Natural Products Induce Different Anti-Tumor Immune Responses in Murine Models of 4T1 Mammary Carcinoma and B16-F10 Melanoma.

Natural products obtained from Petiveria alliacea (Anamu-SC) and Caesalpinia spinosa (P2Et) have been used for cancer treatment, but the mechanisms by which they exert their antitumor activity appear to be different. In the present work, we show that the Anamu-SC extract reduces tumor growth in the 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma model but not in the B16-F10 melanoma model, unlike the standardized P2Et extract. Both extracts decreased the levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the B16-F10 model, but only P2Et increased the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ). Likewise, co-treatment of P2Et and doxorubicin (Dox) significantly reduced tumor size by 70% compared to the control group, but co-treatment of Anamu-SC with Dox had no additive effect. Analysis of intratumoral immune infiltrates showed that Anamu-SC decreased CD4+ T cell frequency more than P2Et but increased CD8+ T cell frequency more significantly. Both extracts reduced intratumoral monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor-like cell (M-MDSC-LC) migration, but the effect was lost when co-treated with doxorubicin. The use of P2Et alone or in co-treatment with Anamu-SC reduced the frequency of regulatory T cells and increased the CD8+/Treg ratio. In addition, Anamu-SC reduced glucose consumption in tumor cells, but this apparently has no effect on IFNγ- and TNFα-producing T cells, although it did reduce the frequency of IL-2-producing T cells. The efficacy of these herbal preparations is increasingly clear, as is the specificity conditioned by tumor heterogeneity as well as the different chemical complexity of each preparation. Although these results contribute to the understanding of specificity and its future benefits, they also underline the fact that the development of each of these standardized extracts called polymolecular drugs must follow a rigorous path to elucidate their biological activity.

Petiveria alliacea Reduces Tumor Burden and Metastasis and Regulates the Peripheral Immune Response in a Murine Myeloid Leukemia Model.

The poor response, adverse effects and drug resistance to treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have led to searching for safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives. We previously demonstrated that the alcoholic extract of Petiveria alliacea (Esperanza) has a significant in vitro antitumor effect on other tumor cells and also the ability to regulate energy metabolism. We evaluated the effect of the Esperanza extract in vitro and in vivo in a murine model of AML with DA-3/ER-GM cells. First, a chemical characterization of the extract was conducted through liquid and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. In vitro findings showed that the extract modulates tumor metabolism by decreasing glucose uptake and increasing reactive oxygen species, which leads to a reduction in cell proliferation. Then, to evaluate the effect of the extract in vivo, we standardized the mouse model by injecting DA-3/ER-GM cells intravenously. The animals treated with the extract showed a lower percentage of circulating blasts, higher values of hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets, less infiltration of blasts in the spleen, and greater production of cytokines compared to the control group. These results suggest that the antitumor activity of this extract on DA-3/ER-GM cells can be attributed to the decrease in glycolytic metabolism, its activity as a mitocan, and the possible immunomodulatory effect by reducing tumor proliferation and metastasis.

IL-8 in bone marrow and peripheral blood of patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia is associated with high regulatory T cell counts, degree of tumor infiltration and expression of CXCR1 in blasts.

INTRODUCTION: Regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in a tumor environment and the expression of forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) in tumor cells have been associated with a poor prognosis. There are few studies evaluating Treg cells and FOXP3 in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-cell ALL). This study aimed to evaluate the frequencies of Treg cells in bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) of patients with B-cell ALL and to determine their associations with the circulating cytokine profile and the expression of CXCR1 (IL-8 receptor) in Treg cells, as well as to compare FOXP3 expression in blasts of patients with B-cell ALL and normal lymphoid precursors. METHODS: Samples of BM and PB from patients with B-cell ALL and healthy controls were studied. Treg cells, cytokines, FOXP3 and CXCR1 were evaluated using flow cytometry and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients with B-cell ALL and 10 healthy controls were included. In B-cell ALL patients, Treg cell frequencies increased significantly, with higher percentages in the PB. Absolute Treg cell counts were associated with absolute blast counts in the BM and PB and with an IL-8 concentration. The IL-8 and IL-6 levels were associated with the CXCR1 expression in PB Treg cells. In addition, a greater expression of FOXP3 was observed in leukemic blasts than in normal lymphoid precursors. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the presence of Treg cells and cytokines in the tumor environment may correspond to mechanisms to evade the immune response. For that reason, it would be important to monitor these parameters in B-cell ALL to establish their effect on the disease prognosis.

