The use of a solar simulator device to standardize microbiological decontamination of contaminated water by solar disinfection by the SODIS and MB/SODIS protocols.

Consuming microbiologically-contaminated water is the primary cause of many water-borne diseases and deaths worldwide. Governments aim at providing drinking water for vulnerable populations, especially through low-cost interventions. Therefore, the solar disinfection (SODIS) of such pathogens provides a simple and cost-effective way to obtain good quality water.

Copaiba oil enhances in vitro/in vivo cutaneous permeability and in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of celecoxib.

Objectives: The aim of this article was to use copaiba oil (C.O) to improve skin permeability and topical anti-inflammatory activity of celecoxib (Cxb).

Methods: Formulations containing C.

Histological observation of hairless mice skin after exposure to Simulated Solar Light: Comparison between the histological findings with different methodologies and 3R principle correlations.

Background: Albino hairless mouse (AHM) has been used as a biological model in photodermatology. However, the experimental landscape is diverse to follow and need particular attention.

Purpose: Irradiation parameters were investigated for the development of a protocol to assess alterations in the AHM skin using Simulated Solar Light (SSL).

α-Bisabolol improves 5-aminolevulinic acid retention in buccal tissues: Potential application in the photodynamic therapy of oral cancer.

Context: 5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is a prodrug used in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of tumors, including cancer of the oral mucosa. 5-ALA poorly penetrates oral tissues due to its high hydrophilicity, which impairs its local effects in PDT.

Objectives: To examine whether α-bisabolol (α-Bis) influences the 5-ALA permeability in the porcine buccal mucosa, to an extent that improves its application in PDT (which requires low permeation and high retention in the buccal mucosa).

Phototoxic assessment of a sunscreen formulation and its excipients: An in vivo and in vitro study.

Background: Cosmetic preservatives are used to protect cosmetic formulations and improve its shelf-life. However, these substances may exert phototoxic effects when used under sunlight.

Objective: To assess safety, efficacy and putative phototoxic effects of a sunscreen formulation SPF 30 and its excipients.

Cellular stress response in human Müller cells (MIO-M1) after bevacizumab treatment.

Bevacizumab, an anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agent, is widely used in the treatment of retinal vascular diseases. However, due to the essential role Müller cell derived-VEGF plays in the maintenance of retinal neurons and glial cells, cell viability is likely to be affected by VEGF inhibition. We therefore evaluated the effect of bevacizumab-induced VEGF inhibition on Müller cells (MIO-M1) in vitro.

Effects of a sunscreen formulation on albino hairless mice: a morphological approach.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of a sunscreen formulation on the skin of albino hairless mice subjected to simulated solar light (SSL) in terms of morphological changes. Young adult albino hairless mice HRS/J (n = 36) were used as an experimental model for determining skin photoaging changes. Mice were irradiated with SSL, and the sunscreen (estimated SPF 30, PF-UVA) was obtained from the Pharmacy College/UFRJ, Brazil.

Reduced occurrence of programmed cell death and gliosis in the retinas of juvenile rabbits after shortterm treatment with intravitreous bevacizumab.

Objective: Bevacizumab has been widely used as a vascular endothelial growth factor antagonist in the treatment of retinal vasoproliferative disorders in adults and, more recently, in infants with retinopathy of prematurity. Recently, it has been proposed that vascular endothelial growth factor acts as a protective factor for neurons and glial cells, particularly in developing nervous tissue. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of bevacizumab on the developing retinas of juvenile rabbits.

Catalase, Bax and p53 expression in the visual system of the crab Ucides cordatus following exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

In invertebrates, a few studies have suggested apoptosis as the mechanism of choice to protect the retina after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. We demonstrated previously, by electron microscopy, that the retina and lamina ganglionaris (or lamina) cells of the crab Ucides cordatus displayed subcellular signs of apoptosis after exposure to UVB and UVC. Here, we first ascertained, by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique, that UV irradiation indeed produced the previously reported results.

A structural study of the retinal photoreceptor, plexiform and ganglion cell layers following exposure to UV-B and UV-C radiation in the albino rat.

Over the last two decades, ultraviolet radiation levels (UV), reaching the Earth's surface, have been increasing at a rate of 1.5% per each 1% loss of the ozone layer. Moreover, artificial UV-sources have also proliferated and contributed to the rising UV-stress that many organisms have to face.

Ultrastructural study of first and second order neurons in the visual system of the crab Ucides cordatus following exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The visual system as an interface between the environment and the living organism can serve as a sensitive indicator especially in studies that deal with effects of radiation. The crab retina as the seat of the photoreceptors and the lamina ganglionaris as the place of second order neurons were the targets of our study. Conventional specimen preparation techniques for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are adequate to preserve any modifications that may occur as a consequence of the experimental treatment.