Effect of photobiomodulation on endothelial cell exposed to Bothrops jararaca venom

Bleeding is a common feature in envenoming caused by Bothrops snake venom due to extensive damage to capillaries and venules, producing alterations in capillary endothelial cell morphology. It has been demonstrated, in vivo, that photobiomodulation (PBM) decreases hemorrhage after venom inoculation; however, the mechanism is unknown. Thus, the objective was to investigate the effects of PBM on a murine endothelial cell line (tEnd) exposed to Bothrops jararaca venom (BjV). Cells were exposed to BjV and irradiated once with either 660-or 780-nm wavelength laser light at energy densities of 4 and 5 J/cm(2), respectively, and irradiation time of 10 s. Cell integrity was analyzed by crystal violet and cell viability/mitochondrial metabolism by MTT assay. The release of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was quantified as a measure of cell damage. In addition, cytokine IL1-beta levels were measured in the supernatant. PBM at 660 and 780 nm wavelength was able to increase cellular viability and decrease the release of LDH and the loss of cellular integrity. In addition, the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL1-beta was reduced after PBM by both wavelengths. The data reported herein indicates that irradiation with red or near-infrared laser resulted in protection on endothelial cells after exposure to Bothrops venom and could be, at least in part, a reasonable explanation by the beneficial effects of PBM inhibiting the local effects induced by Bothrops venoms, in vivo

Quality of prescription of high-alert medication and patient safety in pediatric emergency / Calidad de las recetas de los medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos y la seguridad del paciente en urgencias pediátricas

Objective: Verify the importance of compliance by prescribed doses of high-alert medications in unit of pediatric emergency in patient safety. Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted in a unit of pediatric emergency, for March to April of 2012. This study included all prescriptions that contained at least one high-alert medication, excluding all of others. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel® version 2007, and the study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Hospital. Results: This study included prescriptions for 100 patients with a mean age of 5.2 ± 4.2 years. Were identified 983 (40.1%) high-alert medications (21 different), with predominance of injectable solutions (834, 84,8%), and of these 727(73.95%) were electrolytes. The analysis of the dose was possible for 641 electrolytes and 104 non-electrolytes, being thedose inadequacies observed for some medications. Was observed concentration absent to 189 (18.9%) prescribed medications, these with liquid pharmaceutical form or aerosol. Was observed also the absence of maximum dose for 8 (36.3%) prescribed drugs "if necessary". Conclusión: The inadequacies of doses of high-alert medications identified in this study may compromise patient safety, demonstrating the importance of knowledge of multidisciplinary health care team by this subject, in this context, it is noteworthy that the acting of a clinical pharmacist together with the health multidisciplined team can contributes with the review of drug prescriptions, reducing potential errors and collaborating with patient safety

Objetivo: Investigar la importancia de la conformidad de las dosis prescritas delos medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos en un hospital pediátrico de urgencia en la garantía de la seguridad del paciente. Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en una unidad de atención de urgencia pediátrica, referente a los meses de marzo y abril de 2012. Se incluyeron todas las prescripciones que contienen al menos un medicamento potencialmente peligroso, excluyendo todas las otras. Los datos fueron analizados utilizando Microsoft Office Excel® versión 2007, y el estudio fue aprobado por el Comité Ético de Investigación Institucional. Resultados: Se incluyeron prescripciones de 100 pacientes con 5,2 ± 4,2 años de edad. Se identificaron 983 (40,1%) medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos (21diferentes), con mayoría de la soluciones inyectables (834, 84,8%), siendo 727(73,95%) electrolitos. El análisis de las dosis fue posible para 641 medicamentos electrolitos y 104 no electrolitos, observándose non conformidad de dosis para para algunos medicamentos. Fue posible constatar que la concentración de los fármacos estuvo ausente para 189 (18,9%) medicamentos prescritos con forma farmacéutica líquida y/o aerosoles. También se observó la ausencia de las dosis máximas de 8 (36,3%) medicamentos prescritos "si es necesario". Conclusión: Las non conformidad en las dosis de medicamentos potencialmente peligrosos identificados en el presente estudio pueden comprometer la seguridad del paciente, lo que demuestra la importancia del equipo multidisciplinario de atención a la salud tener conocimiento de este tema. En este contexto, cabe destacar que la actuación de un farmacéutico clínico insertado en este equipo puede contribuir para la revisión de las prescripciones de medicamentos, lo que reducelos posibles errores y colabora con la seguridad del paciente

Effects of temperature, salinity, and medium composition on compatible solute accumulation by thermococcus spp

The effects of salinity and growth temperature on the accumulation of intracellular organic solutes were examined by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) in Thermococcus litoralis, Thermococcus celer, Thermococcus stetteri, and Thermococcus zilligii (strain AN1). In addition, the effects of growth stage and composition of the medium were studied in T. litoralis. A novel compound identified as beta-galactopyranosyl-5-hydroxylysine was detected in T. litoralis grown on peptone-containing medium. Besides this newly discovered compound, T. litoralis accumulated mannosylglycerate, aspartate, alpha-glutamate, di-myo-inositol-1,1'(3,3')-phosphate, hydroxyproline, and trehalose. The hydroxyproline and beta-galactopyranosyl-5-hydroxylysine were probably derived from peptone, while the trehalose was derived from yeast extract; none of these three compounds was detected in the other Thermococcus strains examined. Di-myo-inositol-1,1'(3,3')-phosphate, aspartate, and mannosylglycerate were detected in T. celer and T. stetteri, and the latter organism also accumulated alpha-glutamate. The only nonmarine species studied, T. zilligii, accumulated very low levels of alpha-glutamate and aspartate. The levels of mannosylglycerate and aspartate increased in T. litoralis, T. celer, and T. stetteri in response to salt stress, while di-myo-inositol-1,1'(3,3')-phosphate was the major intracellular solute at supraoptimal growth temperatures. The phase of growth had a strong influence on the types and levels of compatible solutes in T. litoralis; mannosylglycerate and aspartate were the major solutes during exponential growth, while di-myo-inositol-1,1'(3,3')-phosphate was the predominant organic solute during the stationary phase of growth. This work revealed an unexpected ability of T. litoralis to scavenge suitable components from the medium and to use them as compatible solutes.