Immunological assessment of mice hyperimmunized with native and cobalt-60-irradiated Bothrops venoms

ELISA was used to evaluate, accompany, and compare the humoral immune response of Swiss mice during hyperimmunization with native and Cobalt-60-irradiated (60Co) venoms of Bothrops jararaca, Bothrops jararacussu and Bothrops moojeni. Potency and neutralization were evaluated by in vitro challenges. After hyperimmunization, immunity was observed by in vivo challenge, and the side effects were assessed. The animals immunization with one LD50 of each venom occurred on days 1, 15, 21, 30, and 45, when blood samples were collected; challenges happened on the 60th day. Results showed that ELISA was efficient in evaluating, accompanying and comparing mouse immune response during hyperimmunization. Serum titers produced with natural venom were similar to those produced with irradiated venom. Immunogenic capacity was maintained after 60Co-irradiation. The sera produced with native venom showed neutralizing potency and capacity similar to those of the sera produced with irradiated venom. All antibodies were able to neutralize five LD50 from these venoms. Clinical alterations were minimum during hyperimmunization with irradiated venom, however, necrosis and death occurred in animals inoculated with native venom

Immunization with native and cobalt 60-irradiated Crotalus durissus terrificus venom in swiss mice: assessment of the neutralizing potency of antisera

ELISA was used to evaluate, follow, and compare the humoral immune response of Swiss mice during hyperimmunization with natural and Cobalt 60-irradiated (60Co) Crotalus durissus terrificus venom. Potency and neutralization were evaluated by in vitro challenges. After hyperimmunization, immunity was observed by “in vivo” challenge and the side effects were assessed. The animals immunization with one LD50 of the venom was on days one, 15, 21, 30, and 45, when blood samples were collected; the challenges occurred on the 60th day. Results showed that ELISA was efficient in evaluating, following, and comparing mouse immune response during hyperimmunization. Serum titers produced with natural venom were similar to those produced with irradiated venom. Immunogenic capacity was maintained after 60Co irradiation. Serum produced from Crotalus durissus terrificus irradiated venom showed higher potency and neutralization capacity than that from natural venom. All antibodies were able to neutralize five LD50 from these venoms. Clinical alterations were minimum during hyperimmunization with irradiated venom

Medición no invasiva de bilirrubina en el recién nacido. Significativo aporte a la práctica clínica en la ictericia neonatal / Non invasive measurement of serum bilirubin in newborns: significant contributions to the clinical practice in the jaundiced newborn

Objetivos del trabajo: 1) comparar la estimación de bilirrubina sérica obtenida por medición transcutánea, BiliCheck, con valores obtenidos espectrofotométricamente y por high performance liquid chromatography (Gold Standard), 2) Determinar puntos de corte de los valores de BiliCheck en los cuales se obtiene la máxima sensibilidad y especificidad, 3) Determinar si el color de la piel, peso de nacimiento, edad gestacional y sexo interfieren con la medición transcutánea de bilirrubina en recién nacidos

The impact of multimedia on teaching tropical medicine

This study evaluated the impact of multimedia in the information transfer of subjects specific to Tropical Diseases - Tetanus and Snake Envenoming. we evaluated the autonomous learning process of 76 fourth-year medical students at Botucatu School of Medicine of UNESP, using printed matter, video, and CD-ROM. The students were submitted to a specific test, which was repeated approximately one week later. They were divided into groups and received a kit containing a textbook, a video, and a CD-ROM. These materials were used for out-of-class study. Before the second test, the students gave a seminar, where they discussed and resolved their doubts with their professor. The results of the first test showed averages between 4.27±1.41 and 6,41±1.61. The second test, given after the seminar, presented averages that increased to 8.41±0.76 and 9.52±0.42, significance alfa = 5 per cent. At the end of the course, the students answered a questionnarie, which evaluated the material quality and acquired knowledge. The students concluded that multimedia was a more efficient and quick means for knowledge building than traditional teaching materials. They said that the active participation and interactivity with the CD-ROM were the major differences. The authors continue to study the associated use of printed matter, video, and CD-ROM as a faster alternative to the traditional method of information transfer, which may be of help in the knowledge building process in medical education.

