Diamond Nanoparticles-Porphyrin mTHPP Conjugate as Photosensitizing Platform: Cytotoxicity and Antibacterial Activity.

Conjugation of photosensitizers (PS) with nanoparticles has been largely used as a strategy to stabilize PS in the biological medium resulting in photosensitizing nanoparticles of enhanced photoactivity. Herein, (Meso-5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis (3-hydroxyphenyl) phorphyryn (mTHPP) was conjugated with diamond nanoparticles (ND) by covalent bond. Nanoconjugate ND-mTHPP showed suitable stability in aqueous suspension with 58 nm of hydrodynamic diameter and Zeta potential of -23 mV. The antibacterial activity of ND-mTHPP was evaluated against Escherichia coli for different incubation times (0-24 h). The optimal activity was observed after 2 h of incubation and irradiation (660 nm; 51 J/cm2) performed right after the addition of ND-mTHPP (100 µg/mL) to the bacterial suspension. The inhibitory activity was 56% whereas ampicillin at the same conditions provided only 14% of bacterial growth inhibition. SEM images showed agglomerate of ND-mTHPP adsorbed on the bacterial cell wall, suggesting that the antimicrobial activity of ND-mTHPP was afforded by inducing membrane damage. Cytotoxicity against murine embryonic fibroblast cells (MEF) was also evaluated and ND-mTHPP was shown to be noncytotoxic since viability of cells cultured for 24 h in the presence of the nanoconjugate (100 µg/mL) was 78%. Considering the enhanced antibacterial activity and the absence of cytotoxic effect, it is possible to consider the ND-mTHPP nanoconjugate as promising platform for application in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT).

Anemia: uma avaliação em pacientes portadores de HIV/AIDS / Anemia: an assessment in patients with HIV/AIDS / Anemia: an assessment in patients with HIV/AIDS

Introdução: Doenças hematológicas são comumente associadas ao descontrole da replicação do HIV e à consequente depleção dos linfócitos T-helper e, especial atenção merece a anemia, que é a alteração hematológica mais frequente. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência de anemia e relação com os dados antropométricos de portadores de HIV/AIDS que fazem tratamento em uma Casa de Assistência a pessoas com AIDS do município de Aracaju-SE. Método: Estudo observacional descritivo transversal, composto por 120 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, na faixa etária de 26 a 61 anos, no qual foi avaliada a frequência de anemia e sua associação com algumas características sociodemográficas, clínicas e antropométricas. Resultados: Foi evidenciado predomínio do sexo masculino (54,8%), com média de idade próxima aos 40 anos. A frequência de anemia foi elevada, em 50,8% da amostra. Porém, dentre as variáveis analisadas, a anemia manifestou-se independentemente da faixa etária, do gênero, do tempo de descoberta da doença ou do tipo de fármaco utilizado no tratamento da infecção estudada. Já em relação aos dados antropométricos, a anemia prevaleceu nos pacientes que apresentaram maior índice de massa corporal, maior AMBc e associação entre menor somatório de dobras cutâneas e a ocorrência da anemia. Conclusão: A alta prevalência de anemia na amostra analisada é uma informação preocupante, visto que esse distúrbio tem sido associado à piora da condição clínica e está relacionada ao risco aumentado de óbitos em pacientes infectados pelo HIV/AIDS.

Lipodystrophy and the relationship with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome in HIV-infected patients / Lipodistrofia e a relação com fatores de risco cardiovascular e síndrome metabólica em pacientes infectados pelo vírus HIV

Introduction: HIV-positive patient lipodystrophy is the redistribution of body fat and may be accompanied by cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Objective: Was to investigate the prevalence of lipodystrophy in adults infected with HIV, as well as its relationship with cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome. Methodology: Cross-sectional study with HIV-positive adult patients taking antiretroviral medication. Data were collected through a questionnaire and through medical records (viral RNA, CD4, blood glucose, LDL, HDL, triglycerides). In addition to anthropometry (waist circumference, body weight, height and BMI). Results: 120 people studied among them (50.8%) had lipodystrophy, the highest prevalence of lipodystrophy (52.1%) occurred in males and the most widely used medication was the NRTI + PI (24,2%). The lipodystrophy was more frequent in patients with cardiovascular disease (68.4%), metabolic syndrome (59.3%) and those with increased waist circumference (55.1%). Significant differences (p<0.05) among the analyzed subgroups (with or without lipodystrophy) occurred with triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Discussion: The use of HAART tends to improve the condition of immunity and is associated with the onset of lipodystrophy. This also associated with excess weight and fat accumulation predisposes to the development of metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: the study contributed to direct the focus and attention profile of specialized services for HIV/AIDS (AU)

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