H3N2 homeopathic influenza virus solution modifies cellular and biochemical aspects of MDCK and J774G8 cell lines.

BACKGROUND: Influenza viruses cause highly contagious acute respiratory illnesses with significant mortality, especially among young children, elderly people, and individuals with serious medical conditions. This encourages the development of new treatments for human flu. Biotherapies are diluted solutions prepared from biological products compounded following homeopathic procedures. OBJECTIVES: To develop a biotherapy prepared from the infectious influenza A virus (A/Aichi/2/68 H3N2) and to verify its in vitro response. METHODS: The ultradiluted influenza virus solution was prepared in the homeopathic dilution 30dH, it was termed Influenzinum RC. The cellular alterations induced by this preparation were analyzed by optical and electron microscopy, MTT and neutral red assays. Glycolytic metabolism (PFK-1) was studied by spectrophotometric assay. Additionally, the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by J774.G8 macrophage cells was quantified by ELISA before and after infection with H3N2 influenza virus and treatment. RESULTS: Influenzinum RC did not cause cytotoxic effects but induced morphological alterations in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. After 30 days, a significant increase (p < 0.05) in mitosis rate was detected compared to control. MDCK mitochondrial activity was changed after treatment for 10 and 30 days. Treatment significantly diminished (p < 0.05) PFK-1 activity. TNF-α in biotherapy-stimulated J774.G8 macrophages indicated a significant (p < 0.05) increase in this cytokine when the cell supernatant was analyzed. CONCLUSION: Influenzinum RC altered cellular and biochemical features of MDCK and J774G8 cells.

Contaminação Microbiana das Soluções de Processamento Radiográfico: Risco de Infecção Cruzada / Microbial Contamination of Radiographic Developing and Fixing Solutions: Risk of Cross Infection

Objetivo: Avaliar a contaminação microbiana em amostras de revelador e fixador radiográficos água de processamento radiográfico, água do equipo odontológico e da fonte externa de água do consultório. Método: Amostras de 50 consultórios particulares e de 20 consultórios da Faculdade de Odontologia de Araçatuba-UNESP foram coletadas. As amostras foram submetidas à neutralização dos agentes inibitórios residuais e submetidas à pré-enriquecimento em água peptonada e caldo EVA e inoculadas em meios de cultura seletivos e não seletivos. O DNA nas amostras foi extraído e a presença de microrganismos superinfectantes foi avaliada por PCR. As diferenças na prevalência dos microrganismos nas amostras de soluções foram submetidas ao teste análise de variância de medidas repetitivas para dados categóricos, enquanto os testes de Qui-Quadrado e de Mann-Whitney foram utilizados para avaliar a existência de possíveis associações entre o número total de microrganismos heterotróficos e os protocolos de controle de infecção. O nível de significância adotado foi de 5%.Resultados: Verificou-se que as amostras de fixador eram contaminadas em uma freqüência muito menor do que o revelador e água de processamento radiográfico, sendo que essa última mostrava microrganismos tipicamente originados da microbiota bucal e da pele humanas, bem como microrganismos freqüentemente encontrados na água do equipo odontológico. A contaminação da água de processamento foi menor em consultórios onde o invólucro da película radiográfica recebia desinfecção antes do processamento ou era recoberto com filme plástico. Adicionalmente, todas as amostras de água da fonte externa do consultório se mostraram potáveis.Conclusão: A utilização de barreiras filmes plásticos de proteção a película mostrou ser a melhor forma de reduzir a contaminação dessas soluções

Objective: To evaluate the microbial contamination in samples of radiographic developing and fixing solutions, radiographic processing water, dental unit waterlines and dental officeÆs external water supply. Methods: Samples of 50 private dental offices and 20 dental offices of the School of Dentistry de Araçatuba-UNESP were collected. The samples were subjected to neutralization of the residual inhibitory agents followed by pre-enrichment in peptone water and EVA broth and were inoculated in selective and non-selective culture media. The DNA of the samples was extracted and the presence of superinfectant microorganisms was evaluated by PCR. The differences in the prevalence of the microorganisms in the samples of the solutions were analyzed by repeated-measures analysis of variance for category data, while the Chi-Square and Mann-Whitney tests were used to evaluate the existence of associations between the total number of heterotrophic microorganisms and infection control protocols. The significance level was set at 5%.Results: Samples of radiographic fixing solution presented a remarkably less frequent contamination than radiographic developing solution and radiographic processing water. The latter exhibited microorganisms typically originated from the oral microbiota and human skin as well as microorganisms frequently found in dental unit waterlines. There was less contamination of radiographic processing water in the dental offices where the x-ray film packets were disinfected before processing or were covered by a plastic film. Additionally, all samples of dental officeÆs external water supply were drinkable.Conclusion: Covering the x-ray film packets with a plastic film protection barrier was proven the best manner to reduce the contamination of the evaluated solutions