Sigue siendo un problema la hiperbilirrubinemia en el recien nacido de término sano alimentado a pecho con las cifras actuales de tratamiento? / Is it still the hyperbilirubinemia a problem in the healthy term breast fed newborns with current rates of treatment?

Objetivo: evaluar en la población de recién nacidos de término sanos alimentados a pecho: 1) Porcentaje de niños que alcanzan nivel de bilirrubina sérica de 15, 17 y 20 mg/dl. 2) Número de determinaciones de bilirrubina sérica hasta alcanzar nivel de bilirrubina ó 13 mg/dl. 3) Tiempo requerido hasta alcanzar bilirrubina sérica ó 13 mg/dl. Diseño: prospectivo, observacional, descriptivo. Sujetos: incluimos en forma consecutiva todos los recien nacidos de término sanos alimentados a pecho nacidos en el Hospital Materno Infantil R. Sardá. Material y métodos: controlamos a los recién nacidos para valorar la presencia de ictericia en internación y mediante seguimiento por consultorio externo. De presentarla se realizó determinación de bilirrubina sérica. Al alta se los citó según estuviesen anictéricos o ictéricos. Anictéricos: a los 7-10 días. Ictéricos: según cifras de bilirrubina(BI) y días de vida: BIò15 mg/dl y ó5 días: cada 24 horas, >5 días: cada 48 horas; BI<15 mg/dl y ó5 días: cada 48 horas, >5 días: cada 4 días. Se los controló hasta BI ó13 mg/dl, con dos valores en descenso. Se indicó fototerapia con niveles de BI sérica total ò20 mg/dl. Resultados: entre el 23/1 y el 18/2/95 nacieron 195 recién nacidos de término sanos alimentados a pecho. Desertaron 31 (15.9 por ciento). El promedio de horas de estadía en internación conjunta fue de 55 ñ14.2 (mín: 34-máx: 107) mediana: 52. Del total de la población del estudio alcanzaron cifras de BI sérica ò17 mg/dl el 12 por ciento (20/164), y BIò20 mg/dl 3 por ciento (5/164). De los que presentaron ictericia el promedio de determinaciones de BI fue 3.48ñ2.05 (mín:1-máx:10) mediana:3. La cantidad de días hasta recuperar BIó13 mg/dl (2 valores en descenso) fue de: X 12ñ6.2 (3-33) mediana:11. Conclusiones: la ictericia neonatal, aún en el recién nacido de término sano, continúa siendo un problema para los médicos y para las madres: 1) por el alto porcentaje de la población que presenta hiperbilirrubinemias severas, 12 por ciento alcanza niveles de 17mg/dl y un 3 por ciento de 20 mg/dl, 2) por el tiempo requerido y número de determinaciones hasta alcanzar bilirrubina ó13 mg/dl. Es fundamental establecer esquemas de seguimientos adecuados a la institución y a la población que se asiste, que aseguren el control de todos los recién nacidos hasta resolución del problema. Además creemos que es necesario profundizar la investigación de nuevas líneas terapéuticas con características preventivas.

Hidratacao oral domiciliar: um estudo operacional. / Domiciliary oral hydration an operational study

Cincoenta criancas atendidas em ambulatorio, por motivo de diarreia aguda, foram submetidas ao procedimento terapeutico de hidratacao oral em seus proprios domicilios, supervisionadas por uma equipe de atencao primaria a saude. Tres criancas com sinais clinicos de desidratacao ganharam respectivamente 4, 3,3 e 3,8 por cento de peso corporal em 24, 6 e 24 horas. Outras 36 criancas ganharam, em media, 0,9 por cento de peso corporal em seis horas ingerindo a media mais ou menos desvio padrao de 486 mais ou menos 323 ml da solucao oral oferecida. Noventa por cento das maes dessas criancas fizeram um controle bastante satisfatorio do estado de hidratacao de seus filhos. Nos parece que esse regime de hidratacao oral e seguro, para ser usado a nivel ambulatorial mesmo para populacoes de baixo nivel socio-economico