The present manuscript brings new information regarding the advantages of the encapsulation of B. bassiana in alginate matrices containing bentonite, such as conidia protection, swelling degree, and release kinetics.

Summary: Due to current encouragement to the use of bioinsecticides for pest control and the susceptibility of biological agents to external factors, we investigated the use of a polymer nanocomposite (PLN, polymer/ layered silicate nanocomposite) as matrix to encapsulate an entomopathogenic fungus active against pest insects of palm trees. The beads were formed by extrusion and the following variables were assessed: fungus conidial concentration (series 1: 10 7 ; series 2: 10 8 and series 3: 10 9 conidia/mL) and nanolayered silicate concentration (0; 0.5; 1; 2 and 4%). The matrix was evaluated by X-ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the following characteristics of the products were assessed: percent of encapsulated conidia, size distribution and polydispersity index, swelling index, formulation's in vitro ability to release conidia and stability under different storage temperatures. PLN, whose interactions could be visualized by FTIR, proved to be a potential matrix for this fungus, because, while composed by natural substances non-toxic to the environment, it succeeded to encapsulate high amounts of conidia (series 2). A barrier effect with bentonite increase was also demonstrated by increased fungus germination time and thermal stability.

Pulmonary alveolar microlithiasis (PAM) is a genetic lung disorder that is characterized by the accumulation of calcium phosphate deposits in the alveolar spaces of the lung. PAM is discovered incidentally on radiographs performed for other purposes, and the typical disease course is characterized by slowly progressive respiratory failure over decades. Treatment remains supportive. A 62-year-old woman presented in the emergency department with dyspnoea and fatigue. On physical examination she had crackles on pulmonary auscultation and digital clubbing. A CT scan of the chest showed multiple high-density areas throughout the lung parenchyma, suggesting the presence of alveolar microlithiasis. This CT finding is the typical radiological presentation of PAM, while the hallmark presentation is clinical–radiological dissociation.

The new coronavirus (Sars-Cov-2) appeared in China in late 2019 and with it an intense search for effective pharmacological tools in the treatment of COVID-19. This virus can cause from mild symptoms, such as dry cough, fever and tiredness, to more severe symptoms, such as respiratory failure and systemic shock. Part of this problem is due to the increase in the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and serum levels of several inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Other blood markers also deflagrate the inflammatory condition, among them C-reactive protein, ferritin and D dimers. Additionally, the history of chronic and/or acute hyperglycemia is an independent predictor for morbidity and mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome. In this pandemic scenario, numerous new and other drugs already available on the market have become therapeutic tools. Biguanide class drugs, classically used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, received great notoriety for potentially useful systemic effects in the clinic, in cardiovascular level and against cancer. Some of their properties may be useful in the fight against Sars-Cov-2, such as the reduction of mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and by the attenuation of NF-κB activation. These actions reduce the inflammatory response in the individual and the damage from a severe inflammatory response. Given the morbidity and mortality, partly attributed to the cardiovascular damage of the COVID-19, the objective of this work was to review the systemic effects of biguanides, as well as their therapeutic potential as an adjuvant.