Effectiveness of Chitosan Films Impregnated With Ciprofloxacin for the Prophylaxis of Osteomyelitis in Open Fractures: An Experimental Study in Rats

Background: The systemic antimicrobial prophylaxis is the standard treatment in the prevention of osteomyelitis after open fractures, with topical application of antimicrobials as an alternative due to their high concentrations at the site of the fracture, low systemic concentrations and fewer side effects. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylaxis of osteomyelitis through experimental model of open fractures with the use of chitosan films, whether or not impregnated with ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 Holtzman rats were distributed into 4 groups of 6 rats each. The CT (control of treatment) group: an open fracture model treated with systemic antimicrobial; the IC (infection control) group: an open fracture untreated model; the C (chitosan) group: an open fracture model treated using a chitosan film; and the CA (chitosan with antimicrobial) group: an open fracture model treated using a chitosan film impregnated with antimicrobial. After 3 weeks the animals were killed by an overdose of anesthetic, and a fragment osseous was removed for histological and microbiological analysis. The comparisons between the groups considered significant values of P ≤ 0.05. Results: In cultures of the CT group, there was less bacterial growth compared to the results of the cultures of the IC (P = 0.005), C (P = 0.005) and CA (P = 0.009) groups. The inflammation was lower in the CT group compared to the IC (P = 0.014), C (P = 0.001) and CA (P = 0.007) groups. Conclusions: In this experimental model of open fracture, the chitosan film pure or impregnated with ciprofloxacin was not effective in the prophylaxis of osteomyelitis

Rising rural body-mass index is the main driver of the global obesity epidemic in adults

Body-mass index (BMI) has increased steadily in most countries in parallel with a rise in the proportion of the population who live in cities 1,2 . This has led to a widely reported view that urbanization is one of the most important drivers of the global rise in obesity 3�6 . Here we use 2,009 population-based studies, with measurements of height and weight in more than 112 million adults, to report national, regional and global trends in mean BMI segregated by place of residence (a rural or urban area) from 1985 to 2017. We show that, contrary to the dominant paradigm, more than 55 of the global rise in mean BMI from 1985 to 2017�and more than 80 in some low- and middle-income regions�was due to increases in BMI in rural areas. This large contribution stems from the fact that, with the exception of women in sub-Saharan Africa, BMI is increasing at the same rate or faster in rural areas than in cities in low- and middle-income regions. These trends have in turn resulted in a closing�and in some countries reversal�of the gap in BMI between urban and rural areas in low- and middle-income countries, especially for women. In high-income and industrialized countries, we noted a persistently higher rural BMI, especially for women. There is an urgent need for an integrated approach to rural nutrition that enhances financial and physical access to healthy foods, to avoid replacing the rural undernutrition disadvantage in poor countries with a more general malnutrition disadvantage that entails excessive consumption of low-quality calories. © 2019, The Author(s)

Repositioning of the global epicentre of non-optimal cholesterol

High blood cholesterol is typically considered a feature of wealthy western countries1,2. However, dietary and behavioural determinants of blood cholesterol are changing rapidly throughout the world3 and countries are using lipid-lowering medications at varying rates. These changes can have distinct effects on the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, which have different effects on human health4,5. However, the trends of HDL and non-HDL cholesterol levels over time have not been previously reported in a global analysis. Here we pooled 1,127 population-based studies that measured blood lipids in 102.6 million individuals aged 18 years and older to estimate trends from 1980 to 2018 in mean total, non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels for 200 countries. Globally, there was little change in total or non-HDL cholesterol from 1980 to 2018. This was a net effect of increases in low- and middle-income countries, especially in east and southeast Asia, and decreases in high-income western countries, especially those in northwestern Europe, and in central and eastern Europe. As a result, countries with the highest level of non-HDL cholesterol�which is a marker of cardiovascular risk�changed from those in western Europe such as Belgium, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Malta in 1980 to those in Asia and the Pacific, such as Tokelau, Malaysia, The Philippines and Thailand. In 2017, high non-HDL cholesterol was responsible for an estimated 3.9 million (95 credible interval 3.7 million�4.2 million) worldwide deaths, half of which occurred in east, southeast and south Asia. The global repositioning of lipid-related risk, with non-optimal cholesterol shifting from a distinct feature of high-income countries in northwestern Europe, north America and Australasia to one that affects countries in east and southeast Asia and Oceania should motivate the use of population-based policies and personal interventions to improve nutrition and enhance access to treatment throughout the world. © 2020, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Quantificação do material combustível em plantios florestais e em remanescente de mata atlântica no brejo da Paraiba, Brasil

