Development of Gelatin/Misoprostol Compounds for Use in Pregnancy Failures.

Early abortion is one of the most common complications during pregnancy. However, the frequent handling of the genital region, more precisely the vagina, which causes discomfort to patients in this abortion process due to the frequency of drug insertion, as four pills are inserted every six hours, has led to the search for alternatives to alleviate the suffering caused by this practice in patients who are already in a shaken emotional state. Hence, this work aimed to develop composites of gelatin and misoprostol, using a conventional single-dose drug delivery system. These composites were prepared by freeze/lyophilization technique, by dissolving the gelatin in distilled water, with a concentration of 2.5% (w/v), and misoprostol was incorporated into the gelatin solution at the therapeutic concentration (800 mcg). They were subsequently molded, frozen and lyophilized. The samples of the composites were then crosslinked with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) 1% (v/v) with respect to the gelatin mass for 5 min. The characterization techniques used were: Optical Microscopy (OM), Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetry (TG), Swelling, Biodegradation and Cytotoxicity. In OM it was observed that the addition of the drug improved the cylindrical appearance of the compounds, in comparison with the sample that was composed of only gelatin. There was a reduction in the degree of swelling with the addition of the drug and crosslinking. The cytotoxicity test indicated the biocompatibility of the material. Based on the results obtained in these tests, the composites have therapeutic potential for uterine emptying in pregnancy failures, especially in the first trimester.

Chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/bovine bone powder biocomposites: A potential biomaterial for the treatment of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects a large percent of the world́s population. This long-lasting skin disease has been treated by different approaches according to its causative agent and severity. Nonetheless, the use of advanced biomaterials to treat AD is poorly explored. The present study assessed the protective effectiveness of biocomposites films based on chitosan (Cs), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and bovine bone powder (BBP) on AD-like skin lesions. These original biocomposites were fully characterized and in vivo biological assays concerning the AD treatment were performed using a mouse model induced by 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The dorsal skin and ear of Balb/c female mice were challenging cutaneously with DNCB. Our findings demonstrate BBP-based biocomposite attenuated and treated considerably the DNCB-induced skin lesions in an AD-like model. In this sense, this study suggests that this original biocomposite may be applied as an active biomaterial for AD treatment.

Sodium-reduced lean sausages with fish oil optimized by a mixture design approach.

A partial NaCl replacement by KCl and sodium tripolyphosphate on low-fat meat sausages formulated with fish oil was studied using a mixture design. Thermal behavior by modulated differential scanning calorimetry, physicochemical, and textural properties were determined; afterwards they were mathematically modeled as a function of salts content. The thermo-rheological behavior of the different formulations was also studied in a control-stress rheometer. The optimal sodium reduction was found employing a desirability function approach. This formulation was experimentally validated and employed for microstructure analysis by environmental scanning microscopy. The results obtained in this work revealed that partial sodium replacement affected the matrix microstructure, but this change had no impact on sensory acceptability. In comparison with US and Argentinean commercial sausages, our product has 58% and 70% less Na(+) respectively.

Didanosine-loaded chitosan microspheres optimized by surface-response methodology: a modified "Maximum Likelihood Classification" approach formulation for reverse transcriptase inhibitors.

Didanosine-loaded chitosan microspheres were developed applying a surface-response methodology and using a modified Maximum Likelihood Classification. The operational conditions were optimized with the aim of maintaining the active form of didanosine (ddI), which is sensitive to acid pH, and to develop a modified and mucoadhesive formulation. The loading of the drug within the chitosan microspheres was carried out by ionotropic gelation technique with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as cross-linking agent and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) to assure the stability of ddI. The optimization conditions were set using a surface-response methodology and applying the "Maximum Likelihood Classification", where the initial chitosan concentration, TPP and ddI concentration were set as the independent variables. The maximum ddI-loaded in microspheres (i.e. 1433 mg of ddI/g chitosan), was obtained with 2% (w/v) chitosan and 10% TPP. The microspheres depicted an average diameter of 11.42 µm and ddI was gradually released during 2 h in simulated enteric fluid.

Applying multicriteria analysis for choosing the best marination for pork / Aplicación de análisis multicriterio para elegir el mejor marinado para la carne de cerdo

Objective. This research aimed to choose a best marination solution using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Materials and methods. Pork meat samples were collected in a commercial slaughterhouse, and they were randomly distributed in four treatments with three different salt contents blend. Color, pH, retention of the solution, exudate and cooking loss, shear force and sensory attributes were assessed and evaluated. Multicriteria analysis using AHP was applied to the results in order to choose the best overall marination solution. Criteria used for selection were the physical and sensory characteristics of meat, and based on these criteria were classified solutions marination. Results. Results showed that the combination of the salts was the best alternative (Na2CO3+NaCl+Na5P3O10), followed by the solutions of (Na2CO3 + NaCl), and (Na5P3O10 + NaCl). Conclusions. All tested solutions with the salts used alone or in combination led to better physical and sensory attributes than the meat not marinated.

