avaliadas físicoquimicamente e incorporadas em formulação tópica mucoadesiva. As nanocápsulas contendo Itraconazol apresentaram taxa de eficiência de encapsulação de 99±6.9%, diâmetro médio de 190±10.1 nm, PDI 0.1±0.06 e potencial zeta -15±2.5 mV. As nanoesferas exibiram taxa de eficiência de encapsulação de 97±2.8%, diâmetro médio de 120±0.8 nm, PDI 0.1±0.01 e potencial zeta -10±3.5 mV. A liofilização foi realizada com 10% de trealose + 10% de sacarose, alcançando resultados satisfatórios. A liberação do fármaco após 30 dias a 37°C foi de 99% para as NCs e 92% para as NEs. A formulação tópica mucoadesiva possui em sua composição 60% Poloxamer 188 e 20% de Polietilenoglicol 400 e 5mg de itraconazol nanoestruturado foram incorporados homogeneamente. Os resultados indicam que a formulação de itraconazol em nanopartículas poliméricas apresenta potencial para utilização in vivo no tratamento tópico de infecções fúngicas

Actividades profesionales a confiar: hacia una estandarización del lenguaje y significado en español y portugués

The EPAs approach has had a great impact on medical education since it emerged in 2005. Its dissemination has required translation into several languages, sometimes generating terminological and meaning confusion. This paper is the result of an expert consensus procedure regarding the translation of key terms for understanding the EPA approach in Spanish and Portuguese. It was carried out through a process of meaning analysis of each term in its idiomatic context and of the practice of health professionals training in Latin America. Participated on this consensus by twelve professionals, teachers and scholars involved in the implementation and training with EPAs in eight countries, who participated as coordinator, facilitators or participants in the International Course Ins and Outs of EPAs for Latin America.Revisión por pare

Actividades profesionales a confiar: hacia una estandarización del lenguaje y significado en español y portugués

9 páginasThe EPA approach has had a great impact on medical education since it emerged in 2005. Its dissemination across different regions of the world has required translation into several languages, and has sometimes generated confusion of terminology and meaning. This article is the result of a consensus regarding the translation of key terms for understanding the approach in Spanish and Portuguese. It was carried out through a process of analyzing the meaning of each term in the linguistic context and the reality of the training of health professionals in Latin America. It was led by twelve professionals, teachers and academics involved in the implementation and training with EPAs in eight countries, who took part as leaders, facilitators or participants in the International Ins and Outs of EPAs 2021 Course for Latin America.El enfoque de EPAs ha tenido un gran impacto en la educación médica desde que surgió en 2005. Su difusión a través de diferentes regiones del mundo ha requerido traducción a varios idiomas, y en algunas ocasiones ha generado confusiones terminológicas y de significado. Este artículo es el resultado de un consenso respecto de la traducción de términos clave para la comprensión del enfoque en español y portugués. Se llevó a cabo a través de un proceso de análisis de significado de cada término en el contexto idiomático y de la realidad de la formación de profesionales de la salud en Latinoamérica. Estuvo a cargo de doce profesionales, docentes y académicos involucrados en la implementación y formación con EPAs en ocho países, que formaron parte como responsables, facilitadores o participantes del International Course Ins and Outs of EPAs 2021 para Latinoamérica