REDCapDM: An R package with a set of data management tools for a REDCap project.

BACKGROUND: Research Electronic Data CAPture (REDCap) is a web application for creating and managing online surveys and databases. Clinical data management is an essential process before performing any statistical analysis to ensure the quality and reliability of study information. Processing REDCap data in R can be complex and often benefits from automation. While there are several R packages available for specific tasks, none offer an expansive approach to data management. RESULTS: The REDCapDM is an R package for accessing and managing REDCap data. It imports data from REDCap to R using either an API connection or the files in R format exported directly from REDCap. It has several functions for data processing and transformation, and it helps to generate and manage queries to clarify or resolve discrepancies found in the data. CONCLUSION: The REDCapDM package is a valuable tool for data scientists and clinical data managers who use REDCap and R. It assists in tasks such as importing, processing, and quality-checking data from their research studies.

Rehabilitation Improves Persistent Symptoms of COVID-19: A Nonrandomized, Controlled, Open Study in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an 8-wk face-to-face rehabilitation program on subjects with persistent symptoms of COVID-19 compared with a remote monitoring group. DESIGN: This is clinical, nonrandomized, controlled, and open study. The face-to-face supervised rehabilitation lasted eight consecutive weeks, twice a week. The remote monitoring group received health guidance. The allocation was carried out by preference because of the emergency period without vaccination during the pandemic. Fatigue, dyspnea (Pulmonary Functional Status and Dyspnea Questionnaire), and exercise capacity (Incremental Shuttle Walk Test) were the primary outcome measures. Lung function, functional status (Post-COVID-19 Functional Status), symptoms of anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), attention (d2-R), memory (Rey's Auditory-Verbal Learning Test), handgrip strength, and knee extensor strength were secondary outcome measures. RESULTS: Thirty-seven subjects (24.3% hospitalized) completed the baseline and final assessment, rehabilitation ( n = 22, 40.8 [SD, 10.0] yrs, 54.5% female), or remote guidance ( n = 15, 45.4 [SD, 10.5] yrs, 40% female). Both groups showed improved fatigue and exercise capacity. Exercise rehabilitation improved dyspnea, anxiety, attention, and short-term memory. CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation is essential for dyspnea in subjects with persistent symptoms of COVID-19 while fatigue naturally reverses.

The striatum drives the ergogenic effects of caffeine.

Caffeine is one of the main ergogenic resources used in exercise and sports. Previously, we reported the ergogenic mechanism of caffeine through neuronal A2AR antagonism in the central nervous system [1]. We now demonstrate that the striatum rules the ergogenic effects of caffeine through neuroplasticity changes. Thirty-four Swiss (8-10 weeks, 47 ± 1.5 g) and twenty-four C57BL/6J (8-10 weeks, 23.9 ± 0.4 g) adult male mice were studied behaviorly and electrophysiologically using caffeine and energy metabolism was studied in SH-SY5Y cells. Systemic (15 mg/kg, i.p.) or striatal (bilateral, 15 µg) caffeine was psychostimulant in the open field (p < 0.05) and increased grip efficiency (p < 0.05). Caffeine also shifted long-term depression (LTD) to potentiation (LTP) in striatal slices and increased the mitochondrial mass (p < 0.05) and membrane potential (p < 0.05) in SH-SY5Y dopaminergic cells. Our results demonstrate the role of the striatum in the ergogenic effects of caffeine, with changes in neuroplasticity and mitochondrial metabolism.

Insights into the removal of microplastics and microfibres by Advanced Oxidation Processes.

