Evaluation and handling of constipation in critical patients. / Evaluación y abordaje del estreñimiento en el paciente crítico.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of nursing care against constipation and to identify, analyze and evaluate causes and consequences. METHODOLOGY: Observational, descriptive and prospective study in polyvalent ICU tertiary hospital (2013-2015). INCLUSION CRITERIA: >18 years, stay >7 days, connected to respiratory support, with nasogastric tube and enteral or mixed nutrition. Patients with gastrointestinal pathology, encephalopathic and jejunostomy/ileostomy were excluded. The studied variables (age, sex, weight, height, pathology, medical treatment, nutrition and volume type, depositional characteristics, quantity and frequency, corrective measures and complications) were collected by ad hoc grill. It is authorized by the CEIC. RESULTS: 139 patients with a mean age of 62 years and average stay of 11 days were analyzed; 63% suffered from constipation. Opiates and antacid were the drugs administered most frequently (99%), even though patients who took muscle relaxants, iron supplements and/or calcium and anti-hypertensive were the ones who suffered most from constipation (77%; 75%; 70%) The fiber free diet was the most widely used (60% constipated), followed by dietary fiber (51% constipated), and the combination of both (85% constipated). 56% used laxatives as a corrective measure, Magnesium Hydroxide being the most widely used; 54% began the first day. Gastric retention was the most relevant complication (49%). CONCLUSION: Constipation is a real multifactorial problem. We recommend: • Intensified surveillance in patients with drugs that promote constipation. • Use high-fiber diets from the outset. • Apply laxatives and prokinetics early and in combination. We need to create a protocol for prophylaxis and management of constipation.

Development and certification of green tea-containing standard reference materials.

A suite of three green tea-containing Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) has been issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST): SRM 3254 Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Leaves, SRM 3255 Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) Extract, and SRM 3256 Green Tea-Containing Solid Oral Dosage Form. The materials are characterized for catechins, xanthine alkaloids, theanine, and toxic elements. As many as five methods were used in assigning certified and reference values to the constituents, with measurements carried out at NIST and at collaborating laboratories. The materials are intended for use in the development and validation of new analytical methods, and for use as control materials as a component in the support of claims of metrological traceability.

Certification of standard reference materials containing bitter orange.

A suite of three dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs) containing bitter orange has been developed, and the levels of five alkaloids and caffeine have been measured by multiple analytical methods. Synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, total alkaloids, and caffeine were determined by as many as six analytical methods, with measurements performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and at two collaborating laboratories. The methods offer substantial independence, with two types of extractions, two separation methods, and four detection methods. Excellent agreement was obtained among the measurements, with data reproducibility for most methods and analytes better than 5% relative standard deviation. The bitter-orange-containing dietary supplement SRMs are intended primarily for use as measurement controls and for use in the development and validation of analytical methods.

Rentabilidad de los medios de hemocultivos para anaerobios en urgencias / Rentability of anaerobic blood cultures in the emergency department

Objetivo: La finalidad de este estudio es comparar la rentabilidad clínica de extracción de hemocultivos en medio para anerobios frente a un aumento del volumen de extracción en medio de cultivo, para gérmenes aerobios en bacteriemias de origen extrahospitalario diagnosticadas en urgencias, con intención de valorar y comparar la utilidad clínica de los medios de cultivo aerobios y anaerobios simultáneamente, frente a un volumen de extracción de sangre al menos similar procesado en medio sólo para aerobios. Métodos: Durante un mes se realizaron hemocultivos a todos los pacientes que por criterio médico lo precisaban en el servicio de urgencias, con intención de comparar clínicamente 30 ml de sangre procesados para aerobios y anaerobios (15 ml en cada medio), frente a 35 ml en medio sólo para aerobios. Se realizó el cálculo del índice Kappa de acuerdo entre ambos tipos de extracciones. Resultados: Se analizaron 152 pacientes (3 extracciones/paciente, con un volumen total de 50 ml por paciente). El número de bacteriemias verdaderas diagnosticadas con 35 ml de extracción por paciente procesados únicamente en medio de cultivo para aerobios fue de 27, mientras que ascendía a 31 si se procesaban en medio de aerobio y anaerobios simultáneamente (total 30 ml). La medida de acuerdo índice Kappa fue de 0,88, p=0,057. Analizados los crecimientos de microrganismos contaminantes, existe una disminución significativa de los mismos (p<0,05) si se mantienen los medios de cultivo para anaerobios, en lugar de aumentar y procesar los hemocultivos sólo en medio para aerobios. Conclusión: Con los resultados obtenidos, la recomendación de los autores es mantener sistemáticamente los medios de crecimiento para anaerobios en las sospechas de bacteriemias de origen extrahospitalario, en lugar de aumentar el volumen de extracción y procesamiento en medio de crecimiento para aerobios (AU)

