Effects of selenium supplementation on glycaemic control markers in healthy rodents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Overexposure to Se is detrimental to glucose metabolism, mainly because of its pro-oxidant effects and the overexpression of selenoproteins. This systematic review evaluated the effects of Se supplementation on glycaemic control in healthy rodents. The methodology followed the PRISMA. We searched the databases for articles published up to May 2022. The risk of bias and the methodological quality were assessed using the SYRCLE and CAMARADES. The results are presented as meta-analytic estimates of the overall standardised mean difference (SMD) and 95 % CI. Of the 2359 records retrieved, thirteen studies were included, of which eleven used sodium selenite and two used zero-valent Se nanoparticles as supplement. Nine studies were included in the meta-analysis. Generally, the risk of bias was high, and 23·1 % of the studies were of high quality. Supplementation with sodium selenite significantly increased fasting blood glucose (SMD = 2·57 (95 % CI (1·07, 4·07)), I2 = 93·5 % (P = 0·001). Subgroup analyses showed effect size was larger for interventions lasting between 21 and 28 d (SMD = 25·74 (95 % CI (2·29, 9·18)), I2 = 96·1 % (P = 0·001)) and for a dose of 864·7 µg/kg/d of sodium selenite (SMD = 10·26 (95 % CI (2·42, 18·11), I2 = 97·1 % (P = 0·010)). However, it did not affect glutathione peroxidase activity (SMD = 0·60 (95 % CI (-0·71, 1·91)), I2 = 83·2 % (P = 0·37)). The current analysis demonstrated the adverse effects of sodium selenite supplementation on glycaemic control in healthy rodents.

Advances in Membrane-Bound Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Stability Achieved Using a New Ionic Liquid-Based Storage Formulation.

Membrane-bound catechol-O-methyltransferase (MBCOMT), present in the brain and involved in the main pathway of the catechol neurotransmitter deactivation, is linked to several types of human dementia, which are relevant pharmacological targets for new potent and nontoxic inhibitors that have been developed, particularly for Parkinson's disease treatment. However, the inexistence of an MBCOMT 3D-structure presents a blockage in new drugs' design and clinical studies due to its instability. The enzyme has a clear tendency to lose its biological activity in a short period of time. To avoid the enzyme sequestering into a non-native state during the downstream processing, a multi-component buffer plays a major role, with the addition of additives such as cysteine, glycerol, and trehalose showing promising results towards minimizing hMBCOMT damage and enhancing its stability. In addition, ionic liquids, due to their virtually unlimited choices for cation/anion paring, are potential protein stabilizers for the process and storage buffers. Screening experiments were designed to evaluate the effect of distinct cation/anion ILs interaction in hMBCOMT enzymatic activity. The ionic liquids: choline glutamate [Ch][Glu], choline dihydrogen phosphate ([Ch][DHP]), choline chloride ([Ch]Cl), 1- dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C12mim]Cl), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) were supplemented to hMBCOMT lysates in a concentration from 5 to 500 mM. A major potential stabilizing effect was obtained using [Ch][DHP] (10 and 50 mM). From the DoE 146% of hMBCOMT activity recovery was obtained with [Ch][DHP] optimal conditions (7.5 mM) at -80 °C during 32.4 h. These results are of crucial importance for further drug development once the enzyme can be stabilized for longer periods of time.

Effects of selenium supplementation on glycemic control markers in healthy rodents: A systematic review protocol.

