Designing an effective dissolution test for bilayer tablets tailored for optimal melatonin release in sleep disorder management.

This project aims to investigate the release performance of bilayer tablet (BL-Tablet) designed with both fast and slow-release technology, targeting sleep disorders. The tablet incorporates Melatonin, extracts of Eschscholzia californica and Melissa officinalis. In order to validate the effectiveness of the extended-release profile, an advanced dissolution test was herein proposed. This new method utilizes biorelevant intestinal fluid media and incorporates a stomach-to-intestine fluid changing (SIFC) system. To demonstrate the advantages of employing this method for assessing the controlled release profile of active ingredients, the dissolution results were compared with those obtained using the conventional EU Pharmacopoeia approach. Furthermore, the comparative analysis was extended to include a monolayer tablet version (ML-Tablet) lacking the slow-release technology. Technological characterization and bioaccessibility studies, including intestinal permeability test, were conducted as well to assess the pharmacological performance and bioavailability of active ingredients. The dissolution data recovered revealed that the two dissolution methods did not exhibit any significant differences in the release of ML-Tablet's. However, the dissolution profile of the BL-Tablet exhibited notable differences between the two methods particularly when assessing the behavior of the slow-release layer. In this scenario, both methods initially exhibited a similar release pattern within the first approximately 0.5 h, driven by the fast-release layer of the tablet. Following this, distinct gradual and sustained releases were observed, spanning 2.5 h for the EU Pharmacopoeia method and 8 h for the new SIFC-biorelevant dissolution method, respectively. Overall, the novel method demonstrated a substantial improvement compared to conventional EU Pharmacopoeia test in evaluating the performance of a controlled slow-release technology. Remarkably, the prolonged release technology did not have an adverse impact on melatonin intestinal absorption, and, consequently, maintaining its potential bioavailability of around 78%. Concluding, this research provides valuable insights into how the innovative dissolution test can assist formulators in developing controlled release formulations.

Catheter-Related Sepsis by Candida pararugosa in an Adult Patient under Chemotherapy Regimen.

Candida pararugosa is present in animals and humans in different organs and biological liquids, usually as a saprophyte. We report the case of a 61-year-old woman diagnosed with de novo stage IV metastatic lobular breast cancer, carrying a central venous catheter (port-a-cath) and bilateral stents for perirenal infiltration by malignancy. During chemotherapy regimen, a febrile episode occurred, along with a high level of serum glucan. The port-a-cath was removed after blood collection for culture, which gave isolation of Candida pararugosa strains. Given high glucan level and the patient's frailty, empirical treatment with fluconazole was started with load-dose, 800 mg orally, at day 1 and, afterwards, with 400 mg daily for two weeks. The phenotype of susceptibility to antibiotics of the strain demonstrated lower minimal inhibitory concentration to fluconazole than that reported in the literature. The patient remained asymptomatic, and inflammation parameters showed normalization. Unfortunately, three weeks later, meningeal localization of cancer caused rapid deterioration and death.

Sterol synthesis pathway inhibition as a target for cancer treatment.

Sterol synthesis is a highly complex and integrated pathway in mammals. In the present review, we briefly summarize the main steps of this pathway, especially concerning its main rate-limiting enzymes, HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) and squalene epoxidase (SQLE), in relation with cancer. We focus on studies reporting key findings linking cholesterol with cancer. The inhibition of HMGCR and SQLE to prevent and inhibit cancer are reviewed. Finally, a pan-cancer review of publicly available data on genomic aberrations in the main enzymes involved in sterol biosynthesis and their transcription factors is reported, providing hitherto unexplored findings that may be the subject of future research in cancer metabolomics and tumor targeted treatment.

Physical activity associated with urban environmental characteristics: a correlational study of active women of high socioeconomic status from brazilian cities of santa catarina / Atividade física associada com caracteristicas do ambiente urbano: estudo correlacional com mulheres ativas e nível econômico alto de cidades brasileiras de santa catarina / Actividad física asociada con medio urbano características: estudio correlaciónale vivir con mujeres y nivel económico de alta de ciudades brasileñas de santa catarina

The study aimed to identify urban environmental characteristics, which may be associated with the physical activity (PA) level of women from Brazilian cities of Santa Catarina. The sample was composed of 2047 women aged 20 to 59 from six Santa Catarina cities: Blumenau, Chapecó, Criciúma, Florianópolis, Itajaí, and São José. The PA was evaluated through the IPAQ (short version), and the NEWS to environmental variables. An inferential and descriptive statistic was used: Chi-squared test, ANOVA with post hoc, and raw and adjusted multinomial regression analysis (p < .05). The participants from São José presented greater chances to PA practice when they reside close to appropriated areas, sidewalks, fitness centers, well-lit streets, and when invited by relatives to the practice. The PA Program for the community enables greater chances of practice for women in Florianópolis, São José, Criciúma and Blumenau. As a conclusion, some environmental factors appeared to influence PA practice positively in Catarinense women. Besides that, the fact of belonging to the high economic status could increasingly enable practice, since they seem broader access to gyms and PA private professionals.

O estudo buscou identificar características do ambiente urbano que podem estar associadas ao nível de atividade física (AF) de mulheres de cidades catarinenses. A amostra foi composta por 2047 mulheres de 20 a 59 anos de seis cidades catarinenses: Blumenau, Chapecó, Criciúma, Florianópolis, Itajaí e São José. A AF foi avaliada por meio do International Physical Activity Questionnaire (versão curta) e o Neighborhood Environmental Walkability Scale para variáveis ambientais. Utilizou-se estatística descritiva e inferencial: Teste do Qui quadrado, ANOVA acompanhada de post hoc e análise de regressão multinomial bruta e ajustada (p < 0,05). As mulheres da cidade de São José apresentaram maiores chances para prática de AF quando residem próximas a locais apropriados, calçadas, academias, ruas iluminadas e quando recebem convites de parentes para prática. A existência de Programa de AF para comunidade possibilitou maiores chances de prática para mulheres de Florianópolis, São José, Criciúma e Blumenau. Nas cidades de Florianópolis e Chapecó, os fatores influenciáveis foram respectivamente, beira mar∕orla marítima e o convite de parentes para a caminhada. Alguns fatores do ambiente pareceram influenciar positivamente a prática de AF das mulheres catarinenses. Além disso, o fato de pertencerem ao estrato econômico alto pode aumentar a prática, uma vez que as mesmas parecem ter maior acesso as academias e profissionais particulares.

El estudio trató de identificar las características del entorno urbano que puede estar asociado con el nivel de actividad física (AF) de las mujeres catarinenses. Muestra de 2.047 mujeres de 20-59 años de seis ciudades Catarinenses: Blumenau, Chapecó, Criciúma, Florianópolis, Itajaí y São José. AF se evaluó con IPAQ (versión corta) y NEWS a las variables ambientales. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial: pruebas Chi cuadrado, ANOVA y análisis post hoc de crudo y ajustado (p <0,05) de regresión multinomial. Las mujeres de São José eran más propensos a practicar cuando AF residen cerca de los lugares, aceras, gimnasios, calles iluminadas apropiadas y por recibir invitaciones de los familiares. La existencia del programa de AF de la comunidad condujo a mayores posibilidades de práctica para las mujeres de Florianópolis, São José, Criciúma y Blumenau. Algunos factores ambientales parecen influir positivamente en la práctica de las mujeres de la AF de Santa Catarina. Además, el facto de pertenecer a los estratos económicos altos puede aumentar la práctica, ya que las mismas parecen tener un mayor acceso a los gimnasios y los profesionales privados de AF.