Formulation and evaluation of dispersible isoniazid tablets for paediatric use: an extemporaneous model formulary application in a resource limited setting

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global burden and public health concern. Isoniazid, a principal anti-tubercular drug (ATD) though effectively used in TB preventive chemotherapy is preferentially available in adult formulations. Its use therefore in paediatric population is challenged with issues of high probability of inaccurate dose administrations, low patient compliance and adherence. This burden may be higher in resource limited settings, thus development of simple child friendly formulations is needful.Objectives: This study aimed to design, develop and evaluate an extemporaneous formulary model of a paediatric oral dispersible isoniazid tablet for use in a resource-limited setting.Method: Paediatric oral dispersible isoniazid granulation batches with varying concentrations (0.5 - 5.5 % w/w) of sodium carboxyl methylcellulose as superdisintegrant were prepared by wet granulation method and compressed. Granulation batches were subjected to pre and post compression evaluations respectively in accordance with established standard methods. Results were statistically analysed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with significance set at p < 0.05.Result: The outcome of the micromeritics variables for the granule batches were indicative of good flow properties. The tablet batches passed all the official tablet evaluation criteria, with no statistical significance between the batches. However, tablet batches that contained lower concentrations of carboxyl methylcellulose failed both the disintegration and dispersion tests. Optimal tablet formulation was obtained with 5.0 % w/w of the superdisintegrant.Conclusion: An optimized formulation of an oral paediatric dispersible isoniazid tablet that could be applied as an extemporaneous compounding model in a resource limited setting has been developed.Keywords: Paediatric Tuberculosis, Isoniazid, Dispersible Tablet, Extemporaneous Compoundin

Murine (endemic) typhus in Brazil: case report and review

O tifo murino tem sido reconhecido com freqüência crescente em todo o mundo e vem se tornando um relevante diagnóstico diferencial de quadros febris. No Brasill, o tifo murino nunca mereceu grande atenção. Descrevemos um caso clínico e fazemos revisão da literatura que sugere que a doença poderia ser mais prevalente no sudeste brasileiro do que reconhecido até então.Murine typhus has been increasingly recognized worldwide and is becoming a relevant differential diagnosis in febrile conditions. In Brazil, murine typhus has never received much attention. We present a recently diagnosed case and a literature review that suggests that the disease could be more prevalent in Southeastern Brazil than acknowledged until now

Caracterização preliminar do monumento natural das falésias de Beberibe – CE

Caracterização preliminar do monumentonatural das falésias de Beberibe – C

Silver Sulphadiazine- xanthan gum- hyaluronic Acid Composite Hydrogel for Wound Healing: Formulation Development and in vivo Evaluation

Background: Development and modifications of hybrid hydrogels have been done to improve biological properties or to decrease the disadvantages of biomaterials.Objectives: The efficacy of hyaluronic acid in combination with silver sulphadiazine in wound healing was investigated. The retaining properties of xanthan gum to aid re- epithelialization was also explored.Materials and Method: Four hybrid hydrogels comprising of different concentrations of xanthan gum, eugenol and antimicrobial agents – hyaluronic acid and silver sulphadiazine were formulated. The physicochemical properties of the gels were assessed, and the antimicrobial effectiveness of the different hydrogel were determined using the extent of wound closure as an index.Results: The hydrogel samples had approximately 90% moisture content with rate of evaporation between 26- 32% for a 5 h period at 37oC. The pH of all formulations was between 7.59 - 8.05 considering that the formulation would be applied to underlying tissues of the skin. The swelling index after a 12 h period in distilled water was 10% for HX 1, 27% for HX 2, 29% for HX 3 and 30% for HX 4. There was no new peak observed in the FTIR analysis to indicate formation of new bonds.Conclusion: Incorporation of silver sulphadiazine at 0.1% and hyaluronic acid at 1.5% in the formulation yielded the best results with regards to least presence of inflammatory cell infiltrates and excellent wound closure at 14 days compared to the control and other formulations. Further investigation may be required for clinical use as an effective wound dressing material. Keywords: Silver sulphadiazine, Xanthan gum, Hyaluronic acid, Hydrogels, Wound healing

Detecção de vegetação arbórea através de segmentação e classificação orientada a objecto de imagens multiespectrais de alta resolução (Quickbird).