Water treatment plants' effluents are hotspots of microplastics (MPs) and microfibres (MFs) released into the aquatic environment because they were not designed to capture these particles. Special attention should be given to MFs, since they mainly come from laundry and are related to one of the main MP shapes detected in water and wastewater treatment plants. In this sense, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) could be a feasible solution for tackling MP and MF pollution, however, it is still premature to extract conclusions due to the limited number of studies on the degradation of these particles (specifically MFs) using AOPs. This review addresses the impacts of AOPs on MPs/MFs, focusing on their degradation efficiency, toxicity, and sustainability of the processes, among other aspects. The review points out that polyamide MFs can achieve mass loss >90% by photocatalytic system using TiO2. Also, the low oxidation of MPs (<30 %) by conventional Fenton process affects mainly the surface of the MPs. However, other Fenton-based processes can provide better removal of some types of MPs, mainly using temperatures >100 °C, reaction time ≥ 5 h, and initial pH ≤ 3, achieving MP weight loss up to 96 %. Despite these results, better operating conditions are still required for AOPs since the ones reported so far are not feasible for full-scale application. Additionally, ozonation in treatment plants has increased the fragmentation of MPs (including MFs), leading to a new generation of MPs. More attention is needed on toxicity effects of intermediates and methods of analysis employed for the analysis of MPs/MFs in wastewater effluent should be standardized so that studies can be compared effectively. Future research should focus on the sustainability of the AOP for MP removal in water treatment (power consumption, chemicals consumed and operational costs) for a better understanding of full-scale applicability of AOP adapted to MP treatment.

Fenton pre-oxidation of natural organic matter in drinking water treatment through the application of iron nails.

This study investigated for the first time the efficiency of an advanced oxidation process (AOP) zero valent iron/hydrogen peroxide (ZVI/H2O2) employing iron nails for the removal of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) from natural water of Regent's Park lake, London, UK. The low cost of nails and their easy separation from the water after the treatment make this AOP attractive for water utilities in low- and middle-income countries. The process was investigated as a pre-oxidation step for drinking water treatment. Results showed that UV254 removal in the natural water was lower than that of simulated water containing commercial humic acid (HA), indicating a matrix effect. Statistical analysis confirmed the maximum removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural water depends on the initial pH (best at 4.5) and H2O2 dosage (best at 100% excess of stoichiometric dosage). DOC and UV254 removals under this operational condition were 51% and 89%, respectively. Molecular weight (MW) and specific UV absorbance (SUVA254) were significantly reduced to 74% and 78%, respectively. Formation of Chloroform THM in natural water sample after the ZVI/H2O2 process (initial pH 4.5) was below the limit for drinking water, and 48% less than the THM formation in the same water not subjected to pre-oxidation. Characterization of oxidation products on the iron-nail-ZVI surface after the ZVI/H2O2 treatment by SEM, XRD, and XPS identified the formation of magnetite and lepidocrocite. Results suggest that the investigated ZVI/H2O2 process is a promising technology for removing NOM and reducing THM formation during drinking water treatment.

A autopercepção do ambiente de vizinhança está associado à sarcopenia provável em idosos comunitários? / ¿Estaría asociada la autopercepción del ambiente exterior con una probable sarcopenia en ancianos institucionalizados? / Is the self-perception of the neighborhood environment associated with probable sarcopenia in the community of older adults?

RESUMO A associação da sarcopenia com fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde já foi previamente apresentada na literatura. Contudo, pouco se sabe sobre como os fatores ambientais que podem estar relacionados a essa condição. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a associação entre a autopercepção do ambiente de vizinhança e a sarcopenia provável em idosos comunitários. Este é um estudo transversal, de base domiciliar com amostra probabilística, que incluiu 306 idosos comunitários de ambos os sexos. O desfecho foi a sarcopenia provável, categorizada com o tempo de realização no teste de sentar e levantar da cadeira >15 segundos, conforme proposto pelo European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. As variáveis preditoras foram avaliadas de acordo com o abbreviated neighborhood environment walkability scale (A-NEWS), que inclui questões relacionadas à infraestrutura e à segurança do bairro, ruas, calçadas e tipos de uso do solo. Foram realizadas análises de regressão logística multivariada. A presença de supermercado/loja de conveniência/mercadinho/armazém, feira livre (OR: 0,45; IC 95%: 0,22-0,91) e ponto de ônibus (OR: 0,23; IC 95%: 0,10-0,50) foram fatores de proteção para a sarcopenia provável. Já o acúmulo de lixo e locais com esgoto a céu aberto próximos à residência (OR: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,16-4,05) foram fatores de risco. Verificou-se associação de comércios locais e pontos de ônibus próximos ao local de residência para proteção contra a sarcopenia provável, enquanto o acúmulo de lixo e locais com esgoto a céu aberto próximos à residência se mostraram fatores de risco para a sarcopenia provável.

