Abstract Clay minerals are still widely used in pharmaceutical products for human health and cosmetic purposes. Pre-formulation studies were conducted to identify solid-state properties of pink clay, a sample from Diamantina, Brazil. Among the solid properties to be analyzed, we have selected type identification, iron phases, crystallinity, powder flow characteristics, thermal behavior, and non-isothermal phase transition kinetics. The pink clay is composed of (1:1) clay type and kaolinite as the main component. The Mössbauer spectrum of pink clay shows Fe3+(α-Fe2O3) hematite, Fe2+, and Fe3+ with large Δ/2ξq of about 2.80 and 2.69 mm.s-1 respectively, related to iron silicates, most likely pyroxene, and a superparamagnetic Fe3+. Pink clay exhibits poor flow properties. The thermal behavior indicates a phase-transition between 400 - 600 ºC associated with the dehydroxylation of the pink clay system requiring ~300 kJ mol-1, being constant until the process reaches a conversion of ~50% when the energy is enhanced to ~530 kJ mol-1, concluding the whole dehydroxylation process (α=80%). Solid-state properties and characteristics found for the pink clay must be considered for the proper design of formulations. This type of clay shows unique pharmaceutical properties that can be favorably exploited by the cosmetic industry.

Abstract Chagas disease is a neglected parasitic disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, whose treatment has remained unsatisfactory for over 50 years, given that it is limited to two drugs. Benznidazole (BZN) is an efficient antichagasic drug used as the first choice, although its poor water-solubility, irregular oral absorption, low efficacy in the chronic phase, and various associated adverse effects are limiting factors for treatment. Incorporating drugs with such characteristics into nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) is a promising alternative to overcome these limiting obstacles, enhancing drug efficacy and bioavailability while reducing toxicity. Therefore, this study proposed NLC-BZN formulations in different compositions prepared by hot-melt homogenization followed by ultrasound, and the optimized formulation was characterized by FTIR, DRX, DSC, and thermogravimetry. Biological activities included in vitro membrane toxicity (red blood cells), fibroblast cell cytotoxicity, and trypanocidal activity against epimastigotes of the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. The optimized NLC-BZN had a small size (110 nm), negative zeta potential (-18.0 mV), and high encapsulation (1.64% of drug loading), as shown by infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. The NLC-BZN also promoted lower in vitro membrane toxicity (<3% hemolysis), and 50% cytotoxic concentration (CC50) for NLC-BZN in L929 fibroblast cells (110.7 µg/mL) was twice the value as the free BZN (51.3 µg/mL). Our findings showed that the NLC-BZN had higher trypanocidal activity than free BZN against the epimastigotes of the resistant Colombian strain, and this novel NLC-BZN formulation proved to be a promising tool in treating Chagas disease and considered suitable for oral and parenteral administration.

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to determine the energy value of pasta waste through a metabolism trial and determine the best level of its inclusion in broiler diets. In the metabolism trial, sixty 14-day-old birds were assigned to two treatments (control diet and a diet in which 30% was replaced by the byproduct) with six replicates and five birds per experimental unit. In the performance trial, 525 one-day-old chicks were assigned to treatments consisting of five levels of pasta waste (0, 100, 200, 300, and 400 g kg−1) in the diet, with seven replicates and 15 birds per experimental unit, in a completely randomized design. The phases of up to 7, 21, 35, and 42 days of age were evaluated. At the end, two broilers with average weight were selected per plot for carcass evaluation. An economic analysis was undertaken. The calculated apparent metabolizable energy (AME) value of the waste was 3812 kcal kg−1, and its nitrogen-corrected AME was 3616 kcal kg−1. In the performance trial, no significant difference was detected from 1 to 7 days. However, in the other phases, a decreasing effect was observed on feed intake, weight gain, slaughter weight, hot- and cold-carcass weights, empty- and full-gizzard weights and yields, cuts (chest, drumstick, thigh, wings, and back), and feed conversion worsened. The revenue and gross margin calculated for the diets decreased with pasta waste. Therefore, pasta waste is not a viable alternative, except in the pre-starter phase of broilers.

