Effects of Silver Nanoparticle Exposure to the Testicular Antioxidant System during the Prepubertal Rat Stage.

Humans and environments are constantly exposed to a wide range of commercial products containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in their composition. The hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HP-testicular) axis is sensitive to low doses of AgNPs with repercussions in sperm functionality. The oxidative stress may be related to the pathogenesis of sperm alterations because Ag+ ions are released from AgNPs in the corporal fluids. This study aimed to investigate the effects of AgNP exposure in the antioxidant defense system. For this, the transcript expression and the activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione reductase (GSR) enzymes were evaluated in the testis of rats exposed during the prepubertal period to increasing doses of AgNPs (1.875, 3.75, 7.5, or 15 µg of AgNPs/kg). The higher dose of AgNPs (15 µg/kg) investigated promoted increases in the activity of CAT, GPX, and GSR enzymes and in the expression of Gpx4 var1 transcript. The exposure to 7.5 µg/kg of AgNP increased the Gpx4 var1 mRNA expression. In the group that received 3.75 µg of AgNP/kg, the expression of Sod1, Gpx4 var2, and Gsr transcripts was decreased while the Gpx4 var1 mRNA expression was augmented. The lower dose of AgNPs tested (1.875 µg/kg) increased the expression of Cat and Gpx4 var1 transcripts. Thus, AgNP alters the expression and activity of the antioxidant enzymes in a nonmonotonic dose-response curve and directly or indirectly modulates the events related to spermatogenesis process.

Concepts applied in daily practice in administration of medicines via nasogastric tube by the nursing team / Conceitos aplicados na prática diária na administração de medicamentos via sonda nasoenteral pela equipe de enfermagem

The study aimed to assess the current situation of medication administration via nasogastric tube (VNGT) and identify weaknesses in the process. As a tool, the application of questionnaires to the professionals of the nursing service was used. The questionnaire contained questions and each of them, during the correction, was assigned a specific score. The participant could according to the evaluation system get a grade of 0 to 100 points. Among the participants, 66.7% stated that they had already received some guidance on medication administration via the tube, and after correction and assignment of the notes, the averages obtained were: 47.3 points by the nurses; 38.7 points by nursing technicians; 34.5 points for resident nurses; and 37.0 points by the nursing assistants. The findings of the study indicate that there is a difference between the usual practice and the recommended practice in the literature and the professionals knowledge about administration of medication VNGT is still limited. The insertion of the pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team and disseminating knowledge on incompatibilities, interactions and reactions are of great importance for the improvement of this scenario.

O estudo teve por objetivos avaliar o panorama atual da administração de medicamentos via sonda nasoenteral (VSNE) e identificar as fragilidades nesse processo. Como ferramenta utilizou-se a aplicação de questionários aos profissionais do serviço de enfermagem. O questionário continha questões e a cada uma delas, durante a correção, atribuiu-se uma pontuação específica. O participante poderia de acordo com o sistema de avaliação obter uma nota de 0 a 100 pontos. Dentre os participantes, 66,7% afirmaram já ter recebido alguma orientação sobre a administração de medicamentos, via sonda, e após correção e atribuição das notas, as médias obtidas foram: 47,3 pontos pelos enfermeiros; 38,7 pontos pelos técnicos em enfermagem; 34,5 pontos pelos enfermeiros residentes; e 37,0 pontos pelos auxiliares de enfermagem. Os achados do estudo indicam que existe diferença entre a prática usual com o recomendado na literatura e o conhecimento dos profissionais sobre administração de medicamentos VSNE ainda é limitado. A inserção do farmacêutico na equipe multidisciplinar e disseminação do conhecimento referente às incompatibilidades, interações e reações presentes são de grande importância para a melhoria deste cenário.