Objetivo. Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo elegir la mejor solución para los productos marinados, utilizando el Proceso Analítico Jerárquico (AHP). Materiales y métodos. Las muestras de carne de cerdo fueron recogidas en un beneficiadero comercial, y fueron asignadas aleatoriamente a cuatro tratamientos con tres contenidos diferentes de soluciones salinas. Color, pH, solución de retención, pérdida de exudado, pérdida de peso por cocción, fuerza cortante y atributos sensoriales fueron analizados y evaluados. Fue utilizado el análisis multicriterio AHP jerárquico con el fin de elegir la mejor solución de marinado. Los criterios adoptados para la selección fueron las características físicas y sensoriales de la carne y con base a estos criterios se clasificaron las soluciones del marinación. Resultados. Los resultados mostraron que la mejor combinación de sales fue la alternativa (Na2CO3 + NaCl + Na5P3O10), seguida por (Na2CO3 + NaCl + NaCl y Na5P3O10). Conclusiones. Todas las soluciones ensayadas con sales usados sólos o en combinación dieron lugar a los mejores atributos físicos y sensoriales de que la carne sin marinar.

Evaluación del tripolifosfato de sodio como anticoagulante en determinaciones hematológicas en seres humanos / Assessment of anticoagulant sodium tripolyphosphate used in hematologic determinations in human being

El propósito del presente estudio fue evaluar la utilidad del tripolifosfato de sodio (TPF) como anticoagulante en diferentes determinaciones hematológicas en seres humanos. Muestras de sangre venosa procedentes de adultos sanos de ambos sexos fueron anticoaguladas con TPF, sales dipotásicas del ácido etilendiaminotetraacético (EDTA) y citrato de sodio. Las muestras anticoaguladas con EDTA y citrato de sodio fueron utilizadas como controles. Al comparar los valores obtenidos en todas las pruebas realizadas se encontró que la sangre anticoagulada con TPF ofreció resultados similares a las tratadas con los anticoagulantes usados como controles. Los resultados muestran que es posible la utilización del TPF para la determinación de los parámetros de hematología completa y tiempos de coagulación, permitiendo el uso de una sola muestra con menos volumen sanguíneo, lo cual resultaría beneficioso para los pacientes en quienes la extracción de importantes volúmenes de sangre es en ocasiones difícil y molesta.

The aim of present study was to assess the usefulness of anticoagulant sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) in different hematologic determinations in human beings. Venous blood samples from healthy adults of both sexes were anticoagulated with TPP, dipotassium salts of ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) and sodium citrate. Anticoagulated samples with EDTA and sodium citrate were used as controls. Verifying the values achieved in all tests performed we noted that anticoagulated blood with TPP offered results similar to those treated with anticoagulant used as controls. Results show that it is possible the use of TPP to determine the parameters of total hematology and coagulation times, allowing the use of only one sample with less blood volume, which could be beneficial for patients in which blood collection in significant volumes in occasions is difficult and annoying.

Tripolifosfato de sódio e hexametafosfato de sódio na prevenção do cálculo dentário em cães / Sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate in preventing dental calculus accumulation in dogs

Avaliou-se o efeito de dois fosfatos, tripolifosfato de sódio (TPF) e hexametafosfato de sódio (HMF), incorporados à ração seca sob diferentes formas, como cobertura do grânulo da ração e no interior da massa da ração, na prevenção do desenvolvimento de cálculo dentário em 25 cães. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: 1) ração seca; 2) ração seca com TPF incorporado na cobertura do grânulo da ração; 3) ração seca com TPF incorporado na massa da ração; 4) ração seca com HMF incorporado na cobertura do grânulo da ração; 5) ração seca com HMF incorporado na massa da ração. Os animais receberam as dietas por um período experimental de 90 dias e, após esse período, foram submetidos à avaliação da área de cálculo dentário formado. A inclusão do HMF na ração seca, tanto na cobertura dos grânulos como no interior da massa, e do TPF, como cobertura dos grânulos, reduziu o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em cães, comparada à dieta sem adição de fosfatos. O HMF foi o fosfato mais eficiente, ao reduzir o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em até 47 por cento. As formas de inclusão do HMF na ração não influenciaram o acúmulo de cálculo dentário. Houve redução do desenvolvimento de cálculo dentário pela incorporação do TPF como cobertura do grânulo da ração, comparada à inclusão deste fosfato no interior da massa da ração. Conclui-se que os fosfatos incorporados na ração seca reduzem o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em cães.