A new methodology for polyvalent intravenous immunoglobulin solution production with a two-stage process of viral inactivation

Highly purified intravenous immunoglobulin G concentrate (IV IgG) was produced with the use of polyethylene glycol associated to a single-stage precipitation by ethanol, instead of the classic Cohn-Oncley process, which employs cold alcohol as the precipitating agent, in a three-stage process. Precipitation of crude fraction containing more than 95% of immunoglobulin G was performed by liquid chromatography with a cation exchanger, CM-Sepharose, as a stationary phase. During the process, the product was subjected to two-stage viral inactivation. The first stage was performed by the action of sodium caprylate, 30 mM at pH 5.1+/- 0.1, and the second stage was performed by the action of a solvent-detergent mixture. The finished product was formulated at 5% with 10% sucralose as the stabilizing agent. The process yields 3.3g of IgG/liter of plasma. The finished product analysis showed an anti-complementary activity lower than 1CH50. Polymer and aggregate percent levels were lower than 3% in the five batches studied. The analysis of neutralizing capacity showed the presence of antibacterial and antiviral antibodies in at least three times higher concentrations than the levels found in source plasma. The finished product fulfilled all purity requirements stated in the 4th edition of the European pharmacopeia.

Obteve-se concentrado de imunoglobulina G intravenosa IgGIV, altamente purificado, utilizando-se polietilenoglicol associado a uma única etapa de precipitação por etanol, em substituição ao tradicional método descrito por Cohn-Oncley, que emprega, em três etapas, o mesmo álcool resfriado, como agente precipitante. A purificação da fração bruta contendo mais de 95% de imunoglobulina G foi realizada utilizando-se cromatografia líquida com um trocador de cátion, a CM-Sepharose, como fase estacionária. Durante o processamento o produto foi submetido a dupla inativação viral sendo a primeira pela ação do caprilato de sódio, 30 mM a pH 5,1+/- 0,1 e a segunda por ação de mistura de solvente/detergente. O produto acabado foi formulado a 5% utilizando-se sucralose 10% como estabilizante. O rendimento da metodologia foi de 3,3g de IgG/litro de plasma. A análise do produto acabado demonstrou atividade anti-complementar inferior a 1CH50. O valor percentual de polímeros e agregados em cinco lotes realizados foi inferior a 3%. O estudo da capacidade de neutralização demonstrou a presença de anticorpos anti-bacterianos e anti-virais em concentração pelo menos três vezes maior que o plasma de origem. O produto acabado apresentou conformidade com todos os requisitos de pureza dispostos na farmacopéia européia IV edição.

Impedance e-tongue instrument for rapid liquid assessment.

We present a compact and easy to handle instrument developed to perform rapid analysis of liquids utilizing an "electronic tongue" system. Briefly, the e-tongue used here is based on impedance measurements of an array of sensing units fabricated with ultrathin films of different materials deposited onto gold interdigitated electrodes. The instrument has the capability of measuring up to eight different sensor sets, each comprising an array of eight sensing units, and can perform a series of measurements in less than half of an hour. Additionally, there is a user-friendly software interface for instrument control, allowing the statistical correlation of samples using principal component analysis.

Easy ambient sonic-spray ionization-membrane interface mass spectrometry for direct analysis of solution constituents.

Using a cellulose dialysis membrane and aqueous solutions of common drugs as a proof-of-principle example, we demonstrate that solid but permeable and flexible membranes can be used as interfaces for the direct analysis of solution constituents via easy ambient sonic-spray ionization mass spectrometry. This new combination of MS techniques, herein termed EASI-MIMS, promotes droplet pick up of the analyte from the external surface of the membrane from where the analyte has selectively permeated for proper mass spectrometry characterization and quantitation. Possible application of EASI-MIMS such as the environmental analyses of effluents, on-line monitoring of fermentation and biotransformations and on-line pharmacokinetic blood analysis are discussed.

[Zinc and copper content in individual components used to prepare pediatric total nutrition mixtures]. / Contenido de zinc y cobre en los componentes individuales de las mezclas para fórmulas pediátricas de nutrición parenteral total.

