Fresh Carrier for an Old Topical Local Anesthetic: Benzocaine in Nanostructured Lipid Carriers.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) have emerged as innovative drug delivery systems, offering distinct advantages over other lipid-based carriers, such as liposomes and solid lipid nanoparticles. Benzocaine (BZC), the oldest topical local anesthetic in use, undergoes metabolism by pseudocholinesterase, leading to the formation of p-aminobenzoic acid, a causative agent for allergic reactions associated with prolonged BZC usage. In order to mitigate adverse effects and enhance bioavailability, BZC was encapsulated within NLC. Utilizing a 23 factorial design, formulations comprising cetyl palmitate (solid lipid), propylene glycol monocaprylate (liquid lipid), and Pluronic F68 as surfactants were systematically prepared, with variations in the solid/liquid lipid mass ratios (60:40-80:20%), total lipid contents (15-25%), and BZC concentrations (1-3%). The optimized formulation underwent characterization by dynamic light scattering, differential scanning calorimetry, Raman imaging, X-ray diffraction, small-angle neutron scattering, nanotracking analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)/cryo-TEM, providing insights into the nanoparticle structure and the incorporation of BZC into its lipid matrix. NLCBZC exhibited a noteworthy encapsulation efficiency (%EE = 96%) and a 1 year stability when stored at 25 °C. In vitro kinetic studies and in vivo antinociceptive tests conducted in mice revealed that NLCBZC effectively sustained drug release for over 20 h and prolonged the anesthetic effect of BZC for up to 18 h. We therefore propose the use of NLCBZC to diminish the effective anesthetic concentration of benzocaine (from 20 to 3% or less), thus minimizing allergic reactions that follow the topical administration of this anesthetic and, potentially, paving the way for new routes of BZC administration in pain management.

The allelopathic effects of aqueous Talinum triangulare (jacq.) willd extracts on the development of Lactuca sativa L. seedlings.

Plants that produce allelopathic compounds against weeds have emerged as a potential solution for the development of ecologically correct bioherbicides. Talinum triangulare is noteworthy in this regard, as its phytochemical composition encompasses flavonoids, alkaloids and other metabolites that can be used to develop inhibitory weed growth solutions. Lactuca sativa (lettuce) has been widely applied as a bioindicator species for bioherbicides and several chemicals, animal waste, water and soil quality, and atmospheric contamination, among others. In this context, this study aimed to assess the potential allelopathic effect of aqueous T. triangulare extracts on the development of L. sativa seedlings. A completely randomized design employing a 2x4 factorial scheme (shoot and root extracts) x the concentration of each extract (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5%) was applied, comprising four replications. Lactuca sativa seeds were sown on germitest papers soaked with the extracts in a germination chamber at 20°C. Physiological seed evaluations comprising the germination test, where normal and abnormal seedlings are counted on the seventh day after sowing, first normal seedling counts on the fourth day after sowing, and seedling and root length measurements. At the end of the germination test, L. sativa seedlings were separated for morphoanatomical characterizations and chlorophyll a fluorescence analyses. The T. triangulare extracts significantly influenced L. sativa root growth, with shoot extract exposure leading to more abnormal plants and lower root lengths at increasing concentrations and compared to the root extract. Root extract exposure led to evident cellular changes and lower non-photochemical quenching and unregulated dissipation quantum yields at a 5% exposure dose compared to shoot extract exposure. These findings suggest that both aqueous T. triangulare root and shoot extracts from 5% exposure doses exhibit high potential as bioherbicides, acting directly on plant structure, anatomy, quality, size and physiology.

Physical and physiological soybean seed qualities stored under different environmental conditions and storage bag depths.

The Brazilian Midwest is responsible for 54.3% of the country's soybean production. Adequate storage technologies are essential to maintain physical, physiological, and sanitary seed qualities while also minimizing deterioration processes and consequent germination and vigor declines. In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the physiological potential and physical qualities of soybean seeds stored under different environmental conditions and storage bag depths. Assays were carried out in September 2021 employing Foco 74i77 RSF IPRO cultivar seeds stored from April to August 2021 under three conditions, as follows: chilled at an average temperature of ≤20 °C, at an average temperature of ≤25 °C using a with blanket, and in without blanket warehouse structure at an average temperature of ≥25 °C with no with blanket. A completely randomized 3x3 factorial experimental design was applied, comprising three storage environments and three bag positions (top, middle, and bottom), with three replication each. Physical, physiological, and biochemical tests were performed on the stored seeds. The findings indicate better seed preservation in the chilled environment or when using a with blanket, with significant differences noted for seeds stored the middle of the storage bag. Therefore, soybean seed storage in a chilled environment or using a with blanket aids in slowing down the seed deterioration processes, preserving physiological quality and vigor compared to a conventional storage environment. Additionally, the quality of soybean seeds stored under these conditions in the middle of storage bags is maintained.

O Processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros da atenção primária e a Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais/Fitoterápicos / The nurses’ work process of Primary Health Care and the National Politics of MedicinalPlants/Phytoterapies

RESUMO O estudo objetivou conhecer o processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros da atenção primária em relação à Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos. O referencial foi baseado em Guareschi e Kleinman. A abordagem foi qualitativa, descritiva. Fizeram parte dos estudos enfermeiros de 21 municípios da região Sul do estado do Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram coletados por questionário autoadministrado, no período de junho a agosto de 2013. A análise seguiu a proposta operativa de Minayo, emergindo dois temas: processo de trabalho dos enfermeiros e a Política Nacional de Plantas Medicinais e Fitoterápicos; viabilização desta na atenção primária. Observou-se o desconhecimento da política, apesar de ter sido constatado a indicação de plantas medicinais no processo de trabalho. A política é viável quando o enfermeiro organiza grupos, coloca em prática o diálogo interdisciplinar, e contempla a questão dos aspectos culturais do usuário.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to understand nurses’ work processes in primary health care in relation to the National Politics of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapies. The referential was based on Guareschi and Kleinman. The approach was qualitative and descriptive. Nurses from 21 towns of Southern Rio Grande do Sul participated. Data collection was a self-administrated questionnaire, in the period of June to August of 2013. The analysis followed Minayo’s operative proposal, two themes emerged: nurses’ work processes and the National Politics of Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapies and the viability of this in primary health care. The ignorance of the policy, but they indicate medicinal plants in the work process. The policy is practicable, when the nurses make groups, put the interdisciplinary dialogue in practice and contemplate the users’ cultural aspects.

Óleo de melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden & Betche, Cheel) no controle de cercosporiose em beterraba / Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden& Betche, Cheel) in control of Cercospora beticola Sacc. on Beet

RESUMO O óleo volátil da melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden & Betche, Cheel) possui atividade antimicrobiana podendo causar efeitos sobre as plantas. Avaliou-se a inibição do óleo em Cercospora beticolaSacc., e seu efeito no aumento da produção e qualidade de raízes de beterraba. As doses foram de 0,13; 0,67; 0,80 e 1,00% do óleo, além das testemunhas composta pelo meio de cultura Batata Dextrose Ágar (BDA) no experimento in vitro, e água no experimento in vivo. As plantas foram pulverizadas duas vezes por semana. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado, com 4 repetições, e as médias foram comparadas pelo teste Tukey a 5% de probabilidade. O índice de infecção das folhas foi determinado por escala diagramática além do peso e diâmetro das raízes. Os resultados de inibição do crescimento micelial para as doses do óleo foram 0; 56; 87; 83 e 99%, e os índices de infecção: 77,08; 35,62; 21,04; 19,37 e 20,00%, respectivamente, para a testemunha e as doses 0,13; 0,67; 0,80 e 1,00% do óleo. Somente na concentração de 0,80% o óleo proporcionou relação positiva entre o ganho de peso e o diâmetro das raízes. O óleo de Melaleuca foi eficaz no controle de C. beticola e, como consequência, houve produção de raízes de beterraba com melhor desenvolvimento.

ABSTRACT The volatile oil from Melaleuca (Melaleuca alternifolia Maiden & Betche Cheel.) has antimicrobial properties and can promote several effects on plant cultivation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibition of the oil in Cercospora beticola Sacc. and if it favors the growth and development of beet root. The doses were 0.13, 0.67, 0.8 and 1% of oil, besides the control PDA (potato-dextrose-agar) in vitro (laboratory condition) and with water as treatment control in vivo (field conditions). The plants were sprayed twice a week. The treatments were completely randomized and the averages were compared using the Tukey test at 5%. The infection rate of leaves was measured by diagrammatic scale besides the weight and diameter of tubers. The inhibition results of the radial growth by oil treatments were 0; 56, 87, 83 and 99%, while the infection rate showed: 77.08, 35.62, 21.04, 19.37 and 20% respectively to the control and to the oil concentration of 0,13; 0,67; 0,80 e 1,00%. Only at concentration of 0.8% the tea tree oil showed a positive relationship between tuber´s weight and tuber´s diameter gains. It can be concluded that tea tree oil is effective to controlling C. beticola, and also promotes an increase on development in beet tubers.

Plantas medicinais no processo de cicatrização de feridas: uma revisão de literatura / Medicinal plants in the wound healing process: a literature review

Uma busca foi realizada na literatura, visando sumarizar as pesquisas realizadas e obter informações acerca da utilização de plantas medicinais no processo de cicatrização de feridas. Utilizaram-se os descritores: Plantas Medicinais e Cicatrização de Feridas e seus equivalentes em inglês e espanhol, com o operador booleano "AND" em três bases eletrônicas de dados (PubMed, LILACS e COCHRANE). Foram selecionados 57 artigos para compor a revisão. Os resultados apontam que um total de 52 plantas medicinais e um composto de ervas foram estudados experimentalmente ou clinicamente, quanto aos seus efeitos no auxílio do processo de cicatrização, sendo que a maioria (88,5%) apresentou eficácia. Com isso, verifica-se que a utilização de plantas medicinais trata de importante alternativa no tratamento de feridas, que começa a fazer parte da atenção à saúde brasileira, o que sugere novos estudos de comprovação clínica, custos, e benefícios e a constante atualização acerca das publicações realizadas.

