Comparative Study on the Effects of Paullinia cupana, PC-18 and Magnesium Chloride on Solid Ehrlich Tumor.

New perspectives arise in the therapeutic practice for cancer, with the objective to not only treat patients, but also improve their quality of life. Guarana, a plant from Brazilian Amazon presents a wide range of pharmacological actions. This study evaluated the effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract, pure and dry Guarana (PC-18) extract and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) in mice of the Balb/c strain inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor regarding gene expression of inflammatory markers transforming growth factor-ß1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha and oxidative stress (OS) and fatigue, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase 4 and analyzed myelotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. After euthanasia, blood was collected to analyze the complete blood count and measured the levels of liver enzymes (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). Hepatoprotective actions of the crude extract of P. cupana and PC-18 extract were noticed. The PC-18 and MgCl2 group showed the best result regarding animal welfare. There were no associations between compounds and gene expression regarding fatigue and OS. PC-18 reduced the tumor and may have an antitumor action. The crude extract of Guarana presented hepatoprotective action.

Same sized three-way indwelling urinary catheters from various manufacturers present different irrigation and drainage properties.

BACKGROUND: The three-way indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) is used for continuous bladder irrigation and is considered the cornerstone for clinical treatment of patients with macroscopic hematuria. Although there seems to be a logical relationship between catheter size and efficacy of irrigation and drainage, we often observe relevant variations in these parameters between different brands of catheters available on the market. The aim of this study was to compare the mechanical properties of different models of latex and silicone three-way catheters in an in vitro setting that resembles clinical use. METHODS: Three different three-way catheters were evaluated: Gold Silicone-Coated Rusch® (Model A), 100% Silicone Rusch® (Model B) and X-Flow Coloplast® (Model C). Irrigation channel, drainage channel, and overall cross-sectional areas were all digitally measured. Irrigation and drainage channel flow rates were measured and correlated with their corresponding catheter cross-sectional area values. RESULTS: Different catheter models of the same caliber have different internal irrigation port diameters, internal drainage port diameters and internal cuff port diameters. The Model C IUC internal irrigation port diameter is significantly larger than models A and B. When flows were evaluated, we found that in the same model, the increase in caliber of the IUC was related to an increased drainage flow, but not to an increased irrigation flow. CONCLUSION: Precise measurements of the internal architecture of the three-way catheter, rather than relying on the caliber itself, could assist surgeons in choosing the best product for each specific patient, while minimizing complications.

Near-infrared spectroscopy parameters in patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impacts of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration on the microcirculation in patients with acute kidney injury. METHODS: A prospective observational pilot study conducted in a 40-bed, open clinical-surgical intensive care unit of a private tertiary care hospital located in the city of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Microcirculation was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy by means of a 15mm probe placed over the thenar eminence. Vascular occlusion test was performed on the forearm to be submitted to near-infrared spectroscopy by inflation of a sphygmomanometer cuff to 30mmHg higher than the systolic arterial pressure. The primary endpoint was the assessment of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameters immediately before, 1, 4 and 24 hours after the initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. RESULTS: Nine patients were included in this pilot study over a period of 2 months. Minimum tissue oxygen saturation measured during the vascular occlusion test was the only near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameter to differed over the time (decrease compared to baseline values up to 24 hours after initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration). CONCLUSION: The impacts of microcirculatory dysfunction on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing to continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration need to be further investigated.

Near-infrared spectroscopy parameters in patients undergoing continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration / Espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo em pacientes sob hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua

ABSTRACT Objective To investigate the impacts of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration on the microcirculation in patients with acute kidney injury. Methods A prospective observational pilot study conducted in a 40-bed, open clinical-surgical intensive care unit of a private tertiary care hospital located in the city of São Paulo (SP), Brazil. Microcirculation was assessed using near-infrared spectroscopy by means of a 15mm probe placed over the thenar eminence. Vascular occlusion test was performed on the forearm to be submitted to near-infrared spectroscopy by inflation of a sphygmomanometer cuff to 30mmHg higher than the systolic arterial pressure. The primary endpoint was the assessment of near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameters immediately before, 1, 4 and 24 hours after the initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration. Results Nine patients were included in this pilot study over a period of 2 months. Minimum tissue oxygen saturation measured during the vascular occlusion test was the only near-infrared spectroscopy-derived parameter to differed over the time (decrease compared to baseline values up to 24 hours after initiation of continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration). Conclusion The impacts of microcirculatory dysfunction on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing to continuous venovenous hemodiafiltration need to be further investigated.

