Novel Oxygen- and Curcumin-Laden Ionic Liquid@Silica Nanocapsules for Enhanced Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy.

The efficiency of photodynamic therapy is often limited by the scarcity of oxygen at the target site. To address this problem, this work proposes the development of a new nanosystem for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy applications (aPDT) where the natural-origin photosensitizer curcumin (CUR) is immersed in an oxygen-rich environment. Inspired by the perfluorocarbon-based photosensitizer/O2 nanocarriers reported in the literature, we developed a new type of silica nanocapsule containing curcumin dissolved in three hydrophobic ionic liquids (ILs) with high oxygen dissolving capacities. The nanocapsules (CUR-IL@ncSi), prepared by an original oil-in-water microemulsion/sol-gel method, had a high IL content and exhibited clear capacities to dissolve and release significant amounts of oxygen, as demonstrated by deoxygenation/oxygenation studies. The ability of CUR-IL solutions and of CUR-IL@ncSi to generate singlet oxygen (1O2) upon irradiation was confirmed by the detection of 1O2 phosphorescence at 1275 nm. Furthermore, the enhanced capacities of oxygenated CUR-IL@ncSi suspensions to generate 1O2 upon irradiation with blue light were confirmed by an indirect spectrophotometric method. Finally, preliminary microbiological tests using CUR-IL@ncSi incorporated into gelatin films showed the occurrence of antimicrobial effects due to photodynamic inactivation, with their relative efficiencies depending on the specific IL in which curcumin was dissolved. Considering these results, CUR-IL@ncSi has the potential to be used in the future to develop biomedical products with enhanced oxygenation and aPDT capacities.

A review of conventional and emerging technologies for hydrogels sterilization.

Hydrogels are extensively used in the biomedical field, as drug delivery systems, wound dressings, contact lenses or as scaffolds for tissue engineering. Due to their polymeric nature and the presence of high amounts of water in their structure, hydrogels generally present high sensitivity to terminal sterilization. The establishment of an efficient sterilization protocol that does not compromise the functional properties of the hydrogels is one of the challenges faced by researchers when developing a hydrogel for a specific application. Yet, until very recently this aspect was largely ignored in the literature. The present paper reviews the state of literature concerning hydrogels sterilization, compiling the main findings. Conventional terminal sterilization methods (heat sterilization, radiation sterilization, and gas sterilization) as well as emerging sterilization techniques (ozone, supercritical carbon dioxide) are covered. Considerations about aseptic processing are also included. Additionally, and as a framework, hydrogels' polymeric materials, types of networks, and main biomedical applications are summarily described.

Comparative Analysis of Morphological and Release Profiles in Ocular Implants of Acetazolamide Prepared by Electrospinning.

The visual impairment that often leads to blindness causes a higher morbidity rate. The goal of this work is to create a novel biodegradable polymeric implant obtained from coaxial fibers containing the dispersed drug-acetazolamide-in order to achieve sustained drug release and increase patient compliance, which is of the highest importance. Firstly, during this work, uncoated implants were produced by electrospinning, and rolled in the shape of small cylinders that were composed of uniaxial and coaxial fibers with immobilized drug inside. The fibers were composed by PCL (poly ε-caprolactone) and Lutrol F127 (poly (oxyethylene-b-oxypropylene-b-oxyethylene)). The prepared implants exhibited a fast rate of drug release, which led to the preparation of new implants incorporating the same formulation but with an additional coating film prepared by solvent casting and comprising PCL and Lutrol F127 or PCL and Luwax EVA 3 ((poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)). Implants were characterized and in vitro release profiles of acetazolamide were obtained in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C. The release profile of the acetazolamide from coated implant containing Luwax EVA 3 is considerably slower than what was observed in case of coated implants containing Lutrol F127, allowing a sustained release and an innovation relatively to other ocular drug delivery systems.

Moxifloxacin-loaded acrylic intraocular lenses: In vitro and in vivo performance.

