Bacterial resistance has become an important public health problem. Bacteria have been acquiring mechanisms to resist the action of antimicrobial active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). Based on this, a promising alternative is the use of nanotechnology, since when the systems are presented in nanometric size, there is an increase in the interaction and concentration of the action at the target site improving the activity. Thus, this study aims to develop a polymeric nanoparticle (PN) composed of chitosan and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, as an innovative strategy for the administration of an association between ceftriaxone and extract of S. brasiliensis, for the treatment of Enterobacteriaceae. From a Box–Behnken design, nanoparticles were obtained and evaluated using the DLS technique, obtaining the particle size between 440 and 1660 nm, IPD from 0.42 to 0.92, and positive charges. Morphological characteristics of PN by SEM revealed spherical morphology and sizes similar to DLS. Infrared spectroscopy showed no chemical interaction between the components of the formulation. The broth microdilution technique evaluated their antimicrobial activity, and a considerable improvement in the activity of the extract and the API compared to the free compounds was found, reaching an improvement of 133 times in the minimum inhibitory activity CRO.

: The encapsulation of bioactive compounds (BC) is an emerging technique for finding new medicines since it provides protection against degradation ambient factors before reaching the target site. Nanotechnology provides new methods for encapsulating BC and hence, for drug carrier development. Nanocarriers satisfactorily impact the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion rate when compared to conventional carriers. The nanocarrier material needs to be compatible and easily bind to the drug, and to be bio-resorbable. In this context, the physicochemical characterization of encapsulated BC is fundamental to guarantee quality, reproducibility and safety of the final pharmaceutical product. In this review, we present the physicochemical techniques mostly used today by researchers to characterize BC in nanocarriers, and the main information provided by each technique such as, morphology, size, crystallinity degree, long-term stability, efficacy of drug encapsulation, amount of BC released as a function of time and chemical bonds resulting from BC and nano-carrier interactions.

: Bacterial resistance is considered one of the most important public health problems of the century, due to the rapid ability of bacteria to develop resistance mechanisms, which makes it difficult to treat infections, leading to a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Based on this, several options are being sought as an alternative to currently available treatments, with a particular focus on nanotechnology. Nanomaterials have important potential for use in medical interventions aimed at preventing, diagnosing and treating numerous diseases by directing the delivery of drugs. This review presents data on the use of polymeric nanoparticles related to in vitro and in vivo activity against bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family.

Introduction: Among the extrinsic factors, homocysteine (Hy) stands out, which is an intermediate amino acid of the intracellular metabolism of methionine involved in the process of cellular oxidation, which promotes the installation of atheromatous plaques and, therefore, is considered as an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. Objective: To evaluate the plasma homocysteine levels (Hy) in overweight or obese children and adolescents and their relation with cardiovascular risk factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2011 to May 2012 with overweight or obesity children and adolescents aged 2 to 18 years followed at the Center for Childhood Obesity (IOC), Campina Grande-PB. A structured form was used to record demographic, socioeconomic and clinics variables and the patients underwent laboratory tests to define their lipid and glucose profiles and measurement of plasma Hy levels. Results: The study evaluated a total of 165 children and adolescents with mean age of 12.5 (±2.5) years; the majority were female (57.0%). Regarding the lipid profile, there was more individuals with low HDL cholesterol (88.5%). Plasma Hy levels were high in 24.2% of the sample. The mean Hy levels ranged from 4.3 to 18.9 µmol/L, being higher in males, obese adolescents and also in patients with high insulin levels and resistance. Conclusions: The results shown in this study emphasize the importance of detecting and controlling the plasma Hy levels as an independent cardiovascular risk factor, and the need for further studies to evaluate the clinical and biological factors related to alterations in its metabolism.