It was done a literature search aiming to sumarize earlier conducted researches and in order to obtain information on the use of medicinal plants in wound healing process. The descriptors used were as follows: Medicinal Plants and Wound Healing and their equivalents in English and Spanish with the Boolean operator "AND" in three electronic databases (PubMed, LILACS and COCHRANE). Fifty seven articles were chosen to compose the review. The findings from a total of fifty two medicinal plants and one herbal compound that were experimentally or clinically studied in respect to their effects in wound healing process indicate that the majority of them (eighty eight point five per cent) showed efficacy. Thus, it can be seen that the use of medicinal plants is an important alternative in wounds treatment that becomes part of Brazilian health care, suggesting further studies of clinical evidence, costs and benefits and constantly updating on produced publications.

Epstein-Barr virus DNA associated with gastric adenocarcinoma and adjacent non-cancerous mucosa in patients from Manaus, Brazil.

Gastric cancer is one of most frequent causes of death in Brazil. The city of Manaus has one of the highest incidences of this disease in Brazil. The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that is classified as a group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. We obtained biopsies from 6 control subjects and 10 patients with gastric carcinomas living in Manaus. In the patients, the samples were taken from tumors and from adjacent non-cancerous mucosa. These samples were screened for EBV DNA by PCR to amplify the 288-bp fragments from the Bam M region. The EBV DNA was detected in 8 of the 10 tumor cases and in none of the 6 control subjects. In the positively identified samples, EBV DNA was detected in five corresponding resection margins. Previous research indicated only a weak association between EBV and gastric cancer. We suggest that EBV should be considered as a risk factor for gastric adenocarcinomas in Manaus.

Long-term monitoring and proposed diffuse pollution control of a tropical reservoir.

This paper presents the results of 30 years of water quality monitoring in a tropical water supply reservoir (Vargem das Flores, Brazil). This water body is subjected to eutrophication problems caused by point sources (discharge of untreated sewage) and diffuse pollution (agricultural use in the drainage basin). Emphasis is given here on the estimation of nutrient loads and on the study of the N/P ratio in the water body. In spite of the prevalence of high N/P values, there is a clear trend in the dominance of cyanobacteria in the phytoplankton, which contradicts results from research in temperate aquatic environments. Some restoration measures for Vargem das Flores Reservoir are currently being implemented: construction of wastewater treatment plants, control of recreational activities, erosion control by hydroseeding and use of natural wetlands. Finally some management strategies in order to prevent algae input in the water abstraction system are discussed. Examples of these techniques are the installation of plastic barriers and the construction of an air curtain device.

Digital image processing measurement of the upper eyelid contour in Graves disease and congenital blepharoptosis.

OBJECTIVE: This study used image processing techniques to quantify the upper eyelid contour of patients with Graves upper eyelid retraction and congenital blepharoptosis. DESIGN: The study design was a cross-sectional study. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 29 patients with Graves disease, 22 patients with congenital blepharoptosis, and 50 patients with no history of eye disease participated. INTERVENTION: The images of the palpebral fissure of all participants were transferred to a personal computer and processed with NIH Image 1.55 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The following parameters were analyzed: the curvature of the upper eyelid contour, the position of the contour peak relative to the midline, and the ratio between the temporal and nasal upper quadrant areas of the palpebral fissure. RESULTS: All upper eyelid contours could be fitted with second-degree polynomial functions. The mean temporal/nasal area ratio was 1.33 mm in patients with Graves disease, 0.92 mm in patients with blepharoptosis, and 1.04 mm in control subjects. The peak of the upper eyelid contour was found to be lateral to the midline in control subjects (1.05 mm) and in patients with Graves disease (2.09 mm). In patients with blepharoptosis, the peak was 0.69 mm medial to the midline. Overall, the distance between the midpupil and the upper eyelid margin was correlated with several factors: the degree of curvature, the position of the peak of the eyelid contour, and the temporal/nasal area ratio. CONCLUSIONS: In Graves eyelid retraction, the curvature of the upper eyelid is enhanced, the peak of the contour is displaced laterally, and the temporal upper quadrant area is increased. Conversely, in congenital blepharoptosis, the eyelid is almost flat, the peak of the contour is displaced medially, and the upper quadrant area is diminished. The lateral segment of the upper eyelid is more involved than the nasal segment in both Graves upper eyelid retraction and congenital blepharoptosis.