Determining Medication Errors in an Adult Intensive Care Unit.

INTRODUCTION: Research addressing the costs of Medication errors (MEs) is still scarce despite issues related to patient safety having significant economic and health impacts, making it imperative to analyze the costs and adverse events related to MEs for a better patient, professional, and institutional safety. AIM: To identify the number of medication errors and verify whether this number was associated with increased hospitalization costs for patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). METHOD: This retrospective cross-sectional cohort study evaluated secondary data from patients' electronic medical records to compile variables, create a model, and survey hospitalization costs. The statistical analysis included calculating medication error rates, descriptive analysis, and simple and multivariate regression. RESULTS: The omission error rate showed the highest number of errors per drug dose (59.8%) and total errors observed in the sample (55.31%), followed by the time error rate (26.97%; 24.95%). The omission error had the highest average when analyzing the entire hospitalization (170.40) and day of hospitalization (13.79). Hospitalization costs were significantly and positively correlated with scheduling errors, with an increase of BRL 121.92 (about USD $25.00) (95% CI 43.09; 200.74), and to prescription errors, with an increase of BRL 63.51 (about USD $3.00) (95% CI 29.93; 97.09). CONCLUSION: We observed an association between two types of medication errors and increased hospitalization costs in an adult ICU (scheduling and prescription errors).

Bariatric Surgery and Vitamin D: Trends in Older Women and Association with Clinical Features and VDR Gene Polymorphisms.

(1) Background: Obesity and its comorbidities can cause burdens and limitations. Bariatric surgery (BS) is indicated as a safe procedure to reduce body mass and improve present comorbidities. However, several complications were reported, such as vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency. We evaluated if 25(OH)D serum levels relate to clinical characteristics, symptoms, or habits in women after their BS, and whether the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene's TaqI and FokI polymorphisms affected 25(OH)D levels and the total body bone mineral density (TBBMD). (2) Methods: This cohort cross-sectional comparative analytical prospective study consisted of 27 women, 61.6 ± 5.0 years, submitted to BS one year prior at a public reference hospital, DF-Brazil. All participants were asked to follow the physical and dietary activity recommendations and received vitamin D3 supplements. Their anthropometric, biochemical, and immunological measurements and blood samples were obtained. (3) Results: 73.3% of participants had low 25(OH)D levels, and their levels correlated positively with TBBMD and negatively with systolic pressure. VDR TaqI did not affect 25(OH)D levels, whereas VDR FokI's allele f presence correlated to a median rise in 25(OH)D levels. Neither polymorphism correlated to TBBMD. (4) Conclusions: 25(OH)D levels were positively correlated with TBBMD, negatively with systolic blood pressure, and were higher in those with the VDR FokI allele f.

Influência das variantes genéticas do gene IL6 no transtorno depressivo maior: uma revisão / nfluence of IL6 gene genetic variants on major depressive disorder: a review / Influencia de las variantes genéticas del gen IL6 en el trastorno depresivo mayor: una revisión

Objetivo:Elucidar o quadro clínico do transtorno depressivo maior (TDM) e verificar a associação dessa condição com polimorfismos do gene IL6. Método:Tratou-se de uma revisão sistemática com a busca de artigos originais nas bases de dados Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed e BVS, os quais trouxeram informações sobre variantes genéticas que tinham relação com polimorfismos do gene IL6. Estudos que não apresentaram dados completos, inclusive dados estatísticos, revisões, meta-análises e resumos, foram excluídos. Resultados:Foram encontrados 54 artigos nas bases de dados. Utilizou-se a plataforma Rayyan para retirar as duplicatas e ler os resumos para seleçãoinicial. Restaram 12 artigos, onde os que eram de acesso livre foram encaminhados para leitura completa, totalizando 5 artigos para essa revisão. Conclusão:Evidências sugerem uma condição sistêmica no TDM e dados demonstram alterações inflamatórias. Dadoque na maior parte dos estudos pacientes com TDM tiveram estados inflamatórios mais elevados, parece haver relação entre a IL-6 e o transtorno. A IL-6 induz alterações no cérebro, ativação de microglia e controla a saúde dos neurônios, podendo tornar tangível uma relação dos polimorfismos com a doença, mas ainda não existem muitos estudos na área

Objective:To elucidate the clinical picture of major depressive disorder (MDD) and to verify the association of this condition with polymorphisms of the IL6 gene. Method:This was a systematic review with the search of original articles in the databases Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed and VHL, which brought information about genetic variants that were related to polymorphisms of the IL6 gene. Studies that did not present complete data, including statistical data, reviews, meta-analyses and abstracts, were excluded. Results:A total of 54 articles were found in the databases. The Rayyan platform was used to remove the duplicates and read the abstracts for initial selection. There were 12 articles, where those that were freely accessible were sent for full reading, totaling 5 articles for this review. Conclusion:Evidence suggests a systemic condition in MDD and data demonstrate inflammatory changes. Given that in most studies patients with MDD had higher inflammatory states, there seems to be a relationship between IL-6 and the disorder. IL-6 induces changes in the brain, activation of microglia and controls the health of neurons, and may make tangible a relationship between polymorphisms and the disease, but there are not many studies in the area.

