Natural melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) extracted from Sepia officinalis: A cost-effective, chemo-photothermal, synergistic nanoplatform for osteosarcoma treatment.

Osteosarcoma conventional chemotherapeutics are known for their side effects, limited options, and induction of drug resistance. This creates the need to develop new therapeutics capable of effectively destroying cancer cells with low toxicity, improving patient survival rate and their life quality. This work reports a novel drug delivery nanoplataform made of Natural Melanin Nanoparticles (MNPs), obtained from Sepia officinalis ink, with 99% incorporation efficiency of doxorubicin (Dox) without the use of non-toxic solvents. A significant photothermal effect was shown by a 36ºC increment after 10 min of laser irradiation, surpassing reported values for synthetic melanin. A sustained drug release of ca. 23% with photothermal stimuli was observed, compared to 15% without stimuli, after 48 h. This nanoplatform is obtained as a food industry side product, which makes it a natural cost-effective biomedical material. Natural MPs were applied in an osteosarcoma cell line (SaOs-2), and internalized by the cells in less than 2 h, showing cytocompatibility up to 1000 µg/mL after 72 h of contact with cells. On the contrary, when natural MNPs loaded with Dox (Dox-MNPs) were placed in contact with the SaOs-2 cells and were simultaneously receiving NIR light it was observed a 93% reduction in cancer cells in 48 h, revealing a synergistic effect between chemotherapy and phototherapy. To our knowledge this is the first time that natural MNPs extracted from Sepia officinalis were tested on an osteosarcoma cell line as chemo-photothermal agent, showing these NPs are an effective, cost-effective, reproducible, non-toxic nanoplatform for osteosarcoma treatment using combined effects.

O cuidado oncológico pediátrico frente à pandemia da COVID-19: ações da equipe multiprofissional / Pediatric oncological care in front of the COVID-19: actions by the multiprofessional team / Atención pediátrica oncológica frente a la pandemia COVID-19: acciones del equipo multiprofesional

Objetivo: relatar intervenções organizacionais vivenciadas pela equipe multiprofissional para a adaptação e manutenção de um serviço de oncologia pediátrica frente à pandemia do novo coronavírus. Método: Trata-se de um estudo descritivo exploratório junto a profissionais de saúde da oncologia pediátrica em parceria com enfermeiras do Serviço de Controle de Infecção Hospitalar e Educação Permanente em Saúde. Resultados: As adaptações e intervenções realizadas foram fundamentadas no Planejamento Comunicativo e organizado em três pilares: espaço físico; fluxo de atendimento; acolhimento e capacitação da equipe. Conclusão: As ações organizacionais para a adaptação e manutenção do serviço de oncologia pediátrica frente à pandemia, possibilitaram que os fluxos de atendimentos fossem mantidos com respeito às normas sociossanitárias e com direcionamento, que proporcionou assistência de qualidade às crianças e adolescentes

Objective: to report organizational interventions experienced by the multidisciplinary team for the adaptation and maintenance of a pediatric oncology service in the face of the new coronavirus pandemic. Method: This is an exploratory and descriptive study conducted with pediatric oncology health professionals in partnership with nurses from the Hospital Infection Control and Continuing Health Education Service. Results: The adaptations and interventions performed were based on Communicative Planning and organized into three pillars: physical space; service flow; reception and training of the team. Conclusion: The organizational actions for the adaptation and maintenance of the pediatric oncology service in the face of the pandemic allowed the flow of care to be maintained with respect to social and health standards and with guidance that provided quality care to children and adolescents.

Objetivo: informar de las intervenciones organizativas vividas por el equipo multidisciplinar para la adecuación y mantenimiento de un servicio de oncología pediátrica ante la nueva pandemia de coronavirus. Metodo: Este es un estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con los profesionales de la salud en oncología pediátrica en asociación con enfermeras del Servicio de Control de Infecciones Hospitalarias y Educación Continua en Salud. Resultados: Las adaptaciones e intervenciones realizadas se basaron en la Planificación Comunicativa y se organizaron en tres pilares: espacio físico; flujo de servicio; recepción y formación del equipo. Conclusión: Las acciones organizativas para la adecuación y mantenimiento del servicio de oncología pediátrica ante la pandemia permitieron mantener el flujo de atención con respecto a los estándares socio-sanitarios y con orientaciones que brinden una atención de calidad a la niñez y adolescencia

Electro-responsive controlled drug delivery from melanin nanoparticles.