O principal objectivo deste estudo foi avaliar o potencial de imagens de alta resolução espacial (Quickbird) utilizando o método de segmentação multi-resolução e classificação digital orientada a objecto na 1) identificação de manchas por espécie florestal obtendo mapas de ocupação do solo e 2) identificação de área de coberto arbóreo por espécie para a região de Portel (Alentejo). Procedeu-se ao cálculo de bandas sintéticas tais como o índice de vegetação NDVI e as compentes principais para aumentar a capacidade de separação entre as classes no processo de segmentação e classificação. Ambos os resultados foram validados através do calculo da matriz de confusão e do coeficiente Kappa. Os resultados foram bastantes satisfatórios, para o mapa de ocupação do solo, obtendo-se um Kappa de 82,5% e para o mapa de área de coberto arbóreo de 80% e ambos com precisão global acima de 88%. Podemos concluir que a metodologia desenvolvida e os dados de alta resolução do satélite Quickbird produzem resultados satisfatórios para a identificação e separação das espécies florestais. A baixa resolução espectral deste satélite é compensada pela elevada resolução espacial e pela utilização de outros parâmetros de forma e de textura dos objectos individuais e entre objectos

In vitro release from antibiotic-loaded silicone hydrogel contact lenses for the treatment of ocular bacterial infections

Background: Effective treatment of corneal infections require frequent eye drop instillations, unfortunately, non-compliance is a challenge.Objectives: In this study, the effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded contact lens as a prolonged release device in the treatment of corneal bacterial infection is investigated.Materials and Method: Ofloxacin (OFL) and Chloramphenicol sodium succinate (CPL) were loaded onto silicone hydrogel contact lenses (CLs) via soaking method. Drug release, effect on clarity of the lenses at different concentrations and ability to inhibit growth of corneal ulcer causative bacteria were investigated.Results: Drug release from the lenses was directly proportional to the amount of drug loaded and the lenses at the different loading concentrations showed transmittance of 95 to 97%. The Air Optix® lenses showed higher release of drug compared to Acuvue Oasys® lenses (p < 0.05). The difference in drug release was significant at p < 0.05. The microbiological study showed zones of inhibition in Mueller Hinton agar seeded with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.Conclusion: This study shows that contact lenses can be used to control drug delivery to the eye and is a probable alternative ocular delivery technique in the treatment or prevention of corneal infections.Keywords: Antibiotics; prolonged release; contact lens; corneal infection

Estudos soroepidemiológico e molecular de infecção por EV-71 no Estado do Pará, Brasil