PURPOSE: To assess the possibility of using acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) to ensure controlled and sustained release of moxifloxacin, an antibiotic commonly used for endophthalmitis prophylaxis after cataract surgery. SETTING: Academic, industrial, and clinical partners from Portugal, Belgium, Iceland, and the United States. DESIGN: Experimental study. METHODS: The physical properties of IOLs loaded with moxifloxacin by soaking were characterized. In vitro drug-release studies were performed under hydrodynamic conditions similar to those of the eye, and the activity of the released drug was tested. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated, and the in vivo efficacy of the devices was assessed through rabbit experiments in which the effects of topical moxifloxacin drops (control) and moxifloxacin-loaded IOLs were compared. RESULTS: The presence of moxifloxacin in the IOLs had little effect on the evaluated physical properties and did not induce cytotoxicity. In vitro drug release experiments showed that the IOLs provided controlled release of moxifloxacin for approximately 2 weeks. The drug remained active against the tested microorganisms during that period. Moxifloxacin-loaded IOLs and the control treatment induced similar in vivo behavior in terms of inflammatory reactions, capsular bag opacification scores, and uveal and capsule biocompatibility. The drug concentration in the aqueous humor after 1 week was similar in both groups; however, the concentration with the loaded IOLs was less variable. CONCLUSION: The moxifloxacin-loaded IOLs released the drug in a controlled manner, providing therapeutic levels.

Preparation of gentamicin sulfate eluting fiber mats by emulsion and by suspension electrospinning.

This work investigates the immobilization of the antibiotic gentamicin sulfate (GS) in electrospun fiber mats composed of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) and the copolymer poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). Since GS is highly water soluble but weakly soluble in the organic solvents commonly used in the electrospinning process, two methods of immobilization were investigated: by suspension electrospinning, in which GS particles were directly dispersed in the polymeric organic solutions, and by emulsion electrospinning, in which GS was solubilized in an aqueous phase that was then dispersed in the organic polymeric solution containing the surfactant SPAN80. Fibers with distinct diameters and morphologies were obtained for the different methods and compositions. Contrary to the fibers prepared by suspension electrospinning, emulsion electrospinning based fibers exhibited an excellent wettability, allegedly due to the effect of the surfactant SPAN80. Despite the differences between both methods the produced mats presented similar GS release profiles, with a considerable burst release in the first 8 h followed by a gradual release of the remaining drug during the next 4-6 days. Finally, all GS loaded fiber mats proved to have an antibacterial effect against the bacterial strain Staphylococcus aureus.

Preparation of dexamethasone ophthalmic implants: a comparative study of in vitro release profiles.

Diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye are the most common cause of visual disorders in industrialized countries. This scenario has encouraged the development of new treatment modalities for these diseases, such as drug loaded implants with prolonged drug release. The aim of the present work was to create a polymeric based biodegradable ophthalmic implant for the delivery of dexamethasone. For this purpose, we prepared and compared the in vitro release profiles of dexamethasone ophthalmic implants produced by two methods: melting casting and solvent casting. The type of the biodegradable polymer used - poly (ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA); the drug loading (10% and 25%, w/w), the molecular weight of PCL (37 kDa and 14 kDa) and the form of the drug (dexamethasone and dexamethasone disodium phosphate) were also investigated. The results show that the preparation method has little influence on the obtained release profiles, being the type of polymer the most significant factor affecting the release profiles; nonetheless, a better distribution of dexamethasone was obtained for the devices prepared by melting casting.

Surface modification of an intraocular lens material by plasma-assisted grafting with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), for controlled release of moxifloxacin.

Endophthalmitis, an inflammation of the eye due to perioperative infection, may occur after cataract surgery. Intraocular lenses (IOLs) loaded with an antibiotic have been proposed asan alternative to the conventional postoperative endophthalmitis prophylaxis, since the antibiotic is delivered directly to the target site. In this work, an IOL-based antibiotic releasing system was prepared from a copolymer used in the production of IOLs and a fluoroquinolone used in endophthalmitis prophylaxis (moxifloxacin, MFX). Argon plasma-assisted grafting with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) in the presence of MFX was the approach selected for surface modification, with MFX loaded both by entrapment in the grafted polyHEMA coating and by soaking. Surface and bulk properties were evaluated before and after surface modification and the MFX release profiles were obtained both in batch mode (sink conditions) and under hydrodynamic conditions, employing a purpose-built microfluidic cell, which simulated the hydrodynamic conditions around the eye lens. The effect of storage on the release profile of the best system was also assessed. The best system released MFX for ca. 15days above the minimum inhibitory concentration for Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The released MFX showed antimicrobial activity against these bacteria and was non-cytotoxic against corneal endothelial cells.