BACKGROUND: In vivo and in vitro studies have shown that Se has an insulin-mimetic action associated with its antioxidant activity. Other studies, in turn, suggest that high Se doses and high selenoprotein expression interfere with insulin signaling. This study aims to evaluate the effects of Se supplementation on glycemic control markers in healthy rodents. METHODS: The protocol was developed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Metaanalysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) and was published in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews database (PROSPERO; CRD4202121201142019119181). Experimental, randomized, or non-randomized studies of healthy rodents models will be included. All forms of supplemented Se will be considered, including organic, inorganic, and synthetic compounds, selenium-enriched yeasts, zerovalent Se nanoparticles, and selenized polysaccharides. Fasting blood glucose will be considered the primary outcome. Homeostatic model assessment, plasma and erythrocyte Se concentration, GPX activity, SELENOP concentration, and other Se biomarkers will be considered secondary outcomes. EMBASE, Scopus, Pubmed/Medline, Web of Science, and CINAHL will be searched for articles published with no language restrictions. Two reviewers will independently conduct the search and selection of articles, data extraction, and quality analysis. The risk of bias and methodological quality analyses of the included studies will be performed using the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) and Collaborative Approach to Meta-Analysis and Review (CAMARADES) tools, respectively. The results will be presented as a narrative synthesis according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) Reporting Guideline. Meta-analyses will be conducted where appropriate using random-effects models. DISCUSSION: The review may clarify the interaction between different forms of supplemented Se and glycemic control in rodents models. The results will provide evidence that will help select doses and forms of Se to administer in clinical trials while according to impact on the glycemic control while elucidating mechanisms of Se metabolism.

Effect of adding clonidine to lidocaine on ocular hemodynamics during sub-Tenon's anesthesia: randomized double-blind study.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Different regional anesthesia techniques for ophthalmology can have hemodynamic effects on the eye. We assessed the effects of adding clonidine to lidocaine on Intraocular Pressure (IOP), Ocular Pulse Amplitude (OPA), and Ocular Perfusion Pressure (OPP) after the sub-Tenon's technique for cataract surgery. METHODS: The study included 40 patients randomly allocated into two groups: sub-Tenon's blockade with Lidocaine plus Saline Solution (LS) or Lidocaine plus Clonidine (LC). IOP, OPA and OPP were measured before anesthesia, and 1, 5 and 10 minutes after the injection of anesthetic solution. RESULTS: There was no difference between the groups in IOP, OPA, and OPP baseline values. After the injection of the anesthetic solution, the IOP increased in both groups at minute one, with a mean difference of +4.67 mmHg (p = 0.001) and +2.15 mmHg (p = 0.013) at 5 minutes. The increase was lower in the LC group when compared to LS (p = 0.027). OPA decreased in both groups, with a baseline difference, after 1 minute, of -0.85 mmHg (p =  -0.85 mmHg (p = 0.001), and at 5 and 10 minutes with differences of -1.17 (p = 0.001) and -0.89 mmHg (p = 0.001), respectively. The highest decrease was observed in group LC in relation to group LS (p = 0.03). There was no difference in OPP in relation to baseline measurements. CONCLUSIONS: Adding clonidine to lidocaine for sub-Tenon's anesthesia reduced IOP and OPA without significant changes in OPP.

Communication Differences between Oncologists and Palliative Care Clinicians: A Qualitative Analysis of Early, Integrated Palliative Care in Patients with Advanced Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence demonstrates the benefits of early, integrated palliative care (PC) for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Yet, data are lacking on the communication patterns within this model of care. OBJECTIVE: The goals of this study were to describe the content of patient-clinician discussions among patients receiving PC and to compare differences in discussion content between oncologists and PC clinicians. DESIGN: We conducted a qualitative observational analysis. SETTING/SUBJECTS: We included patients with incurable lung and esophageal cancer enrolled in a randomized trial of early, integrated PC versus usual oncology care. We analyzed 68 audio-recorded clinic visits (34 oncologist visits; 34 PC clinician visits) immediately after patients' (N = 19) first and second cancer progressions. We examined themes of clinician communication, comparing the content and frequency of discussions between oncologists and PC clinicians. RESULTS: Although both oncology and PC clinicians discussed symptom management, medical understanding, and treatment decision making with patients at nearly all postprogression visits, PC clinicians tended to assess patient understanding of the treatment process and prognosis more often than oncologists. PC clinicians addressed patient coping, caregiver experiences and needs, and advance care planning more frequently than oncologists. CONCLUSION: PC clinicians play a distinct, complementary role to oncologists in providing care for patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. PC clinicians tend to assess and elaborate on patient understanding of prognosis and treatment and emphasize effective coping, caregiver needs, and advance care planning. These results illuminate the communication elements by which early, integrated PC may improve patient and caregiver outcomes.

