Rosmarinic Acid-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles Prepared by Low-Energy Nano-Emulsion Templating: Formulation, Biophysical Characterization, and In Vitro Studies.

Rosmarinic acid (RA), a caffeic acid derivative, has been loaded in polymeric nanoparticles made up of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) through a nano-emulsion templating process using the phase-inversion composition (PIC) method at room temperature. The obtained RA-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were colloidally stable exhibiting average diameters in the range of 70-100 nm. RA was entrapped within the PLGA polymeric network with high encapsulation efficiencies and nanoparticles were able to release RA in a rate-controlled manner. A first-order equation model fitted our experimental data and confirmed the prevalence of diffusion mechanisms. Protein corona formation on the surface of NPs was assessed upon incubation with serum proteins. Protein adsorption induced an increase in the hydrodynamic diameter and a slight shift towards more negative surface charges of the NPs. The radical scavenging activity of RA-loaded NPs was also studied using the DPPH·assay and showed a dose-response relationship between the NPs concentration and DPPH inhibition. Finally, RA-loaded NPs did not affect the cellular proliferation of the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line and promoted efficient cellular uptake. These results are promising for expanding the use of O/W nano-emulsions in biomedical applications.

EARLY: a pilot study on early diagnosis of atrial fibrillation in a primary healthcare centre.

AIM: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is likely to improve therapy and prognosis. The study objective was to evaluate the usefulness of a programme for early diagnosis of AF in patients from an urban primary care centre. METHODS AND RESULTS: Participants were recruited from a randomized sample of patients not diagnosed with AF but having relevant risk factors: age ≥ 65 years, ischaemic and/or valvular heart disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and/or diabetes. Patients were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or control group (CG). The intervention included (i) initial visit with clinical history, electrocardiogram, and instruction about pulse palpation and warning signs and (ii) electrocardiogram every 6 months during a 2-year follow-up. The main endpoint of the study was the proportion of new cases diagnosed at 6 months. Secondary endpoints were number of new AF diagnoses and complications associated with the arrhythmia in both groups. A total of 928 patients were included (463 IG and 465 CG). At 6 months, AF was diagnosed in 8 IG patients and 1 CG patient (1.7 vs. 0.2%, respectively, P = 0.018). After 2 years of follow-up, 11 IG patients and 6 CG patients had newly diagnosed AF (2.5 vs. 1.3%, respectively, P = 0.132). Time to first diagnosis of AF was shorter in IG patients [median (inter-quartile range): 7 (192) days vs. 227 (188.5) days in CG, P = 0.029]. CONCLUSION: The simple screening proposed could be useful for the early detection of AF in primary care.

Features of the risk profile of patients with type 2 diabetes and/or cardiovascular disease in a primary care centre in Barcelona (Spain)

Background: We compared the clinical burden of patients with type 2 diabetes (DM), cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (CVDM), and cardiovascular disease without type 2 diabetes (CVnoDM) who are currently attending a primary health care centre in Barcelona. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed on 2168 patients: 855 with CVnoDM, 301 with CVDM and 1012 with DM. Metabolic control, pharmacological therapy, comorbidity and death rate within one year were compared between groups. Results DM patients were younger, more obese and less sedentary than the others. Only 11% of all patients were smokers. Blood pressure (BP) readings were less than 135/75mmHg in all groups. Total and LDL cholesterol were the lowest in CVDM. HbA1c levels were similar in CVDM and DM. DM received fewer flu vaccinations compared to the others. CVnoDM and CVDM had a higher proportion on antiplatelet therapy than DM. Comorbidity (assessed through the Charlson Index) reached its highest level in CVDM and its lowest level in CVnoDM. No significant differences in death rates were found. Conclusions In the Mediterranean area, everyday practice in primary care shows that, although there is similar metabolic control, there is no evidence of a lower clinical burden in patients with diabetes as compared to patients with cardiovascular disease. (AU)

Introducción: Comparar las características clínicas de los pacientes con diabetes tipo 2 (DM),enfermedad cardiovascular y diabetes tipo 2 (CVDM), y enfermedad cardiovascular sin diabetes tipo 2 (CVnoDM) de un centro de atención primaria de Barcelona. Métodos: Estudio transversal reclutando 2.168 pacientes: 855 con CVnoDM, 301 con CVDM y 1012con DM. El control metabólico, tratamiento farmacológico, comorbilidad y tasa de mortalidad durante un año se compararon entre los grupos. Resultados: DM eran más jóvenes, más obesos y menos sedentarios que los demás. 11% de todos los pacientes eran fumadores. Los niveles de presión arterial eran menores a 135/75 mmHg en todos los grupos. El colesterol total y LDL fueron más bajos en CVDM. Los niveles de HbA1cfueron similares en CVDM y DM. DM recibieron un menor número de vacunas contra la gripe en comparación con los demás. CVnoDM y CVDM estaban más antiagregados que DM. La comorbilidad (evaluada a través del índice de Charlson) era mayor en CVDM y menor en CVnoDM. No se observaron diferencias significativas en las tasas de mortalidad durante el año analizado. Conclusiones: La práctica habitual realizada en un centro de atención primaria del área mediterránea muestra que, a pesar de un control metabólico similar, no hay evidencia de una menor carga clínica en los pacientes con diabetes, en comparación con pacientes en prevención secundaria cardiovascular (AU)

Valores séricos de vitamina B12 en pacientes ancianos atendidos ambulatoriamente / Serum cobalamin levels in ambulatory elderly patients

No disponible