Antimicrobial PLA-PVA multilayer films containing phenolic compounds.

Multilayer materials with good interlayer-adhesion were obtained by thermocompression for laminating an internal poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) layer with two external poly (lactic acid) (PLA) layers. Carvacrol or ferulic acid were incorporated into the PVA sheet to obtain active materials. The multilayer films were characterised as to their microstructure, thermal behaviour, tensile and barrier properties. Furthermore, the antimicrobial capacity of the materials was analysed in packaged beef meat samples for 17 days at 5 °C. The laminates exhibited tensile properties close to those of the PLA films, but with enhanced stretchability. Compared to the monolayers, the barrier capacity of multilayers was much improved by combining polyester and PVA layers, which provide the laminate with water vapour and oxygen barrier capacity, respectively. Active multilayers were effective at controlling microbial growth in beef meat during cold storage. Therefore, the materials developed were functionally adequate for food packaging purposes and successfully promoted the meat preservation.

Carvacrol-loaded liposome suspension: optimization, characterization and incorporation into poly(vinyl alcohol) films.

The purpose of this study was to encapsulate carvacrol into liposomes in order to promote its application in active food packaging. Response surface methodology was used to evaluate the effect of the concentration of the liposomal components on its characteristics. The optimum formulation for the preparation of liposomes with the highest encapsulation efficiency (59.0 ± 1.99%) was found to be 3000 µg mL-1 of cholesterol and 4000 µg mL-1 of carvacrol. Carvacrol reduced the polydispersity index and increased the zeta potential and the thermal stability of liposomes. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that the interaction of carvacrol with liposomes occurred probably through hydrogen-bonding. The incorporation into liposomes maintained the antibacterial effect of carvacrol, but when in the film, carvacrol liposomes were not effective against the microorganisms tested. Liposomes may offer a viable option for stabilizing carvacrol, however, more studies are necessary to enable its application in food packaging.

Liposomal Encapsulation of Carvacrol to Obtain Active Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) Films.

Lecithins of different origins and compositions were used for the liposomal encapsulation of carvacrol within the framework of the development of active films for food packaging. Liposomes were incorporated into aqueous polymeric solutions from fully (F) and partially (P) hydrolysed Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to obtain the films by casting. The particle size distribution and ζ-potential of the liposomal suspensions, as well as their stability over time, were evaluated. Liposomal stability during film formation was analysed through the carvacrol retention in the dried film and the film microstructure. Subtle variations in the size distributions of liposomes from different lecithins were observed. However, the absolute values of the ζ-potential were higher (-52, -57 mV) for soy lecithin (SL) liposomes, followed by those of soy lecithin enriched with phosphatidylcholine (SL-PC) (-43, -50 mV) and sunflower lecithin (SFL) (-33, -38 mV). No significant changes in the liposomal properties were observed during the study period. Lyotropic mesomorphism of lipid associations and carvacrol leakage occurred to differing extents during the film drying step, depending on the membrane lipid composition and surface charge. Liposomes obtained with SL-PC were the most effective at maintaining the stability of carvacrol emulsion during film formation, which led to the greatest carvacrol retention in the films, whereas SFL gave rise to the least stable system and the highest carvacrol losses. P-PVA was less sensitive to the emulsion destabilisation due to its greater bonding capacity with carvacrol. Therefore, P-PVA with carvacrol-loaded SL-PC liposomes has great potential to produce active films for food packaging applications.

The Incorporation of Carvacrol into Poly (vinyl alcohol) Films Encapsulated in Lecithin Liposomes.

Lecithin-encapsulated carvacrol has been incorporated into poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) for the purpose of obtaining active films for food packaging application. The influence of molecular weight (Mw) and degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the polymer on its ability to retain carvacrol has been analysed, as well as the changes in the film microstructure, thermal behaviour, and functional properties as packaging material provoked by liposome incorporation into PVA matrices. The films were obtained by casting the PVA aqueous solutions where liposomes were incorporated until reaching 0 (non-loaded liposomes), 5 or 10 g carvacrol per 100 g polymer. The non-acetylated, high Mw polymer provided films with a better mechanical performance, but less CA retention and a more heterogeneous structure. In contrast, partially acetylated, low Mw PVA gave rise to more homogenous films with a higher carvacrol content. Lecithin enhanced the thermal stability of both kinds of PVA, but reduced the crystallinity degree of non-acetylated PVA films, although it did not affect this parameter in acetylated PVA when liposomes contained carvacrol. The mechanical and barrier properties of the films were modified by liposome incorporation in line with the induced changes in crystallinity and microstructure of the films.