Electro-responsive controlled drug delivery has been receiving an increasing interest as one of the on-demand drug delivery systems, aiming the improvement of the therapeutics efficacy by controlling the amount of drug release at a specific time and target site. Herein, we report a simple method to develop an electro-responsive controlled drug delivery system using functionalized melanin nanoparticles (FMNPs) with polydopamine and polypyrrole to precisely control the release of dexamethasone (Dex). Optimized FMNPs showed 376.77 ± 62.05 nm of particle size, a polydispersity index of 0.26 ± 0.09 and a zeta-potential (ZP) of -32.59 ± 3.61 mV. FMNPs evidenced a spherical shape, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry analysis confirmed the deposition of the polymers on the FMNPs' surface. The incorporation efficiency of the optimized Dex-loaded FMNPs was 94.45 ± 0.63% and the increase of ZP to -40.34 ± 4.65 mV was attributed to the anionic nature of Dex. In vitro Dex release studies without stimuli revealed a maximum Dex release below 10%. Applying electrical stimulation, Dex release was augmented, with a maximum of ca. 32% after 24 h. The designed FMNPs provide a powerful biomaterial-based technological tool for electro-responsive controlled drug delivery, capable of surpassing the associated lack of efficiency and stability of current carriers.

Melanin nanoparticles as a promising tool for biomedical applications - a review.

Melanin is a biopolymer of easy and cheap availability that can be found among the living organisms and excels for its biocompatibility and biodegradability properties, along with scavenging abilities, metal chelation and electronic conductance. This biomaterial can act as a nanocarrier or agent itself to be used in diverse biomedical applications, such as imaging, controlled drug release, bioengineering and bioelectronics, antioxidant applications and theranostics. In this review, the melanin source and structure, its physicochemical properties, melanin-like polymers as well as the differences among those will be elucidated. The focus will be the discussion of the current approaches that apply melanin nanoparticles (MNPs) and melanin-like nanoparticles (MLNPs) in the biomedical field, to which promising capabilities have been attributed, regarding optoelectronic, photoconductivity and photoacoustic. The use of these nanoparticles, in the last 10 years, in topics as drug delivery or theranostics will be detailed and the major achievements will be discussed. Overall, we anticipate that melanin can drive us toward a new paradigm in medical diagnostics and treatments, since applying melanin features possibly its use as a theranostics nanocarrier agent, not only for diagnostics, but also for photothermal therapy and controlled drug release through chemotherapy. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: We present here a timely and opportune review article focusing the significant potential of melanin nanoparticles in biomedical applications, which will be discussed thoroughly. This biomaterial presents multiple capabilities that may be taken into consideration towards cancer theranostics, expecting a high future impact in the nanosized-platforms design and performance.

Detection of salivirus in raw sewage samples in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Gastroenteric viruses are important pathogens related to cases of acute gastroenteritis, affecting millions of people worldwide with a major impact on children under five in developing countries. The introduction of metagenomic approach techniques in the 2000s has allowed the description of new viruses, among them Salivirus, which has been associated worldwide with cases of diarrhea. This study aimed to detect salivirus in raw sewage samples from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) collected between June 2013 and May 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fifty-two samples collected weekly were tested by using a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). Salivirus genome was detected in 71.1% (37/52) of the samples, with viral concentration ranging from 7.56 x 104 to 7.20 x 106 genomic copies per liter. Higher viral loads were detected in the summer and fall of 2014, although these data were not sufficient to infer seasonality for this virus. The high prevalence of salivirus in sewage samples highlights the importance of viral research in wastewater to generate data on salivirus circulation, increasing understanding regarding its dissemination in the population.