Magnesium sulfate improves postoperative analgesia in laparoscopic gynecologic surgeries: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare the analgesic effect of intravenous infusion of magnesium sulfate to ketorolac during laparoscopic surgeries. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University-affiliated teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Sixty women submitted to laparoscopic gynecologic oncology surgeries. INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous ketorolac 30 mg in bolus followed by saline infusion (group K), intravenous magnesium sulfate 20 mg/kg in bolus followed by magnesium 2 mg kg(-1) h(-1) (group M) or intravenous saline solution 20 mL in bolus followed by saline infusion during the entire procedure (group S). MEASUREMENTS: Postoperative pain, nausea, vomiting, sedation, opioid consumption, time to first dose of analgesic. MAIN RESULTS: Magnesium sulfate reduced opioid consumption compared with placebo in the postoperative, but not in the intraoperative, period. Nausea, not vomiting, was reduced in ketorolac but not in the magnesium group. Pain intensity was higher in placebo than in the other 2 groups during all periods of observation. In the first 60 minutes, pain intensity was lower in the magnesium than in the ketorolac or the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative magnesium sulfate improves postoperative pain control, acting as an opioid-sparing adjuvant, and is similar to ketorolac 30 mg administered in the beginning of surgery.

Removal of tetracycline from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations.

The aim of this study was to evaluate tetracycline antibiotic (TA) removal from contaminated water by Moringa oleifera seed preparations. The composition of synthetic water approximate river natural contaminated water and TA simulated its presence as an emerging pollutant. Interactions between TA and protein preparations (extract; fraction and lectin) were also evaluated. TA was determined by solid-phase extraction followed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Moringa extract and flour removed TA from water. The extract removed TA in all concentrations, and better removal (40%) was obtained with 40 mg L(-1); seed flour (particles < 5 mm), 1.25 and 2.50 g L(-1) removed 28% and 29% of tetracycline, respectively; particles > 5 mm (0.50 g L(-1)) removed 55% of antibiotic. Interactions between TA and seed preparations were assayed by haemagglutinating activity (HA). Specific HA (SHA) of extract (pH 7) was abolished with tetracycline (5 mg L(-1)); fraction (75%) and lectin HA (97%) were inhibited with TA. Extract SHA decreased by 75% at pH 8. Zeta potential (ZP) of extract 700 mg L(-1) and tetracycline 50 mg L(-1) , pH range 5-8, showed different results. Extract ZP was more negative (-10.73 to -16.00 mV) than tetracycline ZP (-0.27 to -20.15 mV); ZP difference was greater in pH 8. The focus of this study was achieved since Moringa preparations removed TA from water and compounds interacting with tetracycline involved at least lectin-binding sites. This is a natural process, which do not promote environmental damage.

Enfermeiro promotor da adaptação da família com idoso em situação de doença crónica / Nurse who promotes the adaptation of the family with an elderly person in a situation of chronic illness