RESUMEN La asociación entre sarcopenia y factores sociodemográficos y de salud se ha presentado previamente en la literatura. Sin embargo, es escasa la información sobre cómo los factores ambientales pueden relacionarse con esta condición. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre la autopercepción del ambiente exterior y una probable sarcopenia en ancianos institucionalizados. Este es un estudio transversal, de base domiciliaria con muestra probabilística, que incluyó a 306 ancianos institucionalizados de ambos sexos. El resultado fue una probable sarcopenia, categorizada con el tiempo necesario para sentarse y levantarse de una silla >15 segundos según lo propuesto por el Grupo Europeo de Trabajo en Sarcopenia en Personas Mayores. Las variables predictoras se evaluaron según el abbreviated neighborhood environment walkability scale (A-NEWS), que incluye temas relacionados con la infraestructura y seguridad del vecindario, calles, aceras y tipos de uso del suelo. Se realizó análisis de regresión logística multivariante. La presencia de supermercado/tienda de conveniencia/tienda/almacén, ferias (OR: 0,45; IC 95%: 0,22-0,91) y parada de autobús (OR: 0,23; IC 95%: 0,10-0,50) fueron los factores protectores contra una probable sarcopenia. La acumulación de basura y lugares con alcantarillado abierto cerca de la residencia (OR: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,16-4,05) fueron los factores de riesgo. Se encontró que as tiendas locales y paradas de autobús cercanas a la residencia estuvieron relacionadas a la protección contra una probable sarcopenia, mientras que la acumulación de basura y lugares con alcantarillado abierto cerca de la residencia estuvieron relacionados a una probable sarcopenia.

ABSTRACT The association of sarcopenia with sociodemographic and health factors has been previously presented in the literature. However, little is known about how environmental factors may be related to this condition. The study sought to verify the association between self-perception of a built neighborhood characteristics and probable sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults. This was a cross-sectional study including 306 community-dwelling older adults of both genders. The outcome was probable sarcopenia, categorized with the time taken in the sit to stand test >15 seconds, as proposed by the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. The predictor variables were assessed using the neighborhood environment walkability scale (A-NEWS), which includes issues related to the infrastructure and security of the neighborhood, streets, sidewalks, and types of land use. Multivariate Logistic Regression analyses were performed. The presence of supermarkets/convenience stores/grocery stores/warehouses, open markets (OR: 0.45; 95%CI: 0.22-0.91) and bus stops (OR: 0.23; 95%CI: 0.10-0.50) were protective factors for probable sarcopenia. However, the accumulation of garbage and/or places with open sewage close to the residence (OR: 2.17; 95%CI: 1.16-4.05) were risk factors. There was a protective association of local businesses and bus stops near the place of residence for probable sarcopenia. However, the accumulation of garbage and/or places with open sewage near the residence proved to be risk factors for probable sarcopenia.

