Design of Liquid Formulation Based on F127-Loaded Natural Dimeric Flavonoids as a New Perspective Treatment for Leishmaniasis.

Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IPD) remain a challenge for medicine due to several interconnected reasons, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an overlooked IPD causing persistent skin ulcers that are challenging to heal, resulting in disfiguring scars. Moreover, it has the potential to extend from the skin to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat in both humans and various animals.

Utero-Cutaneous Fistula in Ruminants: Characterization of the First Cases in Ewes and Cows.

Reports on UCF in animals are still lacking in veterinary literature. Detailed clinical signs, laboratory findings, and follow-up information from the first cases of UCF in two ewes and two cows are provided. The cases occurred over a 12-year period.

Interaction of triblock copolymers (Pluronic®) with DMPC vesicles: a photophysical and computational study.

Pluronic/lipid mix promises stealth liposomes with long circulation time and long-term stability for pharmaceutical applications. However, the influence of Pluronics on several aspects of lipid membranes has not been fully elucidated. Herein it was described the effect of Pluronics on the structured water, alkyl chain conformation, and kinetic stability of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) liposomes using interfacial and deeper fluorescent probes along with computational molecular modeling data.

The effect of erythrosine-B on the structuration of poloxamer 407 and cellulose derivative blends: In silico modelling supporting experimental studies.

Erythrosine is a dye approved for medical use that has shown promising photodynamic activity, allowing for the inactivation of microorganisms and activity against malignant cells. Despite the great photodynamic potential, erythrosine exhibits hydrophilicity, negatively impacting its action in biological membranes. Therefore, the incorporation of erythrosine in micellar polymeric systems, such as poloxamers, may overcome this limitation.

Interaction between mucoadhesive cellulose derivatives and Pluronic F127: Investigation on the micelle structure and mucoadhesive performance.

Systems composed of bioadhesive and thermoresponsive polymers can combine in situ gelation with bio/mucoadhesion, enhancing retention of topically applied drugs. The effect of bioadhesive sodium carboxymethylcellulose (NaCMC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose cellulose (HPMC) on the properties of thermoresponsive Pluronic® F127 (F127) was explored, including micellization and the mucoadhesion. A computational analysis between these polymers and their molecular interactions were also studied, rationalising the design of improved binary polymeric systems for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.

pH interferes in photoinhibitory activity of curcumin nanoencapsulated with pluronic® P123 against Staphylococcus aureus.

Microbial contamination control is a public health concern and challenge for the food industry. Antimicrobial technologies employing natural agents may be useful in the food industry for these purposes. This work aimed to investigate the effect of photodynamic inactivation using curcumin in Pluronic® P123 nanoparticles (Cur/P123) at different pH and blue LED light against Staphylococcus aureus.

Influence of water volume reduction on the phytoplankton dynamics in a semi-arid man-made lake: A comparison of two morphofunctional approaches.

Significant reductions in the water levels of lakes are influenced by droughts and freshwater demands, especially in semi-arid regions, where hydric stress is greater. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of phytoplankton during two different water volume periods resulting from an extended drought in a semi-arid lake. Another objective was to compare two functional approaches to test which one of these best captures phytoplankton variability as a function of environmental variability.

Design of a nanostructured mucoadhesive system containing curcumin for buccal application: from physicochemical to biological aspects.

Mucoadhesive nanostructured systems comprising poloxamer 407 and Carbopol 974P have already demonstrated good mucoadhesion, as well as improved mechanical and rheological properties. Curcumin displays excellent biological activity, mainly in oral squamous cancer; however, its physicochemical characteristics hinder its application. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop nanostructured formulations containing curcumin for oral cancer therapy.

Biomedical Platform Development of a Chlorophyll-Based Extract for Topic Photodynamic Therapy: Mechanical and Spectroscopic Properties.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a therapeutic modality that has shown effectiveness in the inactivation of cancer cell lines and microorganisms. Treatment consists of activating the photosensitizer (PS) upon light irradiation of adequate wavelength. After reaching the excited state, the PS can handle the intersystem conversion through energy transfer to the molecular oxygen, generating reactive oxygen species.

The Diabetic Foot as a Proxy for Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Review.

