Biodegradable nanoparticles containing benzopsoralens : an attractive strategy for modifying vascular function in pathological skin disorders

Psoralens are often used to treat skin disorders such as psoriasis, vitiligo and others. The toxicity and fast degradation of these drugs can be diminished by encapsulation in drug delivery systems (DDS). Nanoparticles (NPs) containing the benzopsoralen (BP) (3-ethoxy carbonyl-2H-benzofuro[3,2-e]-1-benzopiran-2-one) were prepared by the solvent evaporation technique, and parameters such as particle size, zeta potential, drug encapsulation efficiency, and external morphology were evaluated. The analysis revealed that the NPs are spherical and possessed a smooth external surface with diameter of 815 ± 80 nm, they present low tendency toward aggregation, as confirmed by their zeta potential (+17.3±2.9 mV) and the encapsulation efficiency obtained was 74%. The intracellular distribution of NPs as well as their uptake by tissues was monitored by using laser confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The use of benzopsoralen in association with ultraviolet light (360 nm) revealed morphological characteristics of cell damage such as cytosolic vesiculation, mitochondria condensation, and swelling of both the granular endoplasmic reticulum and the nuclear membrane. The primary target of DDS and drugs in vascular system are endothelial cells and an attractive strategy for modifying vascular function in various pathological states of skin disorders, cancer and inflammation. The result presented in this work indicates that PLGA NP could be a promising delivery system for benzopsoralen in connection with ultraviolet irradiation therapy (PUVA) for further application in different therapies.CNPq , CAPES, FAPESP (Braisl

Almacenamiento de papa con antigerminantes.

Sumario de los trabajos preliminares realizados por el ICA, sobre el uso de inhibidores de brotes en el almacenamiento de papa para consumo. El primer paso hacia la conservación de la papa ya sea para consumo o para semilla es la construcción de bodegas adecuadas donde sea posible un riguroso control de temperatura, humedad y aereación. A pesar de existir muchos compuestos quìmicos capaces de inhibir o retardar la brotación de la papa en las condiciones ambientales del país, debe tenerse en cuenta que dichos productos sólo contribuyen en parte al éxito de la conservación, sobre todo en bodegas donde no se puede disminuír la temperatura hasta 5 menos 6 grados centígrados. Se explica que los inhibidores deben utilizarse solamente en papa completamente madura y sana, sin cortaduras ni magulladuras, porque la mayoría de los inhibidores de brotes también impiden el proceso de cicatrización natural del tubérculo. Un período de 4 meses de almacenamiento debería considerarse como el límite máximo para conservar papa con fines comercialesPapa-Solanum tuberosu

Improving manual oxygen titration in preterm infants by training and guideline implementation

To study oxygen saturation (SpO2) targeting before and after training and guideline implementation of manual oxygen titration, two cohorts of preterm infants 21%. ABCs where oxygen therapy was given were identified and analyzed. After training and guideline implementation the %SpO2-wtr increased (median interquartile range (IQR)) 48.0 (19.6-63.9) % vs 61.9 (48.5-72.3) %; p 95% (44.0 (27.8-66.2) % vs 30.8 (22.6-44.5) %; p 95% did not decrease (73% vs 64%; ns) but lasted shorter (2 (0-7) vs 1 (1-3) minute; p < 0.004). CONCLUSION: Training and guideline implementation in manual oxygen titration improved SpO2 targeting in preterm infants with more time spent within the target range and less frequent hyperoxaemia. The durations of hypoxaemia and hyperoxaemia during ABCs were shorter. What is Known: • Oxygen saturation targeting in preterm infants can be challenging and the compliance is low when oxygen is titrated manually. • Hyperoxaemia often occurs after oxygen therapy for oxygen desaturation during apnoeas. What is New: • Training and implementing guidelines improved oxygen saturation targeting and reduced hyperoxaemia. • Training and implementing guidelines improved manual oxygen titration during ABC

Mechanical ventilatory support in preterm infants

A large proportion of premature infants presents with acute respiratory failure after birth and require mechanical ventilatory support. In addition to conventional mechanical ventilation, an increasing number of these infants are currently supported by newer modes including synchronized, volume targeted and noninvasive mechanical ventilation. While these new modes have improved weaning from mechanical ventilation they have not had a consistent impact on respiratory outcome or other morbidities. This is a review of the different modes of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation used to support premature infants with respiratory failure

p Flexural and Durability Performance of Seawater-Mixed Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer-Reinforced Concrete Slabs

