SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT REPORTS ON BRICS: VIOLATIONS TO FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

This article was developed through meetings of study groups and documentary research. The results were based on the UN Reports on Human Rights and Development and specifically on the main normative, institutional and political-economic advances and setbacks in the BRICS States (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are discussed. Which have been adopted by them in accordance with the ideals of social progress and substantive freedoms, of the UN development agenda. The conclusions based on documentary research on the development of freedoms related to the expansion of social rights in BRICS countries. On the other hand, this report contains analyzes of the recommendations made to the five countries, in original documents in English, on the rights to health, pensions and social assistance, and the shortcomings they have not yet overcome in the fulfillment of these rights, as well as some normative advances, Institutional and political-economic in order to fulfill them

Influência do tempo de hospitalização sobre o desenvolvimento neuromotor de recém-nascidos pré-termo

The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the length of hospital stay on the neuromotor development of preterm newborns (PTNB). This prospective study was carried out with 67 PTNB (gestational ageO objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a influência do tempo de hospitalização sobre o desenvolvimento neuromotor de recém-nascidos pré-termo (RNPT). Foi feito um estudo prospectivo com 67 RNPT de idade gestaciona

Fungal contamination of nebuliser devices used by people with cystic fibrosis

Background: Poor nebuliser hygiene can result in bacterial contamination and risk of infections. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of fungal contamination of nebulisers used by adults with cystic fibrosis. Methods: 170 nebulisers from 149 subjects were screened by wetting a sterile cotton swab with sterile water and swabbing each drug chamber. The swab was then plated out on Sabouraud and on Scel+ agar and incubated at 27⁰C for up to two weeks. Results: Fungal cultures were positive in 86 (57.7%) patient's devices. In 28/149 (18.8%), 39/149 (26.2%), 47/149 (31.5%) and 20/149 (13.4%) of subjects Aspergillus species, yeasts, moulds and both yeasts and moulds were isolated respectively. There was no difference in contamination rates between different devices. Conclusion: Nebuliser devices are frequently contaminated by moulds and yeasts and emphasis should be placed on ensuring adequate nebuliser hygiene

Adaptation of High-Throughput Screening in Drug Discovery—Toxicological Screening Tests

High-throughput screening (HTS) is one of the newest techniques used in drug design and may be applied in biological and chemical sciences. This method, due to utilization of robots, detectors and software that regulate the whole process, enables a series of analyses of chemical compounds to be conducted in a short time and the affinity of biological structures which is often related to toxicity to be defined. Since 2008 we have implemented the automation of this technique and as a consequence, the possibility to examine 100,000 compounds per day. The HTS method is more frequently utilized in conjunction with analytical techniques such as NMR or coupled methods e.g., LC-MS/MS. Series of studies enable the establishment of the rate of affinity for targets or the level of toxicity. Moreover, researches are conducted concerning conjugation of nanoparticles with drugs and the determination of the toxicity of such structures. For these purposes there are frequently used cell lines. Due to the miniaturization of all systems, it is possible to examine the compound’s toxicity having only 1–3 mg of this compound. Determination of cytotoxicity in this way leads to a significant decrease in the expenditure and to a reduction in the length of the study

Study of the effectiveness of an education program on hygiene and disinfection of home nebulizers of patients with cystic fibrosis