Immediate vocal effects produced by the Shaker® device in women with and without vocal complaints. / Efeitos vocais imediatos produzidos pelo dispositivo Shaker® em mulheres com e sem queixa vocal.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the acoustic and self-perception modifications obtained after the first, third, fifth and seventh minutes of voice oral high-frequency oscillation practice accomplished with the Shaker® device. METHODOLOGY: Twenty-seven women aged between 18 and 41 years with and without vocal complaint participated in the study. The sustained vowel / ε / was recorded at maximum phonation time before (pre-exercise) and after the first, third, fifth and seventh minutes of voice oral high-frequency oscillation practice accomplished with Shaker®. The acoustic analysis of the following parameters was performed: noise, fundamental frequency, glottal to noise excitation, Jitter, Shimmer and number of harmonics. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the comparison of the acoustic parameters between the participants with and without vocal symptoms. It was observed an improvement in the self-perception of vocal discomfort in the groups of women with and without vocal symptoms, comparing the moment before the practice with the first and third minutes of practice. There was a reduction in Jitter values when comparing the time before practice with the moments after one and seven minutes and when comparing the moments after five and seven minutes of exercise in the group of women with vocal symptoms. CONCLUSION: The Shaker® technique showed positive results both in individuals with symptoms and in individuals without vocal symptoms.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as modificações acústicas e de autopercepção obtidas após o primeiro, terceiro, quinto e sétimo minuto de prática da técnica de oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada, realizada com o dispositivo Shaker®. MÉTODO: Participaram do estudo 27 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 41 anos com e sem queixa vocal. A vogal sustentada /ε/ foi registrada em tempo máximo de fonação antes (pré-exercício) e após o primeiro, terceiro, quinto e o sétimo minuto de execução da técnica de oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada com o dispositivo Shaker®. Foi realizada a análise acústica dos seguintes parâmetros: ruído, frequência fundamental, glottal to noise excitation, Jitter, Shimmer e número de harmônicos. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferenças significativas na comparação dos parâmetros acústicos entre as participantes com e sem sintomas vocais. Observou-se melhora na autopercepção do desconforto vocal nos grupos das mulheres com e sem sintomas vocais, comparando-se o momento antes da prática com o primeiro e terceiro minutos de prática. Houve redução dos valores de Jitter, ao comparar o momento antes da prática com os momentos após um e sete minutos e ao comparar os momentos após cinco e sete minutos de exercício, no grupo de mulheres com sintomas vocais. CONCLUSÃO: A técnica com o Shaker® mostrou resultados positivos, tanto em indivíduos com sintomas quanto em indivíduos sem sintomas vocais.

Efeitos vocais imediatos produzidos pelo dispositivo Shaker® em mulheres com e sem queixa vocal / Immediate vocal effects produced by the Shaker® device in women with and without vocal complaints

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar as modificações acústicas e de autopercepção obtidas após o primeiro, terceiro, quinto e sétimo minuto de prática da técnica de oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada, realizada com o dispositivo Shaker®. Método Participaram do estudo 27 mulheres com idade entre 18 e 41 anos com e sem queixa vocal. A vogal sustentada /ε/ foi registrada em tempo máximo de fonação antes (pré-exercício) e após o primeiro, terceiro, quinto e o sétimo minuto de execução da técnica de oscilação oral de alta frequência sonorizada com o dispositivo Shaker®. Foi realizada a análise acústica dos seguintes parâmetros: ruído, frequência fundamental, glottal to noise excitation, Jitter, Shimmer e número de harmônicos. Resultados Não houve diferenças significativas na comparação dos parâmetros acústicos entre as participantes com e sem sintomas vocais. Observou-se melhora na autopercepção do desconforto vocal nos grupos das mulheres com e sem sintomas vocais, comparando-se o momento antes da prática com o primeiro e terceiro minutos de prática. Houve redução dos valores de Jitter, ao comparar o momento antes da prática com os momentos após um e sete minutos e ao comparar os momentos após cinco e sete minutos de exercício, no grupo de mulheres com sintomas vocais. Conclusão A técnica com o Shaker® mostrou resultados positivos, tanto em indivíduos com sintomas quanto em indivíduos sem sintomas vocais.

ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the acoustic and self-perception modifications obtained after the first, third, fifth and seventh minutes of voice oral high-frequency oscillation practice accomplished with the Shaker® device. Methodology Twenty-seven women aged between 18 and 41 years with and without vocal complaint participated in the study. The sustained vowel / ε / was recorded at maximum phonation time before (pre-exercise) and after the first, third, fifth and seventh minutes of voice oral high-frequency oscillation practice accomplished with Shaker®. The acoustic analysis of the following parameters was performed: noise, fundamental frequency, glottal to noise excitation, Jitter, Shimmer and number of harmonics. Results There were no significant differences in the comparison of the acoustic parameters between the participants with and without vocal symptoms. It was observed an improvement in the self-perception of vocal discomfort in the groups of women with and without vocal symptoms, comparing the moment before the practice with the first and third minutes of practice. There was a reduction in Jitter values when comparing the time before practice with the moments after one and seven minutes and when comparing the moments after five and seven minutes of exercise in the group of women with vocal symptoms. Conclusion The Shaker® technique showed positive results both in individuals with symptoms and in individuals without vocal symptoms.

Phytoremediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mangrove sediments using Rhizophora mangle.

A phytoremediation experiment was carried out in mesocosms to investigate the performance of Rhizophora mangle in the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in mangrove sediment contaminated with crude oil. The water pH of the experiments (phytoremediation and natural attenuation) ranged from 4.9 to 8.4 at 0 and 90 days, respectively. The oxy-reduction potential (Eh) ranged from oxidising (108.0 mV, time 0) to reducing (approximately -110.0 mV, time 90) environments. Dissolved oxygen (DO) ranged from 5.7 mg L-1 (time 0) to 4.5 mg L-1 and 3.6 mg L-1 (time 90) in phytoremediation and natural attenuation, respectively. The sediments had silty texture and an average concentration of 5% organic matter (OM). Phytoremediation (60.76%) showed better efficiency in the remediation of the 16 PAHs compared to natural attenuation (49.57%). Principal component analyses showed a correlation between the concentrations of PAHs with pH, Eh, OM and DO in both experiments.

Soybean Embryonic Axis Transformation: Combining Biolistic and Agrobacterium-Mediated Protocols to Overcome Typical Complications of In Vitro Plant Regeneration.

The first successful attempt to generate genetically modified plants expressing a transgene was preformed via T-DNA-based gene transfer employing Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation. Limitations over infectivity and in vitro tissue culture led to the development of other DNA delivery systems, such as the biolistic method. Herein, we developed a new one-step protocol for transgenic soybean recovery by combining the two different transformation methods. This protocol comprises the following steps: agrobacterial preparation, seed sterilization, soybean embryo excision, shoot-cell injury by tungsten-microparticle bombardment, A. tumefaciens-mediated transformation, embryo co-cultivation in vitro, and selection of transgenic plants. This protocol can be completed in approximately 30-40 weeks. The average efficiency of producing transgenic soybean germlines using this protocol was 9.84%, similar to other previously described protocols. However, we introduced a more cost-effective, more straightforward and shorter methodology for transgenic plant recovery, which allows co-cultivation and plant regeneration in a single step, decreasing the chances of contamination and making the manipulation easier. Finally, as a hallmark, our protocol does not generate plant chimeras, in contrast to traditional plant regeneration protocols applied in other Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods. Therefore, this new approach of plant transformation is applicable for studies of gene function and the production of transgenic cultivars carrying different traits for precision-breeding programs.

Effect of ultraviolet (UV-C) radiation on spores and biofilms of Alicyclobacillus spp. in industrialized orange juice.

Bacteria of the genus Alicyclobacillus pose serious quality problems for the juice processing industries that have sought effective alternatives for its control. The present study evaluated the effect of UV-C radiation on the reduction of spores and biofilm formation of Alicyclobacillus spp. on stainless steel and rubber surfaces using industrialized orange juice as a culture medium. Four reference Alicyclobacillus spp. species and different UV-C dosages were investigated. After exposed for 20 min (16.8 kJ/m2) to UV-C, the spores of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris, Alicyclobacillus herbarius, and Alicyclobacillus cycloheptanicus decreased drastically more of 4 log CFU/mL, with counts below the detection limit of the method (<1.7 log CFU/mL), while the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius spores were more sensitive to UV-C, once this spore reduction was observed within 15 min (12.6 kJ/m2). Morphological changes in the Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris spores were observed by scanning electron microscopy. A reduction of biofilm formation was observed for all UV-C treatments, and the higher reductions (approximately 2 log CFU/mL) were found for the Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius species after 30 min (26.2 kJ/m2), on the stainless steel and rubber surfaces. The results suggest that UV-C can be used to reduce the biofilm formation and could be a promising alternative for controlling Alicyclobacillus spp. spores in industrialized orange juice.