Comparison of a xenogeneic and an alloplastic material used in dental implants in terms of physico-chemical characteristics and in vivo inflammatory response.

Two commercial bone grafts used in dentistry (Osteobiol Gen-Os®, a xenograft of porcine origin, and Bonelike®, a hydroxyapatite based synthetic material), in the form of granules, were characterized and evaluated in vivo regarding the intensity of the tissue inflammatory response. These biomaterials were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size distribution, porosity and pore size, specific surface area and density. The chemical composition and structure of the materials were accessed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The graft materials were implanted in the gluteus maximus muscles of Wistar rats and the inflammatory response was evaluated through histological analysis, after one week of implantation. The results showed that the two grafts have quite different characteristics in practically all the evaluated properties. While Osteobiol® exhibits a structure and composition similar to the natural bone, Bonelike® is constituted by a main crystalline phase of hydroxyapatite and two secondary phases of α- and ß-tricalcium phosphate. Osteobiol® granules, besides being larger, are irregular, and exhibit sharp-edged tips, while those of Bonelike® are approximately cylindrical, with round contours, and more uniform in size. The in vivo response evaluated from the inflammatory infiltrates revealed that although both implants did not cause severe inflammation, Bonelike® granules elicit a consistently more intense inflammatory reaction than that triggered by the granules of Osteobiol®, particularly in terms of collagen production and formation of fibrous capsule. This reaction was partly explained in terms of the characteristics evaluated for the granules of this material.

Mielomeningocele e nutrição: proposta de protocolo de atendimentoa / Mielomeningocele and nutrition: a proposal of care protocol / Mielomeningocelis y nutrición: una propuesta de protocolo de asistencia

A mielomeningocele consiste na forma mais grave e comum de espinha bífida, respondendo por aproximadamente 75% de todos os casos. É uma desordem caracterizada pelo fechamento parcial do tubo neural embrionário, podendo ocorrer em qualquer região da medula. O presente estudo objetiva por meio de revisão da literatura a descrever os fatores nutricionais envolvidos na mielomeningocele e a apresentar a proposta de um instrumentoguiapara a consulta nutricional, identificado como protocolo de atendimento. Para tanto, empregou-se a técnica booleana, selecionando-se 31 artigoscientíficos, publicados nos últimos 5 anos e rastreados nas bases de dados Lilacs, Bireme e Scielo. A obesidade e/ou sobrepeso, o déficit de estatura e aocorrência de dificuldades alimentares são características dessa população. O excesso de peso pode ser explicado pela perda da função dos grupos demúsculos inferiores, reduzindo assim o gasto energético corporal. A prevenção dessa doença com a fortificação alimentar com ácido fólico durante agestação ainda está sendo avaliada. Com base nos consensos literários, elaborou-se o protocolo, o qual reúne informações que devem ser buscadas para uma adequada intervenção nutricional individualizada e diretamente focada nas eventuais deficiências de crianças com mielomeningocele (identificaçãodo paciente e seu responsável; condições socioeconômicas; histórico clínico, consumo alimentar na gestação; condições perinatais e atuais da criança;aspectos alimentares e dados antropométricos), visando padronizar, otimizar, qualificar e sistematizar o atendimento desses indivíduos, causando impactopositivo na correção de possíveis desvios nutricionais e proporcionando longevidade com qualidade de vida a essa população.

Mielomeningocele is the most serious and more common form of bifid thorn, corresponding to nearly 75% of all cases. It is a disorder characterizedby the partial closing of the embryonic neural tube, and it may happen in any region of the marrow.This study aims to describe, by means ofa literature survey, nutritional factors related to mielomeningocele and propose a guide tool for the nutritional exam, identified as a care protocol.Thus,it isan investigation-action or interventionist bibliographic survey. For doing that, we used the boolean technique, selecting thirteen scientific papers published in the last five years and tracked in the data bases Lilacs, Bireme and Scielo. Findings were used for the elaboration of an interdisciplinaryprotocol for nutritional care that is made up of the following items: identification of the patient and person in charge, socio-economic conditions, clinical history, perinatal and present food consumption in gestation, conditions of the baby, feeding aspects and anthropometric data on patient. Obesity and/or overweight, deficits in height and the occurrence of feeding difficulties are data indicated in all the investigations that involve individuals that present defects in the neural tube. Excess weight may be explained by the loss of the function of the great inferior muscular groups, reducing thereforethe corporal power cost. Prevention with nutritional support with folic acid during gestation is still being evaluated. Based on literature consensus, wecreated a protocol having information to be gathered in order to prepare an adequate individual intervention focused on necessities of children havingmielomeningocele (identification of children and adult responsible, socioeconomic conditions, clinical history, food consumption during gestation, perinatal and current conditions, food facts and anthropometric data) in order to pattern, optimize, qualify and systematize care for correcting nutritional...

