The influence of light intensities and micropollutants on the removal of total coliforms and E. coli from wastewater in a flat-panel photobioreactor.

The presence of micropollutants and pathogens in sanitary wastewater and surface water is a growing concern that impacts public health, environmental balance and the maintenance of water supply services. To improve sanitary wastewater treatment, it is necessary to develop and improve sustainable technologies. Among the available options, microalgae-based systems stand out for their efficiency and generation of value-added byproducts. To study the impact of luminosity and the presence of micropollutants (13 selected) on the removal of E. coli and total coliforms from real anaerobically treated wastewater, a pilot flat-panel photobioreactor (50 L) was operated in batch mode in a tropical climate region. This is the first study to evaluate whether micropollutants interfere with coliform groups, considering a microalgae-based system and an experiment in a tropical climate region. E. coli had better removal (from 104 to 101 CFU 100 mL-1) than did total coliforms (from 104 to 103 CFU 100 mL-1). The removal of E. coli was more strongly linked to luminosity and temperature, while the removal of total coliforms was influenced by the presence of the selected micropollutants.

Antiaging effects of a skin care formulation containing nanoencapsulated antioxidants: A clinical, in vitro, and ex vivo study.

BACKGROUND: The development of effective cosmetic products for the reduction of the signs of skin aging is a complex process which requires an optimized combination of ingredients and specialized systems to deliver the actives to the skin layers. AIM: To evaluate the tolerance and antiaging clinical efficacy of a cosmetic formulation containing a blend of nanoencapsulated antioxidants: ascorbyl palmitate, resveratrol, tocopherol, caffeine, carnosine, and niacinamide. METHODS: Clinical efficacy was determined by subjective and instrumental analyses of collagen synthesis by fluorescence spectroscopy, by three-dimensional imaging analysis of suborbital edema, and by analysis of skin hydration and sebum content by biophysical techniques-Corneometer® and Sebumeter®. RESULTS: The studied formulation was safe and effective for the improvement of skin appearance by increasing collagen synthesis and skin moisturizing and by reducing facial blemishes, swelling, and oiliness. A preclinical exploratory approach using an experimental model of human cell and skin cultures agreed with the observed antiaging effects, identifying mechanisms related to the containment of oxidative stress, reduction of melanin production, increased synthesis of type I procollagen, and regulation of the epidermal cohesion protein filaggrin. CONCLUSIONS: The skin benefits obtained resulted from the combination of the ingredients in the formulation and the nanoencapsulation-based delivery system, which favors the solubility, safety, efficacy, and bioavailability of the preparation to the skin.

Biofertilizers from wastewater treatment as a potential source of mineral nutrients for growth of amaranth plants.

Exploring alternative fertilizers is crucial in agriculture due to the cost and environmental impact of inorganic options. This study investigated the potential of sewage-derived biofertilizers on the growth and physiology of Amaranthus cruentus plants. Various treatments were compared, including control treatments with inorganic fertilizer and treatments with biofertilizers composed of microalgae, biosolids and reclaimed water. The following traits were investigated: photosynthetic pigments, gas exchange, growth, and leaf nutrient concentrations. The results showed that the concentrations of N, P, Cu, Fe Zn and Na nutrients, in the dry microalgae and biosolids, were quite high for the needs of the plants. The wet microalgae presented high concentration of Cu, Fe and Zn nutrients while reclaimed water contained high concentration of N, K, Ca and S. Na and Zn nutrients increased in the leaf of plants treated with dry microalgae and biosolid, respectively. At the beginning of the flowering phase, total chlorophyll and carotenoids contents were lower for plants grown with wet microalgae while for plants grown with higher doses of biosolid or reclaimed water total chlorophyll was increased, and carotenoids were not affected. Lower photosynthetic pigments under wet microalgae resulted in lower photosynthetic rates. On the other hand, amendments with dry microalgae and biosolid increased photosynthetic rates with the biosolid being the most effective. Higher applications of biosolid, wet and dry microalgae produced a considerable increase in shoot biomass of amaranth, with the dry microalgae being the most effective. Additionally, reclaimed water obtained after tertiary treatment of sewage with microalgae and biosolids applied alone showed promising effects on plant growth. Overall, these findings suggest that organic fertilizers derived from sewage treatment have the potential to enhance plant growth and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices.

Improved Local Anesthesia at Inflamed Tissue Using the Association of Articaine and Copaiba Oil in Avocado Butter Nanostructured Lipid Carriers.