Objetivo: Dilucidar el cuadro clínico del trastorno depresivo mayor (TDM) y verificar la asociación de esta condición con polimorfismos del gen IL6. Método: Se trata de una revisión sistemática con búsqueda de artículos originales en las bases de datos Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed y BVS, que aportaron información sobre variantes genéticas relacionadas con polimorfismos del gen IL6. Se excluyeron los estudios que no presentaron datos completos, incluidos datos estadísticos, revisiones, metanálisis y resúmenes. Resultados:Se encontraron un total de 54 artículos en las bases de datos. La plataforma Rayyan se utilizó para eliminar los duplicados y leer los resúmenes para la selección inicial. Hubo 12 artículos, donde aquellos que eran de libre acceso fueron enviados para lectura completa, totalizando 5 artículos para esta revisión. Conclusión:La evidencia sugiere una condición sistémica en el TDM y los datos demuestran cambios inflamatorios. Dado que en la mayoría de los estudios los pacientes con TDM tenían estados inflamatorios más altos, parece haber una relación entre la IL-6 y el trastorno. La IL-6 induce cambios en el cerebro, la activación de la microglía y controla la salud de las neuronas, y puede hacer tangible una relación entre los polimorfismos y la enfermedad, pero no hay muchos estudios en el área.

Polimorfismo IL1B -511 e associação com suscetibilidade e prognóstico em pacientes com carcinoma papilífero de tireoide / IL1B -511 polymorphism and association with susceptibility and prognosis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma / IL1B -511 polimorfismo y asociación con susceptibilidad y pronóstico en pacientes con carcinoma papilar de tiroides

Objetivo: Associar a presença do SNP IL1B -511 (rs16944) à susceptibilidade ao CPT, bem como comparar níveis séricos da citocina antes e sete dias após a Iodoterapia, juntamente com outras características clínicas dos pacientes. Método: Trata-se de um estudo caso-controle, no qual foram obtidas amostras de sangue de 52 indivíduos (26 em cada grupo). A genotipagem foi realizada por meio da estratégia PCR-RFLP. Os níveis séricos de IL-1ß foi medido por meio de kit para ensaio imunoenzimático (ELISA). Testes para médias e estudos de associação foram executados considerando-se um nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: Não houve diferença estatística com relação a distribuição genotípica entre indivíduos caso e controle, e estes grupos não diferiram em relação às dosagens de citocina. Porém, os níveis de citocina aumentaram significativamente após a Iodoterapia, sendo que os portadores do genótipo CC apresentaram maior produção da proteína, mas este aumento não estava correlacionado com a dose de radiofármaco administrada. Conclusão: O polimorfismo IL1B -511 não foi associado à susceptibilidade ao CPT, porém os níveis séricos da citocina elevaram-se com o tratamento da iodoterapia, e esta elevação foi genótipo dependente

Objective: To associate the presence of SNP IL1B -511 (rs16944) with susceptibility to TLC, as well as to compare serum cytokine levels before and seven days after iodotherapy, along with other clinical characteristics of patients. Method: This is a case-control study, in which blood samples were obtained from 52 individuals (26 in each group). Genotyping was performed using the PCR-RFLP strategy. Serum IL-1ß levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay kit (ELISA). Tests for means and association studies were performed considering a significance level of 5%. Results: There was no statistical difference regarding genotypic distribution between case and control individuals, and these groups did not differ in relation to cytokine dosages. However, cytokine levels increased significantly after iodine therapy, and patients with the CC genotype showed higher protein production, but this increase was not correlated with the administered radiopharmaceutical dose. Conclusion: IL1B-511 polymorphism was not associated with susceptibility to TLC, but serum cytokine levels increased with the treatment of iodotherapy, and this elevation was genotype dependent.

