Hyaluronic acid - PVA films for the simultaneous delivery of dexamethasone and levofloxacin to ocular tissues.

Ocular drug delivery is challenging due to the poor drug penetration across ocular barriers and short retention time of the formulation at the application site. Films, applied as inserts or implants, can be used to increase residence time while controlling drug release. In this work, hydrophilic films made of hyaluronic acid and two kinds of PVA were loaded with dexamethasone (included as hydroxypropylcyclodextrin complex) and levofloxacin. This association represents one of the main treatments for the post cataract surgery management, and it is also promising for eye infections with pain and inflammation. Films were characterized in terms of swelling and drug release and were then applied to porcine eye bulbs and isolated ocular tissues. Film swelling leads to the formation of either a gel (3D swelling) or a larger film (2D swelling) depending on the type of PVA used. Films, prepared in an easy and scalable method, demonstrated high loading capacity, controlled drug release and the capability to deliver dexamethasone and levofloxacin to the cornea and across the sclera, to potentially target also the posterior eye segment. Overall, this device can be considered a multipurpose delivery platform intended for the concomitant release of lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs.

Buccal Permeation of Polysaccharide High Molecular Weight Compounds: Effect of Chemical Permeation Enhancers.

The greatest achievement in the advanced drug delivery field should be the optimization of non-invasive formulations for the delivery of high molecular weight compounds. Peptides, proteins, and other macromolecules can have poor membrane permeation, principally due to their large molecular weight. The aim of this work was to explore the possibility of administering fluorescently labeled dextrans (molecular weight 4-150 kDa) across the buccal mucosa. Permeation experiments across pig esophageal mucosa were carried out using fatty acids and bile salts as penetration enhancers. The data obtained show that it is possible to increase or promote the mucosa permeation of high molecular weight dextrans by using caprylic acid or sodium taurocholate as the chemical enhancers. With these enhancers, dextrans with molecular weight of 70 and 150 kDa, that in passive conditions did not permeate, could cross the mucosa in detectable amounts. FD-70 and FD-150 showed comparable permeability values, despite the molecular weight difference. The results obtained in the present work suggest that the buccal administration of high molecular weight compounds is feasible.

In Vitro Skin Retention of Crisaborole after Topical Application.

Crisaborole, a nonsteroidal phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitor, represents the first nonsteroidal medication approved for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in over a decade. In this work, crisaborole skin permeation and retention was studied in vitro from a 2% ointment using porcine skin as barrier. Crisaborole was also characterized in terms of thermal behavior, solubility, and logP. Control experiments were performed also on tape stripped skin to clarify the role of stratum corneum in drug partitioning and permeation across the skin. The results obtained indicate that crisaborole accumulates into the skin in considerable amounts after application of a topical lipophilic ointment. Crisaborole shows more affinity for the dermis compared to the epidermis despite its relatively high value of partition coefficient; stratum corneum analysis revealed a low affinity of the drug for this skin layer. Skin penetration across hair follicles or sebaceous glands can be a reason for the high dermis retention and is worth further investigation. The comparison with data obtained from a solution in acetonitrile suggests that the formulation plays a certain role in determining the relative distribution of crisaborole in the skin layers and in the receptor compartment.

The role of vehicle metamorphosis on triamcinolone acetonide delivery to the skin from microemulsions.

After application to the skin surface, a topical formulation is submitted to changes in composition produced by evaporation of volatile components, penetration of components into the skin and extraction of skin components ("vehicle metamorphosis"). The aim of this work was to study the effect of vehicle metamorphosis on skin delivery from microemulsions containing triamcinolone acetonide. The microemulsions were prepared and characterized for water evaporation kinetics, in vitro release and skin permeation and retention. Skin retention experiments were performed on full thickness pig ear skin, in both occluded infinite and un-occluded finite dose conditions. For comparison purposes, two creams, the commercial Ledercort® and a vanishing cream, were tested. With triamcinolone acetonide water evaporation does not modify skin retention, probably for the lipophilic nature of the drug. However, if water is eliminated from the microemulsions, the performance is reduced, probably because drug partitioning from vehicle to stratum corneum is disfavored. If a water-soluble drug (methyl prednisolone sodium succinate) is used, infinite dose application in occlusive conditions increases in a significant way the amount of drug retained in the skin. The involved mechanisms are probably stratum corneum swelling and increase of stratum corneum/viable epidermis partitioning.

Dor musculoesquelética e vulnerabilidade ocupacional em trabalhadores do setor público municipal em Belo Horizonte, Brasil / Musculoskeletal pain and occupational vulnerability in municipal public sector workers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Este artigo buscou descrever o perfil dos trabalhadores no setor público municipal em relação à ocorrência autorreferida de dor musculoesquelética (DME). Em 2009, foi realizado um estudo seccional em Belo Horizonte que avaliou características sociodemográficas, funcionais, condição de saúde, hábitos e qualidade de vida, por meio de questionário autoaplicado. Utilizou-se o método Grade of Membership (GoM) para definir os perfis e os graus de pertencimento a cada perfil particular. Três perfis de referência foram identificados: trabalhador com dor; trabalhador sem dor; não respondentes. Diante dos perfis de referência, a tipologia de associação entre trabalho e ocorrência autorreferida de DME classificou 89,9% da amostra. A tipologia foi organizada em cinco perfis: misto (4,1%); trabalhador doente (12,0%); trabalhador mais vulnerável à DME (16,9%); trabalhador menos vulnerável à DME (22,6%); e trabalhador saudável (34,3%). A análise dos perfis permitiu esclarecer as conexões entre DME e os fatores físicos e psicossociais do trabalho no serviço público municipal, indicando vias para a reflexão sobre as iniquidades em saúde musculoesquelética e a vulnerabilidade ocupacional.