Unsuccessful anesthesia often occurs under an inflammatory tissue environment, making dentistry treatment extremely painful and challenging. Articaine (ATC) is a local anesthetic used at high (4%) concentrations. Since nanopharmaceutical formulations may improve the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, we encapsulated ATC in nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) aiming to increase the anesthetic effect on the inflamed tissue. Moreover, the lipid nanoparticles were prepared with natural lipids (copaiba (Copaifera langsdorffii) oil and avocado (Persia gratissima) butter) that added functional activity to the nanosystem. NLC-CO-A particles (~217 nm) showed an amorphous lipid core structure according to DSC and XDR. In an inflammatory pain model induced by λ-carrageenan in rats, NLC-CO-A improved (30%) the anesthetic efficacy and prolonged anesthesia (3 h) in relation to free ATC. In a PGE2-induced pain model, the natural lipid formulation significantly reduced (~20%) the mechanical pain when compared to synthetic lipid NLC. Opioid receptors were involved in the detected analgesia effect since their blockage resulted in pain restoration. The pharmacokinetic evaluation of the inflamed tissue showed that NLC-CO-A decreased tissue ATC elimination rate (ke) by half and doubled ATC's half-life. These results present NLC-CO-A as an innovative system to break the impasse of anesthesia failure in inflamed tissue by preventing ATC accelerated systemic removal by the inflammatory process and improving anesthesia by its association with copaiba oil.

DoE development of ionic gradient liposomes: A successful approach to improve encapsulation, prolong anesthesia and decrease the toxicity of etidocaine.

Etidocaine (EDC) is a long-acting local anesthetic of the aminoamide family whose use was discontinued in 2008 for alleged toxicity issues. Ionic gradient liposomes (IGL) are nanostructured carriers for which an inner/outer gradient of ions increases drug upload. This work describes IGLEDC, a formulation optimized by Design of Experiments, composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine:cholesterol:EDC, and characterized by DLS, NTA, TEM/Cryo-TEM, DSC and 1H NMR. The optimized IGL showed significant encapsulation efficiency (41 %), good shelf stability (180 days) and evidence of EDC interaction with the lipid bilayer (as seen by DSC and 1H NMR results) that confirms its membrane permeation. In vitro (release kinetics and cytotoxicity) tests showed that the encapsulation of EDC into the IGL promoted sustained release for 24 h and decreased by 50 % the intrinsic toxicity of EDC to Schwann cells. In vivo IGLEDC decreased the toxicity of EDC to Caenorhabditis elegans by 25 % and extended its anesthetic effect by one hour, after infiltrative administration, at clinically used (0.5 %) concentration, in rats. Thus, this novel drug delivery system is a promise for the possible reintroduction of EDC in clinics, aiming at the control of operative and postoperative pain.

Effectiveness of resveratrol as a hepatoprotector in a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury / Eficácia do resveratrol como hepatoprotetor em modelo de rato com lesão hepática induzida por paracetamol

Objective: Evaluate the effectiveness of resveratrol as a hepatoprotector in a rat model of paracetamol-induced liver injury and its biodistribution to understand its pharmacokinetics. Methodology: As an experimental approach, animals were divided into the test group with 4 subgroups and the control group with 4 subgroups. Animals of the "treated" group were subjected to resveratrol pre-treatment for eight days, followed by intoxication with a high dose of paracetamol on the 8th day. Animals were euthanized to collect the blood and liver tissue samples 24 and 72 h after the last administration. Hepatoprotective activity was evaluated through serum levels of glycogen and hepatic enzymes, such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), histological and morphometric analysis of the liver tissue. For biodistribution analysis, different organs (organs, kidneys, heart and lungs) were collected and macerated, and resveratrol was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Statistical analyses of morphometry, transaminases and alkaline phosphatase measurements, and biodistribution results were performed using GraphPad Prism® 3.0. Differences between groups were compared using ANOVA, followed by the Bonferroni test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Resveratrol has a hepatoprotective action against acute intoxication by paracetamol, as evidenced by the histological decrease in necrosis and inflammatory foci, preservation of glycogen and other 1,2-glycols in zone 3, and reduction of serum ALT and AST levels. An increased presence of collagen was observed in acinar zones 1 and 3 with picrosirius red staining; therefore, quantification was performed in these regions showing smaller collagen areas in the R and RP groups than in the PC and NC groups Paracetamol caused a significant reduction in the resveratrol concentration in serum and the organs studied, indicating that the antioxidant activity of resveratrol is related to its hepatoprotective action. Conclusion: Resveratrol has hepatoprotective properties and can mitigate some of the liver damage caused by high doses of paracetamol, as indicated by changes in tissue characteristics and liver enzyme levels.

Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia do resveratrol como hepatoprotetor em modelo de rato com lesão hepática induzida por paracetamol e sua biodistribuição para compreender sua farmacocinética. Metodologia: Como abordagem experimental, os animais foram divididos em grupo teste com 4 subgrupos e grupo controle com 4 subgrupos. Os animais do grupo "tratado" foram submetidos ao pré-tratamento com resveratrol durante oito dias, seguido de intoxicação com alta dose de paracetamol no oitavo dia. Os animais foram eutanasiados para coleta de amostras de sangue e tecido hepático 24 e 72 horas após a última administração. A atividade hepatoprotetora foi avaliada através dos níveis séricos de glicogênio e de enzimas hepáticas, como aspartato aminotransferase (AST), alanina aminotransferase (ALT) e fosfatase alcalina (ALP), análise histológica e morfométrica do tecido hepático. Para análise de biodistribuição, diferentes órgãos (órgãos, rins, coração e pulmões) foram coletados e macerados, e o resveratrol foi quantificado por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência. Análises estatísticas de morfometria, medidas de transaminases e fosfatase alcalina e resultados de biodistribuição foram realizadas utilizando GraphPad Prism® 3.0. As diferenças entre os grupos foram comparadas por meio de ANOVA, seguida do teste de Bonferroni. A significância estatística foi estabelecida em p < 0,05. Resultados: O resveratrol tem ação hepatoprotetora contra a intoxicação aguda por paracetamol, evidenciada pela diminuição histológica da necrose e dos focos inflamatórios, preservação do glicogênio e outros 1,2-glicóis na zona 3 e redução dos níveis séricos de ALT e AST. Foi observada presença aumentada de colágeno nas zonas acinares 1 e 3 com coloração picrosirius red; portanto, foi realizada quantificação nessas regiões mostrando menores áreas de colágeno nos grupos tratados com resveratrol e resveratrol associado com paracetamol do que nos grupos controles positivo e negativo. O paracetamol causou redução significativa na concentração de resveratrol no soro e nos órgãos estudados, indicando que a atividade antioxidante do resveratrol está relacionada à sua ação hepatoprotetora. Conclusão: O resveratrol possui propriedades hepatoprotetoras e pode mitigar alguns dos danos hepáticos causados por altas doses de paracetamol, conforme indicado por alterações nas características dos tecidos e nos níveis de enzimas hepáticas.

Docetaxel Loaded in Copaiba Oil-Nanostructured Lipid Carriers as a Promising DDS for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Breast cancer is the neoplasia of highest incidence in women worldwide. Docetaxel (DTX), a taxoid used to treat breast cancer, is a BCS-class-IV compound (low oral bioavailability, solubility and intestinal permeability). Nanotechnological strategies can improve chemotherapy effectiveness by promoting sustained release and reducing systemic toxicity. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) encapsulate hydrophobic drugs in their blend-of-lipids matrix, and imperfections prevent drug expulsion during storage. This work describes the preparation, by design of experiments (23 factorial design) of a novel NLC formulation containing copaiba oil (CO) as a functional excipient. The optimized formulation (NLCDTX) showed approximately 100% DTX encapsulation efficiency and was characterized by different techniques (DLS, NTA, TEM/FE-SEM, DSC and XRD) and was stable for 12 months of storage, at 25 °C. Incorporation into the NLC prolonged drug release for 54 h, compared to commercial DTX (10 h). In vitro cytotoxicity tests revealed the antiproliferative effect of CO and NLCDTX, by reducing the cell viability of breast cancer (4T1/MCF-7) and healthy (NIH-3T3) cells more than commercial DTX. NLCDTX thus emerges as a promising drug delivery system of remarkable anticancer effect, (strengthened by CO) and sustained release that, in clinics, may decrease systemic toxicity at lower DTX doses.

Effect of the addition of Euterpe oleracea Mart. extract on the properties of starch-based sachets and the impact on the shelf-life of olive oil.

This study aimed to produce and characterized active biodegradable packages by extrusion of cassava starch, biodegradable polyester, plasticizer, and acai extract (EA 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4%) and to evaluate its effects on extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) for 120 days. All analyses were performed at the beginning (day 0) and the end of the experiment (day 120). The oil was characterized for acidity index (IA), peroxide index (IP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), conjugated dienes (CD), phenolic compounds (PC) and color parameters. The incorporation of EA at the initial time caused increased thickness, mechanical properties, solubility in water and oil in all formulations. The some values of properties increased or decreased, due to the interaction of the stored product and packaging. At the end of the storage period, the values of IA and IP were below the limits established by current legislation. The EVOO showed a gradual decrease in PC from day 1 to day 120, for all treatments.

