Eudragit ® FS 30 D polymeric films containing chondroitin sulfate as candidates for use in coating seeking modified delivery of drugs

ABSTRACT Polymeric films associating different concentrations of Eudragit(r) FS 30 D (EFS) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) were produced by casting for the development of a new target-specific site material. Formed films kept a final polymer mass of 4% (w/v) in the following proportions: EFS 100:00 CS (control), EFS 95:05 CS, EFS 90:10 CS and EFS 80:20 CS. They were analyzed for physical and chemical characteristics using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, they were characterized by their water vapor permeability and degree of hydration at different conditions simulating the gastrointestinal tract. No chemical interactions were observed between CS and EFS, suggesting only a physical interaction between them in the different combinations tested. The results suggest that EFS and CS, when combined, may form films that are candidates for coating processes seeking a modified drug delivery, especially due to the synergism between pH dependency and specific biodegradability properties by the colonic microbiota. EFS 90:10 CS proved to be the most suitable for this purpose considering hydration and permeability characteristics of different associations analyzed.

Completeness of tuberculosis reporting forms for disease control in individuals with HIV/AIDS in priority cities of Bahia state / Completude das fichas de notificação de Tuberculose nos municípios prioritários da Bahia para controle da doença em indivíduos com HIV/AIDS

The control of HIV / Tuberculosis (TB) co -infection remains a challenge for public health. Notification is mandatory for both diseases and the National Case Registry Database (Sinan) is responsible for the collection and processing of individual forms of reporting and monitoring. The adequate fulfillment of these fields chips (completeness) is essential to follow the dynamics of the disease and set priorities for intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the completeness of the notification forms of tuberculosis in the priority municipalities of Bahia (Camaçari , Feira de Santana , Ilhéus , Itabuna, Jequié, Lauro de Freitas , Porto Seguro , Teixeira de Freitas , Paulo Afonso, Barreiras and Salvador) to control the disease in individuals with HIV/AIDS using tabulations obtained from the Sinan in the period from 2001 to 2010. The results showed that despite the completeness of the field HIV be above 50 %, more than half the cases were met as "undone" or "being processed" in all municipalities assessed in the period. The low completeness of reporting forms may compromise the quality of surveillance of TB cases. The results suggest the need for greater availability of HIV testing in these individuals.

O controle da coinfecção HIV/Tuberculose (TB) ainda representa um desafio para a saúde pública. Ambas as doenças são de notificação obrigatória e o Sistema Nacional de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN) é o órgão responsável pela coleta e processamento das fichas individuais de notificação e acompanhamento. O preenchimento adequado dos campos destas fichas (completude) é essencial para acompanhar a dinâmica da doença e definir prioridades de intervenção. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a completude das fichas de notificações de tuberculose nos municípios prioritários da Bahia (Camaçari, Feira de Santana, Ilhéus, Itabuna, Jequié, Lauro de Freitas, Porto Seguro, Teixeira de Freitas, Paulo Afonso, Barreiras e Salvador), para controle da doença em indivíduos com HIV/AIDS, através dos relatórios de tabulação do Sinan, no período de 2001 a 2010. Os resultados demonstraram que, apesar da completude do campo HIV estar acima de 50%, mais da metade das fichas estavam preenchidas como "não realizado" ou "em andamento", em todos os municípios avaliados no período. A baixa completude das fichas de notificação pode comprometer a qualidade de vigilância dos casos de TB. Os resultados sugerem a necessidade de maior disponibilidade de teste para HIV nesses indivíduos.