RESUMO O aproveitamento da fibra de coco na construção civil pode diminuir o consumo de agregados minerais como areia e brita, e melhorar propriedades físicas e mecânicas de um compósito cimentício. No entanto, um dos pontos mais precários está relacionado à degradação acelerada da fibra vegetal pela ação química da matriz cimentícia. Então, avaliou-se a incorporação da fibra de coco com um novo tratamento, e sua influência nas propriedades físicas e durabilidade do compósito cimentício. O tratamento utilizou látex natural, sílica ativa e fibra de coco na proporção de 10%, em relação à massa de cimento, para a produção de corpos de prova. Foram determinadas as capacidades de atenuação térmica e acústica, massa específica e executados ensaios mecânicos e de durabilidade. Os dados experimentais indicaram melhora do desempenho termoacústico do novo compósito em até 20% por comparação com o desempenho do compósito cimentício sem a sua presença. Os resultados preliminares obtidos permitem concluir que o compósito pode ser aproveitado na construção civil para produção de tijolos de alvenaria para vedação.

ABSTRACT The use of coconut fiber in construction can both reduce the consumption of mineral aggregates as sand and gravel and it is improves physical and mechanical properties of cementitious composite. However, one of the weakest points in application of new cementitious composites with coconut fibers is related to the accelerated degradation of plant fiber by chemical action of cementitious matrix. So, this paper evaluated the incorporation of coconut fiber with a new treatment, and its influence on physical properties and durability of cementitious composite. The treatment used natural latex, silica fume and coconut fiber, 10% in relation to the mass cement, was used in the production of specimens. They were determined thermal and acoustic attenuation capability, specific gravity and performing mechanical testing and durability. The experimental data indicated an improvement in the thermoacoustic performance of the new composite by up to 20% compared to the performance of the cementitious composite without its presence. The preliminary results obtained allow us to conclude that the composite can be used in the construction industry for the production of masonry bricks for sealing.

Resumo Objetivo: investigar a associação entre o envelhecimento populacional em municípios do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, RN, Brasil aos fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos e regionais. Método: estudo ecológico, que tem como unidade de análise os municípios do RN. A coleta de dados foi realizada através dos bancos de dados do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada e no Atlas de Desenvolvimento Humano. A partir de uma análise fatorial, foi criado o fator Mais Idade, o qual foi relacionado a variáveis socioeconômicas, demográficas e regionais. Foi utilizado o teste qui-quadrado com um nível de significância de 5%, além da técnica Hosmer and Lemeshow, para a regressão logística. Resultado: verificou-se que os municípios da mesorregião Central possuem uma população mais envelhecida, e aqueles com população intermediária possuíam indivíduos mais velhos. Além disso, constatou-se que os municípios com distribuição desigual de renda e com níveis educacionais maiores possuem uma população mais velha. Conclusão: os municípios classificados como mais envelhecidos estiveram associados à mesorregião a que o município pertence, aqueles com porte populacional intermediário, com níveis educacionais favoráveis e com distribuição desigual de renda.

Abstract Objective: the present study aims to investigate the association between population ageing in municipal regions in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, and socioeconomic, demographic and regional factors. Method: an ecological study that used municipal regions of the state of Rio Grande do Norte as a unit of analysis was carried out. Data collection was conducted through databases from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Institute of Applied Economic Research and the Atlas of Human Development. The factor of Increased Age was created based on factor analysis, which was related to socioeconomic, demographic and regional variables. The chi-squared test with a significance level of 5% was used in addition to the Hosmer and Lemeshow technique for logistic regression. Result: it was found that municipal regions in the Central mesoregion have an older/ageing population, while those with intermediate populations have the oldest individuals. Furthermore, it was found that municipal regions with unequal income distribution and higher levels of education have an older population. Conclusion: it can be concluded that municipal regions classified as older/more aged were associated with the mesoregion to which the municipal region belongs; and those with intermediate population size were associated with favorable educational levels and unequal income distribution.