Interaction of Carthamus oil, chromium picolinate and glyburide in blood glucose and its impact on liver enzymes and lipid profile in diabetes-induced rats

SUMMARY Introduction: Carthamus oil is a compound that has the potential to be used in numerous applications due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. Chromium picolinate has been indicated for the control of insulin resistance. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Carthamus oil (30 mg/kg) and chromium picolinate (5 µg/kg) interaction with oral glyburide in chemically diabetes-induced Wistar rats and its influence on drug therapy. Method: Diabetes mellitus was induced with streptozotocin, and the animals were randomized into experimental groups (n= 6/group), who received gastric gavage treatments for ten days, G1: control, G2: diabetic and received glyburide, G3: diabetic and received the interaction of Carthamus oil and chromium picolinate, G4: diabetic and received the interaction ofglyburide, Carthamus oil and chromium picolinate. After the treatment period, fasting blood glucose, post-sucrose blood glucose, total cholesterol and triglyceride levels, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in blood serum were compared, in addition to urine analysis. Results: In this study, the only altered parameters were the post-sucrose blood glucose measurement with the lowest result for G4 (P <0.05) and the ALT measurement, with lower values for G4 (P <0.05) compared to G1. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the unprecedented interaction of Carthamus oil, chromium picolinate and glyburide contributed to the reduction of blood glucose and serum levels of ALT in diabetic rats and is promising for future studies in humans.

Introdução: o óleo de cártamo (Carthamus oil) tem sido utilizado em diversas aplicações devido suas ações antiinflamatória, antioxidante, imunomoduladora e neuro protetora. O picolinato de cromo tem sido indicado para o controle da resistência à insulina. Objetivo: avaliar o efeito da interação de óleo de cártamo (30 mg/kg) e picolinato de cromo (5 µg/kg) com glibenclamida em ratos com diabetes induzida. Metodologia: a indução de diabetes mellitus foi realizada com injeção intra-peritoneal de estreptozotocina e os animais foram aleatoriamente distribuidos em grupos experimentais (n= 6/grupo), que receberam os tratamentos por gavagem gástrica durante dez dias, G1: controle, G2: grupo diabético que recebeu gliben-clamida, G3: grupo diabético que recebeu óleo de cártamo e picolinato de cromo, G4: grupo diabético que recebeu glibenclamida, óleo de cártamo e picolinato de cromo. Após os dias de tratamento via oral, determinou-se o peso corpóreo, glicemia de jejum, colesterol total, triglicerideos, glicemia após uma hora de gavagem gástrica com sacarose, transaminases hepáticas e a avaliação da urina. Resultados: a análise estatistica dos dados indicou que os únicos parâmetros alterados foram a glicemia após a ingestão de sacarose, os menores valores obtidos foram em G4 (P <0.05) e a redução dos niveis séricos de ALT em G4 (P <0.05) quando comparados com G1. Conclusão: a interação inédita do óleo de cártamo, picolinato de cromo e glibencla-mida contribuiu para a redução da glicose sanguinea e dos niveis séricos de ALT em ratos diabéticos, é promissora para estudos futuros em humanos.

Introducción: el aceite de cártamo (Carthamus oil) se ha utilizado en diversas aplicaciones debido a sus propiedades antiinflamatorias, antioxidantes, inmunomodu-ladoras y neuroprotectoras. El picolinato de cromo ha sido indicado para el control de la resistencia a la insulina. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la interacción de aceite de cártamo (30 mg/kg) y picolinato de cromo (5 µg/kg) con glibenclamida en ratas con diabetes inducida. Metodología: la inducción de diabetes mellitus se realizó con inyección intraperitoneal de estreptozotocina y los animales se distribuyeron aleatoriamente en grupos experimentales (n= 6/grupo), los cuales recibieron tratamientos por sonda gástrica durante diez dias, G1: control, G2: grupo diabético que recibieron glibenclamida, G3: grupo diabético que recibió aceite de cártamo y picolinato de cromo, G4: grupo diabético que recibió glibenclamida, aceite de cártamo y picolinato de cromo. Después de los dias de tratamiento oral, se determinó peso corporal, glucosa en ayunas, colesterol total, triglicéridos, glucosa después de una hora de sonda gástrica con sacarosa, transaminasas hepáticas y evaluación de orina. Resultados: el análisis estadistico de los datos indicó que los únicos parámetros alterados fueron la glucosa en sangre después de la ingesta de sacarosa, los valores más bajos obtenidos fueron en G4 (P <0,05) y la reducción de los niveles séricos de ALT en G4 (P <0,05) cuando en comparación con G1. Conclusión: la interacción sin precedentes del aceite de cártamo, el picolinato de cromo y la glibenclamida contribuyó a la reducción de los niveles de glucosa en sangre y ALT sérica en ratas diabéticas, es prometedora para futuros estudios en humanos.

Hybrid Nanobeads for Oral Indomethacin Delivery.