Purpose Of Review: This article reviewed very recent papers (2016) discussing or bringing clinical evidences of the possible common pathways leading to diabetic foot syndrome (DFS) and increased mortality rates.

Recent Findings: Diabetic patients with diabetic foot syndrome have a mortality rate greater than twofold when compared with non-ulcerated diabetics. In addition, the 5-year mortality rate following amputation is estimated at 39-68%, a life expectancy comparable to aggressive types of cancer or advanced congestive heart failure.

Formulation of Aluminum Chloride Phthalocyanine in Pluronic(™) P-123 and F-127 Block Copolymer Micelles: Photophysical properties and Photodynamic Inactivation of Microorganisms.

Aluminum Chloride Phthalocyanine (AlPcCl) can be used as a photosensitizer (PS) for Photodynamic Inactivation of Microorganisms (PDI). The AlPcCl showed favorable characteristics for PDI due to high quantum yield of singlet oxygen (ΦΔ ) and photostability. Physicochemical properties and photodynamic inactivation of AlPcCl incorporated in polymeric micelles of tri-block copolymer (P-123 and F-127) against microorganisms Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans were investigated in this work.

Association between primary headaches and depression in young adults in southern Brazil.

Objective: To verify the association between depression and headache in young adults, as well as to identify the features of headache associated with depression and the influence of this mood disorder on headache-related disability.

Methods: A cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires about headache and depression was conducted at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms and headache-related disability, respectively.

Reliability and internal consistency of questionnaire for evaluating weight cycling in Southern Brazil.

Aims And Objectives: To determine the reliability and internal consistency of a questionnaire that was designed to assess weight cycling.

Background: A large part of the obese population attempt to lose weight. Of those who had lost at least 10% of their initial weight, 33·5% regained weight.

Impact of an injury prevention program on teenagers' knowledge and attitudes: results of the Pense Bem-Caxias do Sul Project.

Object: Trauma is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children, young people, and working-age adults. Because of the high incidence of intentional and unintentional injuries in young people, it is necessary to implement injury-prevention programs and measure the efficacy of these initiatives. The authors evaluated the effectiveness of an injury-prevention program in high school students in a city in southern Brazil.

Fungus ball of the paranasal sinuses: Report of two cases and literature review.

Introduction:  Fungal ball of the sinuses is a not invasive infection that if characterizes for its chronicity, being the majority related with previous endodontic treatment. Affect mainly the breasts to maxillary; even so all the breasts can be involved. The main etiological agent is the Aspergillus spp.

Prevalence and impact of headache in undergraduate students in Southern Brazil.

Objective: To determine the prevalence, characteristics and impact of headache among university students.

Method: The criteria established by the International Headache Society were used to define the primary headache subtypes and the Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire (MIDAS), to assess the disability. The students were then grouped into six categories: [1] migraine; [2] probable migraine; [3] tension-type headache; [4] probable tension-type headache; [5] non-classifiable headache; [6] no headache.

Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students.

Some studies have demonstrated that physiotherapists have a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). The association between physiotherapy students, who are potentially exposed to the same LBP occupational risks as graduates, and LBP has never been demonstrated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP.

Sleep disorders among undergraduate students in Southern Brazil.

Purpose: Sleep disorders are very common in the young, being a result of the typical lifestyle lived by young people or a sleep disease that requires assistance and treatment. Furthermore, according to previous findings, sleep alterations can favor the development of depressive mood disorder. This survey aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of sleep disorders in a young population sample and their association with depressive symptoms.

Consistency and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire in undergraduate students.

Purpose: Questionnaires are indispensable tools in epidemiologic studies and clinical surveys. Many questionnaires focusing on sleep disorders have been described in the literature. This cross-sectional study is aimed to assess the consistency and reliability of the Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Mini-Sleep Questionnaire (MSQ-BR).

In vivo imaging of transplanted hepatocytes with a 1.5-T clinical MRI system--initial experience in mice.

The feasibility of in vitro mature mouse hepatocyte labeling with a novel iron oxide particle was assessed and the ability of 1.5-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track labeled mouse hepatocytes in syngenic recipient livers following intraportal cell transplantation was tested. Mouse hepatocytes were incubated with anionic iron oxide nanoparticles at various iron concentrations.