A família é uma unidade complexa, dinâmica, com forte influência nos comportamentos de saúde. A necessidade de aprofundar conhecimentos sobre as necessidades da família, enquanto alvo dos cuidados de enfermagem, urge com o intuito de melhorar o processo de cuidados à pessoa e à sua família. Por todas as particularidades inerentes ao envelhecimento, etapa do ciclo vital, é pertinente conhecer as intervenções do enfermeiro que promovam a adaptação da família do idoso em situação de doença cronica. Realizou-se uma revisão sistemática da literatura na base de dados EBSCO, com o intuito de refletir e analisar criticamente as intervenções realizadas com as famílias em contexto da prática. Formulou-se uma pergunta em formato PI[C]O, selecionando-se três artigos que iam de encontro à temática da adaptação da família com idoso em situação de doença crónica, emergente do contexto de estágio. Da revisão da literatura, emerge o desafio da enfermagem que é o cuidar envolvendo não só as necessidades individuais da pessoa idosa mas também as da sua família como um todo. Numa posição privilegiada, o enfermeiro deve manter uma perspetiva holística e de interação, reconhecendo não só a família como parceira no cuidar, mas também como alvo dos seus cuidados. Atualmente, existe uma tendência cada vez maior para se transferir o cuidar para o domicílio responsabilizando assim as famílias, assumindo esta um papel crucial, maioritariamente desenvolvido por mulheres, verificando-se que, em muitas ocasiões, essa transferência não é acompanhada com a devida avaliação quanto às condições dos familiares para que o acolhimento da pessoa dependente seja feito sem qualquer tipo de risco. Alguns estudos destacam a importância das unidades hospitalares e outras a nível comunitário se organizarem no sentido de planear melhor a transferência da pessoa para o domicílio e para o desenvolvimento de programas de formação para cuidadores em diversas áreas possibilitando o desenvolvimento de competências na família, capacitando-a para a autonomia e desenvolvimento de habilidades em situação de dependência de um dos membros da família. A prática de enfermagem deve ter em conta a família como alvo de cuidados e ajudá-la a desenvolver competências, autonomia e envolvimento no processo de cuidados

The family unit is complex, and dynamic, with strong influence on health behaviors. The need to increase knowledge about the needs of the family as the target of nursing care, is urgent in order to improve the process of care to the person and his family. For all the peculiarities inherent in the aging stage of the life cycle, it is pertinent to know the nursing interventions that promote the adaptation of the elder in the family situation of chronic disease. A systematic literature review was made in EBSCO data base, with the meaning of critically analyze and reflect the interventions held with the families in context of practice. Selecting three articles that went against the theme of the family adaptation with an elder in chronic disease, emergent of the internship context, a question in PI[C]O format was made. From this literature review, the challenge of nursing care involving not only the individual needs of the elder but also those of his family as a whole has emerged. In a privileged position, the nurse must maintain a holistic perspective and interaction, recognizing not only the family as a partner in care, but also a target of care. There is an increasing tendency to transfer the care to the household making the families responsible, assuming therefore a crucial role, mainly developed by women, verifying that, in many instances, this transfer is not accompanied with proper assessment as to conditions of the family so that the hosting of the dependent patient is made without any risk. Some studies highlight the importance of hospitals and other community-level organizing themselves in order to better plan the transfer of the patient to the home and to develop training programs for caregivers in many areas enabling the development of skills in the family, enabling for autonomy and the development of skills in a situation of dependency of family members. The practice of nursing should take into account the family as the focus of care and help them develop skills, autonomy and involvement in care

Selectivity of arginine chromatography in promoting different interactions using synthetic oligonucleotides as model.

Arginine has been effectively used in several chromatography methodologies to improve recovery, resolution, and to suppress aggregation. Recently, arginine chromatography was used to fully separate supercoiled and open circular plasmid DNA isoforms. The specific recognition of supercoiled plasmid isoform by arginine was hypothesised to be due to the ability of arginine matrix to be involved in complex interactions that are partly dependent on the conformation of the DNA molecule. In light of these considerations a study was conducted to understand the several interactions that a DNA molecule can promote with the arginine support, in accordance with the chromatographic conditions established. Consequently, knowing the ideal conditions to promote the specific interactions, it could be possible to perform a more targeted and efficient purification. This work describes the chromatography of oligonucleotides with sizes up to 30 bases on the arginine-agarose gel. The effect of several conditions like hydrophobic character of the individual bases, molecular mass of the oligonucleotides, presence of secondary structures, temperature and elution buffer composition (salt and arginine supplemented buffer) was investigated. According to previous atomic data referent to possible interactions between amino acids and DNA nucleotides, arginine can preferentially interact with guanine by hydrogen bond, but other interactions (ionic interactions, van der Waals contacts, water mediated bonds) may also be present and become dominant depending on the conditions used. The results also revealed that the application of arginine in the elution buffer led to an effective elution of oligonucleotides from the arginine chromatographic support by a competition strategy. In general, it was suggested that the affinity interaction promoted by the arginine support is responsible for the specific recognition of particular oligonucleotide bases, involving multiple interactions.