In many countries, the Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) Picornaviridae family is associated to hand, foot and mouth disease in addition to acute neurological diseases while in Brazil these viruses are more closely associated to the latter group. The aim of this research was to use the first EV-71 isolate of the Northern region of Brazil in molecular and seroepidemiologic studies. Two (2.2%) out of 88 stool samples (44 cases of AFP), collected from January 1998 to December 2000 were positive for EV-71 isolation (73442/PA/99). Nucleotide sequence of the gen that codifies the VP1 protein showed that isolate 73442/PA/99 was similar to the EV-71 strains belonging to genotype B - more closely identified with EV-71 from North America. Neutralization test with 389 sera samples collected from January 1998 to November 2001, from individuals ranging from 0 to 15 years of age living in the city of Belém, State of Pará showed the following results in relation to isolate 73442/PA/99 and prototype BrCr: a total of 207 individuals (53.2%) had neutralization antibodies to both viruses, 167 (42.9%) had no antibodies and 15 showed the presence of neutralizing antibodies to one of the two viruses. Only 20.2% of the children aged 0 to 3 had neutralizing antibodies to EV-71, indicating that these children were more susceptible to the infection. Both the seroprevalence study and VP1 sequencing were important to demonstrate the spread and the molecular pattern of the EV-71 circulating in the Northern Region of Brazil.Em muitos países, o Enterovírus 71 (EV-71) família Picornaviridae é associado a doença de pé-mão e boca e doenças neurológicas agudas enquanto que no Brasil esse vírus está mais associado às últimas. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi utilizar em estudos moleculares e soroepidemiológicos, o primeiro isolamento de EV-71 obtido na região norte do Brasil. No período de janeiro de 1998 a dezembro de 2000 foram coletadas 88 amostras (44 casos de PFA) de fezes das quais, duas (2,2%) foram positivas para EV-71 (73442/PA/99). A seqüência de nucleotídeos do gen que codifica a proteína VP1 mostrou que o isolado 73442/PA/99 foi similar às cepas de EV-71 pertencentes ao grupo B- mais próxima das norte americanas. Teste de neutralização com 389 amostras de soro colhidas no período de janeiro de 1998 a novembro de 2001, de indivíduos com idade de 0 a 15 anos residentes na cidade de Belém, Estado do Pará mostrou os seguintes resultados em relação ao isolado 73442/PA/99 e ao protótipo BrCr: 207 indivíduos (53,2%) tinham anticorpos neutralizantes para ambos os vírus, 167 (42,9%) não tinham anticorpos e 15 tinham anticorpos para um dos dois vírus. Somente 20,2% das crianças com idade de 0 a 3 anos tinham anticorpos neutralizantes para EV-71, indicando que essas crianças estavam mais suscetíveis à infecção. Tanto o estudo de soroprevalência quanto o de sequenciamento da VP1 foram importantes para demonstrar a propagação e o padrão molecular do EV-71 circulante na região norte do Brasil

Embracing change in tandem:resilience and sustainability together transforming supply chains

PurposeThis article investigates how micro-foundations of sustainability can build supply chain resilience (SCRes). Specifically, by defining supply chains as social-ecological systems, this article explores how sustainability as a supplier capability leads to the transformative development of SCRes capabilities.Design/methodology/approachLongitudinal multi-case studies were developed over the first year of the COVID-19 outbreak. A total of 52 interviews were conducted with managers and employees of 12 global supplier firms as well as associated local cooperative and consultancy managers. Secondary data were also used for triangulation. An inductive approach was used for data analysis to elaborate theory through a metaphor.FindingsNine micro-foundations of sustainability were identified and categorised using the dynamic capabilities steps: sensing, seizing and reconfiguring. They were found to move together with the preparing, responding and transforming steps of SCRes, respectively, and thus to perform as dance partners using our dance performance metaphor. Moreover, ten supplier cases were found to be adopting a transformative social-ecological perspective as they performed all key stages of our dance performance metaphor. The transformations all resulted from either institutional or social sustainability, and the associated micro-foundations generated six main SCRes capabilities, most commonly linking visibility and organisation with institutional and social sustainability respectively.Practical implicationsA deeper understanding of sustainability micro-foundations is provided for supply chain managers to enhance the development of SCRes strategies in preparation for future sustainability-related crises.Originality/valueUnlike previous research, this article explores an intertwined understanding of SCRes and sustainability during a crisis. Through the micro-foundations of sustainability we explain how sustainability capability builds transformative SCRes using a supplier perspective

O PAPEL DO PSICÓLOGO NA ADOÇÃO

Este estudo envolve o tema o papel do psicólogo no processo de adoção. Aborda a mitologia da adoção, o processo de adoção no Brasil, definição e as etapas da adoção, a adoção heterossexual e homossexual e o papel do psicólogo nesses contextos. A pesquisa possui relevância quanto ao alto índice de abandono de crianças e adolescentes, e a adoção pode vir como forma de amparar o ser social, ao construir sua subjetividade enquanto ser humano, dando-lhes oportunidade de além de terem um lar, serem aceitos, educados, respeitados e, principalmente, amados. Devido ao fato de alguns casais não poderem ter filhos biológicos, a adoção vem ao encontro desse contexto, oferecendo-lhes a rica oportunidade de desempenharem o papel de pai e mãe. Os dados foram obtidos através de pesquisas bibliográficas em fontes diversas e pretendem contribuir com reflexões acerca do tema, revelando, também, a pouca publicação científica nesta área da Psicologia. Palavras-Chave: Adoção. Família. Papel do Psicólogo