Floating photovoltaic systems installed in water bodies such as natural lakes or dams reservoirs, have attracted increased worldwide attention since 2011 and have already been deployed in several countries, including ...Floating photovoltaic systems installed in water bodies such as natural lakes or dams reservoirs, have attracted increased worldwide attention since 2011 and have already been deployed in several countries, including Japan, South Korea and USA. In Brazil, pilot-projects were announced in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants of Balbina (State of Amazonas) and Sobradinho (State of Bahia). Several advantages, not necessarily valid in Brazil, are mentioned for deploying this kind of technology, such as an increase in energy generation, reduction of water losses through evaporation, low environmental impact, no occupation of land etc. In this article, several of these allegations are analyzed preliminarily under the Brazilian point of view, and relevant considerations are presented. It is concluded that the technical and economic advantages of floating photovoltaic systems are not yet clear in Brazil and that pilot projects, such as those under way, should be used to clarify several important aspects related to them.展开更多
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is found in the stomachs of approximately half of the world’s population. It is the primary known cause of gast...Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is found in the stomachs of approximately half of the world’s population. It is the primary known cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. However, combined drug therapy as the general treatment in the clinic, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, adverse reactions and poor patient compliance are major obstacles to the eradication of H. pylori. Oral site-specific drug delivery systems that could increase the longevity of the treatment agent at the target site might improve the therapeutic effect and avoid side effects. Gastroretentive drug delivery systems potentially prolong the gastric retention time and controlled/sustained release of a drug, thereby increasing the concentration of the drug at the application site, potentially improving its bioavailability and reducing the necessary dosage. Recommended gastroretentive drug delivery systems for enhancing local drug delivery include floating systems, bioadhesive systems and expandable systems. In this review, we summarize the important physiological parameters of the gastrointestinal tract that affect the gastric residence time. We then focus on various aspects useful in the development of gastroretentive drug delivery systems, including current trends and the progress of novel forms, especially with respect to their application for the treatment of H. pylori infections.展开更多
文摘Floating photovoltaic systems installed in water bodies such as natural lakes or dams reservoirs, have attracted increased worldwide attention since 2011 and have already been deployed in several countries, including Japan, South Korea and USA. In Brazil, pilot-projects were announced in the reservoirs of hydroelectric power plants of Balbina (State of Amazonas) and Sobradinho (State of Bahia). Several advantages, not necessarily valid in Brazil, are mentioned for deploying this kind of technology, such as an increase in energy generation, reduction of water losses through evaporation, low environmental impact, no occupation of land etc. In this article, several of these allegations are analyzed preliminarily under the Brazilian point of view, and relevant considerations are presented. It is concluded that the technical and economic advantages of floating photovoltaic systems are not yet clear in Brazil and that pilot projects, such as those under way, should be used to clarify several important aspects related to them.
文摘Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is one of the most common pathogenic bacterial infections and is found in the stomachs of approximately half of the world’s population. It is the primary known cause of gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcer disease and gastric cancer. However, combined drug therapy as the general treatment in the clinic, the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, adverse reactions and poor patient compliance are major obstacles to the eradication of H. pylori. Oral site-specific drug delivery systems that could increase the longevity of the treatment agent at the target site might improve the therapeutic effect and avoid side effects. Gastroretentive drug delivery systems potentially prolong the gastric retention time and controlled/sustained release of a drug, thereby increasing the concentration of the drug at the application site, potentially improving its bioavailability and reducing the necessary dosage. Recommended gastroretentive drug delivery systems for enhancing local drug delivery include floating systems, bioadhesive systems and expandable systems. In this review, we summarize the important physiological parameters of the gastrointestinal tract that affect the gastric residence time. We then focus on various aspects useful in the development of gastroretentive drug delivery systems, including current trends and the progress of novel forms, especially with respect to their application for the treatment of H. pylori infections.