In vitro evaluation of 5-Fluorouracil release by microspheres based on chitosan / Montmorillonite/ Avaliação in vitro da libertação de 5-Fluorouracil por microesferas à base de quitosano / Montmorilonite

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic compounds for cancer treatment and its rapid metabolization and non-uniform oral absorption are the limitations for its use as an oral chemotherapy. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the influence of a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) nanocomposite microspheres with different diameters to test on a controlled release system in the gastrointestinal environment. 5-FU was incorporated into the chitosan/montmorillonite nanocomposite microspheres through the intercalation method. The microspheres containing the 5-FU were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy (OM). In vitro release fractions at different pHs (1.2, 7.4 and 10.0) were investigated by UV-vis spectroscopy. The release profile of 5-FU for the systems studied was adjusted through the Korsmeyer-Peppas kinetic model, and the results suggested that the mechanism of controlled release at pH 7.4 and 10 occurs by diffusion. In addition, the 5-FU microspheres diameter and roughness directly interfere with the release rate and the released fraction, since the F1 / F2 systems showed a difference in the released fraction of 5-FU of 7.97% and for the systems F3 / F4 the difference was 2.86%. The prepared F1, F2, F3 and F4 systems are suitable for delivery of 5-FU to the gastrointestinal environment in a controlled manner

Cuidado transcultural em maternidades a puérperas e neonatos expostos a subs-tâncias psicoativas no pré-natal

O abuso de substâncias psicoativas pela mulher no período pré-natal tem chamado a atenção para a necessidade de práticas de cuidado materno-neonatal que sejam culturalmente competentes. Desta forma, este estudo teve como objetivo relatar limitações e potencialidades de cuidado transcultural ao binômio mãe usuária de álcool ou outras drogas e seu neonato, observadas no dia a dia da maternidade. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa de natureza exploratória, descritiva, com perspectiva etnográfica sobre o cuidado prestado ao binômio mãe usuária de álcool ou outras drogas e seu neonato, realizada entre 2018 e 2020 em maternidades. Os dados foram obtidos por meio de observação participante e entrevistas às puérperas e profissionais de saúde, discutindo-os à luz da Teoria de Madeleine Leininger. As limitações e potencialidades do cuidado focaram no acolhimento, na comunicação entre os profissionais e as pacientes, na identificação de sinais de dependência e abstinência na puérpera, nas orientações em saúde e na rotina de avaliação neonatal. A compreensão cultural e o vínculo etnográfico permitiram uma relação de confiança, de busca de conhecimento e de construção coletiva para o efetivo cuidado culturalmente congruente frente às limitações encontradas

Síndrome de Torsades de Pointes: análise de casos: Torsades de Pointes Syndrome: case analysis

A Síndrome de Torsades de Pointes (TdP) é uma taquiarritmia ventricular polimórfica de pacientes com um intervalo QT longo congênito ou induzido por fármacos, cujo eletrocardiograma possui aspecto de “torção das pontas” e os sinais e sintomas característicos são síncope, palpitação ou mesmo evolução para fibrilação ventricular e morte súbita. O sexo mais frequentemente acometido é o feminino, o diagnóstico se baseia no eletrocardiograma e o tratamento preconizado é o sulfato de magnésio (MgSO4) intravenoso, a correção dos distúrbios eletrolíticos, principalmente a hipocalemia e o tratamento da causa base, na TdP farmacoinduzida. O objetivo do estudo é analisar os casos de Síndrome de Torsades de Pointes em pacientes com alterações do intervalo QT no eletrocardiograma. Trata-se de uma revisão bibliográfica integrativa, do tipo quantitativa, que utilizou as plataformas do PubMed, SciELO e Cochrane Library como bases de dados para seleção dos artigos, todos na língua inglesa. Foram utilizadas literaturas publicadas com recorte temporal de 2017 a 2022. De acordo com as literaturas analisadas, conclui-se que a TdP é uma taquiarritmia ventricular polimórfica com um mau prognóstico se não tratada precocemente com o MgSO4 intravenoso e, por ter diversas etiologias, é primordial que o diagnóstico preciso seja estabelecido de forma rápida, devido ao alto índice de mortalidade. Pacientes portadores da síndrome do QT longo congênita, bradicardia sinusal e bloqueio atrioventricular de 1º grau possuem predisposição para o desenvolvimento de TdP. Observa-se escassez na literatura a respeito das formas adequadas de prevenção da TdP, já que muitos pacientes que participam das triagens, muitas das vezes inefetivas, adquirem a síndrome após o uso de drogas que a predispõem, com prolongamento do intervalo QT, ou não sabem que possuem uma SQTL pré-existente, obrigatória para o desenvolvimento da TdP

Double renal artery in cat

O conhecimento das variações nos vasos renais possui importância em um programa de sistematização da anatomia radiológica e cirúrgica, tanto para o homem quanto para animais destinados a pesquisa, ensino e treinamento cirúrgico. As artérias renais têm sido estudas tanto radiograficamente quanto através de dissecção. Atenção particular é dada ao estudo desses vasos enfatizando as variações entre as diferentes espécies animais. O local de origem das artérias renais a partir da aorta abdominal varia de acordo com a topografia renal nos diferentes animais. A artéria renal direita se origina mais cranialmente que a esquerda de acordo com a posição mais cranial do rim direito. O objetivo deste artigo é descrever um caso de dupla artéria renal esquerda originando-se da superfície ventral da artéria aorta abdominal em um cadáver de gato macho com três anos de idade. O mesmo foi fixado e preservado com solução de formaldeído a 10% e teve o seu sistema arterial preenchido com látex corado. Observou-se que o rim esquerdo foi suprido por duas artérias renais, de diferente topografia e arranjo, caracterizando duplicidade da artéria renal.Knowledge of the renal vessels variations has importance in a systematization program of radiological and surgical anatomy, both in humans and animals, applied for research and surgical training. Renal arteries have been considered by dissective or angiographic study means. Particular attention has been paid to the study of these vessels, outlining the variations noticed among various animal species. The renal arteries sites of origin of the abdominal aorta vary according to the renal topography of the different animals. As a rule, the right artery arises more cranially than the left one, according with the most cranial position of the right kidney. Thus, the goal of this article is to describe a case of a left double renal artery originating from the ventral portion of the aorta, in a three old male cat cadaver, formalin-preserved at 10% and with latex colored vascular injection. It was observed that the left kidney was supplied by two arteries of different topography and arrangements, showing duplicity of the renal artery