Objectives: The objetive of this study is to compare the rentability of anaerobic hemocultures, with aerobic cultures increasing the total amount of extracted blood of patients suffering bacteremia, trying to analize and compare the clinical utility of the rentability of aerobic/ anaerobic cultures in front of a similar collection of blood cultures aerobic/aerobic. Methods: There were analized all the hemocultures taken by medical decision for one month in the emergency department of the hospital to compare 15 ml aerobic/15 ml anaerobic (total 30 ml) with 15 ml aerobic/ 20 ml aerobic (total 35 ml).The Kappa index was 0.88, p=0.057. Results: There were analyzed 152 hemocultures groups with a total volumen extraction of 50 ml by each group. The number of true bacteriemias diagnosticated with 35 ml of blood by each patient cultivated only in aerobic blood cultures were 27, but there were 31 if the 30 ml of blood by patient were cultivated in aerobic/anaerobic blood cultures. with signicant decrease (p<0.05) of the contaminants bacterias if there are used anaerobic bottles instead of a increasing volumen of blood for aerobic cultures. Conclusion: In the emergency department with extrahospitalary bacteremias the anaerobic blood cultures should sistematically be done instead of increasing blood extraction to aerobic blood cultures (AU)

[Utility of anaerobic blood cultures in extra-hospitalary bacteremias]. / Utilidad de los medios de crecimiento para anaerobios en las bacteriemias de origen extrahospitalario.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the rentability of anaerobic hemocultures with aerobic cultures in patients suffering bacteremia, trying to analyze the rentability of anaerobic cultures. METHODS: There were analyzed all the hemocultures taken by medical decision for one month. There were taken three extractions by patient in different venopunctures points. In each extraction was taken 10 ml (5 ml in aerobic bottle, and 5 ml in anaerobic bottle). There were compared microorganism isolated in aerobic bottles and anaerobic bottles. Three physician analyzed all the clinical dates of the patients with positive hemocultures and classified them as negatives, contaminants and significant. RESULTS: There were taken hemocultures of 180 patients. There were analyzed 152 hemocultures groups (3 extractions aerobic-anaerobic), without studying 28 owe to not following the study protocol 24 (13.3%) or because of not possibility of studying clinical story 4 (2.2%). Aerobic extractions: Negatives 91 (59.86%), contaminants 36 (23.68%), significant with or without contaminant 25 (16.44%). Anaerobic extractions: Negatives 127 (83.5%), contaminants 2 (1.31%); significant with or without contaminant 23 (15.13%). There are 6 (8.6%) significant positive isolated in anaerobic bottles, that were negative in aerobic bottles, and are: 3 E. coli, 1 K. pneumoniae, 1 Peptostreptococcus sp, 1 Bacteroides sp, and over the total significant isolated (31) are the 19.35%. Both anaerobic bacteremias were clinically suspected. Contaminant microorganism more frequently isolated in aerobic bottles was Staphylococcus sp, 25 cases (69.44% of all contaminants). Significant microorganism more frequently isolated was E. coli (in anaerobic bottles too) in 12 cases (38.70%) of all significant isolated, following by Streptococcus pneumoniae with 4 cases (12.9%). CONCLUSIONS: We recommend collection of one aerobic and one anaerobic blood culture bottle per blood culture set because the global rentability of hemocultures is increased significantly.

Utilidad de los medios de crecimiento para anaerobios en las bacteriemias de origen extrahospitalario / Utility of anaerobic blood cultures in extrahospitalary bacteremias

Objetivo: Comparar rentabilidad de extracción de hemocultivos en medios para aerobios frente a anaerobios en bacteriemias diagnosticadas en urgencias, con intención de valorar la utilidad de los medios de cultivo para anaerobios. Metodología: Durante un mes se realizaron hemocultivos a todos los pacientes que por criterio médico lo precisaban. Tres extracciones por sujeto en sitios de venopunción diferentes. En cada extracción se obtenían 10 ml (distribuidos en 5 ml para frasco aerobios, 5 ml para frasco de aerobios). Posteriormente se compararon los frascos de aerobios frente a anaerobios. Se valoraron por tres clínicos todas las historias de los pacientes con hemocultivo positivo, clasificándolos como negativos, contaminantes o significativos. Resultados: Se obtuvieron hemocultivos de un total de 180 pacientes. Se analizaron 152 grupos de hemocultivos (3 extracciones aerobiosanaerobios), sin valorarse los 28 restantes por no seguir el protocolo de estudio 24 (13,3 por ciento); o por no haber podido analizar la historia clínica 4 (2,2 por ciento). Grupo de tres extracciones sólo aerobios: Negativos 91 (59,86 por ciento), contaminantes 36 (23,68 por ciento), verdadero positivo en por lo menos una de las tres con o sin contaminante 25 (16,44 por ciento). Grupo de tres extracciones sólo anaerobios: Negativos 127 (83,5 por ciento), contaminantes 2 (1,31 por ciento) ; verdadero positivo en por lo menos una de las tres con o sin contaminante 23 (15,13 por ciento). Existen 6 casos (8.6 por ciento) de verdaderos positivos en frasco de anaerobios que han sido negativos en los frascos de aerobios y que corresponden a los siguientes gérmenes: 3 E. coli; 1 K. pneumoniae; 1 Peptostreptococcus sp; 1 Bacteroides sp y sobre el total de verdaderos positivos (31) suponen el 19,35 por ciento. Las dos bacteriemias por anaerobios, fueron sospechadas clínicamente. El germen que con más frecuencia fue contaminante en medio de crecimiento para aerobios, es el Staphylococcus sp coagulasa negativo, 25 asos (69,44 por ciento de todos los contaminantes).El germen productor de bacteriemia verdadera más frecuente fue el E. coli (también en anaerobios) con 12 casos (38,70 por ciento de todas las verdaderas bacteriemias), seguido del Streptococcus pneumoniae, 4 casos (12,90 por ciento).Conclusiones: Nuestra recomendación es mantener los cultivos en frascos de anaerobios en las sospechas de bacteriemia puesto que la rentabilidad global de los hemocultivos aumenta de forma significativa (AU)

