Advances in porphyrins and chlorins associated with polysaccharides and polysaccharides-based materials for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications.

Over the last decade, the convergence of advanced materials and innovative applications has fostered notable scientific progress within the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Porphyrins and their derivatives, distinguished by an extended conjugated π-electron system, have a relevant role in propelling these advancements, especially in drug delivery systems, photodynamic therapy, wound healing, and (bio)sensing. However, despite their promise, the practical clinical application of these macrocycles is hindered by their inherent challenges of low solubility and instability under physiological conditions.

Antimicrobial activity of geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oil and its encapsulation in carioca bean starch ultrafine fibers by electrospinning.

Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) is known for being an aromatic plant rich in bioactive compounds with antibacterial properties. In this study, geranium essential oil (GEO) was extracted and encapsulated in ultrafine bean starch fibers produced by electrospinning as an antibacterial agent. GEO revealed a composition rich in volatile compounds, including citronellol, cis-geraniol, β-linalool, citronellyl formate, and linalool formate.

New artificial hematophagy system with attractive polymeric biofilm for maintenance of Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) in the laboratory.

Background: Maintaining mosquito colonies in the laboratory requires a blood supply so that females' oocytes can mature and oviposition can take place. In this study, a new artificial hematophagy system for colonization and maintenance of Culex quinquefasciatus in the laboratory was developed and tested.

Methods: We developed an attractive polymeric biofilm including 25% L-lactic acid for use as a membrane in an artificial hematophagy system and compared the feeding rate of females with Parafilm-M.

Cannabidiol-loaded microparticles embedded in a porous hydrogel matrix for biomedical applications.

In this study, poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles loaded with cannabidiol (CBD) were synthesized (PLGA@CBD microparticles) and embedded up to 10 wt% in a chondroitin sulfate/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel matrix. In vitro chemical, physical, and biological assays were carried out to validate the potential use of the modified hydrogels as biomaterials. The microparticles had spherical morphology and a narrow range of size distribution.

Magnetic microspheres based on pectin coated by chitosan towards smart drug release.

This study reports the preparation of microspheres of pectin and magnetite nanoparticles coated by chitosan to encapsulate and deliver drugs. Magnetic-pectin microspheres were obtained by ionotropic gelation followed by polyelectrolyte complexation with chitosan. Characterization data show that magnetite changes the physicochemical and morphological properties of the microspheres compared to the non-magnetic samples.

Curcumin-loaded nanocapsules: Influence of surface characteristics on technological parameters and potential antimalarial activity.

The present study aimed to develop nanocapsules (NCs) loaded with curcumin (CCM) using different coatings, comparing the effect of these coatings on physicochemical properties of NCs. NCs were prepared by interfacial deposition of performed polymer, using different polymers as coatings (P80, PEG, Chitosan and Eudragit RS100®) and then, characterized in detail by different techniques (AFM, FTIR, DSC, XRD, among others). In vitro studies were performed, evaluating the release profile, cytotoxicity and antimalarial activity of CCM-loaded NCs.

Association between the intensity of obstructive sleep apnea and skeletal alterations in the face and hyoid bone.

Introduction: The association between the intensity of obstructive sleep apnea and skeletal alterations in the face and hyoid bone is still scarcely addressed in the literature.

Objective: To evaluate whether the intensity of obstructive sleep apnea is associated with craniofacial alterations and the position of the hyoid bone in children with mixed dentition.

Methods: 76 children aged 7 to 10 years old were examined by otorhinolaryngological evaluation, polysomnography, and orthodontic assessment, including cephalometry.

The efficacy of microemulsion-based delivery to improve vitamin E properties: evaluation of the antinociceptive, antioxidant, antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities in mice.

Objectives: A microemulsion-based delivery system was designed to improve vitamin E (VE) properties, and its antinociceptive, antioxidant, antidepressant- and anxiolytic-like activities in mice were evaluated.

Methods: Male Swiss mice received, by intragastric route, canola oil (20 ml/kg), blank microemulsion (B-ME) (20 ml/kg), VE free (VE-F) (200 mg/kg) or VE microemulsion (VE-ME) (200 mg/kg). In acute treatment, a single dose of treatments was administrated and 30 min after behavioural tests were performed.

Therapeutic and technological potential of 7-chloro-4-phenylselanyl quinoline for the treatment of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions in mice.

This study investigated the main effects of the oral treatment with 7-chloro-4-phenylselanyl quinoline (4-PSQ) on symptoms, inflammatory and oxidative parameters in an atopic dermatitis (AD) model in BALB/c mice. In addition, the possibility of antioxidant property of 4-PSQ improves the potential of a biofilm (based on chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/ bovine bone powder (BBP)) for the treatment of AD-like skin lesions was evaluated. 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) was applied to the dorsal skin on days 1-3 for sensitization.

Chitosan-based film supported copper nanoparticles: A potential and reusable catalyst for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds.

In this study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized and stabilized into a chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) (CP) based film using a simple protocol under mild conditions. The polymeric matrix utilized in this study allows synthesizing stable nanoparticle with narrow size distribution within the film matrix. Further, this system showed very attractive properties, such as good mechanical properties, chemical resistance, easy handling during use and recovery, relatively low-cost as compared to other similar systems, among others.

Orofacial motor functions in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea and implications for myofunctional therapy.

Objectives: The purposes of this study were (1) to identify possible differences in muscular and orofacial functions between children with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and with primary snoring (PS); (2) to examine the standardized difference between normal values of myofunctional scores and those of subjects with OSA or PS; and (3) to identify the features associated with OSA.

Methods: Participants were 39 children (mean age 8 ± 1.2 years) of which, 27 had a diagnosis of OSA and 12 had PS.