Preliminary in vitro evaluation of the anti-proliferative activity of guanylhydrazone derivatives

Guanylhydrazones have shown promising antitumor activity in preclinical tumor models in several studies. In this study, we aimed at evaluating the cytotoxic effect of a series of synthetic guanylhydrazones. Different human tumor cell lines, including HCT-8 (colon carcinoma), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma) and SF-295 (glioblastoma) were continuous exposed to guanylhydrazone derivatives for 72 hours and growth inhibition of tumor cell lines and macrophages J774 was measured using tetrazolium salt (MTT) assay. Compounds 7, 11, 16 and 17 showed strong cytotoxic activity with IC50 values lower than 10 μmol L–1 against four tumor cell lines. Among them, 7 was less toxic to non-tumor cells. Finally, the obtained data suggest that guanylhydrazones may be regarded as potential lead compounds for the design of novel anticancer agents

Synthesis of 2,3-Diyne-1,4-naphthoquinone Derivatives and Evaluation of Cytotoxic Activity against Tumor Cell Lines

A series of 2,3-diyne-1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives was synthesized from 2,3-dibromo1,4-naphthoquinone and various functionalized terminal alkynes using palladium-catalyzed Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction. The diynes were evaluated as potential cytotoxic agents against three tumor cell lines: human ovarian adenocarcinoma (OVCAR-8), human metastatic prostate cancer (PC-3M) and human bronchoalveolar lung carcinoma (NCI-H358M), presenting, in general, satisfactory results for inhibition of cell growth

Knowledge, skills and attitudes of hospital pharmacists in the use of information technology and electronic tools to support clinical practice: A Brazilian survey

<div><p>This study aimed to identify the knowledge, skills and attitudes of Brazilian hospital pharmacists in the use of information technology and electronic tools to support clinical practice. Methods: A questionnaire was sent by email to clinical pharmacists working public and private hospitals in Brazil. The instrument was validated using the method of Polit and Beck to determine the content validity index. Data (n = 348) were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test and Gamma correlation tests. Results: Pharmacists had 1–4 electronic devices for personal use, mainly smartphones (84.8%; n = 295) and laptops (81.6%; n = 284). At work, pharmacists had access to a computer (89.4%; n = 311), mostly connected to the internet (83.9%; n = 292). They felt competent (very capable/capable) searching for a web page/web site on a specific subject (100%; n = 348), downloading files (99.7%; n = 347), using spreadsheets (90.2%; n = 314), searching using MeSH terms in PubMed (97.4%; n = 339) and general searching for articles in bibliographic databases (such as Medline/PubMed: 93.4%; n = 325). Pharmacists did not feel competent in using statistical analysis software (somewhat capable/incapable: 78.4%; n = 273). Most pharmacists reported that they had not received formal education to perform most of these actions except searching using MeSH terms. Access to bibliographic databases was available in Brazilian hospitals, however, most pharmacists (78.7%; n = 274) reported daily use of a non-specific search engine such as Google. This result may reflect the lack of formal knowledge and training in the use of bibliographic databases and difficulty with the English language. The need to expand knowledge about information search tools was recognized by most pharmacists in clinical practice in Brazil, especially those with less time dedicated exclusively to clinical activity (Chi-square, p = 0.006). Conclusion: These results will assist in defining minimal competencies for the training of pharmacists in the field of information technology to support clinical practice. Knowledge and skill gaps are evident in the use of bibliographic databases, spreadsheets and statistical tools.</p></div

Avaliação do autoconhecimento da equipe médica, de enfermagem e farmácia sobre medicamentos potencialmente perigosos

Objetivo: determinar o grau de conhecimento sobre medicamentos potencialmente perigosos (MPP), entre médicos, equipe de enfermagem, equipe de farmácia e residentes. Método: estudo transversal e quantitativo realizado com 157 profissionais pertencentes à equipe médica, farmacêutica, de enfermagem e residentes. O estudo foi realizado em duas fases: I) avaliação do conhecimento e; II) intervenção educativa. Foram utilizadas escalas de avaliação da opinião (Likert) e de avaliação do conhecimento. Resultados: na fase I foram aplicados 157 questionários, identificando que 88,5% (n=139) dos profissionais não havia participado de treinamentos sobre MPP nos últimos seis meses, e 47,1% (n=74) declarou conhecimento razoável sobre MPP. Foi identificada diferença significativa entre as categorias profissionais quanto ao conhecimento geral declarado sobre MPP (Qui-quadrado; p<0,001) e sobre os medicamentos da lista de MPP da instituição (Qui-quadrado; p=0,001). O relato de ter presenciado erros envolvendo MPP foi mais frequente entre profissionais com maior tempo de serviço (Qui-quadrado; p=0,006). A fase II envolveu 164 profissionais, 90 deles participantes da Fase I. Conclusão: foi evidenciada fragilidade no conhecimento sobre MPP. Sugere-se sensibilizar os profissionais para as consequências danosas dos erros envolvendo MPP e a adoção de ferramentas de suporte (listas e protocolos)

Pharmacists’ use of evidence search tools.

<p>Pharmacists’ use of evidence search tools.</p

Profile of study respondents.

<p>Profile of study respondents.</p

Evaluation of skills and formal education of Brazilian clinical pharmacists in use of the internet and software.

<p>Evaluation of skills and formal education of Brazilian clinical pharmacists in use of the internet and software.</p