Experimental Multidisciplinary Approach Based on Compounded Capsule's Quality Evaluation for Pharmacy Undergraduate Courses.

Active learning is common in pharmacy school. However, such learning strategy rarely integrates more than one specific field. Here, we develop a new active multidisciplinary approach centered on compounded capsule's quality evaluation. Captopril capsules were chosen for their important role to control systemic arterial hypertension, a highly prevalent disease. The study design was developed and demonstrated by two undergraduate students. Four compounding pharmacies were selected randomly, and sixty capsules of captopril 25 mg were purchased from each pharmacy at three different periods (12 batches). The capsules were evaluated according to general aspects (visual observation), label information (according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia's regulation), weight variation (standard method), and uniformity of dosage units (iodine titration). All batches met the requirements expected for general aspects and one pharmacy did not meet minimum label criteria. Weight variation out of the standard limits was observed for three of the batches evaluated, and five batches were found to be out of the acceptable captopril's dosage. All stages of this activity resulted in important discussions pertaining to the education of pharmacists. The experimental multidisciplinary approach presented a lead to different discussions on several expertise fields and might have a great impact on the formation of future pharmacist. Several topics could be addressed using this activity, such as analytical chemistry, titration, stoichiometry, medicine preparation, pharmacological risks, et h i c a l aspects, and the pharmacist's role to guarantee health.

Reducing substance involvement in college students: a three-arm parallel-group randomized controlled trial of a computer-based intervention.

The prevalence of alcohol and other drug use is high among college students. Reducing their consumption will likely be beneficial for society as a whole. Computer and web-based interventions are promising for providing behaviorally based information. The present study compared the efficacy of three interventions (computerized screening and motivational intervention [ASSIST/MBIc], non-computerized screening and motivational intervention [ASSIST/MBIi], and screening only [control]) in college students in Curitiba, Brazil. A convenience sample of 458 students scored moderate and high risk on the ASSIST. They were then randomized into the three arms of the randomized controlled trial (ASSIST/MBIc, ASSIST/MBIi [interview], and assessment-only [control]) and assessed at baseline and 3 months later. The ASSIST involvement scores decreased at follow-up compared with baseline in the three groups, suggesting that any intervention is better than no intervention. For alcohol, the specific involvement scores decreased to a low level of risk in the three groups and the MBIc group showed a positive outcome compared with control, and the scores for each question were reduced in the two intervention groups compared to baseline. For tobacco, involvement scores decreased in the three groups, but they maintained moderate risk. For marijuana, a small positive effect was observed in the ASSIST/MBIi and control groups. The ASSIST/MBIc may be a good alternative to interview interventions because it is easy to administer, students frequently use such computer-based technologies, and individually tailored content can be delivered in the absence of a counselor.

Effects of Agaricus brasiliensis mushroom in Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats.

Agaricus brasiliensis is a mushroom native to São Paulo State, Brazil, that is studied for its medicinal proprieties. This work aimed to investigate the antitumoral activity of A. brasiliensis extracts and pure powdered basidiocarp preparation using Walker-256 (W256) tumor-bearing rats, a model for cancer-related cachexia studies. The rats were treated for 14 days by gavage (136 mg/kg) and at the end of the experiment tumors were collected to calculate mass and volume. Blood was collected for determination of plasma glucose, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Hepatic and tumor enzymes indicating oxidative stress were also evaluated. The results showed that all 4 treatments (pure powdered basidiocarp and aqueous, acid, and alkaline extracts) significantly reduced tumor size and promoted gain in body weight. Plasmatic analysis showed a reduction in AST level and increased glycemia in the treated rats. Pure basidiocarp preparations improved the liver catalase and superoxide dismutase activity, but did not change the glutathione S-transferase activity. The data collected from the W256 tumor-bearing rats revealed the beneficial effects of A. brasiliensis in tumor treatment, mainly related to cachexia. The benefits can be partly related to antioxidant activity and to reduction of weight loss and tumor growth.