Piper nigrum extract suppresses tumor growth and enhances the antitumor immune response in murine models of breast cancer and melanoma.

Although the antitumor effect of P. nigrum has been widely studied, research related to its possible immunomodulatory effects is relatively scarce. Here, the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of an ethanolic extract of P. nigrum were evaluated in the murine models of 4T1 breast cancer and B16-F10 melanoma. In vitro evaluations showed that the P. nigrum extract has cytotoxic activity, induces apoptotic cell death, and has a pro-oxidant effect in both cell lines, but it regulates glucose uptake differently in both lines, decreasing it in 4T1 but not in B16-F10. P. nigrum extract significantly reduced tumor size in both models and decreased the occurrence of macrometastases in 4T1 model. Evaluation of immune subpopulations by flow cytometry revealed that the P. nigrum extract significantly increases the frequency of dendritic cells and activated CD8+ T cells and decreases the frequency of myeloid-derived suppressor like cells and Tregs in the tumor microenvironment of both models but with different dynamics. Our findings strongly suggest that the P. nigrum extract exerts immunomodulatory functions, slightly related to the modulation of cellular energy metabolism, which could ultimately contribute to the promising antitumor effect of P. nigrum.

Tillandsia usneoides Extract Decreases the Primary Tumor in a Murine Breast Cancer Model but Not in Melanoma.

The main limits of current antitumor therapies are chemoresistance, relapses, and toxicity that impair patient quality of life. Therefore, the discovery of therapeutic alternatives, such as adjuvants to conventional therapy that modulate the intracellular oxidation state or the immune response, remains a challenge. Owing to traditional medicine, several uses of plants are known, indicating a promising antitumor and immunomodulatory effect. We evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of T. usneoides in vitro and in vivo in models of 4T1 breast cancer and B16-F10 melanoma. In vitro evaluations with both cell lines showed that the extract has cytotoxic activity and induces apoptotic cell death. However, its effect on ROS production and glucose uptake was opposite. In vivo, only in the 4T1 model, a significant decrease in tumor size was found in animals treated with the extract, accompanied by an increase in dendritic cells and activated CD8+ T cells, and a decrease in myeloid-derived suppressor-like cells (MDSC-LC) and Tregs in the tumor microenvironment. These results suggest that T. usneoides extract antagonistically regulates tumor metabolism of 4T1 vs. B16-F10, impacting the tumor microenvironment and effective antitumor immune response, leading to a reduction in 4T1 tumor size but not on B16-F10.

Factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding in mothers of babies cared for in a kangaroo family program / Factores asociados a la duración de la lactancia en madres de bebés atendidos en un programa de familia canguro / Fatores associados à duração do aleitamento materno em mães de bebês atendidos em programa família canguru

Goal. To determine the factors associated with the duration of breastfeeding in mothers of babies cared for in a kangaroo family program. Methods. Quantitative, observational study with a secondary source of a retrospective cohort of 707 babies with monitoring at admission, at 40 weeks, at three and at six months of corrected age in the kangaroo family program of a public hospital in the municipality of Rionegro (Antioquia, Colombia) from 2016 to 2019. Results. 49.6% of babies were born with low weight for gestational age and 51.5% were female. 58.3% of the mothers were unemployed and 86.2% of them lived with their partner. When entering the kangaroo family program, 94.2% of the babies received breastfeeding and at six months they were 44.7%. The variables that were associated with the duration of breastfeeding up to six months according to the explanatory model were: the mother's cohabitation with her partner (adjusted prevalence ratio - APR: 1.34) and receiving breastfeeding when entering the kangaroo family program (APR: 2.30). Conclusion. The factors related to the duration of breastfeeding in mothers of babies cared for in the kangaroo family program were that the mother lived with her partner and that the mother was breastfeeding when she entered the program, therefore they received education and support from the interdisciplinary team, which could favor confidence and willingness towards breastfeeding.