Forty-eight simply supported glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) reinforced concrete (RC) slabs made with seawater-mixed concrete were tested to study potential performance degradation over different environmental conditions for 1, 6, 12, and 24 months. The environments consisted of typical field conditions of a subtropical region and immersion in seawater at 60 degrees C (140 degrees F) as an accelerated aging regimen. The GFRP-RC slab strips were 1828 mm (72 in.) long, 304 mm (12 in.) wide, and 152 mm (6 in.) deep and were reinforced with a 9.5 mm (0.375 in.) diameter GFRP bar. All the slabs were tested under three-point flexural loading and all exhibited bar rupture as the failure mode. The test results are reported in terms of the cracking load, ultimate moment capacity, and service-load deflections. Experimental results were compared to the analytical and ACI 440.1R-15 expected values. The type of concrete mixture design as well as the accelerated aging exposure seems to affect the ultimate capacity of GFRP-RC slabs. Analytical and ACI approaches reasonably predicted the experimental failure-moment capacity of most of the seawater-mixed GFRP-RC slabs, specifically for those exposed to field conditioning. The ACI 440.1R-15 equations were in good agreement with the experimentally measured deflections, where the largest deviations were observed for accelerated-aged specimens

Upper airway stability and respiratory muscle activity during inspiratory loading in full-term neonates

To investigate the role of genioglossus and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) activity in stabilizing the extrathoracic airway (ETA) of full-term infants during inspiratory flow-resistive loading (IRL), 10 unsedated full-term infants were evaluated in quiet sleep. IRLs were randomly imposed (L2, 125 cmH2O.l–1.s; L3, 250 cmH2O.l–1.s). Ventilation, total respiratory resistance (a correlate of ETA resistance), and moving time averages of PCA, submental activity of the genioglossus (SM), and diaphragm electromyogram were obtained. Results revealed no phasic activity in the SM during baseline breathing or with either IRL. Phasic PCA activity was always observed; burst duration increased with L2 and L3 (P < 0.01) and commenced earlier in relation to the onset of inspiratory airflow with both loads (P < 0.05). PCA activity always preceded that of the diaphragm and invariably outlasted it other than with L3. The upper airway negative pressure changes induced by IRL were insufficient to recruit SM activity; other potential stimuli such as transcutaneous PO2, transcutaneous PCO2, and pulmonary stretch receptor activation (increase in tidal volume) remained unchanged. Ventilation decreased with both loads (L3: P < 0.01), esophageal and mouth pressures increased (P < 0.01), and inspiratory time and inspiratory time divided by total time were both prolonged (P < 0.01). Total respiratory resistance remained unchanged with L2 but increased with L3 (P < 0.01). We concluded that ETA narrowing may be induced in full-term infants during quiet sleep with moderately large-sized IRL and that it is not entirely ameliorated by activation of the SM or PCA or by arousal

A system for automatic adjustment of the inspired oxygen in mechanically ventilated premature infants

Episodes of hypoxemia are often observed in ventilated preterm infants. Assistance with a transient increase in the fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO/sub 2/) is difficult and time consuming for the intensive care personnel. In order to reduce the morbidities associated with hypoxemia and oxygen toxicity, a system for closed loop control of FiO/sub 2/ (cFiO/sub 2/) was developed to respond to frequent and severe hypoxemic episodes and minimize oxygen exposure. The cFiO/sub 2/ system is based on a hybrid algorithm of rule based and differential feedback control. It automatically adjusts FiO/sub 2/ depending on the occurrence of the severity, duration, rate of change of the ensuing/resolving hypoxemia, and on the basal FiO/sub 2/ required to maintain oxygenation. In a clinical study, cFiO/sub 2/ was compared to a dedicated trained nurse managing the FiO/sub 2/ in a group of ventilated preterm infants and it was effective in limiting the duration and seventy of hypoxemia. Close loop FiO/sub 2/ control could improve the respiratory, ophthalmic and neurological outcome and facilitate the care of premature neonates