The effect of dry food treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) or sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble on the accumulation of dental calculus in 25 dogs was evaluated. The study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and five repetitions. The experimental treatments were: 1) dry food; 2) dry food coated with TPP; 3) dry food with TPP incorporated into the interior of the kibble; 4) dry food coated with HMP; 5) dry food with HMP incorporated into the interior of the kibble. The animals received the diets for a 90-day experimental period, and then, the teeth were clinically examined for the presence of calculus. The inclusion of HMP in the dry food, as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble, and the inclusion of TPP as kibble coated reduced the accumulation of dental calculus compared to the control group without anti-calculus agents. HMP was the most efficient phosphate, reducing the accumulation of dental calculus in 47 percent. The forms of HMP inclusion in the dry food exerted no significant effect upon calculus formation. However, there was a reduction of calculus accumulation when TPF was incorporated as coating of the kibble, compared to the inclusion of this phosphate into the interior of the kibble. It was concluded that phosphates incorporated in the dry food reduce the accumulation of dental calculus in dogs.

Tripolifosfato de sódio e hexametafosfato de sódio na prevenção do cálculo dentário em cães / Sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate in preventing dental calculus accumulation in dogs

Avaliou-se o efeito de dois fosfatos, tripolifosfato de sódio (TPF) e hexametafosfato de sódio (HMF), incorporados à ração seca sob diferentes formas, como cobertura do grânulo da ração e no interior da massa da ração, na prevenção do desenvolvimento de cálculo dentário em 25 cães. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi inteiramente ao acaso, com cinco tratamentos e cinco repetições. Os tratamentos experimentais foram: 1) ração seca; 2) ração seca com TPF incorporado na cobertura do grânulo da ração; 3) ração seca com TPF incorporado na massa da ração; 4) ração seca com HMF incorporado na cobertura do grânulo da ração; 5) ração seca com HMF incorporado na massa da ração. Os animais receberam as dietas por um período experimental de 90 dias e, após esse período, foram submetidos à avaliação da área de cálculo dentário formado. A inclusão do HMF na ração seca, tanto na cobertura dos grânulos como no interior da massa, e do TPF, como cobertura dos grânulos, reduziu o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em cães, comparada à dieta sem adição de fosfatos. O HMF foi o fosfato mais eficiente, ao reduzir o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em até 47 por cento. As formas de inclusão do HMF na ração não influenciaram o acúmulo de cálculo dentário. Houve redução do desenvolvimento de cálculo dentário pela incorporação do TPF como cobertura do grânulo da ração, comparada à inclusão deste fosfato no interior da massa da ração. Conclui-se que os fosfatos incorporados na ração seca reduzem o acúmulo de cálculo dentário em cães.(AU)

The effect of dry food treated with sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) or sodium hexametaphosphate (HMP), as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble on the accumulation of dental calculus in 25 dogs was evaluated. The study used a completely randomized design with five treatments and five repetitions. The experimental treatments were: 1) dry food; 2) dry food coated with TPP; 3) dry food with TPP incorporated into the interior of the kibble; 4) dry food coated with HMP; 5) dry food with HMP incorporated into the interior of the kibble. The animals received the diets for a 90-day experimental period, and then, the teeth were clinically examined for the presence of calculus. The inclusion of HMP in the dry food, as kibble coated or added into the interior of the kibble, and the inclusion of TPP as kibble coated reduced the accumulation of dental calculus compared to the control group without anti-calculus agents. HMP was the most efficient phosphate, reducing the accumulation of dental calculus in 47 percent. The forms of HMP inclusion in the dry food exerted no significant effect upon calculus formation. However, there was a reduction of calculus accumulation when TPF was incorporated as coating of the kibble, compared to the inclusion of this phosphate into the interior of the kibble. It was concluded that phosphates incorporated in the dry food reduce the accumulation of dental calculus in dogs.(AU)

Eficácia dos coadjuvantes de higiene bucal utilizados na alimentação de cães / Effectiveness of buccal hygiene coadjutant used in the dogs feeding

Avaliou-se a utilização de coadjuvantes na diminuição da placa bacteriana e formação do cálculo dentário em 16 cães. O delineamento experimental foi casualizado com quatro tratamentos (T) e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1- controle, T2- coadjuvante com ação mecânica, T3- coadjuvante com tripolifosfato de sódio e T4- coadjuvante com hexametafosfato de sódio. Após sete dias de adaptação, no dia anterior ao início dos tratamentos, os animais foram submetidos à remoção de cálculo dentário. O experimento teve duração de 21 dias e ao final realizaram-se as medições das placas bacterianas formadas com o uso de marcadores (fucsina). O coadjuvante somente com ação mecânica não foi efetivo em retardar o aparecimento da placa bacteriana. Os coadjuvantes com polifosfatos apresentaram uma ação efetiva e significativa na diminuição da formação do calculo dentário