Objetivo.Determinar los factores asociados a la duración de la lactancia en madres de bebés atendidos en un programa de familia canguro. Métodos. Estudio cuantitativo, observacional con fuente secundaria de una cohorte retrospectiva de 707 bebés con seguimiento al ingreso, a las 40 semanas, a los tres y a los seis meses de edad corregida en el programa familia canguro de un hospital público del municipio de Rionegro (Antioquia, Colombia) entre 2016 y 2019. Resultados. El 49.6 % de los bebés nacieron con bajo peso para la edad gestacional y 51.5% eran de sexo femenino. El 58.3% de las madres eran desempleadas y un 86.2 % de ellas convivía con su pareja. Al ingresar al programa familia canguro, el 94.2 % de los bebés recibían lactancia materna y a los seis meses correspondió al 44.7%. Las variables que se asociaron con la duración de la lactancia materna hasta los seis meses según el modelo explicativo fueron: la convivencia de la madre con la pareja (razón de prevalencia ajustada - RPa: 1.34) y recibir lactancia al ingresar al programa familia canguro (RPa: 2.30). Conclusión. Los factores que se relacionaron con la duración de la lactancia en madres de bebés atendidos en el programa de familia canguro fueron, por un lado, que la madre conviviera con su pareja y, por otro, que la madre estuviera lactando al ingreso al programa, por lo que recibieron educación y acompañamiento por parte del equipo interdisciplinario, lo cual pudo favorecer la confianza y disposición hacia la lactancia.

Objetivo.Determinar os fatores associados à duração do aleitamento materno em mães de bebês atendidos em um programa família canguru. Métodos.Estudo quantitativo, observacional com fonte secundária de uma coorte retrospectiva de 707 bebês com acompanhamento na admissão, às 40 semanas, aos três e seis meses de idade corrigida no programa família canguru de um hospital público do município de Rionegro (Antioquia, Colômbia) entre 2016 e 2019. Resultados.49.6% dos bebês nasceram com baixo peso para a idade gestacional e 51.5% eram do sexo feminino. 58.3% das mães estavam desempregadas e 86.2% delas moravam com o companheiro. Ao ingressar no programa família canguru, 94.2% dos bebês receberam aleitamento materno e aos seis meses correspondeu a 44.7%. As variáveis que se associaram à duração do aleitamento materno até seis meses segundo o modelo explicativo foram: a coabitação da mãe com o companheiro (razão de prevalência ajustada - TAEG: 1.34) e receber aleitamento materno ao ingressar no programa família canguru (RPa: 2.30). Conclusão. Os fatores que se relacionaram com a duração do aleitamento materno em mães de bebês atendidos no programa família canguru foram que a mãe morava com o companheiro e que a mãe estava amamentando quando ingressou no programa, para o qual receberam educação e apoio da da equipe interdisciplinar, o que poderia favorecer a confiança e disposição para a amamentação.

