Vapor-Phase of Essential Oils as a Promising Solution to Prevent Candida Vaginal Biofilms Caused by Antifungal Resistant Strains.

BACKGROUND: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a disease with high incidence, a huge impact on the quality of life and health of women, and which represents a great challenge to treat. The growing need to apply antifungal intensive therapies have contributed to an emergence of drug-resistant Candida strains. Thus, effective therapeutic options, to meet the antifungal-resistance challenge and to control high resilient biofilms, are urgently needed. This study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of essentials oils (EOs) on drug-resistant Candida vaginal isolates. METHOD: Therefore, the antimicrobial effect of tea tree, niaouli, white thyme, and cajeput EOs on the planktonic growth of Candida isolates was initially evaluated by an agar disc diffusion method. Then, the vapor-phase effect of tea tree EO (VP-TTEO) on biofilm formation and on pre-formed biofilms was evaluated by crystal violet staining, XTT reduction assay, colony forming units' enumeration, and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The results revealed high antifungal activity of EOs against drug-resistant Candida isolates. Additionally, the VP-TTEO showed a significant inhibitory effect on the biofilm formation of all tested isolates and was able to provoke an expressive reduction in mature Candida albicans biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, this study suggests that the VP-EO may be a promising solution that is able to prevent biofilm-related VVC caused by antifungal-resistant strains.

Large-scale aqueous synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 nanoparticles for photocatalytic degradation of ciprofloxacin.

Environmentally friendly synthesis of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) nanoparticles (NPs) is pivotal for producing sustainable photocatalytic compounds to be applied in the remediation of contaminants of emerging concern from water. To this end, we herein report an aqueous synthesis of CIGS NPs, followed by annealing, to give access to phase-pure CIGS crystals with chalcopyrite structure and no signs of secondary phases. Morphological and compositional characterization revealed NPs with an average size of 10-35 nm and uniform distribution of Cu, In, Ga, and Se elements. In addition, the first aqueous large-scale synthesis of CIGS NPs is developed by up-scaling the synthesis procedure, resulting in 5 g of highly crystalline nanoparticles exhibiting an ideal optical band gap of 1.14 eV. The as-synthesized NPs proved the ability to remove 71 and 83% of a contaminant of emerging concern, ciprofloxacin (CIP), under ultraviolet (UV) and visible (Vis) radiations, respectively.

Natural carbohydrate-based thermosensitive chitosan/pectin adsorbent for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.

Biodegradable and eco-friendly adsorbents composed of natural carbohydrates have been used to replace carbon-based materials. This study presents a natural carbohydrate-based chitosan/pectin (CS/Pec) hydrogel adsorbent to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions. The physical CS/Pec hydrogel was prepared by blending aqueous CS and Pec solutions at 65 °C, preventing the use of toxic chemistries (crosslinking agents). The thermosensitive CS/Pec hydrogel was quickly created by cooling CS/Pec blend at room temperature. The used strategy created stable CS/Pec hydrogel against disintegration and water dissolution. The as-prepared hydrogel was characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorbent had 1.688 mmol -COO- for each gram. These ionized sites bind Pb(II) ions, promoting their adsorption. The adsorption kinetic and equilibrium studies indicated that the Elovich and pseudo-second-order models adjusted well to the experimental data, respectively. The maximum removal capacities (qm) predicted by the Langmuir and Sips isotherms achieved 108.2 and 97.55 mg/g at 0.83 g/L adsorbent dosage (pH 4.0). The hydrogel/Pb(II) pair was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray dispersive energy (EDS), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The chemisorption seems to play an essential role in the Pb(II) adsorption. Therefore, the adsorbent was not recovered, showing low potential for reusability.

Outcomes of manual therapy on the biomechanics of swallowing in individuals with COPD. / Desfechos da terapia manual sobre a biomecânica da deglutição em indivíduos com DPOC.