The oral administration of the anti-inflammatory indomethacin (INDO) causes severe gastrointestinal side effects, which are intensified in chronic inflammatory conditions when a continuous treatment is mandatory. The development of hybrid delivery systems associates the benefits of different (nano) carriers in a single system, designed to improve the efficacy and/or minimize the toxicity of drugs. This work describes the preparation of hybrid nanobeads composed of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) loading INDO (2%; w/v) and chitosan, coated by xanthan. NLC formulations were monitored in a long-term stability study (25 °C). After one year, they showed suitable physicochemical properties (size < 250 nm, polydispersity < 0.2, zeta potential of −30 mV and spherical morphology) and an INDO encapsulation efficiency of 99%. The hybrid (lipid-biopolymers) nanobeads exhibited excellent compatibility between the biomaterials, as revealed by structural and thermodynamic properties, monodisperse size distribution, desirable in vitro water uptake and prolonged in vitro INDO release (26 h). The in vivo safety of hybrid nanobeads was confirmed by the chicken embryo (CE) toxicity test, considering the embryos viability, weights of CE and annexes and changes in the biochemical markers. The results point out a safe gastro-resistant pharmaceutical form for further efficacy assays.

Estudo comparativo para avaliação da eficácia cicatrizante de formulações tópicas contendo Triticum aestivum L. (sinônimo Triticum vulgare) em modelo de pele humana nativa / Comparative study to evaluate the wound healing efficacy of topical formulations containing Triticum aestivum L. (Triticum vulgare) in a native human skin model

Introdução: extratos vegetais e ativos derivados de plantas tem sido desenvolvidos com o objetivo de melhorar e potencializar o processo de cicatrização cutânea, dentre eles, o Triticum aestivum L. (sinônimo Triticum vulgare). Objetivo: avaliar o efeito do extrato de grão inteiro (EGTA-PR) e extrato aquoso (EATA-FI) de Triticum aestivum L. na cicatrização cutânea em pele humana ex vivo. Métodos: fragmentos de pele obtidos de cirurgia plástica eletiva foram submetidos a lesões teciduais e tratados com os extratos durante oito dias para avaliação histológica da reepitelização e marcação proteica do fator de crescimento epidérmico (EGF). Resultados: EGTA-PR e EATA-FI aceleraram o processo de reepitelização em cultura de pele humana submetida a lesão tecidual. Adicionalmente, foi observado um aumento da marcação proteica de EGF após o tratamento com EGTA-PR. Conclusão: EGTA-PR apresentou um melhor desempenho na reepitelização quando comparado ao EATA-FI, pois apresentou uma maior marcação proteica para EGF em cultura de pele humana. Da mesma forma, os resultados histológicos mostraram que a redensificação dérmica obtida com o EGTA-PR foi visualmente superior à observada com EATA-FI. Os resultados obtidos são promissores e corroboram as diversas ações biológicas já reportadas na literatura para extrato de Triticum aestivum L. nas etapas da cicatrização tecidual.

Introduction: Plant extracts and actives derived from plants were developed to improve and enhance the skin healing process including Triticum aestivum L. (Triticum vulgare). Purpose: To evaluate the effect of whole grain extract (EGTA-PR) and aqueous extract (EATA-FI) of Triticum aestivum L., on ex vivo skin healing. Methods: Skin fragments obtained from elective plastic surgery were subjected to tissue damage and treated with extracts for eight days for histological evaluation of re-epithelialization and immunofluorescence for epidermal growth factor (EGF). Results: EGTA-PR and EATA-FI accelerated the re-epithelialization process in human skin culture submitted to tissue injury. Additionally, we observed increased EGF protein labeling after treatment with EGTA-PR. Conclusion: EGTA-PR showed a better performance in re-epithelialization when compared to EATA-FI, as it presented a higher protein labeling for EGF in human skin culture. Likewise, the histological results showed that the dermal redensification obtained with EGTA-PR was visually superior to that observed with EATA-FI. The results obtained are promising and corroborate the several biological actions already reported in the literature for Triticum aestivum L. extract in tissue healing stages

Tannin-based coagulant for harvesting microalgae cultivated in wastewater: Efficiency, floc morphology and products characterization.