Avaliação da interação de compostos ativos hidratantes com modelo de biomembrana de Crotalus durissus por meio de calorimetria exploratória diferencial e espectroscopia RAMAN / Study of the interaction of moisturizers with a Crotalus durissus biomembrane by differential scanning calorimetry and RAMAN spectroscopy

O objetivo foi verificar as alterações no estrato córneo em modelos alternativos de membrana após a aplicação de ativos hidratantes envolvendo métodos biofísicos. O modelo de biomembrana utilizado foi a muda de pele de Crotalus durissus e os ativos hidratantes foram: uréia, silício orgânico, extrato vegetal de Imperata cylindrica, reação de xilitol e glicose e componentes de NMF. Os resultados da avaliação das alterações do modelo por meio de Espectroscopia Raman com Transformada de Fourier sugerem que os ativos hidratantes confirmam segurança necessária, pois não alteraram de forma acentuada a estrutura do estrato córneo. Utilizando-se Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial pode-se indicar que a solução de silício orgânico e o gel hidrofílico com uréia apresentaram melhor poder hidratante.

The objective of this research was to use biophysical techniques to investigate the alterations induced in a biomembrane model of the stratum corneum by the application of moisturizers. The biomembrane was obtained from the skin shed by the rattlesnake Crotalus durissus and the active moisturizing compounds were: urea, dimethylsilanol hyaluronate, Imperata cylindrical plant extract, carbohydrates and natural moisturizing factors (NMF components). Results from FT-Raman spectroscopy suggested that the moisturizers were safe, since they did not promote modifications in the structure of the stratum corneum. Differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the solution containing the organic silicon compound and the gel with urea showed the best hydrating effects on the stratum corneum.

FT-Raman and FT-infrared spectroscopic study of human urinary calculi

Objective: application of FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy techniques for determination of the chemical composition of the urinary stones since they offer high specific chemical information, rapid and reliable methods

Introduction: urinary calculi are common throughout the world. Identification of the chemical composition of the urinary stones provides a precise diagnosis of the cause of lithogenesis and the consequence of appropriate therapeutic regimen and prophylaxis against recurrences

Materials and Methods: fifty urinary calculi were extracted by different urological interventions for chemical identification by using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic methods

Results: according to the spectral results, the calculi were classified into six groups were calcium oxalate monohydrate [whewellite] 40%, ammonium magnesium phosphate [struvite] 24%, uric acid 12%, mixture of calcium oxalate monohydrate with tricalcium phosphate [Whitlockite] 12%, mixture of tricalcium phosphate with calcium carbonate 8% and lastly cystine stones 4%

Conclusion: raman spectroscopy is an accurate tool for chemical identification of urinary stones. However, the extensive spectroscopic study performed in this experimental work can be extended and developed to build a Raman spectral library of all commonly occurring urinary calculi as well as the already existing FT-IR library for urinary stones

Análise transcutânea de sangue utilizando espectroscopia Raman / Blood transcutaneous analysis using Raman spectroscopy

Neste trabalho é apresentada a proposta para a determinação de componentes do sangue humano in vivo, através da utilização da espectroscopia Raman. A obtenção das quantidades de glucose e de gases dissolvidos no sangue por via transcutânea, remotamente e em tempo real, utilizando fibras ópticas, demonstra-se de grande utilidade para a rápida tomada de decisão em um ambiente hospitalar. A utilização de um dispositivo especialmente projetado para aumentar a coleta de luz pelo sistema de fibras ópticas amplia as perspectivas de utilização da técnica.

ln this work we present the proposal for obtaining human blood components in vivo, using Raman spectroscopy. The determination of glucose and disolved gases quantities in the whole blood transcutaneously, remotely and in real time by meaning of fiber optics, shows be very important for rapid decision in an hospital environment. The use of a

Estudo da eficiência de captaçäo de energia entre cateter momofibra e polifibra / Study about the efficiency of energy uptake between mutifiber and single fiber catheter

Neste trabalho é realizado o estudo comparativo entre o cateter convencional tipo polifibras (6x1), e uma nova configuração do mesmo dispositivo utilizando apenas uma fibra. Os resultados demostram que esta nova configuração apresenta melhor eficiência da coleta de radiação do sinal retroespalhado pela amostra.

This work aims the comparative study between a standard multifiber catheter (6x1), and a new configuration of the same device using only single fiber. The results show that this new configuration has better collection efficiency for the backscattering signal from the sample.