OBJECTIVES: 1) to determine zinc and copper levels of contamination in the individual component solutions used to prepare the pediatric total parenteral nutrition mixtures in Argentina; 2) to compare zinc and copper amounts prescribed by the physician with the true amount given to a neonate weighing 1.2 kg and to a child weighing 10 kg, who would receive total parenteral nutrition formulas prepared with those component solutions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Zn and Cu were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 59 individual solutions belonging to 14 components chosen between the commercial products available in Argentina. RESULTS: zinc and copper, as contaminants, were found neither in the sterile water, nor in the potassium chloride or in the vitamin solutions. Zinc, but no copper, was detected in sodium chloride, manganese sulfate, chromium chloride and seleniose acid solutions. Zinc and copper were detected in dextrose, amino acids, calcium gluconate and lipid solutions at variable levels. Zinc sulfate solutions contained between 90.4% and 140% of the declared content and a variable contamination with copper. Copper sulfate solutions presented between 4% and 18% less the declared copper concentration and a variable contamination with zinc. Dextrose and lipid solutions presented the highest amount of zinc and copper. Therefore, the total parenteral mixtures prepared with the analyzed solutions must have had an excess of zinc and copper in relation to the prescription: ranging between 103% and 161% and between 7%-426% higher than the Zn and Cu amounts prescribed for neonates, respectively; the excess in the total parenteral nutrition for a child weighing 10 kg would ranged between 105% and 189% and between 7%-365% higher than the prescribed for Zn and Cu, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 1) Nine components presented Zn and five Cu, both of them not declared in the label; 2) the usually prescribed total parenteral nutrition mixtures must have had a zinc and copper amount higher than the prescribed one according to international recommendations; 3) those figures would be safe in patients without complications, but it would be harmful in renal failure, hepatic compromise or colestasis mainly in pediatric patients; 4) It would be advisable to declare in the label the true content of zinc and copper, with the aim to avoid deficiencies and excess which would compromise the evolution of pediatric patients.

Dissolução do tecido pulpar bovino por duas substâncias químicas do preparo do canal radicular / Bovine pulp tissue dissolution by two root canal irrigant solutions

O presente trabalho avaliou a dissolução de polpas bovinas pelo gel de clorexidina a 2,0% e pela solução de hipoclorito de sódio - em diferentes concentrações e valores de pH - sob duas temperaturas. Os fragmentos de tecido pulpar foram imersos em clorexidina 2,0%, veiculado em gel de natrosol, e hipoclorito de sódio a 5,0%; 2,5%; 1,0%; e 0,5%, com pH em 7,0; 9,0; e 11,0; sob duas temperaturas: 27°C e 37°C, para período máximo de 120 minutos. Dois fragmentos pulpares foram colocados em água destilada como grupos controles. Os resultados mostraram que: 1 - As soluções de hipoclorito de sódio sofrem influência de pH, temperatura e concentração, nessa ordem decrescente, para agir sobre a dissolução do tecido pulpar bovino. 2 - O gel de clorexidina a 2,0%, bem como as soluções de hipoclorito de sódio a 0,5% (pH 7), e temperaturas entre 27°C e 37°C, não dissolveram tecidos orgânicos durante o tempo experimental. 3 - Os trabalhos de pesquisa que utilizam o hipoclorito de sódio deveriam especificar suas características de pH, temperatura e concentração. 4 - Em pH 11, podem-se utilizar soluções menos concentradas do hipoclorito de sódio para manter sua ação de dissolução do tecido orgânico. 5 - Apesar de não se ter um modelo ideal para aquecimento controlado das soluções de hipoclorito de sódio, estas devem ser aquecidas para aumentar sua eficácia sobre a dissolução de tecido orgânico.

Avaliação da degradação e exaustão do revelador radiográfico em relação ao número de películas processadas: estudo baseado na qualidade das imagens radiográficas / Evaluation of degradation and exhaustion of radiographic developer in realtion to the number of processed films: study based on the quality of radiographic images

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o tempo de utilização das soluções processadoras e quantidade de filmes radiográficos que podem ser processados nessas mesmas soluções sem serem trocadas antes que ocorra degradação e exaustão desses líquidos. O método de avaliação foi a análise subjetiva da qualidade das imagens readiográficas. Para tanto, foram utilizados 269 filmes periapicais Ektaspeed Plus Kodak, do grupo E, quanto à sensibilidade, divididos em dois grupos: degradação e exaustão. Os filmes foram processados em câmara escura portátil sob luz ambiente de lâmpada fluorescentes para simular condições normais de trabalho em consultório odontológico. Após o processamento e secagem os filmes foram avaliados por cinco alunos do curso de pós-graduação em Radiologia Odontológica da FOSJC - Unesp pelo método subjetivo por meio de notas. Pôde-se constatar que para mo grupo degradação as piores notas (K < 1) foram emitidas a partir da película número 43; para o grupo exautão as piores notas foram atribuídas a partir da 192º radiografia (K = 1,8), porém neste grupo as radiografias compreendidas entre as de números 192 até 210 foram classificadas como de boa qualidade para interpretação. Conclui-se que a degradação do revelador ocorreu a partir do 21º dia do inicio do experimento, observado na 43ª radiografia, e, para o grupo exaustão,a partir da 192ª radiografia revelada, que ocorreu no nono dia da pesquisa

Ca2+ binding to sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase phosphorylated by Pi reveals four thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ sites in the presence of ADP.