Targeting Cancer Via Resveratrol-Loaded Nanoparticles Administration: Focusing on In Vivo Evidence.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a polyphenol endowed with potential therapeutic effects in chronic diseases, particularly in cancer, the second leading cause of death worldwide in the twenty-first century. The advent of nanotechnology application in the field of drug delivery allows to overcome the constrains associated with the conventional anticancer treatments, in particular chemotherapy, reducing its adverse side effects, off target risks and surpassing cancer multidrug chemoresistance. Moreover, the use of nanotechnology-based carriers in the delivery of plant-derived anticancer agents, such as RSV, has already demonstrated to surpass the poor water solubility, instability and reduced bioavailability associated with phytochemicals, improving their therapeutic activity, thus prompting pharmaceutical developments. This review highlights the in vivo anticancer potential of RSV achieved by nanotherapeutic approaches. First, RSV physicochemical, stability and pharmacokinetic features are described. Thereupon, the chemotherapeutic and chemopreventive properties of RSV are underlined, emphasizing the RSV numerous cancer molecular targets. Lastly, a comprehensive analysis of the RSV-loaded nanoparticles (RSV-NPs) developed and administered in different in vivo cancer models to date is presented. Nanoparticles (NPs) have shown to improve RSV solubility, stability, pharmacokinetics and biodistribution in cancer tissues, enhancing markedly its in vivo anticancer activity. RSV-NPs are, thus, considered a potential nanomedicine-based strategy to fight cancer; however, further studies are still necessary to allow RSV-NP clinical translation.

Nanotechnology-based formulations for resveratrol delivery: Effects on resveratrol in vivo bioavailability and bioactivity.

Resveratrol (RES), also known as 3,5,4'-trihydroxystilbene, is a polyphenolic phytoalexin that has been widely researched in the past decade due to its recognized numerous biological activities. Despite the potential benefits of RES, its effective use is limited due to its poor solubility, photosensitivity and rapid metabolism, which strongly undermine RES bioavailability and bioactivity. Thereby, recently, nanotechnology appeared as a potential strategy to circumvent RES physicochemical and pharmacokinetics constrains. However, only few studies have addressed the crucial in vivo suitability of the developed delivery systems to improve RES efficacy. Facing this scenario, in the present review, it is intended to present and discuss the in vivo resveratrol bioavailability and bioactivity, following its encapsulation or conjugation in nanotechnology-based carriers, contemplating their pharmacokinetics effectiveness.

Clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

UNLABELLED: Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) is considered as the most common vestibular disease. AIM: to evaluate the age, gender, type and site of the lesion, association with other vestibular diseases, progression, and recurrence in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective series study. Data from medical reports of BPPV patients examined in series during the past six years were analyzed. RESULTS: prevalences of BPPV were: at age 41-60 years (42.2 %); in females (62.8 %), wit nystagmus and positioning vertigo (81.3%); affecting the posterior canal (87%), unilateral (91.8 %), the right labyrinth (60.2%) - p<0.001). Due to canalithiasis (97.5%), idiopathic (74.8%), association with Menière's disease compared to other affections (55.4%); healing or recovery by means of the particle repositioning maneuver (77.9%); and possible recurrence (21.8% in a one-year follow-up period). CONCLUSION: BPPV is characterized by its prevalence at age 41 to 60 years, in females, with nystagmus and positioning vertigo, involving mostly the posterior canal of the right labyrinth, associated with canalithiasis or idiopathic, associated with Menière's disease compared to other affections, healing or recovery by means of particle repositioning maneuver, and possible recurrence.

Clinical features of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo / Vertigem posicional paroxística benigna: caracterização clínica

Benign paroxysmal positioning vertigo (BPPV) is considered as the most common vestibular disease. AIM: to evaluate the age, gender, type and site of the lesion, association with other vestibular diseases, progression, and recurrence in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A retrospective series study. Data from medical reports of BPPV patients examined in series during the past six years were analyzed. RESULTS: prevalences of BPPV were: at age 41-60 years (42.2 percent); in females (62.8 percent), wit nystagmus and positioning vertigo (81.3 percent); affecting the posterior canal (87 percent), unilateral (91.8 percent), the right labyrinth (60.2 percent) - p<0.001). Due to canalithiasis (97.5 percent), idiopathic (74.8 percent), association with Menière's disease compared to other affections (55.4 percent); healing or recovery by means of the particle repositioning maneuver (77.9 percent); and possible recurrence (21.8 percent in a one-year follow-up period). CONCLUSION: BPPV is characterized by its prevalence at age 41 to 60 years, in females, with nystagmus and positioning vertigo, involving mostly the posterior canal of the right labyrinth, associated with canalithiasis or idiopathic, associated with Menière's disease compared to other affections, healing or recovery by means of particle repositioning maneuver, and possible recurrence.