Assessment of genetic integrity, splenic phagocytosis and cell death potential of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid and its effect when combined with commercial chemotherapeutics

Abstract The increased incidence of cancer and its high treatment costs have encouraged the search for new compounds to be used in adjuvant therapies for this disease. This study discloses the synthesis of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (IR-01) and evaluates not only the action of this compound on genetic integrity, increase in splenic phagocytosis and induction of cell death but also its effects in combination with the commercial chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide. IR-01 was designed and synthesized based on two multifunctionalyzed structural fragments: 4-aminoantipyrine, an active dipyrone metabolite, described as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; and the pharmacophore fragment 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl, a cytotoxic agent. The results indicated that IR-01 is an effective chemoprotector because it can prevent clastogenic and/or aneugenic damage, has good potential to prevent genomic damage, can increase splenic phagocytosis and lymphocyte frequency and induces cell death. However, its use as an adjuvant in combination with chemotherapy is discouraged since IR-01 interferes in the effectiveness of the tested chemotherapeutic agents. This is a pioneer study as it demonstrates the chemopreventive effects of IR-01, which may be associated with the higher antioxidant activity of the precursor structure of 4-aminoantipyrine over the effects of the 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl fragment.

Assessment of genetic integrity, splenic phagocytosis and cell death potential of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid and its effect when combined with commercial chemotherapeutics.

The increased incidence of cancer and its high treatment costs have encouraged the search for new compounds to be used in adjuvant therapies for this disease. This study discloses the synthesis of (Z)-4-((1,5-dimethyl-3-oxo-2-phenyl-2,3dihydro-1H-pyrazol-4-yl) amino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid (IR-01) and evaluates not only the action of this compound on genetic integrity, increase in splenic phagocytosis and induction of cell death but also its effects in combination with the commercial chemotherapeutic agents doxorubicin, cisplatin and cyclophosphamide. IR-01 was designed and synthesized based on two multifunctionalyzed structural fragments: 4-aminoantipyrine, an active dipyrone metabolite, described as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent; and the pharmacophore fragment 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl, a cytotoxic agent. The results indicated that IR-01 is an effective chemoprotector because it can prevent clastogenic and/or aneugenic damage, has good potential to prevent genomic damage, can increase splenic phagocytosis and lymphocyte frequency and induces cell death. However, its use as an adjuvant in combination with chemotherapy is discouraged since IR-01 interferes in the effectiveness of the tested chemotherapeutic agents. This is a pioneer study as it demonstrates the chemopreventive effects of IR-01, which may be associated with the higher antioxidant activity of the precursor structure of 4-aminoantipyrine over the effects of the 1,4-dioxo-2-butenyl fragment.

In vitro cytotoxicity and phototoxicity of surface-modified gold nanoparticles associated with neutral red as a potential drug delivery system in phototherapy.

The surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) was modified, improving their interaction with neutral red (NR), by using sodium thioglycolate (TGA) as a covering agent. The resulting NR-AuNPTGA system was evaluated as a potential drug delivery system for photodynamic therapy (PDT). The associations of NR with the gold nanoparticles were evaluated using UV-vis spectrometry and measurement of their zeta potential and size distribution. The toxicity and phototoxicity of NR, AuNPTGA and NR-AuNPTGA were evaluated in NIH-3T3 fibroblast and 4T1 tumor cell lines. The compounds NR and NR-AuNPTGA induced toxicity in 4T1 tumor cells and NIH-3T3 fibroblasts under visible light irradiation. Modification of the surface of AuNP with TGA prevented nanoparticle aggregation and allowed greater association with NR molecules than for naked AuNP. The photosensitizer (PS) characteristics were not affected by its association with the modified surface of the gold nanoparticles, leading to a reduction of cell viability in both cell lines assayed. This NR-AuNPTGA system is a promising drug delivery system for photodynamic cancer therapy.