An overview of ISS ECLSS life testing at NASA, MSFC.

Numerous components have been developed for use in the International Space Station (ISS) Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS). Although these components have performed admirably for short-duration subsystem tests, there is little long-range operational (life test) data available. It is important to know not only how long a subsystem is anticipated to perform, but also the problems that can be expected should subsystem components fail. For this reason, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) at the Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) developed the ECLSS Life Test program. To date, assemblies and subassemblies that are being or have been tested include the Trace Contaminant Control Subassembly (TCCS), the Vapor Compression Distillation Urine Processor Assembly (VCD-UPA), the Four-Bed Molecular Sieve Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (4BMS-CDRA), and the Solid Polymer Electrolyzer Oxygen Generation Assembly (SPE-OGA). Also included in life testing are noncomponent life test studies. These include the Water Degradation Study and the Biofilm Life Test. The Water Degradation Study looks at water quality changes after exposure to simulated ISS pre-Water Recovery Management (WRM) conditions. The Biofilm Life Test will examine microbial accumulation on surfaces in a simulated ISS water delivery system. This article will briefly review the objectives of each life test program, the results of completed tests, and the major problems observed during the tests.

Assessment of the viral removal capability of the International Space Station Water Recovery and Management system.

The development of the International Space Station (ISS) Water Reclamation and Management (WRM) system has been supported through integrated testing at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC). Assessment of the viral removal capabilities of the ISS water processor was performed as part of the hardware performance evaluation. For the Viral Challenge Test, a known concentration of viruses was mixed with human-generated wastewater and reclaimed using the ISS Water Processor. The composition and concentrations of the different wastewaters used for this test represented the combination of contaminants expected to be found in the wastewater that will be collected and recycled on board the ISS. The results from the Viral Challenge Test clearly showed that the ISS WRM has the capacity to reduce the concentration of viruses in the wastewater by 12 log10 units.

Assessment of biofilm formation in the International Space Station Water Recovery and Management system.

Tests are being conducted at NASA/Marshall Space Flight Center with the purpose of assessing possible water quality changes and potential biofilm formation in the water distribution system of the International Space Station (ISS) Water Recovery and Management (WRM) System. The Biofilm Life Test and Water Degradation Study (WDS) will be discussed in this article. The Biofilm Life Test examines the potential for biofilm formation in the ISS water distribution plumbing and storage tanks. The test has two independent loops; one simulates the waste water prior to the processing by the ISS Water Processor (WP), and the other simulates the processed (clean) water after the ISS WP. The test setup design incorporates tube lengths and angles, material types, flow rates, and recommended hardware that represent the ISS water distribution system. The WDS purpose is to assess changes in water quality (chemical and microbiological) during stagnant, long-term storage in distribution lines. Test results demonstrate that prior to the operation of the ISS WP, water can be stored in the ISS water distribution lines.

A new method of scaling up free flow electrophoresis.

Free flow electrophoresis (FFE) has been utilized for the separation of proteins and cells for many years and has evolved into the most promising method of continuous separation of biomolecules. One of the major drawbacks inherent in FFE in the past, however, is the thermal convection caused by joule heating which occurs whenever a current is applied across a conducting liquid medium. To provide efficient heat dissipation, the cross-section of traditional FFE units is restricted to approximately 1 mm, which limits sample throughput. A new continuous FFE apparatus, which internally cools the separation unit by passing water through aligned capillary tubes, has been developed. This innovation allows scale-up of the separation without thermal convection. Results of separations of dyes and proteins are presented.

Preliminary investigation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis biovars.

A total of 97 Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains were enzymatically evaluated by the APIZYM system. Four enzymatically based groups (biovars) of M. tuberculosis were recognized.

Preliminary investigation of Candida albicans biovars.

A total of 126 Candida albicans strains were enzymatically evaluated by the API ZYM system. Four enzymatically based groups of C. albicans are recognized.