Tannin-based coagulants (TBCs) have the potential to be used to harvest microalgae cultivated at wastewater treatment plants. Their use would address the circular economy associated with the production of low-toxicity biomass and supernatant. Studies in this field are still scarce, and substantial gaps exist in the definitions of the flocculation process parameters. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate TBC performance as a natural coagulant for harvesting microalgae biomass grown in sanitary effluent digested in an up flow biofilter, as well establishing a path to enable recovery and reuse of wastewater nutrients. Classical removal techniques combined with image analysis and light scattering-based equipment were used to evaluate the coagulant performance, recovery efficiency, floc strength, and floc recovery compared to aluminum sulfate (AS). The results showed that TBC was able to efficiently harvest algal biomass from the effluent, achieving color, turbidity, and optical density (OD) removal efficiencies greater than 90% with only 5 min of sedimentation. The optimal harvesting dosage was 100 mg·L-1 for TBC and 75 mg·L-1 for AS. TBC presented the advantage of harvesting biomass without changing the pH of the medium and was also able to present satisfactory removal of the analyzed parameters (color, turbidity and OD) at pH values of 5.0, 7.0, and 8.5. In addition, TBC produced stronger flocs than AS, showing a better ability to resist breakage upon sudden shear rate variations. TBC produced macronutrient-rich biomass and supernatant that was similar to that produced with AS.

Systematic review of the last 20 years of research on decentralized domestic wastewater treatment in Brazil: state of the art and potentials.

A DEWATS (decentralized wastewater treatment system) is an alternative for expanding sanitation. In Brazil, DEWATS is acknowledged by law and is part of the National Sanitation Plan strategy for achieving the treatment of 85.6% of all the generated wastewater by 2033, improving the current treatment index of 49%. This review's aim is to identify DEWATS studies in Brazil and to verify their potential for narrowing the national wastewater treatment deficit. Hence, aspects such as cost, maintenance, and efficiency were assessed. The archival research method (ARM) was used to identify papers published in the last 20 years through the scientific databases of Scopus, Science Direct, and Web of Science. Data regarding the general characteristics of each study were collected and compared to Brazilian environmental regulation and sanitation status. The results showed the evaluation of different technologies such as DEWATS, highlighting their flexibility and potential use in 79% of Brazilian counties. However, although 81% of the studies conducted performance analysis, none covered the main parameters required by Brazilian law. Although legal gaps for DEWATS improvement and consolidation have been identified and the interest in studying DEWATS has been increasing in the last five years, many barriers to their widespread use remain.

Instrumentos de avaliação em psicologia do esporte com evidências de validade no Brasil / Assessment instruments in sport psychology with evidence of validity in Brazil

A Psicologia do Esporte é um campo que tem ganhado destaque na construção da Psicologia como ciência e profissão no Brasil. Entretanto, não há medidas aprovadas pelo Conselho Federal de Psicologia para uso profissional, levando profissionais a utilizarem testes sem validade e confiabilidade. Dessa forma, o estudo teve por objetivo identificar instrumentos de avaliação esportiva com evidências de validade no Brasil. Para isso, foi realizada uma revisão integrativa, com levantamento na BVS-Psi, utilizando os descritores: psicometria AND esporte. Identificaram-se 39 produções que passaram pelos seguintes critérios de inclusão: artigo empírico, publicação entre 2009-2019, texto em português, disponível completo e amostra brasileira; e de exclusão: duplicidade e estudo sem objetivo de adaptação/validação. Foram selecionadas sete produções que permitiram identificar medidas de motivação, autoeficácia, afetividade, satisfação de necessidades e satisfação com a vida. Os instrumentos, apesar de não estarem aprovados para uso profissional pelo Conselho Federal de Psicologia, têm indícios de validade para o Brasil.

Sport Psychology has gained prominence in the construction of Psychology as a science and profession in Brazil. However, the Federal Council of Psychology has not approved any measures for professional use, causing professionals to use tests with no validity and reliability. Thus, this study aimed to identify sports assessment instruments with evidence of validity in Brazil. For such purpose, an integrative review was performed, with a survey in the BVS-Psi, using the descriptors: psychometry AND sport. It was identified 39 productions that passed the following inclusion criteria: empirical article, publication between 2009-2019, text in Portuguese, complete available and Brazilian sample; and exclusion: duplicity and study without adaptation/validation objective. Seven productions were selected, which allowed to identify measures of motivation, self-efficacy, affectivity, fulfillment of needs and satisfaction with life. The instruments, although not approved for professional use by the Federal Council of Psychology, have validity indicators for Brazil.

Antineoplastics Encapsulated in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers.

Ideally, antineoplastic treatment aims to selectively eradicate cancer cells without causing systemic toxicity. A great number of antineoplastic agents (AAs) are available nowadays, with well-defined therapeutic protocols. The poor bioavailability, non-selective action, high systemic toxicity, and lack of effectiveness of most AAs have stimulated the search for novel chemotherapy protocols, including technological approaches that provide drug delivery systems (DDS) for gold standard medicines. Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) are DDS that contain a core of solid and lipid liquids stabilised by surfactants. NLC have high upload capacity for lipophilic drugs, such as the majority of AAs. These nanoparticles can be prepared with a diversity of biocompatible (synthetic or natural) lipid blends, administered by different routes and functionalised for targeting purposes. This review focused on the research carried out from 2000 to now, regarding NLC formulations for AAs (antimetabolites, antimitotics, alkylating agents, and antibiotics) encapsulation, with special emphasis on studies carried out in vivo. NLC systems for codelivery of AAs were also considered, as well as those for non-classical drugs and therapies (natural products and photosensitisers). NLC have emerged as powerful DDS to improve the bioavailability, targeting and efficacy of antineoplastics, while decreasing their toxic effect in the treatment of different types of cancer.