Estudos sobre o acúmulo de material combustível em florestas nativas e principalmente em povoamentos constituem importante ferramenta para a estimativa de risco de incêndios florestais. O presente estudo teve como objetivo determinar a quantidade de material combustível em povoamentos florestais e em remanescente de Mata Atlântica localizados no município de Areia, no Brejo da Paraíba. A coleta do material combustível foi realizada em parcelas de 1m², distribuídas aleatoriamente nas áreas selecionadas. Os combustíveis acumulados nas diferentes áreas foram classificados de acordo com o estado fisiológico em vivo e morto. A maior quantidade de material combustível foi obtida na área de Mata Atlântica com 19,47 Mg ha-1. A quantidade de material combustível vivo não diferiu entre as áreas estudadas. Palavras-chave: biomassa, combustível florestal, proteção florestal. ABSTRACT Studies on the accumulation of combustible material in native forests and plantations are mainly important tool for estimating the risk of forest fires. This study aimed to determine the amount of combustible material in forest stands and in the remaining rain forest located in the municipality of Areia, in Brejo of Paraiba. The collection of combustible material was carried out in plots of 1m ², randomly selected areas. The fuel accumulated in the different areas were classified according to the physiological state of alive and dead. The largest amount of combustible material was obtained in the area of the Atlantic with 19.47 Mg ha-1. The amount of combustible material alive did not differ between the studied areas. Key-words: biomass, forest fuel, forest protection.</div

Induced sputum in interstitial lung diseases â A pilot study

Introduction: Induced sputum with hypertonic saline has been suggested as a safer and cheaper alternative to bronchoalveolar lavage for evaluation of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of sputum induction in ILD and to compare sputum cellular profiles with paired bronchoalveolar lavage fluid results. Materials and methods: Twenty patients underwent sputum induction with 4.5% saline within 2 weeks of bronchoalveolar lavage. Total, differential cell counts and cellular viability were assessed. Wilcoxon test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used and a p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From a total of 20 subjects (mean age 49.4 ± 16.4 years, 70% male) a satisfactory sputum sample was obtained in 15 subjects (75%). Induction was stopped in one subject, due to a significant decrease in PEF. The cell profiles for induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were different (p < 0.05), except for eosinophils, and there were no significant correlations between the two methods. Compared to sputum reference values there was an increase of lymphocytes (3.2% vs 0.5%) and eosinophils (1.4% vs 0.0%). Comparing sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis sputum, both diseases had an increase in lymphocytes (4.4 vs 3.9%), with a significant higher neutrophil count in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (65.4% vs 10.6% p < 0.05), a finding also seen in BALF. Conclusion: Induced sputum is feasible and safe in interstitial lung diseases. Although sputum cellular counts are not correlated with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum cellular profiles may help to distinguish different ILD. Resumo: Introdução: A indução de esputo com soro hipertónico tem sido apontada como uma alternativa, mais económica e segura, ao lavado broncoalveolar na avaliação de doentes com doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI). Objetivo: Avaliar a segurança e a exequibilidade do esputo induzido nas DPI e comparar os perfis celulares do estudo com os resultados obtidos por lavado broncoalveolar. Material e métodos: Vinte doentes realizaram indução de esputo com soro hipertónico (4,5%) num intervalo de 2 semanas após a realização de lavado broncoalveolar. Foram analisadas as contagens diferenciais e a viabilidade celular. Para a análise foram utilizados os testes de Wilcoxon e a correlação de Spearman's e um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Dos 20 sujeitos estudados (média de idade 49,4 ± 16,4 anos, 70% do sexo masculino), foi obtida uma amostra satisfatória de esputo em 15 (75%). A indução foi interrompida num doente, devido a uma queda significativa do PEF. Os perfis celulares obtidos do esputo induzido e do lavado broncoalveolar foram distintos (p < 0,05), com exceção dos eosinófilos, e não se verificaram correlações estatisticamente significativas entre os 2 métodos. Comparando os resultados do esputo com os valores de referência, verificou-se um aumento de linfócitos (3,2 vs. 0,5%) e eosinófilos (1,4 vs. 0,0%). Quando se compararam os resultados do esputo dos doentes com sarcoidose e pneumonite de hipersensibilidade, ambos os grupos apresentaram um aumento de linfócitos (4,4 vs. 3,9%) e a contagem de neutrófilos estava significativamente aumentada na pneumonite de hipersensibilidade (65,4 vs. 10,6%; p < 0,05), achado também presente no lavado. Conclusão: O esputo induzido é um método seguro e exequível nas DPI. Embora as contagens celulares obtidas não se correlacionem com as do lavado, os perfis celulares do esputo podem ajudar na distinção das diferentes DPI. Keywords: Induced sputum, Interstitial lung disease, Sarcoidosis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, Palavras-chave: Esputo induzido, Doenças pulmonares intersticiais, Sarcoidose, Pneumonite de hipersensibilidade, Lavado broncoalveola