PURPOSE: Several swallowing disorders have been reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients due to the mechanical disadvantage of the respiratory muscles caused by hyperinflation. To date, no reports have been found in the literature among the therapeutic strategies on the use of manual therapy (MT) to manage swallowing disorders in COPD. The aim of the study was to verify the outcomes of a TM program on the biomechanics of swallowing of individuals with COPD. METHODS: 18 individuals with a mean age of 66.06 ± 8.86 years, 61.1% (11) men, and a FEV1% mean of 40.28 ± 16.73 were evaluated before and after TM. The measures analyzed were: oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time (PTT), number of swallows, vallecular (VL) residue and pyriform sinuses, penetration/aspiration and hyolaryngeal excursion in liquid and pasty consistencies. RESULTS: A significant difference was found in PTT (p=0.04), VL residue (p=0.03), maximal hyoid elevation (p=0.003), and displacement of hyoid (p=0.02) in the pasty consistency. In the liquid consistency, we found a decrease in VL residue (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: The MT program influenced the swallowing biomechanics of COPD patients demonstrated by a reduction in PTT and VL residue and increased hyoid elevation and displacement in the pasty consistency. In the liquid consistency, a decrease in VL residue was found.

OBJETIVO: Diversos comprometimentos da deglutição têm sido relatados em indivíduos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), tendo como causa a desvantagem mecânica da musculatura respiratória devido à hiperinsuflação. Dentre as estratégias terapêuticas, até o momento, não foram encontrados relatos na literatura sobre o uso da terapia manual (TM) no manejo dos transtornos da deglutição nesta população. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar os desfechos de um programa de TM sobre a biomecânica da deglutição de indivíduos com DPOC. MÉTODO: Foram avaliados 18 indivíduos com idade média 66,06±8,86 anos, 61,1% (11) homens e VEF1%médio 40,28±16,73 antes e após-programa de TM. As medidas analisadas foram: tempo de trânsito oral, tempo de trânsito faríngeo (TTF), número de deglutições, resíduos em valéculas (VL) e seios piriformes, penetração/aspiração e excursão hiolaríngea na deglutição das consistências líquida e pastosa. RESULTADOS: Houve diferença significativa no TTF (p=0,04), resíduos em VL (p=0,03), elevação máxima do hioide (p=0,003) e deslocamento do hioide (p=0,02) na deglutição da consistência pastosa. Na consistência líquida apenas redução de resíduos em VL (p=0,001). CONCLUSÃO: O programa de TM interferiu na biomecânica da deglutição de indivíduos DPOC demonstrada pela redução do TTF, resíduos em VL e maior elevação e deslocamento do hioide na consistência pastosa. Na consistência líquida houve redução de resíduos em VL.

Desfechos da terapia manual sobre a biomecânica da deglutição em indivíduos com DPOC / Outcomes of manual therapy on the biomechanics of swallowing in individuals with COPD

RESUMO Objetivo Diversos comprometimentos da deglutição têm sido relatados em indivíduos com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC), tendo como causa a desvantagem mecânica da musculatura respiratória devido à hiperinsuflação. Dentre as estratégias terapêuticas, até o momento, não foram encontrados relatos na literatura sobre o uso da terapia manual (TM) no manejo dos transtornos da deglutição nesta população. O objetivo do estudo foi verificar os desfechos de um programa de TM sobre a biomecânica da deglutição de indivíduos com DPOC. Método Foram avaliados 18 indivíduos com idade média 66,06±8,86 anos, 61,1% (11) homens e VEF1%médio 40,28±16,73 antes e após-programa de TM. As medidas analisadas foram: tempo de trânsito oral, tempo de trânsito faríngeo (TTF), número de deglutições, resíduos em valéculas (VL) e seios piriformes, penetração/aspiração e excursão hiolaríngea na deglutição das consistências líquida e pastosa. Resultados Houve diferença significativa no TTF (p=0,04), resíduos em VL (p=0,03), elevação máxima do hioide (p=0,003) e deslocamento do hioide (p=0,02) na deglutição da consistência pastosa. Na consistência líquida apenas redução de resíduos em VL (p=0,001). Conclusão O programa de TM interferiu na biomecânica da deglutição de indivíduos DPOC demonstrada pela redução do TTF, resíduos em VL e maior elevação e deslocamento do hioide na consistência pastosa. Na consistência líquida houve redução de resíduos em VL.

