The development of drug delivery systems for photodynamic therapy (PDT) is increasingly demanded due to the hydrophobicity presented by most of photosensitizers molecules. Bacterial cellulose (BC), a highly pure cellulose produced by bacteria, possesses the essential features for applications in drug delivery systems, such as large surface area and excellent loading capacity. BC membranes prepared containing a photosensitizer, chloroaluminum phthalocyanine (ClAlPc), were tested aiming applications as a drug delivery system for PDT skin cancer protocols. BC membranes production was optimized regarding thickness and optical transmission. Thinner membranes lead to higher relative incorporation efficiencies. Skin permeation and retention in vitro tests were performed by using pig's ears as a skin model. ClAlPc was retained at stratum corneum and epidermis/dermis, showing adequate properties for topical administration of ClAlPc. Photophysical studies showed that singlet oxygen production was not affected for ClAlPc compartmentalized in the BC array. BC-ClAlPc membranes did not present cytotoxic effects in vitro.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência da esclerose múltipla (EM) no município de Santos, SP. METODOLOGIA: Análise dos dados do Centro de Referência em EM do Litoral Paulista, da Associação de Portadores de EM da Baixada Santista (APEMBS), com participação ativa de todos os neurologistas e neurocirurgiões da cidade, dados do IBGE, dados da Prefeitura Municipal de Santos, dados do EMPLASA. Foi usado o método proposto pelo BCTRIMS (já utilizado em outros estudos semelhantes) para coleta e análise de dados, sendo 30 de junho de 2005 o dia da prevalência. RESULTADOS: Santos tem uma área de 280,3 km², com 418.316 habitantes (1,49 habitantes por km²). Foram identificados 65 pacientes, dando um índice de 15,54/100.000. O sintoma inicial mais freqüente foi neurite óptica (28,8%). CONCLUSÃO: os dados no município de Santos são semelhantes aos já registrados porém não publicados de outras cidades do estado de São Paulo e do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the city of Santos, SP. METHOD: Evaluation of data from the Reference Center for MS of the coastal region of the State of São Paulo, from the Regional Association of Patients with MS (APEMBS), with active participation of all neurologists and neurosurgeons of the city, data from IBGE, from the city council, and from EMPLASA. The protocol proposed by the BCTRIMS (already used in other similar studies) was used for data collection and analysis, June 30th 2005 being established as the prevalence day. RESULTS: Santos has an area of 280.3 km², with 418,316 inhabitants (1.49 inhabitant per km²). A total of 65 patients were identified, attaining the prevalence of 15.54/100.000. The most frequent initial symptom of the disease was optical neuritis (28.8%). CONCLUSION: data from the city of Santos are similar to those already observed, but as yet not published, in other cities of the State of São Paulo and of Brazil.

OBJETIVO: Estudar a prevalência da esclerose múltipla (EM) no município de Santos, SP. METODOLOGIA: Análise dos dados do Centro de Referência em EM do Litoral Paulista, da Associação de Portadores de EM da Baixada Santista (APEMBS), com participação ativa de todos os neurologistas e neurocirurgiões da cidade, dados do IBGE, dados da Prefeitura Municipal de Santos, dados do EMPLASA. Foi usado o método proposto pelo BCTRIMS (já utilizado em outros estudos semelhantes) para coleta e análise de dados, sendo 30 de junho de 2005 o dia da prevalência. RESULTADOS: Santos tem uma área de 280,3 km², com 418.316 habitantes (1,49 habitantes por km²). Foram identificados 65 pacientes, dando um índice de 15,54/100.000. O sintoma inicial mais freqüente foi neurite óptica (28,8%). CONCLUSÃO: os dados no município de Santos são semelhantes aos já registrados porém não publicados de outras cidades do estado de São Paulo e do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the city of Santos, SP. METHOD: Evaluation of data from the Reference Center for MS of the coastal region of the State of São Paulo, from the Regional Association of Patients with MS (APEMBS), with active participation of all neurologists and neurosurgeons of the city, data from IBGE, from the city council, and from EMPLASA. The protocol proposed by the BCTRIMS (already used in other similar studies) was used for data collection and analysis, June 30th 2005 being established as the prevalence day. RESULTS: Santos has an area of 280.3 km², with 418,316 inhabitants (1.49 inhabitant per km²). A total of 65 patients were identified, attaining the prevalence of 15.54/100.000. The most frequent initial symptom of the disease was optical neuritis (28.8%). CONCLUSION: data from the city of Santos are similar to those already observed, but as yet not published, in other cities of the State of São Paulo and of Brazil.