Objetivo: investigar la asociación entre el polimorfismo VNTR del gen IL4, localizado en la región intrón 3, en pacientes diagnosticados de accidente cerebrovascular hemorrágico (Stroke) o aneurisma intracerebral en una muestra del Distrito Federal. Método: Estudio observacional, retrospectivo, transversal, con 55 individuos, del cual se registraron las características clínicas de las historias clínicas y se realizó un análisis de genotipado mediante la estrategia de PCR. Las frecuencias genotípicas se estimaron mediante conteo directo. El nivel de significancia adoptado fue del 5% y la prueba estadística utilizada fue Chi-Cuadrado. Resultados: Se verificó que el genotipo más frecuente fue B1/B2 (50,9%; n=28), seguido del genotipo ancestral B1/B1 (27,3%, N=15), y el menos frecuente fue el genotipo B2/B2 (21,8%, N=12). No se encontró asociación estadística entre las variables hipertensión arterial sistémica, diabetes, tabaquismo y consumo de alcohol y la presencia de polimorfismo en el grupo estudiado. Conclusión: La presencia del polimorfismo IL4 INTRON 3 VNTR se asoció con la variable género, demostrando que en la muestra estudiada, AVEH es más frecuente en mujeres que en hombres, divergiendo de los estudios en los que los varones tienen más probabilidades de desarrollar una VENa.

Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella spp. in Aquacultured Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Commercialized in Federal District, Brazil.

This study aimed to assess Salmonella spp. prevalence in aquaculture Nile tilapia commercialized in the Federal District, Brazil, and determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolates. Fifty-seven Salmonella spp. strains were isolated from 101 samples of fresh tilapia fillets collected in the Federal District, Brazil. These isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and analyzed for the presence of blaCTX, tetB, sul2, and floR resistance genes. The Salmonella spp. prevalence in fresh tilapia fillets was 45.5%; that is, 46 of 101 samples were positive for the InvA gene. The antimicrobial resistance profile showed high resistance rates for amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (87.7%), tetracycline (82.5%), sulfonamide (57.9%), and chloramphenicol (26.3%). Additionally, 56.1% of Salmonella spp. isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. The beta-lactam-resistant gene blaCTX was identified in 66.7% of isolates, the tetracycline resistance gene tetA in 54.4%, and the chloramphenicol resistance gene floR in 50.9%, while the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 was present in 49.1%. The results revealed that tilapia fillets were highly contaminated with MDR Salmonella. These Salmonella spp. strains carried multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, which might facilitate their dissemination to consumers along the production chain. Hence, there is an evident need to control Salmonella in fish production systems to ensure public health.

In vitro antifungal activity of pelgipeptins against human pathogenic fungi and Candida albicans biofilms.

Systemic mycoses have become a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly among immunocompromised hosts and long-term hospitalized patients. Conventional antifungal agents are limited because of not only their costs and toxicity but also the rise of resistant strains. Lipopeptides from Paenibacillus species exhibit antimicrobial activity against a wide range of human and plant bacterial pathogens. However, the antifungal potential of these compounds against important human pathogens has not yet been fully evaluated, except for Candida albicans. Paenibacillus elgii produces a family of lipopeptides named pelgipeptins, which are synthesized by a non-ribosomal pathway, such as polymyxin. The present study aimed to evaluate the activity of pelgipeptins produced by P. elgii AC13 against Cryptococcus neoformans, Paracoccidioides brasiliensis, and Candida spp. Pelgipeptins were purified from P. elgii AC13 cultures and characterized by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The in vitro antifugal activity of pelgipeptins was evaluated against C. neoformans H99, P. brasiliensis PB18, C. albicans SC 5314, Candida glabrata ATCC 90030, and C. albicans biofilms. Furthermore, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined according to the CLSI microdilution method. Fluconazole and amphotericin B were also used as a positive control. Pelgipeptins A to D inhibited the formation and development of C. albicans biofilms and presented activity against all tested microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration values ranged from 4 to 64 µg/mL, which are in the same range as fluconazole MICs. These results highlight the potential of pelgipeptins not only as antimicrobials against pathogenic fungi that cause systemic mycoses but also as coating agents to prevent biofilm formation on medical devices.

The impact of NOS3 gene polymorphism on papillary thyroid cancer susceptibility in patients undergoing radioiodine therapy.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine cancer in the world. Noting that the NOS3 gene polymorphism interferes with nitric oxide production, this study aims to identify and analyze the NOS3 gene polymorphism in the intron 4 region in patients with papillary thyroid cancer. A case-control study was conducted with 31 papillary thyroid cancer patients of both genders who underwent thyroidectomy and treatment with sodium iodide radiopharmaceutical (131I) compared with 81 control patients. Through papillary thyroid cancer, the results were observed, compiled, and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The significance level of 5% was adopted. Genotypic frequencies of healthy subjects were in the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P = 0.503). There was a significant genotypic difference between papillary thyroid cancer and healthy individuals (P <0.001). The BB genotype conferred a protective factor for papillary thyroid cancer (P <0.001, odds ratio (OR) 0.16; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06, 0.42), while the presence of the A allele appears to be a risk factor for papillary thyroid cancer (P <0.001, OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.86, 6.73). The intron 4 polymorphism of the NOS3 gene was associated with susceptibility to papillary thyroid cancer. Thus, future research into the effects of this polymorphism is essential.