Fibromialgia. Avances en su tratamiento / Fibromyalgia. Advances in its treatment

Introducción: resulta de notable significación el hecho de enfatizar en la difusión de los avances en el tratamiento de la fibromialgia, ya que en décadas precedentes, ha ido alcanzando cada vez mayor magnitud hasta devenir hoy en una problemática de salud pública de atención prioritaria. Objetivo: reportar los avances en el tratamiento de la fibromialgia. Desarrollo: diversos factores pueden exponer esta situación: la elevada incidencia de la fibromialgia en la población general adulta; el escaso conocimiento de su origen y los componentes que la causan; así como el no hallazgo de tratamiento curativo, la inconformidad de los casos y los profesionales en el tratamiento actual del síndrome. Conclusiones: no existen evidencias de que el tratamiento farmacológico de la fibromialgia resulte más efectivo que el no farmacológico, de ahí la notable importancia de estudios como el presente(AU)

Introduction: it is of remarkable significance to emphasize the diffusion of advances in the treatment of fibromyalgia, since in previous decades, it has been reaching ever greater magnitude until becoming today a priority public health problem. Objective: To report the advances in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Development : Several factors can expose this situation: the high incidence of fibromyalgia in the general adult population; the limited knowledge of its origin and the components that cause it; as well as the non-discovery of curative treatment, the nonconformity of cases and professionals in the current treatment of the syndrome. Conclusions: There is no evidence that the pharmacological treatment of fibromyalgia is more effective than the non-pharmacological treatment, hence the remarkable importance of studies such as the present one(AU)

Concepções dos familiares de usuários acerca do cuidado oferecido em centro de atenção psicossocial / Service users' families' conceptions of the care offered in a psycho-social care center / Concepciones de los familiares de usuarios acerca del cuidado ofrecido en centro de atención psicosocial

Trata-se de um estudo de caso, exploratório, com abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial da Região Nordeste brasileira com 20 familiares dos usuários. Objetivou-se analisar as concepções acerca do cuidado oferecido; identificar se os familiares percebem que os profissionais do Centro contribuem para a promoção da autonomia e inclusão social dos usuários; e averiguar em que medida o grupo de família tem sido uma estratégia eficaz para a promoção do cuidado aos usuários. O material empírico foi produzido por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, entre agosto e setembro de 2010, e submetido à análise de conteúdo. Os resultados demonstraram que a participação no grupo de família possibilitou que os familiares contribuíssem com o tratamento proposto, tornando-se corresponsáveis no processo de cuidado oferecido. Os familiares foram estimulados para a promoção da autonomia e inclusão do usuário na sociedade.

This is an exploratory case study with a qualitative approach, undertaken in a psycho-social care center in the North-Eastern region of Brazil, with 20 family members of service users. The objective was to analyze their conceptions regarding the care offered; to identify whether the family members perceived that the professionals at the Center contribute to the promotion of the service users' autonomy and social inclusion; and to check to what extent the family group has been an efficient strategy for promoting the care for the service users. The empirical material was produced through semi-structured interviews held between August and September 2010, and submitted to content analysis. The results show that the participation in the family group made it possible for families to contribute to the treatment proposed, becoming co-responsible in the care process offered. The family members were encouraged to promote the service user's autonomy and inclusion in society.

Este es un estudio de caso, exploratorio, con abordaje cualitativo, desarrollado en un Centro de Atención Psicosocial de la Región Nordeste brasileña con 20 familiares de los usuarios. La finalidad fue analizar las concepciones acerca del cuidado ofrecido; identificar si los familiares perciben que los profesionales del Centro contribuyen para la promoción de la autonomía e inclusión social de los usuarios; y averiguar en qué medida el grupo de familia es una estrategia eficaz para la promoción del cuidado a los usuarios. El material empírico fue producido por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, entre agosto y septiembre de 2010, y sometido al análisis de contenido. Los resultados muestran que la participación en el grupo de familia ha posibilitado que los familiares contribuyeran con el tratamiento propuesto, volviéndose corresponsables en el proceso de cuidado ofrecido. Los familiares fueron estimulados para la promoción de la autonomía e inclusión del usuario en la sociedad.