Mielomeningocele es la forma más grave y más común de espina bífida, correspondiendo a cerca de 75% de todos los casos. Es un desordencaracterizado por el cierre parcial del tubo neural embrionario, pudiendo ocurrir en cualquier región de la médula. Este estudio intenta describir pro mediouna revisión de literatura factores nutricionales vinculados al mielomeningocele, así bien presentar un instrumento guía para la consulta nutricional, identificado como protocolo de asistencia.Para eso, se emplee la técnica booleana, se seleccionándo trece artículos científicos, publicados en los últimos cinco años y rastreados en las bases de datos Lilacs, Bireme e Scielo. Los consensos encontrados establecieron la elaboración del protocolo interdisciplinarpara asistencia nutricional, que se compone de los siguientes ítems: identificación del paciente y responsable, aspectos maternos, condiciones socioeconómicas,histórico clínico, consumo alimentar en la gestación, condiciones perinatales y actuales del niño, aspectos alimentares y datos antropométricosdel paciente. La obesidad y/o sobrepeso, el déficit de altura y la ocurrencia de dificultades alimentares son datos indicados en todas las investigacionesque involucran individuos que presentan defectos del tubo neural. El exceso de peso puede ser explicado por la pérdida de la función de los grandes gruposmusculares inferiores, reduciendo así el gasto energético corporal. La prevención con apoyo nutricional utilizando acido fólico en la gestación sigue siendo evaluada. Basados en el consenso de la literatura, se ha elaborado un protocolo para la obtención de informaciones necesarias a una adecuada intervención individual concentrada en las necesidades de niños afectados por mielomeningocele (identificación del paciente y su responsable, condicionessocioeconómicas, histórico clínico, consumo de alimentos en el curso de la gestación, condiciones perinatales y actuales de los niños, factores alimentares...

Composição corporal de idosos segundo a antropometria / Body composition of elderly by anthropometry

Resumo Objetivo: Descrever o perfil antropométrico e a composição corporal de idosos por meio da antropometria, analisando a aplicabilidade das equações de predição de Petroski (1995) e de Durnin & Womersley (1974).Métodos: Foram avaliados 37 idosos de ambos os gêneros. As medições antropométricas foram realizadas segundo as diretrizes daInternational Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry, e determinaram as variáveis massa corporal, estatura, oito dobras cutâneas e sete perímetros musculares. Calcularam-se índice de massa corporal (IMC), relação cintura-quadril (RCQ), somatório de cinco dobras cutâneas e densidade corporal pelas equações de predição para idosos de Petroski (1995) e de Durnin & Womersley (1974) com conversão ao percentual de gordura (%G) pela equação de Siri (1961). Para posterior discussão, aplicou-se o teste t Student (p<0,05).Resultados: As variáveis idade, massa corporal, estatura e IMC não diferiram entre os gêneros. O somatório de cinco dobras cutâneas resultou em eutrofia para ambos os gêneros. A RCQ indicou "risco moderado" para homens e "risco alto" para mulheres, de complicações metabólicas. A equação de Durnin & Womersley (1974) subestimou nos indivíduos do gênero masculino e superestimou no gênero feminino o %G obtido pela equação de Petroski (1995), respectivamente. Por ambas as equações, os indivíduos do gênero feminino apresentaram %G superior aos do gênero masculino. Conclusões:Os indivíduos de ambos os gêneros apresentam elevada adiposidade corporal, especialmente na região omental. A equação de Petroski (1995) atendeu de modo satisfatório aos critérios de aplicação utilizados e mostrou ser adequada para a população em questão.