Esputo induzido nas doenças pulmonares intersticiais â Um estudo piloto

Resumo: Introdução: A indução de esputo com soro hipertónico tem sido apontada como uma alternativa, mais económica e segura, ao lavado broncoalveolar na avaliação de doentes com doença pulmonar intersticial (DPI). Objetivo: Avaliar a segurança e a exequibilidade do esputo induzido nas DPI e comparar os perfis celulares do estudo com os resultados obtidos por lavado broncoalveolar. Material e métodos: Vinte doentes realizaram indução de esputo com soro hipertónico (4,5%) num intervalo de 2 semanas após a realização de lavado broncoalveolar. Foram analisadas as contagens diferenciais e a viabilidade celular. Para a análise foram utilizados os testes de Wilcoxon e a correlação de Spearman's e um valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Dos 20 sujeitos estudados (média de idade 49,4 ± 16,4 anos, 70% do sexo masculino), foi obtida uma amostra satisfatória de esputo em 15 (75%). A indução foi interrompida num doente, devido a uma queda significativa do PEF. Os perfis celulares obtidos do esputo induzido e do lavado broncoalveolar foram distintos (p < 0,05), com exceção dos eosinófilos, e não se verificaram correlações estatisticamente significativas entre os 2 métodos. Comparando os resultados do esputo com os valores de referência, verificou-se um aumento de linfócitos (3,2 vs. 0,5%) e eosinófilos (1,4 vs. 0,0%). Quando se compararam os resultados do esputo dos doentes com sarcoidose e pneumonite de hipersensibilidade, ambos os grupos apresentaram um aumento de linfócitos (4,4 vs. 3,9%) e a contagem de neutrófilos estava significativamente aumentada na pneumonite de hipersensibilidade (65,4 vs. 10,6%; p < 0,05), achado também presente no lavado. Conclusão: O esputo induzido é um método seguro e exequível nas DPI. Embora as contagens celulares obtidas não se correlacionem com as do lavado, os perfis celulares do esputo podem ajudar na distinção das diferentes DPI. Abstract: Introduction: Induced sputum with hypertonic saline has been suggested as a safer and cheaper alternative to bronchoalveolar lavage for evaluation of patients with interstitial lung diseases (ILD). Objective: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of sputum induction in ILD and to compare sputum cellular profiles with paired bronchoalveolar lavage fluid results. Material and methods: Twenty patients underwent sputum induction with 4.5% saline within 2 weeks of bronchoalveolar lavage. Total, differential cell counts and cellular viability were assessed. Wilcoxon test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used and a p<0,05 was considered statistically significant. Results: From a total of 20 subjects (mean age 49.4 ± 16.4 years, 70% male) a satisfactory sputum sample was obtained in 15 subjects (75%). Induction was stopped in one subject, due to a significant decrease in PEF. The cell profiles for induced sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were different (P <.05), except for eosinophils, and there were no significant correlations between the two methods. Compared to sputum reference values there was an increase of lymphocytes (3.2% vs 0.5%) and eosinophils (1.4% vs 0.0%). Comparing sarcoidosis and hypersensitivity pneumonitis sputum, both diseases had an increase in lymphocytes (4.4 vs 3.9%), with a significant higher neutrophil count in hypersensitivity pneumonitis (65.4% vs 10.6% P <0.05), a finding also seen in BALF. Conclusion: Induced sputum is feasible and safe in interstitial lung diseases. Although sputum cellular counts are not correlated with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, sputum cellular profiles may help to distinguish different ILD. Palavras-chave: Esputo induzido, Doenças pulmonares intersticiais, Sarcoidose, Pneumonite de hipersensibilidade, Lavado broncoalveolar, Keywords: Induced sputum, Interstitial lung disease, Sarcoidosis, Hypersensitivity pneumonitis, Bronchoalveolar lavage flui

Mineralogical Characterisation of Iron Ore Tailings by Integrated Mineral Analyser

Volume 4 Issue 8 (August 2016