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Dengue is a growing public health problem and has been neglected lately despite being the most prevalent arboviral disease in the world. This study aims to describe the epidemiological aspects of dengue in the state of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil, from 2007 to 2012. The data were extracted from clinical reports of the National System of Notification Disorders (SINAN) of Brazil provided by the computer department. SUS DATASUS of the Ministry of Health. We performed a descriptive analysis of the number of reported cases of dengue, according to year, race, age and sex and the diseases of the cases. From 2007 to 2012, 45231 suspected cases of dengue were reported. The years with high epidemic rates were: 2011 2007 and 2012 in descending order. There was a progressive decline in the incidence of dengue from 2008 to 2010. This study showed a predominance of cases in females, browns, aged between 20 and 39 years. In 33 cases the death resulted from hemorrhagic phenomena and other complications, however, the other 8 cases of death were due to different causes. Dengue remains an important health problem, with severe cases and high lethality. Given this, it is necessary to emphasize that public health policies should adopt and maintain preventive actions through health education, basic sanitation, good housing conditions.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is the main adverse effect associated with the clinical use of oxazaphosphorine, resulting in increased oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines, which culminate in injury of the bladder tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of isopropyl gallate (IPG) against ifosfamide (IFOS)-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice. The induction of the hemorrhagic cystitis model was carried out using a single dose of IFOS (400 mg/kg, i.p.) four hours after oral pretreatment with IPG (6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg) or saline (vehicle). Mesna (positive control; 80 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered four hours before and eight hours after induction of cystitis. In the present study, IPG 25 mg/kg significantly decreased edema and hemorrhage, with a reduction of the bladder wet weight (36.86%), hemoglobin content (54.55%), and peritoneal vascular permeability (42.94%) in urinary bladders of mice. Interestingly, IPG increased SOD activity (89.27%) and reduced MDA levels (35.53%), as well as displayed anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing TNF-α (88.77%), IL-1β (62.87%), and C-reactive protein (56.41%) levels. Our findings demonstrate that IPG has a substantial protective role against IFOS-induced hemorrhagic cystitis in mice by enhancing antioxidant activity and proinflammatory mechanisms. Thus, IPG represents a promising co-adjuvant agent in oxazaphosphorine-based chemotherapy treatments.

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Microemulsions are thermodynamically stable translucent systems widely used for systemic delivery of drugs. The present study is the first to analyze the biotechnological potential of microemulsion systems for therapeutic purposes, through transdermal route, for pain treatment. Areas covered: Patents were searched in the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), European Patent Office (Espacenet), United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and National Institute of Intellectual Property (INPI). The inclusion criteria were published patents containing the keywords; 'microemulsion' and 'transdermal' in their title or abstract. 208 patents were found. However, only those patents which mentioned in their abstract or in their description the use of microemulsion system (object of invention) for pain treatment were selected. Were excluded duplicate patents and those that did not report pharmacological use of MEs specifically for pain treatment. Thus, sixteen patents were selected and described in the present study. Expert opinion: Patents were found that focused specifically on the development process of microemulsion systems, the inclusion of essential oils in microemulsions, which place microemulsions as delivery systems for NSAIDs and other substances, as well as microemulsions for transdermal administration. These studies reinforce the therapeutic applicability of MEs in the treatment of acute and chronic pain.