Ex Vivo Human Skin: An Alternative Test System for Skin Irritation and Corrosion Assays.

Native human skin has been reported in the literature as being an important experimental model for studying skin biology. Studies performed by our group have shown that ex vivo skin, from elective plastic surgery, maintains the biological characteristics of native skin under specific culture conditions. As such, it might be a feasible model for the safety and efficacy testing of topical substances. While Brazil is at the forefront of global regulation implementation, Brazilian researchers are not always able to transfer certain widely used protocols to their laboratories, particularly protocols that involve the use of reconstructed tissues with limited viability, such as those for skin corrosion (OECD TG 431) and irritation testing (OECD TG 439). In this study, we investigated the applicability of the ex vivo skin model to the evaluation of irritation and corrosion potential of a number of proficiency substances described in TG 431 and TG 439. The skin fragments were standardised in size and diameter, and placed into cell culture inserts. The experimental protocol was conducted according to TG 431 and TG 439. The results obtained show that ex vivo skin could represent a promising tool for the evaluation of irritation and corrosion potential of substances (subject to inclusion and exclusion criteria), as recommended by OECD guidelines. While this is a proof-of-concept study, the use of ex vivo skin should be considered for such testing.

Prolonged anesthesia and decreased toxicity of enantiomeric-excess bupivacaine loaded in ionic gradient liposomes.

Bupivacaine is the most employed local anesthetic in surgical procedures, worldwide. Its systemic toxicity has directed the synthesis of the less toxic, S(-) enantiomer. This work describes a formulation of ionic gradient liposomes (IGL) containing S75BVC, an enantiomeric excess mixture of 75% S(-) and 25% R(+) bupivacaine. IGL prepared with 250 mM (NH4)2SO4 in the inner aqueous core of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol (3:2 mol%) vesicles plus 0.5% S75BVC showed average sizes of 312.5 ± 4.5 nm, low polydispersity (PDI < 0.18), negative zeta potentials (-14.2 ± 0.2 mV) and were stable for 360 days. The encapsulation efficiency achieved with IGLS75BVC (%EE = 38.6%) was higher than with IGL prepared with racemic bupivacaine (IGLRBVC, %EE = 28.3%). TEM images revealed spherical vesicles and µDSC analysis provided evidence on the interaction of the anesthetic with the lipid bilayer. Then, in vitro - release kinetics and cytotoxicity- and in vivo - toxic effects in Zebrafish and biochemical/histopathological analysis plus analgesia in Wistar rats - tests were performed. IGLS75BVC exhibited negligible toxicity against Schwann cells and Zebrafish larvae, and it did not affect biochemical markers or the morphology of rat tissues (heart, brain, cerebellum, sciatic nerve). The in vitro release of S75BVC from IGL was extended from 4 to 24 h, justifying the prolonged anesthetic effect measured in rats (~9 h). The advantages of IGLS75BVC formulation over IGLRBVC and plain bupivacaine formulations (prolonged anesthesia, preferential sensorial blockade, and no toxicity) confirm its potential for clinical use in surgical anesthesia.

Reference evapotranspiration of Brazil modeled with machine learning techniques and remote sensing.

Reference evapotranspiration (ETo) is a fundamental parameter for hydrological studies and irrigation management. The Penman-Monteith method is the standard to estimate ETo and requires several meteorological elements. In developing countries, the number of weather stations is insufficient. Thus, free products of remote sensing with evapotranspiration information must be used for this purpose. In this context, the objective of this study was to estimate monthly ETo from potential evapotranspiration (PET) made available by MOD16 product. In this study, the monthly ETo estimated by Penman-Monteith method was considered as the standard. For this, data from 265 weather station of the National Institute of Meteorology (INMET), spread all over the Brazilian territory, were acquired for the period from 2000 to 2014 (15 years). For these months, monthly PET values from MOD16 product for all Brazil were also downloaded. By using machine learning algorithms and information from WorldClim as covariates, ETo was estimated through images from the MOD16 product. To perform the modeling of ETo, eight regression algorithms were tested: multiple linear regression; random forest; cubist; partial least squares; principal components regression; adaptive forward-backward greedy; generalized boosted regression and generalized linear model by likelihood-based boosting. Data from 2000 to 2012 (13 years) were used for training and data of 2013 and 2014 (2 years) were used to test the models. The PET made available by the MOD16 product showed higher values than those of ETo for different periods and climatic regions of Brazil. However, the MOD16 product showed good correlation with ETo, indicating that it can be used in ETo estimation. All models of machine learning were effective in improving the performance of the metrics evaluated. Cubist was the model that presented the best metrics for r2 (0.91), NSE (0.90) and nRMSE (8.54%) and should be preferred for ETo prediction. MOD16 product is recommended to be used to predict monthly ETo, which opens possibilities for its use in several other studies.