Care Perceptions in two ICU Nursing Care Delivery Models: A qualitative-comparative approach / Percepciones del cuidado en dos modelos de atención de enfermería en UCI: aproximación cualitativa-comparativa / Percepções de cuidado em dois modelos de assistência de enfermagem em UTI: uma abordagem qualitativo-comparativa

Objective. Analyzed in compared perspective perceptions about nursing care, nurse-patient interaction, and nursing care outcomes in two ICU nursing staff in a high-complexity hospital institution, whose Nursing are Delivery Models (NCDM) are differentiated by the proportion of nurses and nurse assistants (NA) per team and by the assigned tasks and responsibilities. Methods. Particularist ethnography with adaptation to virtual methodologies. It included the sociodemographic characteristics of 19 nurses and 23 NA, 14 semi-structured interviews, review of patients' clinical records, and a focus group. Coding, categorization, inductive analysis, validation of results with participants were conducted and thematic saturation was achieved. Results. Four themes were identified: i) Professionalized care: a nursing of superior value; ii) senses and feelings of care; iii) nursing workload, generating factors and impacts; and iv) nursing missed care as concrete expression of the nursing workload. Conclusion. Compared nursing teams perceived nursing care in different ways, since it was experienced based on the assigned responsibilities and the possibilities of interaction with patients. Nursing care in the NCDM of the ICU with prevalence of direct bedside care by nurses with support from NA, it was perceived as holistic, comprehensive, and empathetic; whereas in the ICU with prevalence of delegated care to NA, it was related with administrative leadership and management of the ICU. Regarding the results, the NCDM of the ICU of direct bedside care by nurses showed better performance in patient safety and was closer to the skill level and legal responsibility of the nursing staff.

Objetivo. Analizar en perspectiva comparada las percepciones sobre el cuidado de enfermería, el relacionamiento con los pacientes y los resultados del cuidado en dos equipos de enfermería de UCI de una institución hospitalaria de alta complejidad, cuyos Modelos de Atención de Enfermería (MAE) se diferencian por la proporción de enfermeras y Auxiliares de Enfermería (AE) por equipo y por las tareas y responsabilidades asignadas. Métodos. Etnografía particularista con adaptación a metodologías virtuales. Incluyó la caracterización sociodemográfica a 19 enfermeras y 23 AE, 14 entrevistas semiestructuradas, revisión de historias clínicas de pacientes y un grupo focal. Se realizó codificación, categorización, análisis inductivo, validación de resultados con participantes y se logró la saturación temática. Resultados. Se identificaron cuatro temas: i) Cuidados profesionalizados: una enfermería de valor superior ii) sentidos y sentires del cuidado iii) carga de cuidado, factores generadores e impactos y iv) omisión del cuidado como expresión concreta de la carga de trabajo. Conclusión. Los equipos de Enfermería comparados percibieron el cuidado de enfermería de maneras distintas, pues se vivenció a partir de las responsabilidades asignadas y las posibilidades de relacionamiento con los pacientes. En el MAE de la UCI donde predomina el cuidado directo de enfermeras con apoyo AE, se percibió el cuidado como atención holista, integral y empática, mientras que en la UCI donde predomina el cuidado delegado a AE se relacionó con el liderazgo administrativo y la gestión de la sala de UCI. En cuanto a resultados, el MAE de la UCI de cuidado directo por enfermeras mostró mejor desempeño en seguridad del paciente y fue más cercano al nivel de competencias y de responsabilidad legal de los equipos de enfermería.