Abstract Objective: To describe anthropometric profile and body composition of elderly by anthropometry and evaluate the applicability of Petroski (1995) and Durnin & Womerseley (1974) protocols.Methods: We evaluated 37 elderly individuals of both genders. The anthropometric measurements were performed according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry and established the variables weight, height, eight skinfolds and seven muscle girths. It was calculated body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), sum of five skinfolds and body density by Petroski (1995) and Durnin & Womersley (1974) elderly protocols with the conversion to percentage of body fat (%BF) by Siri (1961) protocol. For further discussion, it was applied the Studentt test (p<0.05). Results: Age, weight, height and BMI did not differ between genders. The sum of five skinfolds resulted in normal range for both genders. The WHR indicated "moderate risk" for men, and "high risk" for women to develop metabolic complications. The Durnin & Womersley (1974) protocol underestimated in male subjects and overestimated in female subjects the %BF obtained by the equation of Petroski (1995), respectively. For both protocols, female subjects showed higher %BF than male subjects. Conclusions: We conclude that individuals of both genders have high body fat, especially in the abdominal region. The Petroski (1995) protocol answered satisfactorily to the applying criteria used and showed to be adequate for this population.

Conhecimento nutricional e sua associação com o índice de massa corporal / Nutritional knowledge and its association with the body mass index

The number of individuals with excess body weight has been growingalarmingly in recent times, a fact attributed, in part, to changes in the quality of the diet consumed. The nutritional knowledge has been suggested by some researches to be able to directly infl uence food selection, and possibly may be associated with nutritional status. So, the objective of this study was to evaluate the association of nutritional knowledge level with Body Mass Index and levelof education. The sample consisted of 42 male (n=9) and female (n=33)individuals, aged 24-59 years, who were receiving nutritional monitoring ina rehabilitation center located in Sao Paulo city, Brazil. The anthropometricdata measured were body weight and height, and the Body Mass Index (bodyweight/height2) was calculated. The nutrition knowledge was measuredusing a previously validated questionnaire for the Brazilian population. It was possible to check that, generally, both groups showed moderate and low nutrition knowledge, and women had a signifi cantly higher score than men (p<0.05). However, no signifi cant correlation between the questionnaire score and the Body Mass Index were observed (r=0.16), while the latter was positively correlated with the degree of education (r=0.31, p<0.05). The results suggest that the nutritional knowledge does not seem to be determinant in food selection, and highlights the importance of nutrition strategies aimed to incorporating nutritional knowledge in promoting healthy habits.

El número de personas con exceso de peso corporal ha crecido de manera alarmante enlos últimos tiempos, un hecho atribuido, en parte, a los cambios en la calidad de la dieta consumida. El conocimiento nutricional de la población ha sido propuesto por algunos sondeos como un indicador capaz de influirdirectamente en la selección de alimentos por las personas, refl ejándose probablemente en su estadonutricional. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el nivel de conocimiento nutricional, el Índice de Masa Corporal y la escolaridad. La muestra para este trabajo estuvocompuesta de 42 personas, nueve hombres y 33 mujeres, con edades comprendidas entre 24 y 59 años, que efectuaban acompañamientonutricional en un centro de rehabilitaciónubicado en São Paulo, Brasil. Los datosantropométricos medidos fueron peso y altura, calculándose el Índice de Masa Corporal (peso corporal/altura2). El conocimiento nutricional fue evaluado utilizando un cuestionario previamente validado para la poblaciónbrasileña. En general, es posible observar que ambos grupos mostraron conocimiento nutricional entre bajo y moderado, las mujeres con una puntuación significativamentemayor que los hombres (p<0,05). Sin embargo, no hay correlación significativa entre la puntuación en el cuestionario y el Índice de Masa Corporal (r=0,16), mientras el cuestionario se correlacionó positivamente con el grado deeducación (r=0,31, p<0,05). Los resultados sugieren que el conocimiento de nutrición no parece ser determinante para la selección de alimentos, resaltando que la incorporación deeste conocimiento es una estrategia nutricional importante en la promoción de hábitos saludables.

