Nanoemulsions containing plant oils: How do they influence hair treatment?

OBJECTIVE: Cosmetic and dermatological products, mainly the hair treatments, are projected to have remarkable growing in coming years. Nanotechnology, specifically nanoemulsions, has potential to be used in several hair products, owing to their beneficial properties. Concurrently, plant-derived cosmetics have become more popular over the years to consumers who prefer a safer, natural and sustainable approach. There is a lack of studies combining plant oils and nanotechnology for haircare formulations. In this work, different plant oil-loaded nanoemulsions were prepared to investigate the influence of their particle size, zeta potential and composition on hair treatment efficacy. METHODS: Coconut, olive and Abyssinian oils, alone or in combination, were loaded into nanoemulsions by high-pressure homogenization method (HPH). The mean particle size, polydispersity index and zeta potential were measured by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method, and a stability test was performed for five months. A sensorial screening evaluation performed by the analyst and the combing test using Dia-Stron® instrumentation were applied on hair tresses treated by these nanoemulsions. RESULTS: The use of different plant oils for nanoemulsion resulted in distinct final particle sizes and zeta potential. However, results suggested no significant difference between them in hair tresses combing efficacy compared by Dia-Stron® instrument testing. Moreover, the plant-loaded nanoemulsions with increased concentration of cationic surfactant indicated a 50% reduction in combing force using this device when compared to control, in addition to better sensory results by screening test compared to other nanoemulsions and control. CONCLUSION: The composition of plant oils, particle size or zeta potential of the prepared nanoemulsions does not seem to significantly influence hair performance. Thus, we suggest that finding the right balance between cationic surfactant and plant oils may be the most appropriate path to develop effective nanoemulsions in hair treatment.

OBJECTIF: Les produits cosmétiques et dermatologiques, principalement les traitements capillaires, devraient connaître une croissance remarquable dans les années à venir. La nanotechnologie, en particulier les nanoémulsions, a le potentiel d'être utilisée dans plusieurs produits capillaires, en raison de leurs propriétés bénéfiques. Parallèlement, les cosmétiques d'origine végétale sont devenus plus populaires au fil des ans auprès des consommateurs qui préfèrent une approche plus sûre, naturelle et durable. Il existe un manque d'études combinant les huiles végétales et la nanotechnologie pour les formulations de traitement capillaire. Dans ce travail, différentes nanoémulsions contenant de l'huile végétale ont été préparées pour étudier l'influence de leur taille de particule, de leur potentiel zêta et de leur composition sur l'efficacité du traitement capillaire. MÉTHODES: Les huiles de noix de coco, d'olive et d'Abyssinie, seules ou en combinaison, ont été chargées dans des nanoémulsions par méthode d'homogénéisation à haute pression (HPH). La taille moyenne des particules, l'indice de polydispersité et le potentiel zêta ont été mesurés par la méthode de diffusion dynamique de la lumière (DLS), et un test de stabilité a été effectué pendant cinq mois. Une évaluation sensoriel réalisée par l'analyste et le test de peignage à l'aide de l'instrumentation Dia - Stron® ont été appliqués sur les cheveux traités par ces nanoémulsions. RÉSULTATS: L'utilisation de différentes huiles végétales pour la nanoémulsion a donné des tailles de particules finales et un potentiel zêta distinct. Cependant, les résultats n'ont suggéré aucune différence significative entre eux dans l'efficacité du peignage des cheveux par rapport aux tests d'instruments Dia-Stron®. De plus, la nanoémulsion chargée avec une concentration plus élevée de tensioactif cationique a indiqué une réduction de 50% de la force de peignage en utilisant ce dispositif par rapport au contrôle, et, le screening a montré de meilleurs résultats sensoriels par rapport aux autres nanoémulsions et contrôle. CONCLUSION: La composition des huiles végétales, la taille des particules ou le potentiel zêta des nanoémulsions préparées ne semblent pas influencer significativement les performances capillaires. Ainsi, nous suggérons que trouver le bon équilibre entre un tensioactif cationique et des huiles végétales peut être la voie la plus appropriée pour développer des nanoémulsions efficaces dans le traitement des cheveux.