A vertigem posicional paroxística benigna (VPPB) é considerada a mais comum das vestibulopatias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar pacientes com VPPB quanto à idade, gênero, tipo e localização da lesão, associação com outras vestibulopatias, dados evolutivos e recorrência. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo de séries retrospectivo. Foram analisados os prontuários de 1271 pacientes consecutivos examinados nos últimos seis anos com VPPB. RESULTADOS: A VPPB apresentou prevalência de faixa etária entre 41 e 60 anos (42,2 por cento), gênero feminino (62,8 por cento), presença de nistagmo e vertigem de posicionamento (81,3 por cento), comprometimento do canal posterior (87,0 por cento; p<0,001), unilateral (91,8 por cento), do labirinto direito (60,2 por cento; p<0,001), por ductolitíase (97,5 por cento), forma idiopática (74,8 por cento), associação com a doença de Ménière em relação a outras afecções (55,4 por cento; p<0,001), cura ou melhora por meio de manobra de reposicionamento de partículas (77,9 por cento); e pela possibilidade de recorrência (21,8 por cento, em um ano de acompanhamento). CONCLUSÃO: A VPPB é caracterizada pela prevalência de faixa etária entre 41 e 60 anos, gênero feminino, presença de nistagmo e vertigem de posicionamento, comprometimento do canal posterior unilateral do labirinto direito por ductolitíase, forma idiopática, associação com a doença de Ménière em relação a outras afecções, cura ou melhora por meio de manobra de reposicionamento de partículas; e pela possibilidade de recorrência.

Cuidando do estudante e ensinando relações de cuidado de enfermagem / Caring for the student and teaching care relationships in nursing

O objetivo é relatar experiência sobre o trabalho do grupo de suporte "Vivendo Vivências" para o estudante de enfermagem, como uma estratégia de ensino acerca das relações de cuidado. Para cuidar do outro é preciso aprender a cuidar de si mesmo. Estudo realizado a partir do registro de avaliações, feitas pelos estudantes, sobre as contribuições do grupo. O tratamento dos dados se deu a partir da análise de conteúdo. Identificamos que os alunos, em sua totalidade, percebem a aprendizagem de habilidades interpessoais. Identificam o processo de autoconhecimento e do cuidado de si como essenciais para o cuidado do outro. "Vivendo Vivências" vem confirmando a importância desse espaço onde comportamentos de cuidar: ouvir sensível, empatia, entre outros, são aprendidos a partir do compartilhamento de experiências inerentes ao processo de viver. Os aspectos relacionais do cuidado de enfermagem ganham entorno importante na formação profissional.

The objective of this paper is to relate the experience about the work of the support group "Living Experiences" (Vivendo Vivências) for nursing students as teaching strategies about care relationships. In order to care for others it is necessary to learn to care for one's self. This study arose from the registry of evaluations filled out by students about the contributions of this support group. The data treatment was given content analysis. We identified that the students in their totality notice their apprenticeship of interpersonal skills. Students identified the self-awareness process and how self-care is essential to caring for others. "Living Experiences" (Vivendo Vivências) has been ratifying the importance about this issue where care behaviors, sensible listening, empathy, and others are taught through sharing of experiences inherent to all our lives. The aspects about relationships of nursing care deserve eternal importance in the education of nursing professionals.

El objetivo del presente artículo es relatar la experiencia de trabajo con el grupo de soporte "Viviendo Vivencias", donde el estudiante de enfermería participa de una estrategia de enseñanza sobre las relaciones de cuidado. Para cuidar del otro es necesario aprender a cuidar de sí mismo. El estudio fue realizado a partir del registro de las evaluaciones hechas por los estudiantes sobre las contribuciones del grupo. El análisis de los datos fue hecho a partir del análisis de contenido. Como resultado, registramos que la totalidad de los alumnos perciben el aprendizaje de habilidades interpersonales, y también identifican el proceso de auto-conocimiento y el cuidado de sí como siendo esenciales para el cuidado del otro. "Viviendo Vivencias" confirma la importancia de ese espacio, donde comportamientos tales como, oír sensible, empatía, entre otros, son aprendidos a partir del intercambio de experiencias inherentes al proceso de vivir. Los aspectos relacionales del cuidado de enfermería ganan así un importante entorno en la formación profesional.