O número de indivíduos com excesso de peso corporal vem crescendo de maneira preocupante nos últimos tempos, fato este atribuído, emparte, pelas mudanças na qualidade da dieta consumida. O conhecimento nutricional vem sendo proposto por algumas pesquisas como umindicador capaz de influenciar diretamente a seleção alimentar e, possivelmente, se associarcom o estado nutricional. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a associação do nível de conhecimento nutricional com o Índice de Massa Corporal e escolaridade. A amostra foicomposta por 42 indivíduos do gênero masculino (n=9) e feminino (n=33), com idade entre 24 e 59 anos, que realizavam acompanhamento nutricional em um centro de reabilitaçãolocalizado no município de São Paulo, Brasil. Os dados antropométricos mensurados foram peso corporal, estatura e calculado o Índice de Massa Corporal (peso corporal/estatura2).O conhecimento nutricional foi mensurado por meio de um questionário previamente validado para a população brasileira. Foi possível observar que, de modo geral, ambos os grupos apresentaram conhecimento nutricional baixo e moderado, sendo mulheres com a pontuação significativamente maior que homens (p<0,05).Porém, não houve correlação significativa entre a pontuação obtida no questionário com o Índice de Massa Corporal (r=0,16), enquantoque essa foi positivamente correlacionada com o grau de escolaridade (r=0,31; p<0,05). Osresultados obtidos sugerem que o conhecimento nutricional pareça não ser determinante na seleção alimentar, destacando-se assim aimportância de estratégias nutricionais que visem à incorporação do conhecimento em nutrição na promoção de hábitos saudáveis.

Impregnation of an intraocular lens for ophthalmic drug delivery.

In this work the possibility of impregnating P(MMA-EHA-EGDMA) with flurbiprofen using a clean and environmentally friendly technology, namely supercritical fluid technology was evaluated. P(MMA-EHA-EGDMA) has been proposed as a promising matrix to be used for intraocular delivery of anti-inflammatory drugs used in eye surgery and flurbiprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Fundamental studies like, the solubility of the drug in carbon dioxide, as well as the sorption degree of this polymeric matrix in the presence of carbon dioxide have been previously carried out. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of these two variables in the impregnation process. Different experimental conditions were tested and the results obtained suggest that the best impregnating conditions for this system are low temperatures and pressures, which at the same time correspond to a lower solubility of the drug in the supercritical fluid and a low swelling of the polymeric matrix. Experiments performed also indicate that the batch impregnation process leads to higher yields of impregnation and according to the release profiles obtained the drug can be released from the matrix up to three months, which presents great advantages for post-surgical treatments.

Preparation and characterization of flurbiprofen-loaded poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) microspheres.

Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microspheres containing flurbiprofen were prepared by an oil-in-water emulsion solvent evaporation method, in order to develop a particulate drug delivery system for localized administration. A response surface method (RSM) using a central composite design was employed to evaluate the effect of the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) (%, w/v) concentration in the aqueous phase and the PHBV concentration in the organic phase (%, w/v) on some of the resulting microspheres properties. The response variables were the encapsulation efficiency (EE), the mean particle size, the width of particle size distribution (expressed by the SPAN value) and the required time for the in vitro release of 50% of the encapsulated drug (t(50%)). Second-order polynomial and linear equations were fitted to experimental data and were also used to interpret the results. Results indicated that the concentration of the stabilizer (PVA) showed a highly negative effect on the EE probably due to the increased drug solubility in the aqueous phase as a result of the higher PVA concentrations. Particle diameter mean size increased with the increased polymer concentration while the width of the particle size distribution was found to decrease with the increase of the stabilizer agent. Finally, results indicated that none of the investigated variables presented a significant effect on the t(50%) values.

Perfil antropométrico de indivíduos com lesão medular / Anthropometric profile of individuals with spinal cord injury

The number of individuals with spinal cord injury has grown substantiallyin recent years, and these individuals are more susceptible to the development of metabolic alterations reflected, in general, as acute and chronic changes in body composition. Despite its importance, anthropometric reference data of these subjects are scarce in literature. This study aims to outline the anthropometric profile and assess the body composition of adult individuals with spinal cord injury through anthropometry, analyzing the application of the Bulbulian?s equation. The anthropometric measurements were performed according to the guidelines of the International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK) collecting the following variables: body mass, stature, nine skinfolds (abdominal, supraspinale, iliac crest, subscapular, triceps, biceps, breast, front thigh and medial calf), eight girths (wrist, forearm, relaxed arm, neck, chest, waist, mid thigh and calf) and nine breadths (biacromial, transverse chest, anterior-posterior chest depth, biiliocristal, bitrochanteric, biepicondylar humerus, wrist breadth, biepicondylar femur, and maleolar). Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistica software. Male and female individuals presented an average age of 31.3 + 13.4 and 47.2 + 13.9 years; average body mass of 71.2 + 14.0 and 62.8 + 13.1kg; average sum of five skinfolds of 121.6 + 42.3 and 137.9 + 30.3mm, and average percentage of fat (% G) of 34.4 + 9.4 and 33.6 + 9.2%, respectively. Male and female individuals, therefore, have high body adiposity, a result which is coincident with international studies.Statistical analysis proved that Bulbulian's equation allows predicting thebody adiposity with reasonable accuracy.