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+-ATPase was phosphorylated by Pi at pH 8.0 in the presence of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO). Under these conditions, it was possible to measure transient 45Ca2+ binding to the phosphoenzyme. Binding reached 1.2 Ca2+ per phosphoenzyme (E-PCax) within 10 min in 30% Me2SO, 20 mM MgCl2 and 0.1 mM Pi and the phosphoenzyme only decreased by 23% during this period. This Ca2+ binding was abolished by thapsigargin, showing that it is associated with functional sites of the Ca2+-ATPase. At 40% Me2SO, simultaneous addition of Ca2+ and ADP increased Ca2+ binding up to almost four Ca2+ per phosphoenzyme (ADPE-PCay), revealing a species bearing simultaneously four Ca2+ sites. Both E-PCax and ADPE-PCay were further identified as distinct species by (2',3'-O-2(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate) fluorescence, which revealed long-range modifications in the Ca2+-transport sites induced by ADP binding to E-P. In addition, E-PCax was shown to be a functional intermediate of the cycle leading to ATP synthesis provided that Me2SO was diluted. These findings indicate that more than two functional Ca2+-sites exist on the functional Ca2+-ATPase unit, and that the additional sites become accessible upon ADP addition. This is compatible with a four-site model of the SR Ca2+-ATPase allowing simultaneous binding of Ca2+ at lumenal and cytosolic sites. The stoichiometries for Ca2+ binding found here could either be interpreted as binding of four Ca2+ on a Ca2+-ATPase monomer considered as the functional unit or as binding of two Ca2+ per monomer of a functional dimer.

Contribution of the raw material to the aluminum contamination in parenterals.

BACKGROUND: The extent of aluminum contamination in parenteral nutrition solutions was measured in 35 different commercial products, including amino acids, electrolytes, glucose, lipids, vitamins trace elements, and albumin. The extent of aluminum contamination in substances used as raw material for preparation of parenterals was also measured. Chemicals from different manufacturers and of different quality grades were analyzed individually. METHODS: The measurements were done by atomic absorption spectrometry. RESULTS: The results showed that the same product might have different aluminum content depending on the manufacturer, either for commercial formulations or substances. The highest contaminated chemicals included cystine, NaOH, vitamin C, biotin, gluconate, and Fe and Cr salts. The lowest contaminated chemicals included lipids, apolar amino acids, glucose, HCI, acetic acid, KCl, NaCl, and heparin. Among commercial products, the major contamination rates appeared in calcium gluconate, followed by trace elements, some vitamins, bicarbonate, phosphates salts, and heparin. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the aluminum in commercial products and substances, it can be concluded that the contamination may occur in parenterals because aluminum is present naturally in the chemicals. However, when the composition and concentration of the parenteral solution are considered, the contamination of calcium gluconate, trace elements, some vitamins, phosphates, bicarbonate, and heparin cannot be related only to the raw substances. The aluminum level present in these commercial formulations is too high to come only from the substances; therefore, it is possible that one of the steps of the manufacturing procedure is responsible for elevating the contamination of these products.

Simple and rapid determination of psoralens in topic solutions using liquid chromatography.

A method for sample preparation and high-performance liquid chromatography detection and quantification has been developed for the routine analysis of psoralen and bergapten, photosensitizing compounds, in topic solutions employed in Brazil for treatment of vitiligo and psoriasis. The linearity, accuracy, the inter- and intra-day precision of the procedure were evaluated. The calibration curve for psoralen and bergapten were linear in the range 1.0-20.0 microg ml(-1). The best recoveries of the psoralens in the topic solutions analysed were 96.3-98.2%. The percentage coefficient of variation of the quantitative analysis of the psoralens in the product analyses was within 5%.

