Multiplication, rooting in vitro, and acclimatization of Brassavola tuberculata Hook. (Orchidaceae), an orchid endemic to the brazilian atlantic rainforest / Multiplicação, enraizamento in vitro e aclimatização de Brassavola tuberculata Hook (Orchidaceae), uma orquídea endêmica da mata atlântica brasileira

The objective of this study was to promote the establishment of an in vitro culture of Brassavola tuberculata, testing different concentrations of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) on multiplication and rooting, evaluating different substrates during acclimatization, as well as the effect of in vitro treatments. After germination, the seedlings of B. tuberculata were subjected to culture on MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of NAA and BAP, and multiplication and rooting were assessed. During acclimatization, different substrates were tested: S1, Plantmax® and vermiculite (1: 1); S2, Plantmax® and grit (1: 1); and S3, dust fern. Also the effect of the in vitro culture treatments was evaluated: T1, control; T5, (2.5 µM NAA +5 µM BAP); and T7, (5 µM NAA + 0 µM BAP). The favorable balance of cytokinins promoted by treatment T5 yielded the largest number of shoots and leaves in B. tuberculata. The greatest length of leaves and roots, and highest root number were observed in the treatment T7, favored by the presence of auxin. This treatment had a positive effect with respect to plant acclimatization: T7 associated with substrate S1 provided the most suitable conditions for acclimatization of seedlings of B. tuberculata, providing greater number and length of leaves, and high survival rate.

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, promover o estabelecimento do cultivo in vitro de Brassavola tuberculata, testando diferentes concentrações de ANA e BAP na multiplicação e no enraizamento, e avaliar diferentes substratos e o efeito dos tratamentos de cultivo in vitro na aclimatização. Após a germinação das sementes, as plântulas de B. tuberculata foram submetidas ao cultivo em meio MS suplementado com diferentes concentrações de ácido naftaleno acético (ANA) e 6-benzilaminopurina (BAP), sendo avaliados a multiplicação e o enraizamento. Foram testados diferentes substratos: S1 (Plantmax e vermiculita (1:1)); S2 (Plantmax e areia (1:1)) e S3 (pó de xaxim) na aclimatização e, posteriormente, o efeito dos tratamentos do cultivo in vitro: T1 (controle), T5 (2,5 ANA + 5 BAP) e T7 (5 ANA + 0 BAP), na aclimatização. O balanço favorável às citocininas promovido pelo tratamento T5 (2,5 µM ANA + 5 µM BAP) promoveu maior número de brotos e de folhas em B. tuberculata. O maior comprimento das folhas, das raízes e maior número de raízes foi observado no tratamento T7 (5 µM ANA e 0 µM BAP), favorável a auxina. Este tratamento apresentou efeito positivo com relação a aclimatização das plantas: T7 associado ao substrato S1, Plantmax e vermiculita (1:1) proporcionou melhores condições para a aclimatização das plântulas de B. tuberculata, propiciando maior número e comprimento das folhas, e elevada taxa de sobrevivência.

Effects of a transdermal testosterone metered-dose nanoemulsion in peri- and postmenopausal women: a novel protocol for treating low libido / Efeitos de nanoemulsãom transdérmica dosimetrada de testosterona em mulheres peri-e pós-menopausa: um novo protocolo para o tratamento de libido reduzido