RESUMO Objetivo Avaliar o impacto da hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua na microcirculação de pacientes com lesão renal aguda. Métodos Estudo piloto, prospectivo e observacional conduzido em uma unidade de terapia intensiva clínico-cirúrgica aberta, com 40 leitos, localizada em um hospital terciário, privado, na cidade de São Paulo (SP), Brasil. A microcirculação foi avaliada empregando-se a espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo, por meio de uma sonda de 15mm posicionada sobre a eminência tenar. O teste de oclusão vascular foi realizado no antebraço a ser submetido à espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo, inflando-se o manguito de um esfigmomanômetro a um valor 30mmHg acima da pressão arterial sistólica. O desfecho primário foi a avaliação dos parâmetros derivados por espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo imediatamente antes, 1, 4 e 24 horas após o início da hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua. Resultados Foram incluídos nove pacientes neste estudo piloto ao longo de 2 meses. A saturação de oxigênio tecidual mínima mensurada durante o teste de oclusão vascular foi o único parâmetro derivado por espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo que diferiu ao longo do tempo, com queda em relação aos valores iniciais nas primeiras 24 horas após o início da hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua. Conclusão A influência da disfunção microcirculatória sobre os desfechos clínicos de pacientes submetidos à hemodiafiltração venovenosa contínua precisa ser melhor investigada.

Recent advances in bedside microcirculation assessment in critically ill patients. / Recentes avanços na avaliação da microcirculação à beira do leito em pacientes graves.

Parameters related to macrocirculation, such as the mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, mixed venous saturation and central oxygen saturation, are commonly used in the hemodynamic assessment of critically ill patients. However, several studies have shown that there is a dissociation between these parameters and the state of microcirculation in this group of patients. Techniques that allow direct viewing of the microcirculation are not completely disseminated, nor are they incorporated into the clinical management of patients in shock. The numerous techniques developed for microcirculation assessment include clinical assessment (e.g., peripheral perfusion index and temperature gradient), laser Doppler flowmetry, tissue oxygen assessment electrodes, videomicroscopy (orthogonal polarization spectral imaging, sidestream dark field imaging or incident dark field illumination) and near infrared spectroscopy. In the near future, the monitoring and optimization of tissue perfusion by direct viewing and microcirculation assessment may become a goal to be achieved in the hemodynamic resuscitation of critically ill patients.

Parâmetros relacionados à macrocirculação, como pressão arterial média, pressão venosa central, débito cardíaco e saturação venosa mista e central de oxigênio, são comumente utilizados na avaliação hemodinâmica de pacientes graves. No entanto, diversos estudos demonstram que existe dissociação entre estes parâmetros e o estado da microcirculação neste grupo de pacientes. Técnicas que permitem a visualização direta da microcirculação não estão completamente difundidas e nem incorporadas ao manejo clínico dos pacientes em choque. Entre as inúmeras técnicas desenvolvidas para avaliação da microcirculação encontram-se: avaliação clínica (por exemplo: índice de perfusão periférica e gradiente de temperatura); fluxometria por laser Doppler; eletrodos de avaliação de oxigênio tecidual; videomicroscopia (imagem espectral por polarização ortogonal, análise em campo escuro de fluxo lateral, ou iluminação incidental em campo escuro); e espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo. A monitorização e a otimização da perfusão tecidual por meio da visualização direta e da avaliação da microcirculação pode, em um futuro próximo, tornar-se uma meta a ser atingida na ressuscitação hemodinâmica dos pacientes graves.

Recentes avanços na avaliação da microcirculação à beira do leito em pacientes graves / Recent advances in bedside microcirculation assessment in critically ill patients

RESUMO Parâmetros relacionados à macrocirculação, como pressão arterial média, pressão venosa central, débito cardíaco e saturação venosa mista e central de oxigênio, são comumente utilizados na avaliação hemodinâmica de pacientes graves. No entanto, diversos estudos demonstram que existe dissociação entre estes parâmetros e o estado da microcirculação neste grupo de pacientes. Técnicas que permitem a visualização direta da microcirculação não estão completamente difundidas e nem incorporadas ao manejo clínico dos pacientes em choque. Entre as inúmeras técnicas desenvolvidas para avaliação da microcirculação encontram-se: avaliação clínica (por exemplo: índice de perfusão periférica e gradiente de temperatura); fluxometria por laser Doppler; eletrodos de avaliação de oxigênio tecidual; videomicroscopia (imagem espectral por polarização ortogonal, análise em campo escuro de fluxo lateral, ou iluminação incidental em campo escuro); e espectroscopia no infravermelho próximo. A monitorização e a otimização da perfusão tecidual por meio da visualização direta e da avaliação da microcirculação pode, em um futuro próximo, tornar-se uma meta a ser atingida na ressuscitação hemodinâmica dos pacientes graves.

ABSTRACT Parameters related to macrocirculation, such as the mean arterial pressure, central venous pressure, cardiac output, mixed venous saturation and central oxygen saturation, are commonly used in the hemodynamic assessment of critically ill patients. However, several studies have shown that there is a dissociation between these parameters and the state of microcirculation in this group of patients. Techniques that allow direct viewing of the microcirculation are not completely disseminated, nor are they incorporated into the clinical management of patients in shock. The numerous techniques developed for microcirculation assessment include clinical assessment (e.g., peripheral perfusion index and temperature gradient), laser Doppler flowmetry, tissue oxygen assessment electrodes, videomicroscopy (orthogonal polarization spectral imaging, sidestream dark field imaging or incident dark field illumination) and near infrared spectroscopy. In the near future, the monitoring and optimization of tissue perfusion by direct viewing and microcirculation assessment may become a goal to be achieved in the hemodynamic resuscitation of critically ill patients.