ABSTRACT
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases (IPD) remain a challenge for medicine due to several interconnected reasons, such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is an overlooked IPD causing persistent skin ulcers that are challenging to heal, resulting in disfiguring scars. Moreover, it has the potential to extend from the skin to the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat in both humans and various animals. Given the limited effectiveness and AMR of current drugs, the exploration of new substances has emerged as a promising alternative for ATL treatment. Arrabidaea brachypoda (DC). Bureau is a native Brazilian plant rich in dimeric flavonoids, including Brachydin (BRA), which displays antimicrobial activity, but still little has been explored regarding the development of therapeutic formulations. In this work, we present the design of a low-cost liquid formulation based on the use of Pluronic F127 for encapsulation of high BRA concentration (LF-B500). The characterization techniques revealed that BRA-loaded F127 micelles are well-stabilized in an unusual worm-like form. The in vitro cytotoxicity assay demonstrated that LF-B500 was non-toxic to macrophages but efficient in the inactivation of forms of Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes with IC50 of 16.06 µg/mL. The results demonstrated that LF-B500 opened a new perspective on the use of liquid formulation-based natural products for ATL treatment.
ABSTRACT
Various photocatalytic nanomaterials for environmental remediation have been promoted due to the pollution caused by different organic pollutants. In this study, Nb2O5 nanofibers were obtained by electrospinning technique, presenting controlled crystallinity and high specific surface area to improve the photoactivity response. The structural characterization indicated Nb2O5 nanofibers with orthorhombic phase formation. The photoluminescence measurements showed different energy levels contributing to the electronic transition events. The nanofibers with a bandgap up to 3.6 eV were applied to photocatalysis of dyes (rhodamine B (RhB) or methylene blue (MB)) and fluoxetine (FLX), listed as an emergent pollutant. In the optimized condition (pH = 9), the RhB and MB photocatalysis was 59% and 93% more efficient than photolysis due to ζ = - 50 mV ± 5 for EtOH_550 sample increased interaction with MB (cationic) compared to RhB unprotonated (pKa = 3.7). Therefore, FLX (pKa = 10.7) was selected due to protonated form at pH = 9 and showed 68% ± 1 adsorption in 30 min for EtOH_550. The FLX photocatalytic degradation under UV light irradiation was up to 17% higher than the photolytic degradation. The formation of hydroxyl radicals in the photocatalytic system (EtOH_550) was proven by the Coumarine probe assay, corroborating with the greater amount of α-[2-(methylamino)ethyl]benzylalcohol (MAEB), a by-product obtained after FLX oxidation. Additionally, the material achieved specific catalytic activity for the different organic compounds (RhB, MB, or FLX). Therefore, Nb2O5 nanofibers were efficient for degrading three different pollutants under UV light, proving a viable alternative for environmental remediation.
Subject(s)
Environmental Pollutants , Nanofibers , Catalysis , Niobium , Photolysis , TitaniumABSTRACT
Dementia is a public health issue making the screening and diagnosing of dementia and its prodromal phases in all health settings imperative. OBJECTIVE: using PRISMA, this systematic review aimed to identify how low-, middle-, and high-income countries establish dementia and cognitive dysfunction diagnoses in primary health care. METHODS: studies from the past five years in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, and Web of Science. Of 1987 articles, 33 were selected for analysis. RESULTS: only three articles were from middle-income countries and there were no studies from low-income countries. The most used instrument was the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia criteria were based on experts' recommendation as well as on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), respectively. CONCLUSION: differences between these criteria among high- and middle-income countries were observed.
Demência é uma questão de saúde pública logo, rastrear e diagnosticar demência e suas fases prodrômicas em todos os níveis de atenção à saúde é imperativo. OBJETIVO: uilizando o PRISMA, esta revisão sistemática verificou como os países de baixa, média e alta renda realizam o diagnóstico de demência e disfunção cognitiva na atenção primária. MÉTODOS: estudos dos últimos cinco anos, em inglês, português e espanhol foram obtidos no Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, e Web of Science. De 1987 artigos, 33 foram selecionados para a análise. RESULTADOS: três artigos eram de países de média renda e nenhum de baixa renda. O Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) foi o instrumento mais utilizado. Os diagnósticos de Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve (CCL) e demência foram baseados em recomendações de especialistas e no Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM)/Classificação Internacional de Doenças (CID-10), respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: houve diferenças para estes critérios entre países de alta e média renda.
ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT. Dementia is a public health issue making the screening and diagnosing of dementia and its prodromal phases in all health settings imperative. Objective: using PRISMA, this systematic review aimed to identify how low-, middle-, and high-income countries establish dementia and cognitive dysfunction diagnoses in primary health care. Methods: studies from the past five years in English, Spanish, and Portuguese were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, and Web of Science. Of 1987 articles, 33 were selected for analysis. Results: only three articles were from middle-income countries and there were no studies from low-income countries. The most used instrument was the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia criteria were based on experts' recommendation as well as on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), respectively. Conclusion: differences between these criteria among high- and middle-income countries were observed.
RESUMO. Demência é uma questão de saúde pública logo, rastrear e diagnosticar demência e suas fases prodrômicas em todos os níveis de atenção à saúde é imperativo. Objetivo: uilizando o PRISMA, esta revisão sistemática verificou como os países de baixa, média e alta renda realizam o diagnóstico de demência e disfunção cognitiva na atenção primária. Métodos: estudos dos últimos cinco anos, em inglês, português e espanhol foram obtidos no Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Lilacs, Scielo, e Web of Science. De 1987 artigos, 33 foram selecionados para a análise. Resultados: três artigos eram de países de média renda e nenhum de baixa renda. O Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) foi o instrumento mais utilizado. Os diagnósticos de Comprometimento Cognitivo Leve (CCL) e demência foram baseados em recomendações de especialistas e no Manual Diagnóstico e Estatístico de Transtornos Mentais (DSM)/Classificação Internacional de Doenças (CID-10), respectivamente. Conclusão: houve diferenças para estes critérios entre países de alta e média renda.