The use of coadjutants in the decrease of the bacterial plate and formation of the dental calculus was evaluated in 16 dogs. The experimental design was randomized with four treatments (T) and four repetitions. The treatments were the following: 1- control; 2- coadjutant 1 (one) with mechanical action; 3- coadjutant 2 (two) with tripolyphosphate of sodium and 4- coadjutant 3 (three) with hexametaphosphate of sodium. After seven days of adaptation, on the day previous to the beginning of the treatments, the animals were submitted to the removal of dental calculus and after twenty-one days of treatment a measurement of the bacterial plaque formed through the use of markers (fucsin). The coadjutant only with mechanical action was not effective in delaying the appearance of the bacterial plaque. The coadjutant containing polyphosphates presented an effective and significant action decreasing the formation of the dental calculus

Eficácia dos coadjuvantes de higiene bucal utilizados na alimentação de cães / Effectiveness of buccal hygiene coadjutant used in the dogs feeding

Avaliou-se a utilização de coadjuvantes na diminuição da placa bacteriana e formação do cálculo dentário em 16 cães. O delineamento experimental foi casualizado com quatro tratamentos (T) e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1- controle, T2- coadjuvante com ação mecânica, T3- coadjuvante com tripolifosfato de sódio e T4- coadjuvante com hexametafosfato de sódio. Após sete dias de adaptação, no dia anterior ao início dos tratamentos, os animais foram submetidos à remoção de cálculo dentário. O experimento teve duração de 21 dias e ao final realizaram-se as medições das placas bacterianas formadas com o uso de marcadores (fucsina). O coadjuvante somente com ação mecânica não foi efetivo em retardar o aparecimento da placa bacteriana. Os coadjuvantes com polifosfatos apresentaram uma ação efetiva e significativa na diminuição da formação do calculo dentário(AU)

The use of coadjutants in the decrease of the bacterial plate and formation of the dental calculus was evaluated in 16 dogs. The experimental design was randomized with four treatments (T) and four repetitions. The treatments were the following: 1- control; 2- coadjutant 1 (one) with mechanical action; 3- coadjutant 2 (two) with tripolyphosphate of sodium and 4- coadjutant 3 (three) with hexametaphosphate of sodium. After seven days of adaptation, on the day previous to the beginning of the treatments, the animals were submitted to the removal of dental calculus and after twenty-one days of treatment a measurement of the bacterial plaque formed through the use of markers (fucsin). The coadjutant only with mechanical action was not effective in delaying the appearance of the bacterial plaque. The coadjutant containing polyphosphates presented an effective and significant action decreasing the formation of the dental calculus(AU)

Eficácia dos coadjuvantes de higiene bucal utilizados na alimentação de cães

The use of coadjutants in the decrease of the bacterial plate and formation of the dental calculus was evaluated in 16 dogs. The experimental design was randomized with four treatments (T) and four repetitions. The treatments were the following: 1- control; 2- coadjutant 1 (one) with mechanical action; 3- coadjutant 2 (two) with tripolyphosphate of sodium and 4- coadjutant 3 (three) with hexametaphosphate of sodium. After seven days of adaptation, on the day previous to the beginning of the treatments, the animals were submitted to the removal of dental calculus and after twenty-one days of treatment a measurement of the bacterial plaque formed through the use of markers (fucsin). The coadjutant only with mechanical action was not effective in delaying the appearance of the bacterial plaque. The coadjutant containing polyphosphates presented an effective and significant action decreasing the formation of the dental calculus.

Avaliou-se a utilização de coadjuvantes na diminuição da placa bacteriana e formação do cálculo dentário em 16 cães. O delineamento experimental foi casualizado com quatro tratamentos (T) e quatro repetições. Os tratamentos foram: T1- controle, T2- coadjuvante com ação mecânica, T3- coadjuvante com tripolifosfato de sódio e T4- coadjuvante com hexametafosfato de sódio. Após sete dias de adaptação, no dia anterior ao início dos tratamentos, os animais foram submetidos à remoção de cálculo dentário. O experimento teve duração de 21 dias e ao final realizaram-se as medições das placas bacterianas formadas com o uso de marcadores (fucsina). O coadjuvante somente com ação mecânica não foi efetivo em retardar o aparecimento da placa bacteriana. Os coadjuvantes com polifosfatos apresentaram uma ação efetiva e significativa na diminuição da formação do calculo dentário.