Atividade educativa para identificação correta do paciente: um relato de experiência / Educational activity for correct patient identification: an experience report

Objetivo: descrever a experiência de acadêmicos de Enfermagem no desempenho da Atividade Educativa sobre a identificação correta do paciente. Metódos: trata-se de um relato de experiência no qual é descrito a atividade desenvolvida acerca da identificação correta do paciente. A ação foidirecionada aos acompanhantes dos pacientes e foi desenvolvida em quatro etapas distintas: escolha da temática; planejamento; execução e observação da realidade e; levantamento e discussão de problemas. Resultados: foi possível perceber o envolvimento e participação dos acompanhantes e pacientes na dinâmica proposta pelo grupo, sendo visto maior entendimento sobre a temática discutida. Conclusão: portanto, verificou-se a importância da identificação correta do paciente e a dupla checagem para manutenção de sua segurança e qualidade da assistência.

Objective: the purpose of this study was to describe the experience of Nursing students in theperformance of the Educational Activity on the correct identification of the patient. Methods: it is an experience report in which the activity developed about the correct identification of the patientis described. The action was directed to the patients' companions and was developed in four distinct stages: choice of thematic; planning; execution and observation of reality and survey and discussionof problems. Results: it was possible to perceive the involvement and participation of thecompanions and patients in the dynamics proposed by the group, with a greater understanding ofthe topic discussed. Conclusion: therefore, it was verified the importance of the correctidentification of the patient and double checking to maintain their safety and quality of care.

Toxicological in vitro and subchronic evaluation of LASSBio-596.

LASSBio-596, 2-[4-(1,4-tiazinan-4-ylsulfonyl) phenylcarbamoyl] benzoic acid, is an achiral compound containing a subunit carboxylic amide, was capable of preventing induced mechanical and morphological changes in the lungs that commonly caused the onset of asthma. Previous studies to determine the acute toxicity of oral LASSBio-596 at dose of 2000mg/kg caused no deaths in any of the tested animals. To further evaluate the safety of LASSBio-596, in vitro and in vivo tests were carried out. Regarding to in vitro test were used renal, hepatic, pulmonary, cardiac, neurologic and intestinal cell lines. They were evaluated using neutral red (NR) and [3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] (MTT) assays. Micronuclei also was performed. Concerning to in vivo was performed subchronic on Wistar rats at doses of 10, 50, and 250mg/kg and zebrafish test. The in vitro tests results showed the safety of LASSBio-596. However, subchronic toxicity study results revealed changes in the blood parameters of amylase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose and creatine kinase (CK) which is used for cardiotoxicity evaluation, although, did not identify any histopathological alterations. However, zebrafish test demonstrated cardiac damage. It was impossible to estimate the no-observed-adverse-effect-levels and lowest observed-adverse-effect level due to the presence of cardiotoxicity in all tested doses.

Toxicological, toxicokinetic and gastroprotective evaluation of the benzaldehyde semicarbazone.

Benzaldehyde semicarbazone (BS) has presented positive results in several pharmacological models, including anticonvulsivant and anti-inflammatory models. The present study evaluated the preclinical toxicity (acute and subchronic), as well as the toxicokinetic and gastroprotective effects of BS against ethanol lesions. Oral doses of 300 and 2000mg/kg were used in the preclinical acute toxicity study; 100, 200, and 300mg/kg were used in both the subchronic toxicity evaluation and the gastric study; and 300mg/kg was used in the toxicokinetic study. No impact from the dose of 300mg/kg could be identified; while, one animal died at 2000mg/kg in the acute toxicity test. In the subchronic toxicity test, changes in the biochemical parameters of the liver, as well as in the histopatological evaluation, demonstrated that BS is a hepatotoxic drug. BS proved to be effective for moderate and severe gastric lesions. In the toxicokinetics study, BS presented a low concentration and rapid plasma disappearance. Several results also indicate that BS is likely to be mostly eliminated from the liver and may well undergo a first-pass effect after oral absorption. It was impossible to estimate the noobserved-adverse-effect-levels (NOAEL) and lowest-observed-adverse-effect-levels (LOAEL) due to the presence of hepatotoxicity in all tested doses.

Gastroprotective and toxicological evaluation of the Lithothamnion calcareum algae.