ABSTRACT Purpose Several swallowing disorders have been reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients due to the mechanical disadvantage of the respiratory muscles caused by hyperinflation. To date, no reports have been found in the literature among the therapeutic strategies on the use of manual therapy (MT) to manage swallowing disorders in COPD. The aim of the study was to verify the outcomes of a TM program on the biomechanics of swallowing of individuals with COPD. Methods 18 individuals with a mean age of 66.06 ± 8.86 years, 61.1% (11) men, and a FEV1% mean of 40.28 ± 16.73 were evaluated before and after TM. The measures analyzed were: oral transit time, pharyngeal transit time (PTT), number of swallows, vallecular (VL) residue and pyriform sinuses, penetration/aspiration and hyolaryngeal excursion in liquid and pasty consistencies. Results A significant difference was found in PTT (p=0.04), VL residue (p=0.03), maximal hyoid elevation (p=0.003), and displacement of hyoid (p=0.02) in the pasty consistency. In the liquid consistency, we found a decrease in VL residue (p=0.001). Conclusion The MT program influenced the swallowing biomechanics of COPD patients demonstrated by a reduction in PTT and VL residue and increased hyoid elevation and displacement in the pasty consistency. In the liquid consistency, a decrease in VL residue was found.

O fazer dos trabalhadores de enfermagem e as repercussões nocuidado aos usuários / The working of nursing employees and its repercussions in the users’ care

Objetivo: conhecer a visão da equipe de enfermagem acerca de seu processo de trabalho. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, na qual participaram dois enfermeiros e dois técnicos de enfermagem, da unidade de clínica médica do hospital de ensino de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados, coletados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada, foram analisados conforme análise de conteúdo na modalidade temática. Resultados: os participantes revelam um processo de trabalho parcelar, solitário e rotineiro. As atividades dos enfermeiros estão voltadas, principalmente, para aspectosburocráticos e gerencias. Já os técnicos de enfermagem realizam atividades repetitivas e técnicas com pouca ênfase no cuidado integral ao paciente. Considerações finais: Urge a necessidade de reflexão sobre a totalidade do processo de produção na enfermagem para qualificar a assistência e para contribuir na visibilidade do fazer da enfermagem firmando o cuidado como a centralidade do trabalho.

Objective: to know the viewpoint of the nursing team about their working process. Methods: it is a qualitative research, in which two nurses and two nursing technicians participated, from the medicalclinic of a teaching hospital in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. The data, which were carried out through semi-structured interview, was analyzed according to content analysis in the thematic modality. Results: the participants reveal an installment, lonely, and uneventful working process. The activities of nurses are approaching, mainly, bureaucratic and management aspects. On the other hand, the nursing technicians perform repetitive and technical activities, which have little emphasis in a holistic care. Final Considerations: there is the necessity of reflection about the total nursing working process to qualify the assistance, and to contribute to the visibility of the work of theprofessionals, securing the care as working centrality.

Objetivo: conocer la visión de la equipo de enfermería sobre su proceso de trabajo. Métodos: pesquisa cualitativa, en la cual participaran dos enfermeros y dos técnicos de enfermería, e la unidadde clínica médica del hospital de enseñanza de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul. Los datos, recolectados por medio de la entrevista semiestructurada, fueron analizados de acuerdo con el análisis de contenido en la modalidad temática. Resultados: los participantes revelan un proceso de trabajoparcelar, solitario, y rutinero. Las actividades de los enfermeros están centradas principalmente en los aspectos burocráticos y gerenciales. Los técnicos de enfermería realizan actividades repetitivas y técnicas con poco énfasis en el cuidado integral. Consideraciones finales: urge la necesidad de reflexión sobre la totalidad del proceso de producción en la enfermería para cualificar la asistencia y contribuir en la visibilidad del hacer de los profesionales, firmando el cuidado como la centralidad del trabajo.