Pacientes com fibrose cística (FC) apresentam infecções respiratórias recorrentes e crônicas por patógenos peculiares e realizam inalações diariamente como parte de seu tratamento. É reconhecido que patógenos específicos são comumente isolados nestes nebulizadores e existe uma preocupação de que estes equipamentos possam contribuir como fonte de infecção bacteriana para as vias aéreas inferiores. Objetivo: Descrever os patógenos encontrados nos nebulizadores de uso domiciliar e nas amostras de trato respiratório de pacientes com FC e verificar a eficácia de uma técnica padronizada de higiene e desinfecção destes nebulizadores na redução da contaminação dos mesmos. Método: Quarenta pacientes com FC (22M:18F) com mediana de idade de 11,2 ± 3,74 anos e que utilizavam o nebulizador PRONEB/sistema PARI foram incluídos no estudo. Amostras dos nebulizadores foram coletadas do bocal e do copo reservatório utilizando-se um swab estéril umedecido em solução salina estéril. As amostras de trato respiratório dos pacientes foram colhidas por expectoração em coletor estéril ou com swab de orofaringe após estímulo de tosse. As culturas foram realizadas em meios seletivos e a identificação bacteriana feita através de provas bioquímicas clássicas. Instruções verbais e escritas de higiene e desinfecção dos nebulizadores foram ministradas. Resultados: A contaminação de alguma parte dos nebulizadores foi observada em 23/40 casos (57,5%). A contaminação do bocal e do copo foi similar, observada em 16 e 19 casos, respectivamente. Os patógenos mais comumente identificados foram Bacilos Gram negativos não fermentadores (sem identificação) (14), Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (13), Leveduras (12), Enterobacter sp. (5), Pseudomonas putida (7) e complexo Burkholderia cepacia (3). Nas amostras de trato respiratório houve um predomínio de Staphylococcus aureus (29), seguido de Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20) e complexo Burkholderia cepacia (3). Em 4 casos observou-se a identificação de um mesmo patógeno em amostras do nebulizador e do trato respiratório. Uma redução significativa da contaminação (43,5%) foi encontrada após instrução de técnica padronizada de higiene e desinfecção dos nebulizadores, num prazo médio de reavaliação de dois meses. Conclusões: A prevalência de contaminação dos nebulizadores é alta, o que indica a necessidade de melhoria nas práticas de higiene e desinfecção dos nebulizadores de pacientes com FC. Uma única intervenção educacional pode ter impacto significativoPatients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have chronic and recurrent respiratory infections by peculiar pathogens and perform inhalations daily as part of their treatment. It is recognized that specific pathogens are commonly isolated in these nebulizers and there is concern that these devices can contribute as a source of bacterial infection to the lower airways. Objective: To describe the pathogens found in home use of nebulizers and in respiratory samples of CF patients and evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized hygiene and disinfection in reducing the contamination. Methods: Forty patients with CF (22M: 18F) with a median age of 11.2 ± 3.74 years and who used the nebulizer Proneb / PARI system were included in the study. Samples were collected from the nebulizer mouthpiece and cup container using a sterile swab moistened with sterile saline. The respiratory samples of patients were collected by expectoration into a sterile swab or oropharyngeal after stimulation of cough. The cultures were performed on selective media and bacterial identification made by classical biochemical tests. Written and oral instructions regarding cleaning and disinfection of nebulizers were provided. Results: The contamination of any part of the nebulizer was observed in 23/40 cases (57.5%). Contamination of the mouthpiece and the cup container was similarly observed on 16 and 19 cases, respectively. The pathogens most commonly identified were Gram negative fermenters (unmarked) (14), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (13), yeast (12), Enterobacter sp. (5) Pseudomonas putida (7) and Burkholderia cepacia (3). In respiratory samples there was a predominance of Staphylococcus aureus (29), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20) and Burkholderia cepacia (3). In four cases we observed the same identifying a pathogen in samples of the nebulizer and the respiratory tract. A significant reduction of contamination (43,5%) was found after instruction of standard procedures of hygiene and disinfection of nebulizers, within an average of two months revaluation. Conclusions: The prevalence of contamination of nebulizers is high, which indicates the need for improvement in hygiene practices and disinfection of nebulizers for patients with CF. A single educational intervention may have significant impac

Effect that an educational program for cystic fibrosis patients and caregivers has on the contamination of home nebulizers

OBJECTIVE: To describe the pathogens found in home nebulizers and in respiratory samples of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients, and to evaluate the effect that a standardized instruction regarding cleaning and disinfection of nebulizers has on the frequency of nebulizer contamination. METHODS: We included 40 CF patients (22 males), all of whom used the same model of nebulizer. The median patient age was 11.2 ± 3.74 years. We collected samples from the nebulizer mouthpiece and cup, using a sterile swab moistened with sterile saline. Respiratory samples were collected by asking patients to expectorate into a sterile container or with oropharyngeal swabs after cough stimulation. Cultures were performed on selective media, and bacteria were identified by classical biochemical tests. Patients received oral and written instructions regarding the cleaning and disinfection of nebulizers. All determinations were repeated an average of two months later. RESULTS: Contamination of the nebulizer (any part) was detected in 23 cases (57.5%). The nebulizer mouthpiece and cup were found to be contaminated in 16 (40.0%) and 19 (47.5%), respectively. After the standardized instruction had been given, there was a significant decrease in the proportion of contaminated nebulizers (43.5%). CONCLUSIONS: In our sample of CF patients, nebulizer contamination was common, indicating the need for improvement in patient practices regarding the cleaning and disinfection of their nebulizers. A one-time educational intervention could have a significant positive impact

Melanin-concentrating hormone is a critical mediator of the leptin-deficient phenotype

Energy homeostasis is regulated by a complex network involving peripheral and central signals that determine food intake and energy expenditure. Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) plays an essential role in this process. Animals treated with MCH develop hyperphagia and obesity. Ablation of the prepro-MCH gene leads to a lean phenotype, as does ablation of the rodent MCH receptor, MCHR-1. MCH is overexpressed in the leptin-deficient ob/ob mouse, and we hypothesized that ablation of MCH in this animal would lead to attenuation of its obese phenotype. Compared with ob/ob animals, mice lacking both leptin and MCH (double null) had a dramatic reduction in body fat. Surprisingly, the hyperphagia of the ob/ob mouse was unaffected. Instead, leanness was secondary to a marked increase in energy expenditure resulting from both increased resting energy expenditure and locomotor activity. Furthermore, double-null mice showed improvements in other parameters impaired in ob/ob mice. Compared with ob/ob mice, double-null animals had increased basal body temperature, improved response to cold exposure, lower plasma glucocorticoid levels, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD-1). These results highlight the importance of MCH in integration of energy homeostasis downstream of leptin and, in particular, the role of MCH in regulation of energy expenditure