Lithothamnion calcareum is a red alga of the Corallinacea family whose main feature is the formation of calcium carbonate precipitate in its cell walls. L. calcareum is marketed as a nutritional supplement for calcium and other minerals in Brazil and other countries under the pharmaceutical name of Vitality 50+. In this study, gastroprotective and pre-clinical toxicity assays were performed on this product. Doses of 30, 120 and 480 mg/kg were used in the gastroprotective study on Wistar rats. A dose of 2000 mg/kg was used in the preclinical acute toxicity study and oral doses of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg were used in the subchronic toxicity evaluation. L. calcareum played no significant role in the protection of the rats' gastric mucosa, nor did it cause increase in gastric irritation. No impact on the acute toxicity test was identified. In the subchronic toxicity test, serum levels of albumin, total protein and calcium decreased, and creatinine levels increased, suggesting hypercalcemia and possible kidney damage associated with liver damage, given that the majority of these parameters were irreversible. Thus, this work aims to discuss the relationship of the high concentration of calcium in the product with the observed effects.

Avaliação da atividade IMAO e antibacteriana de extratos de Mikania glomerata Sprengel

Neste trabalho avaliou-se a atividade antibacteriana e IMAO de extratos de diferentes polaridades de Mikania glomerata. A atividade antibacteriana foi medida frente à cepa multiresistente de Staphylococus aureus PI57, através das técnicas de bioautografia e antibiograma. A atividade IMAO foi medida utilizando uma suspensão de mitocôndrias. Mikania glomerata mostrou conter no extrato hexânico substâncias antimicrobianas. Os extratos hexânico e CH2Cl2 foram ativos frente à MAO-B, sem apresentarem atividade de inibição da MAO-A, enquanto o extrato metanólico apresentou atividade de inibição da MAO-A e MAO-B, sem seletividade.

Antibacterial and IMAO inhibition activities of different polarities extracts of Mikania glomerata were evaluated. The antibacterial activity was assayed against a multiresistant strain of Staphyllococus aureus PI57. The IMAO activity was measured with a suspension of mitochondrion. In the hexanic extract of Mikania glomerata substances with antibacterial activity were detected. Hexanic and CH2Cl2 extracts showed MAO-B inhibition activity while MAO-A inhibition activity was not detected. The methanolic extract showed non-selective inhibition activity of MAO-A and MAO-B.

Otimização do processo de extração de própolis através da verificação da atividade antimicrobiana

A própolis, também conhecida como "cola de abelhas" possui atividade antimicrobiana, antiinflamatória, anestésica e imunoestimulante. Amostras de diferentes origens geográficas podem apresentar composição química bem diferente, porém continuam sendo responsáveis por atividade antibacteriana, inclusive contra cepas multirresistentes de Staphylococcus aureus. Este trabalho teve por objetivo otimizar o processo de extração visando determinar a melhor alcoolatura para a obtenção de tinturas de própolis com maior atividade antimicrobiana. Amostras de própolis foram extraídas com diferentes misturas hidroalcoólicas, variando o teor de etanol entre 90 por cento a água pura, obtendo assim 11 tinturas diferentes. Todas as tinturas foram aplicadas em discos de papel, secos e colocados sobre a superfície de placas contendo ágar inoculado com cepa multirresistente de S. aureus. As placas foram incubadas e avaliadas no dia seguinte quanto à presença de halos de inibição. Os melhores resultados foram obtidos com extratos contendo 50 a 90 por cento de etanol. O trabalho sugere a utilização da alcoolatura de 70 por cento como a ideal para a obtenção de tinturas de própolis.

Bee glue (propolis) possesses antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, anaesthetic and immunostimulating activities. Propolis composition is extraordinary variable; samples from different geographic origin may posse's entirely different chemical composition. In different propolis samples, various substance combinations are responsible for the antibacterial activity of the bee glue. The aim of the study was to evaluate the best ethanolic extract concentration using Staphylococcus aureus multiresistant. Ethanol extracts from different concentration (10 to 90 percent) were applied on paper disks, dried, and put on the surface of nutrient agar plates with the overlay containing S. aureus. The plates were then incubated and evaluated the next day for the presence of inhibition zones. The best result was verified among 60 to 90 percent of ethanolic extract of propolis. This paper suggests the use of the alcool 70 percent as the ideal for the extration of propolis.