El número de portadores con lesión medular ha crecido considerablemente en los últimos años. Estos individuos son más susceptibles al desarrollo de disfunciones que se traducen, en esencia, en modificaciones agudas y crónicas en la composición corporal. A pesar de su importancia, los datos antropométricos de referencia en esta población son escasos en laliteratura. El objetivo del trabajo fue trazar el perfil antropométrico, evaluar la composición corporal de individuos adultos con lesión medular a través de la antropometría y evaluar la aplicación de la ecuación de Bulbulian. Lasmediciones se realizaron según las directrices de la International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK) y se estimaron lasvariables: peso, talla, nueve pliegues cutáneos (abdominal, supraespinal, suprailíaco, subscapular, tríceps, bíceps, pectoral, muslo medio y pierna medial), ocho perímetros (muñeca, antebrazo, brazo relajado, cuello,tórax, cintura, muslo medio y pierna) y nueve diámetros (biacromial, tórax transverso, tórax anteroposterior, biiliocristal, bitrocantérico, biepicondíleo de húmero, bioestiloídeo de muñeca, bicondíleo de fémur, y bimaleolar).Para el análisis de los datos fue empleado el software Statistica. Los individuos, hombres y mujeres, tenían una edad media de 31,3 ± 13,4y 47,2 ± 13,9 años; promedio de masa corporal de 71,2 ± 14,0 y 62,8 ± 13,1 kg, el promedio de la sumatoria de cinco pliegues cutáneos (?5DC)de 121,6 ± 42,3 y 137,9 ± 30,3 mm, y porcentaje medio de grasa (%G) de 34,4 ± 9,4 y 33,6 ± 9,2%, respectivamente. Los individuos de ambos sexos, por lo tanto, presentaron una alta adiposidad corporal, resultado que coincide con estudios internacionales. El análisis estadístico demostróque la ecuación de Bulbulian permite predecir la adiposidad corporal con razonable precisión.

O número de indivíduos portadores de lesão medular cresce substancialmente, sendo estes mais suscetíveis ao desenvolvimento de alterações metabólicas refletidas, de modo geral, como alterações agudas e crônicas na composição corporal. Apesar de sua importância, há escassez de informações antropométricas de referência na literatura para esta população. O presente estudo visa traçar o perfil antropométrico e avaliar a composição corporal de adultos lesados medulares por meio da antropometria, analisando a aplicação da equação de Bulbulian. As medições antropométricas foram realizadas segundo as diretrizes da International Society for the Advancement of Kineanthropometry (ISAK),empregando-se as variáveis: massa corporal, estatura, nove dobras cutâneas (abdominal, supra-espinal, supra-ilíaca, subescapular,triceptal, biceptal, peitoral, medial da coxa e panturrilha), oito perímetros musculares (punho, antebraço, braço relaxado, pescoço, tórax, cintura, coxa medial e panturrilha) e nove diâmetros ósseos (biacromial, tórax transverso, tórax ântero-posterior, íleo-cristal, bitrocantérica, biepicôndilo umeral, biestilóide, biepicôndilo femoral e bimaleolar). A análise dos dados foi conduzida pelo Software Statistica. Os indivíduos do gênero masculino e feminino apresentaram idade média de 31,3 ± 13,4 e 47,2 ± 13,9 anos;massa corporal média de 71,2 ± 14,0 e 62,8 ± 13,1kg; somatório médio de cinco dobras cutâneas (?5DC) de 121,6 ± 42,3 e 137,9 ± 30,3mm; e percentual de gordura (%G) médio de 34,4 ± 9,4 e 33,6 ± 9,2%,respectivamente. Os indivíduos de ambos os gêneros, portanto, apresentam elevada adiposidade corporal, resultado coincidente aode estudos internacionais. A análise estatística comprovou que a equação de Bulbulian permite prever a adiposidade corporal com razoável exatidão.