Objetivo. Analisar em perspectiva comparativa as percepções sobre o cuidado de enfermagem, a relação com os pacientes e os resultados do cuidado em duas equipes de enfermagem de UTI de uma instituição hospitalar de alta complexidade, cujos Modelos de Assistência de Enfermagem (MAE) diferem pela proporção de enfermeiros e auxiliares de enfermagem (AE) por equipe e por tarefas e responsabilidades atribuídas. Métodos.Etnografia particularista com adaptação a metodologias virtuais. Incluiu a caracterização sociodemográfica de 19 enfermeiros e 23 EA, 14 entrevistas semiestruturadas, revisão de prontuários e grupo focal. Codificação, categorização, análise indutiva, validação dos resultados com os participantes foram realizadas e a saturação temática foi alcançada. Resultados. Foram identificados quatro temas: i) Cuidado profissionalizado: enfermagem de valor superior ii) sentidos e sentimentos do cuidado iii) sobrecarga do cuidado, fatores geradores e impactos e iv) omissão do cuidado como expressão concreta da carga de trabalho. Conclusão. As equipes de Enfermagem compararam o cuidado de enfermagem percebido de diferentes maneiras, uma vez que foi vivenciado a partir das responsabilidades atribuídas e das possibilidades de relacionamento com os pacientes. No MAE da UTI onde predomina o cuidado direto por enfermeiros com apoio do EA, o cuidado foi percebido como cuidado holístico, integral e empático, enquanto na UTI onde predomina o cuidado delegado ao EA, estava relacionado à liderança administrativa e gestão da sala da UTI. Em termos de resultados, o MAE da UTI de cuidado direto por enfermeiros apresentou melhor desempenho na segurança do paciente e se aproximou mais do nível de competências e responsabilidade legal das equipes de enfermagem.

El phubbing y las relaciones de pareja adulta / Phubbing and adult couple relationships

Objetivo: comprender cuáles son los efectos generados por el Phubbing en las rela-ciones de pareja adulta. Materiales: la investigación es cualitativa y fenomenológica, para ello se trabaja con las historias de vida recolectadas por medio de una entrevista a profundidad, la misma se diseñó teniendo en cuenta las categorías de análisis. Po-blación: para el trabajo de campo se contó con cinco personas, adultos jóvenes con edades entre 25 a 40 años. Metodología: la presente investigación comprendida en el periodo de febrero hasta noviembre de 2020 se realizó bajo un enfoque cualitativo con diseño fenomenológico, el cual lleva a una comprensión e interpretación en amplitud del fenómeno, enfocado desde la realidad subjetiva de los informantes, es un enfoque dinámico donde las hipótesis y preguntas pueden manifestarse en cualquier momento (Hernández Sampieri et al., 2014). Resultados: se reconoce que este fenómeno es sig-nificativamente interferente en las relaciones de pareja, fomentando sentimientos de abandono e incluso en algunos casos de desconfianza. Conclusión: el consumo de las nuevas tecnologías permite apreciaciones encontradas, en tanto se encuentran postu-ras a favor y en contra; en todo caso el fenómeno resulta conflictivo cuando no se tiene un uso racional y mediático, llegando a interponerse como una barrera comunicativa

Objective: to understand the effects generated by Phubbing in adult couple relationships. Materials: the research is qualitative and phenomenological, for this we work with life stories collected through an in-depth interview, which was designed taking into account the categories of analysis. Population: for the field work there were five people, young adults between 25 and 40 years of age. Methodology: the present research, from February to November 2020, was conducted under a qualitative approach with a phenomenological design, which leads to a broad understanding and interpretation of the phenomenon, focused on the subjective reality of the informants, it is a dynamic approach where the hypothesis and questions can be expressed at any time (Hernández Sampieri, 2014). Results: it is recognized that this phenomenon is significantly interfering in couple relationships, fostering feelings of abandonment and even in some cases of distrust. Conclusion: the consumption of new technologies allows conflicting appreciations, as there are positions in favor and against, in any case the phenomenon is conflictive when it is not used rationally and mediatically, becoming a communicative barrier

Herramienta para el cálculo de personal de cuidado intensivo neonatal / A Tool for Calculating the Nursing Staff at Neonatal Intensive Care Units / Ferramenta para o cálculo do pessoal de cuidado intensivo neonatal