[Nursing: idealism and realism. Perspectives of nursing students on the nursing profession]. / Enfermagem: idealismo x realismo. Perspectivas de formandos do curso de graduação de enfermagem sobre a profissão de enfermagem.

Exploratory and descriptive study with the following objectives: to identify the nursing students' feelings related to the undergraduate course and their perception towards the nursing profession. After the four-year course, 57.4% of students perceived nursing in a positive way as a profession for the future, valued, recognised, compensating even with some limitations. However, 25% of students still perceived nursing as a mechanical, manual and sacrificed profession, with a limited scientific vision and with a gap between theory and practice and as a consequence a lower recognition by the society. If current trends are maintained, the nurse's value would be much greater in the next decades within the Brazilian society according to 61% of respondents.

[Effects on bone mass of oral alendronate, hormone replacement therapy and combined regimes in post-menopausal women: preliminary report on a comparative study]. / Efectos del alendronato oral, la hormonoterapia de reemplazo y la combinación de ambos sobre la masa ósea en mujeres posmenopáusicas. Informe preliminar de un estudio comparativo.

The results of a prospective study that compared the short term effects on skeletal bone of oral alendronate, transdermal hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and two combined regimens with both medications are reported. Ninety six posmenopausal women with osteopenia (WHO classification) in lumbar spine or femoral neck measured by DEXA (table 1) were included in 4 therapeutic groups: Group I (n:19): 17 beta-Estradiol 50 micrograms daily transdermally/medroxiprogesterone 2.5 mg orally per day; Group II (n:42): alendronate 10 mg/day orally; Group III (n:15): HRT + alendronate 10 mg/day and Group IV (n:20): HTR + alendronate 5 mg/day. After 12 month treatment, lumbar bone mineral density (BMD) significantly increased to 3.6%; 4.1%; 6.5% y 3.1% in group I to IV, respectively (p < 0.01; figure 1). Differences among groups do not reached statistical significance. The percentage of responders to medication in each group was of 68.8%; 92%; 90% y 83%, respectively. Bone mineral density in femoral neck (FN) increased with all regimens, though mean values did not surpass method variation coefficient. Differences from baseline were statistically significant in group I (p < 0.05). The percentage of responders in this region was 58.8%; 60%; 62.5% y 45.5%, respectively. Biochemical bone markers (table 2), especially urinary pyridinoline and serum osteocalcin, showed a trend in bone metabolism inhibition that was more sustained in group III, as show mainly by the bone markers pyridinolines and osteocalcin. It is concluded that either single therapy with alendronate or estrogen or their combination halted bone loss in most patients leading to bone mass gain mainly in lumbar spine in the short term. However, bone effects with hormone replacement therapy in association with alendronate 10 mg were comparatively major, indicating the potential benefits of this regimen in the long term.

[Clinical application of bisphosphonate's pharmacokinetic principles]. / Aplicación clínica de los principios farmacocinéticos de los bisfosfonatos.

Bisphosphonates are a group of osteotropic substances able to modulate bone metabolism in different ways. They all display similar pharmacokinetic characteristics when administered in proportional dosages and assessed by similar methods. With the exception of olpadronate which is soluble in water, bisphosphonates have poor solubility, and may easily precipitate in the digestive media. In spite of their low digestive absorption (Bioavailability: 0.3-5%), they are effectively administered by oral route. Once in plasma they distribute rapidly, being uptaked by mineralized tissues, plasma proteins or eliminated by renal filtration in few minutes. The fraction retained in bones may be stored for long periods (from months up to 10 years depending on the compound) in an apparent inactive compartment. The risks of newly released molecules may be related to the potency of the drug. Within the clinical range of doses, bisphosphonates are not retained in soft tissues. This may explain the lack of extraskeletal collateral effects. Plasma blood levels are scarcely related to the clinical activity. Therefore, dosage may be guided better by biochemical markers of the bone disease than by the standard kinetic variables. On the other hand, dose is independent from age and/or body weight. Only renal impairment may induce additional dose adjustments.