Employing optical microscopy technique to determine the tissue action of Hamamelis virginiana L. (Hamamelidaceae), Maytenus ilicifolia Mart. ex Reissek (Celastraceae) and Casearia sylvestris Sw. (Salicaceae) tinctures on skin-fixed histological sections of Wistar rats

Objective: In this study, we aimed to determine the action of the tinctures of Hamamelis virginiana, Maytenus ilicifolia, and Casearia sylvestris on tissues. For this, we investigated the histological sections of fixed skin tissue of Wistar rats for the changes in collagen and elastic fibers, epithelial cells, conjunctive cells, epidermal attachments, pigments, and granules using the optical microscopy technique. Since in the literature and published articles, the use of in vivo models, such as Wistar rats, is predominant to evaluate the healing action of herbal medicines. Methods: The tinctures of Hamamelis virginiana, Maytenus ilicifolia, and Casearia sylvestris, and ethanol 70% (blank) were used. The tinctures were obtained at 10% (w/v) through percolation using 70% ethanol (v/v) as the extraction liquid. This study was conducted in duplicate for each tincture and different incubation times (4, 24, and 48 h) at 37 °C in an oven. The slides used in this study (Wistar rat skin) were previously processed at the histology laboratory since the waste material was donated to conduct this experiment. The Research Ethics Committee approved the use of animals of the Life Sciences Center of the Pontifical Catholic University of Campinas (PUC-CAMPINAS) under the protocol approval number 367/08. Before initiating the staining process, the slides were removed from the oven, and the tincture deposited on the slides was removed. Weigert staining was performed subsequently. For semi-quantitative analysis, the histological sections were carefully observed, and the number of collagen and elastic fibers was evaluated based on the following scale: (+) normal fiber presence, (−) slight decrease, (− −) moderate decrease, and (− − −) intense decrease. The images were digitally captured to obtain the results using a photomicroscope. Results: The degradation of collagen fibers was best evidenced upon using Hamamelis virginiana tincture, which is concordant with the existing reports in the literature on its healing action via the precipitation of dermal proteins. Maytenus ilicifolia and Casearia sylvestris tinctures exhibited low proteolytic capacity as they only caused degradation of elastic fibers that are more delicate and very different from collagen in their constitution. Therefore, the application of the latter two as healing agents (which acts through precipitating proteins) is limited. Conclusions: This experimental histological model using the optical microscopy technique exhibits the advantage of agility and high efficiency as a simple and powerful approach.

Modulation of skin androgenesis and sebum production by a dermocosmetic formulation.

BACKGROUND: Excessive androgenesis in the skin promotes sebaceous hyperproduction which is the onset of acne vulgaris pathogenesis. Free fatty acids and lipid accumulation in the glandular infundibulum culminates in microbiota imbalance, triggering inflammatory response and follicular hyperkeratinization. AIMS: The purpose of this work was to present an alternative cosmetic treatment for acne skin care, focusing on the prevention of sebaceous gland dysregulation. METHODS: Insulin-stimulated human sebocytes were treated with noncytotoxic concentrations of a DTRW cosmetic formulation. After 6 days of incubation, cell lysates were collected for testosterone, 5α-reductase, and dyhidrotestosterone (DHT) quantitation. In parallel, cells were stained with Oil Red O to measure sebum production. RESULTS: Human sebocytes were incubated with insulin to mimic a seborrheic microenvironment with overproduction of intracellular lipids and fatty acids. Concomitant incubation of cell cultures with DRTW was able to promote a 52.97% reduction in intracellular lipid content. The anti-androgenic properties of DRTW had been proved by the reductions of testosterone (↓59.90%), 5α reductase (↓59.34%), and DHT (↓55.98%) levels in sebocyte cultures also stimulated with insulin. CONCLUSION: The results indicate a promising action of DRTW cosmetic formulation in preventing the development of acne lesions by mechanisms involving the modulation of cutaneous androgenesis and consequently the control of sebum overproduction, considered one of the leading causes of acne.