La gestión del cuidado de enfermería supone la utilización de métodos y herramientas que de manera práctica permitan una aproximación a las necesidades de cuidado de los pacientes y ayuden a planear los requerimientos humanos y técnicos para tal fin. Objetivo: identificar la utilidad del Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System (NTISS) en el cálculo de personal de enfermería en la unidad de cuidado intensivo (UCIN) e intermedio neonatal (UCEN) de la Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana (CUB) en Medellín, Colombia. Método: estudio descriptivo, transversal, realizado durante el mes de abril de 2007. La población estuvo conformada por los neonatos ingresados y hospitalizados en la UCIN y UCEN, para lo que fue necesario aplicar el instrumento al final de cada turno. Se calculó una muestra de 384 instrumentos (proporción desconocida y un intervalo de confianza de 0,5). La consistencia interna del instrumento se determinó con el alfa de Cronbach (0,8). Resultados: se recolectaron 425 instrumentos diligenciados de 22 neonatos. Las patologías más frecuentes fueron las de tipo respiratorio. El puntaje total de los NTISS analizados fue de 5.200 puntos, con un promedio de 12,3, equivalentes a 123 minutos de trabajo de enfermería por turno de 6 horas. Del total de intervenciones el 62% están asignadas a las enfermeras, el 22% a las auxiliares de enfermería y el 16% a terapia respiratoria. Se calculó el requerimiento de 4 enfermeras por turno en la UCIN y UCEN. Conclusiones: el NTISS es útil para la asignación y el cálculo del personal de enfermería y contribuye a mejorar los procesos de gestión del cuidado.

Nursing care management implies the use of methods and tools that make it possible, in a practical way, to estimate the patient's needs and to help plan the respective human and technical resources and requirements. Objective: To identify the usefulness of the NTISS (Neonatal Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System) in calculating the nursing staff for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit at the Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana (Bolivarian University Clinic) in Medellín, Colombia. Methodo: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted in April 2007. The sample was comprised of the neonates admitted to and hospitalized in both facilities. The instrument was applied at the end of every shift. A sample with 384 instruments was calculated (unknown ratio and a reliability interval of 0.5). Cronbach's alpha was used to measure the internal consistency of the instrument (0.8). Results: A total of 425 instruments were completed and collected for 22 neonates. Respiratory illnesses were the most frequent pathology. The total score of the NTISS analyzed for the study was 5200, with an average of 12.3, which is equivalent to 123 minutes of nursing work per six-hour shift. As for the total number of interventions, 62% are assigned to nurses, 22% to auxiliary nurses and 16% to respiratory therapists. It was estimated that four nurses are required for every six-hour shift in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Neonatal Intermediate Care Unit. Conclusions: NTISS is a useful tool to estimate the nursing staff and to help improve processes for nursing care management.

A gestão dos cuidados de enfermagem envolve o uso de métodos e ferramentas que permitam uma abordagem prática para as necessidades de cuidados dos doentes e ajudem a planejar os recursos humanos e técnicos necessários para este fim. Objetivo: identificar a utilidade do Therapeutic Intervention Scoring System Neonatal (NTISS) no cálculo dos enfermeiros/as nas unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) e intermedios neonatais (UCIN) da Clínica Universitaria Bolivariana (CUB) em Medellín, Colômbia. Método: estudo descritivo transversal, realizado em abril de 2007. A população foi composta de bebês ingressados e hospitalizados na UCI e na UCIN. Aplicou-se o instrumento ao final de cada turno. Calculamos uma amostra de 384 instrumentos (proporção desconhecida e intervalo de confiança de 0,5). A consistência interna do instrumento foi avaliada pelo alfa de Cronbach (0,8). Resultados: foram coletados 425 instrumentos preenchidos de 22 recém-nascidos. As patologias mais freqüentes foram de tipo respiratòrio. A pontuação total dos NTISS analisados alcançou 5.200 pontos, mèdia de 12,3, o equivalente a 123 minutos de trabalho de enfermagem por turno de 6 horas. De todas as intervenenções, 62% são atribuidos a enfermeiros/as, 22% para auxiliares de enfermagem e 16% para fisioterapia respiratòria. Calculou-se que são necessárias 4 enfermeiros/as por turno na UCI e na UCIN. Conclusões: o NTISS é útil para o cálculo e a atribução de pessoal de enfermagem, e contribui para melhorar os processos de gestão de cuidados.