This article seeks to describe the profile of workers in the municipal public sector in relation to the occurrence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain (MSP). In 2009, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Belo Horizonte that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, functional health status, habits and quality of life, through a self-applied questionnaire. We used the Grade of Membership method (GoM) to define the profiles and the degree of belonging to each particular profile. Three reference profiles were identified: worker with pain; worker without pain, non-respondents. Given the reference profiles, the typology of association between work and self-reported occurrence of MSP classified 89.9% of the sample. The typology was organized into five profiles: mixed (4.1%); sick worker (12.0%); worker more vulnerable to MSP (16.9%); worker less vulnerable to MSP (22.6%); healthy worker (34.3%). The analysis made it possible to clarify the connections between MSP and the physical and psychosocial factors at work in the municipal public service, indicating avenues for further reflection on the inequities in musculoskeletal health and occupational vulnerability.

[Musculoskeletal pain and occupational vulnerability in municipal public sector workers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil]. / Dor musculoesquelética e vulnerabilidade ocupacional em trabalhadores do setor público municipal em Belo Horizonte, Brasil.

This article seeks to describe the profile of workers in the municipal public sector in relation to the occurrence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain (MSP). In 2009, a cross-sectional study was conducted in Belo Horizonte that assessed sociodemographic characteristics, functional health status, habits and quality of life, through a self-applied questionnaire. We used the Grade of Membership method (GoM) to define the profiles and the degree of belonging to each particular profile. Three reference profiles were identified: worker with pain; worker without pain, non-respondents. Given the reference profiles, the typology of association between work and self-reported occurrence of MSP classified 89.9% of the sample. The typology was organized into five profiles: mixed (4.1%); sick worker (12.0%); worker more vulnerable to MSP (16.9%); worker less vulnerable to MSP (22.6%); healthy worker (34.3%). The analysis made it possible to clarify the connections between MSP and the physical and psychosocial factors at work in the municipal public service, indicating avenues for further reflection on the inequities in musculoskeletal health and occupational vulnerability.

Readaptação Ocupacional de Servidores Públicos: a experiência de uma universidade pública / Occupational rehabilitation of public officers: the experience of a public university

Objetivo: Descrever o perfil dos trabalhadores assistidos pelo Grupo de Readaptação Profissional - GRP de uma universidade entre 2005 e 2007 e avaliar a readaptação profissional na instituição. Métodos: Análises descritivas das variáveis: idade, tempo de serviço, sexo, estado civil, escolaridade, cargo, local de trabalho, conclusão da Perícia Médica e do GRP, tempo exigido para conclusão, número e dias de afastamento do trabalho e diagnóstico clínico. Para a análise estatística, foi utilizado o programa SPSS. Resultados: Foram readaptados no período estudado 73 servidores. A idade média foi de 45 anos, 74,0% mulheres, 45,2% casados. O tempo médio de serviço foi de 13,6 anos. Ouanto à escolaridade, 42,5% dos trabalhadores tinham pelo menos graduação incompleta e 63,0% escolaridade acima da exigida para o cargo ocupado. Os postos de trabalho mais frequentes foram de técnico de enfermagem (21,9%) e assistente administrativo (12,3%) e 64% dos trabalhadores provinham do hospital universitário. O grau de concordância entre as conclusões do Grupo de Readaptação e da Perícia Médica foi de 0,47. Finalizada a readaptação, 49,3% dos servidores permaneceram no mesmo setor. Quanto à patologia, 50,7% ingressaram no GRP por transtornos mentais e comportamentais e 19,2 % por doenças osteomusculares. Concluída a readaptação profissional, o número de afastamentos do trabalho não reduziu mas o número de dias por afastamento diminuiu e as patologias que justificam os afastamentos se diversificaram. Conclusão: É necessária maior interação entre o setor de Perícia Médica e o GRP. A readaptação não reduz o número de afastamentos do trabalho por motivo de doença.

Objective: This study has the purpose of describing the pro file of the rehabilitated employees between 2005 and 2007, and to evaluate the outcomes of the actions delivered by the Occupational Rehabilitation Group — ORG of a university. Methods: A descriptive analysis was carried out assessing the following variables: age, gender, marital status, schooling, occupation, workplace, job tenure, sick leave clays, Legal Medicine Appraisal Group (LMAG) conclusion und ORG conclusion of cases assisted. The data were analyzed by SPSS statistical programs. Results: 73 workers were readapted during this time. The mean age was 45,0, 74,0% were women, 45,2% were marrjed, the median work tenure was 13,6 years. 42,5% had at least partially graduate level and 63,0% had schooling level above of required for the job. The most frequent jobs were nursing technicians (21,9 %) followed by administrative technicians (12,3 %). 64% of the workers came were employees of the university hospital. The agreement grade between the conclusions of the LMAG and the ORG was 0,47. At the end of rehabilitation, 49,3% of workers stayed at the same workplace, 42,5% changed of workplace. 50,7% were attended by the ORG for mental and behavior disorders and 19,2 % by musculoskeletal disorders. After rehabilitation the number of sick leaves did not reduce, but the number of days for each sick leave decreased and the diagnosis that justily the sick leave became dispersed in many diseases. Conlusion: Based in our observations, re-adaptation was not good enough to reduce de number of sick leaves. Also, it seems that a most effective integration between the Legal Medicine Appraisal Group and the Occupation Rehabilitation Group is necessary, in order to get more positive outocomes.