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of a transdermal nanoemulsion testosterone associated with transdermal estrogen therapy as a novel protocol treatment for emergent loss of libido. METHODS: Twenty-four women, aged 31-75 years (mean age, 51.7), with emergent loss of libido were allocated to treatment with a novel transdermal formulation of 500 µg/day of testosterone (Biolipid/B2®-testosterone) for 12 weeks, as part of an open label prospective study on peri- and post-menopausal women. Subjects applied the formulation on the right forearm. Clinical and laboratorial parameters including the sexual complaints; serum concentrations of testosterone, insulin, C-reactive protein, weight, blood pressure; body mass index and waist circumference were compared between baseline and 12 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: The mean total serum testosterone increased significantly (p = 0.009) after 12 weeks of treatment. No adverse or androgenic events were observed. There were positive and significant differences (p < 0.05) on sexual complaints, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference after transdermal nanoemulsion testosterone treatment. CONCLUSION: This protocol is effective in increasing testosterone levels in peri- and postmenopausal women with low libido.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a eficácia de uma nanoemulsão transdérmica de testosterona associada à terapia com estrogênio transdérmico como tratamento para a perda emergente da libido. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro mulheres, com idade entre 31-75 anos (idade média de 51,7), com perda emergente de libido foram incluídas num protocolo para tratamento de libido reduzida com uma formulação transdérmica de 500 µg/dia de testosterona (biolípido/B2®-testosterona) com 12 semanas de duração, como parte de um estudo prospectivo aberto em mulheres peri- e pós-menopausa. As participantes aplicaram a formulação no antebraço direito. Os parâmetros clínicos e laboratoriais, incluindo as queixas sexuais foram comparados entre os valores iniciais e 12 semanas após o tratamento. Mediram-se as concentrações séricas de testosterona, insulina, proteína C-reactiva, o peso, a pressão arterial; o índice de massa corporal e a circunferência da cintura. RESULTADOS: A média de testosterona total no soro aumentou significativamente (p = 0,009) após 12 semanas de tratamento. Não foram observados efeitos adversos ou androgênicos. Registraram-se reduções significativas (p < 0,05) sobre as queixas sexuais, da pressão arterial, do índice de massa corporal e da circunferência da cintura após o tratamento transdérmico com nanoemulsão de testosterona. CONCLUSÃO: O protocolo mostrou eficacia em aumentar os níveis de testosterona em e melhorar a libido em mulheres peri e pós-menopausa com baixa libido.

Effectiveness and safety evaluation in the dyslipidemia treatment with statins

Statins are used to reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with a high risk of cardiovascular disease. However, the use of statins does not ensure effectiveness and pharmacotherapeutic safety. In this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the therapy with statins in patients with dyslipidemia and high cardiovascular risk. To evaluate these parameters, this study selected 113 dyslipidemic patients with regular statins use of at least seven months. It was an observational cross-sectional study, based on data analysis collected from biochemical tests of patients with dyslipidemia in the public health system in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Isolated hypercholesterolemia was the most prevalent dyslipidemia type and the most used statin was atorvastatin (84%), followed by simvastatin (16%). The study observed no effectiveness in 58.4% of the patients; 28% had no safety in the treatment, and 48.3% were using doses above the standard dosage. Comparing effectiveness and safety between the same drugs, at standard dosage with higher dosages, there was not any statistical difference in biochemical test results. Therapeutic goals for LDL-C ≤ 70 mg/dL were found in 28% of cases. However, the use of doses above the standard dosage intended to reach very low LDL-C levels should be reevaluated, since there was no statistical difference in reducing the lipid profile, suggesting that the same results can be obtained with a lower standardized dose. This study provides data relevant to the discussion of statins use and to the necessity of strengthening pharmacotherapeutic monitoring in dyslipidemia treatment.

Nanostructured transdermal hormone replacement therapy for relieving menopausal symptoms: a confocal Raman spectroscopy study

OBJECTIVE: To determine the safety and efficacy of a transdermal nanostructured formulation of progesterone (10%) combined with estriol (0.1%) + estradiol (0.25%) for relieving postmenopausal symptoms. METHODS: A total of 66 postmenopausal Brazilian women with climacteric symptoms of natural menopause received transdermal nanostructured formulations of progesterone and estrogens in the forearm daily for 60 months to mimic the normal ovarian secretory pattern. Confocal Raman spectroscopy of hormones in skin layers was performed. Clinical parameters, serum concentrations of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone, blood pressure, BI-RADS classification from bilateral mammography, and symptomatic relief were compared between baseline and 60 months post-treatment. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02033512. RESULTS: An improvement in climacteric symptoms was reported in 92.5% of women evaluated before and after 60 months of treatment. The serum concentrations of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone changed significantly (p<0.05) after treatment; the values of serum follicle-stimulating hormone decreased after 60 months from 82.04±4.9 to 57.12±4.1 IU/mL. A bilateral mammography assessment of the breasts revealed normal results in all women. No adverse health-related events were attributed to this hormone replacement therapy protocol. CONCLUSION: The nanostructured formulation is safe and effective in re-establishing optimal serum levels of estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone and relieving the symptoms of menopause. This transdermal hormone replacement therapy may alleviate climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women. .