Effects of acid etching on dentin surface: SEM morphological study / Efeitos de ataque ácido na superfície dentinária: estudo morfológico ao MEV

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the effects of acid solutions on dentin surface, and to analyse the depth of demineralization that the acid solutions cause on dentin, using different acids. Fifteen 3-mm thick dentin discs were prepared from the middle third of human molars. Standard smear layer was prepared on the dentin surface using 600 grit sandpaper, for 1 minute. The acids used were 10 per cent, 35 per cent and 37.5 per cent phosphoric acid and 10 per cent maleic acid, for 15 seconds, washed and dried. The control group received no treatment. Dentin discs were fractured, observed on the horizontal surface and also on the fractured surface to evaluate the depth of demineralization. Specimens were immersed in 4 per cent glutaraldehyde in phosphonate buffer, and prepared for SEM examination at 2000X and 4000X magnification. Acid etching of dentin, regardless of the concentration of phosphoric acid, caused removal of the smear layer, exposing the apertures of dentinal tubules. This was not observed when 10 per cent maleic acid was used. Al the fractured surface, one could observe an increase in demineralization of the width of dentinal tubules, to a specific depth of about 8.19 to 1mm, except for 10 per cent maleic acid

Sepsis relacionada con la nutrición parenteral total / Infection relation with parenteral nutrition total

En 14 niños que recibieron 25 aplicaciones de nutrición parenteral total (NPT) se estudió la presencia de bacterias en las soluciones de la NPT. Los cultivos se realizaron a partir de soluciones recién preparadas, dos veces por semana. En cuatro niños se sospechó sepsis y se les tomó muestras de sangre para cultivo; además, se buscaron bacterias en la punta del catéter venoso central (CVC) y en las soluciones de NPT que estaban recibiendo. Los cultivos de las soluciones de NPT y los que se tomaron en el momento de sospechar la sepsis, fueron negativos. En tres casos se hizo diagnóstico de sepsis causada por el CVC y en uno se consideró que la sepsis fue por siembra endógena. Se concluyó que las soluciones de NPT no son fuente de infección en el hospital en el que se hizo el estudio.

Procuración de organos para transplantes / Organ for transplantation

Muerte cerebral. Mantenimiento del donante. Ablación multiorgánica. Soluciones de Preservación. Etica y transplantes. Ley 24.193 Transplante de Organos y Materiales Anátomicos

Procuración de organos para transplantes / Organ for transplantation

Muerte cerebral. Mantenimiento del donante. Ablación multiorgánica. Soluciones de Preservación. Etica y transplantes. Ley 24.193 Transplante de Organos y Materiales Anátomicos

Rehidratación oral en SDA del lactante con solución Na 75 y Na 90 / Oral rehidration in infant acute diarrhea syndrome with Na 75 and Na 90 solution

Se analizan comparativamente 2 soluciones para la hidratación del lactante hospitalizado por Síndrome Diarréico Agudo (SDA) en la Unidad de Lactantes, Hospital Regional de Temuco, Enero-Marzo 1987. Se someten al estudio 39 pacientes divididos en 2 grupos randomizados y con sistema de doble ciego. En 17 se usó la solución glucoelectrolítica con 75 meq/L de Na y en 22 lactantes se utilizó la solución OMS de 90 meq/L de Na. Ambas soluciones fueron suficientes para hidratar y corregir acidosis metabólica en todos los pacientes. Ninguno presentó hipernatremia en su evolución. A partir de esta experiencia se propone el uso normado de la solución OMS en la terapia de hidratación oral del lactante hospitalizado por SDA con deshidratación moderada a grave, con el consiguiente menor costo de tratamiento, ahorro de días de hospitalización y el subsecuente menor riesgo de deshidratación y/o infección cruzada

Peritonite por B. subtilis em diálise peritoneal intermitente, crônica / Peritonitis due to B. subtilis in chronic intermittent peritoneal dialysis

Peritonite constitui uma complicaçäo freqüente da diálise peritoneal, sendo importante causa de morbidade e mortalidade. A flora bacteriana mais freqüente envolvida é a de gram-positivos, destacando-se o S. aureus e S. epidermidis, seguidos de estreptococos e de bacilos gram-negativos. Relatamos, no presente, três casos de peritonite em pacientes atendendo programa de diálise peritoneal intemitente, causadas pelo Bacillus subtilis. Habitualmente, o isolamento de Bacillus do líquido de diálise e de secreçöes orgânicas variadas (à exceçäo do B. anthracis) é tido como "contaminaçäo". Nosso relato visa alertar para a importância desse gyenero de bactéria como agente infectante, somando-se áqueles que destacam o papel patogênico dessa bactéria, e chamamos a atençäo para a procura de outros fatores de infecçäo que näo a pele ou aparelho digestivo, nessas situaçöes