HSP70 of Leishmania amazonensis alters resistance to different stresses and mitochondrial bioenergetics

The 70 kDa heat shock protein (HSP70) is a molecular chaperone that assists the parasite Leishmania in returning to homeostasis after being subjected to different types of stress during its life cycle. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of HSP70 transfection of L. amazonensis promastigotes (pTEX-HSP70) in terms of morphology, resistance, infectivity and mitochondrial bioenergetics. The pTEX-HSP70 promastigotes showed no ultrastructural morphological changes compared to control parasites. Interestingly, the pTEX-HSP70 promastigotes are resistant to heat shock, H2O2-induced oxidative stress and hyperbaric environments. Regarding the bioenergetics parameters, the pTEX-HSP70 parasites had higher respiratory rates and released less H2O2 than the control parasites. Nevertheless, the infectivity capacity of the parasites did not change, as verified by the infection of murine peritoneal macrophages and human macrophages, as well as the infection of BALB/c mice. Together, these results indicate that the overexpression of HSP70 protects L. amazonensis from stress, but does not interfere with its infective capacity

Inexpensive Apparatus for Fabricating Microspheres for 5-Fluorouracil Controlled Release Systems

The aim of this study was to develop an inexpensive apparatus for fabricating microspheres, based on chitosan, for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) controlled release. Chitosan microspheres were prepared by precipitation method and the effects of manufacturing parameters (injection and airflow rates) on size distribution microspheres were analyzed by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The results show that the manufacturing parameters, injection and airflow rates, determine the microsphere size distribution. By modulating these parameters, it was possible to produce chitosan microspheres as small as 437 ± 44 μm and as large as 993 ± 18 μm. Chitosan microspheres loaded with 5-FU were also produced using the experimental equipment. The obtained microspheres presented 5-FU controlled release, indicating that the microspheres can be used orally, since they are capable of crossing the stomach barrier and of continuing with the process of 5-FU release

ABC-SPH risk score for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients : development, external validation and comparison with other available scores

The majority of available scores to assess mortality risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the emergency department have high risk of bias. Therefore, this cohort aimed to develop and validate a score at hospital admission for predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients and to compare this score with other existing ones. Consecutive patients (≥ 18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the participating hospitals were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a prediction model for in-hospital mortality, based on the 3978 patients admitted between March-July, 2020. The model was validated in the 1054 patients admitted during August-September, as well as in an external cohort of 474 Spanish patients. Median (25-75th percentile) age of the model-derivation cohort was 60 (48-72) years, and in-hospital mortality was 20.3%. The validation cohorts had similar age distribution and in-hospital mortality. Seven significant variables were included in the risk score: age, blood urea nitrogen, number of comorbidities, C-reactive protein, SpO/FiO ratio, platelet count, and heart rate. The model had high discriminatory value (AUROC 0.844, 95% CI 0.829-0.859), which was confirmed in the Brazilian (0.859 [95% CI 0.833-0.885]) and Spanish (0.894 [95% CI 0.870-0.919]) validation cohorts, and displayed better discrimination ability than other existing scores. It is implemented in a freely available online risk calculator (https://abc2sph.com/). An easy-to-use rapid scoring system based on characteristics of COVID-19 patients commonly available at hospital presentation was designed and validated for early stratification of in-hospital mortality risk of patients with COVID-19

ABC₂-SPH risk score for in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients

Objectives: The majority of available scores to assess mortality risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the emergency department have high risk of bias. Therefore, this cohort aimed to develop and validate a score at hospital admission for predicting in-hospital mortality in COVID-19 patients and to compare this score with other existing ones. Methods: Consecutive patients (≥ 18 years) with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the participating hospitals were included. Logistic regression analysis was performed to develop a prediction model for in-hospital mortality, based on the 3978 patients admitted between March–July, 2020. The model was validated in the 1054 patients admitted during August–September, as well as in an external cohort of 474 Spanish patients. Results: Median (25–75th percentile) age of the model-derivation cohort was 60 (48–72) years, and in-hospital mortality was 20.3%. The validation cohorts had similar age distribution and in-hospital mortality. Seven significant variables were included in the risk score: age, blood urea nitrogen, number of comorbidities, C-reactive protein, SpO2/FiO2 ratio, platelet count, and heart rate. The model had high discriminatory value (AUROC 0.844, 95% CI 0.829–0.859), which was confirmed in the Brazilian (0.859 [95% CI 0.833–0.885]) and Spanish (0.894 [95% CI 0.870–0.919]) validation cohorts, and displayed better discrimination ability than other existing scores. It is implemented in a freely available online risk calculator (https://abc2sph.com/). Conclusions: An easy-to-use rapid scoring system based on characteristics of COVID-19 patients commonly available at hospital presentation was designed and validated for early stratification of in-hospital mortality risk of patients with COVID-19.</p